MISS JACKSON:

Baked eggs with gigantic beans, cheesy tomato sauce and sliced jalapeno sausage

Tucker in a tucked away cafe-bar, on the corner of St Kilda’s once notorious Grey and Jackson streets.

The generous servings are enough for a hearty dinner, let alone breakfast…

It all comes together very well, with a slice of toasted sourdough bread. The jalapeno gives the perfect amount of “kick” in cold winter day. Excellent value at $16.50.

Smoked ham hock hash of potato and red cabbage, with poached eggs, tarragon mustard, and hollandaise sauce.

Again, a huge serving and really enough to share between two. The combination is full of flavours, especially the tarragon in the mustard though I’d personally find that a bit overpowering for first thing in the morning but it’s well suited to lunch or dinner. I’m seeing hollandaise sauce featuring prominently on local breakfast menues with any variety of poached eggs. With a slice of toasted sourdough, $18 and you won’t need to eat again all day.

THE BANFF:

Presentation plays a big role in the new menu at the locals’ favorite cafe-bar on Fitzroy St, across from the historic St Kilda Lawn Bowls Club. Famous for all-day $6 pizzas and the Happy Hour (5pm-6pm) $2.50 pots of beer. Now let’s try something different, on the new menu: I’m not sure if this is best suited for breakfast, lunch or dinner….

Eggs Benedict with pulled pork and chilli kimchi on toasted English muffins.

An unusual combination of flavours. Separately, each component is delicious but I’m not so sure about mixing the pickled kimchi with the sweetness of hollandaise sauce.  However, that’s my taste, and the clash of flavours must appeal to many because it has become a popular dish. $16.