Archive for 08/07/2009

nick | 08/07/2009
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Madtongsan II Review

Kick Arse Korean

I love going to restaurants that do authentic Asian food. There’s always something on the menu that I haven’t tried, and it’s a great opportunity to explore. It’s only in the last 12-18 months that I’ve started mentally separating out the different Asian varieties – Chinese from Thai, Indonesian from Vietnamese and my new found favourite…Korean. There’s actually quite a few Korean restaurants in the city, but it’s a variety of food that I’ve been introduced to by friends and haven’t sought out on my own. I wish I had.

Madtongsan I and II are a pair of Korean restaurants on Elizabeth St. They serve fantastic, cheap food and after only a couple of visits have secured themselves as my favourite place to get Korean. Madtongsan I is tucked away in Elizabeth Arcade and is where the craziness started. At some point they realised that their popularity warranted expansion and thus Madtongsan II opened just a few doors up. Madtongsan II is the nicer of the restaurants in my opinion; it’s more spacious, has better décor, and is less of a hole-in-the-wall. I’d even go so far as to say ‘stylish’ when compared to other restaurants in their price range.

Both are extremely popular with Team Asia but appear to remain largely undiscovered or appreciated by those of European descent. I’ve never see more than three or four other ‘Aussies’ dining when I’ve been in there. I really don’t understand this, as Madtongsan is one of the most accessible foreign restaurants – the staff all speak English, the menu is full of pictures and is written in multiple languages, and everything has a price next to it, so they’ve removed the barriers to entry that normally intimidate. Oh well, your loss is my gain.

Recently we strolled into Madtongsan II a bit after 7pm and were seated immediately, which was a surprise as it’s not uncommon to have to wait for a table to become available. The wait is definitely worth it, but if you’ve got a group bigger than four people call ahead or be prepared to have your patience tested.

The menu is big. Close to 80 dishes are available and I always have a lot of trouble working out what I want to try. Entrees include dumplings (above), pancakes and salads. Mains cover stir fries, soups, sizzling pots, and a raft of special dishes including ‘hot pot’, which is ideal for groups and is the Korean cultural equivalent of the Aussie BBQ.

Everything on the menu is good and there are options that should cover everyone, from picky vegos to those wanting to play it safe, right out to cowboys who are looking for a culinary adventure.

We started with kimchi pancake ($6.9 / $9.9, above), which is made from spiced pickled cabbage, battered and then fried. If kimchi is a little odd they also do seafood, beef and vegetable versions. The kimchi one was quite spicy and just a little softer than I would of liked but that may have been because kimchi is quite a ‘wet’ ingredient and it was never going to be as crispy as the vegetable version I’ve tried previously.

We also ordered sizzling spicy squid ($17, it’s the same as calamari) and Be Bim Bop, which is mixed vegetables with rice. Ordering at Madtongsan II is done by pushing a ‘call’ button on your table. It’s a great system as the staff are very prompt and it means that they will leave you alone until you need something. I wish more restaurants did this as it means you get great service – although it probably sends the staff crazy.

The food arrived promptly and was delicious. A word from the wise – when a Korean menu uses the word ‘spicy’ they mean it. Our sizzling spicy squid was at the very top of my tolerance and left my lips tingling for a couple of hours after the meal. It was chock full of chillies and garlic so those with delicate internals be warned.

Our Be Bim Bop was an excellent accompaniment and helped to break down some of the spiciness of the squid. It’s served in a big stone bowl that is extremely hot and continues to cook while it’s on your table. All the ingredients are segmented out and the idea is you mix it yourself. You can get a variety of versions like the one with egg (pictured). They are a great ‘base’ for a meal and will leave you very full.

Finally on the food front, one of the great things about Korean is that you get a variety of small complimentary dishes served with your meal – kimchi, tuna pasta salad and glazed sweet potato in our case. It’s not uncommon to find your table very crowded with plates and bowls, as everything is served in it’s own little cup or plate and it really adds to the presentation.

