Pennyfarthing Espresso

206 High Street
Northcote 3070
Victoria Australia

www.pennyfarthingespresso.com

Telephone: (03) 9482 2246


When my husband asks me to look up the address of “Penny Farthing” I let out a little groan. Being the cycling enthusiast he is, I am sure we are bound for some bike shop. Not what I really had in mind for such a gloriously sunny Melbourne Sunday. Particularly since I really did do my time in more than one bike shop yesterday! But alas, upon hearing my groan he quickly adds: “it’s not a bike shop, it’s a cafe!” Why didn’t you say so! I think to myself as I proceed to tap the letters into Google on my iPhone.

When I see the website, I remember this café having a little air time on Coxy’s Big Break some time ago. Two brothers with a passion for coffee. I remember watching it thinking that Coxy didn’t really seem to be a coffee person (whatever that is). But, in true Coxy style (with a big smile, moustache and plenty of enthusiasm), he was “giving it a go”.

We are greeted at the door with a smile and encouraged to keep moving through the busy front section of the café to the back, where we would find a vacant table. We prop ourselves up onto one of the bench height communal tables and order a couple of coffees.

The first page of the flip-chart menu is all about coffee. The following pages contain options for all-day breakfast, lunch and dinner. A blackboard to our left displays the specials. A blackboard behind me lists beers and wines.

We order from the specials board. One “pork belly sandwich with fresh mint, tomato, cos lettuce and house made aioli” ($13) and one “garlic and thyme roasted mushrooms with ricotta & sautéed radicchio on toast, finished with balsamic reduction” ($15).

The coffee arrives complete with coffee art. It is strong, but smooth. I get to finish my coffee before the food arrives. Not sure if it was deliberate, but I am happy about it nonetheless.

The food is delicious. The garlic and thyme perfectly compliment the three large, fleshy upside-down mushrooms. A blob of ricotta sits in the centre of each. Under the mushrooms is a layer of onion and radicchio. No sourness in it at all. A thick piece of chewy-crust sourdough cradles all the components. The balsamic reduction is perfectly sweet.

The three pork belly strips are tasty with that perfect crunch. The lettuce is neatly sliced to form wiggly strips, and the aioli is creamy. Once again, the chewy-crust sourdough is underneath it all. It’s not really a “sandwich”, but any more bread on this plate would be a shame. The tomato is probably not critical in this dish, but doesn’t cause any harm.

The vibe of this place is “High street cool”. Bob Dylan sings to you through the sound system. People are here in groups, pairs or on their own (in a very cool way).

This is one of those places where you could come to: quickly grab your daily cup; sit and read; write your novel or a Uni assignment; or chat for hours with a group of friends. The garden out the back is the perfect place for a beer in the sun. Pennyfarthing gave us good service, great coffee and a delicious, fresh & flavoursome lunch.

Chew Chew

For breakfast, brunch, lunch, or a coffee

0408 470 114

7-11 Norwood Crescent
 Moonee Ponds, 3039

This new breakfast and lunch venue is potentially my new local favourite. I have been watching the venue reincarnate over the past few weeks. What was once a forgettable site is now a triple-fronted rustic haven.

A little Alice in Wonderland, you need to make sure you choose the correct door. There are at least three, but only one will open…

The interior has been done beautifully. Rustic. Exposed brickwork. A long communal table near the entrance offers you a neatly arranged selection of the daily papers. There is a warmer furnished section to the left and to the right, a much brighter, whiter section. But if you don’t want to sit at a table, why not perch on a stool in the window and watch the trains and passengers come and go? What mood are you in?

We choose to sit on the church pew in the warmer, darker section. Above our heads is a shelf of bonsai plants. An interwoven antler-horn chandelier lights the room.

The Gaggia coffee machine is bright green. A standout bench item. I love the way this place is fitted out. Having been recently renovating, I think I know where most of the items have been purchased. Perhaps I am biased because it is consistent with my own home-style? Anyway, I love it (give or take the green machine).

The menu offers a more than decent selection of options. Breakfast is “served all day”. The Panini range is exciting. A selection of sweet treats tempts you from the cabinet next to the green machine. Typically I am a sweet tooth, but today I order the Roast Beef Panini ($10.50).My Company orders the Sausage Panini ($10.50), with broccoli and parmesan. He orders a Chinotto ($3.90), I order a Chai latte ($4). Sorry, not yet able to comment on the coffee!

My Panini is delicious: roast beef; caramelised onions; cheese; horseradish; and baby cos. The onions give just-right sweetness and, despite being toasted, there is a good crunch in the lettuce. My Company’s Panini is very salty, but I think that is to be expected when Italian sausage meets parmesan. If you don’t like salt, steer clear of this option!

The service is cheerful and things are “going really well so far” according to the waitress (I didn’t expect any other answer did I?). There were a number of tables occupied though, so I suppose, like me, all my fellow train travellers have been curiously aware of this place over the past few weeks and are popping by to suss it out. You can’t miss it coming off the train at Moonee Ponds station.

The total bill was $27. Cash only (always a bit of a bugger). So, not cheap, but we were not at all disappointed and will be returning soon. If for nothing else, to sample the coffee!