All-day breakfast cafe Florence Cafe has opened in Camp Hill, situated in the 1930s white cottage on Martha Street, formerly home to Cafe Grenadine.
Owners Elizabeth Florence and Sam Pethely first met at Felix for Goodness, Florence’s sister cafe in the CBD where the two bonded over their love for wholesome, cultured and nourishing food. When Cafe Grenadine closed its doors nine months ago, they decided to pick up the lease and open a cafe of their own in Spring Hill. “People really value having something close to home that they can wander down to,” says Elizabeth. “[We’ve had] a really nice response [from the locals].”
Florence’s brunch menu combines artisan staples with locally sourced produce – “the hero of the dish” – and products that have been cultured and fermented in-house. Diners can enjoy cannoli stuffed with whipped ricotta and burnt orange, cauliflower bhaji fritters with millet dosa and avocado toast with chive cashew cream. There is also a wide range of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, including dairy-free smoothies and nut milks. “The way we like to approach food and dining is [making it] nourishing and vibrant and creative,” says Elizabeth.
Much of the produce is available to buy from the cafe’s small deli section. Goods include sauerkraut, homemade jams, pasta sauce, nut cheese and pickled vegetables. “So if it’s the end of the day and you want to grab something for the evening meal, you can do that,” Elizabeth says. “Or, if you’re having a beautiful spread with friends on the weekend and you want to pick up some cheese, you can do that as well.”
The space, designed by architect Peter Kuhnell, also features a new Italian terrazzo-style coffee hatch for takeaways. In keeping things local, Florence has partnered with Parallel Roasters for its coffee supply, based on the company’s ethical practices and quality control.
Cafe Florence is now open at 54 Martha Street from 6am to 3pm Monday to Friday and 7am to 3pm on weekends.
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