‘We Beat, You Eat’ is the mantra on the chalkboard in Beatrix, a small cafe on Queensberry Street in North Melbourne.
Just three tables inside with a bench across the front window and two tables on the footpath make up Beatrix.
The rest of the space is dedicated to a counter displaying delicious cakes and slices made on the premises.
Almost two years old, Beatrix keeps things very simple in terms of the menu, but the commitment to serving quality, local produce is outstanding.
Order from the blackboard menu — the room is small enough for you to read it from any angle — to the easy-going staff who readily control an occasional queue that can quickly form in the space. There are two ciabattas up on one board; we order both. These two enormous sandwiches are served on delicious ciabatta bread from Let’s A Loaf bakery in Caroline Springs. ‘The Queen Margot’ is Warialda Galloway Beef, roasted rare, with caramelised onion, gruyere and mustardy rocket leaves, and it comes in two sizes: large ($15) or small ($13.50). The other is the ‘Meat Free’ with warm ricotta from local cheese- makers That’s Amore, on fresh tomato and pesto ($10/$8.50).
The sweets are reminiscent of mum’s cooking. There’s a homemade finish to all of them, such as the caramel slice with dark chocolate and hazelnuts ($5) or the ‘Shagg’, a coconut buttercake with buttercream ($8/slice). We settle for a slice of Trez Leche ($8/slice). Traditionally, a Spanish recipe, this plain cake is soaked in three milks — evaporated, condensed and whole milks — topped with cream and fresh raspberries. It’s moist, decadent, sweet, a complete treat. With Allpress coffee — the espresso is slightly bitter but well-rounded with good cream — Beatrix is a great treat in this inner suburb.
