Oli and Levi

20 Coromandel Place
Melbourne, VIC 3000

http://www.oliandlevi.com.au/

Sometimes you just can’t go past a good sandwich. Trying to save a bit of dough between fancy eats, Chris and I found ourselves outside hole-in-the-wall Oli and Levi, shaded by a bright yellow awning and frequented by nearby office workers.

Oli and Levi really is small, barely squeezing in a communal table for 10 and a kitchen that can be crossed in 3 paces. But the dead-end laneway it’s situated in is surprisingly sunny, feeling more open courtyard than what you’d find in the less savoury alleyways in the city. So instead of sitting inside, we propped ourselves on a couple of stools outside with our lunches balanced on our laps.

Hot Duck Roll ($9.9)

Hot Duck Roll ($9.9)

The Hot Duck Roll ($9.9) has been picking up a bit of fame due to word of mouth. Stuffed full of sticky shredded duck, this sandwich was fantastically flavoursome. I really loved the accompanying salad, generously flavoured with mint, coriander and scallions, giving the sandwich a funky Asian twist. The bread roll, sourced from Abbotsford Convent Bakery no less, was light and crusty.

Pork Belly, Brie, and Apple Coleslaw Sandwich ($9.9)

Pork Belly, Brie and Apple Coleslaw Sandwich ($9.9)

Pork belly sandwiches are a dime a dozen these days, but the Pork Belly, Brie and Apple Coleslaw Sandwich ($9.9) served by Oli and Levi was probably the most enjoyable one I’ve had to date. Yes the pork was tender and succulent, and yes it was capped in crackling, that’s nothing new. What really made this sandwich stand out was the unexpected creaminess of the brie melting into the bread, and the sweet peppery flavours of the rocket and apple slaw.  

Lemon and Coconut Cupcake ($4.5)

The best thing about a light lunch is having room left over for dessert. There were crumbles, brownies and cookies, but I was in the mood for the Lemon and Coconut Cupcake ($4.5) today. Tropical yet slightly tangy, this was a great summer dessert. I loved the nutty shreds of coconut on top that gave the cupcake extra texture.

Oli and Levi doesn’t overstretch itself; instead it thrives by serving up a range of simple yet delicious sandwiches and a handful of sweets for hungry office workers nearby. As unexciting as predictable and reliable may sound, there’s something to be said about a cafe that will always provide you with good lunchtime nosh.

Rating: 13.5/20 – slow and steady wins the race.