A vintage hair salon across from Malvern East’s Central Park has been transformed into an upscale sandwich shop and grocer. "This place represents the milk bar of 2025," remarks co-owner Frank Ciorciari as he stands before a display featuring high-end canned fish, spicy honey, and gourmet mayonnaise.
On his right, a shiny bowl of chestnuts rests on a farmhouse table, and to his left, buckets filled with poppies, magnolias, and sunflowers stand on the floor, awaiting their moment in a nearby living space. "The locals are well-educated," explains Ciorciari. "They enjoy eating at restaurants and appreciate high-quality ingredients. This is precisely what we believe they desire."
On Saturday, which was Breadcetera’s inaugural day, Good Food stopped by. Kids dressed in sports attire were eyeing the chocolate tarts, whereas their parents patiently awaited their coffee orders. By then, the homemade sausage rolls had all been sold out.
Ciorciari and his fellow entrepreneurs have stakes in several establishments including the wine bar Riserva located just steps away, along with Lucia which is situated in South Melbourne and Baia Di Vino found in Sandringham. "For many years we've had roots here; plus, I reside locally," remarks Ciorciari amidst handling inquiries about reservations at his eateries. He adds, "There was an opportunity we spotted for providing top-notch bread."
Breadcetera obtains its star items from three different bakeries. Blanc Bakery located in Berwick and Our Place based in Heathmont supply the breads, bagels, and focaccia. Meanwhile, the dessert pastries come from Austro Bakery situated in North Melbourne.
Purchase a loaf for takeaway, or transform it into your midday meal—perhaps try a ficelle (like a slimmer version of a baguette) filled with ham, Gruyère cheese, and sweet mustard pickles; enjoy a poached chicken salad on top-cut white bread; alternatively, you could opt for a fior di latte and tomato bagel.
Riserva is cherished for its children-eat-free promotion from 5 PM to 6 PM every day, with the wagyu bolognese being the favorite dish among patrons. "I think we'll save some of this for later; perhaps transform it into a lasagna," remarks Ciorciari. Plans include adding window benches and sidewalk seating, though the shop will continue primarily as a takeout option.
We believe folks will stop by for egg and bacon muffins as they head to their sports activities. Or perhaps, when you have a few spare moments, you might drop in just to browse around. Maybe it’s your partner’s special day, so you grab some flowers along with a little present. Our aim is to serve our local community.
Open daily 8am-4pm
399 Wattletre Road, Malvern East, instagram.com/breadcetera.etc
Other quick-pickup lunch places worth trying include
Crop
The Salad Wizard Frankie Cox has launched Crop, offering an array of salads made entirely from Victorian produce for both lunch and dinner. Much like his previous venture in Cremorne, customers at Crop can opt for one of their signature salads—such as my preferred choice: a wintery miso featuring sweet potatoes, red cabbage, and a crispy seaweed topping—or they can create their own custom bowls by selecting various greens, add-ons, textures, and dressing options based on personal preference.
291 Smith Street, Fitzroy, cropkitchen.au
Foti and Friends
Suzie Posnakidis realised she was still serving her son, Foti, and his buddies regardless of her protein bar enterprise. So, she decided to sell her business to channel her genuine warmth into opening a café and delicatessen instead. Named "Foti & Friends," this charming establishment has been up and running since March, providing customers with an array of traditional Greek meals both for dining in and takeaway options. Each week brings fresh selections such as roasted chicken paired with lemon-infused potatoes every Tuesday, followed by hearty stuffed peppers served on Fridays. Constantly buzzing with activity, their kitchen churns out delicious treats like spinach pie alongside delectable sweets daily.
59 Cardigan Place, Albert Park, instagram.com/fotiandfriendscafe
