EatDrinkBrisbane

Archive for RESTAURANT

ally | 21/04/2010

Spotlight: Tognini’s Spring Hill Re-Opening

Man, I love a good deli. There’s something about a huge, viewable range of fresh produce, cheeses, meats, and antipasti that just excites me. Perhaps I was meant to be born an elegant, sexy gal from Perugia, and not a bumbling, is-that-really-another-food-stain-on-my-shirt chick from Canada.

Tognini’s has been somewhat of an institution for deli-lovers in Brisbane since the nineties. The other night I was lucky enough to attend a sneak preview of their re-vamped Spring Hill location. What was once a humble (albeit fantastic) deli has now grown to be a bit of a casual restaurant and bistro. Tognini’s Spring Hill will also now open their doors on Sundays, giving us yet another excuse to go out for a late Sunday breakfast (with brekkie dishes like French Toast with Chocolate Sauce ($12.50), and Parmesan Toast with Bacon and Spicy Tomato Salsa ($12.50), I don’t blame us).

The refurb has turned the deli into a very cool and sleek venue, with a centre counter that is reminiscent of a chic bar. In the centre of the bar is a charcuterie cabinet (don’t worry, I had to google it too), which holds a wonderful array of fresh meats that might tempt even the strictest vegetarian.

Mark and Narelle Tognini spoke with passion of their recent visit to Turin in Italy, and the restaurants, delis, and food they experienced that inspired them to transform Tognini’s Spring Hill into more of a bistro. “The kitchen will never close!” Mark declared, referencing the location’s new later opening hours for dinner. The licensed bistro will now stay open for dinner, offering such yummy dishes as Grilled Quail in Vine Leaf with Pistachio Sauce and Labne ($24.50), or Scallops with Oloroso Sherry, Asparagus and Migras ($16.50).

I sampled a few of their ‘sputini’, which are small, tapas-style dishes. The Polenta Chips with Sour Cream and Sea Salt ($8) were soft and fluffy with a crispy shell; while the Scallops with Smoked Pancetta ($14) were the clear favourite. Perfectly cooked, these little guys were perfectly contrasted with the saltiness of the slightly crisp pancetta.

I’ve been very cheeky and haven’t taken any pictures. You’ll just have to go see the new Tognini’s Spring Hill for yourself when it re-opens its doors tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ll keep trying to turn my ‘ehs’ into ‘sis’ – possibly with the help of a little dolce.

Tognini’s Spring Hill

Bistro Cafe Deli

Springhill Marketplace

Cnr Turbot & Boundary St
Spring Hill
(07) 3831 5300

www.togninis.com

Category: CAFE, CBD, CBD, CBD, RESTAURANT, SPOTLIGHT, TAKE-AWAY |

ally | 18/03/2010

No comments

Garuva

Garuva has long been known as a romantic, cosy, sort of ‘sexy’ spot. I always used to bug D to take me there. “It smells like hippies,” he would grunt, and then shove me in the direction of the nearest Eagle Boys.

I kid, I kid. He’s a Dominos man. Plus, he’s wrong – Garuva doesn’t smell like our barefooted friends at all. I found out because I went there recently – with my FRIENDS, not with my BOYFRIEND. Sure enough, when we were led through the darkened entrance way into the dining area, I was fuming. “It is romantic! It is sexy! Why have you not taken me there!” I squawked later at D.

Garuva is indeed perfect for couples, but it’s also fun in a group. It’s true novelty dining – each table is private, with a little curtain that is drawn around. The result is rows of little tents in a large room, and one little A-dawg getting quite lost as she wanders around.

So, the little tents are very cool. What isn’t so cool is the seating. Keeping in with the exotic, I’m-eating-on-the-banks-of-the-Nile approach, you sit on the floor on cushions. This would be great for two people. For seven incredibly rowdy people in their twenties, some with abnormally long legs? A little squishy. Make that, really bloody annoying. Larger spaces for larger groups would be fantastic at Garuva.

On to the cocktails – these are pictured in no particular order. My first cocktail was the After Dinner Drink (Kahlua, crème de methe, crème de cacoa blended with milk, cream, ice and portion of Aero peppermint bar, $16). My friend got a Garuva Martini (Chambord, cointreau and cranberry juice, $16). Both drinks were tasty, but – this is where I disgust myself – I was expecting mine to be a lot sweeter and richer tasting.
The favourite of the night was the Garuva Grabber (Mango liqueur and peach schnapps blended with milk, cream and mango pulp, $16). This again was not as creamy or rich as expected, although it was sweet with a fruity kick.

