Outpost

Outpost
9 Yarra Street, South Yarra, VIC
St Ali coffee


Another one of these cult specialty coffee houses… it must be getting more popular nowadays, as is opening cafes under apartment/office blocks. But this is the... erm... outpost of St Ali… so you know the coffee is going to be good. What's great about this part café, part retail coffee outlet, unlike the recently reviewed Seven Seeds, is that it actually bothers with the food too!

Fitted out in the same laboratory style as St Ali, the Sensory Lab in David Jones and most probably the soon to open Plantation in Myer, diners actually sit in the kitchen and are part of the action, although perhaps the serious stuff should be left to the experts.

The 1st time we went there, we were told kitchen problems meant a 45 minute wait for food. We said we'll order coffees first and wait. After scanning the daily menu, we tried to order to which the reply was "we aren't serving food at all". Confused, we explained we didn’t mind waiting but still no luck. Why tell us lies, proceed to seat us and give us the menus then???

It wasn't newly opened at that time but we figured we should give them some time to get their act together. So 1.5 months later, we went back and were amazed with the service. What happened over the Christmas break? Friendly staff that made light conversation and kept checking on us made up for the previous visit.


Paul Jewson is brilliant. He makes homely food with an exotic twist. Like the Fresh cut papaya with fresh lime, Greek yoghurt and pomegranate ($9.50), the Outpost homemade toasted banana and coconut bread, vanilla ice cream, maple syrup and Anzac crumbs ($12.50) and the dish I had: Grilled asparagus with truffled mascarpone, Tasmanian oak smoked salmon, poached egg and rocket on sourdough ($18.50). The truffle oil smelled stronger than it tasted but everything was amazing together.

He had the Free range eggs on toast with homemade tomato relish ($9.50), add balsalmic and thyme roasted field mushrooms ($4.50) and grilled chorizo ($4) which wasn't as special but still good. The chorizo especially, as I don’t normally like chorizo, but found myself saving it for last =)
There are also egg bacon breakfast rolls, tarts, croissants, pastries and gluten free cakes near the cashier. Oh and the coffee was excellent. But that's no surprise.