Albury-Wodonga food trends 2015

Wodonga restaurant Broadgauge received its first hat in The Age Good Food Guide awards in September, joining four other North East hat recipients – Provenance, Beechworth, Terrace Restaurant, Wahgunyah and Bright eateries Simones and Tani Eat & Drink. Broadgauge operators Steve Carne and Jodie Jones offer an innovative menu, stylish wine list and your favourite vinyls on high rotation in the former Wodonga railway station. Do alight at this platform in 2016.

Hello Boom Boom and Decker and Lee. We love the new kids on the block in Amp Lane, Albury. Decker & Lee’s Steph Chung offers dairy-free muffins, protein bliss balls and granola pots. Kick back after work with a chic cocktail at Boom Boom. The Laneway at The Bended Elbow in Dean Street got on board just in time for New Year’s Eve. Its cleverly recycled signage from former long-term tenants, Cremers Stationery and Art and Abbey Road Fashion, sits pretty in the dining space. The Bended Elbow was voted as having the best rooftop beer garden in country NSW early in 2015. 

Canvas Eatery opened at MAMA in October. Fitzroy cafe legend Tim Tehan returned to his Riverina roots to run the Albury business. The Canvas Eatery menu is innovative, approachable and perfectly pitched. From the man who put homemade crumpets on Melbourne menus through his cafe Birdman Eating, Tehan offers a seriously satisfying breakfast menu at Canvas. From the casual seating on the deck, enjoy the green outlook across QEII Square and watch the kids climb atop the two, giant pink snails. On loan from the City of Sydney, the pink pair are trending on Instagram. 

Wodonga-based micro-bakery The Bicycle Baker came onto the scene six months ago, lovingly making sourdough bread, gluten-free bread and decadent treats. Find them at the Albury Wodonga Community College bakery during the week and at the Rotary market in Albury on Sundays. Nord Bakery set up shop in South Albury this year, bringing northern European and Scandinavian fare to the suburbs. Thor Sonnichsen’s almond croissant has a cult following. Patty's Patisserie makes a sublime savoury cheese bun (pane al formaggio); those in the know get in early for the tasty morsels fresh and warm from the oven in Olive Street, Albury. Border institution Valentine’s Bakehouse marked 25 years in business and continues to carry on a 50-year sourdough tradition. 

Tacos are hot property. New Mexican eatery SoCal Cantina, which opened in the former Celladoor dining space in Albury in December, has made a big impression in a short time. It offers a succulent 14-hour beef brisket taco topped with sriracha aioli, lime sour cream and pickles. Finish on a sweet note with churros and salted chocolate dipping sauce or a retro Eskimo Pie; your choice of cookies and icecream.    

Albury espresso bar Coffee Mamma brought cold brew coffee to the Border about two years ago. It has now bottled its popular version, which is the Mamma Deluxe blend brewed with still filtered cold water over four to five hours. The characteristics of a cold brew are different to stovetop, espresso, plunging or dripolator due to the cold water and brewing time. Brothers Cup offers a tasty version too.

Junction Place is gaining momentum. Already home to Broadgauge, Junction Place gained a new tenant late in 2015. Wodonga’s Deli Bean operators Rod and Amanda Ayton branched out with Beanstation in early December. It opens until 11pm on Fridays, filling a gap in the market for a cool place for the cafe crowd. Pinchos Catering, Andiamo Street Food and Pop Up Supper Clubs as well as Piccolo Pod form part of this now buzzing foodie precinct. 

Rutherglen’s sparkling shiraz is renowned the world over. Buller Wines won high praise for its Calliope Sparkling Shiraz 2001, which was judged Top in Category Sparkling Red Vintage by Winestate Magazine in November. The sparkling shiraz was liquored with tawny port by winemaker Dave Whyte.

Cruffins, bruffins and Geoffnuts: Muffin meets croissant; brioche meets muffin; and Geoffrey Michael’s own take on cronuts, Dominique Ansel’s croissant doughnut pastry. Geoffrey Michael offers themed Geoffnuts on Saturdays. His bruffins are added to his regular offerings at times. Look out for speciality cakes Miss Albury Strawberry and the Border Brownie.

Artisan chocolate is the new fairtrade coffee. Renaissance Chocolate, Bright Chocolate and Corowa Chocolate Factory are all within easy reach.

The Rib Cage opened during August in Dean Street, Albury, in the building formerly occupied by The Paleo Cafe. Border diners have embraced the authentic style of American barbecue. The Paleo Diet fell by the wayside.

Canvas Eatery’s Tim Tehan suggests: Jewish foods (bagels, fish croquettes); healthy proteins (fish tartare/poke); fried chicken; and meal kits (ploughman's). Bon appetit readers!