Discover Samford Village dining hot spots

AM — START YOUR DAY

The Flying Nun, Samford

WITH so many nooks and crannies, this Samford institution provides a peaceful and private dining experience even when the cafe is bustling.

At its heart is a 100-year-old church building which is more than 100 years old which was pushed down the hill to its present location by horse and cart in 1922.

Owners Charlene and Will Meakin, and Nathan Ayre were working at The Flying Nun cafe when its previous owners decided it was time to sell back in 2013.

“It had always been a dream to own this cafe,” Charlene says.

Charlene says they jumped on an chance to make it their own.

We haven't altered the cafe's feel, but added dishes to the menu, opened for dinner and introduced table service.

She says they're aiming at delivering a consistently high-value product — service, food, coffee, and environment.

“The whole experience has to be good,” Charlene explains.

All three owners are qualified chefs — their passion and experience evident by the quality of the food on offer.

Charlene enjoys the food so much she often comes in on her day off to grab a bite to eat.

The Flying Nun is open for breakfast and lunch Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and breakfast, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday.

16 Station St, Samford

Phone 3289 2288

PM — UNWIND FROM NOON

Pause, Samford

Busy lifestyles threaten the long lunch seriously and it's a trend that restaurant owners Greg Robson and Trung Phan want to reverse.

Greg, an acupuncturist, and Trung, an exercise physiologist, opened the venue two years ago with an audacious big picture dream in mind that involves incorporating a day spa.

Greg says people are tired and just coping with the hectic pace of life.

Pause will offer them somewhere to go for the day for spa treatments and a dining experience to refresh them.

The restaurant is well known for its eight-plate, five-course “Leave it to Chef” degustation menu which varies depending on what’s in season and available. “There’s all these flavours parading across the table,” Greg explains.

“People spend hours here … that’s why it’s called Pause.”

He’s even had a group arrive at 12.30pm and leave at 8.30pm.

“They were hugging staff on the way out. We could all tell they had a great time,” he says.

“We believe in the long lunch. It’s an institution that’s really threatened. France closes between noon and 2pm and they go to lunch. In Australia, people rarely get a lunch break,” Greg says.

He’d love to see the French tradition catch on here.

Pause is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday.

16 Main St, Samford

Phone 3468 1771