A taste of...
Engine Coffee Brewers
We’d heard… There is a fresh coffee bar in town that is damn serious about the black stuff.
We started with… Heading to the Boxed Quarter, on St Asaph St, home to a number of eateries, a gallery space, a tattoo studio and my lunch destination – Engine Coffee Brewers. I discover the modular cafe behind Thai Box restaurant and next to a ping pong table in the courtyard.
The pint-sized store has a menu to match. There’s just a handful of simple breakfast and lunch options, such as muesli, a frittata and sandwiches made to order, but considering the nonexistent kitchen it’s impressive they can turn out any food at all.
I order the cuban sandwich with pastrami, salami, cheese, mustard, pickle and relish ($9.50) and to finish, the caramel oat slice ($4.50).
Engine’s forte is coffee and it prides itself on its tasting tray menu, which gives customers the opportunity to compare different blends and hone their tastebuds.
I decide to get the filter tasting tray ($7) and the barista’s excitment is obvious as he enthusiastically explains the dark chocolate and tropical fruit notes I can expect in my two chosen beverages.
The filter coffees arrive nicely presented on a wooden tray, one coffee is hot while the other is ice cold. It’s fun having the option to switch between the two blends, although I struggle to taste the different sweet and fruity notes. My sandwich bread smells fresh and in between there’s a good helping of meat and cheese. Both the sammie and the slice remind me of a homemade fare done well.
The vibe… Youthful and vibrant. The complex has a fun energy and life to it thanks to the towering graffiti murals covering the walls. Inside Engine, the decor is kept simple with a few interesting knick-knacks dotted around the otherwise plain space.
If you go… Word is Boxed Quarter is expanding into the neighbouring space on the corner of St Asaph St and Madras St next year. Engine hopes to nab a roomier space in the complex.
Rating out of 5: 3.5