Cutty Sark Teneriffe

Six months B and I have been seeing each other and we decided to celebrate this with a lovely dinner.

photo courtesy of dimmi.com.au

In case you weren't aware, I love boats and I love water. Everything nautical really. I can't remember how I stumbled on reviews for Cutty Sark restaurant, but they were sterling. So with the name of a ship, river views, and excellent reviews, we made a booking for Friday night.

We arrive just as the sun is setting and are shown to the best table: in the corner of the restaurant facing the river. The sliding door are open and the wafting breezes are divine on the balmy Brisbane evening. Fairy lights drape from the ceiling and it has a lovely casual but tasteful ambience.

The menu is a Spanish inspired modern Australian affair and offers almost too many excellent options

We peruse the menu while sipping on one of the best red sangias I've ever tried and take in the view.

Cutty Sark offers a 'chefs selection' as well as full a la carte, the chefs selection offers a starter, entree, main and dessert for $79 and seems like great value, however on this particular night did not offer a couple of the things we were really wanting to try.

I order the Crispy Pork Belly ($17) to start, B orders the Croquettes ($12).

My last post I wrote about my love affair with pork belly, and quite often when you love something as much as I love pork belly, expectations can be set too high, which leads to disappointment. Fortunately, Cutty Sark absolutely smashed it out of the park. This was one of the best pork bellies I had ever tried. Perfectly cooked, perfect crackling, perfect accompaniments of pickled cabbage and celeriac puree, I was so impressed, I posted pictures all over social media and have told just about every person who will listen.

B's croquettes were also really really lovely. Texturally they were perfect, so light and fluffy inside and crisp and golden on the outside with such incredible depth of flavour. The pimenton aioli is also really fantastic.

For mains I was tossing up between the market fish, which was Barramundi that night or the eye fillet. I opted for the Barra as it is one of my favourites. B orders the Ricotta and Spinach Gnudi.

My Barramundi comes to the table with cauliflower puree, grilled asparagus, spinach, and citrus vierge. I have found with fish dishes, fish is either incredible or fine. There was nothing wrong with this main, it was fine, it just didn't blow me away. The fish was cooked really nicely with crispy skin and veggies were wonderful. Maybe I was just too blown away with my starter.

B's gnudi, which is like a gnocci/dumpling hybrid, arrives with forest mushroom, blistered tomato, steamed greens, truffled cream, and THIS was a great dish, everything that was served added a really desirable element to the dish and it was lovely to try different things together.

With our mains we order a side of patatas bravas which are served with tomato salsa, pepper dressing and the beautiful pimenton aioli again. These were so addictive. B and I say we'd both me happy with a table or these, croquettes and pork bellies!

I had to steal this pic from Cutty Sark's website as I didn't get a snap, and they deserve to be seen by all!

I think apart from how perfectly cooked and crispy the potatoes are, the tomato cubes really bring an amazing fresh dimension to this dish, the aioli is also just stunning with a smoky, savoury, garlicky loveliness.

Throughout the evening the hostess and waitress are really lovely and easy to get along with, attentive but never in-our-faces.

We had decided earlier in the evening that we'd like dessert, hoping we'd have room, and fortunately, we did.

I have the Kaffir Lime Pannacotta with pineapple salsa, ginger crisp and coconut ice cream, B goes for the Chocolate Hazelnut Brownie which comes with vanilla ice cream, rhubarb and mixed berries, and chocolate sauce. The desserts were outstanding, up there with the incredible starters. My pannacotta is light, refreshing and a beautiful creamy consistency and nice lime tang. The coconut ice cream is divine and everything on the plate worked perfectly.

B's brownies were rich and delicious, his ice cream also was really really good.

I really really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was fine dining in an unpretentious but beautiful setting. Lovely staff and beautiful menu and outlook. Really cannot recommend enough and I look forward to returning.

Cutty Sark Riverside Bar and Restaurant is located at Goldsborough Place on Vernon Terrace. We are 200m away from the Teneriffe City Cat terminal and Route 60 City Glider bus stop.

39 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe, QLD 4005.

Tel: (07) 3257 2266

email: hello@cuttysark.com.au

The German Club, Woolloongabba

I love the German Club, and not just because I'm half German.

photo courtesy of The German Club

The German Club has been around for decades, and once inside, it feels like it. But I love that. The place offers a literal book of German beers both on tap and bottled. But my favourite part is the food.

photo courtesy of the weekend edition

My father, brother and I decide to celebrate their birthdays with a mid-week lunch.

Currently one of my favourite beers

GC (as I'll call it from here on out to save my letter count), has become very 'cool' lately and without a doubt this must be in part to the excellent meals, both in flavour and value. They are big! Like real big.

