Di Bella

A happy little blast from my past today!
Today I met up with Bella!

happy girls!

Bells and I used to work together, what now seems like a life time ago. We shared an office space, complete with a second-story view onto Smith St, Internet-accessible computers, phone and miles and miles of files!
We would sit at our computers, alternately working and perusing the Internet for places we'd rather be (and there were so many). Each day, the other poor zombie-drones would venture over to the table in our office, to engage in socialising over lunch for a spare few minutes, then a phone would ring, a manager would fly in, an urgent request would land upon one-or-others lap and the soporific rapport would be shattered. Our stomachs would seize over our dinner leftovers and like sitting ducks we'd breathe thanks to the almighty for allowing the rest us a few more precious minutes of peace.

Suffice to say, Bells and I didn't exactly have the opportunity to relate in relaxed unbiased surrounds but here we now were, making our way to the Queen Vic Markets to share a happy morning picking over shiny cherries, plump apricots and vibrant greens. To cheer my spirit, I bought up on bunches of roses to arrange at home.

the beautiful roses of queen victoria market - a bargain at $8.50/bunch

For breakfast, we strolled to a darling North Melbourne cafe called Di Bella. A popular little venture set in a peaceful street with the quiet hum of Sunday breakfasters. Outside, a few tables upon the street, inside a humming warren of tables and efficient kitchen.

Inside DiBella cafe in North Melbourne

A short two minute wait, our table was ready, set in a sunny courtyard, overlooking a quiet pedestrian lane way. To one side, the kitchen prep area, screened off by a very domestic screen sliding door which allowed for privacy as well as viewing, if one chose to watch food being prepped - kilograms of fresh mushrooms being expertly sliced, cured ham being sliced off the bone as required for the more hearty breakfasters. Yum!

In the display case, the pastries all looked homemade. We ordered our coffees with a croissant and a muffin and we were proved right.

just a small selection of the gorgeous homemade treats available at DiBella!

The croissant light flaky pastry was a crispy delight on the outside and a haven of buttery perfection within. I refused a side serving of jam as it was absolutely perfect as is.
Bella's muffin - blueberry and white chocolate - baked in a rustic baking paper cup held a crispy top and not-too-sweet moist inner, generously dotted with blueberries and chunks of white chocolate.

The perfect accompaniments to our very good coffee.

This may sound like a redundant statement to make in Melbourne, coffee capital of Australia (heck, let's just say The Southern Hemisphere) but so many 'in' places, as i found common throughout Fitzroy, claim to be able to make coffee, then serve a thin gruel with overheated milk and old bitter grinds and a side of bad attitude.

Thank you Di Bella for your humble graciousness amidst warm efficient service and excellent made-to-order food. I will most definitely be back!