Getting Down Southern Style
Over in the greens hiding innocuously inside the Onyx Building lies a little slice of Australiana. Named Pure South, this family inspired and run modern day corner store boasts Dubai’s largest range of 100% Australian goods. From produce, pasta to pickles through to chips, dips and treats, everything has been curated by the team to offer visitors something out of the ordinary compared to their usual food shopping trip. There’s just so much in here it’s like an Australian tardis. There’s vegan and gluten-free items, gourmet dairy goods in the cold section as well as bespoke skin care products from some of Australia’s leading small batch producers.
As far as the interior styling goes, it’s got a bit of farmhouse thing going which I’m calling sophisticated rustic. There’s lot of craftsmanship evident in the fit out - from handmade tiles, to the wooden tables and chairs in the upstairs section as well as the stairs that lead you there. The end result is a little dark and moody - in a good way, with strategically placed spotlights highlighting the thousands of items on the iron shelving. It’s thematic but tastefully so, without feeling the need to re-imagine the store as an abandoned gold mine with a cut out of Crocodile Dundee in the corner.
There are quite a few subtle hints that this is all about the land down under without being over the top. The red brick walls, the water station, a jar of Tim Tams and INXS playing in the background is more than enough to convey the spirit of Australia.
Towards the rear of the space you’ll find a nice little bakery section that’s stocked with some great looking, freshly made goods for breakfast or lunch. I spotted the magnificent quiches first, then the brekkie wrap and shortly after that my eyes lit up at the prospect of some authentic meat pies and sausage rolls. There’s also some fully stacked cheese toasties along with bircher muesli and chia puddings. I have to say it all looked pretty darn good and it’s the kind of stuff you’d expect to see in a country town bakery.
In the end, I had to get the roasted pumpkin and kale quiche which was a revelation with it’s beautiful outer crust and perfectly seasoned innards. Um, and I also grabbed the brekkie wrap (please don’t tell my PT), which is a lovely soft pouch of scrambled eggs, mushrooms, cheese with a hint of chili. Both were excellent. So too the coffee.
The bottom line here is Pure South is a must go destination if you like Tim Tams, quality Australian Produce or good coffee.
There’s no Cherry Ripes but I’ve been assured that they’re onto it.
You beauty.
