Little Brew, Paddington

PSA: After four months away from this blog, I've re-evaluated my previously misguided decision to veto capital letters and shall endeavour to utilise appropriate grammar in the future. 

Welcome to another year of gastronomical delights!

WHERE // Little Brew, 131 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington

Paddington is definitely one of the big boys when it comes to cafè hotspots in Brisbane, so you've got to deliver to survive. Little Brew sits just past the supermarket complex on Latrobe Terrace, occupying a small but airy space at the end of a few shops. There's still seating to suit everyone: out the front to watch people and cars pass by, inside in the cozy bar area, or my personal favourite - the back room, with faux grass flooring and a view over the leafy suburbs. We popped by for a spot of lunch, but Little Brew also transforms into a tapas bar Thursday through Sunday nights.

WHAT // time for the food!

Toasted brioche w peaches / jamon /ricotta/ almonds /honey vanilla reduction. Incredibly pretty and dainty. The brioche was a little dry, but overall the flavours worked really well together - the ricotta tied everything together nicely.

Mexican corn fritters with chorizo, goat's cheese, rocket and a poached egg. With fritters, it can be a bit hit and miss, often coming with too much batter and being very stodgy. These, however, were amazing - full of corny deliciousness. The chorizo was also tasty and generous.

VERDICT // This is the second time I've been to Little Brew, and it has delivered on both occasions. It doesn't just serve up the standard, everyday cafè options - everything on the menu has a unique spin. It's very affordable as well, with options around the $15 mark.
INFO // Open every day for brekky and lunch, with the tapas bar open on Thursday to Sunday nights. 

links // facebook

Two Wheels and a Handlebar, Milton

top quality food for ridiculously low prices.

 

where // two wheels and a handlebar, 33 railway terrace, milton

who would have thought railway terrace would be the new hotspot for foodies? this new café joins the likes of mrs luu's and bunker coffee in the business area of milton, catering mainly to office workers at lunch though. don't be fooled by the target market - two wheels is definitely worth making the trip for. it has a very small setup with two tables and a bar style row of seats in addition to the kitchen area. get there before peak lunch hour otherwise the place will be full of hungry workers lining up for takeaway! the decorations are very cute, especially the handlebar adornments on tables.
 

 when // 11.30am lunch - beating the rush which came shortly after 12!

what // on weekdays, they have 3-4 changing specials everyday. here's what we had:

beef cheek with sweet potato and onion salad (10) how have i been missing out on the delights of beef cheek for this long?! succulent and absolutely melt-in-the-mouth. the sweet potato was a delicious accompaniment - give me a bowl of that and a spoon and i'd be one very happy little vegemite.

sweet potato, spinach, feta salad with shaved almonds (9) exactly as it sounds, this salad was a generous portion. we were even offered a free side of bread to bulk it up a bit more. the sweet potato was the same as that accompanying the beef - again, delicious.

thai fruit shake (7) i forget exactly what was in this, but it definitely had pineapple and mint - very tropical. it was absolutely enormous and not too sweet, which i often find is a problem with shakes. great drink for a hot day.

verdict // i still can't believe they can produce this kind of food for those prices. following them on social media means being able to see their daily changing offerings - i've seen pork belly, salmon, pork hock and other gourmet dishes - and i will definitely be heading back.

info // open mon-fri 6am-3.30pm for a light breakfast/coffee and lunch. they're also open on saturday 7-11.30am for a more extensive breakfast menu which also looks delightful. again, parking can be tricky around that area. follow them on facebook to check out their ever changing menu options!

links // twowheelscafe.com.au
facebook.com/twowheelscafe 

Craft Restaurant & Bar, Milton

a casual, surprisingly quiet spot for an easy breakfast.

where // craft restaurant & bar, 1/12 park road, milton

right in the heart of the very popular park road area. craft restaurant and bar focuses on dinners and late night drinks, as do its many neighbours. their addition of a weekend breakfast menu sets it somewhat apart, and it was pretty much the only place open when we arrived. seating is verandah style, overlooking park road - very pleasant for a quiet weekend brekky.

 when // early sunday morning

what // menu features your standard breakfast items with a few nice touches.

ham hock & aged cheddar baked omelette, tomato jam, toast (13.5) simple and tasty - nothing more really to say!

breakfast pot – sautéed pork, chorizo, mushroom, potato, beans, tomato w/ baked eggs, toast (17.5) this dish was a bit disappointing for me - probably half the dish was just beans (great if you're a bean lover, i suppose!) and the sauce was quite a plain tomato sauce with no real spices or depth. 

