The team from popular Collingwood cafe Terror Twilight are bringing queue-worthy breakfasts further north with the opening today of their fourth venue, Convoy, opposite Queens Park in Moonee Ponds.
The spacious corner site is fronted by an L-shaped deck that catches the morning sun, with a takeaway window ready to fuel park- and pool-goers with coffee, sandwiches and snacks.
Serious cafe fanatics can order everything from sweet potato pancakes inspired by cinnamon scrolls to Turkish eggs with lemon yoghurt and black pudding or an English muffin packed with curried scrambled eggs, bacon and pickles. Later in the day, a prawn roll with crisp iceberg and celery beckons.
The cafe is surrounded by an outdoor deck and Queens Park and its swimming pool are across the road. Photo: My Friend Tom
Inside, the 100-year-old building with bullnose verandahs has been kitted out with houndstooth banquettes, spotted gum joinery and orange leather upholstery by Studio Esteta, whose other work includes Lune Croissanterie and Via Porta.
Despite the large footprint – 65 seats inside and 70 outside – the space feels warm, with intimate pockets created by shelves and screening.
The prize seat might be in the semi-private room with Mediterranean-inspired floor tiles and bifold doors that open onto the deck. Co-owner Kieran Spiteri says this will help with the many booking requests they get for birthday brunches and baby showers.
A prawn roll on a milk bun is one of the lunch-friendly dishes. Photo: My Friend Tom
He and his team say that Moonee Ponds has plenty of cafes, but few with a point of difference. They also chose the area because of personal connections: partner Ben Argentino grew up there while Spiteri’s first job was at the teahouse in Queens Park.
Open Mon-Sun 7am-4pm
109 Pascoe Vale Road, Moonee Ponds, convoymooneeponds.com.au
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