Found this quaint cafe tucked away in an alley/side street on my first trip to Brisbane. Wouldn't have stumbled upon this gem if we hadn't been curious why there were people sitting out in a random alleyway. Super glad to have tried it out the first time and be able to return and have the cafe still there and still operating. Workers are still fantastic and food is still tasty! Will always come back when I'm in Brisbane!! read more

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In Brisbane for a weekend away and came to Strauss off the back of it reviews. They are all spot on. A cool cafe tucked away for only the ones in the know to frequent. Lucky to be in the know! Service was relaxed and friendly, prompt and professional. The coffee was excellent and food really good. I had the poached eggs on toast - simple but easily wrecked - not at Strauss. We also had the trout which was fresh and a perfect portion size. We'll be back and happy to recommend. read more

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Best meal of my stay in Brisbane at a literal hole in the wall. I came at opening for breakfast and ordered a long black, their avocado toast and a side of potatoes with tomato jam. Food was ready quickly and tasted delicious. I enjoyed it inside their well appointed cafe and was happy to pay a reasonable bill at the end. I'd come back daily for breakfast on a future trip - anywhere else I went disappointed by comparison! read more

Lovely little quaint cafe tucked away in the Queen Street mall area. We absolutely loved their prosciutto and avocado salad along with their roasted pumpkin and chicken salad! These two Salads were some of the best salads we've ever had! I highly, highly recommend this cafe. read more

Strauss - Quaint Cafe Interior - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Great coffee! After spending several days in the city, this was some of the best coffee I had the entire time. Highly recommend

Food are incredible second time to be here and first try to experience an amazing service unlike the first time I was not able to witness how nice the staff because I was busy talking on the phone. read more

Strauss is located in a little alleyway across from the Hilton (where we are staying). We had been told by many that this is one of THE best coffee shops in Brisbane and possible Australia. Wow that's a fairly bold statement I must say. Did it deliver? Yes! We ordered two Americanos which we were told was single origin from Colombia. Slightly acidic and smoky with a hint of blackberry and they packed a punch. They serve their coffees with a shot of mineral water in the side to "cleanse the palette". Delicious. For food we order the poached eggs on sourdough and the ham and cheese croissant with added fried egg. For such simple dishes they were executed perfectly. This place is a definite go to for coffee and/or breakfast. read more

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There comes an age when a raging bar where you can't hear conversations is no longer appealing. There comes an age when you want a subdued atmosphere, a well made cocktail, an elegant cheese board or charcuterie. On a rainy Wednesday eve I think I found this in Strauss. A cafe by day (and night actually. You can still order coffee during the eve) and smooth wine bar by night. I ordered a Negroni which I'm told they're serving with a little dry sherry. It was quite the drink and one worth savouring. Adjacent was a couple sipping red wine, at the bar a group of friends sipping a range of cocktails. No one rowdy but not unusual if all of the patrons joined into a communal conversation. Some might say, "I feel like I'm not in Brisbane" as they visit a space like Strauss but you know what? It's a new Brisbane-feel (a classier and refined Brisbane) and a Brisbane I'm excited to be a part of. read more

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I came to Strauss for a work lunch after a fitness class. I was ready to eat - I was starving and we picked Strauss because of their good reputation and proximity to the barre class we'd just done. We took a seat in the alleyway and waited for a staff member to come and serve us. Water and menus came quickly, but the wait between that ordering was a little long, especially due to the quietness of the venue (and I was starving so it felt like a million years, I was about to eat my hand). I ordered a falafel sandwich (fresh) and my date, T, ordered the beetroot lentil salad and we decided to share. We both tried to order a juice, but that wasn't available, along with another menu item which was disappointing. The food came out and while my sandwich was toasted rather than fresh, the toasted bread encasing the falafel and salad was a great texture addition. The food was lovely. The salad was filled with beetroot, goats cheese and perfectly cooked lentils. The falafel in my sandwich was made really well and the tahini I had substituted in for the goats cheese gave an awesome flavour change. I was surprised at the small size of the menu, but I'd definitely go back to try some other dishes. I liked the feel of the venue and the staff were totally pleasant. I was also happy for the chance to sit back and watch the world go past, that opportunity doesn't come around too often and I think it should be savoured. read more

