Bar 9 have expanded their operation with a city branch opening in the Adelaide Central Plaza, Rundle Mall, where T-Bar used to be. CBD coffee lovers rejoice. I do love the whole ethos behind Bar 9 but I've always found the Glen Osmond Rd location a little out of the way, so having a more central option has me feeling excited.
I popped in with my boyfriend on Sunday morning for a coffee on the way to the movies. We both got lattes and both were of the same standard as they are at the Glen Osmond Rd location. It was slightly cooler in temperature than I usually like but the flavour was undeniably fantastic and it was definitely a good coffee.
I felt comfortable and relaxed, service was genuinely friendly and didn't feel forced. The general decor of the place is a well-balanced mix of retro and modern. Everything fits together nicely. It doesn't feel like they're trying too hard to be any one thing, or really like they're trying hard at all. They just have 'it'. I've read comments that the other Bar 9 location can be a little bit imposing but I've never felt that way. Similarly, I found myself at ease at this location. Perhaps it is the friendly staff or just that I know I'm going to get the quality I'm looking for but I feel right at home in both locations.
The menus are stapled inside kids storybooks. It's a very cute and quirky idea. There are a lot of different titles to choose from, and many are Golden Books which I remember reading as a wee one. The stories are still intact too so I imagine it could become a stop for mums and dads with littlies in tow who want to look at the pictures or read the book. The drinks menus are Dr Seuss titles, but don't worry the coffee one is far simpler than one of his riddles. They also have an extensive range of teas for the tea drinkers out there.
I'd had a big breakfast so I didn't indulge in one of the menu items but my boyfriend went for the Pulled Pork Bun with apple and cabbage slaw. He described it as 'melt in your mouth' and when it was placed in front of him the aroma wafting across the table was truly mouth-watering. I picked at the rocket on the side but left the bun eating to my boyfriend.
The menu is great with lots of slight twists on breakfast favourites. The house baked beans chorizo with poached eggs, mustard oil, almonds and parmesan on toast; warm spiced eggplant with poached eggs, yoghurt, pine nuts and mint on toast; and pear bruschetta with walnut, goats curd, black pepper, sticky balsamic and prosciutto, all sounding very tempting. All three of those are also available as Gluten Free meals too, which is a nice plus.
A focus on locally, ethically sourced ingredients and the great coffee that they're known and loved for Bar 9 Central is a winner in my book. I'll be back to try one of those breakfasts soon.
