The coffee well was dry in the Brisbane southside suburb of Wellers Hill until locals Malcolm and Danielle Watts partnered with long-time friend, Australian Rugby Union Wallaby Scott Higginbotham to open Leaf Espresso Bar six months ago.
So locals are no longer driving out of the area for their morning coffee, instead they are pulling up a seat at Leaf Espresso and enjoying Two Seasons coffee.
Chef Craig Benton (ex Customs House) has created a breakfast menu of traditional favourites (Farm eggs on ciabatta, $8.90) and some delicious surprises (Mexican bean breakfast burrito, $14.90).
Lunch options at the fully licensed restaurant are made on site each day and include focaccias, paninis and wraps served fresh from the espresso bar cabinet, where customers also find a selection of cakes and cookies.
Every second Thursday night, Leaf is transformed into a relaxed live music venue with new menu options and ambiance enriched by the café’s recycled timber dining tables, full height windows and the centrepiece of the room - a giant branch repurposed from the owners’ backyard, adorned with tea lights and hung from the ceiling.
“Form and function has played a role in the fit-out but what drew me to the site was the big tree out the front,” says Malcolm, whose love of timber influenced décor items including a dining table fashioned from recycled wood.
I particularly liked the cute table decorations, so much I want to take one home. Check out those little animals inside!
Leaf Espresso is open daily for breakfast and lunch, with live music and dinner every second Thursday night.
Leaf Espresso, 8 Denham Tce, Wellers Hill.
Kerry Heaney
