The Pantry Hq

A new cafe has sprung up in Springwood serving top-notch coffee, fabulous fare and a cornucopia of cakes, slices, tarts and other homemade treats - The Pantry HQ.

This gem of a cafe, housed in a charming Queenslander with bullnose veranda, is a dream come true for chef and owner Erica Murray (who has more than twenty-two years of experience in hospitality). Located on a quiet street in Springwood, patrons can enjoy a cup of well-brewed coffee on the breezy veranda or sit inside the cosy space filled with timber tables and admire the vintage pie plates adorning the walls.  

Open seven days a week for breakfast and lunch, customers can order off the menu or browse the display case where sausage rolls, salads and sweets jostle for space. Everything is made in house by Erica including her tomato chutney, red pepper relish, ploughman's pickles, raspberry ginger jam and more (also available for purchase at The Pantry HQ).

Start the day with eggs Benedict, savoury mince on sourdough or omelette with your choice of ham and cheese, smoked salmon or mushrooms and spinach. Lunch options include steak sandwiches with caramelised onions, fried egg, greens and tomato chutney, vegetable wraps with roasted veggies, spinach, sheep's milk feta and chilli plum sauce or try the Thai chicken burger with coriander and chilli rubbed chicken fillet with avocado, salad and ginger lime aioli on toasted Turkish bread. All of the above sandwiches are served with chunky chips.

No visit to The Pantry HQ would be complete though without sampling one of Erica's sweets. Try a traditional caramel tart, rose, pistachio and coconut slice or warm chocolate brownie served with fresh cream.  

Besides Di Bella, the cafe offers loose leaf tea, milk shakes, smoothies and frappes.   

by Deb Lidster