Bleeding Heart Cafe
166 Ann St
Brisbane
Date visited: 20 October 2011
It’s been about 20 months since I was here last; the Locustette and I came here for morning coffee today.
It’s been repainted and looks good, the coffee is still excellent, as is the service. We both had the coffee and a muffin deal (only $6!) and the muffin was very, very tasty.
This cafe still comes very highly recommended! The Locust, and Locustette, both Like!
Tweet this! Market Lane Coffee
Shop 3, Prahran Market
163 Comercial Rd, Prahran
The Locust likes this place very very much!
Excellent coffee with very skilled and knowledgeable baristae. They roast the beans in house, and you can buy them separate when you find a blend you like.
The decor is quite minimalist but comfortable. There’s free WiFi available – just ask for the password. There’s some food available, but not much – this place is for coffee, not eating – but there’s a whole market just outside the door.
Tweet this! Kanteen
On the banks of the Yarra
South Yarra
Date visited: 2011-05-28
The Locust and Locustette visited here for brunch, and liked it very much.
The venue is a converted sports pavilion on the Yarra, and has lovely views from the (fortunately heated) outdoor area.
The Locust had the Kanteen Eggs, which are a variation on eggs with smoked salmon, but with mascapone cheese as well – very tasty.
Locustette opted for Spanish Eggs, which were baked in a ramakin and very warming on the cold morning.
The coffee was well made, and went down nicely – we will definitely be back!
Tweet this! Palate Restaurant & Bar
132 Greville St, Prahran
I’ll admit to being something of a regular here for brunches but today it the first time I came here for extended work time.
The coffee and service are both excellent, and some of the nicest food you’ll find anywhere – The Locustette and I particularly like the Berry Pancakes. -pauses- -happy memories- -drools slightly-
OK, back now. 
If you sit at the table at the back, there’s a power point near the cash register. There’s supposedly Wi-Fi available too, but I couldn’t get it working myself – seems to be a pay wall on it so I used my 3G connection instead.
Highly recommended, and I’ll definitely be back many times.
Tweet this! Cafe Riva
The Causeway (off Bouke St Mall)
Date visited: 2011-05-10
The Locust is not overly impressed, he must say. The service was excellent and very friendly, and the coffee was reasonable. As far as food goes, I opted for the croissant and I have had better. Had worse too, so I’m happy to let it pass.
The waitress volunteered that they offered free Wi-Fi, but it wasn’t working when I first connected. I fixed it for them, of course, and am posting for it now. No obvious power points around that I can see.
But, it’s quiet, out of the wind and not a bad place to hide away and get things done for an hour or two.
Tweet this! I’ve been more than a little tardy with updating this blog, but today represents a relaunch and (slight) refocus of the blog.
Tweet this! Early Bird Cafe
Dean St, Albury
The locust liked this very much. The coffee was excellent – the equal of anywhere I’ve had in Albury or Melbourne. The Locustette recommended this place based on the coffee, had her wisdom is once again beyond reproach.
As far as food goes, we tasted both the breakfast sandwich and the Canadian pancakes. The pancakes were very light and fluffy, the bacon crispy and the maple syrup was poured only on the bacon (so the pancakes did not succumb to sogginess. The sandwich, likewise, was delicious.
I will definitely return here!
Tweet this! Palate
Greville St
Prahran, Melbourne
Date visited: 2010 – 7 – 10 – Brunch
Mr A Locust and I patronised this establishment, on a recommendation from yours truly who had been there last year. It had been fantastic, and sadly I had not been back since. I have to say, that was very, very stupid.
Palate is tucked away in a small street off Chapel St, near the clock tower. Disgusting everyone around us I’m sure, we indulged in that couple behaviour of ordering food to share. While we sipped at our quite tasty coffees (but to get a bad coffee in Melbourne is nothing short of a felony), we indulged in the cafe atmosphere – complete with lounge music.
When our breakfast burrito came out, it was quite large. The eggs were warm and scrambled deliciously, the bacon cooked to perfection – smoky but not too crispy- and the wrap fresh and soft. The guacamole and homemade baked beans on the side added to the flavours, and were each delicious in their own right.
The one disappointment was that the wait staff seemed to ignore us for the next half hour. But, when we reappeared from the service black hole we were in, we got some more lovely coffee and the most scrumptious pancake I have had in age.
Ricotta pancake with vanilla bean yoghurt, berry compote and maple syrup. The pancake was light as air, the mix of flavours a lovely fresh sensation. I cannot stress how wonderful this dish was. Even though I had an elegant sufficiency, I know both of us found it hard to share it.
All in all, the meal and coffee were delicious, and quite reasonable for around 40 dollars or so. Both Al and I are in agreement – this may become a regular brunch spot, and it is definitely worth a visit.
Check out their website at www.palate.com.au. It’s not completely up to date, but the menu is very close. And very tasty.
Tweet this! Harvest Thyme
Dean St
Abury
Date visited: 2010-06-26 – Brunch
It’s… nice, I guess.
Maybe I’m getting harsh in my old age, but I was rather underwhelmed by this place. I ordered (at the counter – there’s no table service, but I couned three wait staff plus two chefs and there were only 8 tables full at the busiest point) and had one of the breakfast specials. Eggs Florentine for $12.00, plus a coffee for $3.50. Paid up front, too, which is unusual in such cafes.
The coffee is New World branded, and is a nice enough blend but it was only mildly warm when it arrived – the milk hadn’t been steamed sufficiently. I did have a second cup which was hotter, so this could have been a one off.
The Eggs Florentine was… interesting. The eggs were poached properly (in an open pot, not a mould) and I’d give them full credit of this, except they may have used a touch too much vinegar in the water. The certainly did use too much in the spinach, which caused an interesting taste reaction to the hollandaise sauce.
When served, the waiter offered me cracked pepper, which I accepted. So he brought out the huge pepper grinder and…. handed it to me to put it on myself. Clearly, we’re not in Lygon St anymore, Toto!
It’s worth noting that this establishment does advertise gluten free cooking, so perhaps if any of my coeliac friends were visiting I might give them another try. But, if not, I doubt I’ll be back.
So, the food is reasonably OK, the service less so but far from rude. But, all in all the Locust wasn’t as impressed as he would have liked. 3 stars, no more.
Tweet this! Canteen Cuisine
Dean St
Albury NSW 2640
Date visited: 2 May 2010 (Breakfast)
They had a range of cooked breakfasts for a standard price of $10.90. Mine came with two very nicely poached eggs on toast, grilled tomato, avacado, hash brown and mushrooms – quite a generous serving too. Coffee was very good – well presented, nice flavour (there is Dimattina signage around, and it tastes like one of their blends) and no hint of any bitterness or burning.
The service was prompt and very friendly from the two waitresses that served me. I was never interrupted, but my plate was whisked away about a minute after I finished. The atmosphere is very relaxed – would be interesting to visit again in the evening, since I spy a piano and gutar in the corner. Whilst I was there, though, the background music was ABC Classic FM – unusual choice for a cafe, but it suited the gentile brunching atmosphere and was not at all out of place with the wood panel furnishings and burgundy cushions.
All up, the Locust likes this place and will definitely be back.
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