Cornerstone & Co.

Cornerstone & Co. is a hidden gem in the back streets of Hampton fusing Japanese & Italian cuisines over breakfast and lunch.

Owners Michelle Pavone's and Nick Gulino’s have created a wonderfully inviting space. Touches of wood and metal and pendant lights suspended from the high ceilings create a contemporary and casual feel.

The menu by Japanese chef Shoichi Ueda is dedicated to the most inventive dishes made from fresh produce with the focus on flavour. Combining Ueda's Japanese upbringing and experience cooking in Italy and at South Yarra's Da Noi, the dishes respectfully combine the flavour profiles of both cuisines to great effect.

We loved the food on offer during our visit.

The Macro Bowl served with salmon was stunning. This dish was well balanced, loaded with umami and complex, due in part to the skilfully cooked salmon. The slippery shirataki glass noodles were perfectly seasoned and went well with flavour-laden mushroom broth, luxurious avocado and textural ancient grains. It was a wonderfully exciting and healthy take on the bento box concept.  

The seemingly simple dish of roasted carrots was again, absolutely beautiful. Perfectly poached chicken featured alongside a wonderful amalgamation of textures and flavours, the sweetness of the carrots and apricots was tied together with delicious pesto and creamy labne. 

Melbourne has an ever growing brunch culture, making the café industry a particularly competitive and vibrant one. Cornerstone & Co stands out by successfully crafting a convivial atmosphere in which to enjoy a lazy weekend brunch -  A delightful café where the creativity and execution of the dishes are particularly commendable.

Location: 75 Ludstone St, Hampton VIC 3188, Melbourne VIC 3188

Phone: (03) 9521 6865

Cuisine: Japanese, Italian