3 way strawberry pancake, fresh, syrup & crisps w/ crème chantilly (11.5) the pick of the lot! now i will admit i am a sucker for sweet breakfasts, and this was right up my alley. they weren't so much regular pancakes as big pillowy pieces of goodness. completed with a delicious strawberry syrup and dried strawberry pieces, they were absolutely lovely.

verdict // the breakfast pot fell a little bit short of my expectations after their fantastic lunch and dinner reviews. one thing i will say is that i thought the service was absolutely great. our host was very welcoming and catered to our very specific coffee needs without hassle. he brought out plates without prompting when he saw we would be sharing, and even offered more syrup for the pancakes when we'd miscalculated how to eat the syrup and pancake in balance (how silly). i don't think i'll be returning for breakfast as it's not a convenient location for me, but their other menus do look fantastic.

info // during the week craft is open for lunch and dinner from 11.30am to late. on weekends, they are open sat 8am to late, and sun 8am-4pm. parking can be tricky around the park road area. the entertainment book has a 25% off deal on the gold card as well!

links // craftrestaurantbar.com.au
 

The Pepper Lounge, Jindalee

lovely brekky at a nice little café in the 'burbs.

where // the pepper lounge, 19/62 looranah st, jindalee

it's easy to miss this café in the complex of shops on looranah st. it's a quiet area with a few neighbouring restaurants, homewares stores and a small supermarket. seating is inside or outside - not unpleasant, but i did find even outside quite dim on a sunny morning as well as feeling like you were sitting in the carpark. nonetheless, it was a nice spot for a catch-up with friends.

 when // early breakfast

what // the pepper lounge does breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks - rare and impressive for a suburban café. on this occasion we stopped by at about 8am for breakfast.

blueberry pancakes with strawberries, maple syrup and ice cream (16) i love my sweet breakfasts. these pancakes were fantastic - absolutely packed with blueberries. as far as pancakes go, these were pretty top-notch.

the pope's benedict (13) all of their eggs benedict variations have inventive names, with this one featuring ham as written on the menu. however, when it arrived bacon was served in its place - not that we don't all love bacon, but you expect to get what you order. it was still tasty with well-poached eggs.

coffees were pretty standard. the piccolo wasn't a piccolo as requested, but we let it slide.

verdict // the pancakes were stunning visually and delicious as well, while the rest of the meals were demolished without complaint. a few mistakes in service but nothing to write home about. the biggest fault i can find is the ambience, as it just doesn't have the pleasant feel of the nearby bare bones society or the nook. table was wobbly as well. all in all, not a bad option if you're looking for somewhere new for breakfast in the centenary suburbs.

info // open tues-fri 9-8.30pm, sat 8.30am-9.30pm and sun 8-2.30pm. plenty of parking. it's in the entertainment book with a 25% off voucher which makes for a well-priced meal. i think some of the iffy review on urbanspoon are for their lunches/dinners which i can't comment on, but breakfast wasn't bad!

links // www.thepepperlounge.com.au

Shucked, Newstead

beautifully presented, fresh food in a surprising location.

where // shucked, 9 creswell st, newstead

the café is hidden away in the street behind all the car yards at newstead, and is easy to miss just opposite the entrance to the VW carpark. the very unassuming exterior gives way to a spacious interior with high ceilings lending a light and airy feel to the whole space. the decor is gorgeous too - forgot to take a photo, but you'll be pleasantly surprised by the ambience in this industrial location.

 when // lunch on a friday

what // they have the one menu all day, offering a range of options suitable for lunch and dinner. the list of cocktails also sounds great, unfortunately for those of us driving!

harry's hash - sweet potato hash, wilted spinach, bacon and poached egg w tomato relish (18) their most popular dish, and a hard one to pass by. i did enjoy the sweetness of the hash, but it was pretty strong on the herbs for my admittedly non-adventurous palate (possibly fennel seeds?). the egg was also slightly overdone. it was a very generous serve and incredible to look at, but i would go for something else next time.

please peas me - minted pea and haloumi fritters w citrus yoghurt (16) + avo & egg (20) the sweet name definitely contributed to the choosing of the dish. i was jealous of my friend when it appeared, and quite rightly so, as it was apparently delicious and was polished off in record time.

espresso & vanilla shake (6.5) can't fault this, great strong coffee flavour and not too sweet. they do a lot of other yummy sounding drinks as well! the lychee & lemon smoothie was a hit as well.

verdict // although i wasn't really the herbiness of my meal, i do believe it was a personal preference issue (poor choice on my part). i am definitely keen to return and try out some of their other meals. it's not the cheapest meal around (they do offer a 5% discount for instagramming your meal on the go!), but definitely not the priciest either. loved the interior as well.

info // open wed-fri 7am-2pm, sat 7.30-2pm and sun 7.30-4pm. paid parking on surrounding streets, strictly one bill per table. they also do live music sunday sessions!

links // www.shucked.com.au
facebook

Shady Palms Café & Bar

a quirky café with a hipster vibe that will take you effortlessly from morning til night.

where // shady palms café & bar, 427 logan rd, greenslopes

 the younger sibling of the popular lady marmalade, shady palms is located just around the corner at the end of a row of shops. it's a deceptively large space, with the open front bar area expanding backwards into an outdoor setting. the outfit of the café really makes for a pleasant vibe, with wooden furnishings and beautifully upholstered antique couches.

