Rowena Parade Corner Store
| Where | 44 Rowena Parade, Richmond, 3121—View map |
Contact | 03 9421 3262 |
Website | — |
Open | Breakfast Monday to Friday from 07.30 am to 03.00 pm |
Payment | — |
Diet | Check with venue |
Seating | Inside |
Kids | Welcome |
Pets | Unwelcome |
Come on down to the store
Rowena Robertson 23 November 2007
The Rowena Parade Corner Store is the perfect place to go for a hangover breakfast, simply because it is so darn comforting. It's true that we may have felt so at peace because we went on a Friday, rather than a weekend morning, but I'd say it also has something to do with the Store's distinctly olde worlde charm.
This spick little eatery is set behind a mid-1950s shopfront, and to step into the lovingly restored interior is to be transported back to that quieter, slower-paced time. One wall is taken up with shelves full of perfectly stacked tins and other groceries, and there is a charming old wooden ladder for reaching items higher up. Diners can sit in booths along the far wall, or on 1950s upright chairs at laminex tables. There is even a gorgeous, if incongruous, antique chandelier.
Mixed in with this Aussie-retro-sensibility are some initially surprising Mediterranean elements-these come to make more sense when you discover that the café's owners are Greek. A feature wall depicting Santorini dominates one side of the café; a vintage 'Greek kitchen' poster hangs in the centre; and framed black and white photos of relatives (presumably) are dotted around.
The Greek influence can be found in the breakfast menu, too. The omelettes ($7.50-$9) come with feta cheese if desired, and plaki beans are served with bacon and free-range eggs ($9).
I chose the Turkish toast with ricotta, banana, cinnamon and honey ($7.50), a beautifully tasty and light dish that still managed to see me through until mid-afternoon. My companion chose a light, perfectly poached egg ($6), plus orange-soaked prunes with honey and (very creamy) yoghurt ($7.50).
Other options on the menu included the BLT ($7-$9) French toast ($8), muesli, yoghurt and honey ($7), and blueberry porridge with honey and almonds ($8.50). The coffee is perfect, and the service competent, fast and friendly. I had to be dragged out of there in the end-I could easily have spent all day reclining in my booth, listening to Louis Armstrong, and watching the sun stream through the open folding windows.