ally | 13/05/2011
No comments

Quick Bites: May 12

It’s all about wine, food, and honey puffs (always honey puffs) in Brisbane right now. Here are a few picks of what’s on:

Noosa Food and Wine Festival

Probably one of the most popular and famous foodie festivals in Australia, the 2011 event features such guests as Stephanie Alexander, Maggie Beer, Fiona Donnelly, and Matt Moran (be still my beating heart…). It starts TOMORROW, and runs until Sunday. Tickets start from $50. Visit http://www.noosafoodandwine.com.au

Cellar Key

I’m that idiot who wanders up and down the aisles of bottle-os, not having a clue what I’m doing with wine. “Does this go with peanut butter? Does this one go with tubs of straight icing?” See, I’m a mess. If you’re like me, the Cellar Key function will be most welcome on your next trip. Here’s how it works: you get our your smart phone and scan the Cellar Key 2D code on the wine bottle. You’ll get instant access to reviews, a video tour of the winery, and my favourite – food and wine pairings. Eat Drink Brisbane were very kindly sent a bottle of Petaluma 2010 Riesling from the Hanlin Hill Vineyard in Clare Valley, so we could try the Cellar Key function. My reviewer reports back that it was easy to use, fun, interactive, and very useful in planning what to have for dinner. No more aimless wandering down the aisles, then! Just a few wineries are featured at the moment – for more information visit http://thecellarkey.com/

Panyiri (Greek Festival)

Whee! HONEY PUFFS! I love love love honey puffs. Can someone send me a bag via airmail? Please? Panyiri is a really fun yearly event, with entertainment, contests, music, and a plethora of Greek food stalls. I recommend wearing elastic waist pants. It’s on May 21 & 22, at Musgrave Park and the Greek Club. Visit www.paniyiri.com for more information.

*Thanks to Cellar Key for sending us a free bottle of wine to try out the Cellar Key function. We decided of our own accord to review Cellary Key on this site.

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
ally | 12/05/2011
No comments

Nom nom nom

Hey guys! I’m still here, kicking it in Canada. Posts on EDB have been slack (my bad), but I’ve been doing things like trying to get a job/make friends/establish some sort of life. NEW POSTS will be coming soon – remember, if you want to review for EDB, email me! eatdrinkbris@gmail.com

Also – I’m really sorry that so many pages of the site weren’t working recently. This was a technical error that has now been fixed! Whee!

For something different I thought I’d give you a peek at what I’ve been up to food-wise…

Category: ABOUT EDB |
ally | 17/03/2011
No comments

Canvas

This post is way, way overdue – in fact, it’s been so long since my visit to Canvas that I feel I need to put some sort of disclaimer in here. But, I have the feeling it won’t be necessary, and that it will just be as awesome five months later (I know, I know. I’ve been busy. Did I mention I’m writing this from Canada? Yes, you’re cutting into my maple syrup drinking time, so be grateful).

Ol’ pal GG and I were guests of Canvas several months ago when we visited to sample their World Class competition sangrita cocktails (read about that here). Canvas is a lovely little bar – it’s small and cosy, and has a pumping vibe yet still manages to feel homely.

I don’t know about you, but whenever I drink alcohol it’s like my stomach is jealous that my blood alcohol level is getting some love. It must be fed. Therefore, I was more than happy to try some of Canvas’ tapas-style snacks. We ordered artichokes; goat cheese; and some jamon and fig skewers. The skewers were definitely my favourite – the jamon had a spicy finish that contrasted sharply with the sweet figs.

Canvas also have an insane drink menu – just try to pick a cocktail in less than five minutes. Service is friendly and swift, and there are comfy booth seats (although bear in mind it’s a pretty small bar).

Canvas has only been open for less than a year, but it’s not hard to see why it’s already a popular West End bar. I am so thrilled to see more places like this in Brisbane popping up. Power to the small cosy bars! Power to awesome cocktail lists! Power to jamon!

Now, if you’ll excuse me – I’ve got to get back to my maple hunt (something I definitely won’t be putting off for five months…)

Canvas

Bar

16B Logan Road, Woolloongabba

(07) 3891 2111

http://www.canvasclub.com.au

Canvas on Urbanspoon

Category: BAR, INNER CITY, INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |
ally | 02/03/2011
5 comments

Cibo Espresso

Cibo Cappucino

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m going to make this short and sweet.

Cibo Espresso makes, hands down, the best coffee in Brisbane.

