tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post7385005041994250224..comments2024-03-28T16:53:20.412+11:00Comments on Footscray Food Blog: A Bongiovanni & SonLauren aka Ms Bakloverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-47251518146097328752014-12-18T09:34:02.222+11:002014-12-18T09:34:02.222+11:00Wait until you have to order anything specially in...Wait until you have to order anything specially in and watch them fall apart....they couldn't organise an order if their life depended on it!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-22929095981937097542012-11-29T15:29:52.296+11:002012-11-29T15:29:52.296+11:00We love Bongiovanni's. We think it is the best...We love Bongiovanni's. We think it is the best thing that has happened to Seddon. So many more people around. Plenty of excited goodies to find. My new favourite place. Keep up the fantastic job.<br />Marc<br /> Marcnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-74702501269407518692012-11-29T14:32:30.473+11:002012-11-29T14:32:30.473+11:00That's right Lauren and that's where real ...That's right Lauren and that's where real investment - say in a cheese counter - would make all the difference. There are a few around, both smaller supermarkets in Yarraville for example and those you mention, but for the most part they're just genuflecting in the right direction. To me Bongiovanni feels a lot more like an upmarket version of the Mediterranean Supermarket on Sydney Rd than a delicatessen in the true sense of the word. That's okay but I don't think it will be a winning model especially as buying trends among people in the area seem much closer to the 'local/organic' dominant current foodie paradigm.<br />I'm not a barracker for either side in the above debate but I wish I could agree with 'Anonymous' above, sadly, in my twenty or so visits since opening I have rarely had to wait. Anthonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-85798103355580803302012-11-29T13:22:44.450+11:002012-11-29T13:22:44.450+11:00Hmm, interesting Anthony and anon. I have to say ...Hmm, interesting Anthony and anon. I have to say when I go it's not very busy, but that's during business hours on a weekday. Admittedly Sourdough Kitchen is still usually pumping at that time!<br /><br />I do think you have a bit of a point Anthony. I think only having prepackaged deli stuff was a real pity. Sims is great and there are a few good 'uns popping up (Provata in Ascot Vale, the new deli at Highpoint) but it would have been brilliant to have another close by, maybe with loads of organic, free range and hard to find stuff. If they had a friendly deli there that did really nice free range ham, freshly sliced and not vacuum packed, I would go there regularly to get it.<br /><br />Anyway... We shall see! I would be devastated to see them close. I think it would be a really big shame for Seddon.Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-51444337527423883662012-11-28T19:40:34.014+11:002012-11-28T19:40:34.014+11:00That's very much a contradiction to the many t...That's very much a contradiction to the many times that I have shopped in the store. You must shop at a time that people are working, because when I drop into the store to grab my yummy ready made meals on the way home from work I am standing at the check out waiting for some time. Try checking this store out on a Saturday morning and you will be eating your words as well as their beautiful selection of foods!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-9503930404041015082012-11-28T13:31:13.842+11:002012-11-28T13:31:13.842+11:00It looks like Bongiovanni is not going that well.W...It looks like Bongiovanni is not going that well.Working nearby (not for a competitor), it appears deserted most of the time. Spoke to one of the staff in there last Friday and they were pretty glum.The owners are subsidizing heavily and it is nowhere near sustainable on current turnover. If I had to point to any problem I'd say that they fall into an in between category as far as shopping is concerned. They are not the true delicatessen, a la Leo's that the West has been crying out for and they're not a supermarket. They're v expensive but that's not a criticism it just comes with the territory. Anthonynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-11084656769074566142012-07-29T14:01:54.830+10:002012-07-29T14:01:54.830+10:00We gave Coyo a try - natural flavour. Bennie loves...We gave Coyo a try - natural flavour. Bennie loves it! I found it damn strange - feels like I'm eating a skincare product!Kennyhttp://considerthesauce.net/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-16849436997598154552012-07-25T21:51:36.509+10:002012-07-25T21:51:36.509+10:00Guess what guys not only does A. bongiovanni give ...Guess what guys not only does A. bongiovanni give us great produce but it will be giving us GREAT COFFEE too. I just saw today that Pomona Coffee or better known as Pomona Cafe (a preston cafe)have set up in the front corner and they will be there on weekends for a few weeks. Cant wait to try it. I have heard a lot about them from friends that live out in the north and i also read the review in the epicure a few weeks ago. I am hanging there this weekend!