Strauss - Falafel sandwich, toasted. Delicious. - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

So I was so fortunate to attend the Consumer Nights Launch and cannot stop thinking about what an awesome evening it was! Tonight was a wine tasting with Peter Rogers of Naked Bunch. He took us through 8 wines and 1 cider. We started off with a biodynamic corked Hochkirch Riesling that comes from Henty, Victoria and it ended up being my favorite! So soft, light and elegant. We then tried two more whites before heading to the reds. Peter was really flexible and open to talking about what we wanted to learn about and he was full of knowledge about how the wines were made and made a point to talk about acidity and how vital the temperature is when serving wine. When we sat down, we were given a program that gave us a run down of what we would be tasting. We were given pens to fill out the appearance, nose, and taste in the wine as well as what the wine would be in a sentence or if it was a song! This made the night interactive as we had three different tables with about 20 in attendance. To compliment the wines, we were also served cheese and charcuterie. The woombye camembert was so creamy. I can't wait to pick some up and share with friends. The camembert was served with our whites. Then, we were presented with a beautiful board of nduja, finocchiona, and mustela served with bread. I loved the nduja which was the soft, spicy spreadable salami!! It is said to be an aphrodisiac... The finocchiona was a pork, fennel, and garlic salami that's hung for three months and the mustela was a pork filled cured with black pepper, nutmeg, coriander, and balsamic vinegar. When the evening began, Peter did most of the talking but as the night went on, everyone started to mingle which was great. They will be doing these unique nights every Wednesday and next week's will be aperitifs and amaros with Campari Brand Ambassador Daniele Pirotta. Every Wednesday will be intimate, educational, and enjoyable. Book your tickets today! Finding this place is half the adventure. It's tucked away down an alley making it a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I'll have to return during the day and try out the baked goods when it's a cafe serving up rounds of coffee. read more

I'm not a Brisbane local, so I did some exploring for food my first few days here...& this is the best I found!!! They have great coffees & food. I recommend the fig tartine...delicious!!! Overall, this is a spectacular little spot to grab breakfast &/or coffee to get your day going! read more

Strauss - Fig tartine - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

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~~The Short~~ Succinct Lunch Menu with Great Coffee ~~The Long~~ A fellow Yelper and I met up for a coffee, which turned into lunch. We both opted for the Reuben and we weren't disappointed. The Reuben reminded me of my trip back to San Francisco last April, but the version of the Reuben served here was a bit better than the one I had over in the states. The highlight for me apart from the thick (but not too thick) cured meat slice, perfectly toasted doorstop bread slices and delicious creamy dressing was the addition of house pickles. No, not "UNF UNF UNF drop a few tabs" pickles, but quartered fresh cucumber sticks Strauss take the time to cure fresh each day. The pickle had this lovely 'give' to it, but had absorbed the pickling liquid just enough that it had this glossy salty glaze on it. I complemented the staff on just how lovely this was to eat. I had a coffee as well before the sandwich, which was well cared-for. The Reuben is about $15. read more

Strauss - The Reuben, with delicious "UNF UNF UNF Pickles" (House Pickles, as described on the menu). - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Oh Brisbane! At some point you became chic & edgy. Older sisters Melbourne & Sydney are looking over their shoulders. A hidden laneway gem located off Elizabeth St (opposite the Hilton hotel) is a cool cafe & wine bar, Strauss FD. Finding this place is part of the fun & once you do, you'll find it to be a nice little sanctuary to get away from the hustle of Elizabeth St. They serve coffee from CUP & whilst the breakfast options are limited, they do great pastries like choc croissants, danishes & yummy carrot cake. The crowd is a mixture of office-workers & hip students & the vibe is relaxed. Stop by for a cup if u find yourself on Elizabeth St & are wanting a laneway adventure. Closed weekends. Open Mon - Tue 6:30am - 3pm, Wed - Fri 6:30am - 10pm. We will have to return to Strauss FD as they turn it up a notch when the sun goes down with amazing cocktails & wine. read more

