Breakfast, get in me NOW! I'm one of those people who spazzes out because they've got two things to…read morebuy from Coles for work and must get up early to get it otherwise someone else might've stolen it off the shelf before me.... Woah. Hold on, take a break. Food first, chill, lose some of the crazy. Ok, moving on.
This Brumby's used to be accompanied by it's hardbaked counterpart across the walkway, however now it's the meal selling variety with those hard working (review writing while at work) desk jockeys buying last minute breakfasts or pre-emptive desk lunches. It's located on level A of the Myer Centre, a hop skip and jump down the escalators from the Queen St Mall, or a shuffle up from the chemist on the Elizabeth St side.
Ambience ***
If you've got time on your side, you could eat at the store in one of their couples tables to the side, of which there are roughly six. Otherwise, don't look for that wood and burgundy style decor you might have come to expect, look for lime green, white and burgundy plastic, shiny surfaces. It's pretty hard to miss.
Somehow the back of the store always looks like its about to get stocked, or has just been stocked, with piles of boxes, baking tray holders, etc, visible from the front; it looks like a calamity waiting to happen, to be honest, but the staff don't seem to pay it any mind; maybe they just need a bit more interior fitout done?
Service ****
I rarely get to run here without finding a crowd of people hovering at the chin high (ok, I'm short!) counter, waiting to be served. The line goes quickly though, as they usually have four or more servers on at peak times. As this is a heavy traffic, high turnover food outlet, it pays to have the right money or not to have to pay EFTPOS. I always make sure I have $4 in my purse for a quiche Lorraine, but more on that later.
The servers are always polite, I've ordered food for me, food for the office, catering for meetings any number of times. They do deliver if you're getting catering, however I find it's just as easy to jump downstairs myself, to pick it up. Sometimes I find the servers are a bit rushed, but I've always gotten a 'hello' and a smile.
Food ****
Expect the full range of Brumby's baked goods on offer here, plus wraps, sandwiches, toasted sandwiches, slices, frittatas, quiches, more and more - hell's bells if I know whether they're all made onsite or whether they come from another Brumby's bakery, though.
I've opted to switch between Coles and Brumby's for staff birthday cakes to keep my office co-inhabitants on their toes, but I will always prefer to get to Brumby's if I can for them. They die for the lamingtons and banana bread, and I die for the quiche Lorraine. Seriously, I'd swear they've cut something illegal into them to make them that more-ish. Cheesy, oniony, bacony goodness in a little square; perfect for an express nom before going back to work. I prefer mine cold, but they are happy to heat up a quiche or frittata if you're eating and running.
Additional notes
I have noticed a coffee machine here, though I've no idea what it's like as I usually retreat to the safety of work as quickly as possible.