When The Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, Lilac Wine, Liminal) announced it was opening two new venues in Abbotsford, we immediately felt impatient to try them both out. That's because the team behind the new spots — named Molli and Little Molli — are absolute pros who've been at the forefront of Melbourne's hospo scene for decades. Even though he doesn't own them now, The Mulberry Group's founder Nathan Toleman was the brains behind Three Bags Full, Top Paddock, The Kettle Black and Higher Ground, which are still among Melbourne's best brunch spots. Meanwhile, Hazel makes our list of the best restaurants in Melbourne, Dessous is one of the city's top bars and Lilac Wine makes a strong case for our favourite Melbourne wine bar. With such excellent credentials, the expectations for Molli and Little Molli were incredibly high. And the Mulberry Group seems to have absolutely delivered with both. Little Molli is a deli and cafe, open from 8am–5pm every day of the week and serving a regularly rotating selection of loaded sandwiches on To Be Frank focaccia and ciabatta, fresh pastries from Backhaus Bakery, as well as coffee from Square One Coffee Roasters. Cured meats, cheeses and a huge spread of antipasti fill the deli cabinet, available for you to take home or have in — either on one of the tables inside or out on the tree-lined street. Mini martinis and wines are even available for those seeking to fashion their own aperitivo sessions.