Strauss - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Strauss is such a cute little gem in Brisbane. The waiter was a young man who was efficient and friendly. Coffee is delightful and food was quick and suuuuper delicious! Affordable prices (max $14 I believe) and an easy to get to location. Would highly recommend & can't wait to come back! read more

Strauss - Avocado toast w/ poached egg, and smoked trout on multigrain :) - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Really great coffee and amazing smashed avocado and poached eggs. Will be back here regularly when I'm not trying to recreate it myself at home. Service was outstanding. Given it's a smaller place on an alley, I didn't want to overstay my meal, but they were totally cool and I was able to get my work done, get a filling Brekkie and some smooth af coffee. read more

Stopped in for lunch here on a weekday after hearing a fair bit about it. We sat in the alleyway outside which was nice on a good afternoon. It also means you get a prime view of the punters in the TAB next door discarding their slips after a loss. The service was very friendly and our attendant made sure we were well looked after and offered recommendations. Despite hearing some great things about the coffee here, I opted for a rhubarb and watermelon juice and the Bruschetta, which was a generous serving of heirloom tomatoes with bocconcini, proscuitto and pesto - well worth returning for. I felt bad for the woman at the next table who ordered the same only to find out that we'd gotten the last two serves. I've heard a bit about the place being quite busy but we stopped in about 1 and managed to miss the rush. I'd definitely come back for a second meal and to give their coffee a run. read more

Strauss - Bruschetta - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Knowledgeable, classy, relaxed, entertaining, good music. Strauss is great for a coffee in the morning (e.g., if you enjoy reading a paper at the large table), but really shines in the evening. For drinks, we wanted "something a bit sour" but didn't see anything of our immediate liking on the menu. Not to worry; we were offered a taste of this great, smokey, not-quite-Tequila from which a delicious cocktail was whipped up (picture). Totally awesome! I found it noteworthy that the lineup of spirits behind the bar is really quite small with no more than 25-30 different bottles. This means that a) they have stuff stored in a back room, or b) you simply can't order every drink. Based on what we got presented with I really hope (and think) it's the latter. Describe in general terms what you want/like and be surprised! read more

Strauss - "Something sour": 'Vida' (smokey tequila), Luxardo, lime, and a secret ingredient. Great! - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

I've been for coffee a few times. I've been for Friday drinks a few times. I must say, the latter the is an amazing experience. They are open Wed-Fri until 10. I met a few old mates at a new and ridiculously busy "bar" (read: pub with a chandelier). One beer you can buy from BWS later, I asked if I could take them somewhere else. We went to Strauss. We had expert guidance from two amazing waiters, who were also bartenders and food preparers. We drank expertly paired beers to our charcuterie. Slitting in a beautiful setting, drinking and eating and just lusting over the waiters, the decor, the chorizo paste. I died. read more

Strauss - Gin, vermouth, evoo, dill, lemon, Oliver's olives. - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

Sweet merciful god this place is amazing. Perhaps one of the most perfectly-cooked and well-flavored breakfasts I've had in ages. Eggs poached to perfection. Delicious avocado. Perfect spices. And the coffee has a sublime and delightful consistency that is just an ideal way to start your morning. Amazing. Hands down amazing. read more

Strauss - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

When you are looking for a quiet little place to drop into and disappear from the noisy establishments close by - then this is the place for you. Set down a lane way opposite the Hilton Hotel, Strauss FD is a welcome addition for those who appreciate sharing a bottle of wine, a platter of quality morsels and ambient lighting. Our party of five, shared 3 bottles of red, each one as delightful as the one before while we shook off the woes of the work week. We enjoyed a cheese and meat platter, both of which were polished off with relish! The staff were friendly and were able to provide advice about our wine choices. In comparison with other wine prices, I thought Strauss was good value. All this place needs is some awesome street art down XILE Street to help create that laneway vibe. read more

Strauss - For the more adventurous... That's me. :) - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

This place was fantastic! We ate lunch here. Wonderful salads, great atmosphere. You have to walk down a small passageway/alley to find it, but it was well-worth it! read more

