L'atelier de Monsieur Truffe III

07/03/2013: The management team here has changed and the cafe is now known as East Elevation.

April 14, 2012

   

Michael and I psyched ourselves up for some Saturday errands with breakfast at Monsieur Truffe's Brunswick outpost, L'atelier. While they were doing a good trade, we were a little surprised to see them at less than full capacity - we slipped straight into a table for two.

There's good news on the menu front! Vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan adaptable options are all marked on the menu. These include tapioca and poached quince with fruit and nut crumble, a couple of hearty salads and the 'full vegie' breakfast that Michael ordered ($16.50).

   

Since Michael's not one for tomato, he requested that it be replaced with some extra avocado. Either the chef didn't follow through, or the usual serving of avocado is truely meagre! There wasn't a lot to go around here. This was good, though seasoned unevenly - Michael found himself spearing some of the super-salty spinach onto every forkful to smooth it out.

   

I tried the granola ($12), a chewy, toasted concoction with great depth of flavour from hazelnuts, dried figs, cocoa nibs (!) and a sprinkling of dark chocolate chips (!!!). Boy, it gave my jaw a work-out though.

While the front of house staff were terrific, the most notable feature of this visit was the waaaaiiiiiting. Our food took a very long time to arrive, and our hot drinks even longer! I ended up cancelling my tea entirely. I can't imagine how they cope when every seat is occupied. Hopefully they'll work out a more efficient groove, but we couldn't help wishing we'd just stuck to Monsieur Truffe's superlative and quick-to-the-table croissants.

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You can read about our previous visits to L'atelier here and here. Since then it's received high praise on Ballroom Blintz, Köstlich, fitzroyalty and foodwithfrank. Reviews are more mixed at lunchosaurus and Fresh Bread.

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L'atelier de Monsieur Truffe
351 Lygon Street, Brunswick East
9380 4915
veg brekkies $6-16
http://monsieurtruffe.wordpress.com/

Accessibility: Excellent. A ramp on entry, great light, lots of space and a dedicated disabled toilet. Ordering happens at the table and payment at a reasonably low counter.