Ciao Down

I like this café. The service is good and the food is even better!
It is counter service here but my order was taken quickly by a smiling gentleman and the waitress who brought the food to my table really tried hard. She was friendly and brought over water in that eager to please manner– rare in Sydney. When my breakfast partner was too preoccupied with his phone call, they offered to keep his breakfast of scrambled eggs warm. What stirling service!
My mushroom with pesto on sourdough toast was amazing! The pesto was not too strong and enhanced the mushrooms really well.
My partner’s scrambled eggs, smoked salmon. Avocado and rocket on toast was excellent as well. The scrambled eggs were cooked to perfection as it was creamy and well seasoned. The fresh rocket was seasoned with a sesame dressing which elevated the salad and countered the bitterness.
Our skim lattes were also excellent and to our taste. They use Aroma coffee beans here and I like that it was not too bitter. The barista made the coffees’ temperature to my liking as well.
I would make this place my go to breakfast and coffee place but I don’t live near this suburb, sadly.

Its simple but not simplistic
You walk in say hi and get your gear, grab a stool or play window candy and then leave happy !
The vibe is great and the little kids who aren’t getting Gelato next door make the family feel stick. Its a bit haphazard on some details but you can tell its not going to be prissy when you walk in. Its a as inside-​out-​café and it works perfectly.
I tried the ravioli bolognese and the cheesey scrambled eggs, both good value. The eggs were a bit cheesey for me but I’d have them again and the ravioli was a reheated from the deli case. Both were great and Id have them again. IF you like it you can even grab one to go.
The coffee is consistent and they actually make what you want IF you ask them and say please. I wanted a latte on soy which means luke warm yes like a baby wants milk and that’s what I got a tenderly warmed little latte. just right!
IF your meeting friends or hanging its a great spot and the staff take extra care to give you what you want. A rare commodity in the rush to pump out the caffeination.
Relax for 20 minutes and enjoy the paper on the big table while you can!
oh and bring cash or you’ll be doin the atm dash — old skool.

Ummm… first impression is that this café is all over the place. Not just the staff, but even the normal positioning of the coffee machine. I don’t mind watching the coffee be made, but it is somewhat strange to have it open to the café.
Anyways… with no identifiable place to order, I grab a seat and wait… and wait… After a few min of watching the waitress, deep in her own little world, ignore me and a few other customers, the guy making the coffee looks over and asks me what I want.
It is interesting watching him make coffee. Messy station. Burnt milk on the steamer. Ground coffee spread generosly… This might be one of the reasons that cafes tend to keep these areas hidden.
I get brought a flat white… um… can I have a dbl mac please. «What do you want?» … um… 2 shots of coffee and a little bit of milk … *sigh*
I am guessing I have come here on an off day. 2^nd time round is closer, but still too much milk. In a word, the coffee is bland. It doesn’t taste bad, just… nothing amazing.
Sitting here watching heaps on people go in and out, you can tell this place is popular, but from my visit today, I am not sure why.
Café Summary
— — — — — — — —
Passion for Coffee — ⁵⁄₁₀
Coffee beans — Aroma coffee
Crema (1=burnt, 10=velvet) — ⁵⁄₁₀
Special coffees avail? — N/​A