~ Curious Charlie ~

Brunching @ Aunt Billies (Blackburn) @ Saturday, June 09, 2018

Saturday 2nd June
Charlie & Co. dined as guests.

How exciting it is when brunch comes to the suburbs, those without tram lines! For years it seemed something of inner suburbs, with limited parking, but here comes Aunt Billies. Located just off Whitehorse Rd, with plenty of parking. Also an easy walk from the station on a sunny morning.

With a modern interior with airy ceilings, and a trendy vibe it's nothing like no other cafes in the area, one of the very first brunchy places in the area. It was a lovely day and there's outdoor seating too in a no smoking dog friendly under cover area, if you'd like some air.

We started off with coffee as we pondered what to order, sweet or savory? Classic or something different? At Aunt Billies the menu changes regularly and features a fusion of Modern Australian and Middle Eastern food.

This could be a pimped up version of the eggs benedict, but I shall find out.

Vegetarian Mediterranean

Poached eggs with falafel (or sujuk sausage, non-veg option), grilled haloumi,

ful meddenes, roasted cherry tomatoes, labness and zatar flatbread

Kabsee Chicken

with warm roasted beetroot, dutch carrot & black

barley salad, lemon yoghurt and crushed pinenuts

Veggie Billie

Roasted pumpkin and califlower with falafel, feta, chilli, beetroot hummus,

pinenut dukkah topped with poached eggs on dark rye sourdough

Open Souv

Pressed lamb shoulder w harissa yoghurt, mint taboulhi, pickled

turnip finished with a pomegranate dressing on grilled flatbread

Everything looks amazing! So fresh and vibrant, full of colour and flavour.

This is what the girls (and one guy) ordered. We've also ordered desserts to share.

Surrey Mushrooms

Mixed mushrooms and spinach with crispy polenta, buffalo mozzarella,

basil pesto and poached eggs // + smoked salmon + haloumi

I personally ordered the mushroom dish (my go to) with a side of smoked salmon and haloumi, though really it's a pretty filling dish, a big breakfast on its own. The classic big breakfast dish isn't on the menu, though quite a few dishes could be that, including this one; where a bunch of great things like eggs (always poached) and mushrooms are combined to create a platter of a dish.

The flavours were subtle, though the basil pesto added something, textures hit the holy trinity of soft, crunchy and chewy. I would have liked to add a sauce, dip or avocado to make it less dry (not that it's dry, I can't seem to find the word for it - but you know a milkshake would work too). Overall a great selection of brunchy things we love, that's pretty healthy too.

Love the way everything is plated.

Dulce de Leche Hotcakes

Fluffy hotcakes with deep fried cinnamon banana, honeycomb, chocolate

sauce, hazelnut praline finished with a house made dulce de leche

For dessert we shared some beautiful dulce le leche* hotcakes, thick and fluffy layered with more of that rich creamy caramel-like (but better) sauce with interesting styling, that's a banana fritter by the way (the log). Personally I'd cover that up with lots of sauce and plant a garden over it. XD I love brunching in groups, as going solo you can't really order dessert to share.

*Caramel is made with a base of water, heavy whipping cream, sugar, and butter. Dulce de leche is a base of milk, sugar, and sometimes cinnamon. Dulce de leche is commonly made with condensed milk and simmered for hours, while caramel is a reduced mixture of water and sugar with the addition of cream and butter.

Espresso Panacotta

Hazelnut and cacao granola with caramelized white

chocolate, burnt orange caramel and vanilla meringue

Panacotta is great, but for brunch? Add espresso and it's now perfect for breakfast! Dessert before dinner. If you're still thinking about that affogato last night, this is the one for you, it packs quite the punch! Not sure about the granola though... it's a bit dry and doesn't work for us. I'd prefer a chocolate crumb or without, and plate it with rings of that orange caramel sauce.

Brunching at Aunt Billies is perfect if you're out in the suburbs and driving (and looking for parking), no longer do you have to travel to Camberwell for brunch if you're in the South East side. There's something for everyone here it's not your regular brunch spot, with that middle eastern fusion, adding a twist to your dish!

For coffee lovers you'll be pleased to know Aunt Billies serves St Ali's. And if you're on the go there's plenty of cookies, and beautiful crumblessly flawless cakes from Little Bertha.

What's your go to dish for brunch, or do you pick something different each time?

More importantly, do you too always get dessert to share?

Open Everyday from 7am - 4pm

184 Surrey Rd, Blackburn

Near Blackburn Station