First up, my local, my go-to, my good ol’ reliable, right-in-the-middle-of-everything purveyor of consistent coffee and BB *drumroll*… Shenkin Espresso Bar.
Not to be confused with the original Shenkin on Erskineville Rd, and certainly not to be confused with the puzzling string of Shenkin Kitchens all over the place (of which Enmore, I think, is the only one left), Shenkin Espresso is one-of-a-kind. It’s been serving King St from its iconic corner location since 2012, officially, yet I distinctly remember chatting with one of the Haikin brothers as he served coffee through a little hole-in-the-wall while the former Old Fish Shop Cafe was being dismantled sometime in 2011. I remember the youngest brother was just a kid slinging mean espressos on Erskineville Rd and hoping to run the place one day – guess he grew into those shoes just fine. I digress. These brothers know how to maintain high standards and the Shenkin Espresso Bar delivers without fail. This morning’s flat white was smooth and I could taste the natural sweetness of the Twelve Mile beans, which the barista has treated with the appropriate respect. They also do a great dirty chai, which I get when I sneak back in the afternoon for more caffeine. Their banana bread is unique – dark and sticky, almost molassessy, with big chunks of fresh banana. Plus it’s vegan, which makes me feel a little better about the indulgence. They also have a fantastic range of burekas – little hot pastries for any and every occasion, which I could go on about, but I’ve gone on enough.
Coffee: 1
BB: 1