If you take your coffee seriously, you will find your caffeinated kindred in Dean Hyland and Liz Ennis from Mermaid Beach’s Background (Barista). Having won over the southern Gold Coast’s coffee loving crowd with Barefoot (Barista) and Borough (Barista), the pair have ventured to Mermaid Beach and upped the ante for their latest venue that exists somewhere between restaurant and communal office/meeting space. The striking polished concrete interior is accented by matte-black fixtures and lush greenery providing a welcoming space to while away time with a coffee. Speaking of, diners are encouraged to explore single origins with an AeroPress and really appreciate the flavours of a more gentle brewing process. Brewed at 90-degrees, the coffee is treated almost like tea so you can still get the caffeine kick with all of the subtleties of tea however those who love their latte, they have those too. When it comes to the menu, Liz has built a flavour bed over the past nine years that is inspired by Donna Hay’s concept of a feeling on a plate. Well, friends, prepare for all of the happy feels as you feast your eyes on the ever-popular Corn Char, which is a piece of sourdough slathered with avocado and loaded high with charred corn, cherry tomatoes, crumbly feta and topped with a gooey poached egg. The crispy potato hash with a slab of bacon and mustard hollandaise is always a winner and if you’re in need of some health, there are plenty of bowls loaded with all kinds of goodness. The menu intentionally blurs the lines between breakfast and lunch and offers salads for breakfast and eggs at anytime.