TL;DR: Unique is one of these words that is getting more and more overused, but there is that ray of hope where its proper meaning can still be applied. The Little Glass Room Espresso Bar is that, where you can saunter in thinking of just getting a coffee to drink and maybe a drink; next thing, you swear that you have been transported to another part of the world. The chic European aesthetics, next-level service on top of the usual Thai politeness, and a range of food and drink that is high quality and tasty. This may be the best kept secret, as it peeks out into one of the busiest streets anywhere in Queensland.
Just like with anyone around these quarters and beyond, the eyes practically could not believe it even if it was told right to my face. To think something so chic, something that has everything down to the minutiae working to the utmost proficiency that it could, the only response that would be heard coming my way would be "pinch me". Yet, in the past I have gotten it in proof that if the cards are able to be played right, it being the weirdest and least thought of position can be used to their advantage and proven a winner overall. When it came to the Little Glass Room in Mount Gravatt Central, it practically defined that idea.
The decision process was several weeks in the making, mostly from trying to see if my eyes were deceiving me the entire time. It was several times on the way to church that I thought I saw a new coffee place not too far away. Between knowing about it, and finally getting around to coming here, the whole process was a surreptitious one. Thoughts and ideas brew in the back of my mind, where many blow away like dust in the wind - this one didn't, since I read about it on Must Do Brisbane. This gave me the energy to go and snoop it out more, where they had a heap of information about it.
Among all of this was something I didn't expect, and that was the fare they served. Had it been merely another place doing coffee, and perhaps some sweets and simple cafe food, I might have taken or leaved it. However, they had a pretty rich menu with all kinds of stuff that you don't often get during the breakfast rush. My house mate is quite into finding new places to eat, will be all ears if they offer something different to the norm. In showing him the menu, the plans were changed on the spot and the next weekend that was the destination.
Walking right in the door, you almost have to do a double check. The surrounds are some of the most swish, most aesthetically pleasing that I can remember dining for years. Each individual component from the lighting, to the tables, to the choices in china tea pots, and just basically everything down to the minutiae has been meticulously chosen, some level of attention to detail that only gets experienced once in a blue moon. Writing down the words won't do it justice; part of the experience is seeing, and feeling the atmosphere for yourself.
When it comes to the best kind of customer service, that is apparent early on in the endeavour. By the time you are sitting down at the table is a good indication. This was one time where it went even better than that; beforehand I have had the waitstaff beckon me in via the interested look on my face, this time I must have been several meters from the door possibly just bypassing the place. Without hesitation, me and my housemate were invited in and the lovely ladies were already setting the table.
It does not even stop there, and is even more apparent than them simply being kind and doing their job properly. They make their presence known all throughout the meal, timing the rounds very well, and presenting themselves as lovely and gracious each time. Going into a Thai restaurant for a meal, their gold star will always be service with a smile. Everything there was right: them getting the water to begin with, asking if your meals are good, checking if there was anything else to be gotten, no stone remained unturned. Best yet, this is table service. Merely a preference for me, yet that small touch makes all the difference to the vibe, creating a more relaxed atmosphere.
Combining forces with menus and such is been going on for quite a while, whether in the vain of fusion or otherwise. Instead of getting two somewhat contrasting ideas, the folks behind the curtain gotten three ideas together and managed to lithely combine each one of them into the whole experience. They are always in tow whether it be for breakfast, a quick coffee, or lunch. These three ideas are Thai-style inspirations for breakfast along with several Thai favourites, the usual Australian brunch staples for the less enthusiastic (don't we all know people like that), and a European style cake shop. They have not spared any expense going into this endeavour, and that truly shines through.
It would all be for null if there wasn't a great drinks menu to pair with all of that. With that, they spare no further expense either - go hard or go home is their mantra, and that is something I can easily abide by. Starting off with the usual favourites, there is both tea and coffee present - loose-leaf and espresso respectively, though in saying that you also get your fix of filter coffee. The other peripheral hot drinks to coffee are there as well. Yet, that is merely the half of it. The other half go to the cold drinks, in which they have quite the variety. There is the cold versions of the coffee drinks, to be sure, and they also have several of the classic Thai iced beverages. Some cold-pressed juices present themselves, plus they have milkshakes and soft drinks. All this variety is done in a compact space, so it is not overwhelming and it caters across the board.
