With love from New York to Melbourne.

Our experience

Fact: cafes open in Melbourne more frequently than the sun shines. Fiction: all Melbourne cafes are fabulous. Hoards will run to the newest cafe on the block, but more often than not, the “new” is offering the “same old, same old.” Different location, different name, same same same. Trot up one of Melbourne’s many laneways and you are bound to fall into a hidden cafe. A new cafe brought to you by the same people behind the perpetual cafe sunshine that is Hardware Societe, Bowery to WIlliamsburg is yet another Melbourne cafe. Located in a laneway, an industrial-chic fit-out, communal tables, alfresco seating, chalkboard menus, coffee aromas wafting up and up. Same same same. Much has been written about Bowery to Williamsburg — its Jewish-accented menus, its NY subway inspiration.Yet, if you weren’t an avid reader of the newspaper food columns or of the countless food blogs, you would be hard-pressed to distinguish it from other Melbourne cafes. Yes,much has been written, nothing has been really said. And most definitely, hardly any word has gotten out of what we believe to be Bowery to Williamsburg’s star dish…

These Dessert Correspondents present to you…the Fried Challah ($17) – a tower of honeyed bread, roasted pear and the most terribly addictive caramel popcorn-embedded whipped peanut butter topping. Do you fill your teeth or waistline protesting? Heed not, indulge away.

If your sweet tooth is like ours, and you are still not sated, then turn your beady eyes to the pastry and cake counter that is tuned to the American anthem. Oh yes, the Pecan Pie is so worth your time, though the Chocolate Brownie is a bit too dry for our liking and the S-more is a disappointing rocky-road slice by any other name.

Our verdict

Melbourne may not need another cafe, but it is certainly in the need of cafes that offers sweet breakfasts. And aren’t we glad that we have found another!

Dessert adventure checklist

1. ☑ Dessert destination: Bowery to Williamsburg Cafe, 16 Oliver Lane, off Flinders Lane/Street, Melbourne CBD, Vic 3000.
2. ☑ Budget: $.
3. ☑ Sweet irresistibles: Sweet breakfast, and cake.
4. ☑ Must-eat: The “Fried Challah.”
5. ☑ The short and sweet story: With love from New York to Melbourne.