Sette Bello

Sette Bello, a rather funky mish mash of modern styling and retro cool, is an Italianesque cafe that is practically within throwing distance of where I live. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have a decent cafe nearby. My only gripe – they’re not open for Sunday breakfast! Ooh, what I’d give for a decent Sunday brekky joint in the CBD. And before you say it, no, Golden Tower is *not* an option.

Claire over at Melbourne Gastronome was the first to blow the lid on this little gem, and I certainly agree with her sentiments.

The first time we visited was for a post-shopping pick-me-up coffee and cannoli (we already know how much I love a good cannoli). The coffee provided the required hit of caffeine with a decent crema, and the cannoli, crunchy chocolate pastry piped full of citron studded ricotta was absolutely da business.

Impressed as we were with what we had experienced already, we decided to go back for breakfast on Saturday. The choice is small but sufficient – toasted brioche with marmalada (that being from the Italian meaning “jam” and not “marmalade”), tomato baked eggs in cazuela (terracotta dish) with spinach or prosciutto, or breakfast pizettes with egg and spinach or prosciutto. There is also a very good selection of will-power-weakening pastries, fruit brioche etc. to tempt those with a sweeter tooth (which is usually me, but on this occassion I needed eggs).

Our breakfast eggs were delightfully simple – two perfectly baked googies nestled deep into freshly wilted spinach and sweet tomato sugo (sauce). It arrived unseasoned – but it really only needed some cracked black pepper as the warm chunks of foccaccia were liberally sprinkled with flakes of sea salt. I really enjoyed this – more so because it wasn’t crappy, greasy bacon and eggs.

So take that as a warning breakfast people. Don’t go expecting a big menu with fry ups, french toast, pancake stacks, bircher museli or fruit salad. What you will get will be done well, and it may take just a little time to reach you (I don’t quite think they’ve hit their food-serving mojo yet – but cut them a little slack, they’re still new). But if you take a loved one and settle in for some good conversation, or mull over a newspaper with a coffee or two, it’ll be just fine.

nb. you may want to catch the updated Sette Bello.