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-84426144041790185912012-07-20T16:23:39.822+10:002012-07-20T16:23:39.822+10:00I respect your right to an opinion, Jared, but I s...I respect your right to an opinion, Jared, but I stand by the fact that I think Bongiovanni is a great step for Seddon. The impassioned responses on this page prove that Pompello, Sourdough Kitchen, etc are NOT going to go out of business. If everyone who currently shops at Pompello makes a point of NOT buying fruit and veg from Bongiovanni and continues to shop at Pompello, how is Pompello going to be forced to shut? Likewise, if people who didn't already shop in Seddon now buy some tomatoes from Bongiovanni as well as some Jock's ice cream, how is that going to affect Pompello?<br /><br />All I know is that many people have told me they have travelled to Seddon to check out Bongiovanni and the vast majority of them also mentioned that they checked out the other shops in the area and were delighted at what they found. I can't see how this is a bad thing.<br /><br />Honestly, people are going on like Coles or Starbucks opened in the middle of the main street! It is still an independent business and like Pompello and Seddon Wine Store, stocks lots of great produce by small producers that might otherwise never get a chance to get on a supermarket shelf.Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-45895887886712809722012-07-20T13:43:44.966+10:002012-07-20T13:43:44.966+10:00While I do applaud the range of great food product...While I do applaud the range of great food products they have in store, one-stop-shops are NOT the answer. It is quite clear that Bongiovanni would profit quite substantially with the closure of other local traders, namely Pompello. You cannot deny that this thought hasn't crossed their minds. Even if you continued to buy your fruit and veg from such stores, Bongiovanni could simply sell his fresh produce at a loss, covered by the ridiculously high mark-ups on other products ($8 for a can of refried beans you mentioned!)until Pompello is forced to shut, then he would increase the mark-up on fresh produce as well. <br /><br />This is how "one-stop-shops" do business. Their end goal is to create a monopoly. That may suit some other areas in Melbourne, but the reason I choose to live in this area is because of the community and village feel, and I think for many others it's for the same reason. Therefore I will not give their business a single cent, no matter how tempting it is, because I know it will will hinder the long term growth and diversity of the Victoria St shopping strip.Jared.Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-28779121033898275982012-06-27T14:36:22.704+10:002012-06-27T14:36:22.704+10:00Great post! love the passionate responses, I live ...Great post! love the passionate responses, I live in East Bentleigh and will be visiting Seddon on the odd occasion to shop here for hard to find produce. I will most definitely be checking out the surrounding businesses of Seddon. Wish we had something like this on our end of town.SGKhttps://www.facebook.com/topmelbournenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-68815586199540623382012-06-25T20:41:14.415+10:002012-06-25T20:41:14.415+10:00I've been down here twice, mostly for a sticky...I've been down here twice, mostly for a sticky beak and a meander around what is really a fabulously laid out store. It's a gas wandering around and getting excited about produce that must've taken some real thought to stock, such as the Mure's fish stock/chowder/bisque mentioned in the post. Not sure what's "Truman Show" about this place, Anthony clearly knows his food and is keen to offer products that people want, but haven't been able to find in the west. When Bongiovanni & Son start affiliating themselves with major petrol stations and their shelves become flooded with generic brand items that are discounted at the expense of the producers, then I might be concerned.<br />For now, like others I'll continue to spend money in other stores, but will welcome the addition of an astute trader to my favourite shopping strip in the West.Phil_Mudhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07310987314009690469noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-55775866484760380152012-06-16T13:25:10.033+10:002012-06-16T13:25:10.033+10:00I would love that! Could you email me on footscra...I would love that! Could you email me on footscrayfoodblog@gmail.com and we will work something out?Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-60957671173219176062012-06-15T17:31:48.898+10:002012-06-15T17:31:48.898+10:00"..... Or the two existing bottle shops when ..."