Norma Loves Joe

I really love French films and I am so excited that the French Film Festival is now on. I’ll be checking out a couple of films during the festival at the Balwyn Cinema. Last weekend, I discovered a new café that has opened up just down the road from the cinema. Norma Loves Joe is one of those rare cafés where the food, coffee, and service are all exceptional. From the vintage teacups used as sugar bowls to the pretty flower posies, Norma Loves Joe is a place where you want to linger all afternoon...

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

·        Brunch Salad – Kale, cauliflower, avocado, ruby grapefruit, poached egg and bacon ($19.00)

·        Norma’s red velvet waffles with cream cheese drizzle and seasonal berries ($16.00)

·        Yankee Burger – Lean beef pattie, Swiss cheese, pickled red cabbage, tomato and caramelised onion ($18.00)

·        Mixed mushrooms on grilled sourdough with parsley purée ($16.00)

*House made gluten free bread add $1.00

WHAT WE ATE...

I had a major bread craving that day so I chose the ‘Avocado and feta on grilled sourdough with lemon ($14.00)’. The crusty sourdough was just what I desired. The creamy avocado and feta with a squeeze of lemon and a sprinkling of cracked pepper sated my appetite...

Avocado and Feta

My dining companion opted for the ‘Pulled chicken and red slaw pide with cornichons and spicy mayo ($16.00)’. This dish was brilliant and apparently the best meal my dining companion has eaten at a café for some time. It was full of flavour and I’m looking forward to trying it next time. I did steal a few of the delightfully crispy chips...

Pulled Chicken

WHAT WE DRANK...

They have my favourite Gingerella Ginger Ale ($4.50) as well as tea ($4.00) from The Slow Tea Co. The Booze Hound tea (Marigold petals, peppermint, liquorice root, ginger root, blue mallow and hibiscus) sounds intriguing... Our lattes ($3.80) made with Axil Coffee Roasters coffee were delicious and had a lovely honeycomb taste. Both our coffees came with a nice quote. Mine was from Dr. Seuss: ‘Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened’. Dr. Seuss is really quite astute...

Latte

SERVICE...

Sometimes the service at new cafés can be a little all over the place but the service at Norma Loves Joe was outstanding.

Address: 239 Whitehorse Rd, Balwyn, VIC

Phone: 03 9817 2576

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Trading Hours:

Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri: 7.00am – 4.00pm

Sat – Sun: 8.00am – 4.00pm

Closed: Tues

P.S. Other eateries nearby are Snow Pony and Scarvelli Café...