Nestled comfortably on a quiet street in North Melbourne, Di Bella Roasting Warehouse is the picture of the classic Melbournian coffee joint. With its communal tables, hanging lights, and easy-going charm, it's not hard to see why locals love spending a lazy afternoon here with some coffee and a good book. I dropped round this café on a sweltering hot afternoon with a couple of friends, and took delight in the artful presentation of food served here.
Food that tastes as good as it looks? Sign me up!
Food that tastes as good as it looks? Sign me up!
The Di Bella menu offers some interesting and slightly offbeat food choices. Patrick had the Smoked Ox Tongue with son-in-law egg, capers and anchovy dressing with celery heart, piled atop a chargrilled brioche toast (AUD$18).
I'm not particularly adventurous with food and the thought of having some sort of tongue on my plate is horrifying, but after a bit of coaxing and suspiciously poking at the meat, I had a bite of this.
It was surprisingly tender, not tough as I had expected (I mean the tongue is a muscle, after all) and despite my aversion to eating strange animal parts, I have to admit that it tasted really, really good.
I'm not particularly adventurous with food and the thought of having some sort of tongue on my plate is horrifying, but after a bit of coaxing and suspiciously poking at the meat, I had a bite of this.
It was surprisingly tender, not tough as I had expected (I mean the tongue is a muscle, after all) and despite my aversion to eating strange animal parts, I have to admit that it tasted really, really good.
The smokey flavour of the ox tongue really came through, and I have honestly never tasted anything quite like it.
It was so good?! Good enough to make me want another bite, until I reminded myself that it was, still, an ox's dead tongue and I put my fork down. Also, can we discuss these son-in-law eggs? Deep fried, whole eggs with a slightly runny centre. Good grief, this thing is ingenious.
It was so good?! Good enough to make me want another bite, until I reminded myself that it was, still, an ox's dead tongue and I put my fork down. Also, can we discuss these son-in-law eggs? Deep fried, whole eggs with a slightly runny centre. Good grief, this thing is ingenious.
I had the Peach Loaf, with raspberries, plum and a pistachio and white chocolate foam (AUD$15). This was lovely. The pistachio and white chocolate foam had the texture of a light and airy mousse, and went so well with the peach loaf.
Eve declared this as the best dish we ordered.
Eve declared this as the best dish we ordered.
Yan had the Quinoa salad (AUD$16). It was her second time here, and she specifically returned to have this dish - the combination of red cabbage, grape, walnuts, cherry tomatoes and lemon dressing was too good to resist!
Such a healthy and delicious option.
Such a healthy and delicious option.
Di Bella also had some tempting baked goods on display, but we didn't manage to try them as we were all stuffed.
Next time, I'm getting the Banana cake (with fig) for sure :-)
All in all, a wonderful lunch in the suburbs. I especially enjoyed the slower, less frantic ambience as opposed to other cafés in the city. Looking forward to visiting again soon!
Di Bella Roasting Warehouse
19-21 Leveson St
North Melbourne, VIC 3051
Tel: 03 9329 2973
Next time, I'm getting the Banana cake (with fig) for sure :-)
All in all, a wonderful lunch in the suburbs. I especially enjoyed the slower, less frantic ambience as opposed to other cafés in the city. Looking forward to visiting again soon!
Di Bella Roasting Warehouse
19-21 Leveson St
North Melbourne, VIC 3051
Tel: 03 9329 2973
Follow me on Instagram: @paintingrachelred for more updates.