Lifting the lido on cozy Ascot dining.

So I spent the weekend in Cairns and fully expected to spend my one day off for this week, working on my diploma and writing a few blog posts for PR – but the incessant droning of machinery from the nearby roadworks was driving me to utter distraction – and unfortunately, procrastination. I then spent an hour driving around the northside of Brisbane for a new café to try (someone should alert the authorities that there is a mass closure of cafes in Wilston on a Monday. SERIOUSLY! Wilston!) I wasn’t in an Ashgrove mood and was just about to relent and go home, when I took a sharp turn into Racecourse Road and autopiloted it to an old favourite of mine: "The Lido".

The Lido is one of those great cafés with a warm atmosphere inside and a trendy, private Al fresco courtyard outside and shock....friendly (!) staff who will do anything to make your dining experience wonderful – whether you’re staying for a meal or just coffee. The second you sit down – you simply feel at home. Their menu is an inviting combination of Italian and modern-Australian-cafe (watch out however for the heavy alliteration!) and they have a simple but effective wine list that takes the guesswork out of choosing the right accompaniment to your meal. It’s is also brilliant just for cozying up with a couple of chai lattes (why, don’t mind if I do – thank you!) and watching the world go by.

• Summary: Cozy cafe with great food, and brilliant service.
• Tip: There are a range of tempting desserts – but if you feel like a stroll – why not head down the road to Milany’s for gelati?
• Transport: Buses run down Racecourse Road quite regularly and there's off-street parking if you're lucky. :)
• Where: 120 Racecourse Road, Ascot, 4007.
• When: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat 8am-10pm, Sun 8am-3.30pm
• Cost: Upmarket cafe prices - unless you're sharing a pizza/breads etc. Coffee approx $4.50.
• Website: N/A
• Perfect For: Coffee, cozy dining, woodfired pizza.
• Downsides: Mains can be quite pricey - but then, Ascot dining usually is. If you go for the Pizza/Pasta options - it's a lot cheaper - especially if you're sharing. :)