SHOUK CAFE | collingwood st, paddington

My friend Yaz and I caught up over breakfast the other day at Shouk Cafe- the latest edition to the Paddington cafe scene. Perched just off Given's Terrace this cute little cafe sits in a renovated Queenslander that is decorated with wooden floorboards, mosaic tiling and bentwood chairs. Although it tries very hard to live up to it's callcard of having Middle Eastern influence, truth be told, the only influence it had were on their tile selection and a few ingredients on their dishes (ie goats cheese, dukkah, cumin and artichokes). Perhaps it was more apt to describe it as a Modern Australia with a dash of Middle Eastern vibe? Nonetheless I'm being  rather picky. It was a remarkable experience as the staff were lovely, the food fantastic and the ambiance great.

We were waited to the seating area at the back. There were open glass windows which allowed warm winter's sun to light the room while the diners could overlook the hills of Paddington. The staff were very attentive and professional. 

We both ordered a mocha - two super silky Veneziano mugs. Yaz ordered the Latke Stack (Polish potato pancake stack with leg ham creme fraiche, dill and pickled red onions) and I ordered Eggs Benedict (eggs benedict with smoked salmon on toasted challah with sumac peppered hollandaise and garlic buttered braised kale). I thoroughly enjoyed my eggs benedict although would have personally  preferred to have been even a bit more runny! The garlic kale was fantastic (cue in reference to recent trend of superfood) and fresh especially on top of the challah. I must make a special note on the presentation which was immaculate and clean. If there was such things as fine dining in the world of cafes, this would be it.

I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Shouk Cafe and would definitely here again!

Total money spent = $21

BITTER SUITE | welsby st, new farm

Located in a busy corner of New Farm, Bitter Suite is a cafe by day and beer bistro by night. When we arrived, service was friendly and immediate. We were shown to a table quickly and given menus on a clipboard (which seems to be the trend these day cf Pearl and Paw Paw). It had an eclectic decor with a fusion of modern and old furnishings. It boasted a high ceiling, gorgeous chandeliers and ample group seating and bar seating. They had a retro wallpaper on one end with paintings that littered the brick walls. The atmosphere was buzzing by mid morning. 

Although the menu isn't as extensive as other breakfast places but it did provide good variety. I ordered the Roasted Mushroom with pumpkin, farro, sweet corn and poached eggs while my friend ordered  Eggs Benedict with poached free range eggs, baby spinach housemade English muffin, house hollaidaise with extra side of bacon. The dishes arrived quickly given how busy it was. My poached eggs were perfect and the mushrooms were perfectly sauteed. Overall, I have a enjoyable dining experience at Bitter Suite and I would definitely go there again for lunch or an afternoon drinks with nibbles.

Total money spent = $20.50

SCOUT | petrie terrace, brisbane

I spied this gem a couple of weeks ago on The Weekend Edition and placed it on my wishlist immediately. I finally got the opportunity today to visit it with a dear friend of mine. Despite being situated on a busy main street on Brisbane CBD, parking was surprisingly easy.

The shop front is modest and inside reflects the same rustic simplicity. The counter which acts double as both a drinks/sweet bar is small and neatly decorated with wooden baskets and vintage ornaments. There is a communal bench seating on on the far wall in which tables are neatly stacked up against. There is also a more small room at the back of this cute little cafe for a more intimate and private gathering.

The staff were attentive and gave us water and the menu to look at the minute we sat down. I ordered a mocha and my friend ordered a skinny cappuccino ("why is my capp so much smaller than your mocha" was her exclamation upon seeing the drinks come out. Go figure.) My mocha was nothing fantastic- just your standard middle of the range deal. For brunch, I ordered the Breaky Bagel w/ fried egg, kaiserfleisch, cheddar, rocket, housemade relish, fresh tomato and aioli while my friend ordered the smashed avocado w/ fetta, herd, olive oil and lemon served on pane with a side of avocado. 

I was expecting great things from my bagel but also it was simply mediocre. Maybe I am just not accustomed to bagels but I felt that it would have been better served with a foccacia or turkish bread. The ingredients that were delicately stacked on top was delicious though - eggs were cooked perfected and the housemade relish was the perfect connection between the dryness of the bagel to the rest of the ingredients.

Total money spent = $18

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

SWEET DESSERT CAFE | Warrigal Rd, Eight Mile Plains

On one particularly sultry Saturday night, we went out to try the new dessert place that opened just around the corner from us. I've been eyeing this place off for a while watching it sprout up ever so slowly every time I drive past it.  

For a sweet "dessert" place, it certainly didn't offer much variety in the dessert apartment. They only had a handful of cakes (which looked like the store bought defrosted type) and two "special" dessert which was creme brulee  and Thai mango rice pudding. Despite lacking in the dessert department, it made up for it in the drinks menu. The cold drinks were served in cute little mason jars which added to the quasi-industrial them that the cafe boasts. All the drinks were splendid (even better as it was a super hot night!) and refreshing with a touch of Asian flare. They ranged from the standard berry smoothies to the green tea frappes and ovaltine milkshakes.

All in all, it is a much welcomed new restaurant in the southside for what is essentially a black whole for late night hangs. However, don't expect too much if you frequent the cafes that litter West End, Paddington and New Farm. Sweet dessert cafe still has much to learn.

PLENTY | Montague Rd, West End

Following the current trend of cafes that offer all organic and all natural produce, my friend Yaz and I ventured to West End one Thursday to try out what was so special about all the hype. This new addition to West End certainly did not disappoint! I love the hole in the wall type cafes (similar to Moose and Gibson and Shucked Coffee House) where you walk into what is an empty bunker transformed into a cafe by eclectic furniture, high set ceiling and post-modern wall art. They say that Plenty is all about 'reconnecting people with the source of food they eat'.

As I was running late, Yaz already found herself a seat near the entrance with was two metal chairs again a wooden barrel. I ordered a mocha and Yaz ordered a fruit juice. The menu is written on a chalkboard in the far wall and they took your order at the counter. As Plenty emphasises a lot on harvesting the freshest product, their menu inevitably changes frequently.  I ordered a mushroom, caramelised onion, Camembert on spinach and bakes egg. Yaz ordered buttermilk hotcakes, local berries, ricotta and white chocolate sauce. 

We were super hungry that morning and the food certainly did not disappoint. Although my palate could not taste the "organic" and "freshness" of the ingredients set before me, it certainly was well presented and well cooked! It was colorful, fun with a dash of healthiness on my dish. With its ever changing menu that is littered with mushrooms, haloumi and chorizo - this place has won my heart over. Definitely will be coming back here again!

Total dollars spent = $17.80