Archive for SPOTLIGHT

ally | 21/04/2010
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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 | 02/03/2010
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Ripple Chocolate Massage Review

Ripple Chocolate? Lotion

I know, I know. A massage is not edible. It is not a place to visit, a dish to eat, or a bar to sit in. This massage, however, was a chocolate massage – see, definite food involvement. And besides, this is my blog and I can write whatever I damn well please. So there.

When the kind folks at Ripple offered me a chance to try their popular chocolate massage, I jumped at the chance. Chocolate, lying down, and being rubbed (um?) – what more could you want?

I admit I was a little nervous about my massage after reading the description on Ripple’s website: “Full body aromatherapy massage with warmed chocolate“. Like, actual chocolate? All over my body, not in my mouth/digestive system? “They could make fondue out of you,” said my housemate. Images of little bite sized pieces of Ally, alongside marshmallows, strawberries, and dipping implements sprung to mind. But you know, I’m open minded, so I went with it. Plus, I’d get a “gift of chocolates”. Woo!

The lovely Rae showed up at my house with perfect punctuality, and immediately set me up with a minty-scented foot soak. That’s the beauty of Ripple – they’re a mobile massage service, so you can happily slop around in your pjs until your masseuse arrives.

After the foot soak, I lay down and Rae got to work. I was exfoliated from top to toe with a lucious, thick, chunky and grainy scrub. I had no idea that being cleaned could feel so good.

After Rae managed to somehow rinse off the scrub without splashing water anywhere/messing up the carpet (the mind boggles), she massaged me with an oil that warmed as time passed. At one point, when she was working on my feet, I had the weirdest sensation – I think it’s called relaxation? My body felt like it was asleep, yet my mind was still awake and aware. Bizarre, but lovely. A green clay and cucumber face mask finished things off, along with a gentle head massage. Nearly two hours later I struggled up from the table, moving like a zombie and feeling at one with the world.

Now, while this massage was absolutely brilliant, I was utterly confused by one thing: where was the chocolate? Granted, this phrase often runs through my head, but in this case, I was disappointed with the answer. There was no chocolate melted on my body. There was no chocolate-scented scrub, oil, lotion, anything. Even the lotion I received at the end to keep, which was named ‘Chocolate Lotion’ did not smell in the slightest like chocolate. Plus I got no chocolates to eat, although it was nice getting some lotion (which, by the way, they make themselves -very cool).

Maybe there was a mis-communication. Maybe my sense of smell is totally off. But if you do plan to book the chocolate massage, maybe clarify first what it is you’re getting. But I’m so relaxed from what i did get, that I’m feeling pretty breezy about it.

Updated: Ripple assures me that it is actual chocolate lotion, but it’s ‘cut’ with oil, hence the reason liquid Cadbury wasn’t poured all over me. I’d like to clarify that it was purely my own impression from the website that it would literally be chocolate. Ripple have now updated their website so that idiots like me don’t get confused. Most important thing: I will also be receiving my chocolates in the mail.

Ripple Massage
Mobile Massage/Beauty Service

0438 567 906
http://www.ripplemassage.com.au/index.html

Chocolate Massages from $180

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 08/02/2010
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Quick Bites: Valentines Day 2010 Special

Ah, V-Day: you either love it, or you go around scowling and talking about corporate agendas and advertising scams. I’ve had some shockers in my time, even when I wasn’t single. One year I didn’t go out or do anything for it, received no present, and had to pay my (now ex) boyfriend’s towing fee because his car broke down and he had no money. Awesome.

But enough about me and my reckless young love life. Valentines Day is a great excuse to go out and eat some good food. Grab your friends, your homeslice, or your mum and embrace commercial holidays at their best.

1. Play hide’n'seek at Garuva. Okay, you probably should stay in your allocated room and not run rampant in a restaurant, but you’ll have fun at Garuva none the less. It’s very private, with each table curtained off in its own little world. Other romantic restaurants include Montrachet in Paddington, Ceylon Inn in Rosalie and Toowong, and Libertine at the Barracks.

