Sagra salutes the season with a new breakfast menu
In Italy, local food is celebrated at a ‘Sagra’ festival. Here in Malvern a restaurant with the same name salutes modern Italian fare through the launch of a new breakfast menu. And mamma mia, it’s good!
Step off Glenferrie Road into Sagra and you’ll be captivated by this beautiful venue. The walls are colourful, the ceilings high and the kitchen is open. Your sense of smell will go into overdrive as you catch a whiff of delicious dishes being prepared right in front of you. Listen for the sizzle of bacon and watch as the chefs create their morning masterpieces, promising a breakfast to remember.
I take a seat at the three story venue and ask myself: ‘Do I feel like something sweet or savoury, healthy or naughty? I don’t ponder too long before I utter ‘Bring me pancakes, please!’ Conveniently, that’s the very name of the ricotta pancakes dish on the menu, which is topped with rhubarb, crystallised white chocolate, freeze dried raspberries and maple gelato. It’s heaven on a plate and by far the ‘bella’ dish at Sagra.
Another sweet dish to lift your mood any day of the week is the ‘Chia me up’. The combination of Greek yoghurt and chia panacotta, superfood granola, citrus, passionfruit and kiwi will have you walking out the door grinning with goodness.
For a hearty savoury option, the ‘Cassoulet Me’ is a standout choice. Two poached eggs are served on top of slow cooked beans, lardons and apple cider vinegar hollandaise with toasted Sagra housemade bread.
Piled generously on the ‘Grains and ‘Gumes’ plate is black quinoa, chickpeas, baby lentils, freekah, red rice, roasted pumpkin, pomegranate, goats curd, roasted pistachios, fresh herbs and spinach. Don’t you feel healthier just reading the list of ingredients?
For something a little more spicy opt for ‘The Sometimes Eggs you Want Always’. This dish of two poached eggs with yoghurt, chilli beurre noisette and dukkah with char grilled Sagra house made bread really hits the spot.
Don’t wait too long to try out their current breakfast offering though. Sagra uses fresh, seasonal ingredients which means a constantly changing menu. Hello surprises!
The drinks menu is as extensive as the food menu. Think coffee and hot chocolate, with a special blend and served with house made vanilla bean marshmallows – yum! Or if you want to get the party started early, go for a blood orange mimosa or an orange marmalade martini.
Just when you think Sagra can’t get any better, make your way upstairs to the gallery space where the current exhibition allows you to expand your tastes beyond the plate. Head further upstairs and order up a cocktail at the rooftop bar which is perfect for happy hour or private functions. With the floor to ceiling glass windows and impressive views, it really is a picturesque setting.
Before you leave, treat yourself (again) to some cheese and wine from the in-house food and wine store where you can take your pick from a selection of delicious treats and have your very own ‘Sagra’ at home.
Sagra
256-258 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
Tue-Thur 8am-10pm,
Fri-Sat 8am-12am,
Sunday 8am-10pm
www.sagra.com.au