The Hardware Société, Hardware St

Melbourne is known for its laneways and this place taps into that laneway culture. It's tucked in Hardware Street amidst many other cafes and eateries but it stands out thanks to the long queue. You might have heard tales about the seemingly never ending queues of eager cafe goers outside this place. Come weekend and people start lining up outside this Melbourne brunch hotspots. The average wait is 45-60 mins on the weekends and sometimes even more around the brunch hour. I have been meaning to give this place and see for myself what's the hype and whether it lives up to it. But I keep putting it off dreading the long wait. In a place like melbourne where brunch options are literally endless, I wasn't able to justify waiting so long for food. But finally I decided to brave the queue.

As someone famous once said "If you want something too badly, the entire universe works in your favor to make it happen". We were there on a saturday for brunch around noon and to our surprise we had to wait for less than 10 minutes. Yes, you read that right only 10 minutes! The place looks small from outside but we realized its bigger once

we stepped in.

I did not know they have another cafe in Paris. The French influence becomes more and more evident as you look at the decor. I am not expert in interior decor and architecture but the whole place has a very Parisian vibe. It took me a while to figure out that the left side of the menu was in French and right was in English. Well, I was hungry so wasn't the brightest bulb in the room at that moment. The menu seemed like an Aussie take on French food. There was no eggs on toast on the menu but with so many interesting options to choose from I did not miss having that option.

I had the Fior De Burrata which was basically Ratatouille, olive bread, basil pistou, olive & swiss chard migas, poached eggs. It was so lip-smacking good that I get why Pixar made a movie about it. John Doe had the fried brioche which was topped with a dulce de leche pannacotta, grilled bananas, pistachio praline and chocolate Jaffa sauce. It was too pretty to dig in but he couldn't wait till got a picture. I wanted to relish the food but I was also like 'get in my belly now'. So many mixed emotions over hogging.

Lets talk about coffee!

I've heard the coffee here is good and it lived up its reputation. They have Padre coffee made by a really good barista. I had the cappuccino and it had a good depth of flavour. It was not too bitter but also not weak. The barista here has aced the latte art game. I love having coffee in a bright coloured cup, maybe it's just a visual thing or my coffee snobbery peaking but I feel it elevates the coffee experience.