There are few things worse than being outdoors on a 40-degree day. And that’s especially so, when the alternative is air-conditioning set at a brisk 20 degrees. Summer feels so long ago, but back in mid-January, it was the last chance for K, H and I to have lunch before K returned to Indonesia. So I braved the heat – K and H thrive on the heat – and we were off to Brewtown Newtown.
Brewtown Newtown serves a modern Australian brunch menu, pastries and coffee in an industrial interior. There’s no air-conditioning, but there are high ceilings with fans and exposed brick walls that cool the space down somewhat.
To cool down, I start with an Egyptian Rose Iced Tea ($6.00). From afar, the sign on the chalkboard looked like Egyptian Rice Iced Tea – which I would’ve got it anyway, although rose did make more sense. I had my reservations about its artificiality when I saw its intensely red colour, but it turns out to be a very fragrant natural rose flavour. It’s not too floral, and the lemon slice cuts through the sweetness for a refreshing tea.
I didn’t feel like anything too heavy in the hot weather, so I opt for the House Made Chickpea & Quinoa Falafel ($14.00) with eggplant purée, tomato, asparagus, tahini dressing, sumac, pistachios and dukkah. This was one very tasty and well-seasoned salad (although it was missing the asparagus). The falafel weren’t dry at all with just enough texture to go well with the eggplant purée and tahini dressing. I even liked the tomatoes, which I always prefer uncooked, as they gave delicious pops of sweet tangy flavour to the dish.
Brewtown Newtown is somewhere I’d return to if I’m in the mood for modern Australian food.
Brewtown Newtown is located at 6-8 O’Connell St, Newtown NSW 2042.