Maybe it was the pouring rain around me, or the graffiti covered laneway walls that I wandered down to arrive at Bean (decked out in the space formerly known as The Bunker Boutique) but for a moment in time my visit at this unassuming cafe made me forget that I was, in fact, in Brisbane. For a fleeting second I could have sworn I was in Melbourne's endless laneways littered with hidden coffee houses. Almost like following Alice down the rabbit hole, after walking the short laneway you take a left turn and see astro turf with a retro kitsch table and chair setting before taking another left turn down the stairs into the 'underground lair' that is Bean. It's the bare basics down here including milk crate cushioned seats and mismatching tables. There's an old record player against the wall and decorative books adorning wall shelves. Our friendly and equally quirky barista is manning the floor by herself and the crowd is mixed: a lone ranger working in a corner with her laptop, a couple having a quick coffee (upon second glance it appears maybe they're just friends who have run into each other here) and three businessmen in the middle of discussing some "serious business". Bean serve Campos Coffee and on this occasion I buck the trend of ordering a flat white and take a curve to order their cold bottled coffee. Once upon a time Blackstar in West End was the sole place to find this delicious 'iced coffee' in a bottle, however, Bean is joining the ranks along with Bunker (Milton) as another place to treat your tastebuds to the cold fresh pressed coffee with daily labels slapped on the side of bottles. The verdict: delicious. Come in daily from 2-3pm to play "Paper, Scissors, Rock" for a free regular coffee. If you're peckish I wouldn't suggest counting on a meal being found at Bean (for the time being). There's banana bread ($4.50) or muffins ($3.50) and there's biscuits. Something is happening in Brisbane. Places like Bean are visual evidence of this and what awaits Bean as it settles in, ruffles feathers and makes itself known is yet to be seen but I hope big things are on the horizon for them. With enough space it'd be great to see small live music acts become a part of the fabric in this cafe and to see them expand their food offering or staying open later to be a bit of a lounge bar. Either way stay tuned. I predict it is only a matter of time. read more