TL;DR: To describe it here does not do it justice. Plum Tucker is one of those places that merely asks you to get to when you are in town, and you will be glad you did when it happens. Few places are like it.
Plum Tucker has become a passion project that has worked out for the long-term, as it is still standing here with little to no signs of any slowing down. That is because the eye is constantly on the ball, giving clientele a delicious feed that will both fill them up, and leave them feeling that they were given a great meal. It manages to do something that is getting difficult to do in spite of many places trying to do so, and that is be a unique individual.
This was one place that had been sitting there for many years, and across all that time I did notice the reception it was receiving. With Plum Tucker still standing, and all that fuss keeping perpetual all that time, it was not via any accident that it had been well-received. Why it had kept on the shelf for so long, that is a mystery. What is important is that we got here in the end. That weekend, a place was wanted for breakfast and there was the usual crop of searching for somewhere to eat - Plum Tucker was the winner.
Size matters when making an impression, and they scored very well with the building they got here. This goes to two whole stories, making plenty of room for dining when bookings get hectic. It is a real sort of Queensland environment, relaxed with lots of shade and plants around to keep cool. The tables are all kinds of designs, plus the quirk table numbers add a little more character to the place. Little nooks and crannies were tables and chairs could be placed aren't glossed over. Plus, the second level is much larger with a playpen for children - perfect with those who have little ones to supervise.
About the only thing that is absolutely dragging Plum Tucker away from scoring a real perfect run is the service, and in saying that there was not anything outright wrong with it. The guy there was friendly enough, did seem reserved (some people are introverts, got to deal with that), and for the most part followed procedures as they should be done. A few of the nice gestures were done, primarily getting the waters at the start which never gets a complaint from me. Really, it was merely at that level of just fine - not much of asking if meals were good, but no complaints aside from that. To me, the man maketh the restaurant - that is just it.
For the menu, if memory serves me correctly this place may have just gotten in before the big boom in cafes, eateries, and restaurants, in which so many of them were focusing on different gimmicks, or catering to particular trendy tastes, or doing whatever. Something that possibly came apparent within the past ten years or so from writing was a focus on all levels with good food quality - that is the biggest aspect about Plum Tucker's menu. It is good quality, healthy for the most part, and still keeps a Modern Australian feel with the options. That is not to say they are stock standard, because these cooks get creative juices flowing from the breakfast menu, all the way to lunch with different sorts of pasta and burgers. For something sweet, I presume the smoothie bowls are the way to go, though they do tempt would-be diners with desserts in the cabinet.
Getting onto the drinks, they are no sluggards with putting forth a good range. To pull the trigger at the beginning, tea and coffee are certainly available. Both are given due care with quality, where the tea is organic, loose-leaf, and they have a gourmet range of unusual flavours to tempt tea drinker further; with the coffee, it all comes down to the roasters and sometimes the choice of blend from said roaster - Woolf Roasters, with the Big Dog Blend anyone? That is enough for my housemate to get tempted. The term "Big Dog" is apt for it, due to the bold chocolate flavour that gives notes to the bean plus the sheer strength of the coffee. It is one that will wake you up, no doubt.
Outside of that, they have the trendy coffee alternatives, milkshakes which can be customised at a price, the cold versions of coffee drinks, freshly-squeezed juices, then some smoothies. On top of that, for a couple of dollars more bottomless sparkling water is offered to the customers. It's all in the little touches to make a unique character.
As something different, and this time it was something I hadn't seen elsewhere, the drink of choice went to the sparkling cold drip. Sparkling water is a bit of a thing at this place, which might have been one of the first places in town to attempt it. Funnily enough, some coffee places use this as a palate cleanser to appreciate the different flavours of coffee, and now someone has incorporated that into the actual drink. Putting it on ice, this was a refreshing drink that managed to last the whole of the meal.
My house mate suggested it for something different, getting one of the share platters cause of sheer value. It was tempting, and after a scan around the rest of the menu - which itself has some decent options - it sounded good enough for me. What a damned good idea it turned out to be. This was done in two hefty batches, with the hot savoury items being served first, and the fruits and sweets bringing up the rear.
In the first batch, it was a big breakfast on steroids. How does bacon, plus some poached eggs, haloumi cheese, chorizo, fried tomatoes, and dukka-coated avocado with sourdough toast sound to you? If your keyboard is now ruined thanks to you salivating, no responsibility is claimed.
Each aspect about it was highly delicious, that it is futile to really give them any sort of ranking. They got a fantastic cut of bacon that allowed it to crisp up, and for clients to enjoy its distinct flavour with a bit of grease for good measure. Poached eggs are key, at least in my opinion, so getting them here was the best option. Some of the nicest eggs, which were definitely free range from the smoother texture and softer yolks - pricking these made the yolks bleed creating a whole new sauce in their own.
You will always be winning with haloumi cheese. Also, a bit more chorizo would have done well with me - though in the small dosage there was of it, it still did not disappoint - you will not be disappointed with the strong, unmistakeable taste that it has. Even the fried tomatoes were pretty good, getting that slightly sweet flavour they have seeping out. And when it comes to the avocado, they do not dupe you here - four whole wedges they give you. That dukkah they coated on it was a good touch. It spread pretty well onto that sourdough toast, which was thick and at just the right texture.
The second half came out not too long afterwards. My house mate was about ready, I had some savoury things left over - not to worry as you will see. For this sweet section, they served you several waffles that were already doused in syrup, chopped banana along with many other fruits including passion fruit, Chinese gooseberries, and strawberries, ice cream, and acai smoothie bowl. Yep! Again, for that ruined keyboard I make no apologies.
The waffles I merely used them with the rest of the bacon I had, which was one of the best combinations ever. That maple syrup made the whole difference. Each bit of fruit was fresh as fresh could get, mixing up different sorts of flavours and aromas. The ice cream they had was smooth and creamy, which went well on such a hot day. With the acai bowl, even in eating one I honestly have no idea what they are still.
Even just on their own, one of these platters would have certainly filled up the stomach; both of them, even among tow big eaters, made the stomachs possibly stuffed to the possible limits. Value for money was certainly met that morning, and for the next few hours it was lying on my back clutching the stomach. That means that a home run got smashed out of the park - well done!
So for any out-of-towers, or international travelers coming Brisbane-way, there is a plethora of options at your feet. However, to really get something that will be remembered with its character, getting into the vibe of Brisbane-whole Plum Tucker definitely makes the short list with everything considered. You can get in here easily, and the vibe is relaxed. All that fuss it has will be met.
Final score: 4.5
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