Merchants Guild
680 Centre Rd, Bentleigh East
03 9579 0374
www.themerchantsguild.com

Having lived in Melbourne for a year and a half now (well, really less considering the amount of holidays we have!), I finally got around to tackling the infamous Dandenong 1000 steps last week. With the thick green foliage and walking trails, it must be the closest place to here that actually looks remotely like New Zealand. Afterwards, needing sustenance and always happy for an excuse to do brunch, we ventured to Merchants Guild in Bentleigh. A bustling suburban cafe and a favourite with locals, Merchants Guild is always packed, even on weekdays, so be prepared to wait for a table at peak hour. An industrial brick-and-steel fit-out extends back into the narrow building, with extra tables both on the street and in a secluded outside-but-covered area at the rear. The cabinet food is not huge on sweets, but the sandwiches, perfect for a quick take-away option or a light meal, were tempting: on offer today were pulled pork brioche buns, vegetarian mushrooom baguettes and marinated chicken rolls stuffed with fresh and vibrant fillings.

Although not a tea or coffee drinker myself (yet..), even I can appreciate the formidable tea list at Merchants Guild, almost as long as the food menu itself. The most popular Prana Chai tea, a boutique label launched by the owners of the cafe, Mario Minichilli and Vincent Conti, is now distributed throughout Australia and overseas, and tea-drinking friends have assured me of its deliciousness.

The food menu is a mix of oldies but goodies and new and interesting options: from the sweet tritacale bircher with coconut, goji berries, cranberries, summer fruits and yoghurt ($15), raspberry pancake with maple mascarpone, gaytime dust and berries ($17), and muesli with raspberry yogurt, fresh berries, elderflower jelly cubes and flaxseed oil ($15.5) to eggs panzanella – toasted torn bread, jamon, basil, dehydrated cherry tomatoes and marinated white anchovies with poached eggs ($19.5) and a sweet pea and feta smash on dark rye, Spanish sardines and a lemon and herb crumb ($16.5). Lunch offerings are similarly innovative, with a 8 hour slow cooked pulled lamb wih green beans, min and ridichio leaves on chickpea and yogurt smash ($20.5) and a super salad with brown rice ,quinoa, sweet potato, baby beetroot, broccoli, nuts and seeds with tahini yogurt and black rice popcorn ($19) both catching my eye.

However, as they often do when I feel like I need a healthy option after college food, the green breakfast won out for me: the superfood avocado, kale, broccoli, barley, mung sprouts, green chilli and pumpkin seeds on toast with light cottage cheese and free range eggs ($19.5). Although I skipped the cottage cheese, it was filling and full of texture – definitely a great post-workout meal! I must say that an addition of bit of goats cheese or feta, or an option of a side of smoked salmon would deliver another great hit of flavour.

Miranda opted for the short cut bacon with an avocado and charred corn salsa on sourdough with eggs and jalapeño pesto ($19): this is a hearty bacon slab, crispy on the edges which goes perfectly with the fresh and tangy hit of flavour in the avocado salsa and the slight pesto heat. A thoroughly enjoyed twist on the classic avocado smash.

Having the week off uni and not coping with sitting in my room doing assignments all day, Kate and I paid another visit to Merchant’s Guild this morning. Not quite morning tea but not quite lunch and a sucker for anything Vietnamese, we split the Vietnamese pork belly Banh Mi baguette and a chocolate and espresso almond cupcake from the cabinet. The baguette one of the best I have tried: generous strips of caramelised pork belly, picked carrots and zucchini, a bed of coriander and a smear of pate housed in a light and fluffy, crisp, very vietnamese baguette. At $14.5, this is a winner on the menu.

Although we found some menu items a little pricy compared with similar options at other cafes, with friendly service, free sparkling water, and cosy feel on a wintery Melbourne day, Merchants Guild is a top-notch cafe in the south-eastern suburbs. I am sure we will be back!

Rating: 6.5/10
Don’t miss: the Prana Chai tea
Pro tip: be prepared for a weekend wait or bring a coat to sit outside
Features: child-friendly, outdoor seating.

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