2. Paddle in the moonlight with the Riverlife Adventure Centre. Look, kayaks scare me. There was an incident. I was 12. It was at Tallebudgera Camp School. I don’t want to talk about it. If you’ve got more balls than I, try the Paddle & Dine package. It’s a romantic 90 minute moonlit kayak, plus canapes, dessert, and sparkling wine at a riverside venue. Tickets are $89, and it starts from 7pm at Kangaroo Point. Check out www.riverlife.com.au 

3. Fully embrace the dangers of gas at a four course degustation. How comfortable are you with your lady or lad? Can you imbibe a large amount of rich food and alcohol, and sit there uncomfortably holding your butt cheeks together? Did I just go too far? Check out the Clovely Estate City Cellar Door (Red Hill) degustation with matching wines for $95. The music continue on the way home – you get a take home pack of cheese and chocolates. Toot along to www.clovely.com.au 

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to wish my homeslice a Happy Valentines Day for this weekend, because he is the shiz. And because I like to make my readers vomit.

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 01/02/2010
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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

Vapiano on Urbanspoon

Category: CBD, CBD, RESTAURANT, SPOTLIGHT, TAKE-AWAY |
ally | 25/01/2010
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Quick Bites Special: Australia Day 2010

My God I love Australia Day. A day where you can run around in ruggers, drink VB, and wear multi-coloured Zinc on your face without judgement is okay with me. Personally, I prefer to crash a friend’s/lover’s/random’s BBQ on the day, but if you’d like to venture out and celebrate with strangers here are a few things that are on:

1. Check out one of the biggest backyard BBQs at the Doomben Racecourse, in Ascot. The track will be home to a massive backyard BBQ on January 26, with $2 snags, $2 lamingtons, and $2 soft drinks. If that doesn’t grab you, check this out: Lincoln Lewis will be there. As in, son of Wally. As in, spunk from Home & Away. There will also be massive competitions, entertainment, and kids activities. For more information visit http://www.brc.com.au

2. Grab a beer and some free beef at the Lord Stanley Hotel. This East Brisbane pub is putting on a free BBQ between 3-5pm. The only catch? It’s only available with drinks purchase. Um, damn. For more information email lordstanley@ourhotels.com.au

3. Listen to the Hottest 100 in style at the Greystone Bar & Cellar. This funky Southbank bar will be playing the Triple J 2009 countdown live, plus they have a pretty tasty meny too. 7/166 Grey St, Southbank.

4. Grab a gourmet snag at Limes. This rooftop bar in the Valley will be hosting an all-day BBQ, plus playing the Hottest 100 and offering buckets of icy Coronas and Pure Blondes (where’s the XXXX and the VB though, Limes?) Visit www.limeshotel.com.au for more information.

5. Celebrate in an Aussie-named venue at the Melbourne Hotel. This West End venue are also jumping on the gourmet BBQ and buckets of icy beer bandwagon, and I love them for it. Email Penelope@themelbournehotel.com.au for more information.

An important part of Australia Day is acknowledging the fact that it’s the day the many subsequent problems with indigenous peoples started. While you enjoy your snag and dirty beer, please remember the true original Australians of this country. Getting off soapbox now.

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 11/11/2009
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2009 Good Food & Wine Show Round-up

Mind Your Manners
I’m the youngest child. While being the youngest rocks (your parents are sort of over it by the time they get to you and let you run wild), it also means you have to learn to fight for things. Meal times, snack times, birthday cake-you’re the smallest, so you have to get in there and get dirty. Youngest children of the world unite: fight for your food.

There must have been a hell of a lot of people who were the youngest in their family at the Good Food & Wine Show on the weekend. I have never seen so many incredibly greedy, rude, and pushy people scrambling to get samples.

Now, you know I love my samples. They’re great. They’re free food. But I also love my manners. I see a sample, I wait patiently until there’s room at the table. I inch in slowly, careful not to jostle any fellow sample patrons. If the proprietor of the stall is talking to a potential customer, I don’t interrupt. I wait until they are free, I catch their eye, and I say “may I try the triple chocolate fudge explosion, please.” I taste it, look at their other products, and note their name should I wish to purchase the product.

