A breakfast institution in Brisbane, I had mixed feelings about eating at this cafe. The food was generally good but the service had ranged in the past from indifferent to insulting. My heart for breakfast has forever been lost to Cirque (even if you can hardly get in the doors these days) and I hadn't eaten here since the original owner apparently left to go to Tongue and Groove.
On Thursday night things seem to have a done a complete reversal - the service was very good - attentive without being overwhelming, prompt and friendly.
The food was a different story. At around $30 for a main my expectation were reasonably high and my meal was a big disappointment. I had the 300g Hereford Gold Rib Fillet, duck fat roasted baby potatoes, broccolini, pancetta, blue cheese butter, jus. Technically, I guess there wasn't anything wrong with it but it was just dull. The meal was literally a piece of steak on steamed brocolini and 3 potatoes. The blue cheese butter was flavourless and I don't recall the jus nor the pancetta! It sounded so good on the menu and I do love ordering steak when I'm dining but this was stuck in the middle of the road.
My dining companion's Margaret River Lamb with pistachio & lemon crust, kipfler potato, dutch carrots, sugar snaps and jus was significantly better. The lamb was melt in the mouth and the lemon an unusual flavour.
We didn't have starters and I think there is an expectation that you have a starters as the mains were a modest size.
What saved the night for me was the wine as it was sensational , so good in fact I called the next day to see what it was (their website is out of date). Semillon Sauvignon Blanc from Margaret River called Stella Bella. So very tasty.
I will admit at being a bit oblivious to the surrounds as I've eaten their so often.
We did get overcharged for a bottle of wine that we didn't order which unfortunately I didn't pick up at the time so dinner for 2 (2 glasses of wine and 3 beers) came to $90 (the actual bill was $130).
Food excellence 2/5
Ambiance 3/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Price 3/5
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