Their legendary 1kg Pork Knuckle beats most punters. I tried it once, but being the glutton I am, it just left me in agony for days after.

I start with the Crumbed Camembert Cheese $8.90. I only discovered it recently, but it is the best! It comes served with cranberry sauce and is divine just as it is, however, my brother and I have also discovered if you also order the garlic bread (which is spectacular also) and have them together like a garlicky cheesy pizza, it's just next level.

I've tried quite a few things on the GC menu, but I have to say, my go-to is the Pork Belly. Actually, any Pork Belly is my go-to just in general, but GC does a cracker. On the menu, it comes with fried potatoes, braised sweet red cabbage and sour cherry port sauce ($32), but I like to trade out the potato for spatzle (+$2).

What is a spatzle?

Spätzle (Swabian diminutive plural of Spatz, thus literally "little sparrows", also Spätzli or Chnöpfli in Switzerland or Knöpfle or Hungarian Nokedli, Csipetke or Galuska) are a kind of soft egg noodle found in the cuisines of southern Germany and Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Moselle and South Tyrol.

Little sparrow noodles are very popular in the Southern part of Germany where my father's family still live, I think they are great.

As usual, everything on the plate is just perfect, the meat is moist and juicy, the crackling is crackly, the cabbage is in no way bitter and goes perfectly with the fatty meat, and my lovely spatzle are a perfect carby accompaniment. 

There really is only one down side to eating at GC, and that is, they have an incredible dessert menu, but I never have any room for dessert. 

Address: 416 Vulture St, East Brisbane QLD 4169

Phone: (07) 3391 2434

Buroughs of NY Pizza

I ate here once and had a great experience. So this weekend, myself and the boyf decided to get an 18" takeaway. This is where it's gets tricky.

We were overjoyed when we discovered we could order online... Big tick. 

The ordering process was smooth, but at the end of the order we wait for order to be accepted... and wait... and wait. Then as the order was sent to the restaurant, we got an email saying the order didn't go through and our card was not charged. All good... We tried again.

Order placed again, 18" Philly Cheesesteak pizza, 10% off for first order saving us almost $5 off our $45 pizza. But alas same result, same email.

We then receive a call from a woman from the restaurant, "we don't have the ingredients for your pizza, order hasn't gone through."

No apologies, no would you like to try something else? .. Instead. Just a sharp short response. Oh and that our card HAD been charged and it'll take 48 hours to be refunded.

Okay.

So $90 in the hole, we go back back to the menu, decide on the Liberty Supreme and call through the order this time. She remembers us, but still just as short and unresponsive.

On the plus side, it was to be ready in fifteen minutes.

We decide that despite our ordering woes, that we will judge the pizza on the pizza's merit only and head off to pick it up 

I get there, and announce that I have a pick up under the name we gave, and I am ignored. Okay...

They then ask if the liberty supreme was mine. I say yes and proceed to pay.

I ask if because I initially tried to order online if I'm still entitled to the ten percent off. I might as well have asked in another language with the looks I was given. Eventually a gentleman in a chef's coat agrees, I thank them, pay and walk out.

The pizza box is huge, and I forget all the troubles til that point...

Until I look at my receipt, I have been charged full price. Good.

I get back to the car and the pizza does smell great.

Once home we tuck in.

The base and sauce were EXCELLENT! However that's where it stops, the best I can say is "meh". The toppings were just really underwhelming. Maybe a Margarita pizza is the way to go? They are substantially cheaper 

I don't want to be a whinging Wendy, but the whole experience was just so disappointing.

I had recommended this place to alot of friends, however I can't say I will any longer.

Super Rooster

B and I (B has now been my boyfie for four months), made a trip up the ranges to Toowoomba last weekend. B is from Toowoomba and his mother still lives up there.

It was only a short overnight trip, but one thing B said we simply had to do was visit Super Rooster. It had been his favourite since he was young, and said they have "best chips in the world".

According to their web site, they have been doing what they do for over thirty years, and now have three stores across Toowoomba.

When we arrive, the place does feel very... original.

B suggests we both get a chicken burger and chips. I am starving so I ask to upgrade my chips to a large, B raises his eyebrows in disbelief, "I can do it, I'm really hungry" I plead. I also ask for a gravy and pineapple fritter.

A short amount of time later and our meal is ready. It's raining outside so we sit in the restaurant to eat.

Firstly.. the chips are excellent, really well cooked, perfectly seasoned and hot, really hot. The gravy is, of course, a perfect accompaniment.

