Jxdng: Top Paddock: Richmond

Category: Breakfast/Brunch

Location: 658 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121

Cost:$$

J'Rate: ♥♥♥♥♥

Despite the fact my friend and I got lost trying to find our way to the cafe (public transport is such a nuisance sometimes), this would be, by far, one of the most exciting cafe date. Top Paddock has been on my to-visit list for so long and it was definitely worth the all the trouble. Upon arriving there, I was already excited and it saddens me that I was this close to having been oblivious to the real deal. We arrived and sat right at the door on a cute two seated wooden table and we thought, it could't get any better than this but it did. What we saw was only the tiniest fraction and basically what happened was, it got a bit cold so we asked to move and our waitress walked us through what I could say was a room of surprises at every corner. The cafe is huge, a lot bigger than I had anticipated and I was pretty much awe-struck at the entire layout; white, sophisticated, luxurious in some areas and cosy, wooden, heart-warming in others. I don't even think I captured enough to show its beauty because I felt so awkward taking photos. Everyone around was so suited, dapper and much older aka judgement all around but anyway enough of me trying to express how excited I was and instead, you can see through the photos i did manage to get.

The entrance counter with their baked goods, to go coffee
and sandwiches.

The menu was very much organic from what I managed to skim through. I came knowing I wanted to try the Ricotta Hotcakes and it was a exquisite choice. Served with blueberries, maple syrup, seeds and organic mascarpone, it was cooked to perfection. I normally don't like pancakes but this had me by the first bite. The pancakes were crisp at the edge, soft in the middle and full but not overly, of flavour. There was not one bland moment and that already had my approval because I don't like pancakes for the sole reason it can get so plain or overwhelming with berry compote, maple or butter.

On the other side, my friend ordered the White Anchovies and Jamon Serrano with fried eggs, padron peppers and manchego on toast. Nothing I would have ordered myself but as she insisted, I tried it and even that was amazing. The anchovies were extremely salty, only for it to even out the plain toast and eggs. The Machego and Serrano was something new, I've never tried cheese from sheep milk nor Jamon but no complaints there. The combination fits perfectly with each other as they balance each other out. So if anything, make sure you include everything with every bite.

The pricing may be high for an average breakfast or brunch but you really do get what you pay for, our meals were barely finished, only because we were so full.

The service was extremely friendly too. Our waitress seemed snobby at first but while moving table, since my friend left her bag at the initial table and she loosened up and started having casual conversations with us. The food delivery wasn't the fastest but the quality of each dish makes up for it all. It was definitely worth it and I really do recommend.