A Drive to the Huon Valley

The destination was Tahune Airwalk. The party was myself, and my guest and very good friend from Brisbane and his daughter. From my house Tahune Airwalk, not far from Geeveston is just shy of two and a half hours by car, and with a five year old on board, we opted for an overnight stay.

First stop was one of the prettiest towns in Tasmania, Cygnet. As it was time to eat we stopped into Cygnet Japanese Diner which had opened when we lived down this way (over FIVE years ago).

I ordered the Traditional Okonomiyaki as well as the Takoyaki (Octopus Balls) while my guest ordered a ramen and Miss 5 had a tuna hand roll and an inari.

A short wait and our food arrived, steaming hot and looking wonderful.

I absolutely adore how unpretentious this little cafe is, it totally feels like being back in Japan, with well made, authentic Japanese food and service with a smile.

We had booked a two bedroom, self contained unit at Kermandie Hotel, Port Huon and had dinner at the on site Pub.

photo courtesy of booking.com and Kermandie Hotel

The room was comfortable and very good value and the pub turned out to be quite a surprise.

We were very grateful the pub and restaurant were open, as winter in Tasmania is definitely the OFF season. We were one of only groups occupying the accomodation, but I love this time of year and I love having the state virtually to myself, even if it is cold, and foggy and wonderfully British.

With glasses of Tasmanian wine, we both opted for the fettuccini with scallops and it was absolute perfection. For a creamy pasta, it was delightfully balanced, not heavy at all, great seasoning with a generous amount of delicious scallops.

As it was my birthday, I thought I'd treat myself to dessert. This was the Pina Colada terrine and it was vey lovely indeed. A refreshing frozen pineapple and lime dessert topped with roasted coconut and warm candied pineapple.

We made it to the beautiful Tahune Airwalk, my first time. This area was decimated by bushfire in 2019 and closed for many year afterwards, It is open once again and the forest regeneration is spectacular. It was absolutely worth the drive. We did the airwalk as well as one of the riverside walks and we all enjoyed the whole experience. 

Molto bene: Osteria Vista at Stefano Lubiana Wines

 

Not far from our house, heading towards the Bridgewater Bridge is a turnoff up a dirt road. You wouldn't know it unless you looked for it. Today we were looking for it as we had a lunch booked at the recently opened Osteria Vista located at Stefano Lubiana Winery.
I had been following their opening on social media and was very keen to try one of their set lunches. Joined by my beautiful friend Dee, we were overdue for a gossip and had arranged a ride so we could partake in matching wines.

We are greeted by our lovely waitress, Sarah, and sat at a table with a spectacular view over the Derwent.

It just feels so very Italy here. I am transported back to Tuscany and the aesthetics and mood just screams Buongiorno!

We are brought the set menu as well as the matching wines listing and it all sounds delightful.

To begin, we are brought a bubbling glass of Brut Rose which is a delightful start to the meal, It is beautiful and fresh, dry and slightly fruity.

To accompany this is our first course which consists of  Focaccia bread and ricotta, prosciutto and olives, soft cheese with tomatoes and olive oil and arancini balls.

Firstly, I have to say how stunning the olive oil was. I could have drunk it by the glass. Good olive oil is so different to supermarket olive oil, it's not even fair to compare them and I was dunking the beautiful focaccia into it with every mouthful of this smashing first course. The prosciutto (imported from Italy) and olives were a delight and the arancini as good as any you've ever tried. But for me the creamy, soft mozzarella style cheese with the spectacular olive oil and those gorgeous gems of perfectly in-season tomatoes really did it for me.

Next up, served with one of the most memorable Rieslings I've ever tried is our pasta dish. Dee mentions she is taken back by the squid-ink black. I have to admit, it is confronting. I found some interesting quotes on the psychology of colour and food.

“Colour is the single most important (...) sensory cue when it comes to setting people’s expectations regarding the likely taste and flavour of food and drink.”Charles Spence

‘Colour creates a psychological expectation for a certain flavour that is often impossible to dislodge.’

Harris G. in “Colorless food? We blanch.”
The New York Times 2011.https://forty8creates.com/colour-psychology-of-food-drink/

I have had squid ink pasta before, so fortunately I have very positive connotations of black pasta. The first thing we notice is the al-dente nature of the macaroni style pasta, something that I think can be a slight shock as I know I constantly overcook pasta as soft pasta is something I have become accustomed to. However I find the texture to be outstanding once I had gotten used to it. The next thing we notice is the wonderful savoury sausage flavour, it's delicious and an umami dream. The sauce is creamy from the cheese and I found this to just be heavenly. My only qualm was the little stab of fennel I got in one mouthful, but that's only because I have never gotten used to aniseed in savoury cooking, especially when I'm not expecting it.

