Not a place for large groups or oversized handbags, Brother Alec is a welcoming nook boasting simple timber tables, a Freddie Mercury-studded soundtrack and a fare worth getting out of bed for. The seasonally-changing menu is small – less than a dozen choices – with Brother Alec’s much-hyped huevos rancheros making a perennial appearance.
Swooping in on the Mexican favourite – and spurred on by our waiter who proudly announced the hearty huevos makes up half his weekly diet – mum was soon saying ole to a tortilla-wrapped present. Bundled inside this doughy-soft parcel ($17), fluffy scrambled eggs mixed with chipotle black beans in a chili-and-spice-sprinkled medley; a crowning dollop of sour cream toned down the fiery heat from the extra sploshes of chili sauce added by mum. A blanket of salsa – celery, cucumber, coriander, avocado, Spanish onion – gave each fork-laden mouthful a burst of fresh flavour. In short, this breakfast has it all; crispy tortilla ensconcing creamy beans; a punchy smattering of greenery; and will have you shaking your maracas in anticipation of your next serving.
Having been matter-of-factly told by mum, ‘It would make no sense for us to both have the same thing,’ I opted for the za’taar eggplant with fried eggs and garlic labna. A caution for those who automatically reach for the salt; don’t. Perhaps it’s my unaccustomed palate – I tend to not add or cook with much salt – but I found the spice-and-seed-crusted eggplant intensely salty, almost unpleasantly so. Saving me from sodium were the pomegranate seeds, scattered like ruby red jewels on the plate, and sweet hints of delicate mint; the creamy garlic-laced labna worked to combat the wave of salt with a sharp, slightly sour hit. An apologetic waitress offered to replace the plate with a less salty version but I was content just scraping what za’taar I could off the eggplant.
Crafted from an Espresso Syndicate blend, the coffees were smooth and creamy with hints of sugary caramel. Although I would have liked my café latte to be slightly hotter, it was still delicious. Mum’s long black strong with bold flavour and a golden, silky crema, without having a bitter aftertaste, ‘Just how I like it,’ she commented post-sip.
Straight from the Mother Without the safeguard dishes that I could fall back on in case nothing took my fancy, I’ll admit I was slightly hesitant heading into Brother Alec. One squiz at my huevos rancheros and any nervous anticipation gave way to a grumbling tummy. The staff here are fantastic, the best we’ve come across – other High Street institutions should take a page out of Brother Alec’s book and learn to drop all obnoxious pretention.
Brother Alec
719 High Street, Thornbury
(03) 9416 9428
Mother Says 