Illia
| Where | Ground Floor, 180 William Street, Melbourne, 3000—View map |
Contact | 03 9640 0422 |
Website | — |
Open | Breakfast Monday to Friday 7.00 am to 11.00 am. |
Payment | EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard, Diners, AMEX, Cash |
Diet | Soy |
Seating | Inside and outside |
Kids | Get a baby sitter |
Pets | Unwelcome |
Legal eagles swoop in on this fine prey
Ellie Parker 27 June 2008
Illia offers a sophisticated clientele a sophisticated breakfast.
Snugly positioned on the corner of Little Bourke and William Street, Illia is hemmed in by the legal district. Despite the Supreme Court casting its shadow on this little outfit, Illia is warm and accommodating.
Illia has established its place in the market, offering professionals a calm oasis in which to discuss case strategy, moan about clients, or simply take time out.
The dark timber tables, artwork and red feature wall lend a European feel to the bustle of patrons and staff. Discrete service treats both regulars and randoms with the same friendliness and attentiveness.
The breakfast menu is extensive. Where things can be handmade (e.g. BBQ sauce, poached pears), they will be. Otherwise, quality ingredients and brands are sought after (e.g. Jam Lady Jams). They also have their own blend of Gravity coffee (called Ecstasy for what it's worth).
Simple solutions include toasted cheese and tomato sandwiches or house-made baked beans on toast. Healthy options range from fruit salad to porridge with prunes, poached pears or banana and honey. More indulgent offerings can seriously tempt you; the French toast with plums, pistachio, clotted cream and maple syrup is hard to refuse, especially in the colder months.
Illia's special eggs are equally as indulgent; two fried eggs are served with bacon, cheese, tomato and house-made BBQ sauce. Mop that up with toasted Turkish bread and you will be one happy camper.
Still on the egg theme, Illia also does classics like eggs any-which-way, traditional sides, fluffy big omelettes, and eggs Benedict and Florentine. This is proper food, cooked with care.
If time is precious, Illia's takeaway trade works speedily to ensure your coffee and toast with Vegie is ready pronto. They also have homemade muffins, muesli bars and other baker's delights to munch whilst you are on your way.
If you work up Illia's end of town, chances are you are already a regular. If you are a stranger to these parts, make sure you put Illia on your list, even for a takeaway Ecstasy.