Now Open: Bentleigh’s Pint-Sized Neighbourhood Cafe Little Z Is the Latest Labour From Love by Mr and Mrs P
Words by Ruby Harris · Updated on 02 Mar 2023 · Published on 13 Feb 2023
Georgia and Greg Poliwodzinski’s love story began 15 years ago in Greg’s former Elsternwick cafe, Hopscotch Espresso. Now, the husband-and-wife duo, who also own Brighton bar and kitchen Mr & Mrs P , are going back to their cafe roots with the opening of Little Z in Bentleigh.
The pair found themselves yearning for a new daytime venue after their family expanded. “Pre-kids, we were all about the night times and the cocktails,” says Georgia. “We have this habit of opening venues that we would like to frequent ourselves.” And so Little Z was born, named after their three-year-old-son, Zayn.
Every aspect of the cafe is a real labour of love. With money tight in the wake of Covid lockdowns, the Poliwodzinskis designed the cafe themselves, before Greg got to work and did the entire fit-out himself. Patrons are greeted by earthy colours – forest-green tiling, a timber ceiling, and brown and green banquette seating – designed to inspire locals to stop in and switch off from the outside world.
Just four weeks after the couple’s second child was born, the Poliwodzinskis, together with their business partners, James Traugott and Kalinda Reed, opened the doors to their pint-sized cafe in October. It’s been a hit with locals, who stop in for Clark Street Coffee and an uncomplicated breakfast menu featuring a smashed avo and chilli scramble, Reuben bagels, and a toastie line-up including a tuna melt, a classic croque monsieur, and the current crowd favourite, a vegan spiced-pumpkin toastie packed with roasted pumpkin, chaat masala, vegan cheese and a house-made bechamel sauce.
On weekends though, it’s all about the baked Polish cheesecake (sernik), made with citrus oils from Poland. “[Greg’s mum] bakes it for us fresh every week and it always sells out,” says Georgia. “The locals know it’s Greg’s mum’s cheesecake.” There are also supplied sweets by Sebby’s Scrolls and Levain Doughnuts.
Little Z
73 Patterson Road, Bentleigh
Hours :
Mon to Fri 6.30am–4pm
Sat & Sun 7am–3pm
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