Fabrica Cafe
50 Rose Street, Fitzroy
03 9972 3948
Breakfast, Burger, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea
$$
Food
- Choco Bonanza Waffles
- Granola, The Ultimate Blend
- Porterhouse Steak Sandwich
- Latte
The Good
We were impressed by the Granola. Stunningly presented, the centrepiece of the dish was undoubtedly the suitably wobbly vanillla pannacotta, which was beautifully smooth and creamy. This was served alongside was the house-made mix of granola that was lightly toasted and offered up a pleasant crunch. Alongside was an abundance of fresh berries as well as a tangy rhubarb compote, which was made whole by a dash of milk throughout. The cherry on top, so to speak, was the poached pear which, along with the honey, added a hint of sweetness to the dish.
We also enjoyed the Choco Bonanza Waffles. The stunning presentation made way for an incredibly sweet and indulgent experience. The freshly made waffle exhibited the perfect amount of sponginess that perfectly soaked up the slowly melting vanilla ice cream. Alongside were the generous dollops of slightly dark chocolate and a thick and rich caramel which added to the sweetness. Contrasting all this was the huge chunk of Tim Tam and mini Oreo cookies dotted throughout, which offered up a satisfying crunch that juxtaposed the soft pillowy waffles.
We also enjoyed the Porterhouse Steak Sandwich. Between the fluffy brioche buns, we found two massive cuts of tender and juicy steak. With good beef flavour, the protein exhibited good beef flavour, though could do with a tad more seasoning. Fortunately, the crispy bacon and sweet tomato relish offered up plenty of flavour and were the perfect accompaniment to the meaty steak, while the slice of vintage cheddar added depth. Served alongside were some old-school, crispy hand cut chips fried in your traditional fish-and-chip shop style, and provided an incredible crunch with each bite.
The Mediocre
While the coffees tasted universally solid, with great depth in flavour and the milk was quite smooth, we definitely missed having latte art on our drinks. Despite having no effect on taste, latte art is pretty much a given at any cafe these days, and we feel that this aspect certainly shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Inhibiting the former space of now-defunct Horse on Heels, it’s great to see this stunning venue has been put to good use, with stunning, tasty food to match.
With well-priced dishes that not only look beautiful, but also satisfied the tastebuds, Fabrica is undoubtedly a winning combination that’s sure to impress.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Definitely. Just can’t wait to be back for more of those waffles!
Penguineats would like to thank owner Mark for inviting us to Fabrica Cafe.