3 - Albert St Food & Wine - 28th January 2012 - We actually arrived just past breakfast cut off (boo) so had lunch. Albert St steak tartare, sardines on grilled bread with capers, currants and pine nuts, and the Albert St special - pizza with roasted peppers, pork and fennel sausage and mozzarella. Service started off slow, but became much more attentive. Food was delicious and I would definitely recommend going back and grazing through the menu. The wine store adjacent has a great selection of local and international wines for (I think) very reasonable prices. Definitely one to check out.
4 - Pope Joan - 4th February 2012 - A beautiful sunny Saturday morning in Brunswick, Bradley and I jumped on our bikes and headed off to Pope Joan’s on Nicholson Street. We got there very late morning so the place was heaving, but managed to snag a table right down the very back in between fresh herbs, apple trees and other assorted bits and pieces. Poached eggs and falafels with zucchini, parsley and pinenuts, with a generous service of spiced tomato aioli. Adam says delish.
5 - Jellystone - 5th February 2012 - How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… Jellystone was one of those places I walked past again and again and assumed was just a young family, child friendly establishment and didn’t give it a second thought. Oh the times I wasted! I’ve been back half a dozen times and alway have a great meal. I woke up this morning craving their middle eastern eggs with thick cut sourdough, beetroot hummus, rocket and dukkah. The dukkah today was a bit… bland… but still the meal was delicious. We had to wait a while for our breakfast but were told that straight up so no fuss. The old sand pit out the back is gone (previously a bit family draw card) but is really of no concern to me. I had my coffee, my paper and my eggs. What else do you want on a Sunday?
6 - Tom Phat - 18th February 2012 - Tell me this, Tumblr, how often do you have the chance to eat a pork chop for breakfast? Tom Phat is a quirky vietnamese cum breakfast cum lunch cum night spot which dishes up delicious Aussie x vietnamese fusion food. On this occasion though, both Bradley and I ordered something a little more standard from their simple menu - wok fried eggs with roti, bacon and a sweet tomato chutney / salsa. The meal was so big both Bradley and I left some - but not by choice! Coffee was the usual $4 for a soy latte but service was prompt, food delicious and company good so we’ll let that one slide :)

Image above courtesy of breakfastout.com.au
7 - East Brunswick Project - 19th Feb 2012 - The kids at Padre have been making superb coffee at The East for quite a while now. When in doubt, it is my default place to get a coffee at on a Sunday morning, which is exactly what Brad and I did. We were driving down to Mornington so decided to quickly grab a bite to eat. I grabbed my usual savoury muffin and the other half a bear claw. Sweet, savoury and delicious coffee are a match made in heaven.

Yes the rumours are true: I’m off the drink for February as part of Feb Fast. This means no after work drinks, no cheeky cocktails and certainly no late night martinis. The gin stock of Melbourne is safe until March 1st.
Bradley and I, along with some staff members from Portello Rosso and Murmur are taking part in the event in order to raise money for organisations providing support, re-education and counselling for young Australians tackling serious alcohol and drug issues (including the Youth Support and Advocacy Service here in Victoria).
If you’d like to donate, you can do so online here: https://secure4.everydayhero.com.au/its_a_pr_nghtmare/donate
Donations are tax deductible (woohoo!) and you know, it’ll make you feel good supporting these community services.
A little about febfast for those who don’t know…
Let the febfast 2012 challenge begin!
It’s not easy to send the grog on holiday and temptation can lurk behind every fridge door. But if you can press the pause button not only will you feel healthier, you can also support thousands of young Australians.
Every day kids as young as 13 are struggling to overcome alcohol and drug addiction. Money from febfast goes to community services throughout Australia who provide support, mentoring, counselling and training. Donate to febfast and minimise the harmful effects of alcohol and drugs on our community.
Only 29 days to go…