CH James is a cafe and restaurant in Fairfield’s main shopping strip Station Street and it’s aiming to be a neighbourhood hub for Fairfield locals. The fact that it’s named after Charles Henry James, a 19th century parliamentary representative for the local area, is a good start.
The cafe spans over two contrasting spaces. The main dining area and kitchen is a light-filled modern structure which also houses the handy coffee window for train commuters. Bifold doors lead out onto the outdoors area, a charming courtyard adjoining a red brick church with zebra-striped umbrellas interspersed with raised garden beds.
I was invited to try out their menu and joined the breakfast crowd on a bustling weekend morning.
The menu is not your average ho-hum spiel, with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal and local ingredients (the chef is ex-Pope Joan). You can even spot the chef picking herbs and veges for your breakfast while you wait!
I tried the house cured trout, with thin slithers of melting fish adorned by a tangled heap of pickled and piquant greenery ($17). I particularly enjoyed the refreshing fennel and dill salad and you can choose to have it with a poached egg ($2) for a bit more protein.
Dr Marty’s crumpets were beautifully presented with airy whipped ricotta, strawberries and drizzled with Melbourne’s Rooftop Honey, a very reasonable $10 compared to some other places I’ve seen the crumpets served.
The toast with house-made preserves was equally pretty ($7.50), with an artist’s palette of spreads and condiments waiting to be slathered onto the slices of .
I’m not normally one to go for fruit salad when I’m eating out but it was such a hot day that the watermelon was calling my name. It was a delicate tower of fragrant watermelon cubes sweetened with orange blossom water, speckles of granola and a small dab of minted yoghurt ($10). An artful combination of colours and flavours which I think would be suitable as a side or a second course as it wasn’t substantial enough as a dish on its own.
CH James’ coffee comes from Small Batch in North Melbourne, their tea from Chamellia and hot chocolate from Mork Chocolate. The coffee station was super busy on a weekend morning but I encourage you to step inside and pull up a chair for a delicious breakfast in sunny and relaxed surroundings.
CH James, 86 Station Street, Fairfield
Mon – Sun 7AM – 5PM
