Focus
439 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn
03 9888 5301
Cafe
$$
Food
- Chilli Lime Beef Brisket Ciabatta
- Kimchi Scrambled
- Macadamia Pancakes
The Good
We were off to a tasty start with the Chilli Lime Beef Brisket Ciabatta. Served with a side of fries and a sunny fried egg, this was a stunning rendition of the humble steak sandwich. Within the lightly toasted ciabatta, the beef brisket was cooked to perfection, heavenly soft and s0 succulent t his was accompanied by the tang of the chilli lime, as well as a light yet tasty emmental cheese that was perfectly melted.
We also enjoyed the Kimchi Scrambled. Served within a soft bao bun, the kimchi scrambled was well-seasoned and very fluffy. This was accompanied with a spicy though not overly hot kimchi, as well as a touch of nori to give it some depth in flavour. However we felt that sweetness of the bao bun didn’t quite gel with the scrambled eggs itself.
We rounded off our meal with a stunning stack of Macadamia Pancakes. Piled high, the tall, fluffy Hotcakes were stunningly decorated with golden sugared angel hair, medjool dates, lime syrup, and pineapple mascarpone. The texture was heavenly soft and spongy, with a slightly crisp outer that provided an amazing contrast. The sweetness was forward though controlled, making this an absolutely delightful treat that was neither too rich nor heavy.
The Mediocre
Nothing.
The Bad
Nothing.
The Verdict
With a distinctly Asian influence across most of the menu items, Focus offers up a tasty and creative brunch option that’s bound to excite your tastebuds.
With consistent execution across the board and great coffee to pair, Focus is definitely worth a visit if you are looking to spice up your weekend breakky.
Would Penguin Eat Again?
For sure! More pancakes are in order!
Penguineats would like to thank Focus for inviting us.