Outpost
9 Yarra Street
South Yarra VIC 3141
(03) 9827 8588
Google map
Living across the river has its perks and one of which is that there are heaps of lovely cafes around. When I tweeted that I needed suggestions of good places around the South Yarra station, a few tweeps suggested the obvious – Outpost.
The Outpost was one of the extended arms of St. Ali so we expected not good but great coffee. We love the open space, the coffee machine, the kitchen stations and the menu written on big butcher paper and stuck on walls. No partitions or barriers. We could see the barista hard at work with all the coffee orders, the dishwasher furiously cleaning and drying all cutlery, plates and glasses, the cook prancing between the stove and the work bench to get breakfast orders out and floor staff trying to keep punters happy. There was a lot of good energy in the space.
Lattes are ordered and maybe I was under medication that it tasted somewhat bland to me. But I confirmed this with Mister. He did not think much of the latte as well. It felt and tasted weak. Feeling a little disappointed, we ordered a siphon to try. Nice and smooth but still lacking in flavour. I have read more good than average reviews so I shall blame it on the cold and wet Sunday. I may give this another go before I move back this weekend.
Latte
As I could only have semi-solid foods due to my gum infection, I ordered free range scrambled eggs with mushrooms. Not very exciting and to me, it was a curse not to be able to eat properly. There was nothing special about this dish. Nice eggs. Nice firm mushrooms. It was just not the same without some nice toast!
Free range scrambled eggs with mushrooms
Mister ordered a grilled caibatta topped with buffalo mozzarella, mashed up avocado and vegemite. Nice crisp salad at the side and I wish I could eat it! I would have preferred if the avocado was sliced instead of mashed but it was a great combination. And you can’t go wrong with vegemite and avocado. Classic killer combo 
grilled ciabatta topped with buffalo mozzarella, avocado and vegemite
We did have to wait a fairly long time for our orders to arrive. And it was an okay meal but definitely not one of their positives. Maybe I should reserve my judgement till I have tried a proper breakfast after I recover but I was disappointed. The coffee was lacking and so was the breakfast.
After I move back across the river, I doubt I will return on purpose to the Outpost. It was not memorable and hopefully this weekend on my last visit, it will change my opinion.
What are the characteristic/s in coffee that you find appealing?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Too bad you didn't enjoy but just wanted to say thanks for the recommendation. Movida was fantastic.
I love a good looking crema on top of my coffee. This one looks good. In fact the whole meal looks amazing. Glad you were able to get some real food into you!!!
Yummy:)
What a shame your experience did not live up to the hype surrounding the Outpost. I hate it when I get all excited to go to a place, when you step in, the ambience is great, but when the food comes out, it's nothing special. I guess it's just one of those things you live and learn. Avocado and Vegemite? never had that combination before, sounds interesting though.
That coffee even looks good. I like coffee with little bit of bitterness and of course it has to be strong enough to taste like coffee. Not really an expert in coffee language.
The South of India especially Kerala is famous for its filter coffee. Its out of this world. I dont drink much of coffee, but this one I can never say no to.
It is not fair, you should try again after your gum infection is over.
aww all of that looks great but it sucks that you didn't enjoy it as much. Feel better soon
I understand that any oral problem, even the slightest, can kill our appetite. Get well soon, Penny.
everything looks delicious to me. At first glance, I lept with joy thinking it was 3 soft boiled eggs but I was wrong….mozarella cheese!!
@Trissa – No probs. Glad you like MOvida
@Mardi – I wish I had toast!
@mico – thanks for visiting
@linda – you must try the combo. sooo good.
@divina – I do enjoy my coffee. So when I go to one that is suppose to be good, expectations are high
@Shirley – Not tried that before. will love to one day
@foodlovee – yes, I will this weekend
@jessie – I hope so too! Need to eat properly without drooling
@TasteHongKong – thanks lovely!
@MaryMoh – mwuahaha! I know what you mean
The only thing I don't like about is the latte. Funny colour! But the other two looks fine to me.
That sucks you can't eat what you want – soon I hope! As for coffee – I love cafe au lait the New Orleans way, really strong chicory coffee with warm (unsweetened) evaporated milk, YUM!
Avocado + vegemite = awesome