The Age Cheap Eats 2007

Pepper is the casual cafe-bar that Flemington had to have. Soaking up what sunlight filters through the plane trees, locals grab a footpath table, spread out the weekend papers and place their regular order with chipper staff. Favourites include Pepper's signature smoked salmon, grilled tomato and sauteed spinach on latkes (potato pancakes), and the all-inclusive 'breakfast of champions' (a marathon event with heaped trimmings). It's sandwiches and focaccias for lunch, plus specials such as pappardelle with a buttery braise of wild mushrooms, or a chickpea salad dusted with smoked paprika.