PORK BELLY! Delicious twinning of wonderful salty pork flesh and porky fat topped with crispy, crunchy crackling. What's not to love? Served here with salsa verde and a wonderful vegetable with the flavour of broccoli in a leafy green. Baby, herbed potatoes and a simple green salad of lettuce and cucumber to cut through the heaviness. Something I discovered this season, the first that I have had a successful veg garden, is that lettuce has incredible flavour when freshy picked, it's really quite amazing.

By our last course, we are jovial, flushed rosy with delicious wine and have befriended Sarah who was really quite a spectacular server. Food and atmosphere are not the only things that make a meal memorable, the staff are an integral part and can make or break a meal.The dessert, of zabaglione a custard is served with a dense, moist cake crumble, poached pear and summer berries and the Iced Sauvignon Blanc, a sweet dessert wine is not only a beautiful paring, but is an exceptional wine full stop.As our meal concludes, Sarah invites us to try a wine tasting next door or feel free to wander about the grounds. As I feel we'd had just about the right amount of wine already we take a quick look around the restaurant grounds before being collected to go home.

This was a truly memorable meal and a fantastic addition to Southern Tasmania. I look forward to visiting seasonally to see how the menu changes and to witness such a pleasurable lunch again.

Osteria Vista

Stefano Lubiana Wines
60 Rowbottoms Road, Granton
03 62637457
hello@osteriavista.com.au

Eat Street... The New One

Last time I went to Eat Street it was at it's old location in June 2014 See post here.

I have walked past the site of the new Eat Street and it actually looks terrifyingly huge. The last time I went it was so busy and difficult to get a seat and I think this is why I hadn't been back in so long.

However, I was well overdue with a catch up with Miss C and we were going to Eat Street.

As we attempt to park the car, my concern creeps in, there are so many cars, how many people would be inside???

However we eventually get a spot, pay the $2.50 entry fee and make our way in.

The first thing I notice as that even though there are alot of people, there is space to move. There is a carnival feel, and everyone seems happy.

The new Eat Street is HUGE. I would suggest 4 or 5 times bigger than the old one and offers a huge array of eating options.

We start off getting a Mango and coconut mocktail ($7) from Mocktail Madness. It comes in a container is both interesting and cylindrical, the contents refreshing and delicious.

photo courtesy of eatstreetmarkets.com

We wander about and end up at the Trawler Deck and stumble on a pasta in cheese wheel stall called I <3 Pizza and Pasta and are hypnotised my the wafting smells of fresh basil and cheese. We decide to share a serve ($14). The pasta is delicious but I'm a little surprised that the cheese flavour isn't as prominent as I would have hoped, the fresh pesto is delicious though.

Next we wander over to pick to Asia Street to try what C calls 'the best satay she has ever tasted" at Yum Tum Thai Street food where we go halves in a share plate ($15)

The prawns, (even though I think they were both done the same?) were fresh and delicious. The chicken satay was indeed very delicious, and exactly what I think of when I think of GOOD satay. Very crisp and tasty spring rolls. I'm not one for soft shell crab, I just don't think they offer much, but it was... okay, I guess.

Unfortunately, by this stage, we were done.

I think this would be a great place to come with a group so you could all share and indulge in many items without getting to full, as most of the items we looked at were entree or small meal size costing between $12 and $18, rather than tasters which I think would be a great option.

So we went looking for a small sweet to finish off with and found Miss Claude's French Crepes and went for the Caramel Ambrosia, which was 2 crepes filled with salted caramel, served with banana, strawberry and vanilla ice cream ($10). These were just perfect, and shared this while overlooking the Brisbane River.

I had a really nice time and I really look forward to going back again.

It seems that meal times are the busiest, so I'd like to try for a mid-afternoon Sunday I think.

Friday night was catch up night for myself and two of my good friends that I have known forever.

Being new to the Sunshine Coast, I have not yet had a chance to familiarise myself with the best local restaurants, so I was over the moon when Ms S recommended Bruno's Borgo Antico at Currimundi..

Apparently, this quaint Italian family owned business has been on the coast for ever and ever and reviews on the internet indicate why it's managed to stick around when other eateries are dropping like flies.

Upon entry, I get an immediate feeling of comfort and hominess. Only about 12 tables ensures an intimate evening.

BYO is always a great option to have, and I have with me a lovely Marlborough Sav Blanc.

Mr D orders a garlic pizza bread, and one of the daily specials of deep fried, crumbed avocado and prosciutto parcels for him and the missus to share, but they assure me I can also share. I order a half dozen oysters au naturale.

The pizza bread is garlicy, and fresh. A good size for 3 people to share.

My oysters are divine. Absolutely fresh. Oysters can be a risk when ordering from somewhere you have never eaten at before- but Bruno's have most certainly passed the lovely oyster test.

The remaining entree was the parcels. Not much to look at, but the flavour was so fresh, so simple. The crispy crumbed coating, warm, creamy perfectly ripe avocado, and salty cured pork.

Like in Italy, where simplicity has been perfected, this short list of simple ingredients, cooked just right has become just a perfect little dish.

