And The
Wedge Espresso is doing just that. Cut from the corner of Cowper St and Glebe
Point Rd (opposite Glebe Public School), this heavily-windowed slice of real
estate takes the next step to proving what all the boys keep telling me: that
size does not matter. The Wedge is the first
creature of long time espresso aficionado, Toby Wilson (ex Le Monde). Wilson
personally built and decorated the space, concocted the coffee blend and dreamt
up the menu in the tiny kitchen, which is really only a couple of portable
hotplates and toasters next to the impressive-looking espresso machine. Décor is
bare-brick, red-tables and big windows making it a great summer sitting spot.
For winter they’ve provided nanna-blankies, so the windows stay open as long as
the heavens remain closed.
Wilson
is a coffee contest winner, although he seems to be more in it for the
excitement of experimentation: he uses old coffee trophies to prop up
filtration equipment. With the help of his old co-worker and friend, Courtney Carter
(also from Le Monde), they’re pulling some of the best brews in town. The
coffee is their own blend from Five Senses and comes in every form imaginable,
accompanied by an impassioned explanation for the willing ear. What’s more, the
guys make a huge effort to remember names, faces and orders to keep the lines
moving and bring a neighbourhood feel to the whole experience.
The Wedge
Espresso (@WedgeEspresso) tweets food and coffee specials day
to day. The boys play to all coffee drinkers’ tastes, offering a range of
choices from The Wedge's Five Senses blend to sumatran lintong on filter to
kenyan ngandu on cold drip. Summer saw the addition of a coke slushie cold drip coffee
which was surprisingly tasty and kept the morning buzz going and going.
 |
| ice milo ($5) |
But the
coffee obsession and cramped quarters here do not stop Wilson from producing
incredible quality food. The menu is relatively short but devilishly good
value. Sandwiches are sub-$10 and the most expensive menu item is the breakfast platter ($14), making this one
of the most GFC-friendly cafes I’ve seen. Breakfast favourites include the bruschetta ($7). Toasted sourdough
from Luxe in Newtown, is layered with juicy fresh tomatoes, creamy ricotta, shreds
of basil and house-infused lemon olive oil. I naturally jump at the option to
add prosciutto ($2), and am shocked
when Wilson informs me that most patrons opt the other way. The smashed egg and ham roll ($7) is an
elevated take on the usual b+e roll. It must be the awesome quality of the
ingredients, plus the punch from the tomato chutney that really makes this one
of the tastiest brekkie rolls out.
 |
| bruschetta of tomato & ricotta ($7) w/ prosciutto (+$2) |
Even
though winter has seen soups gracing the menu (such as the miso, pea and ham
variety), lunch is really all about the sandwiches. The pulled pork sandwich ($9)
with its shredded pig, cabbage, fresh mint and plum sauce, has been a staple
since doors opened late last year. Other favourites include a double smoked ham w/ gruyere cheese toasted
number, perfect to bring some internal warmth to winter.
 |
| tarragon chicken sandwich ($9) |
The Wedge
is a favourite amongst uni students, the local teaching cohort and young
professionals alike. The eclectic composition of the consumers is a reflection
of the far-reaching appeal of the menu. These days, nothing seems
recession-proof, but with its growing notoriety, successfully experimental menu
and top-notch coffee, it seems that the Wedge Espresso will continue to provide
a fun little oasis from the financial doom and gloom.
the wedge espresso
53-55 glebe point road, glebe
So well written! Awesome post.
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