Mister Nice Guy’s Bake Shop, 151 Union Rd, Ascot Vale. Phone: 0424 422 878
The are no animal products at all in any of the goodies available at Mister Nice Guy’s Bake Shop – including the beverages.
So I am faced with the usually unpalatable prospect of having my cafe latte made with soy milk or the like.
OK, I’m game.
My soy latte ($4.30) is pretty good – it’s strong and quite bitter in a good, coffee way. I’ve certainly had much, much worse in more orthodox and high-falutin’ coffee joints.
But there’s another kind of bitterness – just a whiff of something a little off.
Could I get used to it? Could I learn to like it?
Well, I’d certainly like to, because this is undoubtedly a place for which its worth cultivating affection.
My mini-cupcake ($2), for instance, is a delicate flavour bomb, with good chocolatey taste and lovely icing.
I restrict myself to that one small sample of the goodness going on here on account of having just completed a more substantial meal elsewhere.
But there’s much to oggle – a wide range of cupcakes, a pecan pie, brownies that exude serious intensity.
Bad luck if you’re after savoury filling here, though – as close as you’ll get are the cheesy scrolls made with vegan cheese.
But it’ll be a pleasure to bring Bennie to such a sugary haven – and he’ll for sure dig the artwork that comes into its own once the 3D spectacles are donned.
The rest of the retro-styled decor and vibe are happy and friendly, as are the staff.