I had heard very good things about Garuva’s cocktails, and most of them were tasty, but I think they skimped on the ingredients a bit. Have you ever heard of a Pina Colada with no rum (Garuva’s is listed on the menu as having Malibu, coconut cream and pineapple juice)? Sorry, but Malibu does not really suffice. They were also very weak, which wasn’t surprising given that most of them didn’t have spirits in them, just liquers. The bar area, however, is awesome; dark and cosy, with an exotic Eastern feel.

The food menu is Asian-influenced, and offers simple dishes that are well priced. We started with Cob bread and Babaganoush (pictured above, $5). This was a bit disapointing – the bread was essentially ordinary bread rolls, and the Babaganoush did not have even a hint of an eggplant flavour. It tasted more like hummus.

Our mains came out and we were pleased with the generous sizes. I ordered the Singapore Vegetables (pictured above, wok steamed vegetables with oyster sauce and lemongrass, served with glass noodles, $23). No real complaints with this dish – the vegies were varied and flavourful.

Other dishes ordered around the table included the Chicken Karaage (Japanese style deep fried chicken accompanied with dipping sauce, $23), and Lamb Curry (Braised lamb shanks with spicy curry sauce, $23). Most of my friends’ dishes were really, really meaty – as in, just meat + rice (as pictured above). We had a chicken dish that I can’t remember the name of (bad blogger), which was tasty with very tender chicken, but the Lamb Curry was disapointing. The meat was very tough and over-cooked, and seemed to be a cheap cut. The Chicken Karaage got the thumbs up around the table, but the meal in its entirety would be a bit a bit sickly for most tastes – it was essentially fried chicken on a bed of rice, with a sweet sauce. (My peeps could handle it though. Arteries of steel.)

Service throughout the night was excellent – friendly and swift. While the meals at Garuva are very average, it’s definitely worth a visit just for the experience. It’s very cool, funky, exotic and unique – and YES, it is slightly ROMANTIC (D are you hearing me).

Garuva Hidden Tranquility
Restaurant & Bar

324 Wickham St
Fortitude Valley (note: the doorway is hard to find – keep your eye out)

(07) 3216 0124

www.garuva.com.au

Category: BAR, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |

ally | 09/02/2010

No comments

Iceworks Review

Ice Ice Baby

Recently some friends and I were chatting about names – in particular, unisex names. “Yeah, like Courtney,” said Stank. Cue giggles from D and me, and arguments from Stank that Courtney is, in fact, a manly man’s name.

Well, my point is that names can throw you off sometimes. Like Iceworks, at Milton. ‘Cool restaurant and bar’ does not exactly come to mind when you heard the word ‘Iceworks’, does it? And yes, I know it’s where the old iceworks used to be, hence the title.

GG and I ate in the restaurant, although there is a cheaper bar menu too. I really liked the menu at Iceworks, and had a hard time deciding what to get. A lot of the starters sounded delicious (like the Pumpkin Salad with feta, avocado, spinach, cashews, green olive relish and pomegranate dressing, $18), but GG told me they were small serves. And, of course, there would be the problem of too much food if I ordered a starter and a main. Just call me Goldilocks. I need a meal size to be juuuuust right.

Iceworks Pumpkin Pizza

In the end I went for the Roast pumpkin with confit onion, garlic, rosemary and pecorino cheese pizza ($17), and GG got the Lasagne of Braised Beef Cheeks with rocket and cherry tomato salad ($22). The little minx also got a Mojito ($15), which she proclaimed satisfactory.

I was a little more subdued and got a glass of the Innocent Bystanders Pinot Gris, from the Yarra Valley ($9). It was hard to pick something from the wine list, mainly because the whites were a little on the small side. There were about double the amount of reds on there. The good news is that the beer menu is quite impressive – I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Beer Lao on there. Iceworks is the only place outside of Asia I have ever seen Beer Lao. Amazing.

We got turkish bread ($10) to start. It was a generous serve of bread, and the large wedges were warmed and very tasty. It was, however, served with one dip. The tomato-based dip tasted a lot like spaghetti sauce sans meat. Weird. I would have loved a hommus or something like that.

My pizza was huge. The crust on it was perfect – thin, crispy, and chewy. It actually reminded me a bit of pita bread. It was great in that it didn’t weigh you down, even though it was so big (ok maybe I’m trying to justify eating so much of it). The toppings were simple but worked together well. I also loved the fact that it wasn’t drowning in cheese – really, just a small amount to hold everything together is all you need, unless you’re hungover. I felt the only thing missing was more herbs, or another sweet flavour to complement the pumpkin – fetta, or spanish onion perhaps.

Beef Cheek Lasagna

The lasagna had been baked in its own little dish. It was very tasty; the beef cheeks definitely added a new twist and bulked up the dish in my opinion. Just quietly – does ‘beef cheeks’ crack anybody else up? It sounds like the name of a Cow Porn mag.

