Simon Flanagan and Chin Wu are self-described coffee nerds, labels they wear proudly on their sleeves. Their obsession with the drink goes beyond just flavour – the techniques and science behind their daily drop are also key components of their fanaticism. Until now, the couple (who boast several years of hospitality experience between them) have had to travel a fair distance from their Robertson home (or settle for a home-brewed pour-over) to get their fix of top-notch coffee, but when the duo spied a vacant space on Toohey Road in Salisbury the creative caffeine-fuelled cogs in their brain began to turn. Here, Simon and Chin saw an opportunity to provide the kind of coffee-focused offering that the area needed – a streamlined service that showcased the nuances of various specialty brew methods. Their joint endeavour – Supernumerary Coffee – is a humble hideaway that harkens back to the suburb’s history as a ballistics-making hub with a sparse and industrial fit-out. Eschewing flashy accoutrements, Supernumerary’s centrepiece is the coffee counter – one boasting some gleaming new playthings for fellow baristas to drool over. Supernumerary Coffee is equipped with a shiny coffee machine from Seattle-based manufacturer Slayer – heralded for its pre-infusion and flow-rate control – while there’s plenty of elbow room for slinging lattes without interrupting workflow. Flair is found in the little details – keep an eye out for the snorkelling pooch on Supernumerary’s mugs and branding, inspired by Simon and Chin’s two sausage dogs Jasper and Arlo.
At Supernumerary Coffee, coffee is king (followed closely by service) but – as any coffee drinker will attest – all the equipment in the world is wasted if you don’t have the right beans. No fear here, Simon and Chin have scored Padre as their chief supplier. Espresso-based, batch and pour-over coffee is available alongside sips from Melbourne-based Chinese tea supplier Kuura, sticky chai lattes, smoothies and hot chocolate. The food menu boasts a curated selection of simple and pleasurable snacks, which will grow over time to complement the coffee. Currently, guests can munch on organic sourdough toast with spreads, organic fruit loaf, Wholly Crumpets smeared with your choice of honeycomb and butter, kaya jam and butter or regular spread, and banana bread. Over in the treats counter sits a selection of vegan and raw treats for those of you with a sweet tooth. Got a pup? They are more than welcome at Supernumerary – frothy lactose-free puppacinos and peanut butter and coconut cookies are on hand for your four-legged friends.
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