Clancy’s Espresso
It’s scientifically proven that coffee tastes exponentially better when enjoyed in aesthetically pleasing surroundings. While we don’t have a link to any studies to back up our claim, we’re pretty confident that you agree with us anyway. A new cafe in Norman Park is going to put our hypothesis to the test when Clancy’s Espresso opens in early September. The brainchild of Clancy Sonter-Kelso and Ollie Burscough (of Woodsters fame), Clancy’s Espresso is looking to bring good food and coffee to the suburb, paired with a homely, Scandinavian-influenced fit-out that is simple, cosy and filled with plants. Ollie himself is overseeing the build, with plenty of custom furniture, fixtures and fittings filling the space. Patrons will be able to sample specialty coffee from Single O, as well as fresh bagels, locally made pastries and a menu of simple yet very tasty food.
The Breakfast Club and Coffee at Wandering Cooks
Wandering Cooks has done so much for the local Brisbane food scene that it’d be forgiven for resting on its laurels. Good thing for us that Angela Hirst and her team have no interest in doing any such thing, because the newest project to arrive at Wandering Cooks is set to be a doozy. Come Sunday August 27, Wandering Cooks will be unveiling a new coffee and breakfast concept in a space on the corner of Cordelia Street and Fish Lane. The Breakfast Club will see Wandering Cooks team up with some specialty food makers every Sunday to offer a host of breakfast cuisines, including fare from IndieTreats, Mexican-style day starters from MXFlavour and Szechuan bites from The Spicy Chef. Boozy brunches are also encouraged, with the Wandering Cooks bar whipping up bloody Marys, bellinis and breakfast martinis. The Steepery will provide tea, and a coffee roaster for Coffee at Wandering Cooks will be announced soon. Though only operating on Sundays come launch, this new brunch hub will continue to take shape with more boutique makers coming on board to expand trading to seven days.
Empire Chicken
In a few short weeks, a new joint will open in the heart of Fortitude Valley that will make chicken lovers go cluckin’ crazy with excitement. Empire Chicken will settle in to roost in the Empire Hotel on the corner of Ann and Brunswick Streets, specialising in succulent free-range chicken. A top-of-the-line rotisserie oven has been shipped in from France to cook these birds to perfection, which will be served across a range of burgers and salads (and even as a classic quarter chicken and chips meal), as well as starters including arancini balls and salt and pepper squid. The space will offer a cool and casual spot to dine, with booth seating that overlooks Brunswick Street paired with a bar serving a large rum selection and shared cocktails. Empire Chicken will be open for lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday – stay tuned for a closer look on The Weekend Edition soon!
Small Axe
One of our absolute favourite coffee roasters gifted us with some big news recently, when Blackstar Coffee announced that it would be opening a third outlet in early-to-mid October. Small Axe will be arriving in West End next to The Stores and London Fields on Montague Road. In addition to the hot drinks and cold-press coffee that we know and love, Small Axe will be selling take-home packs of its roasted coffee and gear for home brewers. Though it won’t boast a full kitchen, Small Axe will be offering a concise menu of affordable healthy meals and grab-and-go options. Blackstar Coffee has some more big news on the horizon with the opening of its new roasting and wholesale facility in East Brisbane in November, which will also host a coffee lab and training facilities on site.
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Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