Make that – the best coffee in South East Queensland, Melbourne, and Sydney.

CIBO CANNOLI

(The cannoli ain’t bad either)

I would say “the world”, but I haven’t been everywhere, have I?

 

Cibo Espresso

4/85 Merthyr Road, New Farm

(also at West End)

http://www.ciboespresso.com.au

Cibo Espresso on Urbanspoon

Category: CAFE, DESSERT, INNER CITY |
ally | 05/02/2011
No comments

Flood Relief Friday @ Milk

The recent floods in Queensland really need no introduction. They were devastating, and it was heartbreaking to see friends and neighbours paw through the muddy, filth-covered objects that were once a part of their home.

Milk at Ashgrove is donating 100% of their dinner sales to the Premier’s Flood Relief fund on Friday, February 25.

Details:

Milk Ashgrove, Shop 9, 16 Ashgrove Ave, Ashgrove
Friday 25 February
5.30pm – 9.30pm
3366 2007
Category: NEWS |
ally | 28/01/2011
No comments

A-dawg Abroad

Friends, I am leaving Brisbane and will be living in Canada for the next 1-2 years. What does this mean? Well, apart from my bank account being raped by Abercrombie & Fitch, and my insulin levels going haywire with too much maple syrup, EDB will have a few changes…
Will EatDrinkBrisbane still be running?

Yes! I will keep EDB running even though I won’t be living in Brisbane. It’s a fantastic resource for foodies, and provided reviews aren’t too old, it will always be useful.

Will you still post?

Sort of. I’ve got a few reviews scheduled to post throughout the first month I’m away. After that, I may pop in. I like to keep EDB about Brisbane, so it’s unlikely you’ll find a review for poutine, but you never know.

Who will write posts?

Here is where I extend my grubby, chocolate-stained paw to YOU. Do you want to write a review and have it posted on a site that gets several thousand hits a month? Yes? Well, send me something! I’ll publish reviews that are well-written, funny, and fair, as long as they’re about a Brisbane restaurant/cafe/bar/food product, and are accompanied by decent photographs (no McDonalds). There are a few perks along with this too – you might get sent to restaurant openings, or receive products to try. Yay! Email eatdrinkbris@gmail.com for more info, or to just blindly send something in.

I’m a PR person. Should I not contact you anymore?

Yes, still contact eatdrinkbris@gmail.com if you’ve got foodie news or would like to invite someone to review something! I’ll hopefully have a few mini Allys who are happy to write for the site while I’m away.

Are you starting a blog in Canada?

Yes! www.eatdrinktoronto.net It is early stages yet, but it’s up and I’m posting to it!

You’re a pretty good writer. Can I like, pay you to edit or write some stuff?

Certainly. Visit www.allytutkaluk.wordpress.com

Will you send us maple fudge in the mail?

Customs might not like that. I’m trying for Ryan Reynolds though.

xoxo


Category: ABOUT EDB, NEWS |
ally | 06/01/2011
3 comments

Burger Urge

Burger Urge

It’s embarrassing that it’s taken me this long to try Burger Urge. The Brisbane burger chain has been popular for a long time, and it’s not hard to count the reasons why.

First of all: are you hungry? Do you have a large appetite? Perhaps you’re hungover as shit, you’ve just run up Mt Coot-tha, or you’ve done an ‘awsum’ Zumba marathon. Burger Urge will take care of any raging appetite – the ‘large’ sized burgers are massive! Plus, they’ve mastered the art of making a huge burger that doesn’t fall apart.


Second: do you like tasty food? Get your mouth around a burger. I tried a Pestorella ($12.90), which had beef, pesto, mozarella and salad. D went for the Lamb Haloumi ($13.90), which was packed with lamb, haloumi, pesto, caramelised onion, salad, and relish. Both burgers were simply, but really tasty. The lamb and caramelised onion on D’s burger were cooked perfectly, and very flavoursome.

Third: healthy food is good, yes? I won’t lie. Dudes, recently D and I had a sausage roll sandwich (that’s a sausage roll stuffed in a slice of white, white bread) for lunch. Despite this, I do appreciate healthy and fresh food. I’m not sure of the nutritionals of Burger Urge, but the patties seem pretty lean, and all their produce is fresh and good quality.

Fourth: sweet potato fries. Oh yes.  The humble vegie known as white potato’s less evil, sweeter cousin, can indeed be chopped up, fried, and seasoned. For $5.90, we were served a massive bowl of these crispy, spicy, savoury delights. I would go back just for these guys.

