Located in the hip, leafy suburb of Alexandria, newly opened specialty coffee bar and café, Went to See the Gypsy (WTSTG) is a clear example for why the Sydney coffee scene is a contender for one of the most advanced in the world. This newly renovated utopia for coffee connoisseurs is the brainchild of Mario Szucs and Will Smallbone, the duo behind renowned espresso brand and Potts Point neighbourhood café, Gypsy Espresso. The two coffee experts have introduced the new Inner West location as their flagship café, upping the seat capacity for their rising number of regulars with an impressive warehouse space ten times the size of where it all began in East Sydney.
The Guru Project transformation showcases a more urbane interpretation of café culture of the Inner West, with a state of the art fit out and modern design that plays to the pre-existing character of the space. Think exposed wooden ceilings, polished concrete floors, blonde wood rattan seating, and a stand-alone, custom built Brew Bar featuring white Fibonacci terrazzo and sleek brass accents.
The star of the show, the Brew Bar, redefines the way customers can order their coffee – with an under the counter Mod Bar (the first of its model in the Inner West). This removes the barriers of a generic coffee machine, allowing the customer to experience the entire specialty coffee making process up close, whilst having a chat with their expert baristas.
Serving up their Gypsy Espresso blend with single origins on rotation, their head barista otherwise known as the “coffee chemist”, Simon Gautherin, brings with him a wealth of experience and certified Q-Grader qualification (together with, owner Szucs). Just next to the bar, shelves are filled with their signature blend (roasted at their headquarters and coffee school just around the corner) ready for customers to take home.
At WTSTG, customers can expect fresh and seasonal menu options (as well as an all-day breakfast menu) prepared in the open commercial kitchen under the direction of head chef, Bryan Loong (ex Cho Cho San, Devon). For breakfast, highlights include the moreish toasted banana loaf with brulee banana, coconut milk sorbet and salted caramel, and their Meredith Goats Cheese & kale truffled smashed eggs with LSA pesto & slow roast tomatoes. Their colourful miso glazed salmon with wakame, cucumber & raw vegetable salad, wasabi celeriac cream, furikake and soft egg is a top pick for lunch, as well as their Gypsy Burger, with grass fed beef, sesame brioche, smoked bacon and zucchini pickle.
Alexandria’s new Went to See the Gypsy is set to become the new local for the coffee drinking demographic of the Inner West. And for the remainder of Sydney? It will most definitely be worth the travel.
Facebook: facebook.com/gypsyespresso
Instagram: @gypsyespresso
Website: gypsyespresso.com.au
Address: Shop 1, 76 Mitchell Rd, Alexandria, 2015
Opening Hours: Gypsy Espresso is open daily for breakfast and lunch from 7am – 4pm.
