Mr Hendricks Cafe, Balwyn

Salad has never been one of my favourite things... but recently I’ve had a craving for healthy salads. Some people assume that the word ‘salad’ automatically means ‘healthy’ and I often hear people exclaim ‘I’m on a diet so I will order something healthy... the Caesar Salad!’ which is one of the highest calorie items on the menu. I think the main factor for my change of heart is that Melbourne cafés are creating some cracking salads that are full of flavour. A trip to Mr. Hendricks Cafe in Balwyn caused me to again be tempted by a salad... If you love to queue for a table, then Mr. Hendricks is your place to do just that in the eastern suburbs. Even on a weekday, you have to sometimes queue for a table... All that being said, the staff are extremely well organised and helpful with the process and we only had to wait 15 minutes. You have the option to sit in the sunny courtyard or one of the two rooms inside. We were seated in the smaller back room with a fireplace in the corner which was very cosy and private.   

  

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

·        Brioche French Toast with poached pears, caramel sauce, double cream, cinnamon sugar ($16.50)

·        Crispy Eggs with sweet potato puree, ham hock, salad of fennel, radish, red onion and candied walnuts ($19.50)

·        Chia Pudding with rhubarb and strawberry compote, poached rhubarb, strawberry gel and puffed black rice ($13.50)

·        Tempura Soft Shell Crab and Snapper Burger with cucumber, carrot, cabbage and coriander salad, lime aioli ($18.50)  

·        Dr. Marty’s Crumpets with honey cream cheese, Nutella or lemon curd ($7.50) *kids menu

WHAT WE ATE...

I picked the ‘Breakfast Salad with red and white quinoa, charred corn, black beans, jalapeño chilli, red cabbage, poached egg, honey smoked almond dressing ($17.00)’. This was another scrummy version of a healthy salad. I loved the puffed grains and that little hint of mint in the dressing was divine. Not sure where the jalapeño chilli was though...

Breakfast Salad

My dining companion chose the ‘Prawn and Corn Fritters with avocado puree, charred corn salsa, chilli jam ($17.50)’. The golden spheres of fluffy corn were crunchy on the outside but there was not a lot of prawn action on the inside. However, the dish altogether was very tasty.   

Prawn and Corn Fritters

WHAT WE DRANK...

A Bloody Mary ($12.00) could be the way to start your day or perhaps an OJ ($5.00) is more your style... My latte ($3.50) made with Padre Coffee’s Mr. Hendrick’s Seasonal Blend was fabulous.

Lattes

SERVICE...

We had no problem with the service and the guy working the queue was great at his job.

Address: 469 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, VIC

Phone: 03 9830 7579

  

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Trading Hours:

Tues – Fri: 7.30am – 4.00pm

Sat – Sun: 8.00am – 4.00pm

P.S. Other eateries nearby are Norma Loves Joe, Scarvelli Cafe, Town & Country Cafe, and Snow Pony...