Review: Operator25

Way out on the outskirts of Melbourne's CBD lies this little treasure. After an unsuccessful morning of cafe hopping with a section of Little Bourke St was roped off, making Manchester Press inaccessible and a massive line at Hardware Societe, we trekked it through drizzling rain to Operator25. The cafe hosts several large tables around the central cashier, coffee and pastry counter. The tables are all communal unless you come with a large enough group to take up all the seats. Although this does encourage more sociability, it doesn't really make for close d&m catch-ups over coffee & food. The lady that waited us was lovely, not that everyone gets a personal wait-staff, but she was always walking about offering help while some of the others just stood by the counter looking bored, so service and attentiveness could improve.

Cool industrial, rustic interior design

Single Origin Of The Day: Ethiopia Aramo - $5
From Code Black Coffee, with hints of apricot, nectarine, rose hip, green tea and floral.
I rarely drink my coffee black, not that this is really black, more like red-brown.
Therefore, it wasn't so strong and did have the lovely fruity, floral scents to it.
I didn't need to add sugar, yet didn't find it bitter. Definitely glad I tried something new!
If they ever have this or other Ethiopia fruit/floral blends, give it a go!
However, for $5 it is quite a small serving, the glass came only half full.

Ricotta and Vanilla Hot Cakes - $16
With poached pears, hazelnut, maple syrup, "strudel" mascarpone and crumbled chocolate.
The serving, as with all servings seen here, was quite meagre.
It quells your hunger but doesn't fully satisfy.
Delicious as pancakes always are, but definitely not the best I've had.
The pancakes were quite small, pikelet sized, soft, but not very fluffy.
I am not a fan of maple syrup, however, this one tasted a lot more natural and less sweet.
Still not a big fan of it though, which it why I loved the chocolate.
The chocolate shavings on top were decadent, added lovely sweetness & bitterness.
I don't quite understand what they mean by "strudel" marscapone.
To me it was just marscapone with chocolate bits. It was smooth, lovely slightly
savoury/sour flavour which the chocolate complimented.
Oh yes, the poached pears, lovely as always, but you can't forget the hazelnuts!
Definitely my favourite dessert nut by far, it added lovely crunch and nuttiness to the dish!

Christmas in July: Pan Fried Quail - $17
With winter vegetables and cranberry jus
Again I was hoping for a larger portion, but expected this as quail is an expensive bird
and $17 wouldn't pay for much of it, 2 legs and 2 breasts in fact.
That being said, the meat was cooked well, crispy skin, lovely citrus dressing.
The vegetable were also well seasoned and soft. All in all a lovely dish,
and the jus: sweet, savoury and rich, had to be the standout component!

Christmas in July: Chestnut Tart - $4
With dark chocolate and macerated cherries
The chestnut puree was so smooth and light, however, the flavour
was a bit too subtle for my palette. I love macerated cherries,
and the dark chocolate again adding light and shade.
With a little dollop of sour cream the blend the flavours, what's not to love?
Only negative - the pastry was a bit soggy and therefore stringy,
may be due to it being pre-prepared?