A Minor Place
103 albion st, brunswick
ph: (03) 9384 3131
http://www.aminorplace.com.au/
It’s pretty amazing how much of an effect social media can have on a business. The current cafe boom and the social media cloud surrouding it allows for cafe owners to set up shop anywhere they like. Down a dark alleyway, in an old factory or even in someone’s garage or backyard. A Minor Place is a prime example. Established a couple of years ago down the very tight Albion St of Brunswick/Coburg, one can almost drive by and not notice the weatherboard cafe (unlike Jellystone). Even when we arrived, we were still questioning if we had arrived at the right place – we couldnt see any signs!
‘We’ being the lovely F and boring old I/me. We were getting some grub before heading off on a shopping date at the Essendon DFO. To begin, we’ll have two very very very luke warm coffees, please. Wait, what? Whilst I’m not too fussed about getting lovehearts, or cafe art on my thin-layer of froth – I would expect the caffeinated beverage to be of a decent temperature. Apparently not at this one-cup joint! We were told that we had to order our coffees ‘hot’ next time – something I am still trying to come to terms with (I wasn’t ordering a cold drip or ice coffee, I don’t think).
Voila! A big difference. It seems ordering hot coffee comes with a side of pretty rosettes too! Heavier body, bold and nutty flavours.
Generally, both F and I don’t tend to order sandwiches, foccacias or buns at cafe’s as we feel they can only be ‘oh- so good’. But at A Minor Place, the menu focuses quite a bit on sandwiches, bagels and other wrapped up goodies. Of course, there are other things as well, like the popular “Henry’s white beans” – but the carbs predominate.
Trying something different, we decided to go with the sandwiches. F goggled at the steak sandwich and I tried the healthy option, the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich was a tad bland and left the mouth a bit dry. I guess that’s the price for being healthy! F’s proved to be the better choice- the beetroot and onions were full of flavour but the meat wasn’t very tender – requiring some effort to chew.
We left a little disappointed but I believe that’s because our idea of cafe/brunch food is a little different. Of course, each cafe expresses itself uniquely, with emphases on certain cuisines, cooking styles, presentation, etc. Nevertheless, we coulld understand the appeal of the cafe to the locals. It’s charming in it’s only little way, and maybe one day i’ll be back to try those white beans…
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Rating: 5/10
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