July 11, 2021
This morning we did our weekly shop at Piedimonte's and cycled by Mary Miller for lunch afterwards. We were surprised to see it closed, and wondered if their pandemic coffee service hadn't been enough to sustain the business. It turns out that they've simply moved a few blocks west! Mary Miller now occupies the ground level of an apartment building on the north-west corner of Nicholson and Miller Streets.
The menu maintains the same style as on my first visit: lots of breakfast and lunch dishes with a very high proportion of well-marked vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Michael was pleased with the vegetarian version of the harissa eggs ($21): it comes with one, and not the more common two, pieces of toast, and is a filling protein-rich mix of spicy harissa-folded eggs, haloumi (rather than the default bacon), soused onion salad, feta and garlic labneh.
I picked the JFC Bowl ($21) from the lunchier side of the menu - it's an even more generous and filling portion, though not quite as colourful and fresh as I was hoping for. On a base of sushi rice, there's vegan pop chicken, Japanese fried cauliflower, big servings of kimchi, pickled ginger and (not-spicy) gochujang mayo, a little mound of edamame smashed into avocado, and some sweetly roasted teriyaki carrots. While I enjoyed all of the components, the proportions and flavour combinations weren't to my preference - it'll be on me to make my ideal version at home.
There remains a lot to like about Mary Miller's menu, but there's a notable downfall in their move: the new location features polished concrete floors and brick walls, and noise echoes off these surfaces. It's just not as relaxing a spot to sit. I'll consider popping in on a weekday (especially now that I work less than full time!), but not even the waffles are likely to lure me back on the weekend.
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You can read about my first visit to Mary Miller here.
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Mary Miller
55-63 Nicholson St, Brunswick East
0449 067 132
0449 067 132
Accessibility: The entry is wide and flat, but the door is sticky and difficult to use. Furniture is quite densely packed; low tables with a mixture of backed chairs and benches along the walls. Sound echoes off the polished concrete floor and brick walls. We ordered at our table and paid at a low counter. We didn't visit the toilets.
Honestly I am shocked to see you order a savoury dish! I almost though Michael must have ordered two savouries and your sweets were still coming. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame about the atmosphere changing so much with the move, it doesn't sound like a very pleasant vibe.
Haha, Susan - you are right! I will surely have my shot at the breakfast brulee or waffles one day. :)
DeleteYeah, the atmosphere is definitely different - this cafe used to be housed in an old-fashioned corner shop-style building on a quiet residential street. This apartment block on a busy road is close by but definitely a different vibe!