RUSTICA OPENS IN HAWTHORN

Melbourne’s leading bakery-café, Rustica has this week opened the doors to its new Hawthorn location.

Designed by architect Fiona Drago, Rustica Hawthorn features pastel tiles, marble surfaces, custom made furniture, lighting pendants, concrete pillars covered in greenery and a suspended timber ceiling. “The north facing position has allowed lots of natural light to play with so coming into the cooler months it will still be bright,” says co-owner Brenton Lang.

Head chef and co-owner, Tristan White has also included dishes unique to the Hawthorn store such as the slow roasted Lamb Shoulder Baguette marinated in rosemary and garlic, and topped with cumin yogurt, red onion and iceberg lettuce. Another favourite is the Baba Ganoush served with grilled haloumi, roma tomato, poached eggs and greens. 

Earlier this year Lang and co-owners, Tristan White and Matt Vero sold Rustica Richmond to focus on the new Hawthorn store. “Maple Development approached us as their first pick. We liked the site’s potential for weekday trade with the near-by offices, and weekend trade with the residential community. It’s a good combo”, says Lang.

Rustica joins the rise of smart café operators who are partnering with residential developments including Two Birds One Stone in South Yarra’s Lilli Apartments and most recently Higher Ground on Lonsdale Street’s Upper West Side apartments.

Plans for further expansion of the Rustica Group are not too far away. Adding to its Fitzroy, CBD and now Hawthorn location, Lang has secured a site at the base of the Rialto Towers due to open in the next three months.

Rustica Hawthorn is located at 121 Power Street, Hawthorn 3122. 

Phone number: (03) 9819 2018 

Website: rusticasourdough.com.au