As a food blogger, I often find myself at a lost as to where to eat.
I know. I’m probably the last person you would think would be stuck at the eternally annoying question, “Where shall we eat?”
Sometimes, it’s not so much of not knowing, but that my wish list of places to visit is that long, that I get stuck.
Luckily, I also have great work colleagues who in their glee of being associated with someone in the food blogging world, will update me constantly on the places they think I should visit.
One day, as I dragged my feet to my work desk on a particularly slow Monday morning, I happened to glimpse a business card with Tom Phat’s details (this happens to me quite a lot, people just leave restaurant cards at my desk, voicemail, or emails).
Curious, I asked who had left it there, and surprisingly, no one answered. I peered around my cubicle to ask the question again, “OIII, who left this here?”
Alas, it happened that I was speaking to myself, as everyone had left to go to a team meeting which I completely forgot about. I hate Mondays.
However, due to this, I always remembered Tom Phat.
So as a Monday morning pick-me up, read this post with a smile 🙂
*Note – In case you were wondering, I didn’t get into trouble by being late to the meeting 😛
So as I was saying, one weekend, the Boy and I were at a lost as to where to head to for breakfast.
By chance, I had the business card my mysterious work colleague left for me for Tom Phat, and suggested to the Boy that we should head there.
He couldn’t think of any reason to say now, and happily drove me there 🙂
As we arrived, I wasn’t too sure if I was in the right place.
I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was definitely not a cool hip joint with funky music blaring on the speakers.
However, noticing that a queue was forming, my inner Asian surfaced.
I would stay in queue and question if we were in the right location later 😛
We stared at the menu for a while, and I decided that I’d go with one of the specials of the day. Which was completely Paleo (if you ignored the sugar content :P)
So it was that I had the Asian Herb Omelette with Crispy White Bait & Tomato Nam Jin ($15.90), from the daily special’s board.
It was just so delicious!
The balance of flavours was so right, sweet, salty, tangy, and zesty.
I had to eat the white bait quickly as I didn’t want it to get too soggy with the delicious Nam Jin sauce.
Definitely a refreshing breakfast dish.
The Boy ordered Uncle Ho’s Brekky with Grilled Pork Chop, Crispy Fried Egg, Tomato, Cucumber & Rice ($15.90), which he seemed to quite enjoy as well.
Crispy fried egg and a well-seasoned pork chop was definitely what he needed for the morning.
It may seem strange to some that he had rice for breakfast, but trust me, it’s quite the norm for Asians to eat a heavy carb based meal for breakfast (or any meal for that matter!)
All in all, I rather enjoyed myself dining at this quirky restaurant.
I also took note that they don’t only cater to the breakfast crowds (yayy!) but are open until 11.00pm from Wednesday to Sunday!
Would I make a return visit? Sure thing, good “fusion” Asian food is something I look forward to every now and then.
Dine with an open mind 🙂
So tell me dear readers, what questions stump you the most even when it’s not suppose to?
*Disclaimer: All food ratings & review are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality at the time of visit
Food/ Cuisine: South-East Asian (mainly Vietnamese & Thai)
Dining Style:Â Cafe
Overall Food Rating (Based on the Dining style): 7.25/10
Restaurant ambiance:Â 7/10
Service/ Attitude: 7/10
Value for money: 7/10 (It is a little pricey in terms of Asian fare, but they were going with the fusion flavour, so the pricing is on par with most cafes)
Opening Hours:
Wednesday to Friday, 11:00am – 11:00pm
Saturday to Sunday, 8.00am – 11:00pm
Address:
184 Sydney Rd
Brunswick VIC 3056
Tel:Â (03)Â 9381 2374
Website:Â http://www.tomphat.com.au/
How to get there:
I LOVE the idea of this. Takes me back to thailand. Sometimes rice for breakfast is just what I need. Right now my brain is fuzzy and I’m stumped by your question even though it makes sense and I shouldn’t be haha. My brain hurts.
Heidi xo
Really? I never make sense though, Heidi!!!
The dinner there wasn’t too bad too. But I liked how interesting the breakfast offerings look! No poached eggs, waw! Do they serve coffees?
Yes they do, but I can’t say they were memorable…
well nice to see something out of the blue, asian fusion breakfast, thats a first..must put this down under “the breakfast places to try list”
Yup! Definitely a must visit 🙂
Wow certainly a change from the usual breakfast fare. I agree that I am often stumped with where to eat but like you my wish list is sooo long that it makes it hard!
Uhuh! Indeed that is 🙂
Ooh this looks delicious! An interesting breakfast choice yet definitely one I’m familiar with. I can’t wait to give it a try x
That it certainly is. We Asians breath rice 🙂
Hehe that’s so funny how people leave business cards on your desk for places! I love it when readers email me recommendations!
They do they do! hahahaa.. it’s quite hilarious!
“What’s your favourite chocolate?” = IMPOSSIBLE.
Teehee, you have restaurant recommendations fairies!! You’re such a superstar 😀
That’s an omelette I would try. Just don’t ever feed my kidney omelettes again. *shudder*
Feed your kidney omelettes???? WHAT???
BAHAHA! Oh my god! “feed ME kidney omelettes”. BAHAHA!!!!
You are delusional!
Ooh this is near tram stop 19!
I meant tram 19 line…
Hahahah you dork 😛
Dear Ms I-Hua,
I have stopped pondering about where to eat for quite some time now. I find that it’s always more satisfying to ask “what do I feel like eating” and hence not be dictated by a restaurant venue but rather what dishes would appeal on the day 🙂
That is a much better question! But I get stuck on that too because I want to eat everything!
Mmm, the breakfast does look good! I went for dinner and was a little bit underwhelmed…maybe breakkie is a different matter though 🙂
I am always stuck on ‘where to go’ as well too. So terrible, must always consult urbanspoon wishlist first!
I love breakfasts though. I hardly eat much during dinner times anymore… I find that I sleep better 😛
I got to check this place out before I left…. nice and different.
It is isn’t it? I miss you!
That’s a gr8 breakfast idea !! THank you so much for sharing !!
You are welcome!
It’s the mysterious restaurant business card stalker *do dooo oohh oooooh*
Tom Phat has the best salads when your trying to eat clean 🙂 the soft shell crab sald is to die for.
good asian herbs are really delicious and with this