August 27, 2023
Michael joined Tanaka Running Club a couple of months ago, which starts and finishes at Fenton on Rathdowne St. He said the menu looked pretty good, so we arranged for me to walk down (carrying a post-run jumper for him) for a Sunday brunch. Fenton's website shows their focus on sustainable Victorian produce and community contribution. The menu is majority vegetarian with a couple of vegan options marked (a spiced porridge and lunchtime salad), but less clarity for the gluten-free. There's many iterations of toast and eggs, with a couple of sweet options, with both typical and offbeat trimmings.
Michael often gravitates to a chilli scramble ($21), and this egg-based one was augmented with fermented chilli, pickled chilli, fried shallots and fresh herbs. Michael especially appreciated the acidic, pickley elements.
I looked beyond the Dutch Baby pancakes to the savoury French toast ($22), an excellent, not-too-eggy thick slice served with a generous wedge of avocado hidden by fresh kachumbari. This is pretty much my ideal savoury brunch food (raw onion notwithstanding!): a soft and carby base, something creamy, something fresh, in a medium-sized portion.
Service at Fenton was bright and capable. The menu has fairly typical pricing for a 2023 brunch, but the dishes had a little extra thought and quality than we usually encounter. We'll be back, for sure.
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Fenton
158 Rathdowne St, Carlton
9328 3401
9328 3401
Accessibility: Fenton has a flat entry and medium-to-densely packed tables and backed chairs, with a clear wide path to the counter. We ordered at our table and paid at a low counter. We didn't visit the toilets.
nice
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