Frank and Ginger

Overview

Caulfield is one of those suburbs you don't hear much about. In fact, one could probably enter their early thirties without even so much as a visit to the south-eastern neighbourhood. But we've got a feeling that's changing, fast. Last year saw Tuck Shop Take Away lure burger-lovers into the area, and now Caulfield looks like it has its very own destination-worth cafe to match.

It doesn't take a practiced cafe-spotting savant to hunt down Frank and Ginger. Drive down Alma Road, heading away from St Kilda and towards Caulfield North, and you won't be able to miss it — not because of the size of the cafe, but because it's the only one around. The residential surroundings mean it's easy to get a park, but you'll definitely have to jostle a local or two for a seat on the weekend.

But you've got to expect some jostling when there's brunch involved. Fight for your right to hoe into a giant bowl of oaty granola served with fresh fruit and lavender-infused yoghurt ($12) and/or a breakie bagel with all the good stuff ($10). It's worth it.

The menu is familiar but there's enough to irk your interest. We'd recommend ditching the regular avocado mash for the spicy pumpkin and feta. Served with pumpkin toast, hummus, beetroot relish and poached eggs ($15), it's a great dish with loads of taste and texture. There's also a morning salad with avo, tomato, mint, haloumi and a poached egg that might actually bring you around to the idea of eating a salad for breakfast ($15).

The space is small but it packs more seats than you'd expect, which increases your chances of getting a table as well as knocking elbows with the diner beside and behind you. Maybe two less tables would make things a bit less intense. If it's looking a bit tight, takeaway might be your saviour. The Maling Room coffee tastes just as good out as it does in, as do their lemongrass and ginger bahn mi ($12).

With only a month's service under their belt, Frank and Ginger are doing well to manage both the eat-in brunchers and drop-by passersby looking for something to take with them. By the looks of things, Caulfield locals are heaving a sigh of joy. The trans-suburb Sunday morning pilgrimage is over — they have their own local now.