LAA Cafe, on the corner of Nicholls shops. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
LAA Cafe, on the corner of Nicholls shops, has been a bustling hub for meetings over a coffee and its fortnightly specials board for about a year and a half.
On this morning, owner Cuong chats with the Sunday brunch crowd, most of them choosing to sit in the sunshine outside. A regular stream of people come past for takeaway coffees.
Cuong’s regulars ask about his recent visit to Vietnam, and he delights in handing out delicious treats he brought back for them all.
We start with coffee, and it is excellent coffee.
Brewed from Campos coffee beans, my flat white is strong and not overly rich. I usually put sweetener in my coffee, but this brew’s smooth, caramel tones don’t require additional sugar.
LAA’s coffee is excellent. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
The menu lists all the classic brunch and wrap offerings we expect to see. Cuong tells us that LAA’s real magic lies in its fortnightly rotation of specials that keep the local fan base engaged and coming back for more. Think of fun sandwich offerings like warm, crunchy banh mi and a classic Reuben, as well as bowls of comforting soup like pho in winter months.
If the budget is tight, lighter choices like muffins and pastries fill the glass cabinet.
We order a range of dishes to share.
A stack of tender pancakes comes topped with a dollop of ice cream and maple syrup, accompanied by a generous cascade of fresh fruit and berries.
LAA’s burger is made from small-batch patties. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
The burger is juicy, its patty seared and caramelised and paired with cheese, salad and a pineapple slice in a soft bun.
“The patties are small batched, so they are very fresh,” Cuong says.
LAA’s chips are fantastic. Double-fried, they bring a big crunch while being fluffy in the middle and seasoned with chicken salt.
Our smashed avo is simple, yet so tasty. Cubes of velvety salty/sour feta and tangy bursts of tomato and balsamic swirls cut through the creamy flavours here.
LAA has a strong sandwich game!
The pork banh mi fills a crunchy tiger bun with marinated, grilled pork, fresh herbs, cucumber and roasted peanuts. It is unique because it contains no pâté! The pork is crisp on the outside and juicy within. The tropical marinade includes house-made fish sauce and I love the mix of sweet, sour and salty.
The Reuben is great, satisfying mouthfuls of salty umami corned beef, smooth cheese and sauce, offset by the tang of sauerkraut and pickle slabs in toasted sourdough.
A couple of iced tea flavours catch my interest, like the apple mint. I imagine it is a bottled drink, but our peach-iced tea is a surprise! Cold and refreshing and very pretty, it combines astringent iced tea with tinned peaches and lots of ice.
Reuben sandwich and the peach iced tea. Photo: Kazuri Photography.
LAA is about to begin their dinner season, something they do in the warmer months.
This summer, dinners are running on Thursday and Friday nights from 5 pm to 9 pm, serving a different menu, with additional burgers and playing to their Vietnamese cuisine strengths.
LAA cafe is located at 64 Kelleway Ave in Nicholls. It is open 7 days. It opens at 6 am on weekdays, from 7 pm on Saturdays and from 7:30 am on Sundays. It stays open until 4 pm Wednesday to Friday and from 5 pm to 9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays.
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