Ms S, who has been eating here since childhood ordered a small ham pizza. It was a good size for a main for one, and I was really impressed with the amount of topping.

Despite being a very simple pizza, once again the quality of the ingredients and how well it has been cooked just made it really lovely and a divine smokey flavour really added an extra dimension. I will be ordering pizza next time I come.

 Mr D's ravioli. I didn't try this one, but it looked lovely.

Now we get to my main.

I was happy when researching this place, gluten-free options were available. The waitress had indicated that most of the mains were no-to-low gluten and I had made an early choce of steak with prawns and cream sauce.

As we were ordering, the waitress informed us that they did indeed have some gluten free pasta available, and just like that, steak was forgotten, Fusilli Marinara was coming.

I did think to myself that Fusilli was an unusual pasta to be hand-made in gluten free

Beautiful big prawns, it looked lovely.

But my heart sunk. It was packet pasta.

I enjoyed this meal, it had lovely flavour, just seafood, quality olive oil, garlic and seasoning, but packet pasta. Still now I just feel a twang of dsappointment.

Bruno's has that wonderful feeling of being served by close friends, with a lovely atmosphere and only about a km from my house.

Will I be back- hell yes. Everything was spot on... well almost everything.

Bruno's Borgo Antico

07 5493 1806

725 Nicklin Way

Currimundi

www.facebook.com/brunosborgoantico

Eating Florence

I love when a new city is a complete and utter surprise. I fell in love with Florence almost instantly.

Staying in an apartment built in the 1400's (thanks airbnb.com) with a wonderful piazza on our front doorstep with markets, cafes and bars to the wonderful city itself with a gorgeous labyrinth on windy streets, fantastic food markets and gelati as far as the eye could see, what's not to love about the capital of Tuscany?

Catching trains is so easy in Europe, and my preferred method of transport for short to medium-haul trips. And when first class is usally only 20-30% more, why not? Extra comfy seats and more-often-than-not complimentary treats. Like my espresso and shortbread fingers.

I was famished when I got into Florence, or Firenze to natives. So straight off the train, I caught a taxi to the piazza (public square) that our apartment was on and pulled up a table in the sun.

My main came out before my starter, but I was not bothered when it looked and tasted so amazing. Risotto con zucchini and parmisan.

THIS... This was a revelation! Melty, oozy mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto, fried with a crispy outer, served on a salad of rocket leaves. I am so stealing this recipe.

Dinner was a fantastic swordfish carpaccio served with the lovely bursty pink peppercorns that I first tried in Civitavecchia. So fresh and clean and yum.

My partner-in-crime ordered a tomato soup and let me have a try. It was unbelievable, pure taste of ripe, home-grown tomatoes, garlic and seasoning and nothing else. The tomato soups over here have bread though it, which gives it a real deep richness, but as J found out- also makes it very filling.

Wild boar ragu with tagliatelle. Wholesome, meaty, rich, definately hug-on-a-plate type stuff.

I have to mention (even with out pictures) J's choice which was such a little star of a meal: squash ravioli with duck in an orange sauce. What a sensation!

Room for dessert? NO! Ordered it anyway- YES! Creme Caramel gelati. My first try of gelati in Italy... it's good- take my word.

Brunch: gnocchi in cream with prosciutto and radicchio- very sinful and wonderfully delicious start to the day.

Side of grilled med-veggies.

Here I am torn. J and I stopped into a place which was chock full of tourists #warningbells but we were hungry and it had food. I had a Margarita as an apertif- it was very good. I asked for an ash tray, it never came. We shared a 4 cheese pizza for a starter which was exceptional. I had pork with spinach, it was pre-cooked, re-heated and flavourless, J had to struggle through his main too. The service was terrible and we left feeling hungry. Don't worry, I reviewed it on tripadvisor.com and found that I was not the only one who had these feelings!

Who garnishes with dried herbs anyway???

If in Florence, steer clear.

After such an average dinner this 'After Eights' gelati more than made up for it!

Firenze Central Markets

And this wonderful antipasto of meats- it went really well with afternoon beers.

There was a wood fired pizza place at the end of the piazza that always had lineups out the door, so we decided we'd try it for ourselves. They looked so good I dug in before I remembered to take a picture.

Simple, amazing pizza.

 A picnic in the park.

On our second-to-last night we stopped into a bar on the piazza and they had a sign up which we tried to figure out over cocktails. It said something along the lines of 'Apertif Buffet' 7pm-9pm. Was It an all-can-drink buffet? Foods? The answer came when we asked our waitress... for 1 euro with a drink pruchase we could help ourselves to the buffet they would lay out. Seemed like a good idea.

We certainly weren't expecting the layout in front of us... salad, ham, roast pork, roast potato and lasagne.

What a sensational idea. Were had just been thinking about getting some dinner and we stayed and bought several more drinks because of the great deal. Very clever marketing.


Florence really stole my heart, both the city and the food. If you get to Italy, I can not recommend it enough. Just try to steer clear of the made-for-tourist cafes.