Friday, August 7, 2015

Jam Pantry, Greenslopes. August 2015


It must be said we had to try twice to get into this hot (in a good way) establishment. The first time we aborted the mission because it was very busy with a 30 minute wait for a table. This speaks to the popularity of the place and I don't think that is misplaced.

On entry it’s a bit generic in terms of suburban cafes, all hard wood floors and high ceilings. All very pretty but - and here’s a tip cafe proprietors - patrons hate the cacophony that comes with this combination of hard floor and high ceiling. It might be good for turning over tables but there is no acoustic dampening, whatsoever, so it's absolutely deafening.

This is in no way peculiar to this venue but as annoying as bad service. For those of you who like having their ears assaulted before 10am, you’ll enjoy it immensely.  To reassure you, though, the service and coffee were both very good here.

What we’re really here for is the food and that certainly did deliver, so to speak. My Milk Bar Sarnie (off the specials board) was sensational. Where do I start? The perfectly cooked sirloin - yes, sirloin and it was no miserly cut, either - zhooshed up with liberal garlic, fancy cheese and onion jam. This was accompanied by a formidable salad including grilled pineapple and avocado. There’s no escaping the avocado on toast (although making that comparison is probably a little unfair) but this was really a steak sandwich to write home about. All resplendent on 2 slabs of bread and topped with an egg.

My one and only tiny complaint, talk about first world problems, was that it was hard to eat. It was so big it required a reshuffle of the ingredients. While I’m a fan of eating with my hands, I doubt I would have even been able to hold it it was that large. Price was under $30 for 2 coffees and the meal, so reasonable value as well given the serving size.

All up, a step above; I’d definitely go back. Should have checked out the jams and conserves they retail (geddit?) but was on a time deadline so that will have to wait til next time and there will be a next time. A solid 8 eggs, Foxy. Your thoughts?

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