When Pickle in the Middle opened its doors in Unley, I couldn't resist poking my head in to take a peek at the brightly furnished cafe with its potted plants and pickled jars lining the shelves
I recognise the store from their days at the Central Market, selling pickled condiments and toasties to the bustling crowd. On their menu now are various dishes accompanied with the same cured vegetables.
Orange vegetable soup - Sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, ginger, warm spices, Fleurieu natural yoghurt, fresh herbs, parmesan-orange croutons with a poached egg
I was taken aback by the giant bowl and the generous serving of bread sticks on the side. Give the bread a good swirl in that thick soupy goodness and you have found the most scrumptious comfort food to get you through this early wintery weather.
Eggs on Toast - with Wild Loaf organic ciabatta, Pickled Eggplant relish, avocado, and Newbury & Watson ham
He ordered the Eggs on Toast. The eggs were poached to perfection and the pickled eggplant... god the pickled eggplant... creamy and tart with a hint of sweetness that made us beg for more.
What I love most about this place is the high ceiling and open kitchen and seating. Clean, simple, and fresh. You can easily drop in and take a seat by the walls, or on a stool by the tall glass windows and pass by the hours with a book, a laptop, some papers, or a friend.
Walking into the cafe, it hardly felt like a public space full of strangers. It was like strolling into your own studio... or coming home to your beloved townhouse hidden among the quiet streets of the city. There's a calmness that settles inside you and sends you tingling with contentment as you leave.
Give this place a shot if you're in the mood for something clean and filling. Don't be put off by the lack of meat or healthy / vegan vibe from some of their dishes. They make good food. That's all they're about. They're not here to shove the protein and added fiber in your face like so many health food cafes do, they use those ingredients because they know how.
134 Unley Road, Unley, SA 5061
Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Sunday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Credits to Liam Tang for the photos, thankyou!