L'espresso — Restaurant in Victoria

I’ve been going to L’Espresso for almost 20 years. I’ve made detours to come here when I’ve been in or near Ballarat. For me, although I’m no local, L’Espresso has set the bar for other local cafes to follow. I looked forward to visiting today and I really talked the cafe up to those I went with.

Today’s visit was disappointing. My coffee had the bitter taste of over-extracted espresso and it was poured as a flat white rather than a latte.

Service was poor. We weren’t offered water initially and didn’t get water even after asking for it twice. When I actively sought out a waiter they weren’t available.

My brunch dish had stray egg white on the rim of the plate. It’s not a big deal, but it’s also very easy to fix. My eggs were over-cooked. I went up to the cashier to get them replaced after there was no check in how the meals were. The eggs that replaced them had a prominent flavour of astringent vinegar (it’s fine to use some vinegar to set the outer when poaching eggs, but this egg was cooked in about three times the amount required).

When paying the bill I wasn’t asked how the meal was. This is a standard question at this point in the order of service. This means that at no point in the visit were we asked if we were happy with our experience.

It’s a tough time in hospitality. It’s hard to source and retain staff. However this poor experience today came out of every sector of the business (Barista, waiter, kitchen, and cashier) that we utilised.

L’Espresso, I’ve enjoyed visiting for so long. I really hope that you get back to where have been...

Really sweet spot recommended to us in Ballarat. Upon entering was in a daze at all the gorgeous sweet treats on offer, and greeted warmly by the kind staff. The interior is cozy, walls shelved with CD’s and vinyls, and did I just stop to gaze in awe at the corniced ceiling! Playing funky Ethiopian and jazz undercurrents, and a very powerful heater which was much needed on the coldest morning of the year! Had a long black that was rich and bold as it should be, with a golden thick crema, had the smashed avo with bacon and quite possibly the best poached eggs I’ve tried in Melbourne surrounds. Cooked to perfection, looked like perfection. Simple yet to the point. Had the little raspberry cake (can’t remember its name!) with dollop cream, was just the edge I needed, felt incredibly happy here. Great vibes, great staff, great food. Will always come back here whenever visiting, and will be recommending for sure. Thanks all for a lovely dine...

I ordered a slice of the pizza of the day. I can't remember its proper name but all I could tell you was that it was packed with mushrooms and a special kind of cheese (not your ubiquitous mozarrella).

Hands down THE best pizza I have had in my life. I would not call it decadent but it was incredibly hearty and in my view, that was what a slice of pizza should taste like. The first mouthful was garlic-ky, the mushrooms were full of umami and the gooey cheese base amalgamated all the ingredients so perfectly as though the entire slice of pizza was grown naturally. Oh and I have to talk about the pizza base, it was seemingly thick but surprisingly light and had the right amount of crunchiness to it.

I also ordered the orange almond cake and the pasta bolognese--everything tasted wonderful. The prices might be a tad bit high for what you'd get but the experience you'd get from dining here is simply...