Blue Rhythm Cafe

Mietta's Eating & Drinking in Melbourne 2000

Contributors' Choice
Page 88

Local regulars have really made this suburban cafe their own and it is booked solid night after night when others nearby might be half-empty.

Chef Stephanie Kamener has hit on the perfect formula for her clientele - dishes that are tasty, innovative, change regularly, and offer a wide variety of styles. The soft background music in this relatively small room is usually overshadowed by the lively conversation of the mainly-professional and food-savvy clientele. Cream ceramic tiles, a big bar along most of the cafe's length and closely placed tables with excellent table service provide a very pleasant but unostentatious ambience that reminds us of some of the best cafe restaurants we know in Paris.

The constantly changing dishes, including a good vegetarian variety, draw inspiration from around the world, Greek, Jamaican, Italian and the mix that is Australian.

Chef Kamener has worked in several of Europe's Michelin-rated restaurants and seems always to get the flavour and timing of her dishes just right. Leave room too for desserts, especially the cakes that are so good that many patrons take extra serves home.

842 Gelnferrie Road
Hawthorn
Melways reference 45:D8
Phone: 9819 6166
Opening hours: Mon 7.30am-6pm, Tue-Sat 7.30am-10.30pm
Licensed
Accepts credit cards
Seats Inside: 35, Outside: 8
Closed: Christmas -New Year period
Features: Kids encouraged
Favourites:Mixed prima meze platter $9.50, Kangaroo fillet, Mediterranean vegetables and rich red wine jus $17, West Indian jerk pork $8.50, risotto verde $15, stuffed calamari $17

*An updated review of Blue Rythm Cafe