Mary Miller Cafe

Cutest interior with hanging lights and pot plants 🙂

MARY MILLER CAFE, FITZROY NORTH: A short tram ride out from the city, Mary Miller is quite a new entrance to the Fitzroy brunch scene, which is already packed with local favourites – and it may well soon join that list. Occupying a corner spot, it features a spacious indoor area with a section out the back, decorated with chalkboard special menus and definitely don’t want to forget the friendliness of the hospitality we received! The quality of the coffees are nothing short than expected of the Padre coffee beans they use, and as was their turmeric latte, with a strong spicy taste. The highlight would be the crab meat scramble, red velvet pancakes, and the green smoothie!

Skinny cappuccino + turmeric latte

Crab Meat Scramble (Asian herbs, red chilli, crispy shallots served with smoked paprika aioli on a croissant) – $19.0 (+ $4.5 Avocado)

Spot the sneaky crab pieces!

The good fat: Using soft cooked crab meat pieces within scrambled eggs creates such a delicious blend of smooth and light textures! The scrambled eggs were fluffy and airy, wedged generously between a crispy croissant. Sharp hints of chilli were evident and created a distinct contrast within the mellowness of the eggs, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Paprika aioli was a great sauce choice to complement the spice from the eggs.

The bad fat: Would’ve loved for the aioli to be a bit more prominent in flavour just not to be lost underneath the hints of chilli from the scramble.

Fat-o-meter: 4.5/5

Wagyu Beef Burger (Green salad, tomato, cheddar cheese, pickled cucumber with smoked paprika aioli, dijon mustard on charcoal brioche bun served with sweet potato fries) – $20.0 (+$4.5 Portobello Mushrooms)

Charcoal bun is LIT

The good fat: A hearty burger with great choice of vegetable salads inside, and a generous, densely packed wagyu patty that was a solid inch or two thick at least! The charcoal bun was airy, soaking up the sauces and fulfilling its role of being a solid base. Hints of sourness came from the aioli and pickled cucumber, making it an overall delicious burger with a variety of savouriness, juicy refreshingness and crunch.

The bad fat: The wagyu patty itself was a little bland so stronger marinade could be used. Would’ve also loved more paprika aioli!

Fat-o-meter: 4/5

Red Velvet Pancakes (Brownie nibs, hazelnut crumble, mascarpone, chocolate ganache, citrus meringue, strawberry, blueberry, kiwi fruit served with raspberry coulis) – $17.0

Can you bear to destroy this?

The good fat: We seem to be on a pancake/hotcake hunt lately and now my favourites just keep on growing! Adding this to my top brunch sweets of Melbourne, I especially loved the choice of chocolate brownie richness with the fruity sourness of the relatively thickened raspberry coulis. Pancake texture was also of top quality – a perfect balance between moistness and a slight crunch on the outside meant it was a great base for the sweet mascarpone and fresh fruits. The meringue was also an adorable decoration and tasted deliciously light.

DRIP

The bad fat: Extra hazelnut crumble – I’ve recently discovered that nut crumble on sweet dishes become the shining star in terms of elevating the complexity and wholesomeness of a dessert so there’s no loss to act generous here!

Fat-o-meter: 4.5/5

Home to my favourite green smoothie thus far!

SHOULD YOU GET FAT HERE?

YES – Another stunning addition to the already bustling brunch areas of Fitzroy

FAT-O-METER: 4.5/5