Darling Street Espresso

It was a Body Attack class that brought me to Darling Street Espresso. A voucher acquired as a lucky door prize was the only thing that alerted me to the presence of this little corner cafe (on the corner of Darling St) next to Moonee Ponds West Primary School. In actual fact, the cafe isn’t so little. The lovely raw brick front room surrounded by floor to ceiling windows was almost full on an overcast Friday lunchtime, so we made our way down the garden path to a cute courtyard.

The menu is made up of all day eats with plenty of breakfast options, transitioning seamlessly into burgers and tacos for lunch (or breakfast – no judgement here). There are some inventive vegetarian options and gluten free breads are available without extra cost.

My flat white using coffee from Industry Beans was well-made but inhaled almost without thought. Sleep has been an optional accessory for me lately.

I was flying out that day to Canberra for Eat Drink Blog and am a bit of an anxious flyer. A decision as big as what to have for lunch was beyond my abilities. This meant that I did something I never do – allow my fella to order for me, because a) feminism- I can make my own mind up thank you very much and b) health – my man loves a deep-fryer. On this occasion I am so glad he did, because I received the Brioche roll with sriracha fried chicken, apple, fennel and cucumber slaw; topped with a mac ‘n cheese croquette ($15.50).

The chicken was tender and spicy and the slaw, crisp and fresh. Any semblance of health disappeared with the amazing croquette. Gorgeously rich and creamy mac ‘n cheese crafted into a thick wedge, coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried. Absolute indulgence.

My Love chose the pressed panini with chilli and cumin lamb meatballs, cucumber and yoghurt ($12.50)

I think there was some food envy for my croquette but his lunch was light, flavoursome and beautifully presented with heirloom vegetables. He rounded out his choice with a bowl of crunchy shoestring fries ($6)

Darling St Espresso is very family friendly and the table next to us has some little fellas munching down a serious fish and chip ‘kids menu’ offering. When they had finished that, their parents treated them to a cake pop each.

I finished all my lunch too, so naturally I had to be treated to a cake pop. That’s how it works right?

This was my first cake pop ever and I was pretty delighted with it. I expected cake pops to be fairly plain and a bit dull but this one was a moist, rich white chocolate cake coated in a thin layer of ganache and white chocolate and covered with lollies.

Darling Street Espresso is not just named after the street it is on. This cafe is seriously darling. Service is attentive and friendly, the food is inspired and the menu ticks all the boxes for healthy or indulgent options to suit a range of needs. Plus, one is never too old for a seriously good cake pop.