We've reached peak Northside. Michael Pham, the operator who once ran Collingwood cafe Tiny, and still runs the luminous Vietnamese diner Phamily Kitchen, has now opened Garden Club, a cafe serving plant-based dishes and actual house plants in the old Bistro K site on Smith Street.
Bouquets by Pomp and Splendor floral studio in Brunswick East are also on the way.
It's a pay-at-the-counter deal, with Ottolenghi-style salads, sandwiches and soups geared to take away or enjoy among the greenery.
A few basic brunch dishes are available, including mushroom spring rolls with poached eggs and avocado, but the house scones are a major drawcard – cheese and chive, or date and earl grey served with butter.
Chef Ray Larkins brings plenty of experience to the succinct menu, having done stints at Batch Espresso, the Grace Darling, the Gem and Supermaxi.
The two rooms of wavy rendered-concrete in shades of myrtle green hold 65, and when the weather warms, there's an expansive, dog-friendly courtyard. Welcome to Collingwood.
Open Mon-Fri 7am-4pm; Sat-Sun 8am-4pm.
366 Smith Street, Collingwood, no phone