Page 34 - Conveniece World Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

CAFÉ PROFILE SYDNEY CAFÉ SATISFIES WITH SOPHISTICATION AND SUBSTANCE Just shy of its first birthday, Pantry eleveneleven has created an elegant and passion-filled environment with coffee and food to match. By Nicholas Rider. F or some strange reason, says Alana Jones, so many people dream of owning their own café one day. For most, this remains just a dream, though. But Ms Jones and her husband set out to make it their reality, taking a journey she describes as the “toughest and most ambitious one to take”. “For us it was a passion about food and coffee,” she said of the reasoning behind wanting to open a café. “The prospect of setting one up \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[was\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\] truly exciting.” This desire led to the opening of Pantry eleveneleven in the southern Sydney suburb of Carlton just under a year ago, with its clientele now ranging from the local community, such as those living in surrounding apartment blocks and those working in local businesses, to Sydney’s “crazy foodie crowd”. “The best feeling is being a part of the social fabric,” Ms Jones said when asked what she enjoys most about operating a café. “The coffee machine is firing, the café’s busy, the customers are laughing and the staff \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[are\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\] smiling.” The café is described as having a “unique sophistication” to it, with a “surprisingly warm” palette of white, black and grey that shines with dramatic lighting. “Our chandeliers definitely create a statement,” Ms Jones said. “White opal glass globes cluster around solid brass spikes, creating an edgy, alluring glow. “We \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[also\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\] have an outdoor area inspired by French courtyards. The courtyard works well for larger families, gatherings, and functions. “The best part of it all is that myself and my husband designed the space and built it from start to finish.” Creating the coffee experience The coffee offering is, of course, a key consideration for Pantry eleveneleven. “Without good coffee, some cannot exist,” Ms Jones said. “For some, coffee is just a caffeine kick. My coffee will determine whether I have a good day (good coffee) or bad day (s*** coffee).” Pantry eleveneleven chose to serve the product of Paradox Coffee Roasters after Ms Jones and her husband fell in love with the roaster on a family getaway on the Gold Coast. “When setting up the café, Paradox was our preference from the start,” Ms Jones said. “Having the option of an organic bean for our house blend that’s superior and like no other was a highlight. We’re grateful for the support Paradox has given us from the very start of our café journey.” Beyond an excellent roaster, a well trained barista is very important, she believes – “to be able to understand how to get the best out of their beans across espresso, filter and every other brewing method”. She adds that a great personality, delivering a consistent, positive service and coffee experience, is key as well. Of the Pantry eleveneleven customers, most enjoy an espresso-based milk coffee. “We \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[also\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\] take great satisfaction in knowing we deliver an exceptional alternative milk experience,” Ms Jones said. “\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[In addition\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\], we have our diehard fans who can't live without their cold brew and long blacks.” Towards ‘restaurant quality’ food Pantry eleveneleven aims to give people “a bit of substance” with its “healthy, delicious” menu. “We have extremely high standards of the produce we source,” Ms Jones said. “Our menu is well executed and edging towards restaurant quality. Our weekly changing specials board is approached with precision and delight.” 32 CONVENIENCE WORLD NOV/DEC, 2020