Considering I’ve been living in Brunswick for almost two and a half years now, and given my fondness for brekky, it seems rather strange I’m only beginning to explore my ‘hood. Perhaps the problem is there aren’t lots of cafés within walking distance to my pad, and twenty minutes doesn’t count as a walk - that’s exercise. But here we are, fairly close to home and in unexplored territory. Very excited. oh, and very annoyed that all my regular brekky partners had pissed off down the beach for the weekend.

Small Block
130 Lygon St, East Brunswick

For some time, I knew this place was the epitome of Brunswick cool. Friends had raved about just how good it was but somehow I never got round to walking in the front door. So it was with a little trepidation that I scampered through what turn out to be the side entrance for the café located in Piera St. Outside seating is compact and highly desired, so when you spot a free table you can ill afford to hesitate. Just don’t expect to seat more than three for coffee, or two for brekky. And make sure you bring your sunscreen on a sunny day - slowly my fluorescent tan will disappear.

Back on form, I wanted eggs and the benedict was calling to me. They didn’t disappoint. Out came what looked like quite a rich brekky - a hollandaise that glistened with cholesterol and neatly covered what would turn out to be perfectly poached eggs. There’s something to be said about sticking your knife into a poached egg and watching the yolk trickle out slowly like molten lava. It’s like a sign from above that your breakfast choice shall be duly rewarded. Served on fairly thick muffins and a pleasantly salty ham layer, my brekky felt quite filling. I didn’t care - that hollandaise was to die for. Thicker (read: more buttery) than MART 130’s expression but the vinegar balanced that out nicely for a full mouthfeel.

My company chose the summer brekky - two eggs (your choice) on toast with avocado, fetta and a beetroot relish. That relish rocked! Also spied were the ricotta pancakes with pear and a sauce that escapes me right now (very clumsy, I know). Doesn’t matter. They looked fucking awesome. Muesli freaks with enjoy a couple of fruit options without a single compote in sight (thank God). And the prices? Two brekkies, three coffees and a juice for $35? Very reasonable.

Service was great - attentive, relaxed and friendly. I can’t even remember the last time I went to a café where there wait staff walked around with jugs to refill your water glass. I’d love to score a window seat inside next time, just to get a better feel for the spartan cool that small block exudes. My one downside: the coffee. The coffee itself was well made in terms of temperature and the silken feel milk should have, but there’s only so much you can do with an average product. I can’t even remember what coffee they use but my latte tasted slightly overextracted and hollow. An espresso wasn’t much better - there’s not much you can hide in a short one, especially poor coffee quality.

Small Block is definitely the place you take your girl to for brekky on a warm weekend morning - super cool, beautiful food and great staff. Gotta do something about the coffee to lift this café above: