Baby Coffee Co., Waterloo

I tend to fall upon dog friendly places with enthusiasm and when I saw the millenial pink cafe Baby Coffee Co. in Waterloo with its spacious outdoor area and baby pink velvet seats, I knew that I had to see what was on offer.

I had to rouse Mr NQN out of bed (he had just completed an overnight cycling race) because I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get a table at Baby Coffee Co. once it got to around lunchtime. But luckily, a table frees up just as we walk up. Also the outdoor section is quite large (perhaps 2-3 times the size of the inside section) so that there are a few tables free. Service is really lovely and sweet here.

The drinks arrive with Prosecco soaked watermelon cubes which are pretty fabulous on a hot summer's day. I want to order the bottomless Mimosa because it's Sunday but I resist.

I tried to order the sage and root beer but they were out so we settled for the mixed juice of the day, an orange and melon juice which is nice.

We start with the avocado pesto toast which has featured on Instagram a lot. It's made up of avocado pesto on a slice of sourdough toast with tomatoes, purple Brussels sprouts, roasted cauliflower and blood orange segments. Some of the issues I have with Instagram is that food may look great but perhaps not taste as great. This is pretty but really needs a bit more flavour.

We both like the espresso panna cotta with strawberry mousse, honeycomb crunch, an assortment of seasonal fruit and muesli crumbs. The panna cotta isn't overly sweet which brings out the flavour of the coffee.

Because Mr NQN was still feeling hungry we ordered the bacon and egg roll. It's normally served in a different type of roll but they had run out so today it's in a burger bun. There's pieces of pork belly with two fried eggs with capsicum jam. There's said to be aioli but we didn't see any and it needs a bit more moisture but perhaps it's also due to the change in the bread.

I think I ate most of the crispy cacio e pepe fries i.e. French fries topped with grated pecorino cheese and black pepper. It's one of my favourite combinations.

When faced with an option to pimp something up with soft serve and hundreds and thousands, I am powerless to resist. You can "pimp" any pastry here from banana bread, croissant to a fig and grain bar. We went with the chocolate croissant and it actually goes well with it. The croissant is crisp and soaks up any melting soft serve. Mr NQN usually doesn't like pastries (blasphemy I know!) but he enjoys this one.

Last is a donut. It's worth going in to peek at the sweets display because not everything is on the menu. I'm full (clearly I'd have worms if I wasn't full after the amount we ate) but the baby pink icing donut with white sprinkles caught my eye. The absolutely darling waiter ended up shouting me a donut because they feel bad that there was a delay with the croissant and they explain that the donuts are from around the corner at Donut Papi. It's certainly pretty and suits the decor. The donut is unfortunately quite dry and on the tough side texturally though.

So tell me Dear Reader, how often do you have to wait for a table at brunch? And given the choice to pimp something up or not would you? And what is your favourite shade of pink? Hot pink? Baby pink? Dusty pink?

This meal was independently paid for.

Baby Coffee Co.

Shop 1/810 Elizabeth St, Waterloo NSW 2017
Open 7am-3pm from Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays www.babycoffeeco.com.au/