Kenilworth Samford Bakery — Restaurant in Greater Brisbane

Updated: I would be happier rating this as 3.5 stars, but I am being generous and I would hope this is taken as constructive criticism. I've never had these issues with paying a bill at other establishments...they are only too happy to get my money! I've been here quite a few times and each visit gets more exasperating when it comes to a simple thing like paying the bill. You have to go back inside and it's not clear where to go as there is usually a huge line up for take away..."do I have to line up with them?" This queue often goes out the door and if you've come in from the deck area, it's difficult to join...or know where you are supposed to go. Then when you do attempt to join the queue, you have to suffer 7 people in front of you ordering coffees, breads, pastries...then watch the ONE person on the register go and bag each item and hand it over...then do the transaction....and repeat this another 6 times. When it is your turn, make sure you have your table number, otherwise they go through every order on their system. Surely you would have a map of the tables/numbers so a customer could point to where they were sitting? Or if you have worked there a while, you would know the table numbers? Especially today...we were sitting out on the deck and there were only about two other parties out there.

You often have to queue to be seated, wait to be served....but I've never known having to wait such a time to pay a bill. They finally got the young lass to help, who was very polite, but after serving one person, she wandered off filling up the pastries, whilst #1 was trying to work out where yet another customer had been seated.

Please....make it a bit easier for people to pay....surely that would be a high priority? This experience really tarnished a nice morning. To top it off, as I had waited off to one side for a while in the "queue", it took me a while to notice the queue was going out the door, and getting longer by the minute. I then attempted to join at approx where I thought I should be...eg not at the back, as I had already been waiting a while...only to cop customer abuse for queue jumping. Sorry....I'm not a local and this system makes no sense.

Original review.....Lovely food and atmosphere at this Samford cafe/ bakery, with very open dining areas and the bonus is your dog is welcome too. Take home some of their sourdough and other treats, all made on the premises, including donuts, almond croissants, tarts and pies. The olive and rosemary sourdough is particularly generous with the...

The outside appearance is nice and inviting. Once a member of the wait team came to see us about ordering things started to change though. We asked if we could order off the 12-2pm menu (it was 8min to 12) and were told we couldn't as they are quite strict on the windows (poor girl seemed nervous to say that). Also why have a 7-12, 7-2 and a 12 till 2 menu. That just seems weird and over complicated.

So we said we'd wait till 12 hit to order. In the meantime we ordered 2 shakes and an iced latte which I'm glad I asked for no ice because the large was served to me in a standard glass latte cup instead of the tall glasses the shakes were and I was only paying .50c less for the privilege.(See pic)

1205 rocks around and we get to order. 1x zucchini and quinoa fritters and 2x Mexican chicken burgers.

During this time a table near us was served and table water was brought out.

Food arrives 30min later and we had finished our drinks. We weren't asked if we wanted anymore. We asked however if we could get some water for the table and were advised we could go to the bar and help ourselves.

The zucchini fritters were burnt and lacked flavour. Could only taste the quinoa instead of the zucchini which is saying something and the creamed corn over powered the whole dish. Beetroot relish was shaved Beetroot garnish instead.

The "Mexican" chicken burgers weren't much better. The charcoal bun automatically puts you off guard and makes the dish unappealing. The chicken itself suggested that the fryer oil needed to be changed or that they were left in the fryer too long. However chicken was moist. There wasn't a hint of spice or flavour other than the taste of mildly warm chicken and the mayo used to make the coleslaw. No hint of the suggested Chipotle that the menu would have you believe was on the burger.

Wait staff seemed unattentive and just started clearing without asking and without asking again if we'd like more drinks. Upon making payment, the server was just going through the motions and before the tap of the card was even made, had turned his back and begun walking away as he said thanks.

Unfortunately the venue is great but the service and the food just don't...

It's been about 6 months since my last visit to Little Tree Bake & Brew House (as I don't live close by) until I found myself meeting a friend there on Saturday. The food is always tasty, and they have SO much seating after they extended the seating area in amongst the trees. There are lots of covered areas if you don't like sitting in the sun. Dogs on leash are welcome, and there are a few cute bearded dragon lizards wandering around. It's a lovely setting for a catch-up... have I mentioned the delicious food and coffee? On my most recent visit, a Saturday morning, they were busy. Normally you wait to be seated, but no-one came to us, so we picked up some menus and just walked in and sat down. Once we sat, it wasn't long before our order was taken and not much longer for food and coffees to arrive. I had the Breaky Burger; Borgo chorizo OR halloumi (I had both), fried egg, caramelised onions, romesco, truffle aioli, spinach, topped with snow pea shoots, all on a charcoal brioche. At $23 (normally $18, but extra $5 for the haloumi as well), it was THE best burger I've ever eaten. The brioche was soft and airy, but unlike most burger rolls, it held together and didn't fall apart. Magnificent. My oat milk latte was excellent, except that the largest takeaway (I usually get a takeaway as I drink so slow and would take it with me when I leave) is actually more of a "small" or "regular" size. But I love that the takeaway cups are not plastic. Not sure if you're allowed to bring your own takeaway cup, otherwise I would have. I should check for next time. It must be noted, this is not just a place to get a great sit down meal, it is also a Bakery, so they have a range of breads, pies and pastries available to purchase and take home. The different pies I've tried over time have all been delicious. The service is efficient and friendly and you're never made to feel like you have to leave as soon as you're finished, as opposed to other cafes where you feel you are being "shooed" out once you take your last bite. Thank you for being such a great little gem in Samford,...