The Hardware Societe, Melbourne

If I ever open a cafe, it would be exactly like this. It would be casual and cosy with a romantic charm; there would be fabulous and affordable breakfast and lunch options served on pretty plates, and there would be a gorgeous display of freshly baked sweet treats.

The Hardware Societe sums up my perfect kind of cafe. Plus, the lovely service just tops it off.

Zen orders the duck confit with calaspara rice, pinenut, dill and currant pilaf and wild roquette ($17) which tastes amazing. The pilaf is fresh and vibrant and complements the hearty duck confit brilliantly.

I love my scallops and couldn’t resist having the scallops salad. There’s a generous number of plump juicyseared scallops with potato rosti, beetroot caponata, jamon and watercress ($17). It’s just so much awesomeness on this one plate!

Things get even better at the counter. There are drool-worthy trays of Danish pastry snails, croissants, canelés, macarons and more!

So of course I had to get some macarons take-away for later.

The honey and lavender flavour turns out to be the best, closely followed by the lemon, and the raspberry & vanilla.

It’s a shame The Hardware Societe is closed for the holidays, but if you’re in Melbourne after 23rd July, then don’t forget to add this quirky little cafe to your itinerary!