TL;DR: Scatter Bean is the poster child of hidden depths. Akin to striking gold, you find this away from the main drag and down a quiet suburban street. But that is the temple. The treasures are inside, including ambience, good coffee, and interior design that is earnest and idiosyncratic.
It has been a proven method beforehand what my housemate does. Brisbane is a relatively big city with plenty of go-to places, and those are just the surface level. If you want to get into what a city has to offer correctly, taking a small drive around the side streets is a proven method. That is the delivery; the process is picking an area of town - a specific suburb or collection of suburbs, sometimes even just a junction - and taking notes of cafes and restaurants there. Those can be the new kids on the block or old familiar faces, and whichever way it goes, right onto the list they go.
Taringa was the chosen area this time around, where one week it was brunch at an old place followed up by - as I had previously mentioned - that drive around the side streets. Whether it was by pure chance, or he saw a sign, around one side street near the Taringa train station he noted Scatter Bean. Before I could know anything else, the next Sunday morning the airhorn was blazing and Scatter Bean was next.
I have come to believe that being away from the main drag gives these little places room to breathe; and then from there, it allows them to do their own thing. It is through this opportunity that allows Scatter Bean and other hidden nooks to bring a sense of earnestness. You can tell that from the decor and the relaxed atmosphere.
Once upon a time, possibly years before I was born, at this very location would have stood a milk bar or a corner store. While those are something of old if stories about them ring true outside nostalgia, some of those charms are welcome to stay. They are visible looking around the small but intimate dining area.
On the outside, it looks pocket-sized; upon walking through the doorway, the cafe's vibe is inviting due to how spacious it is. Nothing takes up much more area than needed, which allows for idiosyncratic nooks to pop up. Off to the side, they have a collection of books, fora quick read; this is to pair with a coffee, especially with the more comfortable lounge chairs right at the back.
Seating out front shows the designers were thinking outside the box, straddling between sitting on crates and a full-on tables-chair combination. For the central area, they mix it up with some communal seating. These tables are livened up with small touches here and there. Some examples include a bonsai plant, mismatched crockery (which in honesty, I prefer, since it makes for exciting collections), and among others.
The idea was to be inviting, and this extends beyond having a smile with service. You got to think "why" someone would want to stay an extra while, plus what could entice that. The ambient music playing in the background works, the reading corner works. It makes me glad to see chess is getting its due in coffee shops (says someone who has never won a game, even cheating on the electronic versions). The result feels more like a homely local than a trendy hotspot in downtown.
They have got service that is probably at around eight out of ten at the moment. The young folks here are doing more right than wrong, and even with the "wrong", it is more about tweaking things up rather than outright improving. Excellent customer service does tend to favour extraverted folk, and the young man at the time was possibly more of an introvert.
You always got to give people the benefit of the doubt. When seeing the forest from the trees, it still helps to take time to observe. I say this because the young man we had was overall friendly, and earnestly wanting to do a good job. A first time exists for everything, and for me, it was this - from asking for a receipt. That was a bit odd, though nothing that will be affecting any kind of score.
Most of what they offer for food is reasonably simple goings. Each meal goes for relatively cheap, so even pairing your meal up with a drink you won't be breaking the bank too soon. The standards are present around breakfast time, plus a few more substantial meals for later. If you look into the cabinet, you will undoubtedly see a range of sweets and sandwiches.
For the drinks, they are more or less the usual suspects. Those are tea and coffee, juices, the range you see in the fridge, and possibly milkshakes.
The first things first as per usual, we are talking drinks. Breakfast time will equal coffee for a lot of us, and when it comes to this little black duck, it often is a doppio. We get ourselves an elusive treat in the form of Aromas. Although they are one of the big players, I usually don't see them around that much. It is a pity since their beans are on the stronger side of those big players - though still nothing too out-of-reach.
The coffee started breakfast off on the right foot, satisfying every component it should. The baristas served it piping hot without a flaw in it. Its texture was smooth, and the flavour was slightly mild, putting me into a good mood for the rest of the day.
With the meal that I had, it is one I am surprised I haven't seen until now. I got an omelette with Mexican-style minced beef and cheese. That is such a simple combination, which is why I am surprised this is the first. It makes for a hearty and filling meal, one that you rustle up at home when you don't have too many ingredients on hand.
I got it with a side of halloumi cheese. The halloumi cheese was as good as always, that needs no further explanation. For our main event, the omelette was delicious. Whoever was on cooking duties managed to get the eggs' texture just perfect, as it sandwiched a delightful spicy beef mince. It was all rounded up with a few fresh garnishes. That was diced avocado, rocket, and a balsamic dressing. All of this was filling, tasted surprisingly clean and healthy, and was something distinct - it was a new meal by me, always worth noting.
Whichever meal you choose, the presentation on the plate is right on point. Many folks might not think that much about it, and once upon a time, I thought it was an absurd concept. More time getting an appreciation for cooking, customer service, and wanting to stand out has changed that way of thinking.
If this is not a trend just yet, I will at least chalk up a two-for-two - Brisbane's train stations are becoming an amalgam between hidden gems and social hubs. If anything, that is one of the smartest manoeuvres an inspiring up-and-comer should consider. Foot traffic is organic, while the vibe remains authentic.
With one or two strange touches being out of place, the attention to detail for customer service and the atmosphere is well on point. The people who live on the surrounding streets ought to consider themselves lucky. You have something on your doorstep that is homely, authentic and inviting. They have some strong coffee, a chilled atmosphere, and that overall vibe you can't get when too many people know about you.
Providing that double-edged sword when giving a thorough recommendation, I say go for broke. Think of it as a rewarding watering hole upon travelling those side streets. That is exactly my sentiments, and I am glad to have found this place. It is worth your while.
An error has occurred! Please try again in a few minutes