The service was up and down on our visit. The timing was perfect, and dishes were brought out with an excellent space in between, but it took a loooong time for the bill to be collected. I also didn’t get asked if I wanted another drink, even though GG got a second one…small things I know but they make a difference.

Iceworks is probably one of those places you pass by a lot and make a mental note to go, but never actually do. It’s worth a visit: the pizzas are excellent value, the ambience is chic and comfortable, plus the location is handily at the crossroads of Milton, Paddington, and Petrie Terrace. I’ve gotten over the name thing and will probably return in the future.

And if your name is Courtney, and if you’re a dude, I apologise.

Iceworks
Restaurant and Bar
Corner of Given Tce and Dowse Street
Paddington, Brisbane

07 3367 9800

www.iceworks.com.au

Category: BAR, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |

ally | 01/02/2010

No comments

Spotlight: Vapiano Launch

I’ve now walked a red carpet twice in my life. The first time, it was worn, quite threadbare, and I’m pretty sure it was red because someone spilt goon on it.

My second red carpet experience was much nicer (and cleaner). Vapiano officially launched last week, and pulled out all the stops to celebrate their opening, fluffy red un-stained carpet to boot.

Fresh basil pots at Vapiano

Vapiano is tucked away in one of the new CBD laneways, Albert Lane. Spread over three levels, the decor is sleek and modern. There are two bars, heaps of seating, and little pots of fresh basil on all of the tables (cute!).

Vapiano Chicken Pizza

We were offered a selection of beer, wine, and champers, but GG and I went with the fruity bellinis. We also sampled one of Vapiano’s dishes – pizza! The Barbqeue Pollo (normally $19) was damn good. Chicken breast, barbeque sauce, onion, smoked cheese, and mozzarella are a winning combo, although the chicken was a little thin on this pizza. The crust was thin and soft, with enough crispiness to hold the toppings. I loved the smoked cheese – it matched perfectly with that whole barbeque theme and made you feel like you were right next to a hot pizza oven.

Across the table GG was chowing down (I lie, she was delicately nibbling) on the Con Carne pizza (normally $19) -
ham, pepperoni, salami, barbecue sauce, own tomato base, and mozzarella. The meat looked a little more generous on this one, and the overall pizza got the thumbs up from GG.

Other dishes at Vapiano include pastas, salad, and antipasto. Prizes are good, too; pizzas and pasta start from $13. It’s surprising, given the surrounds are very swish and have a relaxed upmarket feel.

It’d be an ideal place for groups, as they have a uniqe swipe card system, where each person swipes their own card as they order drinks and food, then presents their own card at the end to pay. The days of awkward bill splitting and cries of “but I didn’t eat any garlic bread, why should I pay the $2 for it?” are long over.

I’ll definitely go back to Vapiano. The pizza was some of the best I’ve had in Brisbane, and it’s excellent value. Now, on to my next red carpet: pass the shiraz, please?

Vapiano
Albert Lane, Brisbane CBD

(07) 3221 4933

www.vapiano.com.au

Category: CBD, CBD, RESTAURANT, SPOTLIGHT, TAKE-AWAY |

ally | 18/01/2010

11 comments

Jellyfish Review

It’s been really hot lately, hasn’t it? Everyday activities become a lot harder. Things get sweaty. Well, you know what? Suck it up. We live in Brisbane. What did you expect? A summer that was different to all the other summers you’ve experienced here? There’s really only one thing to do on a stinking hot Brisbane summer day: leave work early and eat seafood by the river.

I decided to do that recently (except work actually gave me the afternoon off. I’m no rebel) and went to meet Papa Bear for lunch at Jellyfish, John Kilroy’s riverside restaurant in Brisbane’s CBD. I was immediately drawn to Jellyfish’s setup: reminiscent of a chic coastal eatery at Noosa, the restaurant is open and airy, with many of the tables outside. Of course, the front-and-center view of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge is quite the draw card too.

I experienced excellent service from the moment I walked in. While waiting for the table the bartender asked if I’d like a cocktail, the name of which I forget but it sounded incredibly refreshing. At midday? Goodness no. I’ll take a very large glass of wine, thank you. The wine list is huge, carrying varieties by the glass and bottle from Australia and beyond. The beer list is also pretty good, and is priced from a very reasonable $5.

And so I waited in the very nice bar area, sipping my delicious Riesling (2008 Henschke ‘Julius’, $12 per glass), feeling the sweat trickling down my back. Possibly my only complaint about Jellyfish: please air condition the bar area.

Jellyfish Barramundi

We were seated and the very friendly waitress described how Jellyfish worked. You could order off a regular menu, which featured dishes such as Tempura Soft Shell Mud Crab ($25) and Crispy Skin Duck ($38), or you could order off their fish menu. The fish is fresh daily, and therefore the offerings can vary. I asked the waitress to describe the Escolar ($29), and without missing a beat she gave a very detailed description of the taste and texture. She won over Papa Bear, who ordered it alongside a Vine Tomato, Caper, Anchovies, Caper, Olive, and Crouton Salad ($6). I went for the Barramundi ($29), and a side of Chilled Green Beans and Pistachio Pesto ($6).

