The Hardware Societe, Melbourne

So the question is: “Did you eat in Melbourne?” Damn straight I did! I had a handful of sensational meals in a range of places with some great company.

One of the first and top of my list was a “Bloggers Breakfast” in one of Melbourne’s sexy little laneways. I was so excited about this breakfast for a couple of reasons:

1. Hardware Societe:  after having seen it on a range of Melbourne blogs I was desperate to get there
2. To meet some Melbourne bloggers before the Aussie Foodbloggers’ Conference Eat.Drink.Blog

Up bright and early on my first full day in Melbourne. I leave the BF in bed as I set out to catch the tram from St Kilda into the city on a glorious Autumn morning. I must mention the stunning weather I had the whole 4 days I was in Melbourne. Not a dud day amongst them. Amble off the tram right in the heart of Bourke St Mall, and as I’m waiting to cross the road I hear a yelp. A young lady has had her bag snatched by a guy that was hanging on the corner begging. Luckily he is caught and the young lady gets her bag back. What a start to the morning.

I have to admit, I was nervous about meeting these people: @Essjayeff from Essjayeats, @abstractg from Abstract Gourmet from Western Australia, @SteveCumper from The View from my Porch in Tasmania, @stickifingers from Deep Dish Dreams, and finally the one person I had met, the lovely @mutemonkey from Melbourne Gastronome

Would they like me? Would my camera measure up? Would they think I was just some pretentious Sydney blogger? No, on all counts, I hope! I headed down the lane found this gorgeous shoebox of a cafe and squeezed myself amongst this warm and gregarious clutch of bloggers. After introducing ourselves and waiting for latecomers I’m eager to order.

Round the table we go!

I’m keen on the baked eggs I saw over at Melbourne Gastronome that first caught my eye, with chorizo and pimentos

This little pot is super hot, and the eggs continue to cook, which may be the only disadvantage as I would love a little bit of goopy yolk to smoosh around the baguette…

The Portobello Mushrooms, herbs, lemon, goats cheese with baguette look truly amazing with their softserve icecream like swirl of goats cheese. I didn’t taste this, but was glad to see a substantial non baked bean vegetarian breaky

Hmmm someone else ordered the Croque Monsieur

After devouring my coffees and my eggs, and after seeing one of my breakfast colleague’s french toasted brioche with glazed oranges I had to have it, so it was thus ordered and shared with @mutemonkey

YUM!

This quirky little gem of a place is in Melbourne and not Sydney and that makes me sad   But I know where I’m going to breakfast next time I’m in Melbourne

P.S. they serve yummy little doughnuts with their excellent coffee too!

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The Hardware Societe
120 Hardware Lane
Melbourne
03 9078 5992

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