The Roots Espresso, North Sydney

One of my favourite jams to listen to while chillin’ is “You Got Me” by The Roots, Erykah Badu and Eve. Just like that song's title, I got coffee to pick me up. No other drink has got mah back like coffee yo! The Roots band makes amazing music with soulful poetic lyrical content. Then there’s a café in North Sydney called The Roots Espresso that serves amazing coffee and soulful food. They're not associated, but both excel in their respective crafts.

The Roots Espresso is a humble café tucked away in Elizabeth Plaza. It’s the only specialty coffee shop of its kind in North Sydney at the moment. The space is very hipster with industrial décor and fit out. Their passion for coffee is very evident from the brewing bar set-up that includes siphons, chemex, cold drips and a sleek espresso machine. Blends and single origin/estate beans from roasters like Reuben Hills and Single Origin Roasters are available. The uncomplicated lunch menu showcases comfort food that soothes the body and mind. I’ve longed to visit them ever since they’ve opened eight months ago. I was full of excitement when I finally had the chance to check them out with my fellow brunch loving buddies.

Hot chocolate

Filter - Single origin from Guatemala San Antonio by Reuben Hills

I strayed away from my usual milk espresso drinks and decided to go filter. A single origin from Guatemala San Antonio that was roasted by Reuben Hills was available that day and it was gorgeous. It had a light to medium body with lovely notes of black currant.

Reuben sandwich

The reuben sandwich ($11) consists of paprika slaw, pastrami, gruyere cheese, mayo and pickles in a nicely buttered rye sourdough bread. I'd prefer a bit more pastrami but I think they are just being careful not to overfill the sandwich. It is still everything delicious that one would expect from a reuben. I also like their own spin on replacing the traditional sauerkraut with paprika slaw.

The roast pork sandwich ($11) was a winner! It had all the ingredients that would make a glorious pork sambo such as crackling, apple puree and pickled fennel slaw. The sweetness from the apple puree went perfectly with the juicy pork. The fennel component of the slaw served as an excellent pork flavour enhancer.

Chicken and matzah ball soup

Then there's the chicken and matzah ball soup with bread ($12). This classic Jewish soup is a perfect winter comfort dish. The broth was aromatic and light with subtle flavours from the chicken, parsnips and carrots. Matzah balls are normally egg and chicken fat based dumpling-like morsels. Their version had an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture with very subtle chew. Every sip was like getting light kisses and warm hugs.

Last but not least was their awesome 12 hour brisket roll ($13). Besides the tender pulled beef brisket, it also has beetroot slaw, pickles and barbecue sauce (there could be mayo in it too) that all work well as a filling. It got a bit messy but it was definitely legit with wonderful smoky and tangy flavours.

The Roots Espresso is a well-rounded cafe that delivers excellent coffee, food and efficient service. It's a mini Melbourne in the heart of North Sydney. Tip: they also serve Brewtown brewnuts every Friday (you're welcome!).

The Roots Espresso

Shop 7, 2 Elizabeth Plaza

North Sydney NSW 2060

Website: http://www.therootsespresso.com/

Opening hours:

Monday – Friday 6:30 am to 4pm