... At Perry Lane

Perry Lane café, hidden behind Oxford Street, is the daytime equivalent of the perfect date-space and is made of urban cool without the ego. Smooth coffee, inspiring artwork and organic-edged dishes make it a café kept to a secret by its Paddington following. Lose your thoughts ...At Perry Lane.

…At Perry Lane is where you take last night’s date for this morning’s breakfast. It is also where you spend the day ‘working from home’ or where you take your best friend in between the hunt for vintage treasures. Muted purple walls enclose the private hideaway keeping it to a whispered secret of creatives, cappuccino connoisseurs, bookworms and young couples. A black beaded chandelier set with melted candles hangs high above the heads of the guests, and the green and pink colours of the bougainvillea tumble down from the retractable roof, scattering sunlight across the tiles. A melodic cocktail of retro lounge and jazz tunes drifts between the three split levels and makes every moment feel like a Sunday morning. Organic-edge dishes, quirky quotes, and offbeat artworks characterise the café tucked behind the limelight of Oxford Street. The tiny door down the laneway opens only on Fridays and weekends as the eager loyal following sometimes even cues up the alley when it reaches its capacity.

Today, as the fuchsia pink flowers brighten in the spring sunlight, a Paddington mother pleasantly sits enthralled in the pages of her book. Her puffy black poodle sits politely beside her feet as he is served a pup-a-cino and plate of liver flakes. Two runners satisfy a hunger from their Sunday morning slog with soy lattes and organic maple-nut wood-fired granola. Poached pink lady apple and raisins stream sweetness through the dollop of yoghurt that tops the oats. A mother and daughter duo on a break from a day’s shopping share a meze plate. They spread thick crusts of fresh bread with hommus and tzatziki, then adding prosciutto, roasted red capsicum, grilled halloumi and sundried tomatoes as they discuss the day’s purchases. Natural light streams through the skylight of the upstairs studio where guests sit among and the creations of a local artist while they sip on herbal tea.

Our Moroccan poached eggs are presented on a bountiful bed of wilted spinach, red cumin lentils and tomato relish that tops a thick cut of toasted rye sourdough. The plate of the ‘Vegetarians do it Better’ breakfast is a palette of poached eggs and grilled tomato with slices of avocado, roasted capsicum and balsamic mushrooms served beside toasted sourdough and rocket salad. The only remains of the breakfast are ribbons of yolk swiped across the plate and crumbs along the Sunday paper. The multiplicities of wonderful personalities who come here are as brilliant and interesting as the as the café itself.