CUP DAY MEAL TICKET

Some unexpected combinations create unique breakfast and lunch options at this new Broadbeach cafe, writes Amber Macpherson

BORED with bacon and eggs? Broadbeach has welcomed a new cafe with an exotic take on classic brunch fare, adding Asian influences to modern Australian staples. After finding success in Southport, Sens Coffee ventured south, bringing its unique breakfast and lunch menu to the beachside suburb.

Sens Coffee owner Jerry Chan says his cafe puts a new-age twist on classic cooking.

“With a wide range of selections for brunch, including vegan, vegetarian, smoothie bowls and power bowls, our focus has been on delivering these traditional options in a refreshing way,” Jerry says.

“We keep our cooking method simple. Most ingredients are served simply sauteed, poached, even just lightly blanched.

“We spend money on getting raw, fresh and unprocessed ingredients, too.”

Sens Coffee takes elements of southeast Asian and European cooking to surprise those expecting the conventional.

Diners needn’t wait until dinner to get their karaage fix — order the waffle stack and it comes topped with the fried chicken goodness, as well as bacon, seared apple and plum gravy.

The Sens eggs benedict comes with the typical smoked ham, poached eggs and hollandaise’s cousin bearnaise, however, add pickled lobok, green chilli pepper and fried vermicelli noodles, and you’ve got a balance of sweet, sour and creamy flavours.

The chilli scrambled eggs is far from traditional, with shiitake mushrooms and goat’s curd, not to mention the smoked salmon and avocado on toast with tempura asparagus.

“Week after week, we have seen customers have a higher level of appreciation for dishes like the waffle stack,” Jerry says.

“That is an exotic dish because of the Korean influence. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy experiencing multicultural flavour in one bite?”

The original Sens Coffee is the attached hotel cafe at Meriton in Southport.

After a successful two years of operation, Jerry says they were offered a deal to become the attached cafe for Meriton throughout Australia — and the next stop was Broadbeach.

“We have been offered the opportunity to become the sole cafe brand for Meriton for all their branches across the nation,” Jerry says.

“Our third partner will open in Brisbane on Adelaide Street soon. Our Southport shop is bigger in size and it has been operating for two years, but I believe our Broadbeach store is bigger in ambition. We will be dedicated to creating a great dining experience for every customer.”

And if you think the name Sens Coffee is hinting they’re caffeine free by playing on the word sans, you’d be wrong.

“It refers to ‘sense’, just in a French way,” Jerry says. “What we were trying to express is (that we) awaken your senses, with our specialty coffee bean blend from Campos, refreshing brunch options and smiles.”

Sens Coffee is open daily from 7am to 3.30pm at 2669 Gold Coast Hwy, Broadbeach