Carlton Espresso
Editorial
It's exciting to walk into a cafe that is busting at the seams at 11.45am on a Monday. Business people, local workers, families, women catching up, men catching up, singles and couples filled Carlton Espresso, and for the hour I was there, people did not stop coming through that door. This is a busy place. We quickly discovered why.
The espresso (Lavazza) was served with a luxurious amount of crema, and the piccolo was creamy, rich and expertly made. We all know Italians pride themselves on their coffee and here at Carlton Espresso they deliver. In true Roma style, if you are on the run you may consume your short coffee at the bar for fifty cents cheaper. However, spend some time here and mangia, mangia!
The crespellina is wonderful. Two chestnut flour and cinnamon crepes filled with a lemony ricotta and served with chestnut honey. The pasta, which is made on the premises, is served al dente and the amatriciania carried a good level of heat and a good amount of guanciale (unsmoked Italian bacon). However, the piadinas are famous here. Beautifully crispy and the fillings are fresh and authentic.
The service is classic Lygon Street, which is often this end of Lygon Street's saving grace. Although you order at the counter, the abundance of staff means that you can expect your coffee in about 30 seconds, your food arrives not long after.
It's a modern fit-out, with a simple colour palette of browns, creams and greys. Punters may choose to sit in the back courtyard, inside or on the street which is really the only place to sit when in this part of town.
Rachel Cook, November 2010
User Feedback
November 30, 2010
I love this place - good-looking waiters, great coffee, and fantastic bomboloni! Yum!
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