Baffi & Mo, Redfern

A mix of general conversation, cutlery klinking against plates, and the hisss from an always-running coffee machine are the backbeat to a café. But once every so often, a gem can be heard from the hubbub.

“I hate when cafes use the wrong size of bread. That’s such a first world problem.”

Yes, fellow luncher, I agree. On both counts. I’m sitting in the corner of Baffi & Mo, a Redfern staple, nursing a hot latte. To the outsider, it looks like I’m staring out the window and having a pensive moment, but I’m actually trying very hard not to laugh at what I just heard from the table next to me.

Baffi & Mo is eclectically decorated. Gold framed mirrors, teapots with sugar in them, and a healthy dose of moustache decals. The counter holds trays of treats: friands, a Belgian chocolate torte, muffins, and hummingbird cake. Just as I decided that I’d buy a slice for a late night study snack, buckets of rain came down. Without an umbrella or backpack, I can’t ferry cake to my desk. How sad.

Potato hash stack with smoked ham, poached egg, asparagus, coleslaw ($17)

There’s so much height in this stack that I have no idea how to attack it. All I know is I have to cut the poached egg on top of everything so that the yolk can drip down. Crispy potato and creamy coleslaw is enough to make me happy on this lousy day. The menu is filled with brunch-y items like buttermilk pancakes with berry compote, butterscotch, and ice cream sounds so good but when it’s 13°C and gusty outside, the last thing you want is for your internals to be cold as well. Don’t have time to sit in? Get some bacon and eggs with damper to-go.

With my stomach full, I’m starting to descend (or ascend, depending on how you think about it) into that comfortable state defined by “Just wrap me up in doonas and let me nap”. As much as I don’t want to, I have to leave Baffi & Mo before I nod off completely. By now, it’s pouring outside and I wish I had something to shield myself from the rain as I walk back to my desk. I’ll leave you with something else I overhead: “My superpower is that I can use a Woolies reusable bag for any purpose.” What have you heard?

Baffi & Mo
94 Redfern St
Redfern NSW 2016
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