Jellyfish suggest cooking methods and sauces to accompany each fish, but you’re free to mix and match as you choose. A Chermoula Emulsion* came with the grilled Escolar, and a Lemon & Shallot sauce accompanied my Barramundi. I elected to have mine grilled rather than oven baked. Other cooking methods included seared, garlic battered, and crispy fried (oh go on you nasty people. Get the crispy fried!)

A bit on the side

The presentation of the dishes was clean and simple, and the sauces came in little dishes on the side. I really liked this, as getting a piece of fish or meat that’s drowned in sauce can be really frustrating. Maybe I want to dip my fish and just get a bit of the sauce? Maybe I want to douse that baby in rich buttery liquid? Whatever. I should have the choice, and Jellyfish gave it to me.

The Barramundi was superb. I’m not really a ‘fishy fish’ type of girl, as weird as that sounds-I don’t like fish with strong flavours, apart from salmon. But this was fantastic. It was cooked perfectly, and had a light and buttery taste. The accompanying Lemon & Shallot sauce went with it really well, and didn’t overpower the fish. I happily started munching away on the curl of fried skin on top, thinking it was some sort of wafer (hey, I never said I was a food connoisseur). “This is great,” I said, “What is it? A cracker or something?”

“That’s the skin,” Papa Bear told me. I abruptly put it down. Could I still eat it? Was it just a garnish? He assured me it was fine to eat, so I happily picked it up and resumed skin munching. Note to self: deep fried fish skin tastes awesome.

Papa Bear’s Escolar was also really tasty. It had a richer flavour, and had a texture similar to seared sashimi. The Chermoula Emulsion was a bit too rich for my taste, but it paired well with the fish. The sides were fresh and were the perfect lunch partner for such a hot day.

Grown Up Fairy Floss

Clearly, eating deep fried fish skin wasn’t enough of an indulgence, as I decided to order dessert too. The White Chocolate & Violet Parfait with Persian Fairy Floss and Raspberry ($16) was drop dead gorgeous. I mean, really, you could put Persian Fairy Floss on your cat’s turd and it would look fetching, but this dessert tasted as good as it looked. The Parfait tasted very much like cake, and had a rich and creamy texture. When you put a bit of the Parfait and a bit of the Fairy Floss together on the fork, magical things happened. The Fairy Floss sort of melted away and then you were hit with the Parfait. If that’s not beautiful poetry, I don’t know what is.

I loved basically everything about my visit to Jellyfish. Even the bathrooms are amazing. Each stall has its own sink! (I’m a bit of a George Costanza, I like a good bathroom). We were served by about three people all up and every single one was polite, friendly, professional, and clearly very good at their job.

So people, the next time the mercury rises (most likely tomorrow), stop whinging about how hot it is, and go chill out. Get some seafood. Get a cold beer. Get to Jellyfish.

Jellyfish
Restaurant

Boardwalk Level, Riverside Centre
123 Eagle St, Brisbane Queensland

07 3220 2202

http://www.jellyfishrestaurant.com.au

* Chermoula is a marinade used in Algerian, Moroccan and Tunisian cooking. It usually has strong flavours of garlic and coriander.

Category: CBD, RESTAURANT |

ally | 17/01/2010

No comments

Gazebo Review

Urban Hotel - home of the Gazebo Restaurant

I’m a creature of habit when it comes to food. At 10.30am, nearly every day, I can be found in front of my computer eating two fresh dates and sipping instant coffee. I always eat my soft lollies before my chocolate ones. And you’ve read before about my liking for ordering the same breakfast.

It was a welcome relief recently to be able to try somewhere new that I might not have thought of otherwise. D and I were the lucky guests of the Gazebo Resturant, in the Urban Hotel in Spring Hill. I hadn’t heard of it before, which was unfortunate, as the hotel restaurant is a lovely spot. There’s seating inside, a chic bar area, and a large outdoor area. The outdoor area has a great relaxed feel-like you’re sitting on a friend’s patio, except the napkins are nicer (cloth!!!) and no one is passed out in the corner.

We had imbibed a bit too much that night before at The Continental Cafe, so just went with Diet Cokes. I know, we are hardcore. The wine list, though, is huge, and I was pleased to see a variety of beers like Little Creatures.

