Animal Orchestra

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
It is always enjoyable to sit back, relax, enjoy a scrumptious breakfast and have a chuckle as you watch rat-racers get stuck in 8am traffic and busy uni students rush to morning lectures. Animal Orchestra is a beautifully named Grattan Street cafe that offers unique morning dishes – like bacon and eggs with sardines and fetta or salmon, capers and roquette – and delicious lunchtime fillers, such as the mushroom, chilli, garlic and roasted almonds panini. Light breakfasts start at $5.50 while sandwiches are from $8.80. Muffins and sweets are made fresh on premise and these guys even boast Carlton's best sticky date pudding.

Animal Orchestra's townhouse setting is charming and understated, and Grattan Street's wide, tree-lined footpaths are delightful and refreshing on a crisp morning. Inside dining is cosy and the lovely back courtyard area complements the unique space. Locals adore this gem, and takeaway coffees fly out in the morning rush, but Animal Orchestra is best appreciated when you have the time to enjoy a hearty meal and a creamy, robust latte. The free wireless internet is another handy service for the suits, students and email addicts alike.

Frank Trimboli