Located down the end of an alley, opposite the Hilton, we stopped in here for a quick breakfast on our last day in Brisbane. We were mostly here for the coffee, which we were not disappointed by. Using Cup Coffee, they served good filter in a nice deep glass. The breakfast options are limited but decent. We both went for avocado and vegemite on toast. They only served one slice, which was good for us because it was a bit late and it didn't ruin our lunch options. Wouldn't head here if I was starving though, but some good options to tie you over. I think the thing I liked most about having coffee and breakfast in the laneway was how clean it was. Laneway dining can be a bit grotty, but without being filled with competing businesses, this was peaceful and pleasant. read more

I'm sold on Strauss. My only regret is that I didn't go sooner. After many recommendations from admirable people, I finally made it to Strauss for a nice glass of wine and a cheese board. The wine list is excellent. Most of it is Australian too, so like John Mills Himself, it's a great way to sample local Australian wines. It's not just your average glass of Taylors or something else half shocking either. I had to try the Fruilano, which our well informed waitress explained was introduced by the same woman who brought our Pinto Gris to Australia. With table service, and the option to sample the wine before committing, you can't run afoul here. The cheese platter was also great. Not too much, and not too little with fine Australian cheeses to pick from. You can select two, three or four cheeses for the board, accompanied by pear, figs and oatey joes. They also have olives, sourdough (from Chouquette no less!) and charcuterie boards to pick from as well. The culmination of very well informed and friendly staff, an intimate and quiet atmosphere, with excellent food and drink, Strauss has quickly elevated itself to my new favourite bar in Brisbane city. read more

I love Strauss. I love Strauss for its amazing coffee, for its laid back attitude, for its hipster setup and its just-as-crazy-as-you-are staff. But that's just the daylight hours. At night Strauss is perfect. Sweet tunes at a volume that you can still hear your self think, great Australian wines and beers and best of all: cheese! Once you try their amazing cheese platter you'll skip dinner in favour of even more cheese. It just seems like a bar that was purpose built for me. I love Strauss, and I think maybe Strauss loves me back. read more

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This little place is so vibin' it's ridic. I love it here. It's the epitome of Indie/ business man chic. This was my first time here and if you're not aware of its location it can be a tad confusing as it's down an alley way. They do sign it fairly well but I did walk past it the first time as I didn't really know what I was looking for. I only had a coffee here but it was fabulous. It was extremely busy when we went and full of lots of business people on lunch breaks alongside some pretty rad staff. It was indeed cosy as the only room they had for us was at the "bar" but that was fine (as long as you don't have personally space issues :P) I really enjoyed this place, the staff, the coffee and the whole setup. Definitely keen as a bean to go and try some of their food as well next time :) I've added it to the list of some of my favourite cafes and it's not moving from there anytime soon :) If you're in the city, definitely check it out! It's worthwhile. read more

If you want a cosy little place that is not full of noise, has a romantic but classic feel, music is subtle but funky and made to feel as a customer that you matter, then this is the place for you. I arrived at 6pm on a Thursday night and a bit early waiting for my fellow friends to arrive. I was greeted and invited inside and that was a first for me in this city that I love. I was presented with a drinks list and I ordered a rose wine, this was poured for me at my table and I was given information about what was about to reach lips. Meanwhile my friends arrived, I was able to hear conversations at my table without being drowned out by exterior noise or loud music that often is played in some cafes. The nibbles were Devine with a platter of fine cheeses, crackers like I've never had before (crapped over hunter valley crackers and I thought they had the best to go with cheese), meat products I could not pronounce such as 'charcuterie' (check the photo of the nibble menu), and if you can't find a cocktail to suit your taste then let them know what your taste buds feel like and before you know it, a cocktail will appear at your table never made elsewhere before. I died and went to heaven. Now I have given you a bit of a tease in my photo with part of the ingredients but I'm a bit selfish and don't want to share what made me feel like I was cocktail celebrity ;) or maybe you could ask for a balance of sweet and sour and see what appears before you ;) I will be back :) read more

