Duchess of Spotswood

87 Hudsons Rd
Spotswood, VIC 3015

03 9391 6016

I'm starting to get a little tired of reading reviews on Duchess of Spotswood and about how surprised people are that there is a decent eatery in the western suburbs. Fine, I'll admit that maybe we don't have as many fine dining restaurants, or funky bars and cafes as you may find over the other side of town, but I hadn't realised that the west was meant to be a wasteland, or that there was some sort of invisible gastronomic border control that supposedly hadn't allowed ANY good restaurants , bars or cafes in. It is still Melbourne, it's not the western suburbs of Chernobyl. With that in mind, thank you Duchess of Spotswood for doing so well that it is allowing those on the other side of Westgate to feel brave enough to venture out to our side of the world.

Situated along a small shopping strip in Spotswood, it is actually quite easy to miss the Duchess. An aspect of the place that I adore. It's not gaudy and doesn't have that 'look at me' attitude of some it's inner-south counterparts(yes I said it). It is subtle and discreet, with huge windows that let in the beautiful morning light, and upon each table is a posy of fresh flowers. Effortlessly inviting. 

From the moment I entered I felt at ease here. Maybe it was the bright and simple decor, or the smiling faces from both staff and customers, or maybe it was because I was amongst my people. I don't know, but it was warm and welcoming with the most enchanting breakfast smells wafting in the air. The staff are kind, friendly, they seem to know and are proud of their entire menu and boy are they a chic looking bunch. I almost fell in love with all of them. 

I know that if you are a weekend visitor you may have to wait for a table, but if like me, you are lucky enough to go during a weekday, then you may just be able to rock up and sit right down.

Queen of the Dam     $22.50

The Full English Breakfast     $23

The Duchess of Pork     $18.50

Fried Lambs Brains with Gentleman's Relish     $16.50

Sure I could tell you about how deliciously creamy the scrambled eggs were, with a generous amount of plump yabbies, or how the English breakfast came with tasty and perfectly cooked black pudding, a huge peppery sausage and crispy bacon, I could also tell you that the Duchess of Pork was a well executed dish with an original use of pork cheek as a breakfast dish. The slow cooked cheek being treated with the utmost respect, flaked, pressed into a terrine then sliced and fried, accompanied by wonderful fried eggs and a truffle jus. It was like posh bacon and eggs. I could also write about the fact that the brilliant waitress did a great job selling us on the special. Fantastically crumbed fried lambs brains with the hilarious and almost rude sounding, yet delightfully tasty 'genltlemens relish', which by the way is a lovely anchovy paste. I could tell you, but I won't, I refuse to tell you any of these things because you need to go over there and experience it yourself.
So now that you feel like you can freely walk the streets of Spotswood, try Footscray or Williamstown or Sunshine. Whoa whoa I think I've gone to far there with Sunshine. Baby steps people,baby steps. 

Ratings out of 10
Food 7/10
Service 7/10

Atmosphere 7/10

Value 7/10

Duchess of Spotswood  7/10
Would I return? Yes, it will become a regular