A new cafe has joined the Mount Barker scene with a quiet soft opening earlier this week at Aston Hills Shopping Centre. The grand opening followed on Friday where the team handed out free coffees to delighted guests.
Owner Sam El Banna says despite a low-key soft opening, the cafe has already drawn a crowd. “We didn’t advertise, but to our delight it was really busy,” Sam said. “Honestly, I don’t know how everyone already knew about the cafe,” he laughed.
Misk is part of a growing family of venues owned by the family. Lumi Lane, as described by Sam, is the “mother venue”. It opened its doors last year in Lightsview. Midway through this year the family also opened La Bon, a corner spot with seats bathed in sunlight. Sam says the experience from those kitchens has shaped the new cafe. “We’re giving all the experience we have to the food at Misk,” Sam says.
The name Misk is drawn from a fragrant ingredient used in Lebanese cooking and sweets. Lisa Al Banna, who oversees operations across the family’s venues, says the name reflects their heritage.
“It adds a beautiful taste and scent to everything that it’s put in,” she says. “Because we’re very Lebanese-infused in all of our cafes, we thought this would really add to that.”
Misk Cafe has a breakfast and brunch menu with a mix of classic cafe staples and subtle Middle Eastern influences. The kitchen is smaller than Lumi Lane’s, so the menu is streamlined but still varied.
In the morning, all the classics are on offer, including a big breakfast, smashed avo and breakfast rolls. You can also grab a Mediterranean Melt, with bacon, halloumi and avocado on a brioche bun. For lunch, chicken schnitzels are on the menu alongside Caesar Salads, and chicken, beef, and halloumi burgers. The cafe also uses the family’s own coffee blend, and a range of smoothies and iced drinks is also available.
Lisa says Misk has a different look and feel from Lumi Lane and LeBon. “We’ve kind of changed the layout and the colours, and a little bit of the menu as well,” she says. “It’s a new direction, and we love that!”
The cafe is now open at full capacity, so get down there, grab a latte and try this distinctive ingredient for yourself.
Misk Cafe
Where: Aston Hills Shopping Centre, 485 Heysen Bvd,Mount Barker
When: Breakfast and lunch seven days
For more info, click here.
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