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Specialist coffee place that does great food and cocktails at night. Definitely one if the better cafés that are part of the Brisbane backstreet alley revival that is happening in the CBD. Can get busy at peak times and you may have to wait for the barista to keep up with demand. Saying that it's still well worth it not only for the quality of coffee, food and drinks but the atmosphere. read more

Strauss - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

The Brisbane CBD has an abundance of places to get a good coffee, but there are only a few that serve up coffee that exceptional that it demands a slightly longer walk from the office. Strauss is one of those few places. Comfortably sitting in my top 2 or 3 places to get a coffee in the City, the incredible staff adhere to my number one rule for making exceptional coffee - they give a damn. They take pride in what they do and it shows in every cup of coffee they make. Combine that with the always on point Coffee Supreme beans and you have a winning combination. read more

Cafe by day and wine bar by night, Strauss strives on its simplicity. Hidden down the end of a laneway opposite the Hilton hotel, its location allows escape from the bustling inner city. With just a scattering of tables inside and outside in the there is an element of a homey feel to the cafe. The menu completes the simple but inviting vibe and offers a mere handful of breakfast and lunch options. There is also a range of espresso and filter coffee options with a blend and single origins roasted by local Cup Coffee. I had the toasted smoked ham sandwich filled with cheddar cheese, aoili and relish on rye bread. Although simple, these basic ingredients combine and pack a well thought flavour sensation. As a cheese lover, nothing gets me excited more than rich mature cheddar. The coffee is also on point, complete with latte art. Strauss is a simple but elegant inner city hide out and I look forward to returning to sample their wines at night. read more

Strauss - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

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I've only tried the coffee here but it was excellent. Staff were really friendly and my coffee was beautiful. Great little soot that gets very busy, and my fellow bloggers tell me they have great breakfasts although the menu is limited and quite healthy. read more

Strauss - A really lovely, well made coffee with friendly staff. - Cafes Near Me - Brisbane, QLD

I had the Bircher and it was superb. Very affordable and healthy. Service was fast and attentive and will come here again for other breakfast options read more

Dropped in today with my 5 year old daughter and the welcome for her and myself was a good start. That was followed by great coffee, even better hot chocolate, excellent service but what I liked most was the restrained and unclothed menu, much like the decor, effortless. Well done lads Look forward to next time I'm in the city Robert read more

Maybe because I had just shaved my beard or the fact that I wasn't wearing super tight jeans and a matching checked shirt with some trendy owl tattoo, I wasn't really welcomed here at Strauss ! The fact that a vertically challenged waiter simply pushed me out of the way while I was trying to pay for my coffee with no excuse me or a pardon was beyond rude ! I might be a simple man but manners don't cost a thing. I felt about as welcome as a hole in a lifeboat here but I could handle that if the coffee was worth it. Alas the coffee wasn't all that hot and lacked flavour. I'm no coffee snob but I know a decent cup and this was far from good. If you want laughable service from an extravagant preparer of coffee this place is for you. The only way this place isn't totally lamentable is the fact that the girl that took my order was affable read more

