Golden Child, Glen Iris

Golden Child
https://www.facebook.com/cafegoldenchild/
1-3 Bardolph St Glen Iris
9889 6969

My friend Sarah and I spent many an early morning or late afternoon at Burwood railway station. It was the running joke that this poor little center of Glen Iris was a black hole for anything interesting; and of course it was just our luck to be living there. Life has since moved on and I’ve moved away from the area. However, as soon I heard that something even remotely trendy had opened up right there I contacted Sarah and we were there for breakfast days later.

Golden Child is cashing in on a great thing; supplying commuters with their caffeine before they jump on the train and serving the highly residential area that is downtown Glen Iris their Sunday morning brunch. The space complements the area: modern, fresh but with homely touches (like rustic wooden chairs and a fruit bowl). The staff were friendly and welcoming; even to the pets who were offered their very own bowl.


The coffee is Code Black yet my caffeine aversion continues and my poison if choice was a chai; brewed in abundance with Prana chai, soy milk and just a hint of honey. The result was thick, creamy and fragrant. It was also served in a super cute pot. It’s the little touches that I enjoy.

The menu only really features one unique and interesting dish butthey have established a great build-your-own theme with both poached eggs and avocado on toast. Being in Melbourne, I can understand the focus.

Of course, I had to go with the dish I wouldn’t find anywhere else: Chinese pretzels. I still couldn’t really tell you exactly what Chinese pretzels are but my experience was a crispy, deep fried dough of a star shape. They were more a side to mop up the star of the meal. Sweetened and spiced minced meat boasted flavours of soy, ginger and chilli while the yolk of the poached egg on top oozed out to blend it together. Eat it together or separate; the flavours still work.

Even if you do go for basics, you won’t be disappointed as Sarah received perfectly poached ages accompanied by a fresh, cleansing herbed salmon tartare. Quality ingredients were evident in their simplicity.

At Golden Child, it’s about the little things: the mince served in a little blue pot, the chai with its creamy consistency, a salmon tartare you may not usually find at breakfast and indoor plants that freshen a well designed space. While they’re not looking to push any boundaries when it comes to the menu, the food is delicious. It’s great to see a cafe making that bold move into an area previously abandoned by the very idea.