The Hot Poppy

LOCATION
North Melbourne

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
The Hot Poppy. For some reason the name conjures up images of wilted flowers, but the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. This bright and sunny street-side cafe is one of many eateries on bustling Errol Street, but certainly a strong contender and a definite for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Dine inside or out on cafe fare that proudly boasts organic ingredients, free range eggs and freshly squeezed juices.

Breakfast lasts all day here so roll out of bed whenever you please for a less traditional BLT on a New York bagel with house-made mayonnaise, or potato pancakes with smoked salmon and creme fraiche. For lunch sample the grilled Cajun chicken breast burger with tomato, spinach, salsa, guacamole and fries, or a risotto of bacon, mushroom, chives, white wine and parmesan. For dinner start with the bruschetta of tomato, bocconcini, fresh basil and cracked pepper. Follow with rare, peppered kangaroo fillets with sweet potato and a red wine and red current glaze and side salad, or the sumac-crusted lamb fillets, chargrilled with herbed cous cous, tzatziki, black olives and rocket. Finish with the sticky date pudding with ice-cream. The reasonably sized and priced wine list offers mostly Australian varieties as well as a few boutique options.

Veda Wickens