Ela Carte reviews Ascot Food Store, Moonee Ponds

Ascot Food Store – 320 Ascot Vale Rd, Moonee Ponds – www.facebook.com/ascotfoodstore.com.au

One of my favourite compliments is to say I wish an eatery was around the corner from me. And I do wish Ascot Food Store was in my ‘hood.

It’s not your average caf?, with not your average menu.

At breakfast time even your smashed avocado has a twist ? served on pumpkin bread with goats curd, pickled zucchini and 62 degree egg. Or if you really want to go all out ? for savoury you could go duck egg, duck parfait, toasted brioche with enoki mushroom, jamon and manchego cheese. And for the sweet tooths ? maybe French toast with brioche caramel bread, banana honeycomb fudge, chocolate Aero and Golden Gaytime parfait.

We were there for lunch ? and impressively this place has a much more extensive lunch menu than most suburban cafes, with not a sandwich or focaccia in sight. 

Confit lobster burger ain’t no ordinary lobster roll. Beautiful milk buns come in from Dench bakery, it’s a Japanese style, so soft in texture, a little crispy and lightly toasted. The Lobster is sourced from Maine, vacuum sealed with St David Dairy butter and slowly cooked. It all comes together on the roll with celery heart and garden herbs.

Lobster Roll.

A slight variation comes in the form of the Soft Shell Crab burger, the crab dusted in rice flour and potato starch to stay crispy, it’s served with sauce gribiche, poached cherry tomatoes and watercress.

The gnudi’s a take on a Tuscan breakfast ? hung ricotta dumplings are served with smashed spring peas and mint, extra virgin olive oil, grilled haloumi and broken egg. It’s light and seasonal.

Gnudi.

All the dishes here are pretty, but without a doubt their most popular posts on Instagram and the like are those which feature Ascot Food Store’s famous donuts. The offerings change most days, all boast a syringe so are a little interactive, you might get one with toffee popcorn like we did; a Black Forrest version or maybe White chocolate with berry gel.

No booze, sorry Burnso, but I loved my slightly sour Lemmy Lemonade, and Scorchy couldn’t help but order a Golden Gaytime milkshake with chocolate, caramel and almond.

Food and drink aside, this is a lovely relaxed venue with seriously friendly staff and creative restaurant food at caf? prices.