I love me some Beaver with my Swedish Porn

Beavers Tail Social Club has been flying under the St Kilda radar for far too long and it’s time to put them in the spotlight. It’s a cute-as-a-button place almost at the intersection of Barkley and Carlisle Streets and, since opening in early October 2012, they have been slowly finding their feet – the recent addition is a mini ‘farmers market’ selling vegetables and free-rage eggs.

Opened by a couple looking to strike out on their own, the pair have created a calm and cosy place to grab a coffee and quick bite away from the madness of Acland Street. However, they have some fierce competition nearby in the form of Batch Espresso, Monk Bodhi Darma and St Kilda Galleon Cafe.

Decor wise – I love the marlin looming through the red electrical wires hanging from the ceiling.

As per the sign, they use Swedish Porn coffee. But on this visit I was taken with the Mork Specialty Hot Chocolate, which I have heard much about but always noticed it too late. You know how it is – you’ve just sat down at a cafe and the wait staff immediately ask you what you would like to drink – usually before you have been given a menu – so you get the ‘usual’ and then notice they they do decent hot chocolate or thick shakes? Yeah that.

So I went Mork and it paid off. A nice jug of the hot stuff that was rich and creamy. And enough to get a few cups – value for money.

WordMonkey opted for a chai soy latte. Again, it was a nice little setup that allowed you to top yourself up.

A tiny kitchen usually limits your offerings but somehow they have been able to put breakfast, toasties, sandwiches and hot dogs on the menu. A valiant effort coming from a kitchen the same size as one you would find in a camper van.

I clocked the super-famous hotdog with relish, caramelised onion, mustard and ketchup. They get their bread from a local baker who rides into town each weekend to sell her wares from a bicycle. However, they had run out of the normal size so I opted for it to be served in a smaller bun. This caused little concern.

The sausage came from a Russian butcher just up the road in Balaclava and had a great peppery and garlic piquancy.

WordMonkey had the ham and cheese toast which, while not the most photographic of dishes, did have a great flavour – primarily due to the flavoursome cheese and garlic-infused ham.

Check out the goods in crates and hessian sacks (alongside the fresh stuff, the Mork hot chocolate, chai, jam and organic coconut blossom sugar is also for sale). Not many people know about it, but from small things, big things grow.