Having kitted out some of the smartest restaurants in town (think Etsu and Mamasan), Jess Winters had plenty of ideas for what she wanted in her first cafe, so her partner Peter Tutton learned new skills to complete the vision, the pair harnessing some great talent to be part of their team. So, Double Barrel Kitchen in the Waterways Village Shopping Centre, Miami, was born.
Waterways is one of those tiny shopping centres that locals love, and there are a few great things to draw customers to this one in particular: one of our best Malaysian restaurants (Ipoh), Three Kings Pizza, Gold Coast Organic Butcher, a fully stocked IGA, and now a fabulous new café. Lots of reasons to avoid the main track and venture into the ‘burbs. Love it!
Double Barrel makes us feel immediately comfortable and embraced. The venue exudes warmth – the welcoming glow of wood offset by plants, as well the friendly greeting of the upbeat staff. Jess’ face lights up when she sees us, her memory for faces well-tuned.
The Double Barrel moniker reflects the couple’s penchant for great coffee. Choose from a single origin or Supreme Roasters ‘DBK Blend’, brewed as a full bodied (read double-barrelled) brew, sweet milk chocolate flavour with nutty caramel tones on the palate has already won them a loyal following of regulars who appreciate that the café is open daily from 6am.
My heart warms even more when we view the seasonally-changing All Day Breakfast menu. Brekkie bao! It’s one of the little marvels that I love – seeing really different dishes amongst the Smashed Avo and Eggs Bene which, by the way, are on the menu but with a twist that makes them DBK’s own version!
There’s also a Panna Cotta drizzled with wild honey, organic yoghurt, fruit and granola, Pitaya bowl, Rosti, Hot Smoked Trout, Truffled mushrooms, Spiced savoury mince, and even a Winter Morning Salad! Glory!
As I said, I can’t look past the Bao: steamed soft Chinese buns filed with thick cut free range bacon, a quail egg and house-made relish ($14), while the Main Squeeze defies the stereotype and orders a gorgeous Dragon Fruit Bowl.
We return to Double Barrel Kitchen a few weeks later to sit out back, enjoying a Beef, mushroom and ale hotpot and a serve of Gumbo in a cob loaf. Inspired by Chef Adam’s Texan father, the dish is a much lighter healthy version of Creole-style gumbo than we’ve had before, made with chicken, okra and vegetables rather than the traditional shrimp, crab, andouille sausage and bacon dripping!
Considering that Double Barrel’s menu contains home-made, top grade (organic where possible), very well chosen produce, it’s well-priced, with all brekkie dishes (bar the Big brekkie) coming in under the $20 mark.
The menu treads a middle line down the healthy eating pathway, not swaying too far to either side. Instead, it’s balanced between protein and carbs, raw and cooked, hearty burgers and healthy salads, driven by local produce with an inventive twist. Besides the menu, there are raw and baked goodies in a cabinet to take and go, and kids even have their own menu. Just the thing for a suburban café.
Double Barrel is also fully licensed, so when Jess and Peter begin evening trade later this year, the night time DBK will become a tapas and wine bar.
With loads of positive attitude, a welcoming feel, great coffee, and a well-priced menu to please, Double Barrel Kitchen ticks all the boxes. It’s the café we’d all love to welcome into our ‘hood.
Waterways Village Shopping Centre, Shop 4/64 Karbunya Street, Mermaid Waters Ph: 07 5526 0774
Open: Mon – Sun 6am to 3:30pm