Sw1 Kitchen

Sw1 Espresso - South Brisbane. From more or less a single-roomed hole in the wall, to across the courtyard into where previous tenant's were, Sw1 Espresso proves to be a good find for those South Brisbane's Sw1 precinct, and various other visitors. Whereas at the prior location, its identity was a bit nebulous and it was not so sure what it wanted to be - yet still nice regardless - here they have formed an identity and an aesthetic efficiently.

Finding a lack of the American-style delicatessens in Brisbane, the main focus of Sw1 Espresso is on sandwiches, burgers and bagels plus let's not forget salads. Unlike the prior place, there is seating available here. The people here are simply lovely and accommodating. It is more of a long cafe than a deep one, akin to walking across a counter to see the options available; everything here is fresh and on display so there is absolutely no worries about the quality of the food. Most of the interior decor is very white.

I had something of a job interview at a workplace nearby, and the guy I was meeting had this place in mind and went for a beeline to it. What can be said is that this was a great choice; among a precinct that could well see a collection of potentially great eateries, Sw! Espresso is a crash course for how to provide that for the residents. First and foremost is the quality of the coffee - making a location for the local watering hole - but it also extends to service - often done with a smile and efficient - but the characteristic design in service and presentation is what really helps with place and took my eyes.

The order I got was a double shot cappuccino cappuccino, which was very strong and tasty. It had the thick layer of foam and chocolate on top - so the style is really Australian. Instead of coming on a saucer as usual, each cup of dine-in coffee comes on its own rectangular tray, complete with a couple of sugars - if you so wish (I have mine without sugar) and a couple of lots of cutlery. Again though, it all helps with a good quality cup of coffee - made from their own roasted beans - that has well textured milk, and a properly extracted shot of espresso. This is yet another addition to the coffee scene around the city that has well and truly arrived.

To test this place out further, before heading off home I decided to see what sweets they had to share with my dining buddy. Sweets are not fully abundant at Sw1 Espresso, but nevertheless there are a few different muffins to select from. As seemingly usual I went for the chocolate chip variety (hey! it well and truly works most of the time); they size of it was massive.While it was not the most choc-filled chocolate muffin I have had, the chocolate parts melted through a fair way giving it all sorts of flavour in its soft, cake-like mixture. With this idea in mind, some fresh-made sweets will do brilliantly at this place.

With luck, the Sw1 living precinct could interconnect with the northern end of West End and the stretch of South Brisbane outside of South Bank as a massive dining area. Sw1 Espresso is not the flashiest of the places around, but it does stick out with characteristic aspects focusing straight onto fine produce for diners and residents. As a place for a meeting, it certainly worked well.

Sw1 Kitchen - South Brisbane. Sometimes you want to take a break from the usual offerings of a lunch bar or carvery nearby. There is a lot of the samey options which might get at best a sort-of "ho-hum" response. Well, here is a soild, quiscent and spirited option - Sw1 Kitchen. It hides amongst the more upfront neighbours a lot like a tuck shop window with various options similar to sandwiches taking initiative to provide accomodating yet different enough choices for a bite to eat. There is duality of being tasty but also all-round healthy at the same time. In case of being vague so far, this place deserves the lunch time rush that it has acquired.

That was essentially what I did one day. Leaving the office to get something to eat, I made a beeline towards this place. The courtyard of South Bank Sw1 was packed - at least for this part of town. A few people were awaiting around here. Almost immediately a guy was standing to attention for an order, though I took a bit of time with forewarning to make my order.

What I ordered was a Blue Cheese Burger Pita with a side of fries and what was called a chockie. The names were taken down and what was seen was almost a fully well-functioned team effort in the kitchen.

I must say, I was impressed with the look and cleanliness of the place along with the friendly service. There is an effiency that just has to be seen to be believed. It probably is to help with getting the orders out quick and ready. Before you know it, a waitstaff member walks up to with your order to go. This is on top of making it all fresh.

The pita burgers are more akin in looks to a taco than a tostada, and they manage to be generous with portions - very few bites are just bread - simultaneously also without having them constantly drop out. Each component was fantastic and fresh - the beef was a good quality mince and they manage to have blue cheese be somewhat subtle in taste, however that was possible. This might be residing with some of the great burgers I have had.
While only about a handful or two, the fries were also pretty good as well. They came out piping hot and were beer-battered. This was a pleasant surprise as I knwo that I am often a sucker for items which are beer-battered. The potato was soft and hot on the inside and it was totally worth it getting the side.

Next was the chockie and this was pretty good. Part-mudcake and part-brownie, it had a slight coconut taste to it and was thick and moist in flavour. This was a good finisher and can easily be divided up into two parts. It did not taste like guilt in one iota.

This place is cheaper than others around it. It maintains quality on its own therefore avoiding any chance of a pidgeon-holed assumption. Anyone working around the area ought to try it out, or just anyone in general. This is what a lunch bar should be like.