Passion Tree - 103 Elizabeth Street Brisbane QLD 4000

Nothing beats a cold watermelon on a hot summer day! It had been a particularly hot day so as soon as I heard that Passion Tree sold Watermelon Bingsoo (a special type of korean shaved ice), I headed over instantly.

Passion Tree is a funky place to hang out at - it's bright, it's colourful, it's vibrant and best of all, it's got FREE WIFI! As you walk in, there is a very large couch lined against the wall with very cute and comfortable cushions. The little wooden table and chairs in the middle also give you the impression of a french alleyway.

Walking pass the massive glass cabinet filled with sweet yummy cakes and colourful macaroons, my mouth drooled and I was impressed by the variety they offered. The prices were quite reasonable - macaroons were $3 and cakes ranged from $5 - $8.

Although I was tempted by the other sweet treats, I was keen to try out the new Watermelon Bingsoo ($20) as it was only available for a limited time. I was told that it would take at least 30 minutes, but that's ok because good desserts take time to prepare. At least I know it's freshly made and not prepared in the morning and left in the fridge :)!

After eagerly waiting for 30 minutes, my Watermelon Bingsoo was finally ready. The watermelon was very sweet, fresh and juicy, which made it perfect for the hot summer. What was especially "refreshing" about this bingsoo was that the shaved ice beneath the perfectly sculpted balls of watermelon was actually mixed with REAL watermelon juice (rather than the artificial flavoured syrup that most shaved ice stores use). Although the icecream was nice and creamy by itself, the sugary sweetness overpowered the natural flavours of the watermelon. Nevertheless, this Bingsoo was very enjoyable. At first, I thought $20 was quite expensive for a watermelon, but it was well worth it. The portion was large enough to share between two.

Feeling refreshed from the Bingsoo, we decided to order a hot drink to balance it out. I ordered a Green Tea Latte while my fellow Food Extinguisher ordered a Chai Tea. The hot drinks at Passion Tree were particularly nice as it was smooth and creamy. The sweetness level was also perfect and not as sickly sweet as some of the drinks in other cafes. The Green Tea Latte had just the right amount of matcha powder in it - there's a strong flavour of green tea without an awful bitterness aftertaste. The other Food Extinguisher also thorougly enjoyed his Chai Latte - apparently it was nice and velvety with a good kick of chai spice.

Verdict: 

Great place to hang out and get free Wifi