There’s a feeling of the farm meets the city in The Croft House Town Kitchen & Bar, from the paintings of rural scenes on the walls to the regionally sourced produce on the menu. Even the name harks back to the farm cottage that once stood on the site where modern-day buildings tower over the Brisbane CBD.
This new city venue, attached to The Sebel Brisbane on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets, has a unique Queensland feel, right down to the locally made ceramics and art works. Even the gold drop leaf marble used in the stylish fit-out came from quarries near Cairns.
A collaboration with Queensland artist Susan Simonini has seen a beautiful ceramics collection created exclusively for The Croft House’s signature dishes. Her work is beautifully rustic and organic, in colours reflecting the Australian palette.
Lush tropical planters and an abundance of natural light continue the theme. Although the touches of marble, brass and herringbone tile bring a level of sophistication and luxury to the design, the restaurant is accommodating and approachable, not to mention versatile.
While many CBD establishments are only open Monday to Friday, The Croft House is open 7 days a week, for breakfast, lunch and dinner. It transforms from a café where you can grab-to-go, to a restaurant serving à la carte, to a bar serving shared plates and late-night drinks.
Venue manager Jessica Lyon says it is a comfortable space where you can get “really fresh food, high quality beverages including tasty craft beer and an extensive selection of Australian and international wines and cocktails. We pride ourselves on being able to support growers, farmers and producers and sharing this with our customers.”
Head chef Richard Mellor has kept flavours simple in the menu, letting the produce speak for itself. Signature dishes include The Croft House breakfast of Quattro Stelle Smokehouse streaky bacon, grilled tomato, field mushrooms, fried eggs and organic sourdough. Also on the breakfast menu is the house-cured salmon with toasted rye, avocado, Binnorie (Hunter Valley) goat cheese and soft poached egg.
For lunch, try the slow beef brisket on a bun with aged cheddar and spicy (we tried some of these at the launch party and they were delicious). Chef Mellor also recommends the house-made salads and gourmet sandwiches – ideal for those wanting fast and healthy.
Other menu items we sampled at the launch party included superb Tasmanian oysters and a great selection of charcuterie: cured and aged meats and cheeses from Woombye, Gippsland, Milawa, France and Spain, served with fruit chutney, walnut & rye bread and crisp bread crackers. The Butcher’s Board is ideal for grazing, with cured and smoked meats, farmhouse terrine, Italian bread, pickles and chutney.
The restaurant is sourcing its coffee beans from Wolff Coffee Roasters in Hendra, and city workers can order barista-made coffee via the coffee window on their way to work. The restaurant’s focus on craft beer sees locally produced Newstead Brewing alongside Two Birds, James Squire, ciders and a few international favourites. Some top end whiskies and gins have been included for the serious spirit drinker.
Future plans include wine dinners and whisky tastings. Don’t miss the Slow Cooked Sundays and the live music on Fridays from 5pm until 8pm. It’s the perfect place to tune out with a beer or wine and some charcuterie in hand.
If you go:
The Croft House
95 Charlotte Street (Corner of Charlotte & Albert Streets)
Brisbane Qld 4000
Australia
Tel: +61 (0)7 3224 3549
www.thecrofthouse.com.au
Photos supplied by Accor and used with their permission.