Saturday Snap Back – a hidden gem…

How lovely is a leisurely Saturday? With a whole day ahead of me I had to decide what to do with the day and while debating potential brunch locales I recalled Monk Bodhi Dharma and the amazing French Stick toast they served. Just thinking of it makes me want to dash across town and head here… Vegetarian and Vegan Brunch decadence heaven….

Original Post: 22 May 2011…

A few months ago I was hunting for somewhere in Melbourne that would cater for a Vegan Brunch. This sounds simpler than it is especially if you are after something more than museli w fruit and soy milk (even though that’s a good combo). In my google searching bonanza I stumbled upon Monk Bodhi Dharma in Balaclava.

Now I could spend ages telling you about the gorgeous striped back brick walls, the reclaimed wooden tables, the single origin coffee, the organic tea that is infused by temperature and time or I could show you what we both had…

Hmmm thought that would do it. Who needs eggs? Now while this was the vegetarian version of french bread toasted in a cardamon and honey blend with a spiced poached pear sided with a lemon and pistachio whipped ricotta it can be made vegan with soy whip. Did you just drool a bit- well before I said soy whip?

Last time we came here I ordered a lemongrass soup with rice. It was really good. Green ordered the aforementioned French Bread. I had major food jealousy. As in MAJOR. My soup was exactly what i had wanted not feeling like anything sweet it wasjust right. But still. In fact all the food there does look great we eyed off several dishes arriving to nearby patrons deciding to maybe order them next time. Sadly I will never get to try these. I can’t face the potential envy were someone to order the french bread.

The flavors were amazing – the only catch was the bread was hard to cut as it got colder while we chatted away. It was still amazing.

This place at 10am only had a few patrons on Saturday morning but by 10:10 was pretty much packed. On a Saturday. It is small but if you are headed here get in early or you may have to wait a bit. There are plenty of browse worthy shops nearby so you should be fine.

Monk Bodhi Dharma is a little hard to find. I used my GPS the first time and felt very confused as it’s actually tucked down a side alley between Safeway and the shops.

Carnivores fear not this amazing food and for everyone else this is amazing food.

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