Some people just know how to open a café. The team behind Top Paddock and Two Birds One Stone are some of those people. These guys win awards, like all the time.
The good food, the great coffee, and the stop-on service. How do they continue to nail it? Well, who knows, but for right now we’re just going to celebrate that they’re at it again. Owners Nathan Toleman, Tim James, Sam King, and Jesse Mctavish are the men behind the latest venue The Kettle Black.
They’ve taken the chefs hats to South Melbourne for this one, opening on Albert Street. Studio You Me is the design team behind the job and they’ve married a cool and minimalist interior with the heritage of the building which is both the last terrace in Albert Road and a new apartment building; Fifty Albert. It combines Nordic design with touches of opulence to beautiful effect. Think white walls, green tiles, with touches of marble and brass, and of course a communal table thrown in there for good café measure.
The food is going to be taking café food up a notch or two. These guys are going all out hoping it raises a few eyebrows of appreciation (not that their current venues don’t do that enough). The King Island crayfish roll with yuzu mayo and coastal spinach is already being watched as a potential favourite, while Flinders Island wallaby, Robbins Island wagyu skirt steak, Burnham Beeches bread, and house-made butter will be helping other dishes on the menu really pop.
The Kettle Black is opening on Tuesday July 29 at 7am. Our bet is that the lines will be long.
The Kettle Black
50 Albert Road, South Melbourne
www.thekettleblack.com.au
Image via Joanne Feehan
