It’s not too often I venture into the southern suburbs, so I want to make it count. When I was meeting my parents in the area, I did a little homework to see where we should head for lunch. Now I’ll always choose something tasty or trendy. I thought I might be able to tick both of these boxes at Nic and Kolo, a café on the leafy Ardross Street in Applecross. The contemporary café is very minimalist and chic, with it’s soft oak timbers, grey finishes and marble detailing, set off by a brilliant blue feature wall. There’s seating outside too, where you can watch the world go by in the shade.

The brunch menu is an all day affair, and so I’m faced with all sorts of possibilities. All of us being caffeine lightweights (no coffee after noon) we ditched the coffee in favour of water. In the end I felt like something healthy and light, choosing the acai bowl ($15.50) with seasonal fruits and coastal crunch granola. It was a darn good smoothie bowl. Healthy food can be tasty… sometimes! 😉

Mum chose the fish of the day ($34). The barramundi was well cooked and my Mum liked the dish, though the fennel was under cooked and she struggled with cutting it with her knife.

My Dad picked the pan roasted gnocchi ($27), which was plated beautifully with spinach puree, delicapra and mushrooms. He really enjoyed this pillowy gnocchi dish.

And of course, their token bowl of chips… Whenever I dine with my parent’s they have to order a side of chippies, the chunkier the better. I think it’s their secret yardstick for rating an eatery! These chips and aioli ($7.50) seemed to pass.

Nic and Kolo is a nice little spot for brunch. I did find it a little on the pricier side, which might have had something to do with it’s location. The food was well cooked and presented, the service was fine. If I was a “Southie”, I’d go again, for sure.