eddon cafe Touks, lovingly nicknamed ‘Plan B’ by locals, is gone. In its place is a very smart new cafe going by the name Chicco. Unlike its predecessor, Chicco should definitely be at to the top of your to-do list, whether you’re visiting the west or you live locally.

“Seddon reminds me of Brunswick and Fitzroy. There’s a tight community here,” says owner Dean Boccia, who was charmed by shops selling ‘I Love Seddon’ badges.

The space at Chicco has had a design overhaul, highlighting the lofty ceilings and front windows, which open up onto Charles Street. Cute touches such as hessian coffee sack cushion covers, souvenir teaspoons and bespoke macramé/punch bowl light fittings are weird and wonderful.

Breakfast options include wasabi salmon on rye, dukkah eggs with minted eggplant puree, and a pancetta, provolone and tomato jaffle. An impressive list of sides includes chillies, organic bacon and Italian sausage. The little ones can choose from Coco Pops, Vegemite soldiers, scrambled eggs on toast or an old-school cheesy jaffle.

Most dishes are centred around excellent Dench sourdough, but there are some tempting gluten-free lunch options like grilled polenta with roasted red onions, mushrooms, pecorino and rocket, or perhaps pork and fennel sausages with stewed cavalo nero and mustard fruits.

Our pick from the lunch menu is the excellent minute steak sandwich, with roasted red onion, beetroot relish, mustard, cheddar and rocket. A generous pile of French fries arrives alongside.

Having resided in Fitzroy North for ten years, during which time he started Pizza Farro and Brisc, Boccia is using suppliers he’s relied on in the past.

“I love using suppliers who really care about their customers and the way their product is used,” he says in reference to his use of Dench bread and Istra smallgoods.

Padre coffee (roasted in Brunswick) is on offer, and they’re even selling beans for you to take home. More good beverage news: this place is licensed. Choose from a short but notable selection of beer (Moretti, Kirin, James Squire) and cider (Rekorderlig), or a rotating list of wines by the glass (mainly Victorian and very well priced).

Sounds like a worthy Plan A to us.

Chicco
77 Charles St, Seddon
(03) 9687 7194

Hours
Mon, Wed to Sun 8am–4pm

chicco.net.au