What’s cracking in Adelaide? Crack.
There are many puns to be made here, some more appropriate than others.
From the team behind The Loose Caboose in Hindmarsh and Whipped in Semaphore, Crack Kitchen transforms a former bank into three levels of exquisite cafe, roastery and soon to be patisserie, with a focus on local community and traceability for produce.
Crack, noun; a narrow opening.
The building is long and narrow with just a single row of tables running down one side and the counter running down the other side. A couple of communal benches are squeezed into the front corner next to the counter. The interior is simple and minimalist with Scandinavian design influences; concrete floor, white walls, white-tiled counter, light timber furnishings and black staircase. Touches of turquoise add some colour and flows from the shades of the wall-mounted desk lamp lighting to the cups, saucers and table condiments.
The second level is in the style of a mezzanine, overlooking the tables below, and features bar seating and the coffee roaster at one end. The third level was not yet open at the time of writing but is planned to eventuate into a bakery and patisserie.
Crack, colloquialism, cocaine; a highly addictive stimulant.
The food menu provides some twists on breakfast and lunch favourites; these include the Bircher muesli with poached pear, the smashed avocado with beetroot hummus and spiced seeds and the bubble and squeak with salted beetroot. Then there’s some more creative and slightly left field dishes that include the brioche Welsh rarebit, the home made black pudding, the gingerbread pikelets with poached mandarin, cardamom yoghurt and chocolate almond honeycomb and the beef brisket sourdough. The rarebit and the brisket sandwich both feature house made mustard mayo which is simply divine, even for those who are usually not mustard lovers.
Coffee is roasted in house, the roaster on the second level might be a giveaway, with a blend and single origins on offer as espresso, filter and cold brew. Soy and almond milk are available. Hot chocolate from Mörk and a range of teas, smoothies, fresh juices and milkshakes are also on offer.
Crack, verb; to overcome a security system or component, to break open.
A centrepiece of the ground level is the unisex disabled bathroom, the quaint door of which is from an old bank safe. Like the front doors of the cafe, it is motorised and opens automatically.
Puns and homonyms aside, Crack Kitchen is a stunning addition to the CBD with its strong food menu and coffee offerings. The cakes and tarts on display on the counter are quite something already and opening of the third level patisserie and bakery will be exciting.
Crack Kitchen
13 Franklin Street, Adelaide
08 8410 1407
http://www.crackkitchen.com.au