..... Or the two existing bottle shops when Seddon Wine Store opened?"<br /><br /><br />ha! funny you should mention that..........Trinnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11286902161699804724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-65809575428597157052012-06-15T11:52:40.795+10:002012-06-15T11:52:40.795+10:00Thanks Ms Baklover! I took a break from blogging f...Thanks Ms Baklover! I took a break from blogging for a few years while my babies were babies, but I'm really enjoying being back in blogland. The landscape has changed a lot in the few years I've been away! Maybe we could catch up for a coffee sometime? I'd love to catch up with another local foodblogger.Lady Lunchalothttp://www.ladylunchalot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-88608410151082958832012-06-13T20:55:43.947+10:002012-06-13T20:55:43.947+10:00The coconut, the lemon and the natural were all gi...The coconut, the lemon and the natural were all given a serious workout... I guess that means we'll be picking up the Vanilla next time we visit Bongiavanni!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-30450256704482706882012-06-13T19:17:06.570+10:002012-06-13T19:17:06.570+10:00Yes! I want to try it but just bought a whole bot...Yes! I want to try it but just bought a whole bottle of Golden Boy and then @cloudcontrol brought me back a lovely bottle from Phu Quoc, so I have a bit of a fish sauce glut. Soon though!Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-63120056287935452552012-06-13T19:16:14.577+10:002012-06-13T19:16:14.577+10:00Martin, that is brilliant! Make sure you try thei...Martin, that is brilliant! Make sure you try their 100% coconut milk ice cream too! (I swear, I don't work for Coyo!)Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-41594367734136445362012-06-12T22:09:37.714+10:002012-06-12T22:09:37.714+10:00Hey Lauren, I recently did a cooking class with Da...Hey Lauren, I recently did a cooking class with David Thompson and you're right he does use that fish sauce... I'd never heard of it. But now I know where to get it!thang@noodlieshttp://www.noodlies.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-15647646918447130812012-06-12T21:45:28.111+10:002012-06-12T21:45:28.111+10:00I am lactose intolerant, so it gets a bit bland wi...I am lactose intolerant, so it gets a bit bland with the same 3 flavours of soya yoghurt. So thank you Lauren for posting about Coyo - I couldn't wait to get down there on Sunday! The stock was a bit thin (its all your fault :) ) but I did manage to get some of the mixed berry flavour. Yum!! I am now addicted!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08594092551243895486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-66412293805462695662012-06-12T17:04:02.830+10:002012-06-12T17:04:02.830+10:00Great to hear from another Seddon business owner w...Great to hear from another Seddon business owner who has a positive opinion! Fantastic to hear about all the new foot traffic, and I agree, it's my gut feeling this is nothing but a good thing.Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-92209730732923659502012-06-12T17:00:25.278+10:002012-06-12T17:00:25.278+10:00Phwoar, which flavour? The coconut caught my eye!...Phwoar, which flavour? The coconut caught my eye! The yoghurt range in particular is really impressive.Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-47092220908965176902012-06-12T16:40:52.552+10:002012-06-12T16:40:52.552+10:00Wow, what a vocal and prolific response. On my fir...Wow, what a vocal and prolific response. On my first, and second visit(and probably also will be on the third) I was wandering around as excited as you Lauren. So many new things to try. As a business owner from a little further down the 'strip' all I can say is I've never seen Seddon so busy. That has to be a good thing. Well done to Anthony and his family!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-77434725237529518352012-06-12T16:30:30.285+10:002012-06-12T16:30:30.285+10:00Make sure you have a try of the Grampians Pure yog...Make sure you have a try of the Grampians Pure yogurt soon. Had it for the first time as part of the breakfast at The Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld recently... totally awesome! So awesome I'm worried my partner will spend a lot more money at Bongiovanni's once she finds out they have it!Danny Bishophttp://dannybishopcreative.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2166641060916490585.post-12510208443272265662012-06-12T12:19:24.564+10:002012-06-12T12:19:24.564+10:00Oh my god, I love Altona Fresh! Haven't been ...Oh my god, I love Altona Fresh! Haven't been for ages - must remedy that. Although wolf whistles - that's a bit worrying!Lauren aka Ms Bakloverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08540872180823771651noreply@blogger.com