Braking for Breakfast: seasonal

Miss Bliss Wholefoods Kitchen

As I get older, I'm valuing my body more and try to treat it as well as I can by keeping active and healthy with what I eat. I try not to be too restrictive with what I eat but I prefer to eat food that is as natural and unprocessed as possible. We've hit a #superfood revolution with ingredients such as chia, quinoa and acai being as common on menus as bacon and eggs. But as much as I like all of those things (OK I admit, they're all present in my kitchen) I'm just trying to eat food which is good for me, or whole foods. Whole foods refers to foods which have had minimal or no processing or refinement prior to consumption. The easiest way to eat this way is to cook food yourself, which I love doing but I also love to go out to eat and try new places. There are a number of places around Brisbane promoting the whole food ethos (Mondo Organics, Plenty, Merriweather Cafe and Felix to name a few) and the latest one is Miss Bliss Wholefoods Kitchen in West End.

As a regular visitor to West End Coffee House, I noticed the opening sign for Miss Bliss go up several months ago across the road where the old fruit and vegetable shop used to be, and also recognised the logo from the Miss Bliss bliss balls which have been popping up in cafes over the last few years. I was intrigued to see a group of elderly gentleman gathered inside, who I later discovered were owner Jacqui's grandfather and friends. Fast forward to June and word was out that a new 'healthified' cafe was opening in West End. With teaser pictures appearing on Instagram of delicious looking chia puddings, seeded toasts with fresh toppings and, of course, bliss balls, I had a feeling I was going to like this place.

Shortly after Miss Bliss Wholefoods Kitchen opened, I made plans with some fellow food bloggers to have breakfast one weekday morning. I had recently returned from being away for almost a month and it was the first time back on the bike in a while. I rugged up as much as I could while trying to still look presentable (need to work on the #cyclechic) and hopped on my bike for the ride to West End. Coming through the Roma St Parklands, it made sense to then go over Kurilpa Bridge which led me to Montague Rd, which is almost dead early in the morning. From there it's simply a left turn onto Vulture St and up and over the hill to get to Miss Bliss, just before the intersection with Boundary St. There wasn't any truly visible parking so I locked my bike to a random pole.

My friends were yet to arrive so I took the opportunity to take some photos before they did, as I tend to forget to do so when leaving. The cafe has a natural and slightly unpolished look with the structure of the fruit market and roller doors still intact. An exposed brick wall lines one side and the counter with outdoor bar seating lines takes up the other. Furniture and cabinetry have timber tops and white bases, keeping the look modern but rustic. The natural vibe is furthered with mini plants lining the shelves and mini cacti in the cutest planter boxes placed on tables. It all comes together to create a warm and fresh atmosphere, which is in tune with the cafe concept.

After snapping a few not-so-sneaky photos, I sat down to wait and was brought water and a menu. The cup was Falcon enamelware and the menu was printed on kraft paper...my embarrassingly hipster-esque heart was already lost to this place. I was impressed by the number of options on the all-day menu, all of which I would very happily have eaten. Ranging from simple sweet options of granola and (quinoa) porridge plus a few Acai-based Bliss Bowl options to some substantial savoury options such as the 3 Egg Omelette and the MB Breakfast, essentially a 'big breakfast' meal. Additionally, there is a section called Toast 'n' Toppings where you have the option of 2 ($12) or 3 ($16) slices of house made nut and seed loaf with your choice of delicious sounding toppings such as natural PB, banana, goji berries or smashed peas, beetroot pomegranate relish. That may sound simple but I think that the bread is essentially a version of the Life Changing Loaf of Bread from My New Roots, which is an incredibly filling and nutrition-dense bread. Owner Jacqui is a qualified nutritionist and her roots show on the menu, which not only clearly marks the vegan and gluten-free options but also those items rich in protein, high in fibre, immunity supporting, good for digestion and filled with healthy fats and antioxidants.

My friends arrived shortly afterwards and after the usual greetings and chat and menu discussion, we got up to order at the counter. I chose the Savoury Bliss Bowl ($17) which was described as seasonal roasted vegetables, quinoa, soft 'n' gooey egg, house made pesto, and parmesan. Two of my friends ordered the Wellness Board ($16.50) with soft 'n' gooey eggs, sauteed greens, asparagus, sweet potato hummus, pickles, sauerkraut, beetroot relish with house made seed biscuit. I loved the sound of the 'breakfast tapas' board and it was a tough choice between the two. My other friend opted for the MB Breakfast ($22) of soft 'n' gooey eggs, avocado, organic chicken herbed sausage, crispy speck, sauteed greens, shrivelled tomatoes, sweet potato chips and your choice of bread from organic sourdough, house made gluten free and house made nut & seed loaf. And breakfast means coffee so I ordered my standard long black with milk on the side.

