Pancake Manor - 18 Charlotte Street, Brisbane CBD

Pancake Manor is just one of those places that if you live in Brisbane you've most likely been there... If you haven't you should definitely go especially as they are open 24 hours a day and serve meals till midnight, so you don't really have an excuse ha. I loved this place before I had children but appreciate it even more eating in as a family. It's a place everyone can enjoy because there is something for everyone and really let's face it who hates pancakes?

The thing I love about this place is it's history... The Manor is actually a refurbished Cathedral (also rumoured to be haunted). St Luke's Cathedral was built in 1904 and when you look around it really is a very beautifully crafted building. High ceilings, chandeliers and amazing beam work. The building really is magnificent and it's kept pretty much in original state, plus the kids think they are dining in a castle.  

Pancake Manor is always pretty busy on the weekend so we waited about 10 mins to be seated which I don't think is too bad. We were able to read the menu while we waited too. The menu has a large variety of drinks and meals and the good thing is everything is pretty reasonably priced. The children's meals start as low as $4 while adult meals start under $10 and the servings are very generous. It's the kind of place you make sure you have an empty stomach upon attendance.

We ordered some Ice chocolates for Ruby and Austin and I had a hot chocolate while Wade had Orange Juice. The table service was pretty quick regardless of the fact that it was packed and very busy. This was actually a pretty big test for us too as Austin used to have severe dairy (along with other things) intolerance's but now at 3 we had been having success with small amounts. I think the fact he'd never had an Iced chocolate before said something about the way he ploughed through it with enthusiasm.

 Again the table service was pretty quick with the meals given the active environment. Austin and Ruby both ordered the caterpillar but had chocolate sauce instead of strawberry. At $6 for this cute little plate I thought it was pretty good value.

I wanted to try the crepes this time as I usually have pancakes and ordered 'The Ultimate'. Two french crepes filled with cream cheese, sultanas, lemon and vanilla served with ice cream and strawberries and dusted with icing sugar. It was rather delicious and i don't think I left much on my plate upon finishing.

Wade decided to go with their house favourite long stack. I don't think this place can go wrong with their buttermilk pancakes. They are always light fluffy and delicious served with a side of ice cream and maple syrup.

 They even had wee baby sized pan cakes for Nash and were more than accommodating to serve them as is without any topping listed on the menu items.

We shared a bowl of chips with a side of aioli. I was impressed with the fact that they were not only under $3 but also came with a generous serve of aioli... I  don't think there is anything worse than feeling like you have to ration aioli lol.

Pancake Manor is definitely a must go for families given the fact it's got lots of room, has high chairs and a great kids menu. There is something for every taste here and the prices of the menu are awesome I think all up our bill came to just over $60 for a family of 5. despite it being busy the service was fast and friendly which I think was the best thing. The only problem I can think of is that there is a very small flight of stairs to get in maybe about 7 steps but easy enough to carry a stroller up. The toilets are down stairs too but I don't think you would need to take a pram down there.

If you want a better idea of the menu you can see it at this link.

http://www.pancakemanor.com.au/sales/Menu/ 

 

Vanilla Pod Cake and Deli Cafe - 119B Lancaster Road, Ascot

I'd heard a lot about the family run Vanilla Pod Cafe and Deli but have never been because living inner west it's not on a path I ever really cross. I decided to have a look though given the wonderful things I'd seen and read online and I was not disappointed by any means. 

Sometimes I think that particular words really pertain to certain places and the word that comes to mind for Vanilla Pod is delightful. Delightful isn't a word often in my vocabulary not because I don't see delightful things... It's just that I think it takes a particular place to suit the word and this was one of them. The moment you walk in you are greeted with a buzz of activity and an abundance of delightful things to feed not only your hunger but your senses.

I have been to a few delicatessen's in my time but this is just really something. It has that old fashioned street corner deli feel but with a fresh and modern twist. There really is something for everyone here which is even more evident when you see the broad demographic that keep this place busy. I could definitely tell it was a local favourite because they knew most of their customer's on a first name basis which I thought really added to it's atmosphere.

Easter, so I had heard was kind of a big event here at Vanilla pod. I was keen to come and see the Easter display Carla the owner had just finished the weekend passed. Not only was I super impressed with the amazing variety from sugar coated almond eggs to hand crafted easter treats but my littlest critic Austin was blown away too. It was very much like seeing Charlie Bucket in the Candyman's store and this was very reminiscent of the original Wonka movie for me too (one of my favourite childhood films!) It's a very feel good place for the little ones particularly with Easter around the corner.

It was very hard for us to make our minds up because as you can see from the pictures the variety wether sweet, savoury, healthy or a bit not so healthy lol... There is so much to choose. In the end though we ended up with a Iced cupcake and lemonade spider for Austin and a Lumberjack and Mocha Latte for myself. Both Austin and I will concur that our morning tea treats were delish! In fact Austin pretty much ate most of mine too.

When we spoke of going here in the morning we did have a few tears from a sad little prep girl who was very sorry she wasn't going to make it (this time because we will be back most definitely)... So we couldn't really leave empty handed with out something to bring home from her. Again there is and endless variety of packaged treats you can take home for the littlies that start as low as $1 so there is something for everyone. For grown ups though there is an endless variety of delicatessen favourites that would make any antipasto platter shine. Plus a super amazing range of baked goods and cakes to take home.

We ended up choosing a few cute wrapped Easter themed chocolates and of course Vanilla Pod's very own hand made chocolate truffles in real eggs as well as some baked goods perfect for her school lunchbox. 

The great thing about the hand crafted eggs is they come in 3 varieties. Gold like the Wonka kind, Colourfully decorated and also plain that you can take home and decorate yourselves. They were a hit with Austin because he actually had to carry them around all day until we picked Ruby up from Prep. The constant handling had melted them like I suspected and warned him of, but it did not stop either of them devouring them with fervour. Both will attest they were fantastic.

I think it's safe to say overall we highly rate this one. Even if you've got the kind of children that are a bit rambunctious for the candy lined Easter display shelves, you can always get take away and like I said there are so many options. Will definitely be back... Thank you for having us!

http://www.vanillapod.com.au/