1000 £ Bend

361 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne

Haha.  Ha ha ha, ha.  This is very amusing.

So to start from the start, most of you (those in Melbourne anyway) have probably heard about the zeitgeist that is Jerome Borazio, a man known for turning dingy laneway establishments into hip and happening venues; Sister Bella, Pushka, and the recently expired St.Jeromes Bar over on Caledonian Lane to name just a few.  After it’s demise, Jerome thought about a second coming (or is that rising?!), and floated the idea of the Preston School of Industry in an old converted Harley Davidson warehouse on Little Lonsdale St. The venue was named after a school for delinquents attended by such promising students as Charles Manson. Ahem.

Unfortunately Jerome is having a few wee issues with transferring his liquor licence, and the idea for the bar has been put on hold. So, what to do when you’ve signed the lease?

Welcome 1000 £ Bend, a cafe and cavernous warehouse space that will aim to host an array of design and movie festivals, exhibitions, events etc., such as the Cloud 19 exhibition that is currently running as part of the State of Design festival. To be perfectly honest, I’m kind of excited.  Leave the beer out of it I say.  It’s making Jerome think a little more creatively.

Anyway, the interior is what I would call op-shop designer chic, and there is plenty to distract the eye while sipping on your coffee. You may even recongise a few bits of furtiture from the ol’ St.Jerome’s days.

I must confess that it feels a wee bit chilly, despite the handful of retro radiant heaters; I would advise bringing your jacket during these winter climes.  But it does have a cool boho-ness about it, and to be perfectly honest, would probably make a rockin’ bar (which I think is the intention if and when it get a liquor licence).  I’m not sure the local residents (myself included) would agree though.  A space that big filled with drunk idiots sounds kind of scary.

So if it’s not beer thats being drunk, then the coffee is surprisingly good.  As is the freckle. I love getting something to nibble on with my hot drink.

But hey, this is a food blog, so let me report on the food.

Dan and I had dropped in for brekky, and this is the breakfast burrito.  In fact, this is a damn good breakfast burrito, filled with a lightly spiced chilli beef con carne heady with cumin, softly scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and a melting of cheddar cheese.  To the side, a well dressed little salad.  It had got a little toasting in the sandwich press, so was crisp to the tooth.

They also offer toasted sangas, soups, lasagna and stews for lunchtime fare – and all for a reasonable under $10.

It’ll be interesting to see how this place develops.