fringe

We stumbled upon St.Kilda for lunch yesterday, after an initial plan in Elsternwick fell through (and completely! Why is that place not opened on Saturdays, WHY and no one told me that?!) - so Sis took a detour and we ended up in St.Kilda. Sooo many cafes at the Esplanade. We were by the so hungry we could eat a cow (230PM) so when Alf suggested a place he had been to before - fringe - there were no complaints from the rest of us.

fringe without a capital F.

Inside of fringe

Through a hole through the wall.

We were seated by a VERY SUNNY window and no kidding on the VERY SUNNY (so photos were a bit weird in light). Soon we were roasting but at least not freezing (no, I don't know what is the better alternative really). Anyway, we ordered drinks to start off with - lattes for me, Alf and San and a lemon-lime bitter for Sis.

See the little heart-shape ♥ in Alf's coffee? Cool right? Someone's in love with Alf!

San's large latte, $3.30

We ordered a Pumpkin Salad ($13.00) to share.

Pumpkin among the greens!

Heart this salad!

Gotta say it was a huge hit with all of us. The salad was really nicely put together with pumpkin, an array of greens, walnuts and feta cheese. The pumpkin was gorgeous - sweet and tender and pumpkin-y to the bite. It went really well with the green veggies and the slightly bitter quality of the walnuts. Also the cheese was tops. If not I will be sad face because I really truly do love cheese like the Real and Self-Respecting Mouse I am.

Sis had the Braised Lamb ($19.000).

Lamby-kins thingie.

It was cooked with root vegetables and Sis especially liked the radish-like thing. She thought it was good, and it was cooked to the right tenderness. It was also pleasing to her that there was enough gravy to soak everything in. Sis is big on gravy, she is. At times.

Both me and San had the Morrocan Lamb Foccacia ($9.00). I want to say here that I ordered it FIRST and San was a copy-sun. Yeah.

Lamb sandwich ahoy.

I think I am thoroughly satisfied with it. The bread was really crusty and soft on the inside, and the mint yoghurt went well with the lamb. Loads of veggies (spinach leaves) as well to balance out the meat. The lamb is just a little dry in my opinion, but nothing too bad. San thought the lamb was good but there was too little of it in the foccacia. Fortunately, Sis got rid of some lamb fats and tenders and San topped up her sandwich with those and satisfaction immediately increased by 50%, haha. And I quote her, "Thank you MM for the fatty lamb!". And again, NO, she is not fat, the woman is stick-thin (life is so unfair, I know).

Alf had the Grilled Chicken Burger ($15.00).

Chicken and Chips.

It was an enormous portion and Alf didn't finish the chips. He was generally satisfied with his burger, found the chicken to be grilled to his liking and quite fragrant and flavourful but he was wrinkling his nose at the price. A little too expensive, he reckoned.

Anyway, fringe is a quite a funky sort of cafe, I think. Menu was pretty extensive - bread/foccacias, greek tapas, western-styled mains and pastas, plus bevy of salads. I think price is quite reasonable on the whole although a few items here and there are a bit pricey. Generally a good dining experience but the sun beating down on our backs and blinding poor Alf took away some of the fun. :( And it was RAINING today. Crazy Melbourne weather.

- Mouse

**EDIT: San added a few pics & for the yum-cha post as well**
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fringe
73 Acland Street
St Kilda 3182
Phone: (03) 9663 1555