I remember this place when it was being fitted out and ready to make its mark on the Darwin foodie scene. When it opened I walked in, took a look at the prices, gasped, and walked back out.

That was a while ago and since then I've heard loads of positive comments about the food and the coffee. Our office also ordered some catered sandwiches earlier in the week that were quite nice. Well then, all the stars in the night sky aligned I decided to bite the bullet this week and try Four Birds out at lunch.

The decor is groovy, with lots of small, low coffee tables and a random array of stools and cushions. There's the odd milk crate and a black cat from a nearby shop floating around too. I can appreciate the coolness of it all, but whilst it is fine for looking all fancy whilst sipping on a coffee, it's not so great for eating a sandwich.

I went the poached chicken with Thai style mayo, mango, cucumber and and cos lettuce on Turkish bread for $9.90. Certainly a strange combo with the mango in there, unique and strange being a theme that is present on everything written on their chalkboard menu. But one bite into this baby and it all makes sense. It's damn good.

Mango in a sandwich. Really? Yes. It just works. The mayo, which I usually despise, has cute little bits of parsley scattered throughout, another thing that I don't like. How can two things I don't like taste so good? Had me shocked. And the Turkish bread - wow. I always thought it was meant to be hard and plain. I was wrong, everyone else's was just crappy.

Some more lettuce and cucumber would have been nice to fully justify the price, then all would have been perfect.

Many a nice word has been spoken about the coffee

That night, I dreamt about the sandwich and awoke in the morn' with drool all over my face. I knew it was a sign I had to go try the breakfast for a second opinion, I've been eating rations all week so I might as well splurge. $6.50 for a ricotta cheese, honey and cinnamon panini toast, $4 for a cappuccino. Surprisingly filling and delicious, which explains all the people hanging around at 8am in the morning instead of being at work.

Four Birds seemed to have rapidly gained a cult following and it's taken me a while but I've finally found out why. Great coffee, delicious and exciting food. The young ladies there certainly have created something special that isn't your ordinary run of the mill café like so many that have come before it. They're not cheap, but worth it if you feel like treating yourself to a taste sensation.