The burger looks simple, and there is nothing wrong with simple. A bun, lettuce, mayo and chicken. The chicken is an actual breast fillet, crumbed and deep fried. This burger was beautiful. The chicken breast, again was hot, really hot, food nearly never comes out really hot. It has great flavour as well and it's moist. My only critique was that I felt this burger could have benefited from cheese... but I think everything is better with cheese.

I finish the burger and most of the chips, B helps me with the last few. The pineapple fritter, though small, is a lovely ending to the meal.

I can see what this chicken place has been around for three decades, they do it simple and they do it well. Well done Super Rooster.

NKB Express

I can't remember how I first stumbled across NKB. I was working at Indooroopilly and I may have walked past it, or possibly had been recommended it, in either case, it has become a real special place for me for years now.

Located on the corner, across from the train station, in a building with a Bunnings Hardware is the most perfect little 1950's diner. It has the 1950's tunes, it has booths, its just exactly how I imagine it would be back then.

picture courtesy of theweekendedition.com.au

In my visits over the years, the one thing I can really stand by is the consistency of the food. I have had some so-so interactions with the staff in the past (they've been just lovely lately), but the burgers, sides and drinks are always exceptional.

This Saturday morning, B and I needed to carbo-load before a big day and night of bands and beers at Dead of Winter festival.

As we head in, we order 2 iced lattes and peruse the menu. Every time I come in, I need to reassess the menu because it is actually quite diverse, with burgers, dogs, bagels waffles and sides, as well as weekly specials.

At first I think I want a burger, then waffles, but B and I decide to share one of the weekly specials of the Rockefeller Burger as well as one of the Soho bagels, a vegetarian option with slow roasted mushroom, sun-dried tomato tepenade, grilled zucchini, and wilted spinach, to this we add Swiss cheese. We decide that we MIGHT like to have a dessert waffles after, so we hold off on getting a side.

The burger and bagel come out and both look so amazing. We cut each in half and share between ourselves.

The first bite into the bagel is amazing, beautifully sof,t fresh bagel, with the rich but fresh flavours of the mushroom and zucchini. The addition of the Swiss was a great choice. It was a really, really great bagel.

The Rockefeller looks amazing, and it IS amazing, beef pattie, cheese, bacon, pickles and slaw. To bite into this burger is just amazing, it had everything I love about a Hungry Jacks (Burger King) Whopper with Cheese. It was meaty, and cheesy and creamy but crunchy with the slaw and the bacon. This burger, in my opinion should be a standard menu item.

Rockefeller dissection

Soho dissection

We were right, we did want a dessert waffle, and after having it once previously, I suggest the Harlem waffle, with salted caramel sauce and home made vanilla ice cream.

This is one of my favouite things in this, or ANY menu. Going halvsies proves to be the perfect amount. Freshly made waffles with the creamiest ice cream you'll ever try. If for no other reason, come to NKB for the waffles. But, in seriousness, you should probably also try the burgers, the shakes, the onion rings, the bagels, the fries, oh the loaded fries, the sodas... I could go on.

Address: 100 Coonan St, Indooroopilly QLD 4068

Phone: (07) 3720 0330

Menu: nkbexpress.com.au

Blackbird Bar and Grill

My new gentleman friend B wanted to take me out for my birthday in early July and suggested Blackbird Bar and Grill on Eagle Street Pier. I had eaten there before and loved it. It also has the most beautiful outlook so it seemed like a perfect birthday date place.

B is also who suggested I should start blogging again, so thank you B for the inspiration.

It was State of Origin decider night in Brisbane, and it was a home game, (Rugby League to those not in the know. Me, I just don't really care), so hair curled, dressed up, fur on, and I make my way to Eagle Street Pier on Brisbane river to meet up with my beau.

We begin the night with a drink overlooking the river, in this case a dry, dirty vodka martini... very dirty. One of the loveliest outlooks from a bar in Brisbane.

Photo courtesy of timeoff.com.au

We make our way inside and are shown to a gorgeous table by the window.

Photo courtesy of blackbirdbrisbane.com.au

A peruse of the menu left us in awe. The first time I dined here, myself and guest shared a selection of entrees and starters. The second time was a work do with a set menu. But blackbird is renowned for is meat selection as well as excellent seafood.

My partner does not eat seafood, but was very happy for me to indulge, so I started with oysters, one of each available. Served with a red wine vinaigrette and lemon, all three were fresh and divine, the smallest being the sweetest and most delicious.

For starter I choose the kingfish carparccio with toasted pinenuts and blood orange, B selects the beetroot and goats cheese royale with crushed broad beans and ash lavosh.

My kingfish was outstanding, fresh and delicious, and the blood orange contrasted beautifully with the earthy savoury of the pinenuts and the sweetness of the fish.

