Market Lane Coffee's latest cafe has opened in Collins Street with eucalyptus-green walls,copper-trimmed bar,moody lighting,dark timber booth seating and a cake coup – they're the first wholesale customer for North Melbourne bakery star Beatrix.
Market Lane co-owner Fleur Studd says she has been pursuing Beatrix's Natalie Paull for five years;Paull has come around just in time,supplying lamingtons,yo-yos,fruit crumbles and almond jaws – shortbread sandwiches filled with soft caramel. The cafe also has pastries from Noisette.
Coffee is the Market Lane seasonal blend for Schulz Organic milk-based espressos,a daily single origin for black espresso and three or four dedicated singles for filter brews,which,with the usual Market Lane attention to the tactile,are served in hand-made mugs by Japanese ceramicist Yumiko Iihoshi.
The new venue,in Portland House at the Parliament end of Collins Street,is Market Lane's most sit-downable:as well as the leather-cushioned booths,wire-frame Trent Jansen Tidal chairs and tables are set,Paris-style,on the Paris end footpath (with soft woollen throws to cushion bony Melbourne bottoms).
Open Mon-Fri 7am-3pm.
8 Collins Street,Melbourne,marketlane.com.au