Ruby Cafe, Paddington

It's only been open a week but Ruby Cafe on Given Terrace has already found a following.

You'll find it on the bottom half of the terrace, almost directly opposite Montrachet.  Look for red awnings and tables with chairs on the foot path.  The site used to be home to a hairdresser.



There was a  fair sprinkling of patrons enjoying the atmosphere for a weekday lunch on Thursday and I've heard breakfasts are busy.

There's a great picture window at the back with a view over Paddington and Red Hill towards St Bridget's Church.  It's amazingly green for inner city and shows off Brisbane's timber and tin heritage, just glad I don't live in one any more.

We were at Ruby for lunch and coffee and our choices included a wrap from the cabinet which was grilled and tasted just fine thanks. I went for the rocket salad with salted pecan, baby beetroot, du puy lentils, persian fetta and chardonnay dressing ($14) which was light and tasty but I'd like to suggest the chef trim the stalks on the parsley to make the salad easier to eat.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds it hard to stuff those errant stalks into their mouth and also they are a bit tough - just saying!

Others I'll be back to try include the smoked salmon and red quinoa burger with soy roasted beetroot, kewpie mayo and a side of fries.  The Roasted kipfler potato with lavender salt also has me intrigued.

Got to say that I think the breakfast menu looks a bit more exciting than lunch with bubble and squeak hash cakes, wilted spinach and beetroot leaves, poached egg and basil hollandaise or coiled fennel and chilli sausage, tomato and pepper chutney, fried egg and watercress just two of the great options.

Then there's the blueberry buttermilk pancakes with white balsamic strawberries and Canadian maple syrup.  Do I need to say more?

Bottom line - New to Given Terrace, check it out and tell us what you think.