station mingle cafe — Restaurant in Melbourne

This morning's visit to Station Mingle was to confirm what I've said in previous reviews...that the food here has undergone a remarkable positive change. My choice, the Japanese Mushrooms, was a 'test' of sorts, lol. More than two years ago I had this dish and was very unhappy with the grey mass that arrived on the plate. In fact, it was one of the last meals I had here, until returning this year, to try this cafe out again after its lovely makeover. This morning's Japanese Mushrooms were a huge elevation from my previous experience. Lovely plating in rich earthy tones, as you can see in the photo. The mushrooms were fresh and firm (not limp), and there was just so much flavour. I forgot this dish comes with two eggs, and prefer my eggs to be well done, but this turned out to be a small matter. The eggs were still firm enough on the outside to tempt me to try them out, and when the warm yolk seeped into the sauce on the mushrooms, it was...well...lovely! At a time when some cafes seem to be losing their enthusiasm for what they dish up, it's really nice to see this pleasant, comfortable eatery put out such fresh, appetizing, and...

Firstly, the food was definitely tasty. The menu is a little surprising with Japanese influence. They offer options for all preferences, and the drinks selection is also extensive such as strawberry iced matcha.

We had the coconut waffle with sake poached fruit and the pulled pork benedict with apple slaw. Also, some hash browns. So the buts... The apple slaw was just apple matchsticks, finesse in the prep but didn't add anything to the dish, a proper slaw would have been better. Also, I am admittedly very against the use of flowers, they add nothing and are unnecessary. Leave them in the garden not on the plate! However, the toast was buttery as, pork was tender and saucey, waffles and fruit were also fresh and punchy. Hollandaise was not cold and tasted fresh! You know when you get a benny dish and the hollandaise is ice cold over your eggs... UGH, well not in this case!

Aesthetic is a little dated, also a bit cramped which in fairness it was an unpredictable weather day so not the places fault right. Staff and proper friendly though.

Also, offer Banh Mi for only $11.5, which is pretty...

Served normal bread instead of requested Gluten Free . My friend and I visited today. We sat down outside, the cafe wasn’t too busy but after 10 minutes we hadn’t been acknowledged so we went inside to ask for menus. The waitress was friendly when she brought water for the table and took coffee orders. My friend’s coffee wasn’t what she asked for but she didn’t make a fuss and kept it. I ordered GLUTEN FREE toast with poached eggs as did my friend but with the usual sourdough. I started to eat my breakfast immediately as I was very hungry, after eating one slice I suddenly realised that this toast may not be gluten free, I asked the waitress, she confirmed my suspicion, it wasn’t gluten free. Thank goodness I don’t have a major allergy but it will make my stomach and bowel painful for a few days… the waitress apologised, I accepted the apology but explained that I would not pay for the meal given that it would probably cause me discomfort for a few days. This is...