Tucked into a non-descript looking strip of shops on the non-populous end of High Street sits Armadale’s answer to Aladdin’s cave of hidden treasure. (That’s if hidden treasure is defined by best-of-the-best coffee and brunch).
A few gallops back from Orrong Road, Street Talk Espresso is a true hidden gem.
Seating is spread throughout the intimate and inviting indoor dining space, and the outdoors courtyard, which is perfect for some incidental Vitamin D (no guessing where I chose to park myself!), plus there’s a few footpath seats if you like watching High Street traffic and trams that travel at tortoise pace.
Street Talk Espresso also has bucket loads of home décor tips to steal. Whether it’s the exposed red and white brick, industrial cues, street art or wood-panelled courtyard the vibe is on-trend.
The brunch is light, fresh and flavour-filled
Using locally-sourced produce, the food is light and fresh, with all your usual brunch favourites taking a starring role on the all-day breakfast menu – eggs, bacon, acai, 12-hour braised lamb. If you’re allergic to brunch, there are also a few lunch options (think crispy chicken Texas-style burgers, braised brisket ragu fettuccini and a Middle Eastern chicken salad).
Being super hungry and un-fed at midday, we started with some house-made ‘the healthy loaf’ gluten-free bread, which was so light, seedy and yum that it inspired me to go home and bake this loaf that went by the name of healthy. Then I remembered that I don’t bake, nor like to bake. And if I was going to, I would probably first need to invest in a fire blanket.
Feeling adventurous, I shunned my usual well-worn breakfast go-to of avocado smash and went with the breakfast bruschetta, which involved a tomato, avocado, bacon and poached egg medley on sourdough toast, with just the right amount of basil and goat’s cheese on top. My very risky behaviour was rewarded – as it was definitely a delicious (and Instagram-worthy) choice.
For those that are even more adventurous than I, try Street Talk Espresso’s signature dish – the Iron Mike – of sautéed cauliflower florets, green peas, yellow lentil puree, toasted chickpeas, burnt lemon and poached eggs. I feel Robert Downey Jnr would be a fan, as would anyone who enjoys a Middle Eastern influence to their breakfast.
But the highlight was the mixed berry mascarpone and Tim Tam muffin for dessert, which was once again as light as a model in an Alex Perry fashion show. If I wasn’t about to burst like a dangerously full water balloon, I would have definitely packed a dozen of these treasures into my handbag for the drive home – and in the process definitely ruin any chances I may have had of walking for Alex Perry.
To drink, the choices are equally all class. Try the house-made almond milk, Street Talk Espresso’s own brand of roasted coffee (the coffee is seriously on point!), or one of the freshly-blended smoothies and juices, Note to self: I need to hit up the ‘citrus blitz’ of orange, lemon and pineapple next time I’m flu-like.
Street Talk Espresso is…
Street Talk Espresso is as good as any of the big brunch boys in town (if not better). Yet, unlike the big boys, it’s unpretentious, perfect for a laid back breakfast, run by nice people and deserves Journeyman-like lines out the door. But then again, maybe I don’t want that….
Something I loved and guaranteed a return visit was the overflowing front counter of takeaway sandwiches, rolls and muffins. Being a surfing widow, I’m often looking for places pre-Monash where I can grab a quick take-away coffee, breakfast and/or lunch for the drive out to Phillip Island. Treasure hunt over.
I dined as a guest of Street Talk Espresso. However, all comments and opinions are my own.
Street Talk Espresso | 710 High Street, Armadale, Victoria
Phone: (03) 9509 9687
streettalkcafe.com.au
