Mr Wednesday is a central character in Neil Gaiman’s novel American Gods — set to be played in a telly series by mulleted antiques dealer Ian McShane — it is also the name of a song by J-Pop outfit PASSPO☆ (the star is important); neither of these are the reason this neighbourhood café in Fairfield, Melbourne, goes by the name. At least I think not.
Aussie website Good Food claims that its young owner Dylan Breen picked up the name from an old boss, something to do with him always joining conversations half-way through. I prefer the J-Pop thread, though, so let’s run with that just for the hell of it: Mr Wednesday is a new Melbourne café that celebrates the fine art of Japanese pop music.
Truth is, Breen alludes to Wednesday as an elusive figure of mystery, and he’s probably best left that way — there’s much more interesting business to be focussing on here; not least the young proprietor’s love for vintage motorbikes … a 1920s number that had seen its last legs takes pride of place on a wall of exposed brick. And it’s that rustic Melbourne café look that prevails here; plants and archaic lighting fixtures dangle from a wooden beam supported by rope — there’s a lovely ramshackle vibe that undoubtedly reminds Breen of the bike workshops he frequents.
Coffee comes via Industry Beans, food from Nina De Goldiway (up-and-coming New Zealand chef) and Jacob Mullen (ex-Great Northern Hotel) — expect all those big elaborate breakfasts that are so common in this city, salads full of things you couldn’t pick out of a line up, and hearty burgers.
