Located in Carlton, Providence is a town village kitchen inspired cafe which focuses on embracing and sharing the beautiful produce that Victoria’s local farmers have to offer. Providence is the latest addition to Eleena and Michael’s family (Hero Subs, Reading Room Cafe and The Grain Store) and together with head chef Cate Hardman’s ‘gate-to-plate’ philosophy, you can just imagine how thrilled I was to attend the breakfast launch.
Upon our arrival, we were instantly greeted with an assortment of drinks – breakfast smoothies, blood orange breakfast spritzers and coffee roasted by Code Black Coffee. Oh yes, yes please.
The first dish of the day set the bar high, and was definitely my top pick for the day. Patties of fluffy, creamy bubble and squeak potatoes intertwined with rich, hot smoked trout. Topped with drool-worthy runny eggs and herbs, each bite was gratifying. You know you’re in for a treat when each and every element dances in your mouth.
Oh avocado, how I love thee. But to grill the avocado? Genius! Paired with sticky ham hock, lovely leaves, sweet peas and goats curd, this was no ordinary salad, this was salad at a whole new level.
A spin on an old favourite, these pies boasted an incredibly buttery rich, flaky crust encasing a hardboiled egg and adorned with crispy bacon bits, chunky tomato chutney and peppery rocket. Though I found these pies a little too rich for my palette, they were well-received all round.
This last savoury dish particularly highlighted the quality of the ingredients with its aromatic spiced pumpkin and lentil fritters, chilli tomato pickle, fragrant coconut yoghurt and salad leaves. Though the fritters were not the same light, fluffy mouthfuls I had imagined, they were packed with flavour and dense with nutrients.
We ended with these cute little samples of Breakfast Berry Clafoutis – a baked pancake studded with fresh berries, crunchy almond flakes and rhubarb ice cream. It was evident that these were too good to resist as they were demolished in a flash.
Though not every dish had me at the edge of my seat to the extent that the smoked trout did (that’s pretty hard to top though), I had an amazing time at Providence. What really gave each dish extra points is that all produce are locally sourced and their focus on seasonality.
Those who are fortunate enough to work or live in Carlton now have a great new spot for superb coffee and good food. Lucky you.
PROVIDENCE
Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch, Café Fare, Coffee
Address: 497 Rathdowne Street, Carlton
Hours: Mon – Sat 7am – 4pm / Sun 8.30am – 4pm
www.providencecafe.com.au
