Do you struggle with deciding what to order from a menu? A newly-opened restaurant in Fortitude Valley is doing away with such a task by serving just one dish every night. Lloyd’s General Store came up with this quirky idea to take the farm-to-plate concept up a notch.
Lloyd’s General Store owners Elizabeth and James Lloyd also limit the number of plates they prepare each night. Taking on a more organic approach, Liz said that she wants the diners to know where the food comes from. Most of the ingredients used in the kitchen are from the farm of Liz’s parents in Ipswich.
Everything is cooked and prepared in front of the customers, within the eatery’s 40-square metre space. Liz said that dining at Lloyd’s General Store feels like you’re just in your mum’s kitchen and waiting for her to finish cooking.
The ambience is as cosy as a home kitchen with brick walls and large glass windows, wooden ceiling beams, vintage and recycled furniture and hand-painted decorations.
But the eatery is also a providore with deli items, artisanal food items, pre-packaged terrines and pate, tinned sardines, as well as oil and vinegar for cooking.
Salads, croissants and coffee from Allpress are available during the daytime. At night, the restaurant serves wine and charcuterie, craft beers and hops.
Whilst there’s one main meal on the menu, guests coming in may either construct their own meals from the assorted pantry stuff or have Lloyd’s crew prepare the food. The Lloyds are also considering vegan options and a special dessert available for just one night.
Lloyd’s General Store, at 1 Brunswick Street and the corner of Gregory Terrace, used to be a hairdresser studio, a graphic design office and a florist shop.
For the store’s trading hours, follow @lloydsgeneralstore on Instagram.
