The Crux & Co

The newest concept from Kevin Li, the entrepreneur behind Lights in the Attic and 3Lives, The Crux & Co is a café and patisserie located on the ground floor of The Emerald Apartment on Albert Road. 

The interior is spacious and sleek - inspired by form and materials from the sixties, such as the curve expressions on the joinery metal-work; the cork ceiling; and the window and door profiles.

On the coffee front, head baristas Yutaro Mitsuyoshi (Addict Coffee & Food, Two Birds One Stone) and Ratchanon Theppabutra (Manchester Press) offer a dynamic range of coffees - from balanced blends to suit your morning flat white, through to a weekly rotation of single origin espressos and filter brews.  

The kitchen is in safe hands with Oggie Choi (Lights in the Attic) as the Executive Chef and Louise MK Lee (Brunetti) heading up the pastry kitchen.

The menu features a myriad of delicious and interesting brunch options on top of buttery house made croissants, pastries and croggles. 

We loved tasting our way through the menu. The Bisque benedict was excellent, featuring plump tiger prawns, perfectly poached egg encasing dripping egg yolk and the most luxurious and flavour-laden lobster bisque hollandaise, all served atop a crusty slice of squid ink roll (baked in house of course). It was heaven on a plate.

The Polenta Concia was similarly wonderful. Think creamy polenta combined with generous shavings of intense gorgonzola and served with earthy mushrooms and sausages. This was a simple but captivating dish which was accompanied by a chargrilled garlic toast, perfect for mopping up the plate. It was comfort food at it's best.

To finish, we recommend rummaging through the pastry cabinet - think delicate macarons, beautiful tarts and cakes that are almost too pretty to eat (but of course, we somehow manage).

If you can't make up your mind, we recommend the green tea croissant. Boasting an irresistibly flaky texture which shatters with every bite, sweet yeasty aroma combined with a beautifully balanced flavour of green tea. It's just the perfect level of sweetness - sweet but not so sweet that it overpowers the delicate green tea. Just. Beautiful. 

Location: G01/35 Albert Road, Melbourne  
Phone: (03) 9820 1081
Link: www.thecruxandco.com.au