East Elevation: East Brunswick

UPDATE: East Elevation is now closed (2021)

Over the past few months I have been to a few cafes that have impressed me but my favourite has to be East Elevation.  It has an innovative menu, great food and a relaxing huge warehouse space.

From the road the grey building looks unassuming, even with its red door.  The light filled space is a surprise upon entering.  The combination of skylights and high ceilings works brilliantly.  The distressed brick walls and exposed rafters remind us of the warehouse origins.  Yet the foilage and flowers add a welcoming splash of colour.  I particularly like the terrariums.  They remind me of primary school projects.  These plants growing in jars are the sort of quirky retro touch that makes the space delightful.

I first went to East Elevation late last year with my friend Junko.  We both had the Quesadilla off the specials board.  It came with gooey mozzarella inside and on the side was  black beans, corn, chillies, guacamole, a radish garnish and a lime wedge.  It was excellent.  The radishes were a revelation for me and the chillies were more tasty than spicy.

I was so enthused by the place that I went back about a week later with E and Sylvia for brunch.  When we arrived on a Saturday morning when the place was full.  We were able to put our names on a waiting list, play for 20 minutes at the park and return to a seat.  I had the full vegie breakfast, E had the full breakfast, and Sylvia had the crepes with lemon and sugar. 

My plate was filled with sourdough toast, spicy beans, oven dried tomatoes, avocado, and sauteed spinach.  Best of all I could choose to replace the eggs with chipotle tempeh.  Oh joyous day!  The tempeh wasn't quite as crispy as I would have liked but good egg substitutes are always very welcome.  The toast was thick and dense in a satisfying way, the bake beans were home made and nicely saucy, the avocado was creamy and the tomatoes were grilled perfectly so they fell apart oozing juices at the touch of a fork.  E enjoyed his breakfast and found it very filling.  Sylvia was more interested in playing with her food.

This week I went there with my mum to share the Chocolate fondue with fruit, toast (brioche), brownies and more chocolate.  You might notice that there are no brownies on our platter above.  It was only halfway through that we started to wonder about the brownies.  I asked and we were given them with apologies.

The dark chocolate fondue was amazingly good.  (Milk chocolate is also an option.)  So it ought to be given that East Elevation houses the chocolate makers Monsieur Truffle (or does Monsieur Truffle house East Elevation?)  Once we had run out of things to dip we had a spoonful or two off the spoon.  The brownies were gooey and intense.  One for chocolate lovers!

It was a good idea to just have the chocolate fondue platter because on my other visits I have been too full to try it.  Of course that doesn't stop me perusing the cakes and maybe taking home a jam filled lamington.

The service is always pleasant and accommodating, even if the staff forget the occasional brownie.  I can understand why people take in their laptops to while away the time, why my sister on her visit from Ireland went to East Elevation twice, and why the Herald Sun has written up the "industrial chic" on the weekend in glowing terms.  Cindy and Michael have recently written about the good news that East Elevation now offers dinner.  It is on my list of places to visit in the evening.  Definitely! Any excuse to return is welcome.

UPDATE: East Elevation is now closed (2021)

East Elevation
351 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
03 9381 5575
http://eastelevation.com.au/