CHEAP EATS 2011 *** TOP OF OUR CATEGORY
A produce-driven cafe scarcely 20 metres from the riches of the South Melbourne market is a recipe from foodie heaven, and Q Eleven is packed on market days, for good reason. Breakfast is generous as the homely cafe is pint-sized. Gear up for a big brekkie of eggs, organic sausages, Istra bacon, balsamic mushrooms and roasted tomatoes, or go for a Kassler ham and potato roesti stack, paired with quinoa, spinach, poached egg and onion jam. Neither lunch (perhaps a fish taco or veg bruschetta) nor the single origin coffee let down the side, and there are plenty of gluten- free options on offer. A market-day winner.
CHEAP EATS 2010 *** TOP OF OUR CATEGORY
You may have to queue for this pocket-sized cafe overlooking South Melbourne market, but once at a table, you’ll understand why. Creative combinations abound, like a potato omelette with capsicum, feta and gremolata, or rhubarb and apple compote with citrus curd yoghurt and pistachio French toast. The “Mexican Extravaganza” is a spectacular combination of beans wrapped in a tortilla with fried eggs, pumpkin and coriander roesti, tomato-corn salsa and chipotle mayo.If the food and (expert coffee) isn’t proof enough, the menus glossary verifies the care taken in selecting the best produce: organic and free-range wherever possible. Get in line.
CHEAP EATS 2009 **
What the heck is a quinoa and potato roesti? The good folk at Qeleven have kindly provided a glossary on their organic-influenced menu so you’ll know exactly what your ordering. In this case, nicola potatoes are combined with the Andean grain quinoa and pan fried into an awesome hash to have with free-range kassler ham and a poached egg. Other dishes need no explanation, like creamed sago pudding with lime and coconut, Swiss cheese toasties, and pan-fried calamari with ginger, garlic and chilli. Diners pack the footpath tables day-long at weekends, and a mini reno (restained timber and a olive-green paint job) has kept this cafe sparkling.
CHEAP EATS 2008 **
If the bounty at South Melbourne Market gets your taste buds jumping, pop over to Qeleven, nab an outdoor table, order up a feast….and wait. There’s no rush jobs here-its all slow, socially aware food, much of it sourced from country Victoria. Try a Panini stuffed with spicy free-range chook (Mornington Peninsula), bacon, avocado and mustard aioli, or a shredded potato omelette studded with yarra Valley feta.A concoction of Pumpkin roesti, refried beans, sunny-side eggs and chipotle mayo is a stodgy delight, and Thai fish cakes infused with lime, coriander and curry sauce is among many gluten-free options.
CHEAP EATS 2007 *** TOP OF OUR CATEGORY
Big brekkie lovers, salad-munching health-nuts, comfort foodies and dessert freaks all flock to Q Eleven, opposite South Melbourne market. The magnet is the cheerful, polished service and great, mostly organic, food. Try Moroccan-spiced baguettes crammed with chicken, avocado, bacon and tomato. Or go for okonomiyaki, a doughy Japanese-style pancake served with sesame-flavoured mushrooms, tofu, greens, tamari, gula melaka (sugar from coconut trees) and sweet mayo. Serves are big, so take your time with a good coffee or fresh juice. For those after some pud, there’s warm cream and raspberry sago.
CHEAP EATS 2006 **
It might just as well be called Bazza’s place because owner, waiter and barista Barry O’Donnell single-handedly creates a great vibe at this relaxed caff. Barry’s a big fan of organic, biodynamic and free-range products and uses them wherever possible. Breakfast might be organic pancakes with warmed blueberries and orange caramel syrup, or an expertly made organic egg omelette of cheese, tomato, spinach and mushroom. The lunch menu is wonderfully inventive, from light options like tomato, lime and coriander soup to flavour-packed lamb, pork and ricotta meatballs with garlic polenta eggplant and napoli sauce.
CHEAP EATS 2005 ***
“A COSY nook that overlooks the market spruikers, Qeleven is all about flavour, style and life-saving coffee in extra-big cups. Mostly organic produce goes into large, scrummy dishes that are whisked out with cheerful enthusiasm. Blitz breakfast in a big way with organic eggs, sesame mushrooms, beef sausage patties and oven-roasted tomatoes. For a lunchtime tango, try Moroccan chicken, tzatziki and red onion salsa. And if you must – and you really must – allow a double chocolate pudding to damage your sense of discipline. There are whispers of evening trading plans for the year ahead.”
CHEAP EATS 2004 ***
SUNNY Qeleven is a great place to dine in the 90 per cent healthy, 10 per cent naughty mode.The owners choose organic & biodynamic ingredients -right down to the milk in their lates -without imposing a wholemeal dictatorship. Breakfast highlights include baked eggs with chorizo, feta and tomato, pancakes with mascarpone,and toast with house-made jam or marmalade. The cabinet displays a changing roster of curries, salads -perky things like the South American grain quinoa with lime & sumac -and baguettes crammed with Morrocan chicken,tsatsiki and red onion salsa, or silverside, tomato and dijon mustard.”