THE BUZZ BUILDS

For a place with no name it’s certainly got a mighty reputation. Emily Macdonald finds out where you can get $10 espresso martinis all day, everyday

THERE was a time when locals got their kicks exclusively from the coffee at No Name Lane, but now with a major expansion including a bar and kitchen, there’s plenty of other things to buzz about. While diehard fans of their Black Sheep brew, among them Blake Lively who frequented the cafe during filming of The Shallows, were happy to wait up to 20 minutes during peak periods for a cup, owner Simon McCloy knew something had to change.

When neighbouring Endota Spa moved around the corner, Simon pounced on the space and decided to make it his own.

The expansion, which opened just over a week ago, has been two years in the making, with Mermaid Waters architects Studio Workshop and Broadbeach shopfitters Clubbar Concepts bringing Simon’s caffeine dream to life.

Despite being just 24, head chef Josh Roberts has put together a menu worthy of the gleaming new kitchen, which he executes with the assistance of sous chef Caleb Garth.

“Before we used to get so much good feedback about the coffee and now there’s so much good feedback about the food I think the baristas are a bit jealous,” Simon says.

“Josh is such a passionate young chef. He was working for his parents’ restaurant in Melbourne when I found him and he’s pumped out an incredible menu. He does these three versions of golden potato hash, which are just amazing.”

The hash is served with poached free-range eggs, grilled asparagus, yuzu hollandaise and your choice of streaky bacon, cured salmon or a mushroom medley ($23).

One of the most popular breakfast dishes so far is a coconut soaked chia number stacked with mango, berries, coconut crumble, organic maple and mint ($16).

Moving on to lunch, choose from options including steak frites smothered in smoked garlic butter ($32) and pan-roasted Mooloolaba prawns with quinoa, chargrilled sweet corn, roast pepper romesco and avocado ($28). Bar snacks will be available until late to complement the range of cold-drip coffee inspired cocktails.

When you’re only paying $10 for a classic espresso martini, all day everyday, there’s plenty of room in the budget to pair it with some soft-shell crab sliders served in a milk bun with papaya slaw ($16).

Simon says, while the espresso martinis have been guzzled at a frankly alarming rate, the other cocktails are also receiving lots of attention.

“I don’t know about you, but I got really sick of paying $20 for an espresso martini when I knew it was just a bit of Kahlua, vodka and coffee,” Simon says. “So I decided to make it our staple cocktail at the set $10 price.

“We’re also doing lots of experimentation with our cold-drip machine.

“We really want to get this whole coffee and alcohol thing happening.”

If you’re feeling a bit guilty about all the caffeine and booze you’re about to pour down your throat at No Name Lane, Simon’s got you covered. He’s sourced many of his kitchen ingredients as organically as possible, which basically cancels the rest out.