Garage Espresso

While the coffee is good (as good as anywhere else nearby on Carlisle st) it’s food is way over priced for what it is. The thing that really got me though was the way the manager treated his staff. So rude and tyrannical. I really felt sorry for them. They looked so stressed and run off their feet. It was stressful and awkward to watch and the ambience was tense and not comfortable to dine in.

Cool place to hang out at! All of the food and treats looked really good.

Food was really good, most of us had the Belta, took a fair while but was a delicious breakfast.
The main problem was that a dude who appeared to be the owner/​manager started arguing with a waitress right in front of us, actually, right in the centre of the café. It went around the café and back behind the service counter, sever dampened on our experience.

After some dispute about who recommended what, I eventually found myself on a cold Wednesday morning with Harrison C. sipping a flat white with my copy of The Gourmand.
This small café is a nice setting with ample seating inside and out for a quick bite and drink. There is a definite style at play, with «antique» bulbs hanging above tables and curated plants to suit.
My flat white was solid, typical of the cafés in this area. Balanced and strong, it really did the trick to get my engines running. I had a butter and jam croissant as well which was great, save for the cold butter’s stubborn spread. Perhaps a few minutes on the bench may have helped. I will likely be back here soon for more! Danke!

Not bad, not bad. I thought I’d come visit this place after walking by it a few days ago in the morning. I had a peak inside and thought it looked like a fairly nice café. I went there this morning with good ol’ James Y. and got myself a short mac.
It arrived in the usual little glass and to my surprise a whole tonne of froth. Probably about twice as much froth as coffee. I didn’t mind that, it was actually the best part. I can see this place doing a really good milk coffee. The coffee itself though was nothing special. They use Merlo and it didn’t really hit the spot for me. All they need to do is change suppliers to Sensory Lab, Saint Ali, Proud Mary or something and this place could really go there. Until then, I’m not quite sure when I’ll be back.
Also, their business cards are amazing.

I would never have noticed this café if I hadn’t had to pick up a parcel from the nearby Australia Post delivery depot, so I’m going to take that as a sign that my internet shopping addiction is actually a good thing that leads to good coffee.
And the coffee is indeed good (I think they use Merlo). I went for the café benchmark — you know what I mean — avocado toast. I was a little bit disappointed that the «cornbread» isn’t actual cornbread. Real cornbread is much denser that this fluffy slice of toast that perhaps should be more aptly described as a corn-​based bread (likely made from some sort of semolina). It was still delicious, and was topped with plenty of mashed avocado, fetta, mint and chilli, which is a great spicy touch. As far as the benchmark goes, I would rate this as excellent avocado toast. The service was friendly and just the right amount of attentive.
While it actually isn’t the hugest space, the wide windows give it a open feeling. I was nestled quite happily at my window bench and only vaguely sorry that the café’s location doesn’t lend itself to an enormous amount of people-​watching. That is, until the lycra squad arrived. I really do find it amusing the way they tap about in their special bike shoes with bananas sticking out of their back pockets.
There is also a nice selection of cakes on offer, amongst which I noticed pesche con crema — a childhood favourite. I’ll be back for one of those, of that you can be certain, Garage Espresso.

If you walk up the small staircase, you’ll be delighted to discover a café reminiscent of an outdoor sanctuary.
It’s quite a small, but open space where contemporary meets rustic. There’s open windows, share tables and window seats. There’s tradesmen, mothers and hipsters lapping up the atmosphere. It’s trendy, but casual and homely at the the same time.
The menu is not flooded with oodles of options, but the options read fresh, healthy and tasty, plus if you’re in a hurry there’s an abundance of take away options.
The coffee and food were great. My avocado smash was really fresh with lots of chilli, lemon and mint to liven up what is such a common practice these days.
The staff were friendly and attentive, but not in an annoying way.
Quite frankly, I like it!