After ordering, Jacqui recognised my friend J who had met her earlier for a launch event and she took us out the back to show us the rest of the cafe and talked about her future plans for the cafe, including wanting to open nights eventually. At the back of the cafe is a booth section with a large black and white print of a photo of Jacqui's grandfather, great-uncle (the original owner of the fruit market) and friends in that exact spot covering the wall. When the fruit market was still just that, the group gathered and spent their days there and this is Jacqui's way of ensuring that they can still spend time there together. It's such a lovely touch and indicative of Jacqui's strong family and community ties.

Continuing through the back doors is a large sunny outdoor deck area with additional seating and it truly has a welcoming backyard feel. Planter boxes with herbs line the back wall behind a large green bolted door. The strings of lightbulbs overhead make me imagine that come dark, it would be a great spot to spend an evening.

After returning to our table, coffees arrived and my long black was strong and smooth. The lack of bitterness meant that I could drink it easily straight and needed little of the additional milk, which was provided in an adorable amber glass bottle. Providing milk on the side in adorable miniature vessels has become the norm but occasionally I'm particularly taken by some and this was one of them.

Not long afterwards our meals arrived and after the necessary photo snapping and lighting assistance (hashtag foodbloggerlyf), we all dug in. My Savoury Bliss Bowl arrived in a shallow bowl with soft kale leaves and softly poached egg atop a substantial pile of quinoa, with roasted asparagus spears and baby carrot on the side along with a serve of bright yellow fermented sauerkraut and a large dollop of bright green pesto. Sprigs of watercress and shavings of parmesan finished it off. The white of the egg was translucent in the way that slow poached or sous vide eggs tend to have. I eagerly cut into the egg and was not disappointed to find that it was in fact soft and gooey with the yolk slowly oozing out. Yolk porn at its finest. The quinoa was cooked slightly al dente (if you can describe quinoa like that) such that it was ever so slightly crunchy and the vegetables were roasted just to the point that they still had crunch. I loved the flavoursome pesto and the way it and the egg bound all of the elements together. The unexpected kraut added a nice tang to the dish. Overall it was a great dish and the type of one where you feel just plain good and satisfied afterwards from. It's very similar to the sort of dish I'd make at home and I'm loving seeing these breakfast salad bowls, or abundance bowls, on menus these days. Because grains + vegetables + eggs = greatness.

Savoury Bliss Bowl

The other meals looked equally appetising. The Wellness Board didn't actually arrive on a board but honestly, is anyone else over this wooden board trend? Love the look but practically speaking, it makes for difficult eating and things just slide off. Plus is anyone else concerned about how hygienic they are? Anyhow, the array of things on the Wellness Board appeared on plates but still very attractively plated and very vibrant in colour. All of the components looked absolutely delicious and there were no complaints from my friends. It didn't look overly filling but given that the cracker was densely packed with seeds and nuts, I suspect it was still quite satisfying. The MB Breakfast had everything as described, including two eggs, half an avocado and one juicy looking sausage. The slow roasted cherry tomatoes were declared the best tomatoes she'd ever had.

Wellness Board

MB Breakfast

Sadly it was then time to get to our respective workplaces or home but we were all sent away with a coconut lemon bliss ball ($2.80) for the road. Mine made for an excellent morning tea snack, not that I was overly hungry after that breakfast. I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast at Miss Bliss Wholefoods Kitchen and I'm looking forward to me next visit, especially to try those toasts but I wouldn't say no to the salads either, judging by the ones I spied in the cabinet on the way out. Miss Bliss is a welcome addition to the Brisbane breakfast scene and I'm looking foward to seeing what comes next! It's definitely a place to go if you enjoy delicious healthy food or just food that tastes good but happens to be good for you too. And if that doesn't make you feel good about yourself, know that 20c of each coffee sold at Miss Bliss goes towards Paradise 4 Kids, a charity supporting children in third world countries which was founded by Jacqui's family. #followyourbliss indeed.

Bikeability

Ease of Access: 8/10 (Bike paths along Bicentennial Bikeway, Go Between Bridge, then bike marked sections on Montague Road and Vulture St)

Parking: 7/10 (A bike rack is across the road and there are several signposts)

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http://missblisstreats.com.au/ || Facebook
85 Vulture St, West End 4101
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Saturday, July 25, 2015
3 Comments

King Arthur Cafe

avocado

As a longtime fan of Merriweather Cafe, I was excited to hear that the owners were opening a new cafe in New Farm. I was even more excited when I found out that Andrew Tolley, previously at The Statler & Waldorf, was going to be the opening chef. Slowly, little nuggets of information about it started to appear online and King Arthur Cafe began to gain social media momentum. After chatting to L from Yelp on one of King Arthur's Instagram pictures, we arranged to meet there for a weekday breakfast a few days after it opened. Another fellow Yelper (L too but we will call her TS for easy identification purposes!) also liked the look of it so joined us.

Simple exterior

King Arthur is located on Arthur St, just off James St near the Leona Edmiston vintage shop. I couldn't recall what had been there previously but L informed me that it used to be a design shop. The view in from the large glass windows allows passers-by to realise that a cafe lives here but the simple gold lettered signage in the window identifying it is unobtrusive so look hard if you're driving by. As you enter, the space downstairs is minimal with four or five high bench tables and the gorgeously tiled counter and kitchen taking up most of the small space. The decor is simple with white and navy painted brick walls and the Mediterranean-style counter tiles being the main decorative feature. I passed several customers already enjoying their coffee and breakfast on my way towards the stairs which led to a space with a domed ceiling, timber floors and several small black plywood tables and stools as well as a large timber shared table.

