~ Curious Charlie ~

Heavenly Delights By Josephine @ Thursday, December 29, 2016

Friday 9th December

By Josephine has been on our to eat list for years! Though located half an hour up north out of the city it was a bit to travel, until we moved up to North Melbourne, while renovating. We finally stopped by the week before the move back home. By then they didn't have the lavender creme brulee, as they did back years ago when we heard about them.

A very bright, white and clear interior reflect those of the modern cafes, highlighting the cabinet of treats and pops of colour. We've been to limbo and hell though never a place that reflected the brightness of heaven! This would be a lovely place to have a party! A crafternoon and high tea party that is.

I read some of the girls said that Josephine has a french vibe, though there wasn't any music playing when we were there, and there weren't any snobby people around for a late Friday lunch, plus we've never been to Paris (nor is it on the to see list) and so I don't really know.

Salted Caramel Drink $5

Made with Josephine's own salted butter it was very different from the norm! Creamy and salted, with a sweet butterly taste it wasn't very sweet at it! But rather creamy and salty, but not in a bad way, just different. We love the cute paper straws! You don't see those working at the bar.

Arriving for a late lunch we were drawn to the specials menu, through being quite indecisive and ordered the soup of the day.

Soup of the Day - Zucchini & Cumin Soup with Olive Oil Croutons $10

I've never had zuchini soup before, and this was delicious! Served hot, as it should always be there was a great balance of flavours that complimented each other. The croutons were baguette slices baked quite hard and painted with olive oil. Perhaps you were meant to soak them in the soup? Super crunchy though almost a bit too hard for me. The serving size was generous for the price and reputation and it was very filling. I love soup, even in summer.

We do love pastries... but the heath soup was to counter what was to come. :P

Everything looks so good... we'll have to save it for next time though, as we're here for the creme brulee. On prices macarons are on the smaller side and $2.70 each, while desserts range from $4 to $7. For the full in-the-glass thing dessert range and descriptions, you can see that here. Isn't it awesome that Josephine delivers? I do hope the office is within range!

Josephine has a background in floristry and you could see that influence in the macarons with floral flavous like rosewater, orange blossom, and violette. Smoked chocolate sounds great too! So does peppermint dark choc! So many choices, but I can only pick one today.

Lunchtime dessert picks! Flowers for mr jas, pen from wireless.

Rosemary Creme Brulee $6

The brulee is what we're really here for, infusions in creme brulee a twist on a classic french dessert, the one dessert my mother used to make (she's a heath lecturer gone rouge). This is the dessert that we'd served at the wedding, if we weren't already serving wedding cake.

The rosemary compliments the custard and you could really taste it without being overpowering. Delicious! My only compliant is that it was tiny! Only about 1cm in depth, the least value for money dessert I've ever had. We need more. Please refer to Brulee Cart for the desired serving size.

It's so bright and airy in here! Like brunch places, but we're night owls. :P

To complete the visit to a french cafe we simply must have a macaron! So many flavours... there was a small packet of assorted minis for $10 that I so very much regret not buying. We went for the raspberry pistachio as it was the last one, and a combo I've never had before.

It was perfect! The texture, the flavours predominately pistachio but with a just a little raspberry jam for tartness. Once again it was small, but oh so delicious! In hindsight we should have taken the picture with a coin for size.

How lovely is this window display? I see a lot of strange selfies taken beside it...

Serve was very friendly, and the bill came to $24-ish for a great lunch, one of the best! We'd love to return occasionally for lunch and dessert! I can see this place being a local favourite, and being packed on the weekend!

They also do high tea, which I look forwards to returning for, for my birthday.

Have you been to Josephine's? What's your favourite dessert?