The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement

Hey, hey, hey! Fat Albert cafe has popped up in Albert Park

Jane Wong

California Toast, like sushi meets breakfast.
California Toast, like sushi meets breakfast.Cognito Social

"Hey Hey Hey!" The catchphrase from the 1970s American cartoon series is etched into the counter top of Albert Park's Fat Albert.

But that's where the resemblance ends. This breakfast and lunch space, once home to Truman, is all about chic Japanese interpretations of modern cafe dishes.

Take the California Toast, a kind of freewheeling deconstructed sushi atop Cobb Lane bread, featuring avocado, seaweed paste, cured salmon, crabmeat and vegan mayonnaise, all topped with a slow-poached egg.

Mini banana loaf at Fat Albert, Albert Park.
Mini banana loaf at Fat Albert, Albert Park.Cognito Social
Advertisement

Elsewhere on the menu, there's a katsu sandwich with Bulldog sauce on white bread, Japanese rice porridge, apple crumble porridge and a shiitake and kombu-based ramen.

Conceived by friends chef Ryo Doyama and Lucy Halfpenny with Jake Ellis running the floor, Fat Albert is a playful move away from the clean eating rigours of Ryo's previous venue, Walk Don't Run, yet still offering dietary options and a children's menu.

The contemporary peach-hued space is very much at home in the 'hood – there's even a "Dog Perignon" station outside for the fur kids. You might also find feline latte art on your Industry Beans coffee, another nod to the Japanese theme.

Fat Albert in Albert Park.
Fat Albert in Albert Park.Cognito Social

Open Mon-Fri 7am–4pm, Sat-Sun 8am–4pm.

381 Montague Street (corner Kerferd Road), Albert Park, 03 9699 3344

Continue this series

July hit list: Where to eat and drink in Melbourne this month
Up next
Dramatic: Marron with chorizo sauce.

QT Melbourne given a food makeover

Breakfast buffet begone: Chef Andy Harmer aligns the food offering with the hotel's glitzy, polished brand.

Thalis on the Kerala menu at the Rochester

Trivia now comes with thali trays at the Rochey

Strap in for a wild Keralan time or chase your beer with curry-laden chips.

Previous
Pizza with tomato, San Daniele prosciutto, rocket and buffalo mozzarella at Tipico, Windsor.

Italian restaurant Tipico brings new-wave Milan cool to Windsor

Three Italians have combined forces to open Tipico in Windsor.

See all stories

Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox.

Sign up

From our partners

Advertisement
Advertisement