At The Laneway Green, it’s a no-fuss affair – wander in, find yourself a seat, grab some menus from the counter and find cutlery perched in a tin at your table.
No time for small talk as up to five staff jockey for position behind the service counter, making coffee and other drinks, and taking orders.
The menu is where the magic happens.
On the surface, it’s not dissimilar to other all-day menus, with a big breakfast, eggs benny, smashed avo, pancakes and porridge.
But then you delve a little further to notice the detail that’s gone into giving things a slight twist.
Crispy skin salmon, for example, comes with herbed kale brown rice, citrus sauce, roasted cauliflower and beetroot pickled red onion – lots of flavour and goodness packed onto a plate full of colour.
The cafe says on its menu that it prides itself on fresh and local ingredients.
You might think there’s not much room to move on a big brekkie, but the herbed mushrooms are a treat, avocado plentiful, sourdough thickly cut, and plenty of fresh greens to go with the traditional bacon, eggs, sausage and a dense rosti.
At $25.50, this is a massive mean any time of the day.
Scanning some of the other dishes, pancakes come with housemade espresso soaked savoiardi ice cream and chocolate crumble.
There’s spiced mixed beans with roasted garlic hummus, poached eggs, and crispy kale.
There’s pulled pork on a rosti, a vegetarian harvest bowl, and a chicken burger.
Drinks are also interesting. Coffee is the top seller. An “island dream” smoothie with pineapple, mango, coco cream and coconut water was enticing, but no pineapple on the menu the day we went.
Those with a sweet tooth might like the peanut butter smoothie with banana, almond milk, chocolate and of course, peanut butter.
At $9.50, they’re a meal unto their own.
The bar is licensed for those wanting something heavier.
It’s at Chatswood Central and opens 6.30am until around 3pm.
