Bar Contessa

The Contessa in question is a bold and beautiful wall-length mural at this long-running Balmain cafe and diner. A recent reboot of the interior is gorgeous, all bare brick and brass hanging bulbs, leather booth seats along one side, and a newspaper-laden wooden bench running along the front for easy morning perching. Locals come for coffee, and stay for breakfast bruschetta, returning later for antipasti, lasagne and Italian meatball sandwiches. The Grounds Roasters coffee ($3.50) is creamy with hidden depths, and just as full-bodied as our Contessa.