Maldini’s Caffe Strathfield

Maldini’s Caffe (Shop 50, 9-11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield Plaza, Strathfield, NSW, 2135)
Venturing into Strathfield is like being transported into the heart of Asia. Koreans, Chinese and Indians dominate the landscape yet impart a very cool vibe on a Saturday evening. It’s crowded but not uncomfortably so, people going about their grocery shopping, many others relaxing with a coffee, and again others preparing for dinner.

Maldini’s Caffe, like many of the businesses in the Strathfield Plaza precinct is run by a Korean team, which somewhat goes against the grain of the Italian name of the cafe. I am reassured though as i watch the barista go about his work. He fills his portafilter full of coffee, wipes off the excess and compacts the coffee with his tamp.

Maldini’s uses Belaroma coffee beans which deliver a medium strength flavour. An initial bite yet well balanced cappuccino. I have no trouble finishing Maldini’s cappuccino, it’s creamy hints delivering a favourable taste. I have a couple of sips of M hot chocolate, but unfortunately the hot chocolate never reaches the heights of the cappuccino. Perhaps a heavy handed approach to the hot chocolate, or perhaps it’s the quality of the hot chocolate, either way, it has a very milo taste. Having tasted hot chocolates from Lindt and Koko Black, this does not rank anywhere near, so perhaps some work for the team at Maldini’s for the non coffee drinker.

While the menu looks good, I am keeping my tummy empty for a Korean BBQ a few doors down, but Maldini’s Caffe offers some good looking food options. House speciality of Maldini’s is Cotoletta which is veal dish. Other options include omelettes, eggs benedict, and fresh submarine sandwiches.

My only complaint about Maldini’s is a similar sentiment of cafes with many tables outside and that is smoking. While I am not against people’s right to smoke as they dine, I find it invasive, when the smoke from the outside, starts to make its way indoors.

Recommendation : Maldini’s Caffe does produce a quality cappuccino, quite honestly, some of the best coffee I have tasted outside of the CBD and inner west. If you do find yourself out in the fringes of the Sydney, you can’t go wrong with Maldin’s Caffe in Strathfield. It is centrally located with Strathfield Plaza next door, and the train station a 2 minute walk away.