There aren’t too many places I can think of where two people can eat great food for less than $35 and walk away very satisfied. Madtongsan II is a shining light that is fantastic value and puts many places to shame. I’d highly recommend heading along.

- Nick

 

Madtongsan II
Korean Cuisine

Lvl 1, 85 Elizabeth St
CBD map

07 3003 1881

Open Tuesday – Sunday from 11:30am to midnight

Madtongsan II on Urbanspoon

Category: CBD, RESTAURANT |
ally | 06/07/2009
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Regatta Boatshed review

Pricey Pub Plates
Ahh, the Regatta. How I’ve spent many a night there as an 18-year-old, trotting around in inappropriate clothing and busting a move on the dance floor. Much as I don’t enjoy reliving my days as a Cruiser-guzzling, squealing teen, I had to pay the Toowong establishment a little visit the other night. And dare I say it, it was pretty good.

Okay, I’m cheating a bit-I was at the Boatshead, the restaurant that ajoins the bar. Nick has previously reviewed the Street Cafe, but the Boatshed is a bit more up-scale and offers heavier meals. Well, maybe not ‘up-scale’, but it definitely has restaurant prices.

For some bizarre reason we weren’t allowed to book a table for eight people at 6.30pm. We were told over the phone that 8.30pm would be the earliest spot available. Five minutes later, I rang back and asked for seven people at 6.30pm. Bingo! This really puzzled us, especially since up until 7.30pm the place was fairly quiet. It’s a huge space too, with seating that’s appropriate for large groups.

The Boatshed is known for steak, and patrons can choose from a variety of cuts and weights. If you’re not very enthusiastic about your beef, there are plenty of other options on the menu. I ordered a starter, the Smoked Salmon Stack ($16.50), as well as a Greek side salad ($9, both pictured).

Since it was a starter, I wasn’t expecting it to be very big, but the serving was decent: a huge mound of aioli-dressed rocket, a decent amount of shaved smoked salmon, and some capers sat atop a mini pizza base. Once I pulled it all apart, I saw how simple it was and felt a little disappointed: bread, packaged salmon, lettuce, sauce. But it was very tasty and the flavours went perfectly together. It was an ideal light dinner. The salad was very large as well, and was packed with cubes of a lovely creamy fetta, olives, roasted capsicum, cucumber, onion, and lettuce.
Salad
The boys all got Meat because they are Men. The steaks (from $29.90) got grunts and nods of approval, ditto the sides (your choice of potato, vegie, and sauce-I snagged a chip and they were crispy and delicious).

Steak DishThe Garlic Lamb Cutlets w/Baked Polenta ($29.50), and the Sweet Pork and Leek Sausages w/Mash ($18/$22.50) were also agreeable. I tried some of the 400g Angus Rump ($29.90, pictured), and it was quite tender and seemed a high-quality cut of beef.

Drinks-wise, there’s a plethora of wines and beers on offer, or you can be sneaky and make like we did and nip to the bar for drink specials. White Stag that night was $4 for a stubby, and tap beers are well-priced as well. One gripe: later after dinner when we settled at the bar for a few drinks (yes, I went to the bar. No, I did not booty dance after), I asked for a cocktail list. A sign had boasted there was a huge cocktail list, but we were told it “hadn’t been printed yet”. It would have been great if the bartender had then suggested a cocktail, but she didn’t, and I settled on something boring (brownie points though: they have diet coke on tap! Phenylalanine lovers rejoice!)

I was very satisfied after my Boatshed experience because I didn’t really have any major complaints. Sure, it wasn’t perfect, but there was enough of a balance between good and bad that everything evened out. For example: the waitress initially forgot to bring us water, but our meals were delivered to the right person and all roughly at the same time. Some meals might seem too basic, but flavours are fresh and complement each other well. I have a slight gripe with the prices. For a couple of extra dollars you can dine in a very high-class restaurant. The Boatshed, despite the prices, is strictly casual dining. Having said that, the servings are very generous, but it does sort of make you think.

