A June Trip to Brisbane

 A chance to escape Tassie winter for the warmer sub-tropical climes of Brisbane. Yes Please!

One of my best friends was getting married and there was no way in the world I wouldn't be there for it.

It's difficult for Gudge and I to travel interstate together, we have our cat son who needs care and love and we don't have a huge network of friends down here. We thought we'd reach out to our friends back in Queensland to see if anyone would like to come down for a holiday and house and cat-sit and we found a taker! Percy cat was nervous at first but settled in well, we received photo and video updates and we could relax, and enjoy a trip to our old home and spend time with our nearest and dearest.

We were incredibly blessed in that Gudgies' sister was abroad and kindly allowed us to stay at her house for our 5 days in Brisbane. This was perfect for us. We had our own space, didn't feel like we were imposing on anyone, it was fab.

We arrived on the Thursday on a fantastic flight with Virgin (Economy X, worth ever cent). We got to the house, picked up some groceries and settled in.

The next day I had promised the bride to be that I would assist with the bridal bouquets. I have never created a bouquet before, but I love plants and flowers. How did I do?

Inspo pic | Bouquet I made

That night, the supper club of old was reunited. Carly, Anna and I used to love catching up for wonderful meals in Brisbane when I lived there and were absolutely generous in their offer to take me out for a special birthday dinner.

Carly, with her finger on the pulse chose the restaurant Central for our dinner. Modern Chinese in Brisbane's CBD.

Straight away the entrance is dramatic.

Drapes, hanging Peking Duck, concrete and a staircase down...

photo courtesy of broadsheet.com.au

Inside felt like being transported to the trendiest restaurant in New York, like we would be seated next to the cast of Sex and the City, but not intimidatingly so. It just felt fresh and cool and very, very 'the place to be'... but not in a wanky way.

We hadn't seen each other in years so the three of us were so keen to catch up, voiding all responsibilities of, you know opening the drinks menu to select a wine. The waiters and service was absolutely incredible, possibly the best I've had. From being asked 'still or sparkling water?' and having it poured from the other side the moment we told them. It was like that all night. The girls had subtly wished me a happy birthday and I was brought a gratis birthday cocktail. The service was 11 out of 10 all night.

It was suggested that rather than the banquet menu which we were leaning toward that we select the share plates we were drawn to, so we went that way.

menu shot courtesy of Central Restaurant and Bar

It was a beautiful looking menu. We started with the scallops. Fresh, perfectly cooked with wonderful flavours. To drink, following my Lychee and Champagne cocktail, we shared a bottle of French Beaujolais wine.

We followed this with the Peking Duck Potsticker. Gosh they were just so pretty. Also very tasty.

I was very much looking forward to the prawn and crab spring roll. I love spring rolls in general, and I can happily say this was one of the best spring rolls I have ever tried.

two pics because it was my favourite

Following this, the XO Chicken San Choi Bao

Another item I was particularly looking forward to was the Crispy Eggplant. It was texturally wonderful but I thought the vinegar dressing to be a little much. I had a piece with no dressing and it was wonderful.

To round out our savoury dishes, we had the Black Angus Stirfry and Fried Rice which was also excellent, but the potato addition to this was a real unexpected highlight.

We were recommended the mango pudding for a light dessert to share and it rounded out the meal perfectly.

This was one of the loveliest and enjoyable dining experiences I've had in some time. I have no doubt my company was a big part of that (thank you Anna and Carly), but to our wonderful, funny servers, thank you, you really made it for us. To Central Restaurant, you absolutely nailed it.

Thank you also to Brisbane for your 50c train fares. Amazing!

The following day was the wedding.

We had some running around to do in the a.m. and treated ourselves to our favourite fast food.

The wedding of my glorious friend Hailey, to her partner Rob was just lovely. Warm, small, very romantic. We were treated to grazing tables, pizza, and as much prosecco as I could handle (which isn't all that much these days). We both had a wonderful time and I feel so lucky to have Hailey in my life and that she wanted us there on such a special day.

Sunday we had planned a little, casual get together in the afternoon and a walk around Roma Street parklands in the morning. I've always loved Roma Street parklands. The parklands turn 25 this year and I remember the opening and always enjoyed visiting when I lived in Brisbane and spent quite a lot of time there when I lived in Spring Hill.

It has matured beautifully and I loved being there and eyeing off plants that I can't grow back in our cool-temperate garden back home.

We enjoyed our afternoon at Sea Legs Brewery and caught up with a wonderful group of people. Also- great Frickles, Perogis and Loaded Fries!

Monday we went to DFO (Outlet shopping) before a final catch up with Hails where she treated me to a fantastic steak at Bracken Ridge Tavern. Steak 9.5/10, chips 10/10. Thank you so much for the birthday meal, Hails!

