Ned’s Deli Cafe

I woke up feeling cranky this morning. My first thought after “Geez I’m cranky.” was “Oh I want coffee.” I realised that I’d gone from a grande skim latte per day routine to almost nothing. I can only think of two coffees I’ve had since I’ve been on leave from work, and I’m used to at least one per day.

So since it was payday, I decided to go for a walk to my local shops and have a really nice lunch with coffee. I packed my bag with a good book (I’m reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan at the moment) and set off for a walk in the sunshine.

I decided to pop in to Ned’s Deli Cafe, since I knew they do Merlo coffee (for those not in Brisbane, Merlo is one of the few locally roasted coffees in Brisbane – local really does make a difference.)

The service is always good at Ned’s. I straight up ordered my skim latte and it was on my table very, very quickly. Merlo didn’t fail me at all – even the scent of it had me feeling more sprightly.

I ordered their quiche lorraine with a side order of beer battered chips for lunch and one of their “Pick Me Up” juices, which is apple and watermelon juice with a touch of mint. The quiche was very good, full of ham and onion and tomato, which a lorraine doesn’t usually have, but I wasn’t complaining, and a hefty sized portion. It was also light and creamy through the egg which is how I like my quiche. The beer battered fries were a perfect side order size – not scabby but also not too huge that you either end up too full or leave half of them. They were cooked to golden, crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside perfection and served with aioli for dipping. The juice was lovely too, I could see them preparing it fresh and it had just the right hint of mint without being overpowering.

While I ate I sat in a cozy corner reading my book, and the staff didn’t interrupt, which is something that really bugs me when I’m sitting reading over a meal. When I was finished the waiter came to get my plate and only when I looked up and thanked him, did he ask me how I found the meal. It’s something that annoys me a lot, when waiters ask you constantly how the meal is. Even if I’m not reading alone, they always seem to catch me while I’m chewing or in conversation if I’m with friends. Even when the waiter came to get my juice glass he said “Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but may I take your juice glass?” So nice to have my peace and quiet while reading respected.

I was so comfortable I decided to order another coffee, which again arrived really promptly, and the wait staff left me to it to savour it and enjoy my book. When I got up to pay and leave, then the woman behind the counter again asked me how my meal was and was really friendly. It was a delight to pay!

As I walked out the door, I realised that my cranky mood had completely gone. The spring was back in my step. I’m not sure if it was just the coffee or a combination of coffee and the lovely service. Either way, I’d definitely recommend Ned’s Deli Cafe to anyone who is in the Yeronga area.

Brunch – It’s Not Quite Breakfast, Not Quite Lunch and Comes with a Slice of Melon at the End

I’ve been to brunch twice in two days.

Yesterday was planned, I met my lovely friend Jim at Ned’s Cafe in Yeronga. It was so sticky and hot (that’s one thing I do not “heart” about Brisbane!) that I grabbed a little table in the back near the refrigerators, which was a wise choice. Much cooler and more comfortable there than anywhere else.

I had the French toast and a skim latte (two in fact) and both were delicious. Jim had the gourmet eggs which I am determined to have next time I go there – scrambled eggs with various add ins like mushrooms and onion and stuff. We sat in our little corner of Neds and talked for a good few hours.

Today my friend Rosie called me up on the spur of the moment to ask me if I wanted to go to brunch with her at the Melbourne Hotel at West End. I hadn’t been there since they have refurbed, and had heard they’d done a great job, and I love brunch, so of course I said yes.

I’m well impressed! It’s funky without being too cheesy modern, very comfortable and the food and service are excellent, as are the prices. Being hot still, we sat inside in one of their amazing booth tables. It’s kind of like sitting in a muffin tin. You’re cupped into the booth and you can’t really feel or hear any of the tables or anything around.

We both had the Melbourne Big Breakfast, of steak, chipolata sausage, bacon, eggs your style, toast, mushrooms, tomato and a tiny lamb cutlet for a bargain price of $9.90 and a huge coffee for about $4.50. It was delicious and plentiful and arrived promptly. I wouldn’t mind trying a dinner there sometime.

If you have a favourite place for breakfast/brunch, leave me a comment and I’ll add it to my list of places to try.

Barefoot on A Sunday Afternoon

One of the best kept secrets in Brisbane, is the monthly barefoot bowls and barbecue at Yeronga Bowls Club.

On the first Sunday of every month, from 3pm onwards, Yeronga Bowls Club holds casual bowls for anyone who would like a roll up, with a barbecue dinner at about 6pm for… wait for it… $7. Yes, that’s SEVEN DOLLARS. I don’t know anywhere else you can get a meal for $7, let alone an afternoon of fun, relaxing entertainment too.

Now I believe the price is going up on that deal soon, to a ridiculous… $9. Good God, don’t rob a bank now will you?

Not only do you get such a cheap deal with the bowls and barbecue, but the drinks are really cheap too. A glass of white wine is under $3. A basic spirit with a can of softdrink is under $5. And a can of soft drink on it’s own is $2.

What I love most is how relaxed it is. No rules, no scoring (unless you and your friends want to) and they play music across the greens all afternoon. I call it “roll and giggle”. Dinner is simple and hearty, usually sausages/steakettes (cooked really deliciously), simple salads and bread and butter. Delicious.

If you want a leisurely, cheap afternoon with a hearty meal at the end, Yeronga Bowls Club (map) is a great Sunday afternoon’s entertainment.

A Great Cuppa in Brisbane

How about we start with a great cuppa? Because no matter what, if you can get a decent coffee/tea/hot chocolate, it always makes the day that little bit better. Let’s break it down a wee bit:

Best Everyday Cuppa

That morning cup of coffee before work is essential for me. I just don’t function so well without it. And my morning cuppa of choice is always a grande skim latte from Cool Beans and Baguettes, which you will find in the food court of Brisbane Square, 266 George Street. (Map) Regular baristas Gus and Kat never fail to brew up a perfect coffee (and they do a great tea, hot chocolate or chai too) mega quickly, and with fantastic service. They never forget a regular face and name (or the cuppa that goes with it) and have got making everyone’s perfect morning cuppa down to a fine art.

Best Hot Chocolate

This would have to go to Batavia at South Bank, Cnr Ernst and Grey Streets (Map). Hot chocolate is served here in little hot jugs of chocolate and milk, which you pour yourself into a lovely big round cup that just feels fantastic in the hands. Smooth, rich and creamy, with a lovely sense of ceremony, the hot chocolate here is just divine, and you can get some lovely variations on the basic. Batavia also has a lovely feel to the cafe, and they sell furniture and decor with a distinct style as well as the cafe.

Best Tea

I personally like T-Licious, also at South Bank, on Little Stanley Street (Map). Not only can you get all kinds of cuppas as far as tea is concerned (black, green, white, herbal, infusions – every kind of flavour and combination) but they also sell their tea in take home packs and have a lovely range of tea accoutrements. My particular favourite is their Apple Strudel (which is actually a fruit melange, rather than a tea) which is spicy and fruity without being sickly sweet. Of the true teas, I really like the China Jasmine.

Best Coffee

This is a tough one, but I think I will go with Ned’s Cafe on Fairfield Road at Yeronga, at The Village on the corner of Fairfield Road and Kadumba Street (Map). Merlo coffee, always prepared well, and a lovely selection of cakey things to go with it. It’s often a bit hard to get a table there, particularly on a weekend, but if you can, it’s worth it.

What’s Your Favourite?

So here’s where you tell me what your favourite cuppa is in Brisbane. I will do my best to try it and if I do, review it here on this blog. Leave me a comment to tell me the cuppa you love here in Brisbane.