What do you get when you combine the culinary finesse of Scott Pickett with the historic beauty of Como House and Garden? Como Lane – a charming Euro-inspired café that is made for aesthically pleasing photo dumps on the 'gram.
It's hardly a surprise Como Lane is magicking up some serious brunch brilliance, thanks to a very clever crew at the helm. There's the aforementioned Scott Pickett, the man responsible for bringing Longrain, Matilda, Smith St Bistrot, Estelle and Chancery Lane to Melbourne's dining playground, group executive chef and menu co-designer Stuart McVeigh, plus the duo's right-hand man on the pans – Como Lane's head chef Adam Lai (ex-Hardware Societe).
Slosh into the mix an ice-cold latte made with freshly brewed beans from Merchant Coffee Roasters and you're guaranteed a cute date made in heaven. And heaven is no hyperbolic overstatement, considering the picturesque charms of this eatery and its sprawling, green piece of real estate.
Instead of pearly gates, you enter through splendid iron ones, past towering trees, a stunning fountain terrace and the historic mansion, which dates back to 1847. You can even book a tour if you're curious about the family who lived there (there's only one haunted room, we promise), but it's the café you'll be going back for.
The lunch menu goes beyond eggs and toasties, with classic Euro-leaning dishes like chicken schnitzel with celeriac, apple, horseradish and spiced butter sauce; wild mushroom and goats cheese quiche; and herb-dressed market fish; and you can enjoy your meal in the sleek, pistachio-hued space or out on the cute terrace. As for the perfectly fluffy scrambled eggs, they come served with Longrain's signature umami-bomb XO sauce, crispy chilli oil and the bright zing of pickled mushrooms – and let me tell you this recipe has been perfected.
Hungry? Head to the website for more info.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.