HOT: Mixed Business, 486 Queens Pde, Clifton Hill

After what seemed like endless weeks of packing, I?ve finally moved into a new house. As we boxed up our worldly goods, I cursed RM?s penchant for book-buying and RM banned me from buying any more kitchen gadgets.

So even though I spotted a waffle maker for $20 recently, I resisted temptation. Which is a roundabout way of explaining why, out of all the delightful items on the breakfast menu at Mixed Business, I honed straight into the waffles.

Mixed Business is a popular cafe in Clifton Hill that is worth a special visit for breakfast. While it?s at the very end of a strip of shops on Queens Parade, it?s not in a place with constant foot traffic (or parking), yet on a weekday morning it was consistently busy. It seems particularly popular with people with kids, as the airy spaciousness and quaint rough-and-tumble wooden furnishings make it an ideal place for young tots to roam around and with plenty of space to park prams. There?s also a sunny garden area where you can sit in amongst delightfully unkempt flowering herbs punctuated by the gentle rumble of the Epping line.

I sidled into the restored church pew padded with summer-stripe cushions that’s positioned against the communal table. A pixie-haired waitress immediately greeted me with a menu and a glass of water and I think I halfway fell in love with the cafe right there thanks to her huge friendly grin.

The breakfast menu contains items that are a little out of the ordinary. The aforementioned gingerbread waffles with vanilla bean ice cream, roasted apples and candied walnuts ($14) is listed amongst poached eggs with sourdough accompanied by half a dozen different sides ? from ham hock white beans, pancetta, tomato and parmesan to potato and rosemary rosti with avocado (all $13.50). While normally I?m not much of an egg person I was very much torn between a sweet or savoury breakfast, but in the end compromised on sweet so I could take away one of their hot rolls.

Two freshly baked waffles arrived heaped with topping. I have a fear of doughiness  in pancakes and waffles but these two wholemeal rectangles were perfect ? crispy on the outside, springy on the inside. The toppings provided contrasting textural interest, with cold, hot, crunchy and smooth all sounding out together.

For lunch that same day I had a toasted ciabatta roll tucked with salty corned beef, tomato relish, tangy Dijon mustard, Swiss cheese and rocket ($9). A classic 50s combination which was still satisfying after a couple of hours.

Given its popularity on a weekday I imagine weekends at Mixed Business can get very busy, but nevertheless I urge you to try it out for breakfast or lunch ? you won?t be disappointed.

For more blog love for Mixed Business, check out Food Rehab, “…it pleases us”, Eating Melbourne and The Real Melbourne.