Menu featuring seasonal produce and sustainable ingredients

L was waiting when I arrived so water had already been placed on the table and we were given menus and our drinks orders were taken. I opted for a long black with milk on the side and L deviated from her usual green smoothie chose the berry type instead. TS arrived shortly afterwards and ordered a latte. Similar to the Merriweather menu, King Arthur's features local seasonal produce and includes a few not-so-standard options as well a twists on old favourites. Instagrams of the Quinoa & Chai Porridge with cocoa nib gingerbread & fresh figs ($13) caught my eye but in the end the Locally Caught Charcoal Pilchards with preserved lemon & truffle mustard ($15.50) won my (hungry) heart because I loved the truffle mustard I'd had recently at S&W and I'm a fan of fish for breakfast. I added on an additional egg ($2.50) and gluten-free bread ($1). TS chose the Avocado on rye with bay leaf ricotta and pistachio ($14) and L went for my other potential choice - Local Slow Cooked Goat with tomato, oregano and sourdough ($18). Can I just say that goat is amazing and should feature on significantly more menus that it does! Sadly they weren't able to source goat that morning so it had been replaced with lamb.

Long black with milk on the side

Our drinks arrived shortly afterwards. L's Berry Smoothie ($8.50), made with raspberries, banana, pineapple and ginger, was a tall glass of frothy pink goodness. My Long Black ($4), made using Coffee Supreme beans, was smooth and rich with the milk provided in a mini milk bottle. I imagine TS' latte was similarly good. After some excellent intelligent conversation about the world, as we of course do, our meals were brought out. All attractively plated and each looking more delicious than the last. L's succulent looking shredded slow roasted lamb was draped over the thick slice of dark seeded Sprout Artisan sourdough with sauteed spinach interwoven throughout. The sauce was thick and described by L as 'rich but not too rich'. TS's slice of sourdough was topped with a generous amount of chunky mashed (not smashed) avocado and topped with an ample amount of bay leaf ricotta, parsley and crushed pistachio. My dish arrived with two slices of bread with the pilchards (sardines) and poached egg placed on top with a large dollop of the truffle-infused seeded mustard, several sprigs of parsley and thyme and a wedge of lemon.

Local slow cooked lamb with tomato, oregano, and spinach on sourdough ($18)

Avocado on rye with bay leaf ricotta, parsley, and pistachio ($14)

The charcoal grilled pilchards packed an intense flavour punch which I love in oily fish like sardines and mackerel. A slight smoky flavour from the charcoal was evident and the fresh lemon helped to cut through the rich flavour. I couldn't detect any preserved lemon but the fresh lemon provided enough. The truffle mustard added some nice heat and although it didn't taste as truffle-y as I'd had at S&W, that may just be because the other components of the dish meant it didn't stand out as much. The egg was absolutely perfectly poached exactly as I like it - complete cooked whites and a thick gooey yolk. As soon it I cut through the egg, the yolk slowly oozed out to thickly cover the toast without going over the edges. I know, I sound somewhat obsessed by egg yolks (#yolkporn) but seriously, gluten-free bread is crazy absorbent so when covered in anything overly wet it becomes a sad pile of mush. Although in saying that, this bread was definitely one of the better gluten-free versions I've had and similar to (if not actually) the Sol Breads pumpkin version. Throw in a bit of freshly cracked pepper and I was in breakfast heaven.

Locally caught charcoal pilchards with preserved lemon and truffle mustard on GF bread ($16.50)

We stayed chatting for some time and I enjoyed being in the light and airy environment. We were one of few customers upstairs the whole time we were there but I expect that was due to the cafe being new and the midday late morning time and that soon, and especially on weekends, we won't be afforded that luxury again! L noted that despite the ceiling fan and air-conditioning she could imagine it could get quite warm and stuffy come Summer but right now, it's perfect. Reluctantly, I admitted it was high time I made it in to work and we went downstairs to pay. Payment is handled via an iPad system and the staff kindly let us pay separately, although I'm not sure that will be possible in busier times.

Freshly made tarts and Sprout Artisan pastries

Like Merriweather Cafe, King Arthur is already a new favourite of mine and I expect it to be popular amongst the Brisbane breakfasters (which is essentially everyone nowadays) so expect a wait on weekends. If you don't have time to sit around, they do takeaway coffee ($3.50/$4/$4.50) and have a range of pastries made by Sprout Artisan and some homemade items such as cacao & raspberry tarts. You can also purchase Coffee Supreme Roasters coffee, Bee One Third honey (very locally collected from James St. hives) and Merriweather Cafe condiments. King Arthur also has a small but delicious sounding lunch menu which I'd love to try soon too.

Scroll down for more photos

http://kingarthurcafe.com/