B's royale was not only aesthetically beautiful but a subtle, earthy delight. The royale was almost a savoury panacotta, and when paired with each different element on the plate provided a different flavour pattern. B's only complaint was that he wished he had two of the lavosh.

For mains I really wanted to try the steak, but I couldn't resist the suckling pig roast with black pudding, golden sultanas, caramelized onion and chickpea puree. B opts or the Pan fried potato gnocchi with roasted zucchini, squash, fresh curd, caper and raisin dressing

To drink with our mains, I have another martini and B orders another beer. I love martinis.

My pork is to DIE FOR! Moist and rich and flavourful. The black pudding was incredible and worked so well with the pork, the sultanas and sultana puree provided a beautiful sweetness against all the rich meat. The chickpea puree was quite full on, but the little chickpea "popcorns" atop the puree were excellent and provided a beautiful crunch. We decided against ordering sides, and I don't think we needed them at all.

B loved every bite of his gnocchi. I was very jealous of the tempura zucchini flower!

We decided against dessert, and instead decided to retire back to the balcony bar for a Balvenie 21 y.o. whisky as a digestif.

Once again, Blackbird exceeded expectations. Many thanks to B and to Blackbird.

Riverside Centre, 123 Eagle Street,
Brisbane, Queensland 400

Phone (07) 3229 1200

Email info@blackbirdbrisbane.com.au

Christmas at Treasury Hotel

My brother, mother and I have made a tradition of lunching out for Christmas.

It's lovely to get dressed up, feel festive and especially not have to purchase, prepare or clean up anything.

Also, it's very hard to feel festive in Brisbane summer.

Last year while researching, we stumbled across the sumptuous menu of the Treasury Hotel, but missed out on tickets. This year we got in early.

What initially drew us to this luncheon was the absolute variety of food available. Of course a plethora of seafood, but for not-so-seafoody brother there was a wealth of options for him too. Traditional Christmas roasts, Middle Eastern, Asian, Aussie BBQ, as well as bubbles, wine and beer.

C and I got ready and wandered down to the Treasury. In typical Brisbane Christmas style, it rained, then it was hot then it was muggy. We thoroughly enjoyed stepping into the air-conditioning and we lead to our beautiful table for the with a window view looking out over the park.

On our table was breads, butter, olives, dips, Christmas crackers and decorations.

On entry we weren't quite sure where the food actually was. We sat and nibbled on the antipasto, ordered a beer and a bubbles for myself. Just after our drinks arrived we went for an explore and made our way to the huge courtyard buffet selections.

King Crab and Lobster

Middle eastern and Mediterranean options

Add caption

Pizza Oven

Traditional Roasts

Mussels, Scallops, Prawns, Bugs, King Crab, Lobster

Aussie BBQ

For my first course, I started with ceviche scallops, fresh king prawns, pacific oysters, salmon and prawn nigiri and crocodile ceviche. The oysters and scallops were excellent, and the nigiri was outstanding quality. The prawns were okay, but I've eaten enough prawns in my time to be very particular with prawns and the crocodile I didn't really care for at all.

Round two was Char sui pork belly, Peking duck, eye fillet, bourbon glazed pork ribs and wood fired pizza.
Both the duck and the pork belly were to die for, the pork was really delicious, but the eye fillet was just incredible. So tender and soft as butter.

I really couldn't believe how well it had been cooked. And the pizza- what an awesome addition to any plate.

My next course involved beautiful baked ham, Yorkshire pudding, Buirre noisette sage gnocchi, Waldorf salad, Hollandaise gratenated oysters with cavier, king crab claw and lobster claw.

How good is baked ham? I'll tell you- it's the best! And Yorkshire puds should be an everyday food. The oysters graten were simply divine. If anything the only disappointments were the lobster and crab.They were lacking any real flavout and had a watery texture.

By this stage the fullness was starting to set in. So lets looks at what C got in to...

A giant plate of meat and potatos

Damper, pizza, char sui pork, baked ham, pasta salad and beetroot salad.

C was really happy with the selections, and as previously stated, this was really important to mum and I. His favourite, as mine, was the perfectly cooked fillet.

Dessert was to follow

Fruit selection

I decided on the passionfruit slice, a creme caramel, a blueberry mousse cake, and a massive piece of pecan pie.

We left feeling very full and very happy with ourselves.

To date, I believe I can speak on behalf of the group, and say that this was our favourite Chritmas luncheon. It's not cheap at $285 a head. But it is such a wondeful Christmassy experience that really does feel festive. Mum especially really loves it and had already decided well be back at the Tereasury next year for Christmas lunch.

Treasury Hotel and Casino
William Street Brisbane City