Professionals Serendipity 
Tamborine Mountain is no stranger to cafés, coffee houses, and all manner of other places you can just sit back and enjoy the beautiful mountain ambiance with a fine beverage or a perfect meal. But make no mistake— each is striking and unique in its own way thanks to the ingenuity of those in the mountain’s hospitality industry. Bean N’ Brunch is the latest in this long line of deliverers of deliciousness, and David Csavas most certainly has his own plans to make his Gallery Walk café embraces its own iconic place in the family. Read on to find out more.
by Kyle Hitchmough
What was your inspiration to open this location?
I used to work up here on the mountain, so I was pretty familiar with the area. I’ve been in hospitality for over 10 years, and Tamborine is a lovely location. I can’t really wish for anything better here on the Walk. The opportunity came, so we thought to open up something that’s a bit different. I don’t like the umbrella style of outdoor eating, so I saw this big roof and I thought “I have to do it here.” This is the best location on Gallery Walk.
How long have you owned Bean N’ Brunch?
A month. We opened on the 25th of December, Christmas Day.
What kinds of food do you offer here?
At the moment it’s pretty similar to what other venues like this would be selling, but in the wintertime, we’re going to add some Hungarian specialty dishes like goulash soup. We’re going to have a little of the spice of Hungary, since it’s where I’m from, while still fulfilling the demands of the local people. Our menu is designed for tourists and locals.
Do you have a most popular menu item?
The most popular are the burgers and maybe the fish and chips. Our Bean N’ Brunch Parm is really popular, which is a schnitzel with smashed avo and mozzarella cheese melted on top. The breakfasts are all very popular. My personal favourite is the protein and carb breakfast, so I recommend that for everyone.
What goes into the average day here for you?
We’re open from 6 to 3. On the weekdays we shut down the kitchen at 2-2:30, but on the weekends we try to have it open till at least 3pm. Up here on Gallery Walk, everything closes at 3, which is difficult for the tourists, since there is nowhere to go to eat. I try to fulfil that demand to stay open a bit longer, but at the moment it’s hard to find staff, so I have to do what I can. I love to make coffee, it’s my passion, so I’m behind the coffee machine all day, especially on a busy day. It means I don’t really see anyone, which is hard because I love people, but I can’t really talk while I’m working.
Where do you source your ingredients?
We’ve been using Australian-based companies. I have three really big suppliers. Some stuff like avocados I’m getting from a lovely local person, but if he doesn’t have enough I have to go to a supplier. But what I can, I want to get locally.
Have you noticed any particular trends in your clientele?
We’ve been getting all kinds of people, maybe a bit more on the younger side of customers, but we do have elderly customers as well, which is really nice. The good thing is we get a lot of locals. I thought it was going to be 90% tourists and 10% locals, but I think it’s more like 35% locals, which is really good.
Are you a local? What’s your opinion on the Tamborine Mountain area and community?
Not at the moment, I live on the Gold Coast, but we’re trying to relocate here in the next few months. Even, if I don’t live here, I feel myself local because I worked up here for one and a half years before this gig. I personally know many people and everybody is really nice, and they are all open to trying new things which is good. It’s a tight community, everyone’s really supportive of each other. It’s why my wife and I want to move up here, this is the place we want to raise our child.
Do you have any personal favourite things to do in the area?
I love the lookout, plenty of times we have watched the sunsets. It’s beautiful. I love the Cedar Creek Falls as well, that’s one of my favourites. Everything is just lovely up here.
What do you think Bean N’ Brunch really provides to the area?
I think what we’re providing is a modern environment. We’re doing delicious food quickly. Especially on the weekends when there’s a lot of tourists, they want something delicious and quick, and this is what we try to fulfill.
What do you enjoy most about doing this?
Meeting new people, that’s my passion. I’m an extrovert who feels good among people. I always love to have a chat and I love my morning coffee with locals, listening to what’s happening with them. This is what hospitality is, you have to love people.
Can you tell us more about your plans for the future of Bean N’ Brunch?
There’s going to be some Hungarian cuisine and maybe in the long run we’re going to do some dinner service maybe on Thursday through Saturday, but that’s a long-term plan, we’ll need more chefs. Food-wise, we’re going to change a few things on the menu probably around the middle of this week. This was just a prologue at the beginning to see what is selling, so a few items are going to be replaced. It doesn’t mean we’re going to have less products, just different ones.
What’s been your most memorable moment in your time here so far?
Every day is memorable, I can’t say which is my favourite. The opening was really hectic. The funny thing was, because I am European we celebrate Christmas on the 24th, on Christmas Eve. When I was setting up the finishing touches with my wife that day to get ready for the opening, we got home and realised there was nothing in the fridge! Usually we have a huge feast that night, but nothing happened because of the cafe. But I am really grateful every day for what I have.
Bean N’ Brunch
161 Long Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
We are always looking for new topics for our blog. If there’s something you like to see more of, email your suggestions to: social@professionalsserendipity.com.au, or email the writer at kyle.hitchmough@hotmail.com
