Grigons & Orr

445 Queensberry St, North Melbourne.
Score: 28/40
The only worry about this beautiful little 1950s throwback, was that its food wouldn’t live up to the gimmick, but it did and it did it well.

The first issue was drinks. I love a wide and varied selection in the drinks department and this place delivers. With soda floats ($5), smoothies with agave syrup and organic yoghurt ($5.50), milkshakes ($5), virgin marys and even Berocca ($3). Even the water has mint and strawberries floating in it.

The amazing thing about this café (and its gimmick) is the attention to detail. Someone has done a really beautiful job of setting this place up; from the milk bar feel of the shelves piled high with household items, to the old copies of Woman’s Day hanging up for patrons to read. On the every table chrome-framed table there are little touches to take you back in time a  few decades, including porcelain sugar jars in all shapes and sizes.

For eating, we chose a BLT with tomato, bacon, cos, chilli chutney with mayo ($9.50) and a roast pumpkin tart with leeks, feta, pomegranate dressing ($13). Both were, flat out, absolutely delicious. Everything was fresh and light and the condiments were applied in just the right quantity so you didn’t have an overpowering flavour that took away from all the other ingredients.

For dessert we had a banana split ($6). I am happy to report that the whipped cream came from a can (none of this hoity toity stuff) and there were both nuts and sprinkles applied. It really hit the spot. There’s also an ice cream sundae for anyone that has an aversion to bananas.

Friends who live in the area are also highly recommend breakfasts at Grigons, and while I haven’t had breakfast there yet, the menu looks pretty inviting, including; Bircher Muesli served with a mixed berry compote ($8), apple fritters with walnuts, caramel sauce
and mascarpone ($9.50), couscous porridge with coconut cream goji berries, toasted almonds & shaved coconut & honey ($10), shakshouka ($12), eggs anyway with a variety of sides, two kinds of omelette, ricotta pancakes and brandied blueberries with toasted almond flakes & Barbados cream ($12), French toast with balsamic glaze and crispy bacon or banana, hazelnuts, yoghurt and strawberries ($12/$14) or pan-fried tofu with spinach, mushrooms and soy honey dressing ($12.50)…and can you believe it, more.

The only slight letdown was the amount of time we waited for our food and had to make multiple requests for orders. But the staff were good-natured and the food more than made up for that small point. I’ll be back.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Service: 6/10
Value for money: 6/10
Food: 9/10

Website: www.grigonsorr.com.au