Turning Point- Ripponlea

Pina Colada Smoothie Bowl

> Piña colada smoothie bowl with coconut, turmeric poached pineapple, mixed berries, toasted coconut and buckwheat granola <

After their new menu launch I was so excited to come in and actually try and shoot the new menu items for myself! There are some very unique dishes that I will be showcasing so keep an eye out for them! The service here is quite prompt and very efficient and they décor is just beautiful!

How amazing does this smoothie bowl look?! I’ve never seen anything presented more uniquely and beautifully. The concept is amazing and who doesn’t like a classic alcohol free pina colada?? The smoothie was quite thick but packed with flavour. The granola was sweet and crunchie which blended well with the texture of the smoothie. The strong coconut flavour made the meal taste exactly like the famous beverage and if you’re a fan of the drink or just coconut in general, then this is definitely a meal for you to demolish!

Avocado Smash

> Avocado smash on toasted light rye with fresh herbs, feta, house made pesto and seeds <

Regardless of the crazy dishes that you see on Instagram, smashed avo will always be the classic Melbourne go to dish for many. This one was quite thick and I really enjoyed the texture. The overall flavour was a little earthy and nutty due to the seeds and herbs, which I thoroughly enjoyed because it was not too sweet nor sour like some can be. The thick slice of toast was perfectly sized for the generous amount of avocado, however, I can definitely say this dish did defeat me!

French Toast

> French toast with spiced brioche French toast, plums, honey joys, mini cones, lemon curd, fairy floss and coconut ice cream <

When this dish came out everyone in the café stopped to stare at it. The presentation is full on but very creative. The French toast itself was however very dry. I don’t know about you but I like my French toast drenched in the egg mixture. This one just felt like it was lightly spiced on the outside solely. Nonetheless, the flavours were incredible and everything on top just made the meal even better. The mini cones are sooo good! The lemon curd inside them are irresistible and quite sweet with a bit of a tang. The coconut ice cream was great to add moisture and a contrast in flavour, however, I am not sure if it was too over powering or not. Overall, I did enjoy eating this dish but I did expect there to be a bit more moisture.

Kale and Zucchini Fritters

> Kale and zucchini fritters with pickled zucchini, celery, salad, spiced yogurt and a poached egg <

These fritters were pretty much faultless. The presentation was beautiful and the portion size was just right so long as you have a coffee to complement them. They were thick in texture and lightly crispy on the outside. The flavours were amazing. It tasted like a middle eastern feast as the spiced yogurt and cucumber blended with the texture created an almost falafel vibe. Everything about this meal was super delicious and it was probably my favourite meal out of all the dishes we tried!