It’s pretty difficult to find a decent place for dinner outside of the city that’s still kind of fun, but the Boatshed fits the bill. I find the atmosphere fairly appealing, although that’s coming from a twenty-something. There were a few young families dining, but remember that one has to exit and enter through the beer garden of the Regatta. And, like I mentioned before, the whole dining experience has a very casual feel. It does, however, make for a very relaxed atmosphere, and is handy if you want to pop next door for a few after-dinner drinks. Or to bust a dance move. Robot, anyone?

Regatta Boatshed

543 Corontation Drive (corner of Sylvan Road)
Toowong map

(07) 3871 9595

www.regattahotel.com.au

Open daily from noon for lunch/dinner
Boatshed

Category: BAR, RESTAURANT, WESTERN SUBURBS, WESTERN SUBURBS |
nick | 04/07/2009
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Salt Mini-review

Salt - Inside4pm does funny things to my brain. When the clock strikes 4, I suddenly start looking for sugar and caffeine. Coffee and cake, while some what lacking in masculinity, is a delicious way to silence those urges. So when I was hanging around in Milton the other week and the little hand was pointing between 3 and 5, it was a perfect excuse to check out Salt in Rosalie for an afternoon sugar hit.

Salt is tucked in between Sing’s Asian Kitchen and a hair salon on Nash St. It’s small but in a good way – think cosy atmosphere, lots of deep colours to give a very warm feel and the chairs encourage you to sit back, relax and lounge. A great place to spend a long afternoon with a bottle of wine.

It turns out that they aren’t really a coffee and cake hang out as they don’t have any cake. So we opted for coffee and desserts… in the middle of the afternoon. What? Dessert is an anytime food.

1 flat white ($4), a chocolate mud cake fantasy ($10.9) and a sticky date pudding ($10.9) later and here’s the outcome:

  • Mud cake was good. This was warm, soft, tasty and not over the top sweet. Served with cream, choc syrup and ice cream it managed to shut my companion up for a good 10mins. Quite an achievement.
  • Sticky date pudding was disappointing; the pudding was dry and chewy. Once you dipped into it instead breaking with the spoon the pudding stayed firm and squashed itself into the cup.
  • Coffee was very good.

Service was fine and if you’re like Ally, you’ll be pleased to know that Salt uses real cloth napkins. I’m looking for an excuse to get back to Salt and put their full menu to the test (they’re open from breakfast – dinner) as you really can’t draw a conclusion on a couple of desserts, but on the atmosphere and design along, I’d say Salt is worth checking out. Just go with the mud cake.
Mud Cake

Sticky Date Pudding

Salt
food wine coffee

5 Nash St
Rosalie map

07 3367 0775

Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner
Salt Food Wine Coffee

Category: DESSERT, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |
ally | 01/07/2009
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2009 Fine Wine Festival Masterclass Round-Up

Tipsy Treats
I am by no means a ‘Cadbury’ (glass and a half of grog and you’re done for the night). Nor am I a hard-ass who has a casual shot of whiskey with the morning paper. However, last Saturday, I found myself feeling very giggly at three in the afternoon. I blame the Brisbane Wine Festival’s delicious wines. I blame Martin Duncan, Freestyle Tout creator/owner. I blame the intoxicating pairing of sweet Rieslings and Ports with chocolate, tarts, and custard. I mean, seriously – what do you expect me to do when you pour sugar and alcohol down my throat? A quiet recital of Act II of Hamlet? No, I am going to get a little bit tipsy, and I am going to learn a thing or two about wine, damnit.

I was at the ‘Stickies and Dessert Wines’ Masterclass, one of a series of classes with food and wine matches that ran in conjunction with the Festival. For $25 we were served eight wines from a variety of winemakers, and five teeny tiny desserts from Freestyle Tout.

Sweet wines are all quite different; think of them as a bevy of young beauties, all with their own quirks and differences. I am by no means a wine aficionado; the main reason I took the Masterclass was to broaden my very limited education. I’ve tried to focus just on my personal tastes, but if I’m incorrect in any technicalities, feel free to pull me up.

