The moment you step inside Cotto cafe, it feels just like home. That’s how we felt like the other day when we came for brunch. Frank, the owner wants to make sure that all customers are treated like family, and its noticable after a few visits as you start to see familiar loyal customers returning frequently, not surprising to be honest. While they come for the fantastic coffees and food, they also come for the genuine service.

We had the pleasure to try some of their new seasonal dishes which were prepared and presented beautifully by their Head Chef Sabbah. Each dish exceeded expectation from the norm.

Fritters – Let’s start with a dish for all vegan lovers out there, this one is definitely for you or anyone who loves their fritters like me. A mixture of corn and sweet potatoes fritters, crunchy on the outside and sweet yet soft on the inside. Topped with mashed avocado and sweet and spicy salsa. This comes on a bed of beetroot hummus. Yes, so much flavour going on in one plate, we absolutely loved it.

French Toast – Two brioche slices topped with the most delicious and creamy citrus mascarpone. Comes with poached seasonal fruits (rhubarb, strawberries and pear) and maple syrup which you can opt to put on the side. Garnished with roasted almond flakes brought it to perfection. We absolutely enjoyed this dish and the rhubarb complimented the sweetness nicely. If you are craving for a dessert breakfast but not a big fan of “too much sweet”, this will be the one for you.

Muesli – With your choice of crunchy maple muesli or coconut granola, this comes with seasonal fruits (in summer, they even come with mango, we love our mango!). This season, it comes with orange and chai poached seasonal fruits such as bananas, strawberries, pears and rhubarb. Topped with honey, coconut flakes and a side of hot milk this dish is without a doubt the popular choice here at Cotto for breakfast.

Avocado – Mashed avocado with red quinoa, beetroot hummus, sweet corn and feta served on two sourdough slices. Not forgetting the picture perfect presentation, from afar it resembles a succulent mini garden. The way they present the thin sliced radish on top of the mashed avocado, see the picture and tell me if I’m wrong! We just love how creative it was to whip red quinoa in a mashed avocado. The flavours worked really well together!

Pulled Pork – 12 hours slow cooked pulled pork with seeded mustard, chives hollandaise and free range poached eggs, served on sourdough slices and topped generously with thinly sliced radish, apple, fennel and herb slaw. I like pulled pork, but I love it when it’s tender. And this dish nailed it. My first bite I was expecting for the hard chew but to my delight, there was almost no need. Together with the poached egg, it created a creamy melt in your mouth sensation. The toppings gave it a crisp and fresh after taste, once again, a beautiful mix of creative genius.

Salmon – Smoked salmon with poached eggs, kale and caramelised speck served on dark rye sourdough slices topped with lemon mustard hollandaise. This was one of my favourites from Cotto. The kale took this dish to another level. The specks were caramelised beautifully providing a crispy and sweet flavour to the dish. And don’t even get me started with their lemon mustard hollandaise sauce, It has that perfect tangy flavour which I haven’t encountered in a long time. This isn’t just your ordinary eggs benedict.

Chorizo – Smoked chorizo baked in a Mediterranean style of tomato and capsicum spicy sauce. Topped with two free range poached eggs, feta and toasted sourdough slices on the side. Expect a little kick at the back of your throat on your first bite. It took us by surprise in a very exciting way, came the second bite then the third and we were hooked. The chorizo was spicy, as it should be, but it was very addictive. I would definitely recommend this dish and personally will order it again next time.

Breakfast Burger – Last but not least, our epic burger, yes burger for breakfast is so in right now, we love our burgers with brioche buns so this right here was already on track for our tick of approval. It comes with bacon and egg of course, tomato, cheese, mashed avocado with tomato chutney and aioli. Oh, imagine that first bite followed by that first drip of egg yolk. Not trying to exaggerate but you need to get your hands on this delicious breakfast burger ASAP.

You cannot come to Cotto without trying their coffees. They have the classics (cappuccino, latte, espresso etc) but they also offer Nitro Coffee, Brew Coffees and a few others. They really pride themselves on sourcing their coffees ethically. I would go back just for their Cappuccino again. Next time though with the warmer weather approaching I am looking forward to try their Nitro Coffee.

Cotto has also just rebranded and changed their main colour scheme from bright orange to a subtle teal, easy on the eyes. And in regards to their menu the results of trial and error have shed many dishes to now bring you the best of the best. Mind you, this will change seasonally so I suggest you visit this place before you miss out on their current menu. Open daily from 7am Monday to Saturday and 8am on Sunday this place is also the perfect place to grab a quick bite and proper coffee before work. Closes at 5pm, you can easily come for late lunch or perhaps another coffee to unwind after a long day at work. However, if you aren’t a coffee lover, you can always opt for their healthy colourful juices, delicious smoothies and matcha hot drinks if you like something a little different.

Exciting things have been and still are happening for Cotto who has been around for over 10 years. Cotto Prospect is now planning to open up their back room to make more space as they realise the demand is growing larger than the tables and chairs can provide at the moment. Soon their vision for accommodating more people will come true. It’s a win win, really!

And what about Cotto Woodville you ask? Well, one thing’s for sure, it will still be around, it will still have the same standard of coffee and food. But you heard it here first, there will be some big changes coming. If I were you, I’d stay tuned because this will be splendid and you won’t want to miss it.

Words by Dee Pene from Adelaide Food Authority

WHERE: 112 Prospect Rd, Prospect