If you’re cruizing for a brew-sing, this is the place
If you’re cruizing for a brew-sing, this is the place
Chirn Park is kinda like the south of the north and yes, this is confusing. To clarify, it’s located on the GC’s northside, but has many traits of the uber trendy southern ‘burbs. One particularly noteworthy mention must go to the Musgrave Avenue/Brooke Street precinct, abuzz with overflowing super cool cafes. Dig a little deeper and you’ll find that none are more inviting, beautifully decked out or popular with locals and non-locals alike than the pretty-as-a-picture Cruize Espresso.
Cruize is nestled amongst established leafy greenery, offering laid-back, Modern Australian alfresco and indoor dining, as well as takeaway. Overflowing with soft, coastal feminine charm (equally irresistible to the man folk), we couldn’t possibly fall harder for this place – even if brunch was served by a shirtless Jason Momoa. The biz child of gorgeous (inside and out) besties Sarah Hill and Angela Jordan, these clued-up ladies know a thing or two about cafes. With four previous café ventures under their belt, they wanted to create a home away from home. And Cruize, without a shadow of a doubt, is precisely that.
Designing and executing the build in-house, it’s the Margot Robbie of cafes. It effortlessly blends cool-girl vibes with down-to-earth (redonkulously pretty) girl next-door feels and this is no mean feat. White vertical veejay walls adorned with collections of lust-worthy Jai Vasicek tiles make us swoon, as does the insta-famous pink neon “I love you a latte” sign. And side note, Cruize was one of the first cafés we can think of to debut a neon sign, so kudos for the foresight #trendsetters.
The powder pink La Marzocco machine just makes us happy, particularly when it ‘chirns’ out Merlot coffees #BigBigEnergy. Lush foliage hugs the outdoor space creating a relaxing tropical Seminyak-esk ambience, and the pops of greenery inside complement, well, everything. Even the girls’ uniforms are a vibe, with denim overalls sporting a pink ‘Cruize’ stamp and srsly, we would actually wear these. It also helps that the ladies rocking said cute overalls are so nice that we want to be friends with them.
On to the nosh, there is something to suit every taste including gluten free, vegetarian and vegan fare. Whether it’s breakfast, brunch or lunch, Head Chef Jodie Adams never misses a beat. The signature Acai bowls are a solid ten, and we can’t resist the PB Acai Bowl which is acai blended with banana, topped with peanut butter, cocoa nibs, granola, summer berries, coconut, honey and passionfruit. Another dish which sells like hot cakes is The Blue Swimmer Crab Eggs Benedict with blue swimmer crab, poached eggs, nori hollandaise, and citrus wilted spinach, topped with salmon pearls on an English muffin. Yep, we’re drooling too. Moving to the lunch menu, the Calamari and Watermelon Salad sparks our interest, served with Persian feta, mixed leafy greens, cucumber, avocado, red onion and a light red wine vinaigrette.
Pair your meal with one of their famous coffees or legendary smoothies and we have a peas and carrots sitch. The Brass Monkey is a best seller, with banana, berries, chocolate protein powder, honey, yoghurt and almond milk. Fresh fruit juices are also in high demand, and those with a sore throat can’t go past the Sore Throat…and even if your throat is a-okay, the same applies. A simple combo of orange, lemon and ginger never fails and is as palette-pleasing as it is soothing. And finally, Cruize is licensed so a cheeky cocktail at lunch is always an (extremely popular) option.
Serving up nothing but smiles, delicious food, coffee and other sips (plus plenty of parking), the message is clear. In the words of Gwyneth, baby let’s cruise…to Chirn Park’s Cruize.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue, Chirn Park
When: 6am – 4pm Monday – Saturday & 6am – 3pm Sunday
Words by Bianca Trathen.
Images by Brittany Kreskas.
Ahhh Chirn Park, you’re the northern GC’s answer to Burleigh…minus the traffic and with an intimate village vibe. Embracing its increasingly trendy rep, Chirn Park is welcoming more and more cool/interesting/unique businesses to this once underrated neck of the woods. In fact, there’s now even a Chirn Park Festival, attracting an army of CP enthusiasts over its two-year lifespan. Us included.
