A patch.
~ a small part of a surface that is different in some way from the area around it ~
But different doesn’t mean wrong. Different doesn’t mean weird. Different doesn’t need to come with any stigma. Different can just mean... different! 🥰
There is no one ‘right’ way to eat for everyone and I believe that everyone should follow a balanced diet with foods that work better for them, depending on their beliefs, health considerations and even monetary issues and even our ancestors, the paleolithic humans thrived on a variety of diets, depending on what was available at the time and where in the world they lived world Some ate a low-carb and high in animal foods diet, while others followed a plant based and high-carb diet.
Most of the diet consisted of unprocessed foods (because obviously there weren’t things like sodas, icecream, cakes,... or basically everything that you can find in cafes and in supermarkets these days!) and Patch Cafe is a cafe that has been inspired by our very own ancestors and tries to feature meals from this same Paleo Diet with unprocessed animals and plants, including meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds.
The location of this venue is in Richmond and just next to studio 9, famous from Aussie TV history and it actually reminded me of a little cottage/traditional type of building. The exterior is inviting and it clearly leads to a long area of seating, still outside, but below an arch! Although during winter times, I think that it personally should be quite a windy area and even slightly uncomfortable, these guys do well by taking up that space and providing blankets for those that still want to venture and admire thunderstorms? However I think that this is just perfect for spring/summer time as you can enjoy the warmer weather and not get direct sunlight. Once you go inside the space is quite longitudinal in terms of structural dimensions and one end has some seats and beautifully decorated with some vases and plants, and the other end has a single table for a clear more private brunch/experience. In the middle of the kitchen area is visible to everyone and it is actually quite impressive to see the cook preparing the meals and just basically.. doing his thing! I certainly enjoyed watching Oliver not only taking taking the freshly cooked bread from the oven and let it cool down but cooking the actual meals of the menu, while doing those impressive and classical chef flips and gestures with the food. It was admirable!
The menu features very interesting options and not only are the meals paleo based, but most of them are also vegan friendly. I was also surprised by how easy going the staff was and how they advised on their menu preferences when I asked, making some recommendations based on my personal tastes even! The venue wasn't very busy so service was fast and soon we had our magnificent choices in front of us:
- French Toast - with two huge slices of a huge paleo bread not only was the serving impressive but it is definitely a very good meal! The bread is of good consistency, slightly more dense and not as moist as your usual French Toast and the taste has that subtle decadent sweetness but not too much and it reminds me of a grain based wholesome bread! It is quite thick to cut through, especially the crust and I think it could have been slightly more moist, even though I could see it was evenly smothered in a previous liquid (I can tell that a paleo bread is more dense than a 'normal French Toast' bread so maybe leave it for a little longer in the liquid? Of course this is just my opinion and a friendly suggestion!). The bread came sliced in parts and topped with a layer of hazelnut butter that was pure lush - it literally seemed to glow! It also came topped with a perfect large scoop of coyo paleo icecream (SO GOOD! Next time I have to ask for more, but the serving is perfect and pairs with the bread very well). I have to highlight the special touch with some small and I would even add cute mint leaves. Even though it came with maple syrup, I am a really sweet tooth person and I did not find this very sweet compared to many others that I have tried - I didn't ask it at the time (and I am sure that the staff would kindly provide it) but personally I think that I would have enjoyed to have some more maple syrup. The presentation was outstanding and the chef certainly deserves an applause for that - very special touch and the passionfruit curd making the meal very appealing and leaving that inherently sweet and refreshing taste, along with the sprinkled seasonal berries (from blueberries to raspberries, strawberries and kiwi slices). Overall if the bread was just slightly more moist and with the option of extra added sweetness, in my opinion this would have been an 11/10 even! 🙌 Either way, very well achieved and outstanding presentation.
- Rainbow okonomiyaki - this was THE meal that I really wanted to try and I have to say that I found something different than what I had expected! Not negative or positive, just different! In terms of presentation I just LOVE it and it stands out from every other okonomiyaki that I have had. The colours chosen in terms of ingredients and toppings really made this one of those meals that you can say that you are eating the rainbow! With finely chopped red cabbage, carrots, kale, pickled ginger and spring onions, all mixed up and pan-fried in a light batter, it was such an interesting and curious okonomiyaki version! Personally, I really enjoyed it as it was as delightful as the 'normal version' and slightly 'lighter' with some special occasional crunchiness. It also comes with minced beef served on the side, which was well cooked, tender and juicy, and this way the meal is versatile and can become vegan friendly - very well thought! The okono sauce is AMAZING as well as the kewpie mayo and overall I did enjoy it.- Breakfast Salad - possibly the most surprising meal that I had. I am always very skeptical with salads because these days with cafes wanting to defend that 'a salad is not just a salad' they start adding so many things that it ends up such a mix of flavours that nothing stands. In this case I really enjoyed the combo they created and not only did it come with great size, but also the ingredients were carefully chosen, and ended up being a fresh and simultaneous delicious meal. With shredded kale, spinach, broccoli, avocado pieces and semi dried tomatoes, these more 'basic' ingredients were paired with small chunks of a very delicious orange sweet potato, crunchy almonds, quinoa crisps proving that needed crunchiness to the salad and making every spoonful very enjoyable! I am a huge crunchy fan so this was certainly welcomed and I am sure that without it I wouldn't have enjoyed it so much. Actually what made this meal stand out for me were the pomegranate seeds! That special touch does make the difference and those little pomegranates with the almonds and kale was such an amazing combo! I decided to add 2 poached eggs for some extra protein and to obviously get that egg porn shot and it certainly was up to the challenge.
- Beetroot Almond (self-made!) Patch Latte - interesting, interesting indeed. Knowing that Patch Cafe does make their own almond milk and has quite a reputation about it, of course I had to try it. If there is anything that I like than supporting honest businesses, is definitely supporting venues that make extra efforts to go beyond 'average' and please customers and these guys are certainly amongst the ones that do it. The drink was actually different from any previous beetroot almond latte. It did not come very well blended as even the suspension particles were visible on the shots, the second it came to us, and shortly after there was a deposit on the bottom quite significant, but to be honest, I don't think it looks bad or anything and I really like it! Besides, regardless of the looks (and it still looked very aesthetical and instagramable), the most important thing is the taste and here the drink was pure bliss. Not a very intense flavour, no earthy taste AT ALL and even with a slight touch of cinnamon, I thoroughly enjoyed it and so did my friend. I would drink it again!
- Green juice - my friend had this juice and it came with a bright vibrant colour and refreshing look. It certainly screams summer all over it and she loved it! The taste was incredibly fresh and the ice cubes made it more enjoyable (even without being a hot day!)
Overall, I had a great time from the moment I walked in and was received in such an OUTSTANDING way, WAY beyond anything that I would have ever imagined and with the helpful and kind staff allowing me to put my hand around the toaster to warm my hands that were lacking circulation due to the cold. And if I wasn't grateful for that, I got the opportunity to experience seeing the fresh bread coming from the oven and some fresh cupcakes too.We got some final treats too and all of the cakes from the counter are paleo, and oh man, do they look amazing - it would be a crime not to indulge one final treat!I am sure that for the summer menu they will come up with something incredible and that stands out from all the other cafes out there.
I think our ancestors would be proud of us to continue to try to integrate wholesome foods in our diet, don’t you? and jealous of having a chef that cooks amazing things like this 🥳 oh and having cutlery Different and taking the challenge are terms that certainly define this place and I certainly don't want to miss what is coming for summer!
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