Melissa Loh

The SO’s grandfather was visiting from Perth and staying with the in-laws. They had recently moved into the country, so had organised a family lunch at a local cafe close to their property.

We had started the day late. Little Mister had been sleeping in. We had a long drive ahead, and I couldn’t bear being stuck in the car with a fussy toddler almost 2 hours without decent sustenance.

I scrolled through my map of pinned bookmarks and remembered Wild Canary Bistro. It has been on my list, due to the Instagram-worth breakfasts and cakes. And best of all, it was in the general direction of where we were headed.

I wasn’t quite sure what I was expecting, but I certainly didn’t know Wild Canary Bistro is located inside the Brookfield Garden Centre. You wander through lush plants (including gorgeous magnolias and fluttering orchids) and garden wares, past a beautiful garden setting to the cafe. There was even a vegetable and herb garden, just outside the bistro – perfect for taking energetic toddlers to explore.

Service at Wild Canary Bistro was impeccable. When we decided we would enjoy a table outside (Brisbane winters are mild), we were still ushered to a table next to a heater. Water was poured into glasses, and coffees were ordered the moment we sat down. A fork was magically offered seconds after Little Mister dropped his on the floor with a clang. You cannot imagine how stunned we were, because we’ve NEVER had service like this at a cafe/bistro/restaurant.

Fig, raspberry and rose Danishes. AUD$7.50

Wild Canary Bistro uses carefully sourced local and regional ingredients to offer seasonally inspired dishes. Their breakfast and lunch menus include dishes with a twist, such as warm spiced pumpkin & pecan bread (which sounds so much nicer than banana bread), Buddha bowl (kitchen garden greens, quinoa, carrot kraut, pecans, golden raisins, Persian feta, watercress, free range poached egg), and quinoa & chia coconut porridge.

Corn and zucchini fritters. AUD$23

The corn and zucchini fritters had my name all over them. Although I loved those three generously-sized balls, they were overshadowed by beautifully mashed Upper Brookfield avocado, blistered tomatoes that burst in your mouth and two perfectly poached free range eggs. I even wiped the plate clean of the pickled jalapenos, cornichons, watercress and dukkha.

The SO decided to try Wild Canary Bistro special – spanner crab omelette. The last memorable crab omelette he had was at the Gunshop Cafe in West End. While Wild Canary Bistro‘s version didn’t have as intense crab flavour as the Gunshop Cafe version, the Asian inspired dressing with the slaw was a refreshing spicy kick. And Little Mister loved it more than my breakfast, so it still got a thumbs up all around.

Now if you need a BIG breakfast, order the Gardener’s Breakfast. My jaw dropped when I saw this massive platter of bacon steak, fresh fig, debrecener sausage, mushrooms, Persian feta, poached free range eggs, garden greens, spiced Moroccan tomato relish and sourdough toast hit the table next to us. But be warned, it comes with an AUD$26.00 price tag.

And just because we were utterly relaxed and loved our breakfast, the SO ordered us a salted caramel macadamia slice to share. We NEVER have desserts for breakfast, but the cold display cabinet was far too tempting. I’m not a huge fan of caramel slices – I find most of them much too sweet and thick. However, I’d gladly have Wild Canary Bistro‘s lighter version all to myself in future.

Now I’m trying to think of an occasion to justify ordering one of their stunning whole cakes!

Daily special: Spanner crab scramble

Salted Caramel Macadamia Slice

Wild Canary
2371 Moggill Road, Brookfield, Kenmore, Brisbane, QLD
Tel: (07) 3378 2805