I love finding new places to eat and they don’t get any newer than Top Paddock, which opened last week.

I’ve had the pleasure of tasting ricotta hotcakes at APTE in Alphington and at Liar Liar in Hawthorn and naturally assumed that when the same crew opened Two Birds One Stone in my street last year, that there would be ricotta hotcakes on the menu. Although there were none to be had at Two Birds One Stone, when I was handed the new menu at Top Paddock, my heart almost leapt for joy at the sight of the ricotta hotcakes.

After I recovered from the shock of receiving my breakfast within five minutes of placing the order (my coffee hadn’t even arrived despite ordering upon arrival) the beauty and originality of the dish was simply stunning and exquisite.

Served as one large pancake with a crispy oven baked top, there was a visual garden with fresh blueberries and raspberries, pepitas and sunflower seeds, micro herbs and generous dollop of mascarpone slowly melting over the top.

The pancake was fluffy and hot with cooked blueberries dispersed in the mixture and occasional pieces of ricotta cheese throughout. I would very nearly say that it was one of the best breakfasts that I have had in Melbourne.

Top Paddock will definitely be the place to be in 2013.