Brisbane News Review of Lady Marmalade Cafe

“Lady Marmalade’s Mushrooms May Put Stones Corner on the Map”

RATINGS: Food 9 | Drinks 8 | Ambience  8 | Service 6 (*counter service)

“Stones Corner has been something of [a] cafe black spot since the area’s characteristic discount outlets began shutting down in the early 2000′s, prompting Logan Road regulars to hunt for bargains, and pick-me-up-eats, elsewhere. A smattering of eateries, including the iconic pub and the popular Thai and sushi haunts, are still there, but for foodies, Stones Corner was just a thoroughfare for tastier fare across town.

Enter Lady Marmalade, the brainchild of hospitality veterans Malcolm Gill and his partner Rebecca Saul, which opened last year. Malcolm, now 33, has worked in restaurants and cafes since he was 15 and always has a soft spot for Stones Corner’s Replay Records, which he frequented in his heyday.

The record shop had been closed for a few years before Malcolm signed the lease on the property and started work on Lady Marmalade’s hip fit-out.

Exposed brick and granite walls, mismatched vintage furniture and crockery, and 1920′s signage, which was uncovered when the shopfront’s paint was stripped, make Lady Marmalade a funky place to sit, although it’s an even better place to eat.

I sampled the breakfast menu. It’s rather substantial considering there is no actual chef or proper kitchen. Staff members pitch in to cook and bake, sourcing local produce and top-notch breads.

Since I couldn’t settle on one dish (I rarely can), my friend and I opted to share two: the brioche with roasted mushrooms, goat’s cheese and basil ($9.90) and savoury mince on sourdough toast ($9.90).

The sourdough toast arrived first and I dug in. Piled with flavoursome roasted mushrooms with slabs of soft goat’s cheese and whole basil leaves, it was delicious, and the lightly toasted brioche made the perfect base. I shared it, reluctantly, but the mince turned out to be just as tasty, with a little spice and a side of tender roasted tomato.

The coffees were good too. Malcolm has shied away from using a well-known brand of beans and instead has Lady Marmalade’s coffee roasted to his specification in Melbourne.

My soy cappuccino ($3.50) was the perfect temperature and came doused in chocolate, while my friend’s regular cappuccino ($3) was full bodied and creamy. Both were so good that we ordered a second round.

The homemade treats in the cabinet were a little beyond us at breakfast, but I’d go back in a heartbeat for the homemade banana bread with mascarpone and honey ($6) and the most expensive dish on the menu, baked eggs with house-made beans and chorizo ($11.50).

Stones Corner may no longer be the go-to destination for designer seconds, but if Lady Marmalade (a place where you won’t be able to resist seconds) is anything to go by, it may soon be reborn – in the style of the Woolloongabba cul-de-sac – as a foodie’s paradise.”

Convinced? Why not come check us out?