St Ali North: Salvatore Malatesta’s All-in-One Coffee, Bike and Mail stop

When it comes to Melbourne's sacred coffee culture, Salvatore Malatesta's your man. He's the mastermind behind famed St Ali (South) and now, north-siders, we suggest you listen up because you ain't going to travel no more. Salvatore and his team have just opened St Ali North in Carlton North, nestled next to the Capital City Trail bike path where 5,500 keen bikes pass through everyday. With 16 bike riders sipping lattes at 7.30am on day two of opening, we think they might be onto something.

Malatesta, his own harshest critique, was waiting for the perfect space before opening the second St Ali in Melbourne. "St Ali South is eight years old in March and I have been too reluctant to open the second St Ali in Australia until we found the right site. There are lots of cool buildings but this is irreplaceable. I always look to create experiences that are irreplaceable," he told Concrete Playground.

The St Ali North gang feels a little like the who's who of hot restaurants right now. Jesse Gerner (ex The Aylesbury) is co-owner and menu 'curator'. Chris Hamburger (ex Anada and The Aylesbury) who will be head chef at both St Alis, will be the kitchen's head honcho. Then there's those delicious pastries that will be pumped out by pastry chef Shaun Quade (ex Dushess of Spotswood, The Brix, Royal Mail Hotel). The menu, while currently 50 percent the same as St Ali South will eventually be 90 percent the same with 10 percent leeway to play around and create dishes specifically for the area.

Last but certainly not least is Matt Perger (2012 World Brewer's Cup Champion), who will be heading up the team of baristas. "He is pioneering; doing things people have never done before", says Malatesta. In-house roasting and more gadgets than we can truly understand will ensure this coffee offering is unique. $4 for a coffee might feel a little steep these days, but when you taste it, it's a little hard to argue with.

Food wise, you'll see some unique offerings like the Heirloom tomato salad with buffalo burrata and olive oil dust ($19.50), or the savoury ancient grain granola with cardomom milk and confit yolk ($14). If pastries are your thing, go for an old school Garibaldi, yes that is a squashed fly biscuit to some. "I want it to be synonymous with the best food, best coffee and best service. The food is just as important as the coffee," said Malatesta.

And Malatesta's venues certainly are unique. Teaming up with Velo Cycles, there will be free air for flat tires and a roving bike mechanic on hand for repairs. St Ali North's unique offering goes further, bringing a long time dream of Malatesta's into reality with exciting and mysterious Post Boxes. While Malatesta initially wanted a place where people could read their mail while drinking their morning coffee, the idea morphed into a personal coffee Post Box. Every Monday fresh St Ali coffee will be placed in 70 lucky Melbournians mailboxes on the café site, where they can pick it up any time of day and night with their personal key. "They are my personal fetish, my favourite thing about the venue," said Malatesta.

Yep, we want one too.

Malatesta wants his venues to be a holistic cafe experience, where food and coffee and the venue are all as good as each other. We have to say, we think his latest venture is bang on. And judging by the crowds that flock to the place everyday, we reckon we're not the only ones.

St Ali North
815 Nicholson Street, Carlton North
Mon - Sun 6am - 6pm
0408 448 816