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72 Style | taste
A two-wAy
street
This Tuam Street establishment is home to high strength
coffee and high quality service.
WORdS KaTe Preece PHotoGRAPHy charlie JacKSon
Post-quake Christchurch has forced a new type of eatery to take
centre stage in our culinary landscape. we’ve learnt to cross town
for a good coffee and to align with local businesses that provide
what we want – a warm, welcoming environment that offers style,
service, and some sort of connection. open since June 2016,
Magnitude Café and Roastery delivers on all counts.
with a décor of warm wood and colour accents via on-trend
lighting fixtures and Scandi chairs, it is the coffee-roasting machine
that will make its mark as you enter. Each week, in the early hours,
the monster roars into life, creating a range of blends to be sold
as beans or ground coffee. the house blend served by the café is
‘French’, a dark roast described as having a full, strong flavour and a
punch of medium citrus acidity. I was eager to sample the goods.
Upon ordering, I was pleasantly surprised to be asked when
we would like our cappuccino and half-strength latte to arrive:
“Straight away, or with breakfast?” A question often missed, yet so
appreciated.
to eat it was Eggs Florentine ($14.50) that won me over,
especially with its choice of rosti: kumara; potato and herb; or
mozzarella and bacon. Upon recommendation, I opted for the
latter, while my partner-in-dining-crime was encouraged to choose
waffles, with berries and yoghurt ($12.50).
our fellow café-mates were treated equally as well. Regular
patrons were recognised not only by name, but by cabinet food
or protein shake order. (I’m told they’re just as friendly towards
children, with the highchairs, kids’ table and colouring supplies
backing this up.)
I believe you don’t know what you’re missing until you are
served a decent cup of coffee. Like a good glass of wine, I was able
to sip and enjoy every mouthful of mine. My tablemate was much
the same, appreciative of her single-shot drink still delivering that
pick-me-up punch. It’s encouraging to be told another grinder will
soon grace the café counter, as I would be keen to try others in
the seven-strong coffee range produced on site.
The waffles hit the spot and the eggs were on the money.
Jealous glances from beside me were confirmed when my dining
date said, “I’d come back just to try the rosti!” Portion size was just
right, too.
there are plugs under the tables for laptops, large tables to
accommodate meetings, and free fluffies for the next generation
of coffee lovers. you can host an event here after hours or simply
drop in to buy a bag of coffee. the cabinet is ever-evolving and
even the breakfast menu is incredibly customisable. For once, it’s all
about you.
with a logo that incorporates the Christchurch skyline, a
faultline and a coffee bean, perhaps it isn’t surprising this café
resonates so well with a Cantab looking for more than just
incredibly good coffee.
O
SO
CH
Magnitude Café and Roastery • Unit 2/314 Tuam Street
03 366 3051 • Open Monday to Friday, 7am-4pm