Right outside the cinema complex, among heaps of busy foot traffic . Particularly with the folk staying over at the hotels, if the choices there seem a bit pricey to them then this is one of the great alternatives. It has that drop in vibe and the locals seem to approve. That is good enough to go and investigate.
After going to see a film, my friend felt like a bit of a coffee. Last time I met up with him, there was one place that he quite liked with the atmosphere, the look and everything so the original plan was to go there for a coffee. However, it was closed and with a U-turn the next lot of places were to be sought out. It started and ended with this one. That is all.
With the service, it is small in the amount to critique. From that small amount, workings of some excellent customer service are apparent. It has the usual streamlined counter-service for cafes in modern times. Just go up, place the order, pay and find a table. The guy the two of us had was really good. His whole demeanour and body language showed that he worked hard, and the items were delivered quite fast. So, strangely enough for this I would give the service a gold star. If it makes you feel welcome, then it is good enough.
What also helps is with the interior design. The interior design is quite simple, a lot like a cafe, but it manages to feel organic in its appearance. Posters from all around Italy are on the walls, there are small tables for brief meetings, there are big tables for bigger groups, the window sill is used as a bar counter for some more chairs. Having some trees right outside to shade the diners also adds to the overall feel in the al fresco section.
Their menu is a generous one, and the cuisine would probably be Modern Australian with one section that is influenced heavily by Italian cooking. Beginning off, they have an all-day menu of items which are mostly visible in the cabinet. These items are basically pastries, sweet and savoury, along with some sandwiches and wraps like cheese toasties and meatball subs, and salads plus daily specials. The breakfast menu is nothing out of the ordinary: bacon and eggs with all variations, omelets, toasts (including French), big breakfasts, pancakes and the like.
At lunch time, the menu turns Italian. It still stays small though. A risotto, some pastas and a couple of burgers with fries. Some fish and chip like meals are also available. There are also a few kinds of pizza. More or less, a chosen selection of a modern Australian menu (though not everything expected is covered). During between times on some days, snack platters of classics are available, and dinner time has the menu get a tad fancier. Costs are fairly affordable, and the selection is wholesome. Only during the dinner rush does it need to be worried that items are over $20.
Then it comes to the drinks menu, which combined is just the same size as the food. Coffee is big here, and heaps of options are open. They also have freshly squeezed juices, teas (iced and loose leaf), sodas (including Italian), super food smoothies, fruit smoothies, frappes based off ice or milk, and milkshakes/thickshakes (which includes iced coffee et al). This is the non-alcoholic selection. The alcoholic selection has a selection of wines, beers from around the world, cocktails, spirits, and whiskeys.
As for me, what it was all here about was getting a coffee - and something on the side as always. The coffee that they use comes from Two Trees. Regarding Two Trees, it is a name that I know I have heard many times but don't think that I have tried coffee from them. However, the reception seems to be generally quite good. That I can agree on. The doppio in which I ordered was really good. It was hot, quite strong and had a note akin to some kind of honey melon. What also didn't hurt was a good crema on top.
To go on the side, I noted on the counter that there were Italian doughnuts but in different flavours. That sure tempted me into getting one, and chocolate chip was the first flavour I saw after "plain" so that is what I went with - it was based on pure impulse. Most of the time, when getting Italian doughnuts from a place, they are more or less served as they are - usually well beyond having been cooked, and might be a bit lacking with a dusting of some sort. Not here. This doughnut was hot and fresh from the oven, coated generously with cinnamon and sugar (just try to have not gotten any on your fingers picking it up), the dough was soft and chewy plus mixed in were quite a few chocolate chips, and chocolate just rocks. No further need to elaborate with that.
Grey Street Kitchen, even just from this small sample of the place, looks to be one that is not just complacent with being an audience-pleaser but aims to make sure that they ensure quality all throughout the meal. It helps that it has that Italian charm going through its blood, and felt more like a cafe from a previous point in time - only wanting to serve good food, be great with customer service, and be there for the locals.
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