Fifth: do you like money? I sure do. Sometimes it’s annoying paying for something that mostly comes out the other end, but at least at Burger Urge you are getting serious value. Some of the burgers come in ‘regular’ size, but all of them come in ‘large’ – and these burgers are large and in charge. No, they won’t be the biggest burger you’ve ever had, but for $10.40 (for the ‘Classic’). Hot damn. You could share this sucker, if you’re a wimp.

There you have it. When you add up the list of positives, versus the minor negatives (tooooo much pesto. Yes, there is such a thing) Burger Urge is clearly a place you must visit.

Burger Urge

Shop 3/156 Boundary St

West End (also at New Farm)

(07) 3844 8777

www.burgerurge.com.au

Burger Urge on Urbanspoon

Category: INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |
ally | 22/12/2010
One comment

The Lark

I’m really desperate for more suburban (heck, not even – even inner city will do) bars. You know, for those nights when you don’t really want to deal with dudes in tight Elwood tees who think everyone is trying to “start” them, or the hour wait for a cab home. Those nights when you just want to stroll down to a cute and cosy bar; one that is comfortable, but still chic enough so you feel you’re several steps above chugging the Fruity Lexia on the couch in your pjs.

The Lark has all that, and more. This Paddington bar looks quite un-assuming from the front, but inside is a dark and cosy space that is surprisingly bigger than it seems.

We started with cocktails – a Tahoma Stone Sour for me ($16, Jose Cuervo Tequila and Quince Liqueur shaken with Blood Orange and Lemon; scented with Basil), and a Star Hill Cobbler for D

($16, Maker’s Mark , White Chocolate with Fresh Pink Grapefruit Juice, Pomegranate). D’s drink was refreshing, although I couldn’t detect the white chocolate. My cocktail was tangy and slightly sweet, with a kick from the tequila – I quite liked it.

After that, we moved on to a wine for me ($10 for a glass of a Riesling – sorry, can’t remember the name), and a beer for D (around $9 – Lord Nelson Three Sheets Pale Ale). I realise that The Lark specialises in cocktails. But seriously – the wine list isn’t great. I was under the impression that there were only about six wines available (written up on the chalk board above the bar), plus a few champagnes and dessert wines. That’s it. Wtf? Someone please, please correct me if I’m wrong.

The wine list may be so-so, but the beer list is worse. There, I’m being totally honest. Again, I don’t have the menu in front of me, but from memory there were about 8-9 beers – this could be fine, but there wasn’t a lot of variety in the types of beers. No wheat beers, for one. Nothing on tap. Yes, there were some craft beers, which is great, but…

My grumbles about the beer list were quickly silenced when a Wagyu slider ($7.50) was placed before me. This mini burger, filled with buffalo fetta, jalapeno wagyu beef, and tomato relish, was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Such a good size too – two of those would be a perfect dinner.

We also ordered the chips with gorgonzola sauce ($7). Also pretty life-changing. I’m upset no one has ever given me melted gorgonzola, served over a bowl of hot salty carbs before. It’s genius, and delicious.

The service was a bit up and down during our visit – when we arrived, the bartender was fantastic and immediately took our orders, but then he disappeared…and it was a bit of a problem getting more drinks.

The Lark is a great place for a quiet drink, a meal, or a big night. A few more beers added to the list, and it would be perfect; but there are so few good suburban bars like this one, that I’m happy to let it slide.

The Lark

Bar and restaurant

1/267 Given Terrace
Paddington QLD 4064
(07) 3369 1299

www.thelark.com.au

Lark Food and Drink on Urbanspoon

Category: BAR, INNER CITY |
ally | 20/12/2010
No comments

Grappino Trattoria

I think I’ve got a bit of a problem with fresh, proper Italian pasta. A little while ago I had a rather religious experience at Il Centro. I was more focussed on my fresh ravioli in Rome than the Colloseum. And, the other week, I had a little moment in Paddington.

D and I were at Grappino, an Italian restaurant that’s known as a bit of an institution. We ordered the famous veal medallions (Vitello Saltimbocca) , and the pasta marinara (Grappino’s Marinara). I also ordered a glass of Venetian Pinot Grigio (around $13), and D cheekily copied me. He is like that kid in preschool who does EVERYTHING you do, then gets hurt when you start yelling. Sheesh.

