Footscray, have we arrived? The Milking Station would fit in perfectly in any uber-groovy precinct of inner Melbourne, but these lovely folk chose to take up digs here. Nestled in a country-feel pocket of Footscray where the wide streets are lined with big, old trees, this brand-new neighbourhood cafe serves gorgeous coffee by Melbourne micro-roaster Padre.
This spot used to be the milking sheds for a local faming family. This past is recalled by silver milk pails and vintage glass pints of milk for water bottles. In the cabinet inside, big rosy red sausages twirl on their strings and hint at plans for a full deli range.
Coffee, $3.50
I love the coffee here - it's just luscious. They use a Slayer, which is a semi-manual machine that allows the barista more control over when the extraction begins. Water can be added to the group and the process thus paused for, say, 10 seconds before extraction starts. This allows the coffee to be soaked and therefore more flavours to be teased out.
Espresso, $3 (CROCKERY ENVY!!!!!)
It's a similar theory which underlies the Clever Dripper filter device that Besito use - it only starts draining when it's placed on the cup, thus ensuring all the ground coffee is thoroughly soaked for maximum flavour extraction.
Omelette with prosciutto, asparagus, tallegio cheese and toast, $15
A gorgeous omelette filled with oozing, bitey taleggio and asparagus wrapped in rich, savoury prosciutto. Digging the nannacore plates.
Eggs ($9) plus bacon ($4)
Simple eggs and bacon, the eggs popping open to reveal liquid golden yolks. Great bacon too, with a slightly smoky flavour and proper, dense meaty texture.
Panini and sandwiches are tempting, and there's a full lunch menu including a pulled pork sandwich that's winning lots of fans.
There's a well-thought out range of dry goods including wholegrain Pangkarra pasta made in South Australia and some Latin American tastes like salsas and mole sauce.
Out the back, the newly-renovated toilet block is part of the original dairy setup. The garden outside is the template for an inner-urban backyard, with pristine raised beds filled with herbs and big red strawberries that beg to be fossicked for.
Footscray Milking Station (Facebook)
35 Bunbury Street, Footscray
Phone: 9029 9240
Hours: Mon-Sun, 7am-3pm
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Opening tonight - local identity Rayna's solo exhibition, taking craft to a new, subversive level. From Incinerator Gallery: "Fahey is best known for reclaiming ugly industrial settings and transforming them through conscious craft love". I love her series through the chain fencing of vacant blocks around Maribyrnong, gently demanding of property speculators, "What else could go here?" Read more in Time Out and on her blog at radicalcrossstitch.com.
Excellent coffee and love the decor. I was a bit disappointed by the bread (although looks like they used better bread for your visit). West 48th opened this morning and I was in early for a coffee. Can't wait to try their breakfast over the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThe decor is great, isn't it. Love the fresh flowers, the pastel cups against the black Slayer - all of it really. The bread was good for us! I had a panini last week and that was good too. I was told it's Brasserie but another review said they use Sourdough Kitchen as well?
DeleteIt definitely wasn't Sourdough Kitchen when I was there, although it looks like it in your photo. Hopefully the bread we were given was just a substitute as they'd run out for the day (it was Easter Monday arvo). Would be happy if they regularly served up SK bread.
DeleteHmm, interesting. Yes, hopefully just a stop-gap - in fact Sourdough Kitchen are closed Mondays, so if they are using SK regularly, maybe they have to substitute on Mondays. I just came back from West 48 - I could eat that prawn sandwich Every Single Day Of My Life. *faints*
DeleteNoticed this a couple of weeks ago when we headed to the croatian festival; the GF mentioned that it was open and I'm looking forward to seeing what they have on offer.
ReplyDeleteOoh Croatian festival! Hope you had a cabbage roll for me. I hope you like it Thomas!
DeleteLooks great! have to check it out next time I'm in Melb.
ReplyDeleteLauren, you won't recognise Footscray/West Footscray. So many new cafes - it's amazing.
DeleteI don't know why but I finally ventured over to Footscray last weekend. Finally. After 9 years of living in Melb. I always say I want to go but never do. Now I wish I had been when I was still living in Melb!!
