Finding a gap in the market and choosing to fill it is a logical reason to open a business. It’s exactly what the owners of The Rusty Fox, the new deli, food store and cafe in Kensington, have done.
Chef Rebecca Creighton, Kim Scott and Jennifer Galea all live in Kensington and were tired of having to leave the suburb to pick up their supplies of good cheese, quality charcuterie and artisan breads. So they decided to open their own shop and stock it with what they love.
The trio opened The Rusty Fox after spending months renovating a former laptop shop.
They’ve created a modern space dressed with recycled wood panelling and illustrations by artist Kaffeine reminiscent of fairytale characters .
The shop has a long countertop with stools to sit at that allow you to watch the chefs while they cook dishes from a succinct but smart menu that covers comforting combinations of flavours as well as smart salads.
The herbed omelette is a great example of finding and filling gaps in the area’s cuisine. Kim Scott tells me no one else nearby is doing a really good omelette, so they put one on. It’s gently cooked, with chopped chives and folded over subtly smoked salmon, asparagus and cos lettuce hearts ($16). It’s balanced in flavours and beautifully presented.
At the front of the room is a fridge filled with dishes to take home, such as autumn vegies with saffron couscous, slow-braised lamb, and produce such as Istra meats from Daylesford and Holy Goat and Meredith cheeses.
Shelves filled with house-made jams and relishes, as well as lentils and grains, dress the room and there’s a charming courtyard out the back.
Five Senses coffee rounds out the experience and the baking stands out, too. So save room for a gooey chocolate brownie.
