Monk Bodhi Dharma - Excellent food, average service

D & I got up early this morning & drove across town to Monk Bodhi Dharma in St Kilda. We have been there once before, just after it opened & had a pleasant breakfast. However, last week I read this review & decided we had to go back. The first time we had tried it, there were only a couple of vegan breakfast options on the menu - the beans & the muesli (or it could have been the porridge). I had the beans & they were nice, but didn't blow me away. When I read that the vegan options had multiplied (plus there is vegan cupcakes), I knew I had to go back.

We arrived just before 9 & it was already pretty full, so we nabbed the last table. Unfortunately it was next to the door & extremely cramped, so it wasn't the most comfortable spot. Plus, every time the door opened I copped a blast of freezing air & an inevitable handbag or elbow to the head. Granted, we chose to sit there, but it does annoy me a little when tables are so squashed together like that.

The couple next to us had walked in about 30 seconds before us & the waitress visited them & pointed out something that wasn't available on the menu. She then threw a couple of menus on our table & walked away without looking at us, so I have no idea what it was that wasn't available. Thankfully, she came back a few minutes later & took our coffee order. The coffee is nice - strong, nutty & hot. D doesn't like it much, but I'm definitely happy with the soy lattes.

After reading the menu & happily noticing that most items now have a 'v' denoting veganisable items, I decided to go with the french toast. Then we waited... and waited. The couple next to us (who had ordered at the same time) got their meal & a second round of coffee, and left. And still we waited. No-one approached us for 40 minutes, then finally, our meals arrived & we ordered a second round of coffee. Now, I don't mind a leisurely Sunday breakfast, but I do get annoyed when I'm ignored (I mean, it would be in their interest to serve us more coffee wouldn't it?); and the fact that our neighbours were served in a fairly timely manner irked me a little as well.

The meals are special, I'll give them that.

I had the french toast - veganised. This came with poached pears, bay leaf syrup & a pistachio-lemon cream cheese (based on tofutti I guess, not really sure). It was divine, perfectly cooked (& a pretty full-on sugar hit for me, especially after last night's pudding). The cream cheese really made the meal.

D had the 'Avo' - avocado, fetta, mint & chilli on sourdough. He thought it was OK, but wasn't a big fan (to be fair - he's used to heavier meals based on eggs or tofu on the weekends).

I noticed that there are quite a few vegan desserts on offer here, but unfortunately there was no way I could go there after such a sweet meal. I can remember seeing 2 types of cupcake (gingerbread & rosewater/pistachio), pecan brownies & chocolate chip cookies.

By the time our meals arrived we only had 15 minutes left on our parking, so we ate quickly & left. Overall, not a relaxing Sunday breakfast, and, while the food is great & the coffee is good, I'm not sure we will drive across town to make a special trip here again.