There are great views across Braddon from upstairs at Uptown Vibe. Photo: Uptown Vibes/Instagram.
When Lonsdale Street Roasters left Braddon, they left a serious hole in the shape of the city. An iconic location with name recognition, it was hard to see who could fill the gap.
James Zhang along with wife Sandra Refuerzo have bravely stepped into the breach. The pair already own Coco and Rye bakery in Fyshwick and initially used Uptown as a sort of Braddon outpost to sell their baked goods, coffee and simple brunch menu.
They’ve now set their sights higher by expanding into a lunch, dinner and bar menu. They’re hoping to create a space which will be as iconic and ubiquitous as LSR once was.
“We want this to be a gathering place, somewhere people come together,” James told Region.
“My wife and I really like hospitality. We love to see customers with a smile on their face.”
Prabin Timilsina heads up the bar with creative cocktails and spot-on wine recommendations. Photo: Uptown Vibes/Instagram.
Arriving at Uptown Vibes, the interior is very different to the roastery days. The finish is slick, the bar is impressive and the impression is of an approachable, but upmarket, restaurant.
Restaurant and bar manager Prabin Timilsina gives me a guided tour, including a semi-private dining space tucked away behind the main bar. A stunning upstairs full-height window gives a wide view down Lonsdale street.
Prabin makes me a New In Braddon cocktail, which features the woody flavour of mastiha (a Greek spirit made from the mastic tree), elderflower liqueur, pineapple and yuzu soda. It’s dangerously smooth, well balanced and utterly delicious.
Start your meal off right with Coco and Rye’s signature sourdough. Photo: Uptown Vibes/Instagram.
The dinner menu has a broadly Modern Australian focus – although James said they don’t like to limit themselves with labels – and is designed to share.
Unsurprisingly, Coco & Rye sourdough bread is recommended as a starting snack, with whipped butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. It’s soft and has a properly sour flavour. The small scale bakery still shapes every loaf by hand: each looks a little different which James offers as proof that they are made with love.
The tuna tartare comes covered with a layer of very fine and extremely crispy shreds of fried potato.
It’s a masterclass in textural contrast and I enjoy every mouthful. It comes alongside a burrata, tomato and pesto dish which is nice enough but would be excellent when tomatoes are in peak season.
Tuna tartare plus crispy potato equals heaven. Photo: Lucy Ridge.
Golden Cauliflower is a dynamic main dish with crunchy pickles, creamy goat’s curd and plenty of spice. But the standout is the market fish of the day – a John Dory fillet – served in Brazilian moqueca sauce which is made with tomato, coconut and lime. Very tasty and nicely accompanied by a light Chianti wine.
For a restaurant with its own sister bakery, you’d expect good desserts and Uptown does not disappoint. Gluten-free chocolate cake topped with chantilly cream and strawberries is delightful, but the quince tarte tatin is exquisite. Silky butterscotch is poured over vanilla ice-cream at the table, providing a rich foil to the aromatic fruit. Yum yum yum.
Dessert is, unsurprisingly, delicious! Photo: Lucy Ridge
There’s an express lunch menu for busy office workers looking to grab a quick pasta, the breakfast menu features freshly made bombolini doughnuts in flavours ranging from a plain sugar to tiramisu-inspired custard, as well as bagels and toasties to grab and go.
They are also running a four course set-menu of truffle dishes paired with Clonakilla wines in addition to their a la carte selection. The space is also available to hire for private functions.
There’s a lot going on, but it’s clear that James, Prabin and the team are working hard to put Uptown on the map.
Uptown Vibes is at 3/7 Lonsdale Street, Braddon. They are open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, and for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday. Follow Uptown Vibes on Facebook or Instagram.
