Spring

Although I have already written a post based on my trip to Brissy, I thought it was imperative I dedicated a whole one to a special restaurant I visited. Spring is a cafe/restaurant located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, and fortunately for me, right underneath my Dad's apartment. 

Not only is Spring a restaurant, it's also a cooking school. A little room on the side of the restaurant is kept for lesson bookings, and just a general area for the chefs to make their sweet little pastries and goodies.

Pink macarons being made

Even though we walked past Spring at least 5 times a day, we had never actually eaten there. It is only opened Monday-Friday, so it was decided that we had to go on Dad's lunch break :)

The menu is french-inspired and limited, with breakfast only being served untill 10:30am. This time we were too late for breakfast, although the menu looked inviting.

Some of the items on the lunch menu were exxy, but sounded delicious (braised beef cheek , Paris mash, cauliflower gratin $28). It's not often I would pay that much for a weekday lunch, and it seems like their clientele consisted of mainly businessmen on corporate lunches or unemployed rich trophy wives. But hey, I won't complain, seeings that I didn't have to pay...cheers Dad.

I decided to go with the soup of the day, which was pea soup with seared scallop & crispy leak ($12). Lucky I ordered a side of sourdough bread ($8) because the soup came bread-less (gimme sum carbs).

Pea soup with seared scallop and crispy leek ($12)

I know what you're thinking. Soup's not even a meal. Who orders soup right? Well before you judge, let me say that this soup was rich, thick and amazing. I love peas, and the combination of peas and scallop is a winner. I would go as far to say I would order it again. Yep. You heard me.

Freshly baked sourdough bread with "cultured" butter ($8). #howcanbutterbecultured

Dad ordered the Rueben sandwich, with pastrami, gruyere, sauerkraut and pickles ($12.50)

Mum ordered the steak sandwich, with came with a side of shoestring fries ($18)

Steak sandwich with shoestring fries ($18)

Wine time for mum

Parisian style decor. And a hanging head.

Naice coffee

Having walked around the city many times, I still believe this is the best looking cafe in the CBD. And now that I've tried the food, I seriously think it was top notch, fine dining kinda shit. Very nice staff, very very nice food. A must try if you're ever up here. Wheeere else, wheeeere else, where else but Queenslaaand.

Spring 
26 Felix Street, Brisbane

The Hardware Sociéte

I had been looking forward to visiting The Hardware Sociéte all week after reading lots of good reviews. So a couple of friends from work and I decided to check it out and see what the fuss was all about.

We got there around midday and there were plenty of tables available (which was a surprise because I've heard it's pretty hard to get a seat around lunchtime). The cafe is french inspired and has a cute yellow and white theme going on. The attention to detail is amazing and goes right down to the cute pastel coloured knitted tea cosies!

I was under the impression that their breakfast menu was all day, but as soon as we sat down I was told the lunch menu started at 12. Boo! I really wanted to try their famous baked eggs! Oh well, gives me an excuse to go again :)

So seeings that I couldn't order my eggies, I liked the sound of the chicken dish ($18). It sounded a bit fancy and I didn't know what "migas" was- but I thought you can't go THAT wrong with chicken...right?

Chicken with chorizo migas, tomato, parsley + spanish onion ensalada, preserved lemon alioli

I love that feeling when you see the waiter put your meal down in front of you and you know you've made the right decision. It was like 3 crunchy crumbed pieces of succulent chicken with big dollops of aioli. SO DAMN GOOD. No post purchase regret here!

Both of my friends order the mushroom pithiver ($14). It was kind of like a pie slash tart slash pastie. Delightful.

Porchini mushroom, asparagus, leek, parsley + chevre paste, rocket pithiver 

The other items in the cabinet looked yum scrum too

Nice coffee in cute pastel coloured cups

There is such a nice atmosphere at this café. It got very busy with city workers on their lunch break- but I would have waited ages for a table if I knew the food was this good.

The menu often changes and is one of those cafes you can never have been to enough. I will be certainly returning for breakfast soon to get my baked Eggssss!

The Hardware Sociéte

118-120 Hardware Street, Melbourne CBD

The Hardware Sociéte on Urbanspoon