Léné Ritter and Chris Allen have wanted to open a cafe for a long while, but if you asked them at the beginning of the year what their timeline was, they’d have told you they were likely two years away from acting on their dream. Sometimes opportunity knocks louder (and earlier) than one expects. A chance series of events spurred the couple into action just over two months ago, when Léné and Chris (a hairdresser and nurse, and painter, respectively) spied an opportunity on Gumtree to take over a restaurant space on Farrant Street in Stafford Heights. The Zillmere locals, enamoured with the idea of opening a cafe of their own close to home, decided to jump at the opportunity and one whirlwind refurbishment period later the duo officially unveiled Enoki Coffee & Co. on Friday July 2. Although new to hospitality, the couple has made the leap into the industry with a clear vision and carefully considered operational ethos, resulting in a cafe that has hit the ground running even with a quick genesis. Léné and Chris, two avowed vegetarians, have sought to offer the kind of inclusive, accessible, ethical and sustainable offering that they seek at other Brisbane brunch options, while a safe come-as-you-are friendliness underpins the neighbourhood locale’s overall vibe. The venue’s previous decor was scrapped in favour of a crisp, colourful and charming aesthetic – think strips of VJ panelling and a soothing colour palette of pink and sea glass green. The cafe’s visual identity will continue to manifest in the coming months with the addition of local artwork on the walls and a new coffee and service counter.
Enoki Coffee & Co.’s menu caters to vegetarians and strictly plant-based eaters, with a tight menu that offers a considerable amount of flexibility. One of the most noticeable features of the menu is the ability to order a half serve of nearly every dish – perfect for those that don’t have huge appetites or are simply after a lighter bite. Those that like to build their own brekkie from scratch can opt to do so with the Make It You, but inventive all-day options like the Rose Waffle Benedict (house made potato and rosemary waffle, poached eggs, mushrooms, house hollandaise and sauteed kale), Enoki Omelette (enoki mushrooms, spring onion, tomato relish and fried shallots), Chocolate Goodness (chocolate crumpets with vegan butterscotch, coconut ice-cream, seasonal fruit, honeycomb and chocolate syrup) and the Tofu Brito Bowl (gourmet mushrooms, tofu, chilli paste and sesame oil) showcase a savvy ingenuity from the kitchen team. Two kinds of bagels (a crowd-pleasing holdover from Enoki’s cabinet-only lockdown debut), and vegan pastries from Bardon’s French Tarts will suitably satiate stomach grumbles if you need to munch on the move. The crew will look to minimise kitchen wastage regularly, utilising excess ingredients on hand in an assortment of specials while contributing scraps to a community compost collection. When it came to selecting Enoki’s coffee supplier, Léné and Chris have sought to work with a crew whose ethical values aligns with theirs. Brisbane-based roasters Semi-Pro Coffee and Almanac Coffee have come onboard, with Semi-Pro supplying Enoki’s house blend while Almanac contributes its single origins to the mix (milk from Norco and substitutes from The Alternative Dairy Co. ensure everyone’s coffee choice is available). Oh, an Enoki is dog-friendly too, with leash hooks affixed to each outdoor table and puppycinos and treats also available for furry friends.
Enoki Coffee & Co. is now open to the public. For contact details and opening hours, head to the Stumble Guide.