 when // brunch yet again. it was very hot!

what // we got there before 12 so the breakfast menu was still on. had a lot of trouble deciding what to order - the menu offers some unique breakfast options (tortillas, taco, croquettes).

sticky date, spiced pumpkin and ricotta hotcakes with pecan praline ice cream (12.5) how could you go past this? thought i was being a bit adventurous here - never have i ever had i had pumpkin as a breakfast food. it didn't disappoint, and i was salivating as soon as the dish got to the table (fairy floss!). the flavours were good - big chunks of sticky date, which i loved. you could definitely taste the pumpkin as well, but it wasn't as strange as i anticipated. ice cream is always a plus. in the end the portion size was too much for me - too much sweetness for me! a coffee would have helped.

pulled pork soft tacos (two) w chimmichurri, corn salsa, shredded iceberg and chiptole (14.5) beautifully presented little dish with vibrant colours. the sauce gave it a bit of a kick, a good way to wake you up for the day! the lettuce was nice and crisp. two thumbs up. warning: serving size not that big especially if you're voraciously hungry.

cherry, chocolate and oreo shake (6.5) after the amazingness that was pablo's shakes (3.5 for a drink about the same size) i feel my expectations have been unnecessarily raised. there was nothing wrong with the drink, but i was disappointed with the absence of cherry flavour. just a regular oreo shake. (p.s. also the wrong choice to go with the pancakes unless you like pure sugar running in your veins)

verdict // the food was a hit, and there are a few more menu items for both breakfast and lunch that i have my eye on for next time. i loved the interior and the fact that instead of table numbers, they use celebrities. it's also very well priced in my opinion. they also open late and offer lots of alcohol options (craft beers and ciders and the like). will be back!

info // open wed-sun 8am til late. breakfast is before 12 with the lunch menu going from then til close. parking is tricky around the area - might be a bit of a trek! 

links // www.shadypalmscafe.com 

Pablo, New Farm

one of brisbane's favourites, for good reason.

where // pablo, 893 brunswick street, new farm

 if you read any 'best of brisbane breakfast' article, pablo is sure to feature. they are renowned for their all-day breakfasts which are inventive takes on the classics. the popular café is small and cosy with fairly limited seating, which means waiting in peak times. i've certainly never found it empty even during the weekdays.

 when // brunch time!

what // while the lunch menu sounds fantastic, i couldn't go past breakfast on either occasion. the drinks are also excellent value. aside from those meals featured below, i've seen a few other menu choices (avo/haloumi/labneh/dukkha tomatoes on toast, salmon/eggs on toast) and they were generous portions with fresh ingredients.

savoury mince, slow cooked with chorizo, speck bacon, cherry tomatoes & baby spinach, served with herbed crème fraiche, free-range fried egg, sourdough toast, fresh lemon (17) they describe it all with the menu, really! mince isn't usually my first choice, but i went for this after seeing it feature on the urban list's savoury mince article. it was full of flavour, especially with the chunks of chorizo in the mix. the créme fraiche mellowed out the mince nicely and a generous squeeze of lemon topped it off.

brioche french toast, spiced poached pears, homemade chai tea ice cream, hazelnut fairy floss, crushed pistachios, Heilala vanilla syrup (15) i had this the first time i went to pablo, and i had to talk myself out of it the second time as i have such a sweet tooth. it was absolutely incredible. the beautiful soft, warm pears on syrupy toast was an indulgent wintry delight. but the part that blew my mind was the chai tea ice cream - amazing flavours! and who doesn't like ice cream for breakfast?

confit of portabella mushrooms, baked with a feta & herb crumble, braised fennel, dill scrambled eggs, smoked tomato compote, crumbled feta, fresh lemon, rye & caraway toas (17) such a rubbish photo, apologies. i haven't had one all to myself yet (next time!) but the mouthful i tried was yummy. juicy mushrooms with enough texture and flavour from the crumble.

espresso with vanilla milkshake (3.5) as i said, these drinks are really good value - at $3.5, i did not expect the small sized milkshake to be this big! the coffee hit was definitely there as well not being too sweet. i thought it was a little bit warm (the coffee shot) for a milkshake but that still wouldn't deter me from re-ordering. they have a ton of other flavour options as well (oreo anybody?).

verdict // i like everything about this café: the overly descriptive menu titles, the atmosphere, the tasty food, the generous portion sizes, and the wonderful drinks. they serve lots of drinks actually - the menu is pages and pages long, and includes alcohol. my friend (who knows beer) was pleasantly surprised by the range on offer. a brisbane staple for reasons that are very clear. well-priced, will be back.

info // open 7 days 7am-3pm, taking orders til 2.30pm. breakfast is all day while the lunch menu starts at 11.30. parking is street and can be a little tricky unless you're willing to walk. again, it's not very big so pick your times.

links // www.pablonewfarm.com/
facebook 

*first image from the pablo website