TasWeekend Indulge: Eastern Shore cafe culture brewing thanks to new shop Audrey Coffee

Eastern Shore residents are waking up and smelling the coffee, thanks to cafes like Audrey Coffee, which are really starting to help the area’s food and coffee scene rival that of Hobart’s CBD

Audrey Coffee’s light-filled Rosny cafe has a warm and welcoming vibe. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

AS WELL as being 3C warmer, as every Eastern Shore resident will tell you, the food and coffee scene on the other side of the river is really starting to rival that of Hobart’s CBD.

Exhibit A is Audrey Coffee, a speciality cafe specialising in the caffeine charged beverage I love so much, coffee. I’m there at 11am on a Monday and the place is buzzing with activity. Located at Rosny Park, the crowd is a mixture of office workers on their midmorning coffee run, parents with prams, families and solo laptop workers. I have my husband and toddler in tow and we manager to nab an ideal spot at one of the window seats with floor-to-ceiling glass. Thanks to said window seats, the interior is light filled with a minimal Scandi-vibe sort of fit-out with crisp white walls and lots of blonde wood.

A latte from Audrey Coffee, at Rosny, which is made from specially selected Columbian single origin beans, supplied by Villino Coffee Roasters. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Before I even place my order, the quality of the coffee served here is already evident from the rich, caramel-like aroma that fills the air. My husband opts for his usual short mac and I go for a latte. There is an array of Pigeon Whole pastries in the glass cabinet to choose from but I have it on great authority from a local resident that the haloumi and egg brioche rolls are where it’s at. When the hardest decision of your day is choosing whether to have my roll with pickles or without, it’s fair to say life is pretty good. Thankfully, the lady serving me doesn’t miss a beat and says, “definitely get the pickle, I promise you won’t forget it”.

Audrey Coffee’s egg and haloumi rolls, made with Pigeon Whole brioche rolls, mayonnaise, tomato relish and pickles are hard to go past for a tasty snack. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

She is right. I was prepared for deliciousness (what’s not to love about egg and haloumi right?) but seriously, this roll is ridiculously good. I ordered one between my husband and I planning on sharing but after taking my first bite, I announce that I’m having the whole thing (I even pull the pregnant ‘the baby must need it!’ card). Hours later I find myself still thinking about this roll and pondering what made it so tasty. Then it hits me. It’s the combination of the mayonnaise, tomato relish and the pickle, together with the Pigeon Whole brioche, the egg and saltiness of the haloumi that makes it taste not unlike a Quarter Pounder— something I haven’t eaten in years. I’m not one to frequent fast food joints these days but that unmistakeable taste is nostalgically addictive and satisfying.

Audrey Coffee’s light-filled minimal fit-out which features crisp white walls and lots of blonde wood, has a cozy Scandi-vibe. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The coffee is also very good. Co-owner, Luke Wilcock tells me it’s a specially selected Columbian single origin supplied by Villino and served exclusively at Audrey Coffee. My latte is total perfection and while my husband’s short mac is a little on the long side (more like a piccolo), the quality of the coffee is still evident. The appreciation of coffee by owners Wilcock and Pete Ladyman is also evident from the retail display that is dedicated to home brewing in its many forms. Whether you’re in to filter, pour over, stove top espresso or aeropress, these guys have you covered along with fresh beans (ground or unground) and coffee grinders.

Bliss Balls, by Naturally Rawsome, are one of several healthy sweet treats on offer at Audrey Coffee. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Along with Pigeon Whole pastries, there are also Bliss Balls by Naturally Rawsome ($3) and gluten-free cookies ($4) by Little Batch Baking. Drinks wise, there is canned, cold-drip coffee by Minor Figures, kombucha and a selection of boutique soft drinks and juices.

I return to the cafe later in the week for lunch and though the haloumi and egg rolls are screaming out at me from behind the glass, I figure I better sample something different in the name of ‘research’. I go for the vegan sandwich, a combination of Pigeon Whole sourdough multigrain, hummus, roast veg and greens. It’s a great sandwich, especially if you’re vegan/vego or trying to lay off the animal products but I’m not going to lie, that egg and haloumi roll is still on my mind. It’s a warm Hobart summer day so I order an iced chocolate with my sandwich. I’m not a fan of iced chocolates with all the trimmings (ice-cream, whipped cream etc.) so the Audrey version is perfect for me with beautiful Hunted & Gathered Drinking

Audrey Coffee’s Iced Decaf Latte and Iced Chocolate, made with Hunted & Gathered Drinking chocolate is a good option on warmer days. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Chocolate, milk and ice. It’s clear that a lot of thought and time has gone in to selecting the best suppliers so while the menu is minimal, it’s all good. Along with the Hunted & Gathered Drinking chocolate (which is used to make both hot chocolates as well as iced versions) there is also Konomi Matcha and Fly High Chai, a chai tea concentrate made in Melbourne from premium spices. As I sip my iced chocolate I ponder two key questions — when can I come back for another egg and haloumi roll and how many egg and haloumi rolls a week is too many?

Audrey Coffee will host one of its popular ‘Easy Sundays’ breakfast pop-ups on Sunday, March 15 featuring a full brekkie menu by chef Alicia Tams.