Three Bags Full

Three Bags Full
56 Nicholson St, Abbotsford, VIC
5 Senses Coffee


Three Bags Full is the latest cafe from the crew that gave you APTE (Delicious Magazine's National Cafe of the Year 2009) and Liar Liar (The Age Cheap Eats' Caffeine Hit of the Year 2009). Similar to the above 2, Proud Mary, St Ali and Seven Seeds, the main focus is coffee. And judging by the crowd that has gathered within 2 weeks of it's opening, there’s always room for one more warehouse-turned-chic-cafe-with-a-clover in Melbourne. Within a few months owner Nathan Toleman will be opening an even bigger cafe complete with a small roasting facility in North Carlton. No doubt there'll be trouble getting a seat there too.

The interior is special - business cards and cupcakes sit in antique scales. A bowling lane has been turned into an impressive communal table. Seats are made from road signs. Light fittings include inverted tea cups and saucers. There are potted plants by the window and the venue strikes a balance between concrete/brick and colour.

Favourites from APTE like the Toasted house made banana & coconut bread with honey labna, pistachios & roasted seasonal fruit ($13.50) and the Ricotta hotcakes with poached seasonal fruit, honey & orange infused ricotta ($14.50) appear in the bright yellow menu, along with exciting new additions like the cauliflower fritter with haloumi. Sticky black ginger bread with roasted plums and mascarpone ($13.50) walk a fine line between breakfast and dessert.

We had the Big breakfast ($16.50) – 2 free range eggs, bacon, roast tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, cheese kransky & tomato relish. The tomato relish was amazing... so amazing I wanted to buy a bottle home but decided I'll wait til I finish my current one (homemade from a colleague). The bacon was just right - smoky and neither too lean nor fatty. The mushrooms could improve.

And because I was happy with the ingredients & portion of the above, I let him order whatever he wanted. No surprise he went for the breakfast special 'cos of the main ingredient (it's either chorizo or salami with him) - Omelette served with salami, Swiss cheese and roma tomato ($12.50). It was too dry and generally unimpressive. Then again, I've never tried a good omelette outside. Maybe my definition of good isn't normal?