1. The Blondes
My favourite, hands down, was the 2008 Allandale ‘Anna’ Semillon Sauvignon Blanc. It’s similar to Ice Wine, a style popular in colder climates like Canada. Malcolm Stopp, of Peter Lehmann Wines recommended this one with a fruity dish, but I tried it with the Passionfruit Tart and it was perfect; the peanut butter and jam sandwich of the wine world. It was the sweetest wine out of the blondes, but it also had the cleanest finish, with no sickly aftertaste. The smell of it was also fantastic; I stuck my nose right on in there and had a good ol’ whiff.

The 2007 Barambah Rack Dried Semillon was my second favourite. This cheeky girl was a ‘sticky’ wine, but wasn’t as sweet as the Allandale.

Peter Lehmann’s 2008 Botrytis Semillon was definitely the sweetest of the four light wines on offer.

The 2008 Spring Vale Sticky Gewurztraminer wasn’t as sweet as its sisters. It had a very fruity flavour, but had a clean finish that meant it wasn’t overpowering when paired with one of the desserts.

2. The Brunettes
Ah, the brownies. I’m a bit partial to these dark haired ravens. The wines aren’t too bad either. The N/V Pfeiffer Wines Classic Rutherglen was a perfect match to the richer desserts. While I enjoyed the heavier flavour of this Victorian muscat, the Topaque (formerly Tokay) version of this was by far my preferred drop. I tasted very strong honey flavours, and I found it to be the sweetest-tasting wine out of all eight offerings.

3. The Redheads
Pfeiffer described his 2005 Christopher’s Vintage Port as “more feminine and delicate” than the final wine sample, Peter Lehmann’s 1997 The King Vintage Port. It was certainly not nearly as heavy, which meant it could accompany a dessert and not be too overpowering. Pfeiffer agreed, saying “You can have a bit more…very quickly the bottles are empty.” The 1997 Port is 60% shiraz and 40% Touriga Nacional, but more importantly, it goes with chocolate.

“I love port and chocolate,” Martin Duncan declared. Amen, brother. Both ports paired very well with the chocolate desserts, although I preferred the 2005 with the fondant. The 1997 was the least sweet out of all the wines, perhaps because Peter Lehmann thinks wines that are “the rougher and dirtier, the better”.

4. The Accompaniments
The desserts had been carefully selected for their complementary properties to the wines, and I think the choices were perfect. I’ve reviewed Freestyle Tout in the past and, while some elements had gotten me down, I knew that they still churned out high-quality sweets and was looking forward to what they had to offer the Festival. The Chocolate Truffle was definitely my favourite, and had a dark chocolate shell encasing a slightly whipped centre. The Chocolate Fondant came a close second, and also had a slightly bitter taste. The Brulee with Raspberry was surprisingly good, as usually I’m not a fan of Brulee. My only complaint is that the shell was too thin-I wanted to crack the baby open, not easily dip into it with a spoon! I also loved the Passionfruit Curd Tart – the filling had a slight bite to it, and the shell tasted just like a shortbread cookie. Slightly disappointing was the Citrus Ricotta Cannelloni. The ‘ricotta’ tasted just like custard, and I didn’t taste any citrus flavours at all. The shell was also quite tasteless-perhaps a little on the stale side. Plus I was a bit confused – I thought it was cannoli, and cannelloni was the pasta version? Perplexing.

5. The Boring Bits
The organisation of the Masterclasses could have been improved. I was expecting something with a bit of structure – suggestions for which desserts to have with which wine, going through the wines in order, etc. Instead everyone seemed to dig in straight away, and then the winemakers casually took turns talking about their wines. I suppose I wanted a bit more of an educating experience, but perhaps the Masterclasses are aimed at people who already have a bit of wine knowledge under their belt.

I’m not sure if I’d take a Masterclass again, simply because I’d rather see the rest of the Festival instead. I think the $25 price tag was well worth it for eight generous mouthfuls of quality wine and a plateful of desserts from an upscale dessert venue. If you love sweets and can tell your stickies from your racks (sorry, I had to do it), this Masterclass would have been ideal for you.

Brisbane Fine Wine Festival

http://www.winefestival.com.au

Held 26-28 June, 2009

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
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