What I DON’T do, is shove my fat ass in front of everyone, mindlessly grab at whatever food is on offer, openly gape and talk about “Why is that girl taking photos of the food? Oh my god. How weird,” (yeah, we heard you), and forget my pleases and thank yous, and interrupt potential sales, and have no idea of the product name of what I just ate or what business it came from.

Ahem. Forgive me, I’m a bit grumpy today. When I managed to fight the crowds for long enough (and trust me, there were crowds – get there early next year), I tried some great stuff. White Chocolate Chai ice cream from Spirit House was delicious and creamy, and tasted like a sweet, iced chai latte (left). D tried the Red Chilli and Dark Chocolate version and it had a unique bite that snuck up on you after your mouth had been flooded with rich chocolate. We also loved the mousse from Nicholson Fine Foods. The White Chocolate was creamy and had a custard-like texture, and the White Christmas flavour tasted similar but had a little spice.

Black Savourine cheese from Yarra Valley Dairy was boss. It had a flavour similar to blue cheese, but it was much tamer; it would definitely appeal to more sensitive palates.

It seemed like the most samples on offer were alcoholic (Baileys stand, left). I tried Big Head beer and was surprised at how strong and heavy it tasted for a zero carb beer. This is a perfect example of why these shows are good: I will most likely buy some the next time I visit old mate (First Choice), but if I hadn’t tried it at the Show I doubt I would consider it. Baileys, Kahlua, Stones Ginger Beer and a plethora of wineries were also offering their wares.

Other favourites were also there, like The Peanut Van (fresh peanut butter, pictured) and The Cupcake Parlour. I tried an awesome muesli-like, seed-packed concoction called Kapai Puku, from Zone Fresh. Another example of something I doubt I’d ever try or buy otherwise.

The best part of the show was probably the Celebrity Live Theatre. We went to one of Matt Moran’s sessions. So, confession time: I have a crush. The man is hot. He’s also a very, very good cook, and is pretty damn funny. He smoothly ran through his show with charisma and confidence, giving away prizes flippantly, and peppering everything with some colourful phrases (“I hate vegetarians,” was one. Oh Matt. You are so cheeky).

While a lot of vendors were selling some of their wares, there weren’t many sit-down eateries at the show. The was the Wild Oats restaurant, and I think that was it (correct me if I’m wrong). I also saw a stand selling fresh haloumi slices, and there were a few coffee carts. Granted, this probably makes sense as it ties the Wild Oats restaurant to the celeb shows, but a small seating area and a few ‘meal’ stalls would have been good.

So, if you can get past the crowds and the greedy people, the Good Food & Wine Show is an excellent chance to try a variety of food and wine you haven’t had before. It’s also a great opportunity to find out more about products direct from the vendors. Plus, there’s Matt Moran’s arms.

Good Food & Wine Show 2009 (Brisbane)

Friday November 6 – Sunday November 8

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

http://www.goodfoodshow.com.au/

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 28/10/2009
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Area profile: South Bank

All the Colours of the Food Rainbow

South Bank used to have a beverage that my friends and I thought was the ultimate in culinary delights: the Rainbow Smash. I can hear you all sneer, “Oh, it’s just a frozen coke.” It is not just a frozen coke. It is a Rainbow SMASH, people. It’s all in the title. The range of flavours in the Rainbow Smash are not to be reckoned with. As I’ve grown older, my tastes have matured (somewhat), and so have South Bank’s. Here’s a brief run down on some of the dozens of restaurants, bars, and cafes that are scattered around this relaxed riverside community.

Breakfast
Poppy’s Basket earned rave reviews from Nick recently for their accommodating service and fresh eggs. Era do an all day breakfast on the weekend, and are more higher-end.

