Elsternwick cafe Bad Liar finds the perfect pancake ratio
Are your eyes bigger than your tummy and end up ordering too much for brunch? This Elsternwick cafe has found the perfect ratio for its pancakes, so diners finish everything on the plate.
Inner East
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Truth be told, there’s no witty story behind the name of Elsternwick’s new grab-and-go cafe Bad Liar.
Owners Aisha and Azem Dzevlan of Richmond’s Black Gold cafe wanted a playful name for their new 20-seater opposite the train station, but nothing jumped out.
Nor is it inspired by that catchy Imagine Dragons tune.
Great cafes aren’t made on the name, but the kitchen, so head chef Azem (ex-Maha and Bistro Thierry) has designed a short, simple mod-Oz menu that’s big on commuter-friendly snacks and braggable coffee.
A tiny kitchen limits the dine-in options (no bacon and eggs here, sorry), with all other dishes
whisked across from Black Gold every morning.
The Richmond cafe’s signature chicken sandwich also appears on the toastie menu, as do muffins and choc chip cookies baked daily.
FOOD
We’re told the banana pancakes ($16.50, pictured) are a must.
The four-stacker is decorated with seasonal fruits, edible flowers and a hazelnut, peanut and cinnamon crumble soil.
The perfect pairing of peanut butter and banana comes in a cream cheese quenelle on top, and you control the sweet factor with a pour-your-own jug of maple syrup.
Hungry for savoury? The smokiness of blush salmon ribbons ($16.50) complements sourdough
toast spread thick with horseradish and dill cream cheese. A scattering of cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber and dill add freshness and balance.
If you’re in a hurry, Bad Liar shines with its grab-and-go tucker. There are five hefty toasties, including the Insta-raved mushroom and truffle mayo one perfuming the cafe when we dine, plus the stacked Black Gold chicken sanger.
This sandwich — also with avocado, fried egg and chilli mayo — has been given a new life southside, so popular it flies out the door.
DRINK
ONA Coffee rules the roast at Bad Liar, with its Black Betty blend for milk and a rotating single-origin for filter.
A turmeric latte made with freshly ground spices in house, Prana fresh leaf wet chai and a matcha latte round out the “something fancy” options.
Juices and smoothies are made to order
SERVICE
Being opposite Elsternwick station, staff ensure coffees and toasties fly out in record time.
Prompt and polite wait staff make our dine-in breakfast enjoyable.
Despite the small morning crowd, staff don’t hover, letting us enjoy the early-morning tranquillity and newspaper.
X FACTOR
Despite its small size, Bad Liar can be booked to accommodate larger groups at weekends.
The kitchen is waste conscious, so plates aren’t overloaded with too many ingredients for massive portion sizes that diners may not finish. My meal was the perfect size.
BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
The four mains on the all-day menu hover around $16.50, but the millennial favourite — avocado on toast — comes in at a pricey $18.
HOTELS FOR YOUR WINTER STAYCATION
HAS THE ECO-DRINKS MOVEMENT GONE TOO FAR?
VERDICT
Bad Liar serves all types of diners well. Whether it be for a no-fuss bite and coffee during the morning rush or something more relaxed and casual at the weekend, it changes pace with you.
BAD LIAR
Shop 4/242 Glen Huntly Rd, Elsternwick.
Ph: 8597 3383
OPEN: Mon-Fri: 6.30am-3.30pm, weekends, public holidays: 8am-3pm.
GO-TO DISH: Banana pancakes
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