Auction Rooms
103 – 107 Errol Street
North Melbourne
93267749
Website
Google map

Auction rooms has been around since last year but a little embarassed to say that this is our first visit. This place used to be an auction room and hence its name but now it is a cafe and a coffee roastery that is open 7 days a week.

We made an early start and went window shopping for bathroom and kitchen ideas at Ikea first. There was so much to do but we still need to eat a proper big breakfast. I recalled @mutemonkey speaking highly of the coffee at Auction rooms in North Melbourne. Since we were heading to Victoria Market as well, we made our way to Errol street first. This area is lined with cafes and little restaurants. I took note of a Malaysian restaurant called Baba house. It has been added to my list of places to eat before 2010

It was a lovely sunny weather and Mister decided to order a strong ice coffee. And I wanted to try coffee using a syphon method. It seems like it does require a little more attention to brew coffee this way. I found a youtube video that illustrates how it works.

Ethiopia Yirgacheffe coffee beans were used. It had such a delicate flavour and feels very light on the tongue. Not sure if I am making sense here. I am no coffee connoisseur and have little knowledge of coffee. But I am trying to learn more. It is quite intriguing and if anyone can share any light, please do! Anyway, I really like it. It is very smooth on the palate and it was a “sipping” coffee and one to  be enjoyed while reading the weekend papers.

auction-rooms-syphon-coffee

I ordered the French toasted home made brioche with orange baked rhuburb, vanilla bean labna & camp maple syrup. Maybe I am not used to a tangy breakfast. The brioche was lovely and soft. But the rhuburb and labna was too tangy and not even the maple syrup could balance out the acidity. I did not end up finishing this dish. I must take note not to order anything tangy for breakfast. It is not my cup of tea.

french toasted brioche with rhuburb

Mister had a better dish. He ordered the Opening bid. It’s poached free range green eggs on toast with tomato, spinach, bacon & mushrooms. The eggs were poached to perfection. The bacon had a nice smokey flavour and the mushrooms were juicy and had a natural sweetness. It was  a nice and hearty breakfast. At least he got it right!

Opening bid

I like the openess of this place and its high ceiling and rustic decor.

Auction rooms interior

Even though I did not enjoy my breakfast, I will be back here to try other offerings and they do make a mean syphon coffee. And plus, it is so close to Victoria market and so it becomes another breakfast or brunch option for us on the weekends.

** PS We did head back just for coffee today. The latte is seriously good. Thanks @mutemonkey!

View more photos from flickr.

What kind of breakfast will turn you off?