Much like brussel sprouts, I try to avoid clichés; my efforts were thwarted however, when I first walked into G&G Deli and the old adage, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover,’ began playing in my head. First impressions aren’t jaw-dropping; bare walls and tables, neutral colours and a definite work-in-progress feel. A cluster of communal and standalone tables make up the front of the eatery, with several huge barrels – holding wine, we later found out – against one wall and a fridge housing a collection of pastas, cured meats, cheeses and sweet treats at the back.
Our menus were delivered to us by an initially stand-offish manager – who also doubled as the cafés only waitress – and featured a small assembly of tried-and-tested breakfast fare. A limited choice of add on extras are available – including black pudding – however, a sneaky request for eggs with my avocado on toast revealed that G&G have a culinary cache of sides hidden up their sleeve that simply aren’t on the menu.
It was those poached eggs that took my breakfast from tasty to amazing; slightly underdone – just the way I like them – and hiding discreetly beneath a mountain of garden rocket. A light tap on the wobbly white dome saw the vivid orange yolk trickle around the dark leaves, over an inch-thick layer of avocado and onto the plate. I would have picked up the whole piece of toast – an amazing slice of seed-studded bread – and eaten it like a pizza if I thought mum wouldn’t have told me off. There was nothing to fault; the avocado was chunky instead of smashed into oblivion, a hint of lemon was zingy not overpowering and the garden rocket added a crisp peppery hit.
Mum also took advantage of G&G’s build-a-breakfast by choosing the three fillings for her omelette – surprisingly, there were no price constrictions for mum’s choices, ‘You can have whatever you like, whatever we have in the kitchen,’ said the now smiling manager. Opting for bacon, cheese and spinach, mum unfolded her eggy envelope to find not a smidge, but oversized handfuls of each element. Was it the most gourmet of omelettes? No. But it was still scrumptious and filled her right up to the gills.
A constant stream of coffee-coveting locals strolled in and out, clutching take-away cups and paper bags, and the few empty tables quickly became ocupado. Our coffees were fine; the silky, golden crema had completely dissolved from mum’s long black however the flavour was still enjoyable.
Straight from the Mother Even though G&G doesn’t dazzle with its good looks – some paintings or zhoosh of paint would do wonders – the food made up for it’s drab appearance. The thing that really gave me the pip was the complete lack of displayed prices and labels on the goodies for sale; it puts me off from snagging some to take home – especially if your tastebuds decide they must have something only to be vetoed by your brain (and wallet).
G&G Deli
48 Burgundy Street, Heidelberg
(03) 9459 9114
G&G Deli is now under new management and has been renamed Little Black Pig.
Mother Says 