Qeleven
303 Conventry Street
South Melbourne
03 9645 7311
Website
Google map
Qeleven is a very simple, no bullshit cafe tucked on Conventry Street. It is opposite the South Melbourne market and just next to Panette. The interior is simple. Small wooden tables and chairs occupy the space and the open kitchen sits at the back of the dining area. I first heard of this when @tomatom mentioned it as we made a lunch catch up date so that I could return the coconut grater that I’ve borrowed awhile ago. Unfortunately, it only opens from Wednesday to Sunday (7.30am – 3pm) so we ventured to St. Ali instead.
Qeleven was not too crowded on a Thurday afternoon when I visited for a nice lunch by myself. You may ask why I eat alone during lunch breaks. I don’t do this all the time but I do like the quiet time. I could read a book, look at tweets and have lunch. Do not judge me! And no people do not stare at me funny.
Inside Qeleven
I sat down and was torn between the breakfast and lunch menu. I assume that I could have breakfast for lunch. There was a couple next to me that were having avocado toasts with scambled eggs and something else. I didn’t dare pry for too long. Anyway, I settled for the lunch menu and ordered a quesadillas with sweet corn, black beans and chicken pieces with rocket dressed with balsamic and olive oil with a nice dose of chiplote mayo on the side. I love the crunch notes of sweet corn and black beans. The crepe was just right. Thin enough to hold the weight of generous slices of moist chicken. I want more of that chipotle mayo. It was smokey and spicy. The least impressive was the rocket salad. A bit too heavy handed with the balsamic.
Quessadillas chicken with sweet corn, black beans and chipotle mayo
I like Qeleven. It is real food if you know what I mean. And they are quite playful and gutsy with flavours. I am glad to find a rough jewel in South Melbourne.
Would you walk into a cafe or restaurant and have a meal alone?
{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
I haven't done it before but should give it a go.
actually no, I have done it once before at Nest, and I didn't get funny looks. I read a book.
so yes, I'd do it again
Iron Chef Shellie recently posted..Sydney Organic Expo -amp Green Show Giveaway
The quesadillas looks delicious!
Hummingbird Appetite recently posted..Poisson en papillote fish baked in parchment paper
I eat lunch alone all the time! It comes from working in a place where most people bring their lunch to work, while I'm just too lazy and disorganised to do so. I think that might change soon. But yeah, I find lunch on your own is a good non-committal way of testing out restaurants to take your friends to later!
Billy recently posted..Tokushima
Oh, I am a lunch-alone regular. I love it!!
Ms Baklover recently posted..African Cottage
Looks very delicious…mmm
MaryMoh recently posted..Chinese Birthday With Longevity Noodles
I agree with Hummingbird. The quessadillas look great! And the greens look really really fresh. I think I remember this place. My friend dragged me here once but it was closed. Don't really remember if this was the place. Oh well, guess I can always add it to my list.
I love no bullshit cafes. the quesadilla looks divine!
Amy @ cookbookmaniac recently posted..Bangbang Espresso Bar and Cafe in Surry Hills
The food does look very good. I have dined alone. I prefer not to, but will certainly not miss out on a great restaurant if it's only me!
bunkycooks recently posted..Interview with Chef John Fleer – Canyon Kitchen in Cashiers- North Carolina
I always need an activity when dining alone – newspaper, book or Twitter
I do eat alone as well, as I work in places smack in the middle of industrial places. And people bring in their own lunch as well. It isn't that bad really, It's just a time to take breather from work.
I like my quiet time too – especially when I am travelling solo, I have no problem eating out by myself but generally have a book, or my laptop or my phone in case I need something to "do". I like the look of this place – very low key with great food.
Mardi @eatlivetravel recently posted..Mactweets July- Le Freak- C’est Chic
Smokey and spice, I like that too!
peteformation recently posted..Kentucky Fried Frog KFF- Thin Kai- Microhyla achatina Recipe
I LOVE getting time to myself – so I definitely don't judge you, my dear! I love the time to think, read, or just people watch on the sneak. That place looks pretty yummy.
Trix recently posted..Gooseberry Tartlets with Jasmine Whipped Cream to Celebrate My Blogoversary
What a gorgeous place. Loving the Grizzly Bear posters. And no worries about dining alone – I've had to do it in MANY airports and no one thinks you look strange.
Penny, I freaking love dining alone – not all the time, but like you said – some nice, quiet time all to oneself is glorious once in a while.
Gem recently posted..not so pale in comparison
I'm book marking this restaurant for my trip, it looks good and like an interesting place to try, thanks for the great suggestion.
Patty Price recently posted..Cantaloupe Sweet Basil Sorbet with Toasted Almond Sandies
I love dining alone too, you'll be more focus in enjoying food. the quesadillas looks awesome ^^
Michelle recently posted..Bobby and June’s wedding banquet – Park Royal- Penang – 09-09-2009
will have to write down all those addresses for my next trip to Melbourne!
It sounds very good to have lunch alone, enjoying the quiet moment. I love this kind of quiet moment.
Christine@Christine& recently posted..Stir-fried Glutinous Rice 生炒糯米飯
That plate of food looks delicious and your photo of it is terrific. Have a great day. Blessings…Mary
Mary recently posted..Rosemary Aioli
I like this kind of cafe anyday! Lovely review. Wish I lived a bit closer.
Anh recently posted..Delicious Vietnam 3 Recipe- buttery fried corn kernels
I eat lunch alone almost everyday, sometimes in the tea room, sometimes at my desk and at other times in the hospital cafe. And I would do it in a standard cafe too – esp if accompanied by some reading material and a good coffee.
mademoiselle d&eacut recently posted..Epicure Recipe Card 17- Spring chicken with asparagus- peas and broad beans
Great review! The quessadillas are lip-smacking!
Oh those quesadillas look really yummy! Way better looking than mine =D
angie recently posted..Quorn Dogs- Corn Dogs Pluto Pups and Cheese On A Stick-
Your lunch looks nice, yummy!
Just letting you know I left you a Sunshine blog award on my site!
I appreciate all your comments and love your blog!
The Cilantropist recently posted..A Few Orders of Business
Thanks babe!
**hugs**
eating lunch alone can be a very good thing, quiet time is very good for you….it looks like you had a very nice lunch too!
thanks so much for taking us along…..see you weren't alone after all!!
Chef Dennis recently posted..Its Summer Time and The Living Is Easy Enjoy This Wonderful Grilled Shrimp Salad
I love eating alone – not all the time mind you, but sometimes being able to escape, sit and savour something on your own is a special kind of treat.
That quesadilla looks rather tasty – good find!
Joanne @ secondhelpi recently posted..Vanilla poached quince- or ‘How I tried to eat porridge and failed’
I often travel solo so I'm used to dining alone. Bonus points if you can do it somewhere with a good vantage point for people watching. I love people watching.
Conor @ HoldtheBeef recently posted..Toronto the Good
I’d welcome being alone in an uncrowded restaurant during a weekday afternoon. (Of course it’s another thing to be alone in a wine bar during the evening. I’d be crazily tweeting my
friends to join me.)
Your experience with this new cafe reminded me how we fall in love with the girl-or-boy next door type. Despite our interest in eating in an elegant and fine dinning restaurant, our hearts or stomachs for that matter, still fall for the simple and less restrained cooking of the less known and less publicized restaurants. Hope to hear from your about your other new restaurant discoveries.
Mat from Melbourne Restaurants recently posted..Cooking Tips- Ways To Cook Your Rice
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