Seven Seeds North Melbourne - Good Coffee

The return of international test match cricket encouraged me to seek out sustenance at an early hour on Sunday. This is quickly turning into a habit although knowing that the cricket will be broadcast later in the day, my desire to have something in my stomach before consuming litres of beer makes me a pragmatist. Wanting to find a cool and interesting venue that serves decent food in the morning hours is a secondary benefit.

My travels took me and one other hungry resident in the area to Seven Seeds in North Melbourne. This is another venue that typifies Melbourne: converted warehouse just outside of the CBD, bicylcle and hipster friendly, damn good coffee and interesting things on the menu.

Like with St Ali in South Melbourne there are no parking restrictions in the area on a Sunday so for once I took the motorcar out. Parking was just as easy as securing a table. We were directed to a communal table however it was shaped as a rectangle and because the seats were spaced just enough apart you didn't feel as if you were unavoidably eavesdropping on others.

The menu is short and sweet. My first long black took a while to come out however my second round of coffee was the single-origin coffee of the day from Guatamala and it came out quickly. The latter cup of beans had the taste of apricot and neither one of them were heated over 50c. Some may be put off by the fact that the coffee is not at 100c and steaming but I found it pleasant, just like I did with the service who were happy to have a chat about the menu and what was on offer.

I opted for the jalapeno french toast which was quite an unusual combination on paper. I expected more of a sugary-syrup to take over and leave an impression but that wasn't the case. It was an interesting merging of flavours however I would have normally wanted something more done than slicing a pepper up and scattering it on the dish. There was nothing wrong with it and it certainly beat other "normal" breakfast options that you get elsewhere.

Although the place was filled with diners, it was not loud partially thanks to the high ceilings. It was easy to have a conversation with the person next to me despite being sat at a communal table and of all of the communal seating that I have experienced as of late, this configuration was the most pleasant. There are bicycle racks just inside the warehouse entrance which I thought was novel and the venue seems to be a mecca for bicycle riders and students given the proximity to the universities.

Even though the food wasn't as robust as what I had at Chez Dre, St Ali or even Three Bags Full, I found the venue more relaxed and accommodating. I will return not only for the convenience, but because I am partial to their coffee.

Seven Seeds

Link to review

106 - 114 Berkeley St  Carlton VIC 3053
(03) 9347 8664

http://www.sevenseeds.com.au

My Rating: 12/20

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Quality: 3/5

Value For Money: 3/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 86% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Seven Seeds.