Porgie and Mr Jones
| Where | 291 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, 3122—View map |
Contact | 03 9882 2955 eat@porgiemrjones.com.au |
Website | www.porgiemrjones.com.au |
Open | Breakfast Monday to Sunday 8.00 am to 3.00 pm |
Payment | Cash |
Diet | Vegan, Soy, Gluten free |
Seating | Inside |
Kids | Welcome |
Pets | Unwelcome |
Georgie, Porgie, puddin' and pie
Ellie Parker 22 August 2008
Well it's all very groovy, I must say. And not very Hawthorn either.
Porgie and Mr Jones is happening on all fronts. Great space, great staff, great food. It's a very sexy combination.
I was greeted by big bulbous bunches of red flowers sprouting from rotund vases. Naked globes drop down from suspended cords in the ceiling. The front room offers a pared back, yet somehow feminine, warehouse aesthetic. This is deliciously contrasted by the back rooms in which worn leather armchairs and intimate corners create the impression you are in somebody's living room.
There was also a gaggle of friendly, smiling girls behind the front counter, who greeted me with hellos and menus.
The well-conceived breakfast menu has found its voice: Berocca (original flavour) is there obviously because Porgie thinks it should be. The McPorgieTM (Gypsy ham, "creamy dreamy" scrambled eggs on an English muffin) is equally idiosyncratic.
"Mr Jones' scrambles" will soon be famous if they aren't already. Full of quasi-melted pieces of Holy Goat feta, it is a fluffy, mountainous bloom of egg. Served with fresh herbs and multigrain toast, this is a breakfast fit for a king. Just right.
The other delight is the smashed avocado with thyme-buttered mushrooms, poached egg and feta on wholegrain toast. Even though the chef forgot to give me the poached egg (How does that happen?), the dish was exceptionally tasty. I can only imagine it would be even more delicious with a yolk atop.
In keeping with the current Middle Eastern fervour, there is hazelnut dukkah to go with your poached eggs, spinach and red pepper pesto. There's also Middle Eastern dried fruit compote to go with your creamy porridge. Ah, thank you Ali Baba.
There are many star qualities here. The Allpress organic coffee is pretty fine. The Noisette pastries and fruit toasts are fail-safe. The menu is ever so slightly eccentric and whimsical, all the while backed by a solid kitchen.
Both Porgie and Mr Jones deserve a big kiss for their efforts. It's a stellar venture.