Santucci's

(5/6/12)

Have been to Santuccis (including this visit) four times, three times for Brunch & once for Lunch, so I guess that means I think it is okay :-)  Today instead of the usual three,  we have a fourth guest reviewer, who happens (unfortuately) to be a coeliac :-(  so we get to check out if Gluten Free features on the menu.  It is a freezing cold Winter Melbourne morning & as we arrive at the door of Santuccis we can see the place is absolutely bursting with customers on no!!!  Met at the door by very friendly staff member who even though we can see no free tables asks us to just take a seat at window stools & he will work something out.  Lucky for us there were three very nice people who were seated at one end of a large table who were happy to do a swap & sit in the window on the 3 stools & give us the end of the table. One slight problem with Santuccis is they have a number of large tables which take up quite a large portion of the floor space, & sharing a table is not always everyones cup of tea!  We were not fussed at all, but we had a lady who was placed at end of our table later on who felt like she was intruding on us :-(

This cafe has a lovely collection of gorgeous old tables & mismatched chairs, and has a really warm cosy feeling to it, almost like being in someones home.

Coffee ($3.2)

Freshly Squeezed Apple Juice ($5.5)

The menu is not huge but is quite inventive & covers alot of the basics. House Made Baked Beans & Chorizo w Goats Cheese, Toast, Balsamic Reduction & Roquette ($14),  San Benedicto - Poached Eggs w Prosciutto & Hollandaise on Pastry ($14)  Eggs on Toast - Poached, Fried or Scrambled ($7) / w Bacon ($9)  & the usual Extras, Avocado, Field Mushrooms, Spinach, Beans ($3), 

Potato Rosti, Italian Sausage, Bacon ($3.5)

Only a couple of negatives to be found, and one we did find a little amazing - no GF bread, or many other options our GF diner could choose :-(

GF choice Scrambled Eggs, Avocado, Italian Sausage & Field Mushroom 

($7) + ($3) + ($3) + ($3.5)

Unfortunately when the meal came out it was sitting on sourdough bread, which had to be sent back to the kitchen.  Hopefully to be redone as even the food that was sitting on the bread can be enough to cause problems with a coeliac.  But it was done with a smile on the face & returned anew :-)

Ricotta Pancakes, Poached Apple, Brandy Cream & Pomegranate Molasses 

($15)

Yes once again I have gone the non egg option, mainly to give blog readers a broader review of the food!!! ...... honest :-)  not because it tastes good.  Yes it did taste very good, the apple had a tartness to it that made the pancakes taste healthy!  The  Brandy Cream was a welcome addition as the middle of the pancakes would have been a little dry without.  Maybe a small pot of the Molasses could be added to pour on if required ?

Scrambled Eggs & Yarra Valley Fetta on Potato Rosti w Tomato & Avocado

($16)

Beautifully presented dish, equally as tasty but Avocado loving son felt it was not quite big enough for his mansize appetite!  But as he finished off my ample pancakes he was well and truely sated :-)

Giuseppe's Breaky Fried Eggs on Toast w Italian Sausage, Field Mushrooms,

 Bacon, Tomato & Spinach

($17)

Even though this looks like a huge breakfast fourth reviewer decided to add extra Avocado! Which they actually forgot to add, but was quickly amended with a side dish of avocado.  He then proceeded to consume the whole lot with gusto, & declared it a hit.  The mushrooms were huge & must have come from a very good pasture.  The spinach was well cooked as it can be rather watery sometimes.

For the second time in two weeks of brunch, the very welcome question of any other drinks? was again asked before all meals were totally completed.  Well done Santucci's your staff know how to sell its biggest commodity <3 <3  Yes more coffees & green tea (T2) were ordered & enjoyed.