Industry Beans, Fitzroy

Industry Beans
http://www.industrybeans.com/
Unit 3 Cnr Fitzroy & Rose St Fitzroy
9417 1034

If you are a foodie, blogger, cafe hopper, coffee addict or just an all-around Melbournite then you should visit Industry Beans. There is no denying that this hidden warehouse space just off Rose St in Fitzroy continues to climb its way into cafe royalty. How, you may ask? Well, Industry Beans has taken the quintessential Melbourne cafe, given it a good shake and pursued a venture that no longer fits the mold.

It’s difficult even to know where to begin but one’s surroundings are a good start. We arrived on a rainy morning before the sun had fully greeted the sky. The cafe has a fantastic covered outdoor area from which we could watch the light creep over the urban landscape. In fact, the whole space is enormous which makes it a great spot for both intimate catchups or large work meetings. The design is modern but wood based giving an earthy feel that is only enhanced by the scent coffee beans roasting. Make sure you take a peek at the various coffee contraptions. You will be amazed.

Industry Beans are indeed their own roaster and supply beans around the state (also available for wholesale at the cafe). It is still contended that their cold drip is the best: a nice touch being that they provide both the drip and brew for comparison. On this day they hailed from El Salvador and Kenya respectively; the latter carrying a fruitier body.

With such fantastic coffee, would we forgive a less-than-stellar menu? Luckily, there’s no need. Deep fried duck eggs, salmon soufflés and oats with coconut foam are out to prove something: breakfast ain’t what it used to be. Even my cauliflower and zucchini fritters didn’t follow the grain as a lemon myrtle yoghurt cut through the salt with an incomparable tang.

It was probably the charcuterie board that impressed the most, however, as breakfast nibbles I didn’t know existed were plated lovingly. Tea-marbled egg, salted yolk, duck bacon, cauliflower purée and tomato relish served alongside smoked cheddar and bagel wafers. I can imagine ‘where do I start?’ is a common exclamation but I would suggest the salted egg; a gummy, odd texture with an undescribable flavor that needs to be tried at least once in a lifetime (but perhaps never again).

This was my second visit to Industry Beans and they’ll be hard pressed to keep me away for long. While I do love the Melbourne cafe mould, complete with cafe latte and smashed avo, it gets tiresome seeing the same thing so many times over. If you are looking to impress, I’d suggest Industry Beans; professionalism and individuality all over.