In a culinary mecca like Melbourne new eateries endlessly pop up offering original and tantalising dishes. But every now and then you stumble upon a place that’s been around a while and yet for some reason has never made it onto the main radar. It may not be in your usual geographic comfort zone, but when someone introduces you, you’ll happily drive out of your way. That’s what’s just happened to us. It’s a huge call, we know, but Agenda has discovered what could arguably be the best breakfast in Greater Melbourne.

The café is Shop Ate Café and Store in Mt Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula. The chef is award-winning cookbook author Guy Mirabella (Eat Ate 2008) and the dish is smashed eggs, chorizo, Spanish onion, cherry tomatoes, fresh chilli and toast.

You may think you’ve eaten something similar before, but the way they’re prepared here will leave you vowing never to have eggs any other way again. The contrast of the spicy fresh chili and the sweet burst of the pan-fried cherry tomatoes with parsley, thyme and basil, along with salty chorizo and perfectly cooked eggs means the only thing that could make this food experience any better would be perfect coffee. And that’s here too.

Take the newspaper, linger over your second latte and then when you think you’re done, just try and resist Guy Mirabella’s stunning array of cakes, pastries and fresh breads. The passionfruit and coconut cake with caramel biscuit base is sublime, or for something more savoury you can’t beat the olive and rosemary flat bread. After all, you’re going to need enough sustenance for the 40-minute car ride back to the city.

Notes -

 

Where: Shop Ate Café is located at 87 Mount Eliza Way, Mt Eliza

Open: 8.15 – 4.15, Monday to Saturday