The menu is small, but there’s a range of dishes that would suit most tastes. Gaezbo also specify which dishes are gluten-free, which is heaven for the wheat intolerant among us. I went with the Pork Medallion with Braised Red Cabbage, Fig Compote & Port Reduction ($30). D puffed up his chest and ordered the very manly-sounding Heritage MSA Beef Fillet with a Sichuan Crust, Red Claw Yabbies, Roasted Royal Blue Potato and Salsa Verde ($40). We also did the nasty and ordered a side of Beer Battered Chips with Chilli Jam & Lime Aioli ($8).

The waiter who was serving us was truly fantastic. He was genuinely friendly, professional, and quietly attentive. It also says a lot that he only found out about halfway through the meal that I would be reviewing the restaurant, so his service definitely wasn’t biased or fake.

Fancy a Pork?

I’m not really a pork girl, but this pork was fantastic. Two very large pieces sat atop a bed of warm cabbage, with the relish on top. I loved this fruity relish-it was sweet but not overpowering, and paired wondefrfully with the pork. I suspect it would go with any pig product, or perhaps with any spoon or finger/digging implement.

I liked the cabbage salad too, but felt it was missing a little something. The pork, salsa, and salad went well together, but they needed something to tie it all together. I think the dish would benefit with another vegetable, or another flavour to the plate; without this, the cabbage sort of let the dish down with its blandness.

Beef 'n' Bug

D’s plate was impressive, with a yabby (yabby? yabbie? Help me out here people) proudly guarding a fillet of beef. The dish was tasty, D’s only complaint? The beef was slightly overcooked, and the yabby was too damn hard to eat. We need finger bowls and a hammer, people. Nevertheless, it was a tasty dish, with generous servings of perfectly crisp beans and creamy potato.

Best chips ever!

Now. Can we talk about the chips? These were just perfect. They were chunky, with a crispy beer battered shell, and just the right amount of grease. The lime aioli was delicious, and, as we discovered, even better with the chilli jam mixed in. We scoffed these bad boys down.

Needless to say, after large mains and a bucket of fries, we were stuffed. The desserts were crazily cheap ($8 each!?), but I just couldn’t fit it in. So, there we go: I broke a second habit that night. I didn’t have dessert. Gazebo, you and your chips have done something to me.

Gazebo Restaurant

Ground Floor

Hotel Urban, 345 Wickham Terrace, Brisbane

(07) 3831 6177

http://brisbane.hotelurban.com.au/restaurantbar

Thanks to Hotel Urban and the Gazebo Restaurant

Category: CBD, RESTAURANT |

ally | 15/12/2009

No comments

Siam Samrarn Review

Hey y’all. I have given myself a little Christmas present and have taken a few days off. I love being chained to my computer as much as the next nerd, but it’s good to mix it up. Here’s Derek, who’s giving a special guest review about Thai food, AKA a commonly found food crumb in my keyboard. Enjoy!

Maeve O’Meara, the host of the wildly popular Food Safari show on SBS, once commented during the Thai episode that green curry is almost Australia’s national dish. What, you say? Thai food has an equal if not better claim then Sunday roast, Fish & Chips, Pavlova, Vegemite and even the good old Aussie Meat Pie? But look around you. Every suburb has at least one or two Thai restaurants and takeaways these days. Many self-respecting pubs, bars or Mod Oz dining joints in town feature at least one Thai-inspired dish on their menu, be it a curry, beef salad or Pad Thai noodles. And most of us are cooking something Thai at home on a rather frequent basis, thanks to the variety of options available to us in the form of pre-prepared Thai spice pastes and ingredients from the supermarkets.

There is a problem, of course. Even as the popularity of Thai food in Australia soared over the past two decades, and as Thai cuisine establishes its reputation as a world class cuisine here thanks to the likes of David Thompson and Martin Boetz of Longrain, it is also very easy to end up with bad Thai chow. Generic suburban Thai restaurants of indifferent quality are already beginning to replace their Chinese counterparts from previous generations. Sure, the Thai takeaway food from around the corner from you could be tasty, and perhaps it’s not a big deal if it doesn’t taste exactly like what one might actually get on the streets of Thailand. But what does it say about Brisbane’s food scene?

To say that Siam Samrarn is not only a breath of fresh air, but also the total package as far as Thai restaurants in Brisbane go is an understatement. First off, the restaurant’s décor shows the benefit of being in the same premises previously occupied by two swanky dining joints. I had dined with both of its former tenants before, so with the exception of a few furnishing touches here and there, Siam Samrarn is just as good looking as its predecessors but with the prices of a typical mid-range suburban restaurant.

The service, considering the type of venue it is, could not have been better. The waitstaff were all friendly, efficient, and genuinely interested in taking your orders, tending to your table needs, or making any recommendations when the need arises. We wanted to try a whole fish as one of our mains, but we couldn’t decide on how to have it cooked, or what sauce to serve it with. The Thai girl waiting on our table was grinning from ear to ear as she began to describe to us the dish she recommended: sour fish curry. She was passionate about the restaurant’s food and she knew exactly what she was talking about. A major plus in my book.

