NO PLACE LIKE HOME
A former Indian fish and chip shop has been transformed into cosy Burleigh Waters hangout Home Plate Kitchen, writes Sally Coates
THEY may have been open for only five weeks, but Home Plate Kitchen’s Shayne Green and Jess Kaimoana have wasted no time in getting to know their regulars.
Like Fox, an ex-truckie and his wife Jules who live within walking distance. Fox told Jess he’d keep and eye out for them and one night took care of a pile of rubbish from the renovation they hadn’t gotten around to disposing of yet. He’s since been promoted to head of security and maintenance.
Then there’s the four-legged fans. “We get so many dogs here, it’s awesome! Everyone around here has a dog. I’ve never seen so many dogs in my life,” Shayne says excitedly.
That’s the kind of clientele this vibrant couple attract at Home Plate Kitchen, with their down-to-earth vibe, homecooked eats and infectiously sunny demeanour.
“We love food and we love people – it sounds so ridiculous but everyone that walks in the door we get to know,” Jess says.
“It’s got a great little feel and that’s where the name comes from as well.
“Home is where you’re comfortable, Plate is food and the Kitchen ties it all together.”
“I’ve hugged so many people since working here,” Shayne laughs.
Originally from Sydney, the pair had a cafe at the Northern Beaches, which they gave up to go live in the US for a year and a half.
Six months ago they arrived on the Gold Coast and, when the Treeview Drive shopfront became available, they snapped it up and got to work renovating.
“We lived in Austin, Texas in America, which of course is the barbecue capital, but our background is cafe food so that’s what we decided to do here,” Jess says.
“We home-make everything down to the breadcrumbs for our schnitzel, sauces, our gauca-hummus, hollandaise and fresh-baked muffins.
“It’s really home-style eats … comforting, home-style cooking.”
The concise and unpretentious does the classics at very reasonable prices – no $22 smashed avo here.
The coffee is a roast from a previous supplier down in Sydney and HPK are the only ones to offer it on the Coast.
“We’re using a coffee called Mutch and Moore,” Jess says.
“People say it’s a little stronger to what they’re used to but feedback is really good.
“People have so many different preferences with what milks they have with their coffee and ours seems to sit well with them all.”
Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch (and dinner definitely on the cards at some point), whether you’re in the Burleigh Waters area or beyond, nudge HPK to the top of your “cafes to visit” list.
Home Plate Kitchen, 6 Treeview Drive, Burleigh Waters.