New north Gold Coast cafe pays tribute to a special grandmother

Who remembers cooking in the kitchen with their grandma as children? The owners of the northern Gold Coast’s newest cafe do, and they’ve made a business paying tribute to their special role model. Check out what’s on the menu.

Ida's Kitchen is a sleek new cafe in Parkwood with a modern brunch menu and in-house patisserie chef. Picture Glenn Hampson

TWO brothers have opened a cafe at Parkwood as a tribute to their grandma Ida.

Co-owner Nick Freeman says he and his brother Jono were unknowingly given the tools to run a hospitality business by their grandmother while they were still children.

“Ida’s Kitchen is named after our grandmother,” Nick says.

“Growing up, my grandmother had an operating kitchen basically from the time we were born to when we left home, and she would let us help out. She taught us a lot of things about business that we didn’t know we were learning.

FIRST LOOK AT TWEED COAST’S NEW RESTAURANT

Ida’s Kitchen is a sleek new cafe in Parkwood. Above is the shroom fritters with parmesan and cauliflower puree. Picture Glenn Hampson

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

“Things like if someone comes, you smile at them, know their name, have a chat.

“When this opportunity came up, we thought what better way to pay our respects to what she did for us growing up than this.”

Already entrepreneurs of coffee and fitness respectively, Nick and Jono joined forces to bring the northern end of the Gold Coast the sleek new brunch spot that opened earlier this month.

“My brother’s opening some gyms and was looking at this place. The space was originally a child’s play centre with a cafe attached,” Nick says.

Ida’s Kitchen interior is modern with high ceilings. Picture Glenn Hampson

THE GOLD COAST’S TOP 10 EGGS BENEDICT AS VOTED BY YOU

“It was too big for his gym so we thought, all the facilities are there, I’ll take this space that’s surplus to your needs.

“I think the fit out, the low ceiling, the food and coffee, everything really goes together with what we’re trying to offer.”

Former Bam Bam Bakehouse and Paddock Bakery chefs Kym Trost and Elsa Holland are behind the menu, putting a twist on classic brunch fare with a kimchi savoury waffle, parmesan and “shroom” fritters and avo on sourdough toast with carrot hummus and dukkah.

“We’re using Bread Social bread, so if you order avo on toast you’re going to get the best bread on the Gold Coast,” Kym says.

Ida’s Kitchen uses an exclusive blend from Maloney St for its coffee. Picture Glenn Hampson

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

“Elsa is a classically trained French pastry chef so that adds another element. We wanted to try and create the whole package.”

The coffee is another ode to the boys’ childhood, with the Number 3 blend exclusive to Ida’s Kitchen.

“I roast the coffee for the cafe. I’ve been working with coffee for nearly 10 years,” Nick says. “My (coffee) label is called Maloney St — my gran and pop lived on Maloney St.

“I wanted to make sure the coffee blend was something that was really easy to drink, a repeatable cup, something that would complement the food.

“There’s something for everyone on the menu. It’s super fresh, everything made in-house. There’s healthy options, and if someone’s on their cheat day, there’s something on there as well.”

FIVE OF SOUTHPORT’S BEST CAFES AND RESTAURANTS

The kimchi waffle with spicy salad and toasted peanuts. Picture Glenn Hampson

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

So what’s the verdict from Ida herself?

“We haven’t had her up here yet, but that’s the plan,” Nick says.

“The general feedback is everyone’s loving the food and loving the coffee. We’re building a nice little base here.”

Ida’s Kitchen is open seven days from 6am to 3pm at 250 Olsen Avenue, Parkwood.