Being the fans that we are, here are nine reasons why locals…and not so local locals….are flocking to Chirn Park en masse!
Cruize Espresso
It was love at first sight when we spotted the adorable logo alone. With a beautiful soft colour palette, swoon-worthy serve-wear, phenom wall art (Jai Vasicek, we see you…everywhere) and the instagrammable “I love you a latte” neon sign, the menu is as delicious as the fit-out. Think modern brekkie and lunch dishes beautifully presented with pretty-as-a-picture floral garnish, epic coffee, and the friendliest service in the land.
Where: Shop 6/37 Musgrave Avenue
Quan 55
‘Quan’ is Vietnamese for bar, so no prizes for guessing what this Chirn Park fave serves! Host and owner Wynn serves up the same food as she does at home, even using her mother-in-law’s treasured 20-year-old crock pot! Now that’s authenticity personified! It boasts fabulous food and cocktails and ambience galore, thanks to the awesome interior and never-ending rotation of bums on seats.
Where: 4/55 Brooke Avenue
Luigi & Sons Barbershop
The longest established barbershop on the Coast, Luigi and Sons now have 3 shopfronts with contemporary, fresh fit outs, and a passionate team trained to deliver amazing haircuts with old-fashioned service. Catering for all the modern man’s barbering needs, they fuse traditional skills with very ‘now’ techniques. Beard-shaping and cut-throat shaves are also a speciality, so book that manscape yesterday.
Where: 4/58 Brooke Avenue
Little Barista Espresso Bar
Looking for a consistently high-quality caffeine hit, all day breakfast or lunch? Call off the search coz Little Barista delivers all of the above. Perched in arguably the most prominent corner position in Chirn Park, this rustic coastal gem is always buzzing. You can smell the glorious aroma of award-winning brews as you walk up the street, and don’t forget to bring Fido as pooches are welcomed with open arms.
Where: 3/39 Musgrave Avenue
Lambar Pizza
If pizza and pasta aren’t the answer, srsly what was the question? Whether you’re channelling takeaway, a meal in-house or perhaps have a private function on the horizon, Lambar is your BFF in waiting. Making all meals with love using the freshest, locally sourced produce, it’s impossible to go wrong here. And the pepperoni on the pizza is that you can BYO wine. Did someone say unicorn?
Where: 4/37 Musgrave Avenue
Daark Espresso
I mean, if they were to rename Chirn Park, it would be Daark Espresso. Well worth the queue, it’s the go-to for the professional brunching set. The coffee is as good as it gets, and the nosh is #goals (Spanner Crab Eggs Benedict, come at us!). Pull up a pew inside this rustic gem, or opt for a table outside on the wraparound balcony. Add a super buzzy vibe and friendly staff, and it’s not hard to see why it’s an institution.
Where: 2/41 Musgrave Avenue
5B2F Bakehouse
If you’re mad for a bakery and srsly who isn’t, step this way and tell us you’ve had better! With classic French pastries and artisan sourdough for days, one look in the cabinet choccablock with THE most spectacularly crafted baked goodies and you’re sold. The brainchild of renowned South Korean pastry chef extraordinaire Moonsun Yoo, we are well and truly buttered up.
Where: 55 Brooke Avenue
Ground & Sound
Cooking whole food from scratch and serving up specialty single origin PNG caffeine, this is where coffee meets music. Ground & Sound hosts live artists several times a week, music trivia night every second Wednesday night, plus there are regular open mic nights for budding artists. Inside, peruse musical memorabilia from the 60’s and beyond, or plonk yourself outside and soak up the epic tunes.
Where: 6/23 Musgrave Avenue
Moss n Stone
Moss n Stone offers the freshest and most on-trend blooms, arriving in-store daily. Delivering to all areas of the Gold and Tweed Coast, there are flowers and foliage for all occasions and persuasions. Also stocking an exquisite range of giftware, babywear and homewares, it’s your one stop shop for all things lovely, with a hint of uniqueness.
Where: 4/41 Musgrave Avenue
Words by Bianca Trathen.
