www.katipocafe.com.au
New "trendy" coffee shops are springing up all over Sydney. They seem to be places where berets are compulsory, tattoos get you a table and coffees only come with skim milk and extra foam. Most new shop owners seem to think that new and shiny automatically amounts to trendy. What ever happened to character? I don't want metallic metal seats with shiny timber floors. Boring. Give me something I haven't seen, something different. For those little off-beat cafes, Sydney-siders usually have to head interstate, or even overseas. Thankfully now days, some baristas are getting right at home.
Sydney's Katipo on Bondi Road is a little slice of Melbourne without the rain, cold or AFL. Walk in and you discover bicycles hanging on the wall. Artworks from aspiring Sydney artists cover the wall. A collection of old coffee machines line the bar. You can sit outside, sit at dining tables or laze into the comfy couches out the back. Don't get confused when the waitress gives you a book entitled "Drugs and Teenagers". She's not giving you a hint, just a menu. They are stapled inside an array of old and used books. Now that's character.
The food here is exceptional. That's no exaggeration. Char-grilled bacon, fresh muesli, chorizo omelettes... Healthy breakfasts with a Spanish twist. Presented like a three hat restaurant, the meal always looks just as good as it tastes. Don't worry, I don't do expensive. This place is reasonable, especially for what you get. On top of Katipo's welcoming character and seductive menu comes the friendly staff. The nicest of which can't be missed due to his intimidating size juxtaposed by his courteous demeanour. Known as "Big Ben," he makes a killer coffee. He also makes for good conversation while you wait for it.
If you haven't been, go. If you've gone, go again. If you're going, bring me with you.
