Tree of Us - Cafe Sensation in North Richmond
Tree of Us is a cafe/restaurant sensation in North Richmond started by three primary school friends. This culture, fashion and Melbourne food blog is always looking for a cafe that stands out from the pack. Tree of Us is a breath of fresh air with its understated charm and foodie gourmet excellence.
Started by three friends who went to Primary School on the Mornington Peninsular together, there is a sense of destiny and romance about this place. To be honest I don't even have one friend from Primary School. It was too long ago and I have no idea where they are now. Certainly none of my Primary School friends were ex chefs at Rockpool that I know of. Shaun is a top chef ex Rockpool and brings imagination, flair and skill to the kitchen.
Tree of Us is visually appealing and has a cool ambience. Check out the incredible street art along the side of the building by artist Putos, who has a great skill in painting animals street art style.
Tree of Us has a modern inviting fit out with hanging plants, elegant timber chairs and tables, tiled floor and ochre material against the white walls. The space on the footpath is inviting on a summers day. Soon they will launch a courtyard area out the back - I had a look at the progress and it looks promising with decking and enough seating for another 15 or so.
Tree of Us has a menu that brims with fine dining options at reasonable prices. It is clearly more than the usual cafe fare. For breakfast try out the Lentil, wild field mushrooms and poached egg stack or Tree toasties including the BLAT. Or go for the Smoked salmon with beetroot and avocado roquette salad on light rye or the soon-to-be famous Breaky Burger with bacon, sauasage, egg, hash brown and tomato relish. Or check out the Omelette with mushrooms, spinach, goat's cheese and thyme. The Tree Trunk breaky is large and gourmet.
For lunch Tree of Us serves some of the best burgers in Melbourne. I chose the Steak Burger for $16 which included brioche buns that inspired from Noisettes, an incredible organic juicy steak from Berties Butcher nearby, caramelised onion, swiss cheese melted over the top, crispy bacon and a kick butt tomato relish. You can see from the picture this baby was delectable!
The Fish Burger is also getting rave reviews and includes crumbed Rockling.
Tree of Us has an exciting dinner menu which is thrilling locals. Come along for Grass fed Scotch fillet with horsereadish cream, witlof and corella pear salad or some Coq a la Biere (chicken cooked in beer). Or choose the amazing Oyster porcini field mushroom risotto. At night the staff put out the tea lights for a cosy intimate atmosphere. Locals are also coming along just for cake and coffee.
Tree of Us pours some great coffee, with coffee sourced from Fair Trade Atomica in Brunswick.
The cakes and salads at Tree of Us are also wonderfully gourmet.
Service at Tree of Us is friendly, personable and engaging. Christian, Anna and Shaun are charming and passionate foodies.
When I visited on a Saturday afternoon it was ideallic with cool jazz playing, laughter from conversations at tables and the cafe filled with natural light on a sunny Melbourne day.
I enjoyed the modern menu board and enticing display cabinet.
Tree of Us is an exciting foodie and sustainable cafe restaurant in the north part of Richmond that I intend to visit again soon. I still dream about that Steak Burger.
Several Melbourne food blogs have given Tree of Us rave reviews. Tree of Us is an exciting new addition to Richmond.
Check out their Facebook page.