A flavour-forward reimagination of all-day breakfast dining with vinyl records spinning throughout the day, Recess Coffee is the latest venture from the team behind hatted restaurant Terra, and it opens today.
An effortlessly cool café and coffee roaster located in Griffith Shops, Recess is a collaboration between hospitality veterans Anthony Iannelli and Scott Brewer, and is a representation of what the pair love most about hospitality.
“Recess will be a culmination of what we think makes a truly great café,” says Iannelli. “The quality of the coffee is integral to the venue, and Scott will be roasting all of our coffee right here in Canberra – a few for in-store and a few for take-home purchase. Service is also important to our success. You won’t find any QR codes here. Instead, we’ll be going back to the days of table service – giving diners the attentive and friendly experience they deserve.”
The menu veers towards classic brunch staples with top-tier execution, helmed by chef Vance Arellano (formerly Silo Bakery). Simple and moreish, expect old-school classics like eggs Benedict with saffron hollandaise, fluffy pancake stacks topped with butter and maple syrup, and everyone’s favourite hangover cure, a brekky muffin layered with folded egg and a choice of beef sausage or bacon.
The elevated lunchtime menu also heroes mouth-watering options that patrons can pair with a non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages including a rotating list of local and natural wines.
“We also wanted a solid lunch menu – there’s a need for restaurant quality lunch options in a relaxed, welcoming setting,” says Iannelli.
“As with Terra, I’m committed to sourcing the best possible suppliers and network contacts to ensure only the best produce hits the plate here at Recess,” he says.
Think wagyu rump steak, a fried chicken sandwich, a cheeseburger, a charcoal roasted porchetta sandwich, Italian sausage ragu, and a potato and leek soup with truffle and goat cheese.
For those who are keen to relax and take in the curated music selection, pair it you’re your favourite coffee order made with locally roasted beans and your choice from the rotating selection of cakes and pastries. As warmer weather starts to roll in, the café welcomes you to enjoy the external courtyard with heating and lush greenery.
“We source according to what we love, which means seasonal, washed coffee, clean and easy to drink. Plus, the occasional showstopping microlot to keep things interesting,” says Brewer.
Designed in partnership with MyMyMy Architecture and Iannelli’s wife Kristin, no detail is spared at Recess. A nod to Bauhaus theory design, here function precedes form, and the interiors celebrate timber materials, a natural colour palette and stainless steel accents.
With a strong focus on music, the venue’s vinyl record player plays through speakers that are acoustically treated to the interior, ensuring a best-in-class auditory experience.
For more, visit Recess Coffee’s Instagram.
