Grindstone Coffee House — Restaurant in Queensland

Walked into the coffee shop and placed our order both of us ordered Eggs Benidict my girlfriend had dietry needs and discussed that when order was placed. Went to find a table with all tables taken or filled with dirty plates and coffee cups. Had to approach staff to clean the table for us. Almost went to sit when two staff members stood right next to our table and chatted to other customers sitting at the table opposite to us. Normally this wouldn't be a issue but this cafe isn't large in size and we began to feel confined and crowded. Walked over to the opposite end if the cafe to a dirty table again and asked for it to be cleaned again. Went to sit but chairs were very wet. Asked to have chairs dried. While sitting wondered if the bifold doors could be opened all the way back they were just a little left to be completely open. Asked staff member and she had to go and ask owner/owner refused and said air conditioner was on so couldnt. Made NO sense as door was almost completely opened, and we just wanted to take advantage of the lovely breeze. Sat down and began to enjoy the design and how the cafe looked as a whole and commented that the decor was lovely. Began chatting away between the two of us and noticed the the cafe was very loud and noisy when looking around we notice that the coffee machines were very lound (ok no biggie) and one of the staff memebers (in which I was told by girlfiend was the owner) was backwards and forwards in and out of the kitchen shouting at staff orders and pushing staff to see to orders. This was very confronting to witness as a customer, and I felt for the staff working under her. It was also off putting and ruined the whole experience. Food arrived looked lovely but girlfriend was surprised that pepper had been placed on eggs. (Girlfriend can't have pepper due to medical issues)(ALLERGIES) Called waitress over whom was very apologetic and replaced the meal.(Well the sauce in top that had pepper). When manager was told what happened she shouted across from one corner to the other to where we were seated across 8 people....QUOTE - (WELL We HAVE TO BE TOLD ABOUT ALLERGIES)and huffed back into the kitchen very rudely and abruptly. Another waitres soon came back out with order fixed and pepper gone. She was very apologetic and nice. My issues is we were NOT making a BIG deal about the pepper at all it could be easily fixed, it was the fact that the female owner ranted and raved at her staff speaking to them in a horrible manner and she was so loud and annoying and you couldn't relax at all. I ate my meal and my girlfriend took hers home to give to a family memeber at home to eat. I will never be returning again is was the most un-enjoyable experience the manager needs to retire or resign she needs better people/customer...

Wow. Just wow. This place takes the cake. So it all started with eggs Benny order, too which my eggs were more boil then Benny. Upon asking the staff if I could have some Benny eggs I was confronted with a heavy handed stand over type lady who I believe would be the owner who instructed us that the eggs were done that way and that's how it is. I kindly explained that this was not general nature of the recipe. She then proceeded to lecture us about how things are done here. My table partner then made a comment that was generalising people's acceptance of fine breakfast dishes, to which she took a huge offence. She fumed off and came back out demanding to know where we were from and placed a fresh set of eggs down which was very nice. After which she emitted several muffled sounds and the interaction ended. Please be aware when attending this venue that the set menu is...

The moment I walked into the Cafe, the staff were friendly and welcoming with a smile. The dining area is quaint but warm.

When I went to order Eggs Bene, I requested an exclusion of one ingredient and addition of two anothers. Even though this was possible, they were able to modify the order which worked out cheaper than the set Eggs Bene menu.

This says a lot, as not only can they tailor to anyone's taste or appetite, but also save you $$$.

That said, the meal was one of the best Eggs Bene I've had in a long time. Eggs were perfectly runny and the Hollandaise smooth and not over powering, which blended superbly with the drizzled balsamic. Top notch cuisine 👌. The mocha perfectly brewed, not too sweet, or too hot. Lovely blend of beans.

Thanks for the wonderful experience. I will be back next time I'm back in...