Wine-glazed lamb backstrap arranged on creamy labneh with mint with red radish, peas, gem lettuce and salsa verde. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Fries with parmesan and aioli. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Side salad with avo, cucumber, baby cos. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Pan-roasted barramundi fillet decorated with a scoop of pine nuts, finely chopped tomato and olive salsa. Photo: Wendy Johnson

Sweet Goddess with its perfect blend of pear, mango, lemon and fresh mint. Photo: Wendy Johnson

“The barrista is fully focused and super busy cranking out coffees for walkers, cyclists, tourists, mums and bubs, and locals.” Dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON makes an early start on the Kingston Foreshore. 

If you’re a rise-and-shine-early person and want coffee with a view, Early Edition is here for you from 7am, seven days.

New to the Kingston Foreshore, Early Edition has been packed most days since it swung its doors open only a couple of months ago, serving breakfast, lunch and trusty takeaway. The barrista is fully focused and super busy cranking out coffees for walkers, cyclists, tourists, mums and bubs, and locals.

The all-day menu kickstarts with straightforward eggs on toast for $12 (however you like them) and stretches to the Wagyu rump, egg and the lot for those with mega appetites ($27). Lunch is from 11.30am.

We began with fresh juice (made on-site… not bottled and brought in, $7 to $9). Loved the Sweet Goddess with its perfect blend of pear, mango, lemon and fresh mint. 

Although the crab omelette with crème fraiche and with burnt caper butter caught my eye ($12), I was in a fishy mood so selected the barramundi ($31).

Early Edition puts effort into presentation, and the effort is appreciated. The pan-roasted fillet (a lovely portion) was placed to the side and partially on a serving of sauteed beans (not overcooked). Nicely arranged was the bright-looking fennel citrus salad featuring punchy segments of a ruby red grapefruit. Decorating the fish was a scoop of pine nuts, finely chopped tomato and olive salsa, a welcoming salty element. 

The fish was perfectly cooked although the skin wasn’t crispy as I was hoping. So I scooped it off and concentrated on the flesh, squeezing lemon all over.

My friend enjoyed her wine-glazed lamb backstrap ($36), medium rare, consistently sliced and carefully arranged on creamy labneh with vibrant mint. Crunchy red radish added zip. Peas, leaves of gem lettuce and salsa verde added gorgeous colour. 

We shared an attractive side salad ($15) with loads of avo, cucumber, baby cos and a welcoming, well-balanced vinaigrette. The fries with parmesan and aioli were piping hot ($9), although next time we’ll ask for the aioli on the side instead of squirted all over the top.

Early Edition’s coffee is excellent. Hot drinks include a deluxe hot chocolate and a series of serious lattes. Cold drinks feature iced creations, Rose Sherbert and cold brew. Milkshakes, thick shakes and smoothies are on offer as is a solid list of loose-leaf teas steeped in pots.

Everyone at Early Edition is super friendly and unpretentious. Customers are greeted with a smile and a welcome. Retro artwork, including of Snoopy the beagle from the comic strip Peanuts, is fun and a line-up of mags are available for browsing. Indoor and outdoor dining are available. Order at the counter indoors with dishes brought to your table.