Single Origin CBD Cafe

Jessica Rayner
16th Jun 2015
$6-$15

Bringing their Surry Hills vibes and barista know-how to the CBD, coffee heroes Single Origin Roasters are setting up shop at 89 York Street. We were invited to their launch party and got a first hand glimpse at what they have to offer.

Nestled amongst a string of bars, Single O is a small but perfectly formed space. With a take-away focus, ideal for busy working suits, it features a standing bar, sleek wood and glass counter and a beautiful coffee stained paper installation by Renuka Fernando on the ceiling. If you’re just grabbing a coffee or lingering for longer, you won’t be disappointed.

If you’re looking for somewhere to get more than just a daily injection of caffeine, Single O has got you covered. As well as serving up their famous Reservoir blend, from this week you can sample their La Roda Columbia, Mimba AA Tanzania and Seka Forest blends as well as their selected ‘filter of the week’. If you really want to mix it up, they’ve also got kombucha and cascara (coffee cherry tea) on tap. While they might not replace my daily cup, they’re certainly worth a try!

In terms of the menu, “we’ve focused on food options that are easy to take-away’ Claire Brill of the Single O team told us, ‘that’s why you’ll only find two salads on the menu. The menu is a bit of a mash-up from our other joints.’

Indeed, their menu is limited but it’s very well-thought out. With a ‘breakfast for lunch’ vibe, they’ve got all bases covered with some cooked options, gluten free items with fresh juices and a cappuccino rice pudding to boot. We’re also told that alongside this new menu, they’ll be serving favourites like their epic muffins and sideshow sandwiches that can be found at their Surry Hills spot. The best bit is that all these tasty treats are served in eco-friendly, compostable cartons and cups.

We got a taster of the ‘Mr Croque’ a twist on the toastie with leg ham, cheddar béchamel and pickled veg ($11) which is a solid, tasty option for brekkie and tastes just as good as it smells. Their take on the classic bacon roll ($12) with an egg, mayo and ketchup would also be a great way to start the day. However, the showstopper was the Avocado, Fetta and Cherry Tomato on Rye Toast ($12) which was bursting with flavor and would no doubt kick start even the dullest of days.

Since they opened their doors in Surry Hills, 12 years ago, this new central location has been a long time coming. Everyone we spoke to in the evening was excited about this new venture and were anxious to know if their offerings would be as big a hit in the business centre as it is in Surry Hills.

Our opinion? They have nothing to worry about. The take-away focus and sleek interior of Single O hits the nail on the head and brings a breath of fresh air to the CBD. We know where we’ll be grabbing our next (bio-degradable) cup of joe!

www.singleoriginroasters.com.au