Greenheart Espresso

Bronte’s loss is the city’s gain, with the owners of much-loved La Locanda, Andrea Vagge and Fiona Bloomer, setting up shop on Kent Street. Fiona cites kids and fitting in with “a Monday to Friday lifestyle” as the reason for their shift, adding (with a laugh) that since opening they’ve learned city “people like salads and not so much sandwiches.” While sangers might have been Andrea’s initial idea, he seems to have made a seamless shift from cooking Italian cuisine to coming up with bespoke salads. His belief in premium ingredients remains evident across the ever-changing selection that includes Roasted La Ionica Chicken, Israeli Cous Cous, Moroccan Carrots ($14) with yoghurt dressing. My pescatarian friend tucked into a half’n’half selection of Tuna, Green Beans, Shaved Fennel and Radicchio ($14) in balsamic, and the vegetarian Soba Noodles, Tofu, Bean Sprouts, Chilli and Crispy Shallots Thai-style ($14). If you’re not carbohydrate phobic – as the largely female clientele appear to be – there’s also an excellent house-made Chicken Sausage Roll ($6.50) or daily pizza sold by the slice. Hipster designer favourite, Matt Woods, responsible for Bloodwood and Newtown Social Club, has transformed the small space into a vibrant aquamarine break from the drabness of the central business district. His fixation with exposed light bulbs and dangling cords continues unabated.

Greenheart Espresso
432 Kent Street, Sydney
Ph: (02) 8084 5954 facebook.com/pages/Greenheart-Espresso/648104028564490
Café $