29 Nov Collective Espresso, Camberwell
Right by Camberwell station, Collective Espresso beckons breakfast and lunch-goers with an enticing menu and good coffee. A long communal table dominates the floor, but there are also tables and bar seats making it a flexible space for groups large and small.
Their latte is strong and hot, and the BAM, a blueberry, apple, and mint slushie, is minty and refreshing.
The herb crumbed mushrooms sit on half an English muffin each, coming with a flavoursome porcini pesto, wilted spinach, trufflenaise and poached eggs. The fragrance and flavour of the truffle oil flavour is strong and mouth-watering, and the crumb coating of our fungus friend is crispy, and the mushroom flesh is juicy.
Looking almost hilariously similar next to the herb-crumbed mushrooms but tasting completely different, are the Eggs Benny. Instead of toast or English muffins, these eggs are served on a crispy, square pork and potato hash. Spinach, hollandaise and a fresh apple and herb salad complete the dish. The pork and potato hash is moist and hearty, and its crust is crunchy enough to make a fine substitute for toast. Strands of pork crackling add extra texture and salty flavour.
Their current vegetarian burger is a chickpea, quinoa and potato patty, paired with sriracha mayo and pickles, all encased by an almost fluorescent green matcha buns. The matcha buns are dry, though as with the hash, the outside of the veggie patty is crisp and the inside is moist. The sweet potato chips are amongst the best I’ve had, being lightly spiced and lightly coated in some sort of batter or crumb that makes them extra delicious.
The matcha buns were the only let down in an otherwise lip-smacking lunch, and I would happily tuck into those succulent mushrooms and moreish pork and potato hash again.
Disclaimer: I was invited to Collective Espresso as a guest, however, opinions expressed here are purely my own, and are based on my experience at the time
Collective Espresso
3 Cookson Street
Camberwell, VIC, 3124
(03) 9882 http://www.collectiveespresso.com.au/“>8995
http://www.collectiveespresso.com.au/
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