My sister and I are in Melbourne for a few days. The timing was a bit tricky because several restaurants close for a well-earned rest. Fortunately, some of the places in my wishlist were open and we managed to book a few meals.

We arrived on the 27th, and after leaving our belongings where we are staying we walked to the CBD to hit The Hardware Sociéte for lunch, hoping to get a table (they don’t do bookings). We were lucky and got a two-seater and two awesome long blacks (the best we’ve had in Melbourne so far).

Long blacks ($3.50)

They were doing only brunch on the festive season, so it was eggs for us. Our choice of scrambled eggs came with crab meat, preserved lemon aioli, zucchini ribbons, and peas. We ordered it with gluten-free toast, which was a good idea because it made a nice base for the creamy crab meat/aioli deliciousness. The eggs were perfect, not overcooked, etc., but the star of the dish was the crab.

Scrambled eggs ($18)

Crab meat, preserved lemon alioli [sic], zucchini ribbons, peas

Dish number two was poached eggs deux, served with smoked bacon slab, beetroot remoulade, and maple candied apples. It normally comes with toast but we ordered it sans bread. The poached eggs were perfect (runny yolk that I forgot to shoot), the beetroot remoulade was great, the smoked bacon slab was thick and awesome (definitely good quality). Paired with the maple candied apples, it was simply amazing.

Poached eggs deux ($19)

Gladys’ craving for something sweet to finish lunch came in the form of a pretty good looking flourless brownie, served with a dollop of cream.

Flourless brownie ($4)

The Hardware Sociéte
120 Hardware Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9078 5992