Spoonful has a bit of a bad rep for service. But anyone who has been there recently will be puzzled by older reviews because the service now is warm, inviting and efficient. Spoonful has always had excellent food. Fresh, seasonal, produce-focused menus change regularly and always provide an inspiring breakfast experience. But a change in management in the last year or two have seen the service improve immeasurably. It has been our local for about 5 years now and it's got to be one of the greatest reasons to live in Prahran. Even when the service was overseen by a bitter, snobbish woman who was a constant fixture behind the register, we still would go down for breakfast because the food was so good, but we would do it kind of reluctantly. Now though, the staff are lovely, the food is possibly even better and it makes me happy to go and support our local cafe. It has got to be in my top 5 for breakfast spots.
One thing to keep in mind with Spoonful is that they don't do all day breakfast. Their breakfast menu ends at 11am so you need to get in early. They do of course have an equally delicious lunch menu but this is not a Fab Lunch Spots post.
I love the atmosphere in Spoonful. The decor is so cosy and if I had a large dining room I would decorate it just like the interior at Spoonful. Two large, worn timber, communal (I do love myself a communal table) tables make up most of the relatively small space. But there are a few smaller tables if you want a bit more privacy. The communal tables always have amazing seasonal floral arrangements in the centre, and the four huge paper cut artworks on the wall provide ample visual stimulation while you’re waiting for your breakfast. There are beautiful floral enamel jugs, huge Chinese lanterns and cute little coloured teapots. It all adds up to somewhere you could happily spend the day, soaking in the beauty (and I do).
Ok, now for the food. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. They really focus of fresh produce, put together simply and elegantly. You will struggle to choose between a sweet (maybe saffron and elderflower poached pears with labne and pistachios, or perhaps try the incredible cream cheese and ricotta fritters with baked apple, honey and lemon syrup) and a savoury dish (perfectly crispy bacon breakfast salad or maybe a Mexican inspired chorizo dish). This is always my hardest decision for breakfast; sweet or savoury? You never have to decide for any other meal, lunch is always savoury and for dinner you get both; savoury then sweet. But this decision is the hardest to make at spoonful because they do both so well. (I'm trying to introduce the concept of Breakfast Dessert so I can have a savoury then a sweet at breakfast but husband is having none of it)
The one let down with Spoonful is the Chai. It tastes like slightly sweetened milk. Their milk however is really creamy and smooth and their coffee is excellent.
One thing I have to mention is that if you love cookbooks; ensure you make a little trip down their hallway to the loo. They have a floor to ceiling bookshelf that runs the length of the hallway with what looks like every cookbook that has ever been published on it. Would love it if they ran a library-like service so I could borrow them. Brilliant!
Ignore the old reviews which trash the service and head down to Spoonful. I'll see you there. XXX
Spoonful
543 High Street
Prahran
Open: 7 days 8am-4pm
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