Platform One (Ormond)
501 North Road, Ormond
03 9578 5001
Breakfast, Cafe, Coffee, Coffee and Tea, Healthy Food, Middle Eastern
$$
Food
- Sweet Life of Pancakes
- Wonder Vegan
- Middle Eastern Big Plate
- Nutella Brownie Milkshake
The Good
It was an absolutely impressive start with the Nutella Brownie Milkshake. Drizzled liberally with chocolate and topped with marshmallows, the rim of the glass was generously coated with a thick layer of Nutella. Digging into the shake, you were rewarded with wholesome chunks of beautifully fudgey bites of brownie, with a hint of nutty flavour thanks to the walnuts within. The milkshake itself was well complemented by creamy vanilla ice cream as well as nutella that was mixed within. A thoroughly satisfying drink that didn’t disappoint one bit.
We proceeded to the Middle Eastern Big Plate, and honestly, “big” is an understatement. The enormous platter was filled to the brim with all things Middle Eastern. The falafels were exceptionally crunchy and flavourful, though was a tad drier than expected. Fortunately, the hummus sitting underneath provided a creamy and earthy sensation and helped the cause. Next to it sat two perfectly fried, sunny eggs that hid away two pieces of zataar bread, which served as the perfect tool to soak up the beautiful harissa labneh as well as the soft, flavoursome smoked beans.
Another dish that ought not to be missed was the Wonder Vegan. Despite being advertised as a vegan dish, this item makes absolutely no compromises in taste. The giant and wholesome garlic thyme mushrooms were plump and juicy, providing plenty of flavour that was well accompanied by the shredded, textured kale and the soft avocado. Scattered all over was the amazing macadamia feta, which offered up an incredible creaminess and a beautiful richness throughout. Contrasting the softer components were the crunch of various nuts and almond. Smeared alongside was the brightly coloured, earthy beetroot hummus that did wondering in holding all the components together.
We concluded our meal with the exceptionally photogenic Sweet Life of Pancakes. Arguably the signature dish of Platform One, the upside-down waffle cone spills a generous heap of nutty chocolate ice cream onto the stack of pancakes. The pancakes themselves were thin, though incredibly soft and spongy, offering a slight bouncy feedback with each bite. The maple syrup offered up plenty of sweetness, which was beautifully soaked up by the pancakes themselves and perfectly contrasted by the raspberry coulis. In contrast, the crunch of the cone and smashed oreo pieces provided a textured finish to this amazing sweet treat.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
Nestled in the quiet neighbourhood of Ormond, Platform One is a cosy cafe that locals have come to love.
With a diverse menu that caters to any dietary requirements, this cafe offers up wholesome and generous portions at a very agreeable price. Coupled with such friendly and hospitable service, there’s no doubt this is humble eatery has surely become the neighbourhood gem.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
Definitely. We just can’t wait to be back for more of those Pancakes!
Penguineats would like to thank Platform 1 for inviting us.