Tre Pani, Dover Heights – Rating: 19/25

Tre Pani

Climb, climb, climb the hill at Dover Heights and you’ll find Tre Pani, a beacon of freshbaked delights with a cosy interior and warm staff.

On this particular day there was no way we were going to be sitting outside but there is some sidewalk seating available.  The interior is fairly open with some share tables to encourage you to, you know, actually talk to someone you may not have met before!  The baked goods are on display as soon as you walk in as is the list of breads available to purchase.

We seated ourselves but it wasn’t long until we were attended to.

Takeaway coffee from Tre Pani seems to be popular amongst the locals and judging by our cups, I know why.  Ours was outstanding and considering the location, it seems very reasonably priced at $3.50.

I also have no complaints about the hot chocolate ($3.50) other than it was too small!  It was thicker than usual, rich and very chocolatey.

Also available are smoothies (banana, blueberry or mango, $6.50), freshly squeezed organic apple or orange ($5.50) and frappes (blueberry or mango, $6) amongst others on a very accomplished beverage menu.

Being an establishment that bakes their own bread and pastries you would expect those parts of the dishes to be a cut above the rest.  Well the brioche beneath the poached pears and rhubarb ($15.50) tasted exquisite and complimented the dish very well.  A generous amount of ricotta  on top and fruit so soft that you won’t need a knife.  The toasted almonds and maple add some great texture and flavour.  My guest added bacon ($3.50) which worked very well with the dish.  In fact, we recommended it to a neighbouring table and they thoroughly enjoyed the combination as well!

It was obviously a bacon feast this morning as another guest couldn’t resist adding a side of bacon to his eggs Benedict ($13, add salmon, ham or spinach for $3.50 each).  The hollandaise had a nice, creamy consistency but needed a bit more of a lemony kick.  The eggs were poached perfectly though.

I opted for the free range eggs ($9.50) done any way and added some sides of beef chipolatas, grilled haloumi, avocado ($4 each) and bacon ($3.50).  Breakfast sausages can be hit and miss but these were pure beef with some seasoning which hit the mark.  The avocado was fresh and spread easily.  My only recommendation would have been a wedge of lemon with the delicious and squeaky haloumi.

We couldn’t leave without sampling the pastries.  The cinnamond dougnut-like ciambelle were a table favourite, especially accompanied by yet another cup of coffee.  Custard fans will enjoy the bombe while the chocolate and pistachio pastry featured more than enough chocolate (not a bad thing).  It was fluffy and pulled apart easily for sharing.  There are always a varying array of muffins and cakes depending on the baker’s mood so drop by to see what sweet treats are on offer!