Piano Piano

Perfect for a quick breakfast. Friendly staff, and the food was very good. There was a large specials selection too, and the menu in general was quite inventive.
It’s quite small inside so I wouldn’t go here with a big group.

Two words: Britney Eggs. I know, never thought they’d be two pairs of words I’d use together but there you go! Pancetta wrapped asparagus… Stop already! Ok, the rest. Slightly pokey little place so come early or be patient. Only downside is it’s closed on Sunday.

The signage is nice — looking like they’ve efficiently used the whole piece of black plastic and not wasted a thing. The seating outside is nice milk crate stylings with cushions and tables, and the windows can be opened to the street. I talk more about the outside than in as I feel the interior quite claustrophobic — enough so that I didn’t stay for food but chose take away coffee.
The menu looks very appealing, the smiling faces on the handful within enjoying simple dishes like baked egg or a haggle or two, and those found outside will often have a dog tied up or a pusher with toddler on board.
The Italian flavour of the place hits home and I realise it’s not Piano like the instrument of black and white keys, but Piano like Italian word slowly. Taking my time here I found quite a struggle, as the street seating has the sound of traffic quite constant and annoying, but if you’re not the claustrophobic type head on inside and enjoy.

For ages I couldn’t decide whose meatball sandwich I liked more. The one from East Brunswick’s Piano Piano or Northcote’s Palomino. They are both so good. That was until I was told that they were owned by the same people — and then it all made sense.
These guys know how to do simple yet tasty food, at a very reasonable price. Although I have got to come clean with you here. I always get the meatball sandwich — so if you want to know about the rest of the menu (which looks great) you will have to ask someone else. Oh but the coffee isn’t half bad either.
Piano Piano can get a little cramped at time, being rather tiny space, and the only outdoor seating it has is on the sidewalk. Which I have to say isn’t one of Melbourne’s prettiest sidewalks. But when I am dining on the saucy meaty balls of Piano Piano I don’t tend to have time or care about my surroundings. They are just that good.

Piano Piano (or Va Piano as I think it was known??) takes the prize for being the first one to open on this very obviously café lacking corner in East Brunswick. They did it with style: great coffee, relaxed vibe, good lunch snacks; but now there are three on the same corner one wonders whether they’ll do so well?
Their distinction has always been a very limited menu (they basically don’t have a real kitchen onsite, so they make do with toasters and shit) that consists of simply irresistable delights. Example: they do this fucking awesome meatball sandwich there that makes my mouth water even thinking about it. You know how spaghetti sauce is always better the next day? Well this sandwich reinforces that theory ten-​fold.
My only gripe is that it feels a bit sceney in there at times. The owners operate other trendy places in the area and the vibe does feel a bit too cool for school at times. Still worth a crack for the coffee however. And you may spot your fave RRR radio DJ in there if you’re lucky.

Previously known as Va Piano, meaning ‘go slowly in Italian music speak, this hole-​in-​the-​wall café wants you to do just that.
Park yourself on the bench out the front with a coffee and a sneaky smoke. There are about four tables to choose from inside the little space with great views of all the action taking place behind the counter. Personally, I like the window seats. Perched just little bit higher than your fellow diners, this is the spot to people-​watch, stare dreamily off into space or catch-​up on the daily news, safe in the knowledge that the traffic fumes and sneaky smokers are on the other side of the glass.
With their teeny, tiny kitchen (pretty much the small space behind the service counter) the menu is somewhat limited, but that doesn’t mean you won’t be fed something resolutely delicious each and every time you visit. I gorged lazily on a rich and hearty plate of baked eggs on an olive oily bed of pesto and spinach served up with doorstops of artisan bread and delicately dressed rocket leaves. By the time I arrived that afternoon, there were several items on the menu involving white beans, all of which had sold out (perhaps I was going a little too slowly). Curiosity peaked, I’m guessing this will be what I’ll be ordering the next time I’m at Va Piano. I suggest you do the same.