LOCATIONBrunswick East
PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA Small Block is a popular haunt for locals, well known for its great coffee and big, all day breakfasts. It’s a clean and breezy, minimalistic space, with huge black and white numbers artfully arranged on the deep red walls. Start with a strong coffee, courtesy of top-notch baristas, and choose from ricotta pancakes with saffron, vanilla pear and Barbados cream, or herb and mascarpone polenta with mushroom ragout and pecorino. Breakfast is on offer all day, but do check out the lunches as well – the corn and chilli fritters with bacon, chilli jam and creme fraiche are a standout, as is the steak sandwich complete with beetroot relish, watercress and aioli. They make a mean BLT, too, and other specials might include lamb meatballs with silverbeet, Persian fetta and almonds, or a soup or pasta of the day.
Small Block does a hectic trade on weekends, but if you can score a seat, either at the cheery tables to spread out with the paper, or at the front bench to watch the entertainment passing by, it’s well worth the wait. Loiter with intent over that second coffee, or head back for dinner instead – Small Block is open from 6pm Monday to Wednesday.
Angela Costanzo