Oh Darling! Pushing the boundaries of cafe food cuisine, Darling Cafe dares to be different and brings the wok to brunch with modern charm.
Hiding down its namesake side street in dense South Yarra, the cafe’s simple black and gold signage opens up into an interior that is elegant and sleek down the smallest details.
Marble counters and bench tops, floor-to-ceiling bifold windows around the outside, gold trim around the stained timber tables, a copper-framed cake fridge and a handful of full length mirrors leaning against one wall; it’s all class. The styling follows through to the centred Synesso MVP Hydra espresso machine. Small cuttings of red lilies on each table add a touch of subtle colour.
Seating is an array of small tables both inside and outside along the footpath.
The menu. An eclectic mix of typical cafe fare with hints of Asian fusion. Divided into three sections, there’s all of the usual breakfast suspects along with some creative additions.
Dishes include smashed avocado with a twist of kale chips and chilli cherry tomato concasse, a chilli prawn omelette, sticky date pancakes and hazelnut fudge waffles. Lunch highlights include marinated lamb fillet, honey sesame chicken and zucchini and corn fritters.
The third section will likely surprise and confuse many and takes the hints of Asian fusion seen throughout the menu to the next level, entitled The Wok. Peking duck stir fry, Pad Thai noodles, Nasi Goreng. At a cafe. Asian classics with cafe styling but still keeping the original street food charm. It works and works well, but still feels weird.
Coffee is from Five Senses with a house blend and single origin options available as espresso or cold brew. There’s also a range of teas, including matcha, cold press juices and smoothies. Since it’s always 5 o’clock somewhere, wines with mulled wine in winter and cocktails are also on offer.
Cakes, donuts, slices and pastries are a rotating selection from local bakers that include Butterbing, Sweet Doll, Nutrition Darling, Vickie Liu and Buttermafia.
A local favourite,Darling Cafe has taken some bold choices with the uniting of the cafe world to Asian fusion and street food, but it pays off well.
Darling Cafe
2 Darling Street, South Yarra
03 9820 9222
http://www.darlingcafe.com.au