Scott’s Luncheonette takes humble sanga to new heights

A Queensland hospitality guru long-obsessed with the humble sandwich has decided to make them the star at his new cafe

He’s shaken cocktails for some of the biggest rock stars in the world running the VIP backstage bar at Splendour in the Grass, while his last venture, Lark in Brisbane’s Paddington, was awarded Australian Bar of the Year; now Perry Scott has turned his attention to sandwiches.

The Queensland hospitality guru has long been obsessed with making sangas at home for his family, and in August decided to turn that hobby into a business, launching Scott’s Luncheonette and Bar in Palm Beach on the Gold Coast.

It’s all very casual and intimate, with Scott moving from the grill to the dining area, helping his chef cook steaks one minute then chatting to customers the next.

Inside Scott's Lunchonette and Bar in Palm Beach. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

While the vibe may be chilled, the eatery’s approach to the humble sanga is serious business, using bread from Tweed Heads’ acclaimed The Bread Social and ingredients that combine in both traditional and unexpected ways. Brekky sandwiches mostly stick to the classics like a $15 ciabatta loaded with scrambled eggs, cheese, spinach and hash browns; while at lunch a little more creativity is in play including a chicken version with coconut, ginger and chilli jam, tomato, cheddar, kewpie and greens for $14.

There’s also a trio of salads, gorgonzola chips and some bought-in pastries on the counter to add to the menu’s range.

The Mexican pork sandwich ($17) is served on brown paper with a pot of juice and a bamboo container of pickles on the side – it’s not much to look at. But what it lacks in beauty pageant appeal, it claims back in taste, delivering succulent pig that’s been slow cooked for eight hours with Mexican spices contrasted with bitey pickled onions and salty crumbled feta. Like a biscuit into tea, you can dip the loaf creation into the accompanying meat juices, but it’s really not necessary with so much flavour already packed in.

The bacon, egg and hash brown sandwich. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Next up is the steak sanga ($26). Unfortunately the chef forgets to include the provolone and American red cheddar, which leaves nothing but caramelised onion, slices of steak and a couple of cos lettuce leaves. When made aware of the omission, Scott and his chef kindly offer to shout us a sandwich on a return visit, or a free coffee or juice on the spot, but we’re happy to just snack on the bloody good skin-on chips that come as a side to the sanga.

Come 3pm on a Friday and across the weekend, the menu also extends into tapas-style plates, including the likes of pulled pork croquettes, charcuterie, cheese plates and steak frites. It’s food that begs to be enjoyed with a drink and it’s here where Scott’s background comes into play, serving up “Scottails” like a Bloody Mary, Tommy’s margarita, various types of martinis and his Splendour in the Grass special, The Strummer.

If you’re dining before midday, though, you might want to stick to coffee, which comes as bitter as a negroni, or a cold-pressed juice made and bottled in-house.

Scott’s Luncheonette and Bar is just the type of place you want in your neighbourhood. Great for a sanga before a surf or a plate of oysters and a prosecco over the weekend.

SCOTT’S LUNCHEONETTE & BAR

1/1114 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach

scottspalmbeach.com.au

VERDICT – Scores out of 5

Food 3.5

Ambience 3

Service 4

Value 4

Overall 3.5