As I was about to move into the area, my friend Claire told me that there was a Leo’s Fine Food supermarket nearby, which was music to my ears. So on a barmy Friday evening and in need of groceries, I set off walking along Toorak Road towards Leo’s thinking that it was only a couple of blocks away from home. I get sucked in by Apple maps and its deceptive graphics every time. Still walking nearly 40 minutes later, I see a modern, busy restaurant which I recognise as “He Says, She Says” and think that it looks like a great place to have breakfast while I’m living in the neighbourhood and add it to my cafe list.

So on a rainy, grey Saturday morning, I walked into the cafe/bar/restaurant and was surprised to see that it was almost cavernous with several different dining areas to choose from – a communal dining table in one corner covered with the day’s newspapers and also banquette seating and booths by the windows. Light filled and modern with an open kitchen, artworks on the walls and ceilings, and sleek interior styling, my eyes were greedily absorbing all the colours, textures and elegant interior design.

I was warmly greeted and given water on arrival and the breakfast menu, however with only four people in the restaurant, it took another fifteen minutes for another member of staff to approach my table and take my coffee and breakfast order, which was almost excruciating when I had resolutely decided that I was having French Toast for breakfast and was desperate need of a coffee.

When breakfast did arrive, it looked delicious although the presentation of the caramelised banana was open to interpretation, which several of my friends and family took the opportunity to provide their comments on Facebook. Looks aside, the first thing I gravitated towards was the whipped ricotta. Silky smooth, slightly sweetened, soft and creamy, this was definitely the highlight of the dish. It reminded me of the homemade quark my Baba used to make and use to create her beautiful baked cheesecakes and pastries that I used to devour when I was a little girl.

I have no idea who Ann is, but her French toast was beautifully cooked and the banana with the caramelised sauce and the whipped ricotta were a fabulous combination. Halfway through my breakfast, I was ready to order another cup of coffee. I finished my breakfast, and continued to read the Saturday morning paper and waited for one of the four staff on duty to visit my table and perhaps clear my plate. Eventually I got up and made my way to the register and paid the bill, deciding that I could get a skinny latte elsewhere.