![Surviving and thriving in Bali](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/yEee9ok2UI0E8F7ndqcPN/88b45276cf61f793214007f38d476168/Bouncing_back_in_bali_1x1_Homepage.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
What's the deal?
Prior is on the high street of Thornbury, a Melbourne suburb, and sits in a building with art deco detailing that was once an old industrial printing house. The food is breakfast-heavy with a twist, including chilli scrambled eggs, fried cheesy polenta with wild mushrooms, sticky black rice with cottage cheese, and salted chocolate crumpets. The coffee comes from Inglewood Coffee Roasters (@inglewoodcoffee) and Two Boys Brew Kombucha (@twoboysbrewkombucha) supplies the ferments.
Who’s behind it?
Owner Ahmed Mekawy and executive chef Nick Korceba, previously head chef at Middle-Eastern restaurant Maha. Nick also co-owns an event space in Albert Park called Greenfields.
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/3nQ9bagEUa0q0e8zv1SAN7/5c0bb71b67167ad8e037fb22bd6a8d96/Prior_1x1_1-min.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/2y1JYxOiXIM612FlOFXqXA/a84497d1e07e374555b0492e48fac4da/Prior_1x1_2-min.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
What’s inside?
Prior brought on Melbourne design and architecture firm Ritz & Ghougassian to look after the interiors. The space itself is huge, with high ceilings; warm, terracotta colours; a courtyard out back; and a wood burner right smack in the middle, decked out with timber logs.
See for yourself.
637 High Street, Thornbury VIC 3071 @priorthornbury
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/5zSzWpyvoNnCyxYdakjeDV/bea2cd02cba780fc1ee5ecd67c4899f2/Prior_1x1_4.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
![](http://images.ctfassets.net/8otutru2e44g/461RTWHCFeGDYky3qM6Twl/6a736bda4b3fb8283b769cf6d7532669/Prior_1x1_3-min.jpg?w=1600&h=1600&fl=progressive&q=80&fm=jpg)
This article was first published in Courier issue 40, April/May 2021. To purchase the issue or become a subscriber, head to our webshop.