Aromas - Brisbane
Aromas
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As part of the Regent Cinema, Aromas is a great backdrop to introduce the cultural aspects for events around Brisbane, and one of its oldest cinema institutions as well. Additionally, being so central to everything and in one of the busiest sectors in town, it works well as a cultural epicenter for residents and tourists alike. What also does not hurt is a place to go before and after the movie, and there is something simply better with coffee - which they get the culture down seriously - than the standard candy bar snacks. I was dropping into a former work one day, and as a call back to what I used to often do, decided to make a detour and get some sweets to share at the place. The only difference was that they were not expecting me. Because it was so unusual and long-await, I knew I had to find somewhere new to get the coffee. So, being within reasonable walking distance from a bus stop and the workplace this looked like it ought to be the place. Also, how many times I had been walking past it and never been in - I have no idea. Not a unique case anymore, and this was one that had been calling me in many times beforehand. And again, why I did not do it sooner is a bit baffling. This is definitely one of the more characteristic coffee shops that can be found around Brisbane's central area, and it is more or less a hole in the wall within one of its most busy areas. Maybe it was a bit of doubt from the outside looking in, as it might not look like a lot. I have learned from the past in that regard though, and this has the look and feel of a coffee shop by-and-by (at least something of the stereotype of the coffee shop). The best way to describe it is that it feels like going into a hallway at the beginning, and then a fairly small room appears at the end. Tables line up and down both sides of the hallway, as well as a few more near the counter. In the middle of it all is one of those Italian-style stand-up tables (from memory). This is a neat addition, and one that I have yet to see outside of Italy. In fact, the whole look of the place is definitely a callback. The Regent was opened in the 1920s, and it looks like minimal effort has been done to remove that aesthetic. What is modern though is the service. All quick and efficient, there is not much more to it than saying that they were friendly and pleasant. Usually I would end the menu with the drinks, but seeing as how seriously they take the coffee and tea here, they ought to be mentioned first. There are at least five lots of coffee on sale at any one time, and they can be purchased by weight as beans to make at home. Additionally, at least half a dozen varieties of loose-leaf tea are available to drink as well. That means neither coffee nor tea drinkers were an afterthought. That is a big bonus. A good range of sweets are in the cabinet, on the shelf, and on the counter to go as a compliment to the coffee or tea. Outside of that, it is not really substantial and just has a range of basic cafe fare - think sandwiches, pies, the occasional breakfast and all of that. Of course, when going to a new coffee place I will always get a coffee to drink along the way. As per usual, that order was a doppio. To go alongside this coffee, or more so to split with the former colleagues, I got a couple of sweets. The ones that looked good to me at the time were a coffee log, and a banana-macadamia tart. I can't remember if they told me which specific blend of coffee it was, but this one was a bit more than medium. Definitely not super strong like I often have, though there was a big kick of energy in it. The flavour was slightly sweet, might have had a bit of honey to it or something. It was at just the right temperature, and was a smooth, well-extracted and tasty shot of coffee. Getting onto the sweets, now these were really good. Part of why I was getting them was to have something that was a bit different, and they different from the norm a lot. The coffee log was like a whole lot of mousse mixed with espresso to flavour it, and compounded into a cake wrapped by some chocolate. Does this need justification for why it is tasty? There is the darkness of the coffee, the bit of sweetness from the chocolate, and how rich the texture is. Certainly worth a treat. The tart was like a bigger version of a friand. It was softer, and more moist, with a good bit of frosting on top. The tastes of macadamia and banana were certainly present, and a sweet and tart mixture of flavours. This little morsel was also a little on the rich side, but nowhere near what the coffee log was. Aroma's Regent is definitely worth a visit. That is the most primary if you are a big coffee drinker, but also from the general vibe that it gives out as a relaxing hidey-hole. If you are like me, and have been a long term Brisbane resident, this is one place that should have already been visited. For once that it is iconic, but also to come in and have some of the nicest, strongest, and most dedicated coffee that is around. It was doing it way before people gave much thought to coffee, so ... insert the hipster quip right here.
As part of the Regent Cinema, Aromas is a great backdrop to introduce the cultural aspects for events around Brisbane, and one of its oldest cinema institutions as well. Additionally, being so central to everything and in one of the busiest sectors in town, it works well as a cultural epicenter for residents and tourists alike. What also does not hurt is a place to go before and after the movie, and there is something simply better with coffee - which they get the culture down seriously - than the standard candy bar snacks. I was dropping into a former work one day, and as a call back to what I used to often do, decided to make a detour and get some sweets to share at the place. The only difference was that they were not expecting me. Because it was so unusual and long-await, I knew I had to find somewhere new to get the coffee. So, being within reasonable walking distance from a bus stop and the workplace this looked like it ought to be the place. Also, how... read more
I was here last week, looking for simple fruit toast kinda snack on. Although it was afternoon, by the time I order I realized it's a breakfast dish and may not be served at that time. However, the cashier told me it's still available, SWEET, I ordered, paid 2 bucks and waited. I guess I had a long exam week, my mind was not so focused. I recognized I want it to be takeaway but did not tell the cashier nor she asked me, I came and told her my request, she was ok with that. I think around 2 minutes later, I realized I forgot to tell her not to butter the toast (simply do not want my hands to be greasy after eating), awkwardly I approached her again to tell her that, seemed like I bother her a lot and afraid she would get frustrated with me. But she did not, she was totally fine with that and answered normally, not angry at all. So thankful. I got my toast carefully wrapped in paper for takeaway, it was raisin & nut toast (I guess macadamia). The toast was cut diagonally in half, really crispy and a bit soft inside, DELICIOUS. I saw others dish in the cabinet, all sweet stuffs look great, I may try next time p.s. the area is small, classy decor, it was crowded, almost full when I came
In the frame of the regent cinema, aromas is a great background to present the cultural aspekte for events around brisbane and one of the oldest cinema facilities. Moreover, it is so central for everything and in one of the busiest sectors of the city, it works as well as a cultural epicentre for residents and tourists alike. which also does not hurt, is a place to go before and after the movie, and there is something simply better with coffee that they get the culture seriously than the standard sweetness bar snacks. I had gone into a previous work one day, and as recalling what I have often done, decided to make a way around and get some sweets to share at the place. the only...read more
I was here last week looking for a simple fruit toast attack. Although it was in the afternoon, I realized that it is an breakfast dish and may not be served at this time. the cashier told me that it is still available, sweet, I ordered, paid 2 dollars and waited. I probably had a long week of examination, my understanding was not so concentrated. I realized I wanted it to be gone, but not tell the cashier, yet she asked me, I came and told her mine, please, she was okay with that. I think about 2 minutes later, I realized that I forgot to tell her that they don't want to butter the toast (simply don't want my hands after eating greasy) awkwardly I approached her again to tell her that seemed like I. read more