Anyway – the meals arrived promptly, delivered by one of our polite waiters. I was really excited about the veal, as Momma T had been raving about it for years. And if someone knows meat, by God it’s my mother.

The prosciutto on top of each plump medallion was sublime. Just gently fried, it was crispy but still had an easy chew to it, with a yummy salty touch. The veal itself was good, but not the best I’ve had. It tasted very lean, which is great, but it was also a bit chewy. The sauce it was in on the other hand – hold the phone. I resisted the urge to grab a spoon and start slurping the stuff up, soup-style. I’d definitely recommend ordering a side of bread to mop this sauce up. The veal comes with your choice of linguine or a side, and we chose the Caprese salad – it was a little on the small side, but the fresh buffalo bocconcini and juicy tomatoes saved it many times over.

The veal may have been a little disapointing, but the pasta (pictured – yes I am aware it’s a dreadful photo) more than made up for it. This is where my little ‘fresh pasta’ motor kicks in and I am taken over by a machine who simply must be stuffed with linguine. The seafood was plump and fresh, the sauce was creamy but had a tomato flavour that counteracted any sickly richness, and the pasta had that wonderful chew that only fresh al dente pasta can have.

Now, some people may baulk at the prices – the veal was $37.50, and the pasta $34.50 – but I thought the portions were pretty reasonably sized, and that an entree wasn’t needed.

After we finished we contemplated getting coffee or dessert (the home made self saucing pudding sounded pretty enticing), but we realised we just didn’t like sitting there. Grappino is decorated in a bit of an old-school, Italian trattoria style, with minimal furnishings and bare tabletops. The cool effect may be lost on me, as I just didn’t find it had a warm or welcoming ambience.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must find an altar somewhere in the wheat fields and pray to the pasta Gods.

Grappino Trattoria

226 Given Terrace
Brisbane QLD 4064

(07) 3367 0033

http://www.grappino.com.au

Grappino Trattoria on Urbanspoon

Category: INNER CITY, RESTAURANT |
ally | 16/12/2010
2 comments

Christmas 2010!

The fat man in red is coming! No, this is not a sick pet name I have for D – I’m of course referring to Santa. Christmas is a little over a week away. This means presents. This means FOOD. Below, a guide to both.

1. A gift that keeps on giving. Look, I can be a little cheap. I take more straws than I really need at McDonalds. I devour the backs of dockets, hoping to find a coffee coupon. And those little shampoo bottles in hotel rooms are just fair game.

So when I heard about the new Voucherbook, I was pretty excited. The Voucherbook contains coupons for 2-4-1 meals for a variety of excellent restaurants. The good people at Voucherbook sent me one recently*, and I was impressed to see some pretty good restaurants participating, including: Aqua Linea; Eve’s on the River; Mado; and Mundo Churrasco. While the Voucherbook is pretty small (only 25 restaurants), it’s also pretty cheap – $29.90. An excellent gift idea for the foodies in your life!

2. Screw the kitchen. I love cooking, but you know what? Sometimes I can’t be stuffed. Sometimes, I don’t feel like slaving away in a hot kitchen, feeling the sweat droplets pool near the tie of my apron. If you’re the same, why not check out a restaurant for Christmas Day lunch? My picks: Sake ($150); Gusto da Gianni ($69); and Jellyfish ($150).

3. Shop. Simple as that. The Southbank Christmas night markets are always a favourite – they’re on from 4pm-9pm, Monday 20 December to Thursday 23 December.

4. BAKE. Forget what I said about slaving away in a kitchen. Christmas gives you a licence to cook, and to eat as much raw batter as you like. The Women’s Weekly 12 Days of Christmas Cookbook can be used either as a gift, or for your own pleasure. Get your sticky hands all over the pages, now!

5. Brownies. Yes, these deserve their own category. You all know I LOVE Dello Mano brownies. They’ve released a special Christmas Pudding brownie, which has flavours of brandy, spices, and fruit – and LOTS of chocolate. They’re around $7. D actually bought one the other day, but I’m yet to try it because he FORGOT to bring it home. Yes, again.

Got any other ideas for Christmas gifts and eating? Leave a comment!

*Thanks to Voucherbook for my, um, Voucherbook. Yes, it was free. No, I am not a sell-out. Yes, I don’t care for rude commenters informing me I’m a sell-out.

Category: SPOTLIGHT |
« Older Entries   Recent Entries »