Exquisite attention to detail, good quality ingredients and underexposed Israeli cuisine are some of the secrets behind the success of Paddington newbie, Shouk Cafe.
A small venue in Brisbane's inner suburb of Paddington, Shouk has been the word on the lips of those in the food know since it opened in March in Collingwood Street, Paddington, just around the corner from the Antique Centre and also newly opened Paddington Deli & Epicerie on Latrobe Terrace.
It's a location with a long restaurant history and you could be forgiven for thinking the site was doomed judging by the number of different restaurants that have called it home in recent years, but Shouk has changed all that. Locals are loving the cuisine here and the word has spread quickly - that's code for 'book or arrive early to avoid disappointment'.
The food is a fusion of middle eastern flavours but nothing hard or jarring on the palate.
Yes, you can still get something that sounds like bacon and eggs but expect it to come looking much more attractive than you've ever seen it before. Their Latke Stack with poached egg, crisp Polish potato pancakes sandwiched with creme fraiche, topped with premium ham and surrounded by pretty pickled red onion and dill tasted just as good as it looked.
The Goats Milk Date Panna Cotta, with its poached fruits and pistachio crumble and kataifi pastry nest, was almost too pretty to eat .
Even stock standard avo on toast looked special with the Shouk treatment of dukkah, pomegranate molases and lemon.
They are still working off their soft launch menu which is all day affair with the promise of separate breakfast and lunch menus to come.
Best tip: If you want to have a weekend breakfast on Shouk's rear deck you'll need to have a group of five or more to book a place there.
Bottom line: Breakfasts range from $15 to $20, while lunch dishes are between $14 and $19.
Kerry Heaney
Disclaimer: Ed+bK paid for her breakfast.