06 Aug Red Door Corner Store, Northcote

I find particular enjoyment from visiting cafes in the suburbs. It’s nice to scout out good food away from the more popular and typically cafe-filled areas, so A2 and I ventured out to Northcote to Red Door Corner Store. On arrival, it was suddenly obvious where its name came from. It’s a corner store…with a red front door.

Dukkah Eggs, Crushed Avocado, Roasted Pear, Persian Feta and Herb Salad, Pomegranate Pearls, Flatbread ($17)

Dukkah Eggs, Crushed Avocado, Roasted Pear, Persian Feta and Herb Salad, Pomegranate Pearls, Flatbread ($17)

A2 had the Dukkah Eggs. Crispy flatbread was smeared with a layer of crushed avocado, then topped with roasted pear, Persian feta, salad and sprinkled with pomegranate pearls. This is one of their most popular dishes and I can see why. The crispy, subtly spiced eggs spilled their oozy goodness into the wonderfully balanced mixture of ingredients.

Slow-cooked Ocean Trout, Miso-braised Kale and Shiitake, Pickled Carrot, Daikon and Nori Seaweed Salad, Sweet Potato and Lotus Chips, Crispy Egg ($19)

I went with the slow-cooked ocean trout, which came with miso-braised kale and shiitake, a pickled carrot, daikon and nori salad, sweet potato and lotus chips, and a crispy egg. It also arrived with a little cup of miso broth that had hints of shiitake, which was probably used in braising the kale. The ocean trout was perfectly cooked and went together wonderfully with the pickled vegetables, and crunchy vegetable chips. I don’t actually like shiitake mushrooms, but these were so plump and juicy and didn’t taste very strongly, so I ended up eating them all anyway. I loved the Japanese twist on the popular ocean trout and egg combination.

Unfortunately I’m not able to call Red Door Corner Store a local cafe, but if I lived here I might just be a regular.

Red Door Corner Store
70 Mitchell Street
Northcote, VIC, 3070
(03) 9489 8040
www.reddoorcornerstore.com.au/