
While there’s nothing technically wrong with the standard bacon and eggs on a Sunday morning, it can start to feel a little same-old, same-old each week.
Yes I try to spice up my life by switching from fried eggs to scrambled eggs now and again, but lately even a poached egg hasn’t been quite cutting it.
Enter Freja’s.
Located in trendy Wilston Village in Brisbane’s inner-north, Freja’s Cafe has an all-day menu that is nothing if not outlandishly creative. I’m talking beef cheek and macaroni croissant, confit garlic waffles or panna-cotta with your granola.
But do these plates of art translate into tasty tidbits? Let’s take a look.
Yes I try to spice up my life by switching from fried eggs to scrambled eggs now and again, but lately even a poached egg hasn’t been quite cutting it.
Enter Freja’s.
Located in trendy Wilston Village in Brisbane’s inner-north, Freja’s Cafe has an all-day menu that is nothing if not outlandishly creative. I’m talking beef cheek and macaroni croissant, confit garlic waffles or panna-cotta with your granola.
But do these plates of art translate into tasty tidbits? Let’s take a look.
Stepping into Freja’s, it’s hard not to be struck by the fresh Scandinavian atmosphere that makes my efforts at minimalism even more laughable that what I already knew they were. White walls, light wood table tops and a touch of greenery resourcefully dotted around the place all harmonise to invite you into a place of effortless tranquility.
The menu itself is similarly decluttered with a simple list of all-day meals on offer until 2.30pm. It's just as well that the ambience of this cafe gets you nice and relaxed, because what does get the heart racing is reading through said menu that is full of imaginative flair.
Anyone with a sweet tooth is well catered for here. Below we had the Maple Roast Granola with Vanilla and Cardamon Panna-Cotta, Seasonal Fruits and Candied Walnuts.
Serving up panna-cotta with your bowl of granola rather than the standard jug of milk or pot of yoghurt brings a real sense of theatre to this dish. This bowl was not only absolutely gorgeous to look at, but the blend of fruity, summery tastes basically exploded on your tastebuds. The calming vanilla and cardamom in the panna-cotta beautifully complimented the zesty burst of fresh strawberries, figs and dill.
Aiming to really cement our sugar-high, we also had the Cinnamon French Toast with Fig Jam, Honey, Mascarpone, Bruleed Fig and Walnuts.
A thick piece of brioche-style bread provided the perfect buttery vehicle for the medley of figs, including a pièce de résistance fig with a crème brulee top. This added a delightful crisp top layer to the otherwise humble soft fig. I loved the rich, creamy mascarpone served with this decadent dish.
The menu itself is similarly decluttered with a simple list of all-day meals on offer until 2.30pm. It's just as well that the ambience of this cafe gets you nice and relaxed, because what does get the heart racing is reading through said menu that is full of imaginative flair.
Anyone with a sweet tooth is well catered for here. Below we had the Maple Roast Granola with Vanilla and Cardamon Panna-Cotta, Seasonal Fruits and Candied Walnuts.
Serving up panna-cotta with your bowl of granola rather than the standard jug of milk or pot of yoghurt brings a real sense of theatre to this dish. This bowl was not only absolutely gorgeous to look at, but the blend of fruity, summery tastes basically exploded on your tastebuds. The calming vanilla and cardamom in the panna-cotta beautifully complimented the zesty burst of fresh strawberries, figs and dill.
Aiming to really cement our sugar-high, we also had the Cinnamon French Toast with Fig Jam, Honey, Mascarpone, Bruleed Fig and Walnuts.
A thick piece of brioche-style bread provided the perfect buttery vehicle for the medley of figs, including a pièce de résistance fig with a crème brulee top. This added a delightful crisp top layer to the otherwise humble soft fig. I loved the rich, creamy mascarpone served with this decadent dish.
If savoury dishes are more your (unsweetened) jam, you will not be disappointed here.
It was very hard to go past the Croissant with Pulled Beef Cheek, Macaroni, Fried Egg, Green Tomato and Lime Aioli… so we didn’t.
Now who puts beef check and macaroni into a croissant? Honestly? Well, these guys do, and it makes for a pretty epic dish. The croissant itself was flaky and buttery adding a subtle texture contrast to the superbly soft beef cheek and macaroni within. The perfectly fried egg added yet another level of richness to this dish that I didn’t even realise it needed.
But it worked. And worked well.
Also on offer was the Smoked Salmon, Confit Garlic Waffle, Fennel, Poached Eggs, Pickled Onion and Samphire, which again, we just had to order because we're gluttons and this sounded good.
Another beautiful dish, the uniqueness of the confit garlic waffles really intrigued me and did not disappoint on execution. The waffles themselves were nice and crispy with a decent dose of garlic to compliment the smoked salmon. The perfumed fennel cut through these otherwise strong flavours, adding a crisp, flutter of lightness to the dish.
It was very hard to go past the Croissant with Pulled Beef Cheek, Macaroni, Fried Egg, Green Tomato and Lime Aioli… so we didn’t.
Now who puts beef check and macaroni into a croissant? Honestly? Well, these guys do, and it makes for a pretty epic dish. The croissant itself was flaky and buttery adding a subtle texture contrast to the superbly soft beef cheek and macaroni within. The perfectly fried egg added yet another level of richness to this dish that I didn’t even realise it needed.
But it worked. And worked well.
Also on offer was the Smoked Salmon, Confit Garlic Waffle, Fennel, Poached Eggs, Pickled Onion and Samphire, which again, we just had to order because we're gluttons and this sounded good.
Another beautiful dish, the uniqueness of the confit garlic waffles really intrigued me and did not disappoint on execution. The waffles themselves were nice and crispy with a decent dose of garlic to compliment the smoked salmon. The perfumed fennel cut through these otherwise strong flavours, adding a crisp, flutter of lightness to the dish.
Coffee at Freja’s is on point too, with the beans sourced from local roaster Seven Miles. Single origin blends are also available on request.
Pastries here are freshly baked from dough imported from France, meaning that when you bite into one, you are having exactly the same experience as someone on the other side of the world who is characteristically wearing a striped shirt and beret. Though with the time difference, why they’re eating a croissant at 10pm is anyone’s guess.
Despite being somewhat full, we had to road-test the almond croissant and we were glad we did. This croissant really was extraordinarily good with a flaky exterior giving way to a delightfully nutty softness inside.
Pastries here are freshly baked from dough imported from France, meaning that when you bite into one, you are having exactly the same experience as someone on the other side of the world who is characteristically wearing a striped shirt and beret. Though with the time difference, why they’re eating a croissant at 10pm is anyone’s guess.
Despite being somewhat full, we had to road-test the almond croissant and we were glad we did. This croissant really was extraordinarily good with a flaky exterior giving way to a delightfully nutty softness inside.
Dining out at Freja’s means you will find some dishes that are arty, ambitious and awesome.
If there’s no way you can stomach another bowl of 90 second porridge for breakfast, do yourself a favour and scout out some smoked salmon on confit garlic waffles instead.
Your tastebuds and Instagram account will thank you.
If there’s no way you can stomach another bowl of 90 second porridge for breakfast, do yourself a favour and scout out some smoked salmon on confit garlic waffles instead.
Your tastebuds and Instagram account will thank you.