ReplyDeleteOh Celeste!! You have been missing out, but you know that now!! :)
DeleteYes Andrew it's really harmonious isn't it. I kind of like they don't have an enormous sign - you kind of zip past, see the chairs and go "hang on, what was that?!"
ReplyDeleteThis place has been lingering on my radar since Dan told me about it. I'll probably make it there soon, after I've checked out Reading Room! Your brunch dishes looked great, especially the omelette. It's all starting to happen now in Footscray, isn't it? :D
ReplyDeleteEveryone knew it was inevitable but I still can't quite believe it's happening. Just got back from the newer new place on Essex Street, Footscray which is UNREAL. So, so happy for my lovely suburb.
DeleteI think it would be great if they could set up the courtyard outside with chairs and tables asap. The place will be spilling over on weekends if they don't expand their dining space. It would also be more child-friendly for little ones to be outside.
ReplyDeleteYes, tomorrow is going to give new meaning to the term Footscrazy - it's going to go off. I'm sure they must be looking to fill up the courtyard - it's too lovely not to share, and the garden, with all the herbs, is so sensory - would be great for littlies.
DeleteAAhhh, this is so exciting. I'm way out of the loop only learning about the Milking Station from your post. Another place I will be tripping over myself to get too - it looks gorgeous. Just so much happening in our little corner of the world, I can't keep up. So I think the answer to your question is YES, Footscray has arrived!
ReplyDeleteAnd CHEERS to that Ellise! :)
DeleteI have those nonnacore plates! Yim Yam have them too :)
ReplyDeleteWoohoo! Love.
DeleteRipper! Needed somewhere new to check out today. Will head down and sample the awesome. Thanks for the show link, Lauren. Opening last night was brilliant! Let me know if you're planning to stop in and I'll see if I can come down and meet you there xx
ReplyDeleteSo happy for you clever woman. I will definitely come down and will let you know - husband working last night so couldn't make it.
DeleteIt's so exciting! It looks as if the 'scray may just become the new it-girl of the coffee world. The emergence of such quality (this cafe as well as Besito, The reading room, W48 etc) springing up out of a barren wasteland is, to me, akin to manna from heaven... okay, maybe I am taking it a little far!
ReplyDelete:P
Not at all! Coffee is DEFINITELY in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, in my book. Closer to the bottom, kind of above breathing in fact - just.
DeleteA heads up! New cafe opened on Friday in Essex St (number 40 or close to it) :)
ReplyDeleteONE WORD: LOVE. Post coming soon!
DeleteOnly a block and a half away from my daily commute, and open from 7am... Man, I really need a coffee-holder on my bicycle. Do such things exist? Might try this out some day (was at W48 today - goo.gl/gWlQB ), although it is 'the other side of Footscray' from #WeFo and we're getting SO MANY OPTIONS in the super-local area these days. I love your photos though! Makes it look really appealing.
ReplyDeleteI was there too!! :D Truly, Milking Station's coffee is so, so good, it's worth going for coffee alone. As for bike cupholder, @cubbieberry will know if such things exist. ;)
DeleteLiving half a block away it has been interesting to watch the Milking Station hit its straps. A tentative start to full bore (with queue) last weekend. Note to self: avoid cafes the weekend after Lauren's note in the Age and FFB review. The lemon tart and flourless chocolate friand are worth a trip across town when they are on offer.
ReplyDeleteIs there such a thing as "coffee guilt" if I skive off to try West 48, Reading Room etc?
Yes, I went on their first day and it was very quiet. It's certainly gone from 0 to 60 in a matter of days - last Friday was already over half full by 8am! A bit annoying when it's one's local, I know, but I lean towards promotion - figure no one puts all their heart into a business and wants it to stay a secret. It may calm down like Ebi has to some degree. And no - showering or brushing teeth isn't skiving off, so neither is drinking good coffee - it's just as essential!
DeleteOne of the best lattes' in the area and only a block from where our new flat. The only problem is its got popular very quickly so it can be hard to get a table.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the coffee gorgeous Brian! Welcome to the area. They are super popular but maybe over time it will calm down for you to enjoy your local.
DeleteBig love for this cafe! And yes I would queue for a table :)
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely isn't it... Although the Slayer has gone, for a La Marzocco! *tearful coffee nerd sigh*
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