Saturday, November 22, 2014

Lucy Lockett

Edit 04/01/2023: Lucy Lockett is now permanently closed.

November 4, 2014



This is a story of major oversight on our part - it appears that cafe Lucy Lockett has been serving up original and abundantly veg-friendly breakfasts and lunches just a couple blocks from our home since February. And we had no idea. 

We blame the awnings that obscure their signage. When a cafe opened in this spot almost two years ago, we looked over the menu and didn't see anything we wanted to order. Since then it's evolved from Red Scooter to Red Vespa to the current Lucy Lockett without making any further impression on us at all. Thankfully our friend Troy is a little more observant recommended their menu to us.

As I hinted above, there's a lot to recommend - smashed avocado comes with spring onions and coriander (and Vegemite if you like!), mushrooms are braised with spinach, there's a breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled egg and beans. The sweet side is as extensive and thoughtfully composed - the bircher muesli is vegan with a pina colada theme, house roasted granola comes with popcorn, and the French toast is crumbed with banana chips and oats. I can almost forgive them for adding bacon to their sticky date and almond pancakes. And that's not even delving into the toasties and lunch options! With crystal clear dietary markings throughout, these guys are true friends of vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs.


Michael relished a sunny plate of vegan, gluten-free corn and zucchini fritters interspersed with quinelles of avocado, sour coconut cream and sweet chilli jam ($18). My serve of Dr Marty's crumpets ($8.50, pictured top) came in a fancy stack, dripping with rich house made peanut butter, mixed berry jam and fresh strawberries. I also sampled my second iced chai of the weekend ($6.50, also pictured top), though based on the confused murmurs behind the counter it's rarely ordered. It was a mild milk tea chilled with both ice cubes and ice cream.



Staff were friendly and relaxed on a quiet Melbourne Cup morning. Prices hover around $15 for breakfast, rise towards $20 for lunch plates and soar beyond for folks ordering the biggest meat-based meals. Those price points are becoming more common in Melbourne's cafes, and I don't mind paying them here, where the veg options are so numerous and varied.

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Lucy Lockett
140 Barkly St, Brunswick
8388 7138
menu
http://lucylockett.com.au/

Accessibility: The entry is flat and the interior is spacious. We ordered at our table and paid at a low-ish counter. We didn't visit the toilets.

6 comments:

  1. great to read your review of this place - didn't know the name but I have been passed it a few times but it never seems the right time to stop and relax. I got as far as walking inside a while back though not sure what iteration as I agree that the name is not very prominent. I really like the look of the fritters. And I am quite fond of the lucy locket nursery rhyme.

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    1. Hi Johanna! I hope you might find a chance to walk in and eat one day - it's a great veg menu for those of us who don't care for egg breakfasts.

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  2. I love the name. Both dishes look good, although my sweet tooth would go for the crumpets.

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    1. Hi Cakelaw! The crumpets are great, and there are plenty of other sweet options besides. :-)

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  3. The crumpet stack is very deceptive - it looks like pancakes!

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    1. Hi Amanda - yes, I thought the same thing!

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