Alfred & Constance – Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

Alfred & Constance

C: ‘What do you want to do for lunch today?’

W: ‘How about a sausage sizzle?’ (it’s one of our weekend favourites)

C: ‘Hmm maybe, or we could go out. Oo I know, we could go to Alfred & Constance!’

Sometimes I ask questions when I already know the answer and the Sunday after my farm trip was one of those occasions. After such a fantastic day learning all about how and where Alfred & Constance sources its ingredients, I was more than a little eager to check the place out for myself.

We were a little early!

It was 11am when we had that conversation and we were both already a little peckish so after a quick detour to drop something off to my parents, we arrived to A&C about 10 minutes before the Vanguard Beer Garden Restaurant & Bar opened for lunch.

Waking up the steps the first thing that strikes you is the eclectic mix of furniture. No two seats or tables are the same and I for one could quite enjoy trying a different one on every visit. Beyond the antique store-like jumble lies the bar and open kitchen where patrons have full view of whatever beast may be roasting in the wood-fired oven at the time.

The staff at A&C are just as friendly and laid back as the atmosphere and despite our early arrival we were welcomed warmly and given pick of the tables.

Being about 35C (that’s about 100F) and with the air-con tables reserved, we took the next best spot – right in front of the industrial-sized fan.

Light & cloudy – Vodka, house made ginger syrup & lime, topped w/ soda

My first cocktail selection was unavailable because they were out of passionfruit which I take as a good sign because it means it’s fresh, so I moved on to my second choice the Light & Cloudy. It was just the right balance of flavours and the citrus burst was the refreshment I needed. I ordered mine half-strength and could still taste the vodka so I think a full-strength would have given you bang for your buck.

Lamb cutlets – flame grilled with anchovy & parsley mayo $12

Seeing a full lamb being broken down the day before, I had a much greater appreciation for the humble lamb cutlet. I’m usually not a big lamb eater (it’s a bit rich for me) but these were so well-seasoned and cooked to rosy appearance it wasn’t rich at all.

Now I’m not a fan of anchovies, in fact writing this up I wondered why I ordered something containing them but wow was this mayo moreish. After I’d mopped up as much as I could with the meat I moved on to clean the plate off with Will’s chips. If they served a bowl of chips with this as a dipping sauce I’d be happy.

Chick pea salad with grilled eggplant, roasted red peppers, crumbled feta and lemon dressing $16

Two lamb cutlets wasn’t quite enough to quell my grumbling stomach so being ‘healthy’ I ordered a salad to balance them out. This particular dish was under the ‘salads & vegetarian options’ section on the menu which was a bit misleading for me. Yes it was fresh, yes I could have eaten a tub of the creamy feta and firy red roasted peppers but it was just too much of the same thing.

I love olive oil but I think Jamie Oliver might have had a hand in the ‘drizzling.’ I think this should be (maybe it’s meant to be) a side salad to be shared rather than a salad to have on your own as a meal. I made a very sad attempt at it even though I thought I’d eaten heaps.

The A&C hamburger – vintage cheddar, crispy bacon, spicy tomato relish & chips $14.90

Those are some serious chips aren’t they? I never get much of a description from my man but he enjoyed his burger and the little bite I got was nice and juicy. His one criticism was the flour on the bun. ‘What’s the point?’ he asked while brushing away his white moustache  Unless you were going to eat this with a knife and fork (how very posh!), the flour is seriously annoying.

Now that’s a chip!

The chips on the other hand, let’s just say I couldn’t finish my salad but I had no trouble cleaning off Will’s plate. The golden outside was just crispy enough to resist your bite but once you’re through, you’ll encounter the light and fluffy center. Oh how I wish I could make chips like these. They didn’t taste like a deep-fryer either they tasted like… potato! Realy, earthy, creamy potato (note to self, start planting ideas in husbands head to go back for a bowl of chips).

The arrival of the pig

Our spot in front of the fan was also prime position for viewing the pig when it emerged glistening from the wood-fired oven. I think the chefs were a little bit proud of themselves don’t you? The pig is served by weight and comes with salad or veges and bread and condiments. They also do whole-roasted chickens.

We were too early but I don’t think I could have eaten this guy on such a hot day. I’ll definitely be coming back for dinner.

Old school chairs

While Will paid the bill I took a little sticky beak around the rest of A&C. It’s not just a restaurant – there’s a bar, a cafe and a late-night dessert bar so you can come here at any time of day and get a different experience every time.

Does this chair make anyone else think of primary school? I swear we had the exact same chairs.

Comfy spot in the Tiki bar

Tiki bar

The Tiki bar

Upstairs in the Tiki bar is crazy confusion in a good way. On first sight you might think you’d walked into your grandma’s living room but turn around and you’re in Hawaii about to order a cocktail on the beach. It’s so very random yet somehow it works.

Alfred Cafe

Downstairs again is Alfred’s Cafe which I think is the space that becomes the late night dessert cafe and alcoholic juice bar.

I’ll be back for you

and you!

I told the sausage rolls I’d come back for them another day and follow them up with a sweet selection from the bursting display cabinets.

Eclectic interior

Inside it’s a bit more like grandpa’s house if your grandpa was a muso in his younger years. Fun isn’t it?

I’ll admit that when I walked into A&C it was a bit intimidating. I’m not great with trendo places (I don’t think I’m quite cool enough) but the crowd A&C attracts is so diverse anyone would fit in. At one table near us we had a young couple out for Sunday lunch, a few tables over a 4 year old chucking a tantrum and refusing to eat her chips (I would have eaten them!) and down the end a family celebrating a special occasion.

I’m contemplating having my next Birthday there just so I can indulge in the Meat Feast:

A while meat feast can be enjoyed by you and your friends. Roast pork carved from the whole beast & a leg of garlic & rosemary studded spring lamb all roasted in our wood oven. Served to you on a shared table with vegetables, leaf salad, condiments and warm crusty bread. 

Very true

I won’t list the occasions that A&C is suitable for because there are just so many. Romantic evening is probably the only category it wouldn’t fit under.

What about you. Do you like ‘trendy’ places?

Alfred & Constance details:

Vanguard Beer Garden Restaurant & Bar: Lunch & Dinner 12pm till late Wed to Sun

White Lightning Tiki Bar: Wed & Thurs 5pm – 12am, Fri & Sat 5pm – 3am and Sun 2pm till late

Late Night Dessert Cafe & Alcoholic Juice Bar: Wed through to Sun 11am – 12am

Tunes Bar - Wed & Thurs 5pm – 12am,  Fri, Sat & Sun 5pm – 1am Alfred’s Cafe - Mon to Fri 7am – 3pm, Weekend  Brunch  (Saturday and Sundays ) 10am-3pm

Alfred & Constance is located on the corner of Alfred and Constance Streets in Fortitude Valley.

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Aye aye captain!

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