Pablo's Vice

Just off the vintage fashion stretch of Crown Street you'll find the bloodshot façade of Pablo's Vice. From the outset, it's clear this café doesn't take itself too seriously - there's a general air of bohemian cool, despite the dapper mob of locals it seems to draw in. Most of the service happens through a hole in the wall, where the barista takes orders in both English and Italian and serves up a steady stream of Campos coffee to customers who seem more like mates. We grab a stool alongside the blackboard wall, scribbled from floor to ceiling with the day's offerings. The staff - all blokes, and all donning red baseball caps with the letter ‘P' - appear to know everyone by name.

Pablo's breakfast menu is the perfect pairing of fancy and fun. The ‘eggsparagus' offers an easy way to dose up on your daily greens, even if they are soaked in butter and parmesan (yum!). The ‘fancy eggs & soldiers' also catch our eye – there's something supremely satisfying about tapping into a boiled egg sitting in a cutesy holder as an adult, but the side of Sonoma sourdough toast and crisp bacon dippers makes this a winner for both young and old. You also have the option of building your own breakfast from a humble base of  ‘two good eggs'. Like we said, these guys are more than happy to sit back and take the amiable approach.

For a lighter option, a spelt maple-and-almond muesli has recently been introduced. Tossed with seasonal fruit and topped with a generous dollop of honey-drizzled yoghurt, it's sweet, nutty, and as far as mueslis go, this one almost tastes naughty. While we're on the subject, some freshly baked house-made muffins are being washed down nearby with what could only be the Jaffa hot chocolate. It smells good enough to make you re-think ordering a second coffee - who wants a ho-hum latte when you can have a lolly in a mug?

A couple of salads, wraps, and a well-stocked cabinet of Sonoma sandwiches see Pablo's Vice punching in the lunch division too. We eye off the steak sandwich with tender scotch fillet, housemade aioli and rocket for next time. If you have something more particular in mind, just shout out - it seems Pablo's only vice is the desire to please, as it has been doing for the past 15 years.