To the Manor borne (again)
They say you should never go back. Well, I revisited a Brisbane restaurant after 45 years and had a better experience! Also: Kyle Sandilands ban latest.
I can count the number of Brisbane restaurants that I frequented when I was a university student and are still around today on one finger of one hand.
And that establishment is The Pancake Manor in Charlotte Street.
When a friend who was visiting from abroad suggested we meet there, I knew it had been one of younger-me’s favourite haunts — but I’d entirely forgotten that I’d recorded one of my visits for posterity.
On April 9, 1981, student newspaper Semper ran my review, which began with the observation that the Manor “is one of the latest closing ‘respectable’ eateries”.
Back then, the doors were open until 2am on the weekends, reopening at 8am. Now, of course, it’s a 24-hour operation.
I noted that the menu was limited at that time, largely restricted to desserts; the establishment was BYO (it’s licensed now, of course); and that “the place is popular with the late night post cinema/pub crowd”. Still true, I suspect, although in February 2026, I was there before 7pm and home by 10!
In 1981, I had pancake mozzarella topped with a mildly spicy minced beef sauce and a regular Coke — I resisted the “enormous” offering — and closed off with a Vienna coffee.
Sadly, my review didn’t record the exact amount I paid, but it noted:
The two main drawbacks were the price, which is higher than the average student haunt but not in the exorbitant category, and the method of collecting same. The money is taken on ordering, avoiding problems with people slipping out without paying. From there the change is eventually returned to the customer.
Having waited up to half an hour for my change on previous occasions, I asked the waitress if the management had a policy of delaying the return of change in the hope their patrons might forget about it. She denied this but said the staff were so busy; there was often a delay. She admitted a few people left without their change.
That night I waited at least twenty minutes for my change and only got it by reminding the waitress. “Oh, haven’t I given it to you yet...”
In 2026, my order was a large seafood crepe and, with two bourbons and dry, my bill came to $42.58 which I considered a bargain. The staff were still busy, but I wasn’t asked to pay up front. (Perhaps they still do that in the wee hours. I guess I’ll never know.)
The decor has changed little over the years — the converted church still “has a medieval touch — complete with suit of armour and flags” but I don’t believe it has “electronic games discretely hidden downstairs” these days. Only toilets as far as I recall.
The “giant sized chessboard … provided ‘for serious players only’” has been replaced by a central bar and serving station.
Back in 1981, I wrote about the “progressive move” of providing smoking and non-smoking areas, and I noted that “a number of interesting seating arrangements cater for groups of all sizes”. The latter is still the case.
I concluded that it was “a cut above the fast-food joint”, and that also remains true.
(By the way, I remember at least one visit to the Pancake Manor between these two — a first date in 1982 or maybe ’83 that went pretty well, even though I had a cold at the time.)
Council loves Kyle?
Labor councillor Lucy Collier has posted an update on social media about here attempt to get the LNP administration to withdraw advertising from Kyle Sandilands’ and Jackie “O” Henderson’s show on KIIS 97.3.
According to Collier’s Reel, Adrian Schrinner’s team has decided to continue to fund the filth.
Meanwhile, the share price of KIIS’s parent company, ARN, reached a new low of 35 cents on Monday, before closing at 36 cents yesterday (Tuesday). A year ago, it was fetching 68 cents a share, and five years ago, $1.89.
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P.S.
In social-media commentary about an incident at Easts Leagues Club in Coorparoo last week, somebody asked why the word “East” is pluralised. My guess is that it’s short for “Eastern suburbs”. Then it occurred to me: why is it a “leagues” club, when we all know that rugby league is a singular game?