Surry Hills Stalwart The Book Kitchen Is Now a Panini Bar and Co-Working Space
The Devonshire Street light rail construction has forced the cafe to switch gears.
After seven years in their Devonshire Street digs, the team at The Book Kitchen will be switching gears in response to the South East Light Rail construction happening right outside their front door. Rather than take this long-term disruption lying down, owners Amelia and David Birch have decided to stand up and make lemonade of the situation — or something to that effect. They officially closed their kitchen over the weekend and today — Tuesday, March 28 — they've relaunched as a local hub and co-working space.
"We started feeling the pinch of the light rail works already, but I figured we can just sit here and drown or we can do something about it," says Amelia Birch. "The disruptions were triggers for me to do something different and utilise the venture in a way that maximises the space."
The venue will continue to serve coffee and tea, but their hot breakfast and lunch offering is no more. Instead, they will offer a takeaway window of grab-and-go breakfasts and, from 10.30am daily, will become Vini & Panini. "We spent time in Italy and love the way their culture embraces ordering through the window, standing at the bar and enjoying a glass of wine with some beautiful food before heading back to work," says Birch. The Vini & Panini window will work the same way — think traditional Italian paninis (like prosciutto with truffled cream cheese, and porchetta with roast capsicum) for $10, as well as a daily salad, $5 organic wines and Murray's beers and Aperol spritzes ($10).
The rest of the venue will now operate as a co-working space for small businesses, freelancers, startups and entrepreneurs. They're currently taking bookings from their website for those interested in joining the space. "We have people come in to work and have meetings here every day, so I thought let's use the space to build a community for like-minded professionals, offering the chance for these little players to be able to network and have this collaborative hub," says Birch. Apart from meeting spaces, members will receive 20 percent off the cafe fare, as well as discounts at Surry Hills printers and other local businesses.
With their existing, fully fitted commercial kitchen, they're also inviting chefs and caterers to hire the space out on an hourly basis through Sprout Kitchens. Luckily, The Grocer section is not changing and will still sell fresh produce from 8am through 5pm, seven days a week.
The Book Kitchen is not the first in the area to be affected by the light rail construction; adjacent furniture shop MCM House has already relocated to Oxford Street and fashion boutique Kit and Ace closed in anticipation of the works as well. Bourke Street Bakery seems to still be going all guns blazing though (some things never change).
The Book Kitchen is located at 255 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills. For more info or to book a working space visit thebookkitchen.com.au.
Image: The Book Kitchen via Instagram.
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