South of the Yarra

Have you ever read the lifestyle sections of the newspapers and been frustrated by the fact that they rarely mention the southern suburbs of Melbourne?

If you are wishing that the newspapers would stop banging on about everything in the City and north of, then this blog is for you!

I am a busy 39 year old, who loves Bayside Melbourne and believes that the southern suburbs have just as much to offer.

This blog will cover all your southern needs, from fresh flowers to the best dog friendly parks. From good coffee to the best bread going around. From great bars to where to buy good fresh ingredients and more...







Sunday, February 22, 2015

Merchants Guild - Bentleigh East

Bentleigh East or East Bentleigh?  Whichever you call it, The Merchants Guild has certainly made a good impression on postcode 3165.

Crying for something new and groovy, the Merchants Guild answered the prayers of many locals looking for great coffee and something different to eggs and bacon.  In fact, there's not a "Big Breakfast" in sight but rather a menu showcasing a mix of influences, from Mexican (Short cut bacon with avocado and corn salsa with eggs and jalapeno pesto) to Mediterranean (Eggs panzanella with jamon, basil and dehydrated cherry tomatoes) and many cultures in between.


I have tried other dishes at Merchants Guild - all fabulous - but I do keep returning to the Sweet Pea and Feta smash on dark rye with Spanish Sardines.  Perfect portion size, perfectly poached egg and perfectly cooked sardines.  The combination of ingredients is, well, perfect.  The sardines, for those that only know the tinned variety, are subtle yet plump and flavoursome.  Sprinkle with lemon and this, for me, is the stand out dish at Merchants Guild.
* Dish in the background is the Smoked Tasmania Trout with Sorrel, Kipfler potatoes, pickled Beetroot and green goddess creme fraiche

So - how's the coffee I hear you ask?  There's a rotating menu of blends/roasters so ask the wait staff for what's on offer on the day.  Whatever the offer though, the coffee is consistently good. Served in smaller cups, this is the way coffee is meant to be.
Apparently Merchants Guild are also known for their teas, and get great reviews for their passion in delivering the perfect brew.

The relatively recent addition of a back courtyard has alleviated the wait time somewhat, but weekends can be pretty busy at this popular cafe.  Be prepared to wait, but they do have a wait system in place and things move pretty quickly.  There's dog friendly dining out the front too.

For more info go to http://themerchantsguild.com/

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