You might remember when Industry & Co lived at the bottom of Cow’s Lane in Temple Bar. Their 2012 move to Drury Street, right next door to The Irish Design Shop, contributed to this street’s growing reputation as a one-stop spot to support independent Irish businesses in your shopping. Run by brother and sister team Vanessa and Marcus Mac Innes, the business expanded this summer to include an in-store café in their Drury Street premises.
Inside, marble counters are flanked by Moroccan-style floor tiles, with Falcon enamel ware used as storage for take away cutlery. Food is served in bio-degradable takeaway containers, presented on wooden trays for those who perch at the tall, marble counter that flanks the window.
Lunch on my most recent visit is a slow-cooked organic lamb tagine in a chickpea and aubergine sauce (€6.50/ €9.50). It’s fragrant with Moroccan spices but packs proper heat, too. It’s a delicious winter warmer, topped with a yogurt and a sprinkling of pomegranate seeds, and served with a generous portion of couscous. Free-range chicken skewers are doused in harissa spiced yogurt, and for €8.50 I can add two salads. Today’s choices include turmeric and cumin roasted cauliflower, and roasted golden beets with feta.
The café started out serving Wildflour Bakery goods but have recently begun baking everything in-house, including their brownies and scones. A scone and a coffee is €4.50. The coffee is made with beans from The Barn in Berlin and, since this café opened, has been brewed by the expert hands of star barista Susie Kealy, who will leave large caffeine-shaped shoes behind her when she moves to Berlin this week.
Sure, look it, you could get all your Christmas shopping done on Drury Street alone. There are the succulent filled terrariums from Appassionata, or Irish designed and made gifts in The Irish Design Shop, and chocolate gifts from Cocoa Atelier. Pick up homeware gifts on your list at Industry & Co, and rest up over a cup of coffee on the marble counter, a perfect place to look out onto the bustling Drury Street this season.
