Mirepoix Fine Foods, Meredith (Victoria, Australia)

Being fifty-something, I know the value of making a snap decision when you spy an A-frame promo sign. How else do you get to suss out new things?

This afternoon, when Mr P and I went in search of a cuppa after a bush walk in the Steiglitz Historic Park, we drove 10km up the road to Meredith, a small on-the-highway town with a couple of pubs and takeaway places likely to be open on this Easter holiday.

Then I spotted the A-frame boasting “gourmet coffee” and arrowing off the highway. Mr P executed a scenic blockie and we arrived at Mirepoix Fine Foods, with its colourful flags aflying and its little lace-trimmed door akimbo. We’re so glad we did.

Mirepoix is a newbie, only about 2 months old, and housed in a period style home. It has a quirky English-tearooms-come-nanna’s-front-room vibe. Think: leadlight bay windows, dark tea-for-two tables and chairs, ruby red decor accents, lace, more lace, floral carpet and chandeliers. I know. I know. But it works. And it’s a refreshing change to the industrial-come-skandi interiors of most other new eateries we’re seeing.

Behind the jump today was a lovely lady (of a certain age) with a beautiful lilting voice and a smile bigger than Texas. She knew her stuff and was happy not just to serve, but to guide menu choices and chatter.

We found ourselves adding a MirepoixTasting Platter to our coffee order. Why not? Locally made free-range small goods, Meredith Goats Cheese, grilled kransky bites, housemade terrine, dip, daily salad and antipasto including pickled beetroot, with chunky sourdough bread. All for $16.50. (They’d run out of terrine so we opted for a changeout of spinach and bacon quiche. There’s also a vegetarian option with stuffed mushroom.)

The platter was fresh, tasty and generous.

The counter area groans with fresh baked goods and sweet indulgences. Today I spied honey joys (yes, honey joys!), muffins and slices. Mr P vacillated (endlessly) before deciding on a coffee and walnut muffin, while I honed in on the tea selection, singling out a peppermint tea, which came served in a lovely, larger-than-expected glass teapot.

The menu brims with local, fresh produce and is boosted with daily specials. It’s high-value with extremely reasonable pricing and generous servings.

Choices include:
Corn fritters with a fresh avocado salsa and house made relish and side salad ($12.50 or $15 with a bacon side)
Sourdough toasties with various fillings ($6 – $8.50)
Bruschetta – sourdough toast smeared with olive oil and garlic, with diced tomato, red onion and fresh basil ($8 or $9 with fetta)
Eggs Benedict with wicked lashings of house made hollandaise sauce ($12).

We’re planning a return visit soon and highly recommend you give this little gem a try yourself. Especially if you love the sound of cheerful (sometimes singing) staff emanating from the kitchen while you chow down.

Can’t think of a better spot to stop when you’re travelling between Geelong and Ballarat, even if just for a coffee. Best to plan for an upgrade to a snack or even lunch, though. You won’t regret it.

Look for the A-frame on the highway.

mirepoix: [mir -pwah] a flavoring made from diced vegetables, seasonings, herbs, andsometimes meat, often placed in a pan to cook with meat or fish.