Argos Loves Company

They like dogs at Argos. Which is good news if you’ve got one – even better if you just want to make-believe with someone else’s. Water bowls border the trellis tables on the street, chewy snacks are available and many framed pictures of man's best pal line the blushing pink walls – along with silver tea sets and frilly-things galore.

Owner Christine Collins admits to a mild collecting addiction, and we suspect the café was encouraged by her husband as a way to reclaim some space at home. The resulting fit out looks like a '50s ice-cream parlour crossed with an LA pet salon. It’s more quaint than cool, but if you’re after a home-y snack, you’re on the money.

A scramble of RSPCA approved eggs comes with sweet tomato relish; lunch is a ‘bits’ platter of salami, provolone cheese, and pickles for loading onto sourdough, and golden waffles arrive teetering with scoops of vanilla ice cream, doused with bitter-sweet chocolate sauce. Then again, if you’re aiming to live to 120, fresh fruit and tart yoghurt comes in a bowl as big as your bike helmet.

It’s hard to keep mustering excitement every time a new café opens on Brunswick Street, but with a license to push booze approved, there’s not a lot not to like here.