Given their respective backgrounds, a combination cafe and yoga studio is the perfect project for nutritionist Bannie Williams and designer Nicholas Cooke. After collaborating on their book The Smoothie Manifesto, the duo have just launched Fort Green, a contemporary health food cafe with yoga studio opening in January on Northcote’s busy High Street.
Fort Green’s minimal aesthetic is carried through from the interior design to the simple and nutritionally focused menu. The duo were driven to create a space that is uplifting and ultimately complements the clean and healthy food that is on offer. Deviating from the traditional ‘Melbourne cafe menu’, Fort Green focuses on wholefood bowls, smoothies and specialty lattes (rosewater, matcha and turmeric), as well as their collaboration with Maker Fine Coffee.
Popular menu items include the Salmon Bowl with green-tea-smoked salmon, sweet potato, zucchini, avocado, dill and lemon; Coffee & Co smoothie with Maker espresso, almond butter, cacao, dates, banana and coconut water; and the Vegan Pad Thai Bowl with kelp noodles, pickled vegetables, coriander, chilli, tempeh and nut sauce.
“All our menu items are created using high quality, seasonal produce and we prioritise sustainable farming practices wherever possible. Minimal fuss, maximum flavour,” says Bannie. Located in the heart of Northcote, Bannie and Nicholas are also committed to creating strong community engagement through the Fort Green concept. “We want to utilise all of the space we have and create a strong synergy between the cafe, yoga studio and our loyal customers. Community wellness workshops, pop-up dinners and urban retreats are on the horizon when the yoga studio opens in January 2018,” adds Bannie.
Fort Green / 202 High Street, Northcote 3070 / 0400 584 289
Open seven days; weekdays from 7am – 4pm and weekends from 8am – 4pm
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