C.H. James
86 Station Street, Fairfield
03 9486 3484
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Smashed Avocado w Panko Egg,
- with House-Cured King Ora Salmon
- Chermoula Braised Lamb Shoulder w Fried Eggs
- Buttermilk Hotcakes
- Latte
- Chai Latte
The Good
It was a very appetising start with the Chermoula Briased Lamb Shoulder. Topped with two perfectly fried eggs, the well-spiced lamb, pulled lamb shoulder was cooked to perfection. The tender protein was just so succulent and flavoursome, with an abundance of herbs complementing the beautiful lamb aroma. Sitting underneath was the crunch of the sourdough, which was perfectly juxtaposed by the creamy and runny egg yolk as well as the soft lamb protein. With the garlic yoghurt offering up plenty of creamy goodness, this lamb dish definitely delivered on the bold, Mediteranean flavours that we were looking for.
The Smashed Avocado was far from your ordinary rendition. With an amazing panko crumbed poached egg, the outer was fried to a perfect crisp, which enclosed a well-poached and aptly runny egg yolk. The avcado itself was exceptionally fresh, and loaded with a generous helping of dukkah spice, garlic yoghurt and chilli oil, all of which ensured an unapologetic punch in flavour with each bite. Trust me, there was never a dull moment with this dish, as the light yet creamy fetta added held all the components together.
We polished off our meal with a simply delectable stack of Buttermilk Hotcakes. The stunning presentation gave way to some of the tastiest hotcakes we’ve come across. These perfectly cooked pancakes exhibited an incredibly soft and fluffy inner that was perfectly juxtaposed by the slightly crispy outer. The generous serve of light and airy mascarpone foam added a hint of creamy sweetness, which was contrasted by an abundance of fresh and tangy citrus fruits scattered throughout. A rather light, yet very satisfying sweet dish that offered up a well-balanced experience.
The Mediocre
We enjoyed both the Latte and the Chai Latte, with both rather fragrant and aromatic. Unfortunately this did not translate to the flavour of the drink itself, both unexpectedly muted and were far from the full-bodied sensation we were looking for.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
CH James is a cosy neighbourhood that cafe that dishes up some brilliant dishes, not only in presentation but most importantly, in taste as well. The comprehensive menu are loaded with items that’d make you salivate, from breakfast to lunch items, and the end result was an undeniably satisfying and thoroughly enjoyable meal.
Characterised by bold yet well-balanced flavours, it’s no surprise that with this calibre of chefs at the helm, the superb execution made way for an amazing sensory experience, from the savoury to the sweets.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Most definitely. There’s plenty more on that menu that we’d love to sample, and we will surely be back for more!
Penguineats would like to thank The World Loves Melbourne and CH James for inviting us.