An axe embedded in the front door may not be the best way to make friends with your new neighbours, but Salvage is a welcome addition to the Japanese restaurants and grocery stores that cluster the piazza on the quieter side of Artarmon station.

While its cosy interior has limited seating, take a spot outside on one of the classroom chairs huddled around the picnic tables, shadowed by the large white umbrellas.

Gypsy Ham and Warrnambool Cheddar toasties and house-made muesli with organic yoghurt are on offer and it’s hard to pass up a lemon meringue tart or a golden, flaky croissant from Crows Nest’s St Malo artisan bakery.

On Saturdays, get in early for the extended blackboard offerings, including braised ham hock with sprouts, barley and apple.

A deft hand at the espresso machine is on show here, and it’s no surprise that the Salvage team offers a selection of alternative brewing techniques, including the slow drip apparatus showcasing single origins like Mecca’s Santa Rosa AAA from Costa Rica.