EAT: C.H. JAMES, FAIRFIELD
Winter brunch menus in Melbourne are either filled with hearty comfort or colourful dishes to make up for A. the cold and B. the gloominess. Case and point: C.H. James' menu, which we previewed one cold wintery morning.
Following some much needed caffeination, we were served smaller portions of their house made bircher muesli to whet our appetites. The flavours from the fresh fruits, berried yoghurt and assortment of grains made for a nice and light combination of flavours and textures to ease the taste buds into the morning feed.
An assortment of dishes from the menu were ordered, prompting bouts of food envy. I know I certainly felt so spying the vegetarian Japanese okonomiyaki burger. Perhaps a tad too early for breakfast but definitely something I'd order post 12pm. A few other options also caught my eye whilst deciding on what to order but I ultimately sided with the smashed avo dish after being won over by the inclusion of a panko egg and dukkah spice. The avocado was light and zesty, and the conservative and balanced use of fetta not too overpowering. But the highlight of the dish was the delicately crumbed panko egg, nursing a perfectly cooked, oozy-yolked egg underneath, alongside the side of halloumi I ordered.
I realise it's now past mid-spring and they may have very well launched a new menu. With quite a solid winter menu, a return visit will either see me trying the dishes I missed out on or some new tasty spring dishes. Either way, win-win.
House made bircher muesli with poached autumn fruits, grains, berried yoghurt and chai crisp.
Smashed avocado with panko egg, fetta, dukkah spice, garlic yoghurt and chilli oil.
Vegetarian Japanese Okonomiyaki burger with tonkatsu mayo, braised cabbage and a fried egg, served with chips
Buckwheat noodles with miso broth and master stock braised pork belly.
Vegan green bowl with spiced avocado, kale, puffed grains and pea panna cotta.
Crumbed ham hock with pea panna cotta, fried egg, pork jus and croutons.
Chilli and fetta scrambled eggs on toast with bacon.
Buttermilk hotcakes with mascarpone foam, citrus, pepita and black sesame praline.
C.H. James
86 Station St,
Fairfield, Victoria, 3078.
(03) 9486 3484
Disclosure: I dined as a guest of C.H. James. All opinions expressed in this post are based entirely on my experience and observations made during the time of my visit.