Via Porta Eatery Deli - MONT ALBERT

Via Porta is a very busy little cafe and usually has a line out the door. We were initially seated at the bar to order coffees and food before being moved to a table upstairs.<br/ <br/ Unfortunately, our coffee order was not put through properly and we didn't get them until we queried it.<br/ <br/ The French toast was the standout with a good balance of creamy and sweet. We were asked if we wanted milk with the granola which is quite unusual for a cafe. However, the granola is quite dry as there is only a smear of ricotta, so we did need the milk. If so many people are asking for milk, perhaps the kitchen should consider adding yoghurt. The sourdough is quite dense and chewy (even for sourdough), I would ask for multigrain next time.<br/ <br/ We found the service downstairs was quite aloof and a bit snappy. I understand it is busy but a smile goes a long way. The young man upstairs was great and very apologetic over our missed coffees which was not his fault. Overall we think the service standard let down a very good kitchen.

Voted as one of Melbourne’s best-designed cafes (designed by Studio Esteta who also finessed Lune and Sensory Lab , I was itching to visit Via Porta as soon as possible. I was also over the moon to learn that it’s a local Italian eatery and deli a stone’s throw from me, in Mont Albert. It’s everything I’ve been hoping for: classic, minimal style; warm ambience and neutral tones; and a refined Italian-inspired menu with excellent, distinguished dishes. <br/ <br/ Via Porta translates to ‘through the door’, reflecting the welcoming nature and community feel of the family-owned business. With a nod to Italian alimentaris (café grocery deli in one , you’ll find shelves stacked with pickled vegetables, pasta and coffee, as well as a deli selling Australian and Italian cheeses, cured meats and homemade takeaway meals—including favourites like lasagna and eggplant parmigiana.<br/ <br/ Our top menu picks are the fried eggs in spicy Arrabbiata sauce with nduja, sweet peppers and side of buttery toast and the fresh, European take on avocado on toast: hunks of avocado with cherry tomatoes, pickled onion, capers, broad beans and citrus salsa, carefully arranged on a spread of skordalia (a Greek delicacy of puréed garlic and potato on toast. Their house blend coffee is by Five Senses and there’s also a tempting display of Italian sweets (holy cannoli! and croissants at the front counter.

Very soon after Broadsheet wrote a review of Via Porta, people began lining up to get a table, especially on the weekend. The first time I was sat at the bar. The waiters were stressed- got some curt responses. The barista was very busy so I didn’t get my coffee until after my breakfast but it was very good for my taste: not too strong that you could stand a fork in it but full of flavour. I ordered avocado on toast. Not smashed or mashed avocado but sliced and diced. I love the fresh broad beans (only in season prob. Which is a good thing it’s a great little breakfast. The dudes next to me convinced me to buy a cannoli to takeaway. And one thing I expected to see were a lot more classic Italian desserts and cakes. How about a sfogliatella or a Lemon Delight- Southern Italy specialty? The cannoli was ok but nothing to write home about, which I did excessively from Italy a couple of months ago, after my second Lemon Delight in one day. <br/ The second time I brought my husband and we sat at the window in front a large table. One of the guests had an extremely loud voice and laughed at the very top of that voice pretty much the whole time. In fact all the people at that table used their outdoor voices. (What the hell’s wrong with people when they go out in public. Do they thing they are on stage? It was shocking but the noise had to have been amplified by all the hard surfaces in the cafe. We did ask to move but there was nowhere to go. Next time I’m taking ear plugs or I’ll sit upstairs which has a gorgeous little balcony looking over the restaurant. <br/ However, my cold smoked sandwich on dark rye was absolutely superb; utterly, incredibly delicious. Their plating is top notch, everything on the plate looks fresh, light and pretty (great job in the kitchen and tastes sublime.<br/ <br/ Overall, I love the food, good coffee, can’t stand the noise (music on the weekend that’s fighting to be heard, just adds to the clatter but I don’t get much of an Italian vibe from the menu at Via Porta. Sure there are meats on display, a few in Italian looking panini, jars of veggies and meatballs on the menu but that’s about it. I think they should work on that. It could be a real point of difference, but DO NOT EVER take that salmon sandwich off the menu unless you do something similar.

First time to Via Porta today and can honestly say it has been such a refreshing experience and the food was amazing. Coffee selection and the deli is great. We will be back more often!

Crab Scrambled Egg with Chilli Oil, Shiitake Relish, Spring Onion Sourdough $23.5