We?re taking a bit of a parting shot here ? writing about an eatery that is soon to be no more.

In all honesty, the cheerful Brothers Caf?, tucked away at the back of Trimingham?s top floor, is more a place we?d go to grab a coffee and a quiet corner to pen a review of our experience at one of the Island?s other restaurants.

But the news this week that the landmark department store will shut its doors within the coming months was enough to convince Hack that this little gem should get its own write-up.

Since it first opened more than two years ago, we?ve had breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks at Brothers any number of times.

Hack?s opinion of the place in a nutshell is that, if you can overlook the sometimes slow and sloppy counter service, you?ll get to order from Brothers' fairly gourmet offering of cakes, pastries, locally roasted coffee and espresso drinks (courtesy of Rock Island), breakfast specials, bagels, and a changing menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, savoury pies and wraps. What?s more the ambience is warm and welcoming with polished, glass top tables, bright yellow walls, deep blue wainscoting and red trim.

On Hack?s latest visit to Brothers, the caf? already appeared to be cutting back on hours. The kitchen now shuts at 3 p.m. instead of matching the store?s hours as it did when it opened in 2002.

Still, Hack was able to choose from already prepared sandwiches and a $2.50 coffee and pastry special was being advertised.

The person who served us went out of her way by offering to warm the sandwich and even heat up the milk for our coffee.

Hack was slightly disgruntled when one of the counter staff muttered: ?Don?t these people (presumably the customers) have a life ? I have one I want to get home to.? but perhaps she can be forgiven for her sour mood knowing that she is soon to be out of work.

We didn?t let it tarnish our late lunch. A ham and brie croissant was warm and gooey ? the perfect light lunch. Sadly, Hack?s choice of dessert ? apple strudel with strawberries and cream cheese ? was the exact opposite. Heavy, stodgy and bland are the adjectives that come to mind for a pastry that sounded divine but turned out to be little more than dry dough with a non-descript filling. Even between two we weren?t able to finish it.

We pushed the strudel aside and returned to the counter for a blueberry scone. The perfect choice time and time again: Brothers does a mean job with its freshly baked scones. Lovely crunch crust with a moist centre; even better when smothered in butter and preserves.

Two can easily get away with paying around $30 for lunch, choosing from a wide menu of daily soup specials ($5 for a largish bowl with bread), while entrees ? baguette or croissant sandwiches served with salad or seasoned fries, healthy wrap sandwiches to specials like Salmon Wellington ? run from $12 up to $18.

Brothers also has a wine license, though Hack has never imbibed there himself. Come to think of it, he?s never seen anyone else do so, either.

Hack?s verdict? All in all, a pleasant place to grab a bite without getting hit by a huge cheque. Get it while you can ? this one will soon be no more.