If you go mad for meringue or flip out for fondant, prepare to make The Stand Desserts in California Lane your new summer hangout spot. Conceived and operated by Shay Hayston, The Stand is a day and night destination for deconstructed desserts and classic cocktails. Shay initially trialled the idea of bringing desserts to Fortitude Valley’s laneways through his Winn Lane bolthole No. 5 Cafe, but when the opportunity arose to take on one of California Lane’s new tenancies, he saw the potential to give desserts the attention they rightfully deserved. The Stand’s corner location fits in perfectly with California Lane’s vibrant tropical aesthetic, with bright pink furnishings and neon-pink signage drawing diners in like moths to a flame.

When designing The Stand’s menu, Shay had to take into account the venue’s limitations in terms of prep space. By choosing to deconstruct the recipes of The Stand’s desserts, Shay is able to circumvent the venue’s restrictions, mixing up textures without sacrificing taste. The seasonally shifting menu currently offers up tasty interpretations of classic desserts, such as black-forest cheesecake with cherry glaze, chocolate ganache and dark-chocolate mousse, lemon meringue with freeze-dried yuzu, and strawberries and cream panna cotta with dehydrated and fresh strawberries and coconut yoghurt. In addition to the desserts, The Stand is also serving acai bowls, granola bowls, breakfast waffles, cheese platters and a selection of decadent cabinet treats to snack on throughout the day. Oh, and vegan eaters need not miss out – the offering includes a stack of vegan-friendly desserts and treats to try. When it comes to The Stand’s drinks offering, expert drink slinger Emma Dunmead has put together a list of refreshing cocktails, local craft beers and wines, as well as dessert and drink hybrids such as candy-infused vodka jellies topped with fairy floss and Long Island iced-tea sorbet.

The Stand Desserts is now open for business. Check out all the sweet details in the Stumble Guide.