Kamel, Albert Park

On a nice quiet stretch of Vic Ave, a few doors along from Pets and the City, is Kamel, 19 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park, Tel +61 3 9696 1386. So, having stocked up on Pippin's favorite pork knots and bully sticks (hours of chewing entertainment), we dropped in for a late (and enjoyable) brekky.



I was very happy with my scrambled eggs, mushrooms, beans and bangers. The four little Lebanese sausages (made from lamb with a hint of cinnamon) were particulary good. The baked butter beans and herb-roasted mushrooms were also very good, as was the ever-reliable Phillipa's honey-whole-wheat toast. The weakest link was probably the scrambles, which I would simply rate as good. It all came on a very cool square, battered-looking earthenware plate, which was a nice touch. They even had matching salt dishes with little red camels on them.

The salmon eggs benedict was a bit of a disappointment, mostly due to hard-poached eggs and skimpy layer of hollandaise. But at least it was real hollandaise.

The menu had most of what you'd hope to find at a good breakfast venue, including toast, fruit, muesli, porridge, omelettes, pancakes and toast. Some of the more interesting items were Ethiopian spice and honey toast; butterbeans with feta and Turkish bread; and egg, bacon and cheese jaffles.

The venue is small but comfortable, with front windows that open onto the street, and a few outside tables for dog-walkers, etc. The coffee (Genovese), service and value were all pretty good, although I did find the staff a but surly on a previous visit.

15/20 "cool plates"