Cafe Sweethearts

Cafe Sweethearts
263 Coventry St, South Melbourne, VIC
Genovese Coffee
Best Variety of Eggs


Update:

This time, we booked in advance...

I had the Blueberry Stack - 3 plump pancakes (with slightly too much baking soda but lots and lots of yummy blueberries which I guess is what everyone raves about), topped with male butter, served with grilled bacon and a hash brown ($17). The hash was slightly disappointing and I would have much preffered the roesti which I remember to be excellent from the last trip.

He saw kippers on the menu and immediately said he was having that until I made a fuss that he had that the last time and it wasn't fantastic. He grudgingly chose the Eggs Mediterranean - poached eggs on grilled herbed polenta with sauteed spinach, roted red capsicum and herb pesto ($15.50), although I don't think it turned out to be a better choice. At least it was different. I'm not a fan of polenta nor capsicum. All I can say is: the pesto was nice.

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No fewer than 53 breakie options are available (more if you count side dishes), including 14 varieties of eggs-any-way-you-can-imagine (if you prefer yolkless eggs they’ve got it too!). Apparently the pancake range is not neglected - with fruits like blueberry and banana cooked through the pancake, and some tasty savoury options.

While breakfast is available all day, there is also a lunch menu. However the place is always crowded and booking is recommended as the place shuts at 3pm. The beige walls and bentwood chairs give the place a slightly sterile feel. There's also a handful of tables on the pavement, appealing to smokers and dog-lovers alike.

Coffee is good as expected. The staff were quick although I'm not sure if that is a good thing (while we were going through the massive menu, a total of 3 different people came to ask if we were ready to order. We finally ordered from waitress 1 who came back a 2nd time).

We tried the Eggs Romano – poached eggs on toasted English muffins with spinach, hollandaise sauce, tomato concasse and fresh basil ($12.50) add roesti ($4). The range of extras was pretty hard to fault. I was impressed with the roesti and spinach.

The Grilled Scottish kippers on toast served with lemon, tomato and fresh basil ($12.50) was pretty unique but the toast... a thin slice of light rye got soggy pretty fast.We also saw the Eggs La Mer ($16) coming out from the kitchen - English muffins coupled with poached eggs, topped with slices of smoked salmon and a generous drizzle of creamy hollandaise sauce looked irresistible. But the next time we go back I want to try the pancakes.

Sweethearts is not a cheap venue for breakie. You'll be lucky to get out there for under $17 a head, but you do get slightly better quality food and coffee, an excellent location and great variety. It's no wonder this old-timer has so many loyal fans!