Leaf Espresso Bar is truly a hidden gem. It wouldn't be a stretch of the imagination to think it's unlikely anyone who does not live in the suburb would think to find this cafe bar, because it is well nestled in the greenery of mature tree lined suburbia. Even the frontage seemed initially unassuming. Leaf Espresso Bar sits at the end of a very short row of shops, so enjoys a corner office with outdoor decking, umbrella protected al fresco seating. It's only when you walk past the counter and kitchen that you get a glimpse of the Nordic interior design elements within - round glass globe bulbs dangle like snow globes from between the massive tree branch suspended from the ceiling and the Christmas ornaments still attached to the branch.
Coffees that Saturday morning seemed extremely popular, so it made sense that Mr Barista would face out towards the clientele to maximise his cheeky smile and warm 'What can I get you?'. Oh, if only I wasn't a married woman...
But at 8am, coffee should never be a wallflower - breakfast is practically compulsory on an empty stomach. Leaf Espresso Bar's breakfast selection is wide and varied.
For the simple breakfast customer, there were a selection of Danishes, croissants (regular, icing sugar dusted and chocolate) and muffins on top of the cool display. We picked up a chocolate croissant, a blueberry muffin and a custard latticed pastry to take to the in-laws for morning tea. The croissant doesn't have that crisp buttery flake that reminds one of dry autumn leaves as a very traditional croissant, but it is still quite light and fluffy. And the custard latticed pastry didn't last 2 seconds.
If you wanted to up it a notch, there were sausage rolls, sandwiches and bacon and egg muffins that one could order to be heated and consumed on-site or whisked away in a paper bag.
But if you really wanted to go super swanky, you can order off the menu. The menu items are by no means ho-hum. There were the classics - raisin toast with maple butter, mix and match muesli with seasonal fruit, avocado on toast with ricotta and lemon... And then there's the slightly fancy smancy stuff - breakfast bruschetta (sardines with caper, dill, radish and lemon relish or poached pear and almond with cinnamon creme friache), mushroom medley wilted spinach with parmesan and poached egg on ciabatta and balsamic glaze, etc. read more