Growing up in Brisbane, Bracken Ridge was on the outskirts, Brisbane is growing and changing so much and the renovation here is testament of how much the boondock suburbs are now desirable places to live. Crazy to me that hasn't lived in Brisbane for 8 years now.

photo courtesy of urbanlist.com.au

As if she hadn't done enough for me. the new bride drove us to the airport at 5.45am. Brisbane Airport decided fire alarms would be a soothing soundtrack for our morning, but that aside, we aced our exit-row-to-ourselves hack again and loved getting home.

Our favourite Cheese and Chocolate Makers, Coal River Farm have opened a second Cafe in the upgraded Hobart airport, and for the price of a couple of microwaved Jetstar toasties we decided to have some Poached Free-range Eggs with Halloumi, and Mixed Berry and Chocolate Waffles. We were very happy with our choice.

A great 'Welcome Home'!

Finally, some birthday treats on arrival home.

Gigi's Diner Hobart

Gudge and I had check ups scheduled in town (Hobart) this week so we thought we'd treat ourselves to somewhere I'd been eyeing off on social media, Gigi's Diner.

Their marketing showed a comfortable American diner kind of situation which I'm all about. I still dream our of our old favourite haunt in Brisbane, NKB.

We parked at Salamanca and wandered up. The weather this autumn has been so good, sunny, still, high teens to low twenties every day! Any excuse to be outside when it's this lovely.

The restaurant was easy to find. The fitout looked fresh and clean and suited the vibe they were going for. Despite the perfect weather and outdoor tables, we opted to sit indoors.

The menus had a solid variety of breakfast, brunch and lunchie items. I was happy with the prices. 

I opted for the Prawn Po' Boy with an iced latte, and Gudge, The Classic Muffin with a vanilla milkshake as well as a French fries to share.

The waitresses were very attentive and friendly and we felt very welcome.

Games and colouring in to keep little hands busy.

vanilla milk shake

iced latte

Quite possibly the most aesthetically pleasing drinks. Both latte and milkshake were very good.

Po Boy was lovely. A very 'grown up' bunch of flavours. Fresh baguette, love crispy slaw. Prawns were excellent and plentiful. Chimichurri was quite the flavour bomb, which almost could have benefited from being on the side? I'm not sure. I enjoyed it but wonder if it could have been better somehow?

 Gudge enjoyed his muffin: egg, cheese and pork sausage patty.

I would go back to Gigi's and would recommend it for a visit. It was good. I am left wondering if it could be more than good? If every plate was elevated by 5% would it make it a really memorable experience. OR if I'm just getting pickier and picker?

 

photo courtesy of 429apartmentandsuites.com.au

https://www.gigisdiner.com.au/

17a Castray Esplanade, Battery Point TAS 7004

Mr Burger Hobart

 I had a good burger today. Was it the biggest burger? No. Was it the most exciting burger? No. Was it just a good burger? Yes, yes it was.

Gudge had joined me for a drive into Hobart to visit my good friend in hospital and we had yet to visit the new Lego store, so with weekend free parking, we thought we'd make a day of it.

We were feeling peckish and thought we'd like a burger and chips. I knew there were a few burger places on Liverpool Street and when we saw Mr Burger we headed in. 

Now generally, I like to check reviews, risk assess, double think and usually end up going somewhere I've been before for safety, but I'm trying to do things a little differently these days. I am trying to fall back in love with spontaneity, with new things, with Hobart. 

We got a table and used the QR to access the menu and order.

I ordered a Single Double, Gudge a Spicy Chook and a share serve of French Fries.

The restaurant was nice, it was not too loud, had a buzz without feeling overwhelming. It reminded me of the places I used to like going to burgers in Brisbane like NKB, Betty's Burgers, and the one that was on George Street, up the top of the Mall (do these places still exist?).

It was a little wait, maybe 30 minutes til the food arrived but this was okay.

The food finally arrived and we were happy.

The chips looked great and the burgers looked lovely. We were slightly concerned with their underwhelming size, but they did look tasty.

The chips were exactly the chips I crave for when I have chip cravings: perfectly crunchy from start to end, dark gold in colour and that nice crispy crumbly texture on the outside. Ever so lightly under-seasoned for me, but absolutely forgivable. 9.5/10.

My Single Double looked great. As mentioned the size was a little underwhelming but the flavour totally made up for it. The bacon was excellent, so thick. We both mentioned that our meat (my beef patty and his chicken) seems a bit thin, but the overall ratios were all perfect, The meat was seasoned and cooked exactly how I'd do it if doing it myself, super fresh, soft, buttery buns and all salads were fresh. 8.5/10

Gudgies Spicy Chook made him very happy. He said I had to mention how wonderful it was to get a mouthful of jalapenos and spiciness in every bite and this made the burger for him.

Despite our concerns of the size of the burgers, we both left full, totally satisfied and with smiles on our faces and both in agreement that we'd happily return. For just over $20 a head for lunch that we were both stoked with, we couldn't be happier.

gfg

Photo courtesy of agfg.com.au

Mr Burger

120A Liverpool St, Hobart, AU 7000