Despańa, Glebe – Rating: 15.5/25

Despańa is a recent addition to the Glebe Point Road strip.  Their claim to fame is their tapas and wine selection in the evenings but they are also open for coffee and breakfast.  That’s where SoS comes in!

Unfortunately service was slightly lacking on the morning I visited.  After a wait I fetched menus for the table and eventually it got to the point where I went to the cash register to ask if they offered table service.  Indeed they do and someone then took our order.  The staff were friendly and helpful when they did get to us, they just didn’t seem to come by often enough.

Paul Bassett coffee is used here and our cups tasted amazing.  However you take yours, Despańa can accommodate.  The usuals are $3.50 while a mocha, hot chocolate, chai latte or iced coffee are $4.  $5 for an affogato.

Various organic loose leaf teas are also available for $3.50.

The food menu is very concise.  The dish that I would imaging most people head for is the Catalan baked eggs ($8) with sourdough and bravas sauce.  The price is fantastic for a two-egg dish.  The sauce has a decent amount of kick – your nose will be running in no time!  The essence of cayenne throughout the sauce is delicious though and you can add to the flavours with salt cod, chorizo, serrano jamon ($2 each) or mushrooms and manchego cheese ($1).

Lovers of spicy dishes should opt for the chorizo which builds on the heat while the serrano jamon adds a chewy texture and salty cured flavour.

The not-so-hungry may want to try the Catalan tomato bread ($6) to which avocado ($2) or serrano jamon ($4) can be added.

Normally spoilt for choice, I couldn’t help being slightly disappointed with the offerings at Despańa.  If you are fond of typical tapas style dishes, this won’t be a problem but I found myself missing the fresh flavours of frappes and fruit salads.

If you’re in the area and have a hankering for baked eggs at a great price, then you need look no further however if you are with a group of people with different tastes, there are better alternatives in the area.