Tucked amidst sprawling towers and office buildings in the busy city is a calming escape: Carrotsticks and Cravings. The third outlet of the health-focused café sets up a breezy respite along Stanley Street – with soothing hues of cerulean blue, foliage wallpaper, and wood-toned fixtures custom-made in Bali that help lend to the space a coastal charm.
Swing by with a friend, and indulge in the outlet-exclusive Stanley Breakfast for Two ($46). Borrowing cues from the next-door neighbour Miznon (both are owned by parent company Foragers), the hearty brunch platter comes filled with fresh flavours of Israeli salad, tossed with Roma tomatoes, cucumber, capsicum, onions, and mint in olive oil; homemade hummus; oven-roasted eggplant; falafel patties; and flaky puff pastries stuffed with dill-scented cream cheese. Adding to the feast are sides of smoked salmon or chicken ham, a basket of sourdough slices, eggs served two ways, and two cups of coffee.
Other brunch staples are well-represented as well. The signature smashed avo ($18) has been a firm favourite at the café, where crusty sourdough comes topped with spoonfuls of creamy Mexican avocado, brightened with dashes of pesto herb oil and a sprinkling of housemade dukkah (a secret blend of some six nuts and spices). Or warm the belly with shakshouka ($18), a vegetarian-friendly stew of tomatoes and peppers that packs a gentle heat from the addition of paprika. Break the poached eggs, served atop, for extra creaminess, and remember to soak up the sauces with sides of bread.
Dukkah salmon ($28) might present itself as a grain bowl, but brown rice comes covered with an abundance of greens – rocket leaves, roasted pumpkin, asparagus, and pomegranate – that the dish can easily pass off as a nutrient-dense salad. A thick slab of poached salmon, marinated overnight in honey and dusted with dukkah, adds to the visually appealing meal. Guilt-free desserts can come in the form of an almond meal-based peanut butter slice ($6), keto-friendly balls ($3), gluten-free chocolate cake ($9), and more.
And apart from the usual cuppa, the bar counter also blends up a range of nourishing smoothies and juices. Protein Wake Up Call ($12) will kickstart the day with its energising blend of vegan protein powder and espresso, reach out for the immunity-boosting green juice ($12.50), a vibrant elixir made with fresh spirulina, celery, green apple, and lemon.
