Let’s face it, there’s few things we Melbournians love more than a Sunday brunch, like most I have my favourites and if you follow me in Instagram you’ll know that Astroluxe is certainly a regular favourite.
The bright and bubbly cafe found it’s positioning in what was a rather quaint part of East Bentleigh’s Chesterville Road – and since it’s opening in March 2016 there’s hasn’t been a quiet weekend, or weekday for that matter, yet – in fact the white and blue stripped umbrellas have certainly made their permanent mark – and it’s not hard to see why.
For starters the atmosphere feels like coming home – which is very fitting as it’s a family owned cafe; Stu and Tanya Billard along with the man welcoming everyone with his warm demeanour Adam Nicholl.
I was lucky enough to sit down with the team and get a little background as to how it all got began.
We love hospitality.. it’s a crazy 7 day a week venture with continuous challenges, but at the heart of it is sharing food with people we care about and contributing to the community we live in.
“We had been talking about opening a cafe together for many years.
Adam (previously part of the team at Pillar of Salt) & I are brother & sister and Stu & I are married and met 18 years ago working in hospitality for John & Frank Van Haandel, Stokeouse.”
“We are passionate about food and nutrition and the sense of community a cafe provides.
We also love design and how good design can alter how you feel in a space.
We were lucky to have Kathryn Robson and Chris Rak, say they would be very keen to be involved, which resulted in Astroluxe.”
Now I know what you’re all thinking – let’s get to the food!
Whether you’re a devoted brunchee – or in the mood for that great burger we allow ourselves on a Sunday, you’ll definitely find a favourite on the menu to keep coming back for.
Signature dishes include:
- Dill beetroot and pink peppercorn cured salmon, cumura rosti, wasabi creme fraiche, poached egg (a definitely Sunday favourite of mine)
- Autumn Mushrooms, fricassee of seasonal mushrooms, leek shaved pecorino, parsley salsa verde, pecan crunch with a poached egg
- Eggs Benedict with 12hr slow cooked ham hoc fingers, poached eggs, fresh apple sticks, potato rosti
- Astroluxe Burger
- House made soft tortillas, with spicy pulled pork served with caramelised pineapple, corn and turtle bean salsa and a jalapeño mayo
The drinks menu isn’t short on great flavour either…
Delicious Five Senses coffees (trust me I’m a major coffee snob – I wouldn’t lie), smoothies, Prana Chai and Golden Grind (Turmeric Based).
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any better – the team recently acquired a license (starting Wednesday 15th of March)…I foresee some much loved girl chat over a Sunday champagne brunch!
The Southside certainly has a lot to be excited about with the constant evolution of this little gem.
Images courtesy of Astroluxe
