Elsewhere at SAM — Restaurant in Shepparton

We’ve done brunch to death, and quite literally over the usual brunch options in Melbourne, as well as country Victoria. How many versions of the same thing can you literally make? In the end it all tastes the same. Choosing where to have breakfast/brunch is one of the hardest decisions of our lives, well, lunch and dinner too (when eating out). You want the venue, and most importantly the meals they serve to be worth it, and by that we mean worth the calories and real estate in our stomachs. This is where Elsewhere at SAM comes in.

We were in northern regional Victoria on the weekend; Rutherglen, Wangaratta & Milawa to explore country festivals, enjoy some country grub and vino. We found Elsewhere at SAM (located in the Shepparton Arts Museum) on Instagram and thought it looked promising for our breakfast the next day. Checking Google reviews also gave us confidence that this place is the place to be at, and we shouldn’t go ‘elsewhere’, or should we? (pun intended). We messaged their Instagram page late that evening for a reservation the next morning for when we check out of the hotel in Wangaratta. Alaina responded from their page and locked us in for brekky (brilliant service, especially being last minute in the evening).

The cafe is in such a beautiful location, in the arts museum. The venue is absolutely gorgeous, well-appointed and fitted out. We were greeted by Jordan with such warmth and were made to feel most welcome. We were taken to our seats and given menus immediately. Service by Jordan and the team were second to none. The café got busy really quick, especially as it was the Monarchs Birthday, and the staff didn’t drop the ball. Service cannot be faulted in our opinion on this day. The vibe and atmosphere were pleasant, and we absolutely enjoyed it.

Now let’s talk food, because without good food everything above is a moot point. Before we ordered we were eyeballing what others ordered to see the quality of plating and presentation. It made us very hungry. Jordan gave Charlene recommendations between two dishes she was weighing up and she went for the Filipino Sisig with Atlantic salmon, and I (Ronny) didn’t hesitate to order the Sevens Creek Japanese Wagyu Sando (MS9+). For a side we ordered the Crispy Octopus Tentacles, because it’s the King’s Birthday at it would be blasphemy not to. The Sisig was fresh and tasty, sizzling Pinoy style stir fry with eggs, Atlantic salmon, fresh herbs, bean shoots with steamed rice on the side. Flavours were umami-licious to say the least. Fresh, fragrant, giving you a flavour explosion in your mouth that is well balanced with plenty of texture.

The sando will convert a vegan into a carnivore (no offense but so glad I (Ronny) eat meat). Cooked medium rare to perfection, seared perfectly, with a light coleslaw, all sandwiched between two slices of bread, and served with a side of lotus root crisps and wasabi mayo. What a winner! The porterhouse melted in my mouth, each bite was incredible delivering immense flavour and mouth feel – the quality of the Sevens Creek cut shined, which is what you should expect from full-blood wagyu with such fineness in marbling. The Lotus root crisps were a great complement to the sando. Loved it! The side of crispy octopus tentacles you could say was our ‘salad’ cooked with chili relish and served with some garlic aioli and lime. A great ‘salad’ to say the least (needed some umi to complement the tochi). The octopus was cooked well, not chewy, done just right, with bold flavours that worked.

So food rating? Quite literally the best brekky/brunch we have had to date in Victoria, and possibly Australia. We have put this café up there with another top brekky we have in Hobart at ‘Born in Brunswick’, where we are yet to find any café that can make a better chili egg scramble with octopus.

Ooops, forgot the coffee, well some might say its just coffee, but caffeine flows through our veins during the day as champagne flows through them at night. The coffee was superb, the latte’s were done right.

Thank you...

Outstanding. I never write any reviews, but this one just had to be recorded as the best place I have eaten.

Short on time I ordered Okonomiyaki with pork belly for breakfast, and The Don Poke bowl with sticky beef for lunch as a take away. Firstly I asked for minimal packaging (no cutlery, serviettes, or bag). It came in two separate recyclable, yet durable cardboard cartons. The server was very attentive to my request. Thank you!

Secondly......the food. As a Chef I am FUSSY; but the Chef Sean Cameron and his team did not disappoint; instead they impressed to a 10/10 rating. They produce fun, interesting meals packed full of flavour and imagination. Sadly I am leaving back to Melbourne tomorrow but am looking forward to trying the decadent Matcha waffle.

Finally my mocha drink was delicious. Ric's attention to quality was devoured in every sip.

THANK YOU...

My third visit to ELSEWHERE and I continue to be surprised and impressed. Surprised because I’m often disappointed by average fare, yet find each visit here better than the last with flavours and ideas zinging off the plate.. As expressed to Alaina, (one of the attentive and charming host/owners) “I love the food here, it’s the only place in Shepparton where the food is as good as my own!” Haha, self-congratulatory? Well yes…my husband and I being ex-restaurateurs are ever committed to building on new flavours, aesthetics, quality produce and service. If you love food, it leads you to food-as-art, ever informing creativity. ELSWHERE then perfectly compliments SAM itself! The setting too is like stepping into a classic Australian painting, of native fauna/flora at lakeside, framed by SAM’s monumentally inspired architecture opening to...