Lunch & Dinner
There is such a huge number of food places in and around South Bank that I’m going to just list them under the one heading-I am fairly sure that all of them are open for both lunch and dinner. I’m also going to list them by cuisine, as the beauty of South Bank is the plethora of different foods.

Pub-style
The Fox is on the outskirts of South Bank, and is a busy bar by night and a relaxing spot for a pub lunch by day.
The Plough Inn and The Shipp Inn have this same relaxed open-air feel and upscale pub grub.
Beastie Burgers are the perfect spot for a working lunch; they’re outdoors in the sunshine, they’re licensed (gets you through that arvo meeting), and they have awesome burgers.

Italian:
Dell ‘Ugo are an upscale restaurant with traditional Italian food, available on both a set menu and a regular menu.
La Via Pizzeria is ideal if you want to seduce someone (sexy low lighting and waiters that don’t hover), plus enjoy some pizza and Italian fare while you’re at it.
Amici’s do some impressive sounding banquets, or just some singular Italian dishes for all you weaklings out there.

French:
Piaf do possibly the most well-priced French food in Brisbane (think under $20).

Asian:
Satay Hut have low prices, a casual and modern setting, and mainly Thai and Malay food.
Viet De Lites: I am dying to try some food off this fresh, healthy-sounding Vietnamese menu.
Ginga Japanese are a sushi train (yay!), as well as a more up-scale Japanese restaurant.
Gandhi Curry House is another very reasonably priced, clean and chic restaurant, this time offering South Indian and Sri Lankan food.

Other
Mado do delicious Turkish food and are ideal for large groups.
Chez Laila have some of the best river and city views, and offer Lebanese dishes.

Modern:
Toscani’s have a huge, varied menu, including pasta, seafood, steak, and sandwhiches.
Sardine Tin was recently opened by Piaf’s owner Simon Livingstone, and is a small, open-air space serving mainly tapas.
5th Element is possibly the best-looking lady on the strip, with low lighting, open flame features, and a waterfall behind the bar. The menu is a bit more up-scale, and the service is fantastic.
Stone are located within the Saville Apartments, and are being very mysterious and saying that they have a new concept coming soon.

Drink
Era Bistro has a restaurant menu as well as a varied tapas menu, and are well-stocked with a variety of wines. Aside from The Fox, The Plough Inn, and The Shipp Inn, there aren’t many large bars or pubs around South Bank. You can take a short walk down the road to West End, or simply enjoy drinks at a South Bank restaurant’s bars (like 5th Element, who have a well-stocked wine bar, or Sardine Tin).

Sweet
Speaking of 5th Element, I am still yapping to people about my recent, unique dessert experience there. There’s also cute cupcakes at My Sweetopia, which is open until late on the weekends and also serves coffee. For something more casual, Movenpick ice cream serves up Swiss ice cream scoops that are all-natural. And, well, I have to say it: Cold Rock is right nearby. It’s no Rainbow Smash, but the ice cream flavours and mix-ins are equally as enticing.

Category: BAR, CAFE, DESSERT, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT, SPOTLIGHT, TAKE-AWAY |
ally | 19/10/2009
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Rosalie Gourmet Market Round-Up

Deli-cious

God I love delis. They’re exciting places. So much food and produce is just crammed into a small space. I feel like Charlie Bucket in a deli. But there are no Oompah Loompahs (I find them freakish and they scare me). There’s only rich chocolatey brownies, fresh meats, stuffed olives, and loaves of just-baked bread.

I may not have been in a Roald Dahl novel, but I was at the Rosalie Gourmet Market. I cannot believe it took me so long to actually go into this place. From the outside it may look like a humble neighbourhood grocery store, but it is not.

Inside it’s crammed with everything you could think of. There’s fresh fruit and vege, along with various stores and even kitchenware and gifts. So what? Well, then you turn your head and see a counter dedicated solely to cheese. The case is crammed with 100 quality cheeses of varying prices and types, and helpful staff offer suggestions for matching.

There are two other counters as well: one for meats and other deli items, and one for baked goods. The meats/deli counter offers chorizo, turkey breast, rare roast beef, and other treats like stuffed bell peppers and marinated vegies. There are 18 different antipasto items, and sampling of the olives is encouraged. I like this place.

