Elatte Cafe

When I was a child, I recall my father driving us through Padstow to visit family friends who lived deep in Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs territory. I remember blue and white crepe paper streamers flying from car aerials, and ancient concrete water towers perched atop hills, which before I knew better I assumed were like Roman aqueducts. I recall kids playing cricket in cul-de-sacs, and not many restaurants or cafes.

These days, latte lovers are lining up at Elatte, which took up residence last year in a quaint old set of corner shops right across the road from one of the monolithic water towers I remember from those childhood drives. The streamers on cars are gone, but blue and white Bulldogs' colours still adorn homes - it's footy final season the morning we visit.

Elatte bills itself as having the best coffee in Sydney's south, which is a big call. The man who greets us wears a "Keep calm and carry on" style T-shirt that, curiously, proclaims "My espresso brings all the girls to the Yard." So clearly caffeine is a big drawcard and one of the reasons we wait briefly to score a table. The wait is also due to another Sunday morning Sydney suburban staple: the MAMILs - middle aged men in lycra - who got here before us. We take it as a good sign. A row of bikes out front tends to be a visual code for "good food and plenty of it".

We're not disappointed. The bean hot pot is a satisfying mix of home-baked mixed beans, poached eggs, spicy chorizo sausage, halloumi cheese and sourdough toast. The breakfast bruschetta, with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and avocado salsa, is also a hit. We notice the egg and bacon roll is popular with the younger set, so my son tests it and a milkshake, which he declares as being good as the one served at his favourite American diner. He promptly orders a second.

Elatte's decor is homey and inviting, its walls adorned with teapots and folk art. Outside, an array of succulents bloom in a pink, bike-shaped planter. In a booth seat, a family with several children feeds up on pancakes with caramelised banana and butterscotch sauce. When we see one licking a plate, we are compelled to order a breakfast dessert. If we had ridden our bikes we would have an excuse for our appetites; alas we are simply coveting our neighbours' pancakes.

To one side, the table talk is The Roosters' form in the footy finals; to the other, young mothers are deep in a ubiquitous Sydney cafe conversation, the public versus private school debate. Elatte has its finger firmly on the family pulse, with lots of high chairs ready to go, as well as mini-tablets for the under twos to entertain themselves. An appy baby, I observe, makes for a happy rest of the brunching family (and other patrons, too).

And the coffee? Drum roll please. It's Allpress so that's a good start. Nutty, with just the right amount of froth, it's delivered with a smile and a little bikkie. Next time, we'll ride our bikes here to justify the gluttony.

Recommended dishes Bean hot pot, breakfast bruschetta.

Menu Classic cafe with a Mediterranean bent.

Value Moderate.