If it hadn't been for McDonald's looking like the only other breakfast option in Dickson the other morning, we could have eaten somewhere else and missed out on the swank and sass of Trev's.
Situated across the road from Trans ACT, you can get to Trev's by bus off Northbourne Ave, or by parking in one of the streetside pay per park bays. If you're visiting by night, you can try parking in the Trans ACT building carpark, however I spent another meal (somewhere else) muttering 'are we gonna get towed?' over and over like a mantra. If you're a local, you probably know better.
Ambience ****
Sitting outdoor or indoor, you'll find yourself happily perched in a fashionable space in what the owners have made a modern trendy spot called Trev's. We sat inside, amidst the specials board 'thyme and feta cigars', the barista/ cashier island, and swimming in chic decor coloured in natural woods, greens, browns and cream. Trev's oozes cool through every sense, the attitudes of the wait staff and barista, echoed off by the visual and auditory provisions.
What could have been a Ministry of Sound chillout mix played in the background, lending your Monday brain to forget the hectic office while you sip what might be your first espresso of the day.
My one and only gripe with the atmosphere was the interruptive 'clank, clank, clank' of the coffee bean grinder going off as coffee orders came through. On the one hand it shook my easily irked morning mind, on the other, it reminded me we were in an energetic place where I could take on the same chilled buzz.
Service *****
The guys and girl at Trev's in the morning have brilliant smiles, infectious energy and an oomph that just doesn't quit. From the moment we were offered a choice of tables to the end of our meal we were attended to perfectly. The barista service is spot on with the barista knowing his weekday regulars by face, and engaging the customers while brewing their usual cuppa.
The very close attention of the wait staff paid off because often I hanker a second cup of coffee, and having been checked on meant they got another two drinks out of us.
Food *****
When our meals came out, my first reaction was that we hadn't been given much. Then, upon pulling maple drowned bacon off my French toast, I realised a bit humbly that the portion was actually quite perfect. Later it made me really ponder the quality vs quantity problem facing us growing Aussies. In the end, the tightly presented sex-on-a-plate made for a more fulfilling meal than an over-size portioned big brekkie slapped together. The baguette had been thoroughly covered in egg mix and melted in hot sweet eggy goodness in my mouth. Hubby's fried eggs were overdone - he usually enjoys dipping his toast into the yolks but they were too cooked to do so. The bacon on both our plates was crispy and in my case rich and sweet at the same time. I'd never been an advocate of maple on bacon until a cafe I used to cook at put it on the menu. Since, I've never looked back, it's really too good to resist trying, and the chef at Trev's makes a delectable sample of it.
Additionals
If we hadn't gotten lazy tonight, I'd have loved to try the pizza menu for dinner - 2 for 1 Wednesdays, dine-in. Unfortunately our whirlwind trip won't allow for us to fit it in between now and the rest of our time in Canberra, but if we are in this end of the world again, I'll make it for breakfast or pizza (or one of the interesting looking specials) for sure! read more