Thursday 4 December 2008

Nifty design at The Greenhouse

The Greenhouse by Joost
Federation Square, next door to ACMI, Flinders Street, Melbourne (map)
9429 9277
Until 29 January 2009


Greenhouse

On Sunday I finally got around to checking out The Greenhouse in Fed Square, having read about it on various food blogs. I arranged to meet up there with friends both before and after the Melbourne Design Market. Such a lovely day.

Greenhouse chair

Lucy from The Design Files already mentioned many of the nifty design elements at the Greenhouse in her write-up, so I'll let the pictures do most of the talking. The entire structure is made from recycled and recyclable materials and, like the Spiegeltent, it will only be around for a couple of months (I imagine it'd look rather battered after a Melbourne winter)...

Greenhouse caffe latte

The drinks came in thick jam jars. After my wussy caffe latte, I'll confess that I didn't really feel like drinking a hot chocolate - but it looked so pretty I couldn't resist!

Greenhouse coffee and hot chocolate

The muesli was served in nifty metal scoops, on curves of particle board, and the flowers were arranged in a shiny tin.

Greenhouse muesli scoops

My friend A had a m'oave (the result when muffins and loaves make love, as seen at SMXL) with the unusual combination of beetroot and brie. It worked.

Greenhouse beetroot and brie moave

I had a quiche with tangy pork, caramelised onion, capsicum and marmalade. Great sweet flavours and the pastry was to die for.

Pork, caramelised onion, capsicum and marmalade quiche

C's quiche had olives and zucchini. She also had a side serve of tastily-dressed salad. Nom nom nom.

Greenhouse quiche and salad

The wall behind our table was made out of punnets of strawberries. Alas people had already picked all of the vaguely ripe fruit within our grasp... :)

Greenhouse strawberries

Will be back several times over summer, methinks!

6 comments:

Jackie Middleton said...

I'm loving the unique bits that the food is served in and on, those scoops are just classic.
I wonder what happens to all these bits after the fact, I hope some cute little cafe ends up using it over a longer term. It would be a shame to recyle these.
Jack

bunchesmcginty said...

I am so in love with Greenhouse, as you know. That beetroot and brie moave makes me so jealous.

Anonymous said...

I will be sad to see this place go!
:(

my personal Fav. is the recycled furniture - very clever

They brew a decent latte too.

Lucy said...

hey Claire thanks for the link ;)

Was so lovely to finally meet the other night! Had a great night with you guys... It felt strangely just like chatting to old friends! Can't wait to read your write up... been dreaming about those morton bay bugs ever since...

Hope to cross paths again soon!

Lucy :)

Anna said...

Hm, I often walk past here now that I schlepp to Flinders Street station every afternoon. I'm thinking I really do have to go in and check it out now. Thanks!

claire said...

Hi guys, happy to see all the Greenhouse love here!

Lucy, it was an absolute pleasure to finally meet you last week! I've been writing up our dinner but am still waiting on Andy to provide me with some salient coffee siphoning details. Thanks for coming along... and I'd love to do it again in the new year! :)