108-128 Leicester Street
Carlton Vic
stovetop.com.au

As I walked out of Melbourne Museum dragging along a screaming three year old that just couldn’t bare leaving the ‘little steam train’ (you know the kind of tantrum I’m talking about, where literally everyone stops and stares and all you want is for the ground to open up and swallow you. Or maybe just him?) All I could think about was oh god, this lunch better be worth it. Well let me tell you, hell yeah it was! Stovetop delivered the goods and turned my frown upside down.

It was like someone knew I was having a bad day and was looking out for me. I scored a parking spot right out the front. Walked in and landed the last free table in the midst of their lunch rush and it just so happened to be tucked away in a corner so my crazy kids wouldn’t annoy anyone. Oh and then our amazing waitor walked over with little activity bags for each of my kids. Can I hear an Amen? Everything fell into place and I was sold. This was officially the best place on earth and I hadn’t even tasted the food yet. It could have tasted like cardboard and in that moment I didn’t care.

Fortunately it tasted pretty amazing. Cauliflower and ricotta fritters anyone? They were light and creamy, melting in my mouth. The accompanying pumpkin and chipotle hommus was full of flavour but not too overpowering, perfectly complementing the fritters. It must be said, their menu is pretty extensive and diverse in comparison to most, with the vast majority of the food looking incredibly appetizing.

Oh and the coffee was absolutely on point. I downed two before our visit was done, firstly because they were so good, but secondly to re energise me for the drive home with two tired kiddies. Nicely done Stovetop, you achieved the impossible in taming my crazy kids and let me eat a meal in peace. I’ll be singing your praises to anyone that will listen for a long time to come.