Neighbourhood Watch

Sunday, 2 August

Sundays are made for sleeping in; long, lazy brunch and idle talk. And so we did just that.

Living where I do, we are alway spoiled for choice and I am ashamed to say we haven’t really been exploiting the variety available to us.  We have made it a point then, not to go to a cafe or restaurant that we have already tried, until we have given at least half of the other establishments in this charmed suburb of ours a chance.

Why, it was only last week when we realised that there is a whole area we have yet to explore. So instead of turning right towards Johnston Street, we veered left to get to Gertrude.

And there we were confronted with brunch heaven. We decided to walk the length of Gertrude Street from Brunswick to Smith before deciding on where to eat and this exploration lead us to Arcadia.

Arcadia 193 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy

The place was packed but had a fast turn over and in no time we were led to a table out in the small courtyard. There is no table service, orders are placed at the counter so while Jack and I deliberated over what to eat, next table’s meal arrived and we looked at it wistfully. We knew what we are getting! Who needs menus when you can stalk other diner’s food instead?

The food was fantastic! Service friendly. And for two of those plates in the photo + 2 lattes = $40.50 the price was ok.

back from our sunday stroll

Thanks Gertrude Street, so far you haven’t disappointed us.

gone to gertrude

I met up with Jack over our lunch breaks at Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. The boy got himself a Crumpler backpack as a belated birthday gift and I went to give him advice on what to get. Reckon he made the right choice going by the smile on his face.

I was late to meet up with him, so I was huffing and puffing my way through Gertrude Street, but the vibe and charm of the place did not escape me. Pretty and unique shops, beguiling cafes and intriguing restaurants line the street.

I’ve lived in Fitzroy for four months now but I have never really explored that part of our small suburb just yet. Jack and I are determined to check it out soon. Such a shame that I live in such close proximity to it but have not even been down there til today.

Not being familiar with the fine establishments on Gertrude St., we went to one of the first cafes that we came across which happened to be here

238 Gertrude St., Fitzroy

What a lucky find! We shared these

Pork Barbeque Ribs and Green Leaf Salad

all the while muttering, “this is sooo good” and “ooh yum”.

An exploration of Gertrude Street is imminent and a definite second visit to this fantastic cafe!

On the Tram 112: Spencer St Station to St David Street, Fitzroy

Melbourne is such a picturesque city and it is so easy to forget that. Going back to Melbourne after 3 weeks in Vanuatu, it hit me again.  Just on my usual tram ride home there are so many remarkable, beautiful sights to take in which we take for granted because we are tired, the tram is crowded, we are lost in our thoughts, we have become immune to the beauty that surrounds us everyday.

Here’s something that would hopefully remind me to see the beauty in everyday’s mundane.