KETTLE & TIN | given terrace, paddington

Kettle & Tin is set in a cute little Queenslander in Given Terrace. With wooden floorboard opening out into brightly light room that overlooks the hills of Paddington, this place is the perfect little escape from work to read the paper or catching up with friends over a up of coffee. They boast an eclectic range of an all day breakfast menu as well as your usual standard steak/sandwich lunch. I ordered a carrot/celery/beetroot/orange juice to go with my rosemary & mushroom omelette.

Total money spent = $30

SAMSON & SOPHIE CAFE AND DELI | macquarie st, teneriffe

Summer is all year round in Brisbane and today was certainly no different! Finally had a chance to try this place out after hearing it from my sister a couple of months ago. 

Situated in the trendy New Farm/Teneriffe area, this cafe certainly fits right in! This cute little space is jam packed with rustic awning, succulents and wooden furnishings. They serve a farmhouse style breakfast and lunch menu that encompasses all the classics such as haloumi, mushroom, avocado, bacon and eggs. 

I ordered a Wrapped Up (bacon, eggs, thyme roasted mushroom and greens) and my friend ordered the Our House Cook Up (bacon, poached eggs, haloumi, roasted tomato, sausage and organic sourdough and relish). Portion size was generous and cooked up amazing fast and fresh.

I cant wait to go back to try their Italian Eggs!

Total money spent = $16.40

VUE LOUNGE | merthyr rd, new farm

My friend and I caught up over brunch on a mutual day off to discuss future travel plans. Vue Lounge was situated just off the main foodies street in New Farm which was good as there was ample street parking. There were two seating areas that were connect via the counter/bar areas. The front of the cafe that had open walls that faces the street was light and airy (resembling Melbourne type cafes where you can sit comfortably reading the newspaper or people watch). The back of the cafe where we were situated was modern chic with wood blocks on the far wall. 

The menu was extensive with a range of modern Australian dishes. I ordered a zucchini fritters, smoke salmon, poached eggs, trus tomatoes, grilled lemon, tomato bearnaise with mixed berry smoothie.  The smoked salmon and poached eggs were beautifully executed and combined well with the bearnaise. I didn't quite enjoy fritters thought. It was much to oily and greasy for my liking and I kept having to take sips of my smoothie to get the aftertaste from my mouth.

Although this does not make it onto my favourite breakfast spots in Brisbane, it is a place I would go to again if i wanted to treat a friend to something a bit more fancy. 

Total money spent = $25.90

PAW PAW | corner of Potts St and Stanley St, Woolloongabba

Ever since going to Foxy Bean I spied this cute little cafe across the street and have been wanting to go. My friend and I went one rainy morning and to reminisce about workplace glories/blues. I love the openness of the cafe with the side facing the street as open glass windows that span from roof to floor. It lets in a lot of natural light that adds to the green and golden bamboo wallpaper and the wooden furnishings. We got seated near the window and ordered drinks: Nicole ordered a latter and I ordered a Charlie's White Peach and Passionfruit juice. 

Although brunch hadn't officially finished, we ended up ordering from the lunch menu instead. Lucky for us, we got to try out the new Paw Paw menu which was released only about 1 week ago. I ordered the Paw Paw Burger  (prime beef with roasted field mushroom, avocado, swiss cheese, rocket and smokey BBQ sauce on a toasted bap, served with shoestring fries) and my friend ordered the Grilled Fish (grilled fillet of snapper with a mango salsa and smashed fried potato served with aioli). The dishes came out a bit longer than I expected (or was i just hungry?). 

My burger was great! So big that i had to split it half and eat it like a open grill instead. Prime beef pattie was rather dry and tasteless. The highlight was probably the field mushroom and shoestring fries. The next time I'm going, I'm definitely ordering something from the brunch menu.

SHADY PALMS CAFE | Logan Rd, Greenslopes

Since when did Stones Corner get so trendy? It is southside's answer to West End with hipster cafes that dotting the street and some funky boutique clothing stores to boot. I haven't ventured to this part of town since I accompanied my friend while she went wedding dress shopping five years ago. This particular Saturday afternoon, my friends and I went to Shady Palms Cafe for a long overdue catch up over sliders and ciders. 

Shady Palms Cafe had everything. Funky music, great ambiance, seating arrangements for every group size/comfort level and a menu that even the most fussy of eaters are bound to find something they like. My friend Oliver got us a table at the back which overlooked a cute little courtyard that had wooden benches and umbrellas catered for bigger sized groups. The decor of the inside reminded of me the bars that were on Phuket Island - tropical, easy breezy and nonchalant.

Between the three of us, we ordered two served of fries and six sliders ... all of the protein variety (I got outvoted for the vege one as the other two male diners wanted nothing but meat in their burgers):

pulled pork with kimchi mayo, eggplant and rocket

wagyu beef with provolone, BBQ onions, corn and bell pepper salsa

buttermilk chicken with creamy coleslaw, iceberg lettuce and pickled onion

The sliders came out quickly and was presented on a cutting board which added fun to our meal. They were so delicious and for a cute little burger, they were surprisingly filling. I tried the beef and the buttermilk chicken one. The beef was ok - the pattie was a bit dry and I didn't really think the salsa sauce complimented it very well. However, the buttermilk was absolutely delightful. I'm not usually a fan of pickled onion or coleslaw but this is about the only time in my life that i actually enjoyed it. The thick cut fries (which were really wedges) went superbly with the sliders and even better with my cider.

The boys and I had a great time catching up. I learnt a great deal that afternoon namely football and soccer defense techniques as well as property development and the pitfalls of long distance relationships. But most importantly, I learnt that the best meals are always shared (and of course with a cider and a serve of chips on the side).

JUDE KITCHEN & BAR | Eagle St Pier, Brisbane CBD

This is a post that I should have published a while ago but have just been too lazy. My sister and I went out to Jude for brunch which turned out to be lunch (we slept in so the breakfast menu already changed over!). Jude was rather quiet that day, littered with only business people discussing work over coffee. It's cute little place and can be easily overshadowed by the more renowned fine dining restaurants that surround it. However, if you are looking for a lunch option that's not Grill'd but not quite Il Centro either, Jude might be the option for you!

I ordered a Brissy Beetroot Burger with Salad and Chips while my sister ordered a Lasagna with Salad. Both dishes took a bit longer than expected (seeing as we were the only customers on for lunch that day). My burger was average. It certainly wasn't the best burgers in town (cf. The Bun Mobile) but they were worth the $14.95. The bun was a bit hard and dry and the beef patty was rather oily for my liking. The salad was average and tasted nothing different to the ones you buy for $5.95 at Woolworths. The thick cut chips were probably the highlight of the dish! If I'm craving burgers for lunch, I think I would walk 10m to Grill'd for a similar priced dining experience - the only bonus you get at Jude is better seating and ambiance. I wouldn't hurry again to have lunch at this place however I am very keen to try out the breakfast menu (especially the to-die-for Danish Mushrooms). 

RECOMMENDED FOR: a quaint little place for lunch (but don't expect too much!)