True Thai food aims to straddle between the taste sensations of sweet (i.e. palm sugar), savoury (i.e. fish sauce), spicy (that is, the bite of chilli heat beloved by many Thais), sour (i.e. tamarinds and limes) and sometimes even a hint of bitterness (i.e. certain herbs and roots), to produce a heady mix of sensual delight…a true feast for all the senses. The food here is authentic, not weighed down with copious amounts of coconut milk and sugar like so many of its competitors in town (definitely a plus for the waistline) so you can actually taste the more delicate herbal notes in some of the food, and the flavours are clean and quite well-balanced. Okay, except for the chilli heat which I prefer to have more of in my Thai food, but it is a matter of personal taste anyway.

The sour fish curry was delightful. It was a massive deep fried fish topped with tamarind-soured curry sauce (at its most basic, a blend of garlic, chillies, eschallots and fingerroot, also known as “lesser galangal” and an ingredient that is not readily available here in Brisbane) and vegetables. A gentle tart flavour enveloped the rich sweetness of pounded garlic and eschallots, with a hint of chilli heat and the piquant flavour of the exotic root in question, paired with the crunchy outer layer that contrasted beautifully with the juicy fish flesh hidden underneath. No hint of greasiness or old frying oil, and for $19.90 each (big enough for two), an absolute bargain! The veggies also came in generous portions, so I didn’t need to order a separate dish of greens just to satiate my veggie quota of the night.

But just to make sure we had enough to eat (and variety to sample), we also ordered one of their Meal-on-Rice menu specials (for only $11.90, $13.90 for seafood), which included an option from a variety of curries, stews, stir fries and even Thai omelettes served on rice. I have eaten at Siam Samrarn before this visit, but it was always either for lunch or a quick meal late at night (we walked in at 9 PM on a Wednesday night and they still had a sizeable dinner crowd). Previously I tried the green curry, which had a nice consistency without being watery or thick as sludge, and is a great example of how an authentic Thai curry should taste like. The pork leg stew had a deliciously gelatinous quality, bursting with subtle sweet and tangy flavours. The Thai omelette with minced meat is a fluffy delight you don’t usually see on a Thai takeaway menu, and is something different that is definitely worth trying for sure.

This time, we went for the beef massaman curry, which came as hunks of stewed brisket simmered in the curry sauce: richly fragrant, meltingly tender, and again beautifully balanced flavours. The curry was rich, sweet, savoury, and spicy without venturing into superlative extremes that could prove to be unpleasant to the palate, and it had the gutsy meatiness that comes from stewing a tough but flavoursome cut of meat.

An extra bowl of rice and two cups of Thai iced milk tea (addictive tonics they are, especially during this summer heat. You have been warned!) rounded up our meal of fish and curry, and the total bill came down to a very reasonable $40. Perhaps the Thai food scene in Brisbane doesn’t measure up to that of Sydney or even Melbourne, but there are a few worthy contenders in this town. Siam Samrarn, in my opinion, is easily one of them. I guess the two separate groups of Thai expats and students sitting a few tables away from me would agree with me too. If you’re looking for a well-priced restaurant with gorgeous surrounds and capable staff serving quality food that is authentically Thai, what are you waiting for?

-Derek C

Siam Samrarn

1/79 Boundary St

West End

(07) 3844 9091

http://www.siamsamrarn.com.au/

Image courtesy of the Siam Samrarn website

Category: INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT, TAKE-AWAY |

ally | 10/12/2009

No comments

Siana Review

So, I have a bit of a burping problem. Shocking, I know. But let me tell you: I can let out some amazing belches. They are whoppers. My brother taught me how, and now I beat even him when we have a burp-off (and before you ask, we’re both in our twenties). I admit there are times when my ~~gift~~ digusting habit is a negative: like when I’m all dolled up, make up nicely done, outfit carefully selected, and then….buurrrrrp. I just ruin it.

It’s a similar case with Siana’s website. Go to it. Turn the volume up. Looks like a nice website, right? Nice colours, very chic. Wait for it…
“Everybody’s talkin’ ’bout Sianaaaaa”. There’s the burp. Oh God. Seriously? Seriously, Siana? Take it off. They’ve got a very nice-looking website that’s easy to navigate, then they go and crap all over it with that ridiculous background song.

Luckily, Siana in person does not embarass itself. There is no awkward tune to spoil the night. The food isn’t ugly. The waitresses aren’t mean. In fact, on a recent dinner date at the riverside restaurant/bar, the only thing that worried us was where to go for dessert after (Gelatissimo. Of course).

