Dare to be different?

Once out of our comfort zone, it's natural for us to feel a bit anxious or even scared. Haven took a chance at being different in providing a unique cafe experience with an Asian infused menu and tailoring coffee just for you. It definitely put me out of my comfort zone but it was worth it!

Will the real inventor please stand up?

Have you lost your car in a shopping centre car park? I once thought mine was stolen only to discover I had absentmindedly parked elsewhere (doh!). Now I take photos to remind me and I did exactly that at Castle Towers. Yellow 1A Row 3, tick. The Reject Shop, tick. Now where in the world is The Baron? 


After 20 minutes I found it outside the shopping centre, near the bus stop on Old Castle Hill Rd. Oozing with some serious cool factor, it's filled with conversations mixed with kitchen clatter and some funky beats. Small wooden tables for two line the bare concrete walls opposite the open kitchen and a restored communal table is the centre piece.

Regular $3.50 Large $4.20

The simple all day menu is a play on your breakfast classics proudly supporting their local suppliers. It's creative and the jams, relishes and sauces are all made in house. I do like the way they pour their coffees but if you don't like coffee there's also milkshakes, tea, juices and sodas.

Return of the avo on toast $14

If I had to pick a favourite so far, it would be the return of the avo on toast. Simple yet so delicious, there was feta, avocado and confit tomatoes with a salsa verde. My friend who loves her bircher says the muesli is a close favourite with yogurt, jam and peanut butter powder.

PB&J muesli $15

BAE roll $12

This BAE roll is the BAE of all BAEs. When you have a perfectly fried egg with lots of bacon, bread smothered with aioli and tomato relish and a bonus of avocado, that's a winning combo (if I do say so myself).

Baron benny $15

Hate to be the eggs benny nazi but a 63 degree egg just doesn't work on the Baron benny and my bacon needed a bit more time in the pan. Though the sourness of the cucumber pickle, heat from the english mustard and the sweetness from the brioche went well with the delicious hollandaise sauce.

Maxx power 3.0 $16

Deliciously filling, Maxx power 3.0 will have you covered for breakfast and lunch and is satisfyingly healthy. I rolled my soft boiled eggs into the quinoa and savoured each bite with some of the side diced sweet potato, raisins and macadamia nuts.

Sam's affogato with popping candy $6.50

As a treat, there's cakes and slices but I ordered Sam's affogato. Trying to be clever with my food pics, I shocked myself as I posed for an action shot with the coffee pour. True to the word, the candy popped and spat everywhere (and the photo a disaster)!


This modern industrial chic cafe has something good going, so good the guys have opened up another cafe The Tuckshop in Glenhaven. I'm still to check it out but I have managed to drop by The Baron three times in one week catching up with friends - I don't even need to take a photo of my car anymore :)

In a nutshell  Breakfast Coffee ●● Food ●●● Service ●● Price $$ Atmosphere

♥♥ All day, everyday  Regular $3.50 Single origin roasters Modern Australian Order at table, pay at counter Toast with condiments $5 A bit noisy, really busy, gets really cold

The Baron - Shop 461, 4 - 16 Castle St, Castle Hill
http://thebaron.co/


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Large, hot coffee $4.00

Elbow Room Espresso provides a nice injection of the very much loved inner west brunch scene into Chatswood. Their selection of beans and the different coffee extraction tools that line the front bench indicates that you're in for a good coffee.

Nice cold brew $6.00

It's not just about the coffees here either with an all day breakfast menu that always leaves me so indecisive. Every time I can't decide between two different dishes but every time I'm not disappointed (except the first time when I got a solid poached egg, tsk tsk).

Hot dog de Elbow room $12

Starting with their signature dish, this Hot dog de Elbow room definitely boasts originality and screams eat me! The fried egg takes centre stage hiding a chorizo covered with chipotle mayo, english mustard and melted cheese. Full of flavour, the tomato salsa and extra gherkins on the side was nice to cut through the deliciously unhealthy goodness.

Eggs benedict on brioche with ham $16

The most popular dish is the eggs benedict, a picture of perfection. A layered stack of brioche, wilted spinach and ham topped off with two poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and pomegranate seeds - a fabulous idea to add that pop of sweetness.

Wild mushrooms $14

My favourite dish would be the wild mushrooms, deliciously satisfying. I have also noticed the last dishes on the menu changes which tend to be quite tasty too.

Grilled asparagus and prosciutto bruschetta $18.00

Over summer there was grilled asparagus and prosciutto. The flavours on this plate all worked well together with the soft mashed minted broad bean and peas adding some sweetness to the savoury prosciutto.

Baked beans with grilled haloumi $18.00

This winter there's the hearty baked beans warmer. Yes, the baked beans are house made not the out of a can variety and you just can't go wrong with grilled haloumi cheese.

Herbal "Heal" tea $4.00

I've realised I have just showcased savoury dishes but they do offer sweet and healthy dishes like french toast, bircher muesli and house made granola. There's also sweet baked goodies at the front counter.

Green power juice $4

Cold pressed juices by prodjuice are available here instead of freshly squeezed juices. Very on trend! I missed out on my visit but got to try the green power juice by Emma & Tom. Scary ingredients of kelp, spinach and alfalfa mixed with fruit juice was actually really nice and refreshing.

They have redeemed themselves with perfectly poached eggs

Nine months ago, I only gave Elbow Room Espresso one Brunch on Joy heart but it's time to be upgraded to ♥♥ with perfectly poached eggs and a much friendlier service. There is outdoor seating if you want to bring your dog although I'm not sure if it's child friendly (no high chair). Just remember to bring cash as they don't accept anything else.

Original post 19 November 2014 ♥, countless visits and photos in between
Re-review post 5 July 2015 ♥♥

In a nutshell Breakfast Coffee ●●● Food ●●● Service ●● Price $$($) Atmosphere

♥♥ All day breakfast until 2.30pm Houseblend, 5 senses, single origin Modern Australian Friendly, cash only Toast with condiments $5 Casual, relaxed, good vibes

Elbow Room Espresso - 6 Spring St, Chatswood
https://www.facebook.com/elbowroomespresso2013


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