A few years back someone described Bold Street to us as being full of ‘mediocre small plates’. And on reflection that was probably a fair comment. A decade ago there was the admirable Italian Club adorning the cobbles – and that was about it. And then Nolita Cantina arrived and, along with Leaf and Bold Street Coffee, seemed to kick off something on a renaissance in food and drink in Ropewalks.
There are plenty of good small plates on Bold Street these days – and Bold Street Coffee, back from an enforced sabbatical due to plumbing issues of all things, is a new entrant to the market.
There was never any doubt about their coffee – Sam Tawil, caffeine’s own mad professor, always saw to that – but there is now a new range of tapas dishes available at night.
Tapas will be available Thursday to Sunday from 6pm, with the menu changing weekly. Nibbles in the form of roasted almonds, meaty olives and crispy pork scratchings are also available.
We’ve sampled a delicate tomato tart, smoked haddock fishcakes and a panfried salmon. Succulent and plentiful braised chorizo – salty, sweet and sour in equal measure were the highlights for us.
A formidable-looking scotch egg was also doing the rounds – the menu is slated to change and update, however, so be aware your choices may vary.
It’s not just food from the savoury menu either. A rhubarb crumble with homemade custard ice-cream was one of a couple of options during our visit.
All of this is in addition to Bold Street Coffee’s foray onto Castle Street too – a residency at pizza rodizio Santa Maluco that offers light and hearty lunchtime bites alongside the signature black stuff. It’s called Castle Street Coffee because hat else would it be called?
The cafe had to take a break from its premises at 89 Bold Street for six months, but an investment from Graffiti Spirits Group – who own Santa Maluco, Saltdog Slims, Santa Chupitos and others – plus a crowdfunding campaign now means Bold Street Coffee is back in its old premises – with new premises.
A new basement area will host public and private tastings and meetings, with plans for more events. The familiar ground-level space has had more than a lick of paint and looks as fresh as some ground-up beans.
The injection of expertise from Graffiti means cocktails, boozy coffees and Bloody Marys. A Bold Street Espresso Martini is a signature synthesis between Bold Street Coffee and Graffiti mixologist-in-residence, John Ennis.
There’s wine from R&H Fine Wines, too, which is a guarantee of quality.
But don’t worry. Everything you liked about BSC is present and correct – and you can still put on a record if you want.
Bold Street Coffee will always be about the cup of Joe, but small plates by evening feels like a logical, organic extension of the cafe’s ethos.