Neighbourly dining

Siana has a bit of a ‘communal’ dining style that might seem off putting at first. Two very long tables in the dining area mean that you will probably be sitting next to, or across from, a stranger or two. However, this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. The tables are big, so there’s a bit of a buffer zone. Plus, the ambiance at Siana is so gorgeous that you can’t help but overlook the seating arrangements. The location is unbeatable-right on the river, with a view of the Story Bridge. There’s Asian design influences inside, and lots of funky lighting and a fun atmosphere.

Sashimi Platter

The menu is ideal in that it combines several Asian cuisines. This is genius! Indian, Japanese, Thai, and Chinese are all on the one menu. There’s dishes like Pad Thai and Fried Rice, Dim Sum like Gyoza and Pork Buns, Sushi, Tandoori dishes, and curries. A great option are the platters (from $30pp) which come with all sorts of goodies for tasting and sharing. On a previous visit we’d tried the Gold Platter ($35) and loved it-it had sushi rolls, rice paper rolls, little balls of popcorn seafood, dumplings, and some of the best naan I’ve ever had.

We mixed it up a bit on this visit and ordered our own dishes. I went for the Sashimi Plate (12 pecs for $20) and the Asian Greens ($8), which were stir-fried in ginger, garlic, and sesame oil. D went for the Tandoori Salmon ($28), which came with naan bread.

Asian Greens

Tandoori Salmon

The twelve very generous portions of sashimi was delicious and excellent value for money. I felt like a Grizzly Bear who had just been dipping its fat paw in the waters of Alaska, the salmon was that fresh. There was also white tuna, which didn’t have a very distinct flavour-is this normal, sashimi lovers? I am a little new to tuna sashimi, so I wasn’t sure, but it was tasty all the same and seemed very fresh.

My Asian Greens were so simple, yet it was one of the best dishes I’d had in a long time. The flavours in the sauce were tangy and light, and the vegies were cooked to perfection. This, coupled with the sashimi, was probably the healthiest meal I had ever had out.

D’s Tandoori Salmon was also pretty good. The thick slab of salmon went perfectly with the accompanying yoghurt sauce, and the plain naan was there to soak up all the dregs. We’d never had Tandoori salmon before, and noted that the spices took away a lot of that distinct salmon flavour. If you were scoffing it down quickly, you could have mistaken it for a different meat.

We didn’t get any alcoholic drinks but their cocktail (from $17) list is impressive with some tasty-sounding choices. Beer is reasonably priced from $6, and the dessert menu carries the platter theme too; for $16 per person you can enjoy the Dessert Platter, which includes such delights as the Half Baked Chocolate Cake.

Don’t judge a website by its god-awful theme music. Ignore the kitsch, go to Siana, and save the belching for when you get home. Or for in the car, in your partner’s ear. Your choice.

Stairway to Sushi!

Siana Bar and Restaurant
Upper Plaza Level
Riparian Plaza
71 Eagle Street Brisbane

07 3221 3887

www.siana.com.au

Category: BAR, CBD, CBD, RESTAURANT |

ally | 16/11/2009

No comments

Tipple: Jazz Bar

Drink your Dessert

I’m starting to get into the cocktails lately. Don’t ask me why-it’s not like I can afford $20 drinks. When I’m standing at the bar, and I’m presented with a list of delicious concoctions, my mind seems to convince me otherwise.

Such was the case recently at the Jaz Bar, in Toowong. This restaurant/jazz bar specialises in Stonegrill dining, and the dinner and lunch menu is well worth a look. But really, you’d be crazy to side step the cocktails: Jazacino with coffee, Baileys, Tia Maria, milk, and honey. Their menu also included other classics like a Pina Colada and Long Island Ice Tea, and they also offer Virgin Cocktails. It may seem like an odd-looking restaurant from the outside, as it’s positioned over a Woolworths carpark. But don’t let that put you off-inside is quite pleasant and spacious, with a large bar area, a deck, and a jazz musician playing away.

We started with a Lychee Sundae (Lychee Liquer, Baileys, Midori, lychees, and cream), and a Watermelon Kiss (Chambord, Mango Liquer, Lychee Liquer, muddled watermelon, and pineapple juiec). They were both $16, which is really quite reasonable.

The Watermelon Kiss was very refreshing and fruity, and didn’t have a strong alcohol flavour. It sort of was like what would happen if you were a kid with a slushie, and you ‘accidently’ broke intlo your parents’ liquor cabinet with a paper clip and a safety pin. Not that I’ve ever done anything remotely like that.

The Lychee Sundae absolutely trumped the Kiss. It was amazing. It had the consistency of mushed up ice cream, and had a fantastic creamy and tangy flavour. I threw caution to the calorie wind and we ordered more.

This time, my pal got the Lychee Sundae (she had cocktail envy; plus, it’s that damn good), and I went with the Toblerone. It had a very strong chocolate and hazelnut flavour, which was a bit confusing; since when does a Toblerone have hazelnut in it? Have I been eating the wrong pyramid-shaped chocolate all this time? It didn’t bother me too much though, because again, it tasted awesome.

