What is most notable here is that Evo Espresso is right across the road from Yeronga School, which would make it a popular place for the parents to go before they pick up the kids from school and/or after they drop them off for the day. Just sitting more or less on the corner, it is quite unsuspecting and has few if any indications about it being a hot spot to go to for a coffee. If it keeps that way, maybe, but something about it being secluded and in somewhat of a niche area adds on to its notable charms. Anyone who lives in the area ought to check it out sometime, it is a gem in the southern part of town.
With most seasoned veterans on this website, around your hometown - or another place that you often visit - there is often a list, sometimes long, sometimes a shortlist, but still a list regardless - of places to get to at some point. These can often fall to the side a bit, and what it is good is to often go back and tick some items off - especially since some you've really been wanting to try out inevitably close their doors (... the number that is the case for me...). This was what happened with my housemate/dining buddy regarding Evo Espresso. From what I remember, there might have been one or two more places that he tried out driving past, but ultimately this was the go. And it is a pretty solid place in itself.
The interior has a cosy and cool aesthetic, shaded and quiet from the noisy traffic just outside. It certainly feels like a coffee shop, with the relaxed vibe, the simple seating and the lovely staff - but I will get onto them when critiquing service. It could get a little cramped at times for some people; in case that happens there is another lot of space right outside the side door, with a lawn and some gardens, plus a whole heap of sunshine if you wish to catch the rays. Before moving on, chalk this off as one more place where I sat behind the counter for my meal - that's where the table was set.
For the most part, I found the service to be decent. Perhaps at times, it was a little slow on the upkeep with delivering items to the table, though how it was done was with a lot of friendliness and a general feeling to take your time. Getting into the inner city and experiencing that frantic nature of constantly rushing, this may well be a welcome relief. It did make me enjoy my food a lot more to be honest, so take that as you will.
When it comes to their menu, for the most part they remain fairly simple. The brunt of it is breakfast items, and they are fairly simple ones at that. A bunch of eggs on toast, some granola, and a few usual favourites are what is present there. As well as that, in the cabinet and on the bench there are several kinds of cake and sweets for something a bit lighter. In terms of drinks, there is the usual range of coffees (plus a couple of alternative modes - get to that later), teas, milkshakes (a.k.a. frappes) and juices. A simple looking menu for such a simple and laid-back place.
One different kind of coffee they had was a pour-over, which is akin to the filter coffee. I have become particular to it in recent years and find it has a nice flavour and texture. However, I was told that they were out of the filter bean - right after I had touched down the Paywave card and paid ... what timing - and they had another option akin to that. From what I remember, it was a couple of shots of espresso over ice with a side of extra water to pour over. Good enough for me.
I needed to read the menu a couple of times, or scan it from the bottom up, to really know what I wanted. My eyes stopped the instant I saw "savoury French toast" on the menu. That was the order, there was no other choice. There were no less than four slice of bread, which were infused and crusted with a homemade pesto, topped with goat's cheese, some garlic mushrooms and a few cherry tomatoes. Hmm.... a bit of something missing, eh? That's right - got to get that bacon on there. I also ordered some of that, with emphasis on getting it quite crispy. A long time ago, I would have easily put "'nuff said" and be done with it - but not anymore suckers!
First with the coffee, there is something about getting the coffee chilled - whether over ice or in the refrigerator - that tastes different to the normal hot coffee. Does it get slightly stronger? Are the more astringent tastes made apparent with it? Nevertheless, it is always nice, and simultaneously soothing and gives you that needed buzz that coffee can do. The flavour of the bean had something fruity in it, and was a worthy one. So far, pretty impressed.
Before getting to the French toast, but dining buddy had a muffin for his order. It was a raspberry and white chocolate, and it was all that it needed to be. The flavours were there, it was soft and moreish - obviously cooked fresh and recently - plus the hints of vanilla in it made it even better. It's a muffin, it is simple, and that is it.
And then the French toast was delicious. Up until now, I don't think I have had a purely savoury French toast before, and hopefully soon I will be seeing more. The bread that they used was chewy and moreish, soaking in the pesto very well - which itself was tangy, spicy and had a good flavour range. Additionally, the amount of it was generous and soaked all the way throughout the dish. That was just the start. The goat's cheese was really creamy, had a strong and distinctive taste, and the texture was good enough to act as butter. As with the mushrooms, the small amount that were there was good, well cooked and had a buttery texture. Finishing it all off, when I asked for the bacon to be crispy, they delivered on it being crispy. It was essentially a chip at the end, and even the string of fat at the side (the one that is often discarded afterwards) was edible and cooked over. Plus the strong flavour was all present. Basically, just a great and wholesome dish.
Giving Evo Espresso its credit, overall it is a bit on the basic side with the fare that they offer. You have an idea for what you might be able to get, and the fare is pretty good quality overall. With that being said, the needed aspects of a nice meal out are all present with the laid-back atmosphere, leisurely service and basic chilled vibe. A solid little place that has some good strengths to it, and as a result that makes it land in 4.0 territory quite comfortably. It is small wonder that Evo Espresso is such a popular joint on this side of town.
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