Without any ado, the first order of business was getting some drinks. I'm a simple man, I like my coffee. While there is the usual order I go for, when there is a filter version of coffee or something a bit different I change the routine and opt for that. This was one of those times, with me going for a batch brew. Additionally, with the coffee I will presume we were onto a treat - the beans are courtesy of the Cat's Pajamas, which is from all the way down in Sydney. This brew was quite a good choice: texture-wise, the concoctions are smooth on the tongue, taste-wise you have elements of chocolate mixed with nutmeg - something a bit on the fancy side with chocolate. As for how strong the coffee is, it is around the mid-range. It might wake you up from slumber, yet afterwards you won't be so frantic. Granted, that could also have been in part that it was filter coffee which does just that.
That menu is something else, with so many choices that I was yet again indecisive with what to get. On one hand, I definitely got the appeal about trying a Thai classic for breakfast - something about a pad Thai this time of morning has that elusive appeal. Then, what brought me back was thinking if this is something completely different than just doing it half-ball seems off. Going from that, I went ahead and got a meal that wouldn't often pass my mind when dining out for Thai. It was a close call, with the coconut prawn salad winning out the vote. This had about four giant king prawns, battered in a distinct coconut batter. On the side is several slices of tempura zucchini, and it is on a mixed salad bed which had a sweet chilli and roasted sesame dressing.
Going first off the bat, the serving sizes are both modest yet generous. That is all done in the presentation of the meals. They are aesthetically pleasing to they eye. Better yet, the food is absolutely delicious - from the first bite, to the final mouthful. Not a single fault was found with my meal. The prawns were giant, plump and sweet, with the preparation making them pipping hot. That batter they had on them was thick, and the coconut even contributed some flavour to the meat. With the zucchini, tempura always manages to go down a treat with how lithe the batter's texture is, and the zucchini itself has a subtle sweetness and buttery texture that makes it work so well. Adding that combination of sweet chilli and sesame, it was a good accompaniment that rounded the whole meal off.
There is a bit of a code I have going on, that when the meal is going all too well and everything appears to be in place, a shot is taken to see if it holds up the whole way through. That shot is getting something sweet at the end to see if it all ends on a good note, and that the elusive 5.0-score is grasped. Even if that was not the case, it would have been very hard to go past the sweets section that they got. Even bypassing all the usual pastries, the cakes and such that they got in the cabinet are ones that are hard to find in Brisbane's entirety - it is just by their aesthetics, much akin to a European cake shop. There are so many coffee shops around town, and yet few manage to stack up with the tried-and-true ways of what really makes the aesthetics.
That was yet an excuse to get another coffee, and I went for a double espresso this time. This had the same notes and flavours as the filter coffee, this time with the strong kick coming in. Pairing that up was a red velvet cake, that had a white chocolate filling and a raspberry coating. If anything here was worth the snap on Instagram, these treats would be it - right from their placards that is apparent. This little treat rounded off the breakfast very well, having just the right amount of sweetness, along with a smooth mousse texture that didn't clash with the coffee. Not many treats can do that.
How I happened upon this place was something poetic, and the result is an anomaly within this suburb - you could imagine something this swish being all the way in the ritzy suburbs, and costing a whole lot more in the process. Yet, because of how strange and unique it is in the midst of all the competitors it has around it, that can help elevate its reputation even more. Nevertheless, this show cases what can happen if it is all a labour of love and dedication to giving clients the best experience they can get - what might also help it in part is the lack of a big price tag attached. Whether or not this is an off-shoot of Modern Thai next door, as someone who somehow hasn't tried it* there is not preconceived bias on my part with the Little Glass Room. On its independent merits, it is absolutely impossible to find any sort of fault with the operations and from the smooth sailing ahead this should become a good neighbourhood favourite in no time.
*as of writing this review
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