It’s drinks like these that you truly savour, and not knock back like you’re a 16 year old on a Vodka Cruiser. The barman definitely knew what he was doing with a cocktail, which is actually something hard to find in a lot of bars.

Cocktails are the new dessert, people. Take note.

Jaz Restaurant & Wine Bar

80 Jephson St
Toowong

(07) 3870 1111

www.jazbar.com.au

Category: BAR, RESTAURANT, WESTERN SUBURBS, WESTERN SUBURBS |

ally | 06/11/2009

No comments

A Night in India Review

A Night in Deliciousness

I believe what take out food your family ate frequently defined you as a child. It cements in you habits, tastes, and preferences. It carries you through primary school weekend treats, high school study breaks, and drunken late night cravings well into your twenties.

We were a Chinese and Thai family. Granted, we didn’t get take out often, but when we did it was usually honey sesame chicken, beef in black bean, and fried rice. I blame this for the fact that I had my first Indian meal at age 19. It’s not my fault-I wasn’t raised in that sort of household, okay?

So, lately I’ve been trying to leave behind the shackles of my childhood and get my Indian on. Recently I did this at A Night in India, in Toowong. I’ve heard people rave about it for ages, so figured it was time to flex my Indian muscle a bit more.

The decor of A Night in India is quite lovely; it’s decorated with Indian furtniture and art, but it is by no means tacky and has a warm ambiance. There’s lots of seating inside, and a few tables outside. We decided to sit outside, and while the view of High St isn’t exactly appealing, the seats were comfortable and it was actually quite pleasant.

We enjoyed some free crispy, grilled pappadams with our BYO wine ($1 corkage). The menu is fairly standard for an Indian place, but they clearly state a few points that aren’t found everywhere: all food is free from added preservatives, thickeners, gluten, and MSG; everything is cooked in cholesterol-free vegetable oil; all curries are low fat; and vegan meals are available on request.

We started with a Kashmiri Naan ($5)-a naan stuffed with dried fruit and coconut. This naan was entree, main, and dessert rolled into one. We split it, and half of the large portion was a perfect size(entree-check). It was filled with dried dates, raisins, coconut, and nuts, so it was quite substantial (main-check). It had a sweet flaky pastry, and coupled with the sweet fruits inside, it was like a sweet, over-stuffed pancake (dessert-check). Naan-alicious.

There’s a hotness scale of 1-7 on curries, ranging from mild/sweet, through to the big mama, and I quote: ‘Super HOT (ACTION!)’. Seriously, how good is that name?

I’ll just make one thing clear: I am a pussy when it comes to chilli. Judge me, I don’t care. Would you like a kleenex to wipe your tearing eyes and the boogies coming out of your nose? Yeah. Sometimes mild is good. With that said, I ordered mild/sweet for my main dish of Mango Vegetables ($15). My pal also ordered mild/sweet for her Chicken Korma ($17), so I had a partner in wimpness.

The dishes were both fantastic. They came with plenty of basmati rice, although I would have happily drunk the leftover sauce in mine like it was water. Big chunks of perfectly-cooked vegetables were covered in a light mango sauce that had a very delicate flavour.
There was a hint of fruitiness, but it didn’t scream mango: this was good, as I think mango sauce on vegies could be a bit sickly and overpowering.

The Chicken Korma had very tender chicken pieces, along with a creamy sauce that tasted like tomato, coconut, and peanut, all at the same time. We happily chowed down, only stopping to grunt words of appreciation.

A Night in India also offers Banquet options from $30. Judging from the large serves and good quality of our dishes, the banquet would be well worth the money.

The service here was also fantastic. Everyone was extremely polite, warm, and very welcoming. They do take-away too, so parents: have a think about how you want your children to be raised. Do you want them to live a sheltered life, never knowing the beauty of a fresh naan or a creamy Korma? Or do you want to raise them right?

You know what you need to do. The phone number is below.

A Night in India
Restaurant & Take Away

58 High St
Toowong

(also at Carindale)

07 3217 7955

http://www.anightinindia.com.au/

Open 7 nights for dinner
Open Wednesday-Friday for lunch

Category: RESTAURANT, TAKE-AWAY, WESTERN SUBURBS, WESTERN SUBURBS |

« Older Entries Recent Entries »

Archive for RESTAURANT

Spotlight: Tognini’s Spring Hill Re-Opening

Garuva

Iceworks Review

Spotlight: Vapiano Launch

Jellyfish Review

Gazebo Review

Siam Samrarn Review

Siana Review

Tipple: Jazz Bar

A Night in India Review

EatDrinkBrisbane

Feed Me!

What are you looking for?