L'affare Melrose

Overview

The first time I went to L'affare Melrose was two weekends ago on a Saturday afternoon. The excitement of brunching in this new eatery with my daily dose of caffeine served by infamous coffee pundits was – no exaggeration - the only thing I was looking forward to since hump day. Arriving in shades, sneakers and mum jeans at 2.30pm for a belated breakfast, I was more than ready to take on a massive feed. Only for my world to be shattered as the kitchen had closed. Dumbfounded, I found consolation at an Asian food court that I can't even pin to make a return visit.

Second time round, we finally made it on the following Saturday morning. We pondered over the menu thoroughly, weighing the options and really asking ourselves what we wanted as if our happiness depended on it. We ordered the coffee-rubbed cheeseburger with provolone and fries ($19) and the Cornbread French toast with caramelized banana, maple cream with bacon ($16) only to call back the lovely waitress and order whatever the girl next to me in athleisure was munching - the truffle scramble on toast ($9) with extra avocado ($4) and prosciutto ($5).

The kitchen was slammed – we waited patiently listening to the envious whispers while I twirled the stick of Whittakers chocolate into a hot mochaccino. During this quaint moment in gastronomic history, I took time to appreciate the sleek industrial interior with its ultra high ceiling and extra long bar to match. Brass, timber, black steel, skylights, exposed trusses and services and those insane light fixtures made this eatery's architecture so on trend. I also took a nod to how athleisure is infiltrating the fashion world and our wardrobes. Apparently, it's not just sartorial inspo that Alexander Wang offered, it's something that women are donning like the Jenners – the young'un attendees at this joint know what's in.

The food arrives, an Instagram is Instagrammed and it's time for the final verdict – we nod in silent agreement, 'mmm yes'. The beef pattie is as thick as the length of a baby's finger and the cheese is out of this world; provolone is my new romantic interest. And the first bite of the truffle scramble? Intense. This dish is not for the light-hearted – it will stump even the most indulgent gluttons. At this point, the fries are untouched after the mammoth burger and I've consumed as much truffle scramble my mind and body can handle and hold; "full" is an understatement. Perhaps, one of us should have opted for a salad.