The Rustica Canteen family has expanded once again, this time taking up residence in the new Maple apartment complex in Hawthorn. Local office workers and residents now have somewhere closer where they can get their hands on Brenton Lang’s drool-worthy baked goods.

Tristan White’s menu for the Hawthorn branch has a few items unique to this location, such as the slow roasted lamb shoulder baguette, and the baba ganoush, persian feta, rocket, radicchio, and onion on sourdough. As with the other Canteens, there are brunch dishes, big sandwiches and salads, and of course, artisan breads and baked sweets like doughnuts, cronuts and croissants. Their Eggs Benedict comes with poached eggs, fennel, red radish salad and cured trout on pumpkin sourdough. Though not exactly traditional, I’m loving how spiciness is often used to break up the creaminess of hollandaise. Here, there’s a bit of a tabasco kick at the back of the palate that doesn’t overpower the delicate flavours of the cured trout, and the salad gives a nice freshness to the dish.

Whole roasted mushrooms are matched with mixed greens, thin shavings of reggiano cheese, poached eggs, and white truffle oil on olive and basil sourdough. The olives embedded in the bread pair nicely with mushrooms, and the kale and walnut pesto that’s spotted around the plate provides a fresh zestiness that counters the saltiness of the olives and cheese.

The wholemeal waffle is topped with wedges of chai poached apples and a large spoonful of salted caramel mascarpone, all topped with candied puffed quinoa, flaked almonds and raspberries. There’s no element that is too sweet, despite the fact that it features salted caramel, and the overall sweet and salty flavours of the dish are well balanced.

Pastries are on rotation. You might find goodies such as chocolate and honeycomb cronuts, oreo croissants, and meringue donuts on display. We try the passionfruit and mango cronut, which has a nice blend of tang and sweetness, all encased in a crisp and flakey pastry.

Locals can rejoice. This small and cosy Rustica Canteen allows plenty of natural sunlight to stream through the windows, making it relaxing place to enjoy brunch and a pastry or two.

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

Rustica Canteen
121 Power Street
Hawthorn, Vic, 3122
www.rusticacanteen.com
(03) 9819 2018