Occasionally I have readers tipping me off about places to go and I recently received an email suggesting that I try The Bell Jar.
So one cold, blustery afternoon I decided to trek up the nether-regions of Smith St (I rarely go past Johnston Street) to have a look. The cafe is quite hard to miss because it’s not really in a strip of shops, nor does it have a particularly noticeable frontage. I peeked through the window and thought that maybe they just did sandwiches for lunch (which I didn’t really fancy), but the whitewashed terrace house interior looked cosy and welcoming, so I decided to step inside and take the risk of eating stuff with bread.
I’m so glad I did, because it turns out that they have quite an extensive menu of breakfasty things, lunchy things, sandwiches and sweets, from what I could tell all made on premises. I settled myself in the back room, with the huge communal table and a striking autumnal floral feature which I’m going to pinch as an idea for my own house.
I decided on the corn cakes of the day, which came with smoked salmon ($14). I asked whether they could do a vegetarian option, maybe with some avocado instead, and the friendly waitress said no problem. The young chef then came out with a plate a two thick corn cakes, piled with a vibrant avocado salsa and topped with a fresh salad. For some reason I thought the dish had an almost Vietnamese scent to it, maybe because of the cucumber and red onion, but that freshness contrasted perfectly with the smooth avocado and unexpected pops of sweetness from the pomegranate seeds. I told the chef that he should keep it on the menu permanently! He said that in fact the toppings for the corn cakes, along with the ricotta hot cakes, change every few days or so, to give him a chance to experiment.
As for the corn cakes, personally I prefer them with more corn and less batter, but they were by no means a bad version, especially smothered with that to-die-for topping.
I decided to stay on for something sweet. There were quite a few options available, from cake to Anzac biscuits, but I could sniff something chocolately coming out of the oven so asked for that instead. So, for $5, a plate of still-warm oozing chocolate brownie with a hint of coffee, served with a tiny doll’s jug of chantilly cream. I could have eaten a whole baking tray of it!
By this time, the rain had really started bucketing down outside and I didn’t have an umbrella. The staff offered to lend me an umbrella that I could just return ‘whenever’, which just goes to show the trust and care they show their customers. I opted to sit in the front window to wait for the rain to subside as I was feeling particularly contented and relaxed, just ‘being’, at The Bell Jar.
I very much hope that The Bell Jar continues to do well in it’s slightly out-of-the-way locale. The food is prepared fresh, there is an obvious care in using good quality ingredients and the atmosphere is welcoming. It’s the perfect little neighbourhood cafe.
For other fabulous cafes in Collingwood, try Proud Mary and Cibi.
- The Bell Jar, 656 Smith St, Collingwood +
Oh my! Love the autumn table setting (lovely photo btw). Don’t you just love finding hidden treasures. I will definitely pop in for breakfast on the weekend. Thank you for sharing. Best wishes, Madame Bonbon
Oh those corn cakes look delightful! I’ve never come across this lil gem and I tend to be in Smith St a fair bit.
Aah, though I’m New York, I dearly miss my beloved little Melbournian cafes!
Hi Ashley
I am also in Smith St a lot but the Bell Jar is between Alexandra Parade and Queens Parade, so it is easy to miss. As for the corn cakes – topping change regularly but I personally would request that avocado salsa again. So fresh and lively. It made me happy!
Jetsetting Joyce
What’s more the people working there are lovely and it’s a wonderfully unpretentious cafe with an accessible but still interesting menu.
Think its my new favourite!
I agree – I felt so relaxed and comfortable there, from the decor down to the service. The rest of their menu looks interesting too, a step above your usual cafe fare. I hope they do well!
Jetsetting Joyce
Wow that looks great.
I live in Collingwood and hadn’t come across the Bell jar before. I will definitely be trying it out soon!
Cheers
Emily
Oh yay – I’m so glad you found (and liked) this place! I stumbled across it a couple of weeks ago and the coffee, cheese on toast and the boys were so lovely.
Btw, Joyce have you been to Tom Phat on Sydney Rd in Brunswick? I revisited there on the weekend and I swear their roti omlette remains the best brekky I’ve ever had. Amazing! Get down there and check it out if you haven’t been
Hi Christy
I’m definitely going back to the Bell Jar – maybe even for cheese on toast! No I’ve not been to Tom Phat although numerous people have told me about it. Roti omelette does sound fantastic! I really love Sydney Road but unless I’m bike riding it’s actually a bit awkward for me to get there…I have to go into the city and back out again. So it tends to be a day trip every couple of months.
Jetsetting Joyce
halfway thru my latte, i was more certain that I did not get soy milk as i ordered.
get this – to my disbelief, they just gave me half a glass of soy latte!
there is no way i will go back there!
Nice place. Just had breakfast there. Excellent coffee. I had potted eggs on white beans and fennel sausage. ‘Twas very tasty. I also stuffed down their ricotta cakes with honeycomb and bananas. Excellent !
I had a quick chat to ‘Stu’ on the way out and he was very pleased with the way his cafe was shaping up.
For dog owners, they are looking at at putting seats on footpath, and if you have small dogs, you can CARRY them through the cafe to courtyard at back.
Si
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