Yolk knows its eggs. The prolific team is behind beloved brunch spots Terror Twilight, Tinker, Convoy and takeaway sandwich shop Hi Fi. Now, the group is branching out with Ophelia, its fifth cafe, at the former home of Barry in Westgarth.
Kieran Spiteri, who co-owns Yolk with Ben Argentino and Bec Moore, tells Broadsheet it’s a more grown-up venue than the team’s previous brunch spots, and will have a pared-back menu. “We want to focus a lot more on local producers or produce that could be in season for sort of eight weeks, and really showcase that on the plate,” he says.
The venue is also about breaking the mould of its sibling spots. “We’re challenging ourselves to showcase our evolution as a group,” Spiteri tells Broadsheet. “Everything we do [at our other venues] has an egg on it,” he jokes.
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SIGN UPAt Ophelia, you’ll find much more than that in a condensed, changing menu that spans breakfast and lunch. Expect galettes, tartines, French toast and a market plate. (Of course, there’ll be classic eggs on toast, too.) There’ll also be five sandwich options to go.
As for drinks, we’re most excited about what Spiteri calls the “ugly delicious” miso-caramel latte. “It’s not the most aesthetic drink,” he admits. “But it’s pretty much a miso-caramel syrup that lines the glass, and then your classic iced latte over the top.”
As at Terror Twilight and Tinker, there’ll also be cocktails on the menu, as well as a tight list of local lo-fi wines and beers on tap. House-made fermented sodas are also on the cards, in flavours like passionfruit, ginger beer and fermented pineapple skin. There’ll be cold brew on tap, too.
The corner spot is spacious and light-filled, with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto High Street. Warm tones will feature throughout the space, from warm chestnut timber to olive green velvet banquettes and dimmable lighting. A floor-to-ceiling wall will show off the team’s elaborate record collection. Plus, punters can spill out onto the outdoor seating that wraps around High and Barry streets.
Yet the most enticing feature might be the original terrazzo floors, which the team restored in the renovations. “[One of the previous owners] painted over the beautiful red terrazzo floor,” Spiteri says. “[When] you walk in, it’s one of the first things you’ll notice. The floor is shining and buzzing.”
And there’ll be a lot more buzz in the coming months. “We want to dip our toes in the water of the night-time offering once we get settled,” Spiteri says. “We’ll start off with maybe two evenings in the warmer months and take it from there.” Dinner before catching a flick at Westgarth Cinema next door? Yes please.
Ophelia is expected to open at 85 High Street, Northcote in October