Rankins Lane graffiti
Let me preface this blog post by saying I don’t really eat bagels. And more to the point, prior to our visit to Manchester Press I had only ever eaten one half of a bagel (albeit from the amazing Russ and Daughters in NYC). Now that’s out of the way I would like to say I have no hard feelings against bagels. They are just something that never seem to be around. I’ve never really had a thing for breakfast either so the chances of breakfast and bagels ever happening were slim. Lex had other ideas.
Strong Latte ($4.00).
After our brisk 20 minute walk from the hotel I didn’t really care what was on the menu other than coffee. Being a cafe I was in luck and as soon as we were seated I ordered a strong latte. It was a solid coffee, and it went down ever so well, smooth considering it was a double.
Strong Latte
Open bagel – Grilled chorizo, tasty cheese, sliced tomato, roasted capsicum and tomato relish ($13.00).
If I was going to be joining the bagel eating world I thought I should go all out, and chorizo is a pretty good way to say hello. There were a few open bagels in my sights but cheese and chorizo seemed to be the way to go.
Right away it was the smoky chorizo that hit me followed by sweet marinated capsicum. Rich melted cheese and fresh tomato are a flavour marriage for the ages and it was this combination that really saved the bagel as the capsicum became quite dominant and almost too much to handle. As for the bagel it was easily in my top 3 😉
Open bagel – Grilled chorizo, tasty cheese, sliced tomato, roasted capsicum and tomato relish
Open bagel – avocado and feta smash with chilli, coriander, lime and baby corn ($14.00).
Compared to the big hitting chorizo it seemed our other choice of the avocado bagel was at the opposite end of the spectrum. Quite obviously a Lex influenced choice it was one I thought sounded nice but I also suspected it would be lacking somehow.
As does happen quite regularly my misgivings for a Lex choice were unfounded. This bagel had it all, super fresh velvety avocado smashed together with creamy feta, baby corn bursting with savoury sweetness and a hint of lime and coriander to help liven it up a little more. We both loved the combination and what really elevated the dish was the chilli. Again the bagel was great but we both agreed the sesame bagel smashed poppy out of the park.
Open bagel – avocado and feta smash with chilli, coriander, lime and baby corn
Manchester Press has a great offering… if bagels are your thing. Their coffee is rather spectacular too. While still not a complete bagel convert I can now see their charm.
Manchester Press
Manchester Press
8 Rankins Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9600 4054
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