Every year from about the age of 14, a few of us, Lesley, Lou and I worked on week-ends and holidays at the famous Snappy Snacks at Rainbow Beach. Owners Ted and Val kindly gave us work to finance our clothes for New Years Eve or our beach wear.
We ran our butts off and loved the work and all hoped we wouldn’t get the early shift on New Year’s Day as we got older. After many years they moved a couple of doors down to a bigger premises and stocked lots of other grocery lines as well as their famous burgers and beverages.
Last week-end, I walked back to the same space which is now the new Coffee Rocks at Rainbow Beach and it looks a teeny bit different to the way it used to look. More like a trip along Flinders Lane. It is just what Rainbow needed – It already has plenty of quality coffee shops, café’s, restaurants, a great pub, and terrific surf club, but this is what was missing. Comfort! It has an intimate setting where you can choose savoury or sweet, snack or meal, with hot or cold drinks all in a striking venue with a lot of class. Rich in character with a warm atmosphere and comfortable seating, we could have stayed for hours.
It is a sensational use of space with the old alleyway now a cool and comfortable meeting place, with a roof and top quality solid timber furniture. Inside is a well stocked bar serving, among other things, 3 types of boutique beer from the 10 Toes Brewery, on Sugar Road, in Maroochydore – which we spotted straight up and our eyes twinkled as we love this brewery.
There were plenty of staff, all capable and professional, and again the same clever mini iPad – this time for food as well as drinks – we thought better for just drinks but the younger generation would love it. I ordered a $5 mug of Dirty Chai which was ‘just right’ using another of our favourites – Kai coffee.
As it was only 11am we couldn’t settle in for a Sunday Sesh, however that night we returned for the beer but stayed for the tapas as we discovered they were out of this world. Again, all well priced and we particularly loved the Thai Samosas with fresh and rich smoked salmon and Mango Chutney, and also the Prawn Wontons – delicate and divine. I didn’t try the pizza but from the oohs and ahs coming from across the table it was amazing.
Coffee Rocks was truly a wonderful experience, immensely comfortable with memorable and well priced food and drinks. It is always a personal choice however sometimes the stars align and something just delivers – this was one of those times. We are returning on Christmas Eve and know for a fact this is the only venue we need to visit to keep our Christmas Spirit alive. Magic!
