Cafe Tres Bon

Cafe Tres Bon

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Posted 2013-08-11 by Alison Muirheadfollow
The Kenmore Police Station stood empty for years until it took a gutsy couple with some great ideas to restore it as a community facility.



Thavy and Paul spent some time touring Europe last year with preschooler in tow looking at the best the Continent had to offer in cafes, with a view to importing those ideas to suburban Kenmore. The result of this research and a lot of hard physical labour is Café tres bon, which will become Kenmore's first genuine European inspired off-street café and wine bar once the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation (OLGR) untangles itself from its red tape. The lack of a liquor licence for the café's opening did not seem to deter the locals who were curious to see what this new venue has to offer in the way of eat-in and takeaway meals.

The design of the café gives no indication of its former life, as even the bullet hole in one of the floors, as revealed by a former officer, is still hidden from public view.



Paul is a builder by trade, and he was ably assisted by his wife, Thavy, who was responsible for drilling the 3,000 screw holes in the Modwood deck. Her delightful artwork graces the side fence, and her artistic ability and flair for design are evident throughout this funky renovation. They have certainly captured the essence of a Continental café.





As with all new ventures, a few lessons have been learned in the first few days of operation. The second day saw Brisbane's Ekka Westerlies wreak their vengeance on the clients sitting on the exposed deck to the point that our party decided that takeaway was the best option for coffee and dessert. Bastien, the waiter, indicated that transparent café blinds might be in the offing. I suggest a deck heater for the cooler months could be another option.





Despite the fact that ordering at the counter was clearly marked on the menu in black and white, our party of four sat around for some time before this was pointed out to us. This will most likely be indicated to incoming customers early in the piece in future, as many will be as shortsighted as we obviously are.



And now for the food. Delicious! There is a wide variety of breakfast and luncheon dishes, with the emphases on "freshness" and "filling". The café will also serve evening meals once the liquor licence is granted with trading hours extended to 8.30pm. I wanted to fit in one of the sweets on offer in the display cabinet, so chose the quiche of the day minus the optional salad accompaniment.



My three dining companions chose a variety of baguettes, toasted of course, in such nippy conditions. We all enjoyed our choices, and I couldn't help feeling envious of my husband's serving of thick slices of leg ham on his baguette. Next time.



My quiche contained a yummy blend of pumpkin and pine nuts, while our two overseas friends were well satisfied with the Beef Baguette and the BLT.





The refined tastebuds of today's children are well catered for with nary a chicken nugget nor fish finger in sight. I wouldn't have minded saddling up for the comfort food of a soft-boiled egg with Vegemite soldiers.



The selection of sweets was fresh and colourful.



I can never resist a cheesecake, and my husband just had to solve the mystery that macarons were to him. There followed a discussion on old-fashioned cornflake meringues and coconut macaroons, favourites from the dim dark past of our childhoods. He was not disappointed with his choice, and the takeaway coffees were HOT!





Our experience has left us wondering if the evening meals can meet the standards of the other two, so there is a great excuse to return to find out. Come on OLGR. Pull your collective fingers out!



#bars
#breakfast
#cafes
#kenmore
#lunch
%wnbrisbane
155023 - 2023-06-14 10:16:37

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