One for the Crow

Horticulturalist Stephanie Brodel is a plant matchmaker and co-owner of Maidstone’s One for the Crow, which is nurturing vegans with the same level of care as it does its many plants. The cafe and nursery is home to a 100 per cent plant-based kitchen turning out both health-centred meals and vegan treats.

Brodel wasn’t vegan prior to meeting Taze, a vegan and her now-husband, but judging by the inventive, approachable menu at One for the Crow, she’s come around quickly.

On it you’ll find a soba-noodle bowl with green veggies and tahini-miso dressing; The Big Breakfast with house-made vegan chorizo and smokey scrambled tofu; and vegan waffles with house-made Nutella-and-soy ice-cream. The duo is working to incorporate the resident plants into the kitchen, such as edible begonia flowers and some smaller herbs.

Allpress Espresso is the roaster of choice for Taze, a barista of 10 years who previously worked at West 48.

Croissants and jam doughnuts are delivered daily from Crumbs Organic Bakehouse. Sesame bagels and cinnamon-and-raisin bagels from 5 & Dime are also available, and you can swap bagels into any of the regular toast dishes.

The pair’s original plan was a farm-to-table cafe, but the more they passed the empty shopfront in Maidstone, the more it felt right. Brodel has plans to plant veggie beds in the local area, including at the Maidstone Community Centre.

In the nursery section you’ll find vintage and re-purposed pots and planters, large and small cacti, vines, and an array of hanging plants to take home after brunch. As well as offering in-store advice, Stephanie encourages customers to reach out through the cafe’s Facebook and Instagram pages for horticultural tips.