Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder

Richmond Hill Cafe & Larder
48-50 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC


Gastronomer Stephanie Alexander is no longer involved with RHCL, which could go some way to explaining why I was disappointed, and had had such high expectations in the first place.

It was packed on a late Saturday morning so we had to "entertain" ourselves with branded preserves, condiments and other goodies while we waited 20 minutes for a table. We weren't the only ones as it was freezing outside so the waiters were giving us looks for standing in their way.

When we realised we were the next table for 2 on the waiting list and there was one that had been available for 5 minutes, we asked. Apparently they were keeping it free for a 12pm booking. It was 11am! So we promised to be out of there by 12pm and got seated.

The restaurant was established in the year 1998. The original partners have gone their separate ways but some things haven't changed: the "aroma" in the Cheese Room is completely overpowering! To fromage enthusiasts it will be complete heaven though... Now they only open at night on the 1st Friday of each month for a wine and cheese soirree or for private functions.

The menu evolves seasonally, but the high prices stay constant. I wish I could say they were worth it, but both dishes were a bit pedestrian.

'The Lot' - 2 poached eggs with bacon, mushrooms and tomato ($17.50). I thought the 2 different sizes tomato halves were different (they had smoked, roasted and fresh on the menu) but they were both fresh aka normal. My partner cooks tastier mushies. The added homemade Giorgio's spicy breakfast sausage ($5) was ok if not a little too solid, and not worth the price.

My partner had the Borlotti beans baked with tomato, ham hock & maple syrup, gratinated Taleggio cheese served with basil pesto and grilled organic sourdough ($18.50). I'm not an appreciator of beans so it's hard to comment fairly. But he wasn't raving about it either. The only thing he said he liked was the olive oil on the toast but there was too much salt on it to be enjoyable.

Maybe we should have gone with what everyone raves on about: the famous grilled cheesy toast ($11.90) or the Scrambled eggs with Tasmanian smoked salmon, sour cream and chives ($16.50). Other special items were the Buttermilk pancakes with blueberries, pecan brittle, blood orange curd and pure Canadian maple syrup ($18.50) and the Baghdad eggs - 2eggs fried with lemon & garlic, sprinkled with cumin and mint on grilled flatbread ($17.50). The lady beside me had the Corn and coriander fritters with smoked salmon, poached egg, spinach and RHCL Tomato & Capsicum Relish ($18.50) which looked amazing if you like corn.

Service didn't improve at the end when I went to pay the bill - it was a bar and the guy kept attending to (older) people that came after me. Pure discrimination! So after waiting 8 minutes to pay, needless to say I didn't leave them a tip.