Meet and greet - Zarb + Ru

COVID has hit us hospo peeps on the Ninch hard over the past 18 months, but the support from our community has outshone any hardship we’ve faced. We thought it was a perfect time to shine a light on some of the legends pouring Commonfolk coffee and get to know your locals just a little bit better.

First cab off the rank is the ever cheery, never dreary Conchi from ZARB & RU.

Who is Zarb & Ru?!

Zarb and Ru are my boy's nicknames - Ruben and Xabier (pronounced Xarb-ee-air). 

I'm actually half Spanish so Conchi, Ruben and Xabier are all really boring names in Spain.

How did Zarb & Ru come to be?

5 years ago, my husband Clinton (NOT Jared who manages the cafe) 😉 and I wanted more time with the kids so sold out of the restaurant we had, and opened our tiny cafe in Rosebud where we live. We really wanted to focus on coffee, but the space also allowed for a small menu - hence jaffles.

We decided to only use products that are locally made, or distributed via local businesses - that's why we love Commonfolk. Then with lockdown, we realised many of our customers were artists involved in local markets, so we started showcasing their wares in a retail section. 

However, the most important part of Zarb & Ru is the team led by Jared. These guys are absolute cafe professionals with ridiculous coffee and 'cafe culture' knowledge, plus top-level banter. They're all ex-customers, so they have an intrinsic understanding of the business and our community. Our all-star netball team Zarb & Cru - a mix of staff and customers really sums up the Zarb & Ru ethos - plus they made it to the finals - woop woop.

If you could make a toastie for anyone, who would it be and what flavour?!

I would have really loved to hand the late Anthony Bourdain a jaffle. He just loved food - in all its glory and simplicity. I would have served him a Si Signor (spicy sopressa, tomato, mozzarella and spinach) with the sparkle of salt & little pickle everyone gets. David Chang and Stephanie Alexander would also be high on the list.

Favourite way to drink Commonfolk Coffee?

Our house blend is The Godfather, and everyone on the team drinks it differently - personally I'm a lactose free latte while our manager Jared is a double spro man.

Current favourite local business?

Lol - I rarely leave the Pen (lol-who does these days), and have a general distaste for big business, so where do I start...

Greg's Butcher next door to us have sausage jokes for miles. 

Hen's Teeth are moving in behind us - Coffee and Tatts, does it get much better? 

Bant's Amcal Chemist down the street - definite hospitality sense of humour there. 

Jackie Jones in the industrial estate - Google it - we love Max. 

Donna Maria in Flinders and Bistro Elba in Sorrento - that's the shout out to my husband who went back to restaurants. 

Can I keep going???? 

Abbie and Brad who have Minty Greenhouse in Frankston - they both worked with us for years. 

Miller's in Dromana.

From XO in Rosebud

Colour your Blues in Rosebud

Goldrim and Rosebud Packaging who always have our backs

First Choice Dairy - Darren and Jordy are fantastic

Thanks Conchi you legend! If Zarb & Ru is in your 5kms bubble, head on in and hook yourself up with a jaffle and a coffee and support your local 🤟