Hidden down a laneway? Check. Brewing great coffee? Check. All-day menu with a focus on locally sourced seasonal produce? Check. Strauss FD definitely ticks all the requirement boxes for a hip Brisbane inner-city cafe but what makes Strauss stand out amongst its peers is that they do it well without pretension. Signage is minimal and if you don't know where to look, you may have trouble finding it. So walk along Elizabeth St until you're directly across from the Hilton, turn around and walk down the alley next to Xile. I enjoy sitting outside in the lane but there is more seating inside and with larger tables for bigger groups. Every time I've been there, the staff have been lovely and I have always been seated immediately, with water and menus delivered, and asked for my coffee order. That's just good service. Coffee is made with Coffee Supreme beans and at $3.50/$4 a cup, prices are standard. They also offer a filter option which arrives with an explanation of the bean currently being used. I usually go for a long black and it is always excellent. The menu, which changes semi-regularly, ranges from the simple toast & spreads to heartier salads and sandwiches. All items are available all day which means I can have my granola for lunch or salad for breakfast. While the sandwiches and bruschetta options always look amazing, my go-to option at Strauss is their Bircher muesli (or porridge during Winter). Their current option is a Mixed Grain Bircher with pear and cacao nibs ($13). A deliciously thick blend of mixed grains including oats and rye with yoghurt and shredded pear, topped with chopped roasted almonds, cacao nibs, honey and (this is the best bit) fresh raspberries. And not just a few - oh no, Strauss love raspberries as much as I do (FYI - a lot) and so there's about half a punnet of sweet, juicy raspberries atop this bowl. For some $13 may be a bit steep for Bircher muesli (although as a regular Bircher eater, this is becoming the standard price) but I will happily pay that for the raspberries alone. The fact that everything else in my bowl is absolutely delicious is a bonus. I recently revisited with Lani and Matt L and while I opted for my usual, they had the kale salad ($13.50) (with an extra poached egg ($2.5) which basically makes that a breakfast salad) and the poached eggs ($10.50) with cured ham ($5). Both simple, fresh and delicious. The salad was quite a large bowl and with added protein, would make for a substantial lunch. The poached eggs were simple but done well (slightly set but gooey) and the several thin slices of cured ham made it more interesting. If you're just stopping by for a quick coffee and want something sweet, Strauss also have several pastries and raw/healthy treats made my My Plate Clean Treats available. They also cater for lactose and gluten intolerant with alternative milk options and last time I visited they had gluten-free bread as an option. Overall Strauss is a lovely breakfast or lunch option in the city with excellent coffee, delicious food at a reasonable price (all under $20) and great service. It's also great for takeaway coffee (although beware the lines get long during the morning) and they can do split bills which is perfect for groups. read more

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Worth the search for XILE St., Strauss is a gem hidden down the alley off Elizabeth St. in the CBD. Andrew and K(C?)at were warm, professional, and completely knowledgeable about the relatively new craft beer scene, organic and biodynamic wine movement, and quality food movement in Brisbane. A quiet, small space that nonetheless accommodated a group of 12 behind me, a single, without missing a beat. The wine list is eclectic and high quality, with many very small vintners represented. Cocktails are Andrew's specialty, and he manages the bar with a quiet flourish. The cheese board represented three countries and smart choices, and would cover a wide selection of pairings. Pours were spot on for an American (read: Aussie generous), and nothing was put into a glass without at least a couple of hints as to what made it unique enough to find itself on the menu. Tastings were encouraged. The cheese and wine alone would have made this a great find; the atmosphere and down-to-earth staff made this a must-go. Cheers. Do need to update Yelp profile to allow that alcohol IS sold there. Perhaps in the hours after the coffee is poured - that selection did also look intriguing, but I didn't sample them. read more

Love the coffee here. I'm not a real coffee expert, but I appreciate a barista who cares about his or her work. The staff here are awesome and Strauss has a cool vibe. It's a popular place during the work day with people that work in offices nearby. read more

Went to the Tanqueray Martini Masterclass gin burgling event hosted by Krystal Hart which was pretty informative and entertaining. The humongous Spanish style Gin and tonic was awesome. The gentle wafting of Irish bagpipes from up the road were alright too. read more

You'll find this gem in the alley between two buildings, mid-block. I ordered the simple avocado toast with a poached egg and a cold brew coffee. This is the breakfast by which all future breakfasts will be measured. The food is prepared with palpable care and love. A true find! read more

$6.50 for ONE slice of fruit toast!! I had bought fruit toast from Strauss on one other occassion and although pricey for 2 slices, I was utterly amazed to be slugged the same amount for 1 slice, yes just 1 slice earlier this week. When I questioned the guy about getting 1 slice of toast for $6.50, he said "yes that's right". I will never buy from here again and have made sure everyone in my office is aware also. read more

WHAT A VENUE! Fantastic for all the important reasons - intimate venue, amazingly experienced helpful and entertaining staff, quality wines (including organically made wines that the staff promote and are very knowledgeable about), cheeses that are not pulled straight from the fridge but actually allowed to go to room temperature (a rare touch!) and entertaining music that lets you still enjoy the conversation of friends. I almost don't want to write this review as I hope Strauss doesn't turn too busy, but this venue and their awesome staff deserve the wrap! LOVE. read more