Originally by the team that started up other cafe favourites like Fourth Chapter, Muharam, Sardi and nearby Trei, now comes 1809. Current owners Maliq and Angie Dean named it after the birthday of Maliq’s youngest son. 1809 is right in the middle of the suburbs in a small shopping strip. They’ve gone for a more industrial, minimalistic look, with plenty of polished concrete, broken up by white and turquoise accents and bits of greenery including a wall at the rear.

Beetroot latte $5, Large latte $4

Rustica provides pastries, and other sweets made in house. All kinds of latte are served too: chai, matcha, golden and beetroot, with supplies including Niccolo coffee, Prana Chia and Golden Grind. Beetroot lattes are made from beetroot powder, turning out as light pastel pink colour. The beetroot flavour isn’t too strong until the bottom is reached, but stirring it is recommended so that the slightly bitter powder doesn’t all settle to the bottom.

The hanger sandwich comes filled with strips of grilled steak, red onion jam and with a Japanese twist, wasabi butter and tempura beetroot leaves. It’s flavoursome and filling, and the crunch of the tempura provides a point of difference.

Savoury french toast is starting to become a favourite of mine. The thick batons of cheesy toast are grilled on all sides. Slivers of prosciutto and shavings of pecorino provide some saltiness and sharpness against the gentler sauteed mushrooms and poached egg. It’s not a large dish, but it’s definitely tasty, and my favourite dish from today.

We also have the blueberry ricotta hotcake with mascarpone, fresh berries, coconut nectar, macadamia and pistachio crumble. Though some parts of the fruity hotcake are dry, we do like the sugary macadamia and pistachio crumble.

Glen Waverley seems to be an up-and-coming foodie suburb, and 1809 is a pleasant addition.

Disclaimer: I was invited to 1809 as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time

1809
34 Willow Avenue
Glen Waverley, VIC, 3150
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