The Talented Mr Ripley. Now there’s a movie name we haven’t heard in a while. But it’s back on our lips as Coco Republic opens a boutique café: L’Americano Espresso Bar in Alexandria. 

You can quickly see the influences that Dickie Greenleaf’s character played on L’Americano. It’s like stepping back in time to the 1950’s and across the seas to the stunning Italian Riviera. You will immediately feel a penchant for the finer things in life, a la Dickie.

Yes, the interior is absolutely divine; we’d expect nothing less from a furniture store like Coco Republic. They have seamlessly brought to life the vibes of the Amalfi Coast with nautical references and an American twist with industrial features. It’s slick like the Italians, chic like Coco Republic’s furniture and for the coffee? They’ve let the experts (who also happened to be Italian), Vittoria Coffee handle that. Pouring attention into every detail, the coffee machine they’re using is the Faema Legend E61, which looks as good as the coffee that comes out of it tastes.

The menu choices are tough. Do you want something sweet like banana bread with ricotta for breakfast or do you fancy eggs with avocado, cow milk feta, tomato and basil. You know it will be super fresh and full of flavour. For lunch it gets even harder to decide. There’s raw kingfish carpaccio with fennel and capers served on organic ciabatta, a chicken, mayonnaise and celery sandwich which sounds simple but really hits the spot, or something from the salad bar… with a side of sweet to balance things out.

Located adjacent to Coco Republic’s flagship store, schedule in a morning of living the high life. Start by shopping the elegant and covetable furnishings at Coco Republic before calling it a day come noon and surrendering yourself to sipping on Italian coffee, eating way too much and dreaming of Italy.

Menu Teaser:

L’Americano Espresso Bar
34 O’Riordan Street, Alexandria 2015
Open: Monday – Saturday 7.30am–5pm; Sunday 9am-5pm
(02) 9318 1442
lamericano.com.au