The team from Terra are bringing some of their hospitality magic to the inner south, opening a new cafe and coffee roaster in Griffith this week.
With flavour-forward all-day breakfast dining, in addition to lunch, specially roasted coffee and a retail element, Recess Coffee is everything that duo Anthony Iannelli and Scott Brewer (of Marcus Clarke Street restaurant Terra) believe makes a great cafe.
"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," Iannelli says.
"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."
Recess Coffee's food menu - led by chef Vance Arellano, formerly of Canberra institution Silo Bakery - veers towards classic brunch staples.
On the lighter end of the spectrum, there's toast with preserves and banana bread, while those wanting a fuller brunch option can choose from classics such as eggs benedict with saffron hollandaise, fluffy pancakes topped with butter and maple syrup, and a breakfast muffin layered with folded egg and choice of beef sausage or bacon.
"We also wanted a solid lunch menu - there's a need for restaurant quality lunch options in a relaxed, welcoming setting," Iannelli says.
Arellano's line-up of "heroes" includes mouth-watering wagyu rump steak and pork cutlets, and "handheld" servings of fried chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers and charcoal roasted porchetta sandwiches.
Meanwhile, there is an entire section of the menu for "pasta and other stuff" such as fusilli Calabrese with Italian sausage ragu.
There are also seasonal sides including house-baked baguettes with butter and a rotating selection of cakes and pastries.
When it comes to Recess Coffee's drinks menu, coffee is a no-brainer considering the roastery arm of the business. There is also a selection of house-made smoothies and cold-pressed juices, as well as beer, and local and natural wines during lunch service.
Iannelli and Brewer's professional pedigrees speak for themselves.
A third-generation fruiterer, Ianelli launched the Belconnen fruit shop and butchery The Food Forum in 2014. In 2018 he opened the doors to his debut restaurant Terra, with business partner and chef Sungyeol Son.
"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.
Brewer has been in the industry since he was a teenager, working in some of Canberra's most recognisable cafes. After joining the team at Terra as manager, he went on to learn the art of coffee roasting at Braddon venue Barrio.
"We source according to what we love," Brewer says of Recess' selection.
"Which means seasonal, washed coffee, clean and easy to drink. Plus the occasional showstopping micro-lot to keep things interesting."
Designed in partnership with MyMyMy Architecture and Iannelli's wife Kristin, Recess Coffee nods to Bauhaus theory design. The interiors celebrate timber materials, with a natural colour palette complemented by stainless steel accents.
Tunes come courtesy of a vinyl record player spinning throughout the day, and there's an external courtyard with heating and lush greenery.
Recess Coffee is at 6B Baker Street, Griffith. It's open Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 3.30pm and Saturday and Sunday from 7.30pm to 3pm.