The baked goods counter is nuts. I stood there staring with my mouth wide open, possibly a droplet of drool hanging off my chin. This section is stuffed with cakes, tarts, pastries, bread, cookies, you name it. Bread comes in loaves, sticks, and small single-roll portions, and there are whole cakes as well as smaller slices.

I’ve had the Ricotta Crostada cake before, and the texture was unlike anything I’ve had-like a baked ricotta cheesecake, but far more complex and flavoursome. Eight different pastry chefs supply the sweet goods, fresh every day. On our visit to the Market, we sampled chocolate brownies (there are samples all over the place). They were rich, dense, and right up there with my Top Brownie Experiences. Some people mark their lives with milestones like graduations, jobs, and events. I mark mine with Brownies.

Inspired, we got a white chocolate and pistachio blondie, and a piece of baklava. For those of you who aren’t familiar (and if so, I shake my head), a blondie is a white chocolate brownie. The Market’s blondie was, without a doubt, the best blondie I’ve ever had (probably the best brownie, but making that assumption scares me. Then what will I have to live for?). It was that perfect balance between cookie and cake, just how a brownie/blondie should be. The white chocolate flavour was strong, and the pistachios gave the blondie a nice crunch. The baklava was also pretty damn good, although the pastry was a tiny bit dry. It still dripped honey all over the box, our fingers, and my pants, so that’s a good sign.

The Market is good for other food too-the fetta stuffed olvies were fat, fresh, and bursting with a creamy fetta. The chorizo had a smoky flavour and didn’t taste too fatty, and a sundried tomato pesto was a nice spin on an old favourite. The sliced turkey breast makes you feel like never getting meat from the supermarket again-there is just no comparison in quality.

Prices at the Market are quite standard for gourmet food, but reasonable. Cupcakes are as little as $2.50, while whole cakes range from $20-$30. Given the quality and the freshness, this is a very fair price. Antipasto products are also reasonably priced, starting at $25 per kilo.

Don’t wait until you’re planning a party, a wine-and-cheese night, or need something to impress your in-laws. Go to the Rosalie Gourmet Market now, eat some cheese, scoff some cake, and then think how a crappy Monday suddenly turned out so well.

Rosalie Gourmet Market
Gourmet Deli, Bakery, Butcher, and Grocery Store

Corner Nash St and Baroona Road
Rosalie

(07) 3876 6222

www.rosaliegourmet.com.au

Category: DESSERT, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, SPOTLIGHT, TAKE-AWAY |
ally | 11/09/2009
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Area profile: Rosalie/Paddington/Bardon

I’m going to be totally selfish and kick off our new ‘Area profile’ section with my favourite suburb and its surrounds, Rosalie.

You may have guessed from my posts that I have a bit of a crush on the fair Rosa. And why not? With food choices like these, it’s hard not to. Plus, the area (I’m talking Paddington and Bardon too) is close to the city, is pretty accessible by public transport, and is sort of cool without being over the top. Think casual clothes, but sans food stains.

Breakfast

Sassafrass is always crammed for brekkie. Last week I wanted to go but couldn’t get a reservation. Don’t they know who I am? May you have better luck at this well-priced, deli-style cafe.

Lure on Latrobe dishes up the best muesli I’ve had to date. Also nearby is Simpatico, home of some crazy delicious Turkish eggs, and Spoon Deli Cafe. Further down the road in Rosalie lies Blu Grotto (pretty standard fare, but excellent coffee) and Salt (a bit fancier, laughs in the face of run of the mill breakfast menus).

Lunch

All of the above places are also open for lunch, along with French Montrachet and Italian Grappino, both in Paddo. I hear Montrachet is a bit romantic. I wouldn’t know personally, I haven’t been taken there yet(ahem).

If one of Grappino’s famous veal scallopines is too much for you, toddle down to Harem for some Turkish, or Kookaburra Cafe for some pizza. Or be nasty and un-original and hit up chains like Grill’d or Hell Pizza. Pandemonium Cafe in Paddington is another option for a casual breakfast or lunch.

