Itera

By the couple behind cult-favourite gluten-free bakery Kudo on Little Collins Street, this triple-threat venue combines a takeaway bakery, a shop for quality pantry essentials and a 26-seat cafe. Itera is the first solo venture for former Sunda pastry chef Felix Goodwin and his partner Elena Nguyen.

It’s not your average brunch fare, either, with ex- Society chef Kelvin Ong bringing a touch of restaurant finesse to the new menu. Opening dishes include cheesy corn and gruyere rarebit with Vegemite butter, and hulking crumbed prawn patties stuffed into brioche buns with cod roe mayo. Flaky chicken congee pot pies pay homage to both Nguyen’s Vietnamese heritage and the pies Goodwin once baked when working at hatted St Kilda institution Donovan’s.

Kudo’s famous caneles – small eggy cakes baked in fluted moulds – have also joined the line-up, filled with gooey custard. Choose from pandan and taro or star anise and coffee, among other rotating flavours. Creativity extends to the drinks, where signature matcha and coffee drinks are topped with salted cold foam.

Good to know: Every item – from bread to pastries and cakes – is gluten-free. But you wouldn’t know it.

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