Down on one of the quiet backstreets of Collingwood, you’ll come across the understated shopfront of Jour. The quaint little brick building is adorned with a small wrought-iron sign atop, and a worn-varnished door that leads into the French-style cafe and food store.
One of the more recent cafes to open, Jour opened up just two days before the current long-lasting lockdown. Romina Gavriel—the Head chef who opened Jour alongside owner David Campbell and designer Deanne Crow—laughingly described it as ‘perfect timing’. Inside you’ll be met with white walls, light tint wooden floorboards, and plenty of farm-chic furniture; which has been imported from France and lovingly restored.
Jour's focus is on the local community, each Saturday Romina sources produce from Melbourne's farmers market and pastries are cooked daily and supplied by Preston based micro-bakery, Wildwood Bakery. Romina has worked extensively in European and French cuisine and has spent time at Bistro Gitan and The Recreation. She has now curated a daily menu of quality seasonal flavours utilising her knowledge of the tastes and flavours of the region.
Located in the culinary-dense Collingwood, Romina acknowledges the talent that they’re surrounded by, “We’re not trying to be inventive and compete, we’re just really passionate, doing what we love”, says Romina. The changing menu of Jour reflects that perfectly with a range of tasty but simple paninis; like the Porchetta with crackling, raclette cheese and chimichurri. There’s also a mix of salads as well as lesser-seen pastries like Vol au vents, Gougeres and even speciality bangers like house-made cinnamon scrolls.
As well as the daily menu, Jour is also a primo spot for replenishing the pantry. On the shelves, you’ll find cheeses from the Yarra and Barossa valley, Miellerie's unheated honey from Tasmania, jams, mustards and even house-made gnocchi.
Did you see Scott Pickett is opening a new French bistro in Collingwood?
Image credit: Rick Stephens