Dinner

Sing’s. Sing’s. Have I mentioned Sing’s? Oh God, I freaking love this place. It has amazing, amazing Asian food that’s ridiculously well-priced. I have a little dance. It’s called the “I’m going to Sing’s dance.”

Also in Rosalie for din dins is Thai Terrace (Thai), Halim’s (Indian), Bella Notte, Castelli’s, and Tomatoes (all Italian), Sushi Lovers (Japanese), or Sing’s (Awesome). For something a little different, try Indonesian food at Bali Grill (pictured, top). It’s a bit pricey, but apparently delicious and you get to sit up high and look down on the minions in the street below.

If you want to venture further away from this popular Rosalie dining strip, Avanti in Bardon has Italian grub, Sultan’s Kitchen and Indus in Paddo both dish up Indian, and The Lark offers a very varied menu of tapas and main dishes, along with a killer bar.

Drink

Apart from The Lark, there aren’t a heap of places to go for a tipple in this area unless you venture closer to the city and brave Caxton Street. Blu Grotto, however, is a cool spot for a quiet drink and a lounge (they get much more lively on the weekends).

Sweet

I scream, you scream, we all scream for…Gelateria Cremona. Um. So that didn’t have a good ring to it, but luckily their house-made gelati is music for your mouth. Faithful Cold Rock also serves up icey treats, or if you want (need) something heavier, check out specialty dessert cafe Room 4 Dessert. There’s always room in this belly.

Salt, Blu Grotto, Spoons, and Sassafras are also nice places for a coffee and sugar hit, or you can check out the Rosalie Gourmet Market for some takeaway treats. Couture Cupcakes in Bardon is another day time choice. Remember how excited I was when I reviewed The Cupcake Parlour? Prepare for extreme Ally meltdown on the day I get to waddle over to Couture.

Have I missed something truly awesome out? Do tell.

Category: INNER CITY, RESTAURANT, SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 31/08/2009
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Product Spotlight: Kingaroy Peanuts

Snackerific

I went into Woolworths the other day to buy some snacks (people, I am working again! This is good for the wallet. This also means I get the munchies and work right opposite a supermarket. This is not good for the ass). Balsamic vinegar peanuts were ok. The flavour was decent. It was cheap. It had a handy zip-lock bag. Meh.
Why the sudden snooty attitude towards the humble supermarket peanut? It’s because I’m still relishing my recent trip to the Kingaroy Peanut Van. Dudes. This humble road-side van is my new favourite portable vehicle. “Oh, they’re just nuts,” I hear you say. Yeah, right. And Coco Chanel was just a seamstress. And Doogie Howser was just a teen doctor. These are not just nuts, people.
Chilli nuts. Honey Ginger. Salt & Vinegar. Hickory Smoke. Cinnamon Sugar. Take your pick, the flavours are all awesome (vendors happily give samples. You know how I feel about samples).

I got bags of Honey Ginger, Hickory Smoke, and Butterscotch & Caramel. Hicky Smoke was a bit like a BBQ in peanut form. Did you just spit out your drink? It’s true. They’re spicy, smoky, and are fond of beer. Butterscotch & Caramel was that ideal sort of sweet where you can eat the whole bag and not feel sick. Yay! But my heart lies with Honey Ginger. It has the perfect combination of sweet and tangy-the combo you need when you feel very greedy and are craving both flavours.

Now, before you pack the car up for a roadtrip to the ‘roy, listen up: there’s a van at Chermside! A van was also at the Ekka, so keep your eyes and belly out.

Kingaroy Peanut Van
Portable Snack Vehicle

725 Gympie Road
Chermside

(07) 3359 1150

77 Kingaroy St
Kingaroy

(07) 4162 8400

http://www.peanutvan.com.au/

Do you know of a Brisbane/SE QLD product that you think should be reviewed? Tell us! We’ll eat it! And then tell you about it!

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