Whilst I’m personally not 100% sold on the concept, it certainly seems to work pretty well if the constant line up of people was anything to go by.  One hand, the lovely boutique-style, beachside inspired decor, sweeping river views and intimate design details of Jude lend it to being somewhere you’d settle in for a long boozy lunch with the ladies of leisure. 

In contrast on the other hand, you order and pay at the counter from a selection of pre-made meals that get heated up and then you’re issued with a buzzer which goes crazy when your meal is ready to collect.  And to top it off – it all arrives to the counter in a brown cardboard box of sorts.

 My party of three were a bit perplexed by the whole process to be honest, but the customers kept on coming, so I’m thinking the owners might be onto a winner.  The pre-made meals all look pretty damn tasty – there’s a great selection of daily salads, risotto balls, lamb balls, rice balls – balls of all sorts ready to be thrown into the microwave and then sidled up next to a salad.  There are also gourmet pies, fish and chips, quiches, lasagnes, paninis and more.

Richo had the Jude curry special of the day – bite sized pieces of lightly fried pork atop a bed of satay rice ($12.90).  Not my cup of tea – too much fried stuff, but Richo thought it was flavoursome and filling.

SS had the Thai chicken balls with salad and rice ($15.90), which looked pretty good.  The generous clumps of chicken pattie and rice were in a nice Thai style sauce, accompanied by the Thai style salad of the day.

The menu boasts the ‘best burgers ever’ so without much contemplation I decided to take Jude up on the challenge.  I’ve had some good burgers in my time and I suspected their claim to be a little bold.  I chose the satay chicken burger with chips and salad ($17.90).  The chicken pattie was pretty good – nice creamy satay flavour, good peanut sauce and some pleasant greenery on top.  Was it the best burger ever?  Errr…Nope.

We enjoyed our meals from our funny little cardboard boxes outside in the alfresco area which would’ve been lovely if it weren’t one of Brisbane’s coldest, windiest days this Winter – there’s no cat-swinging inside at Jude, so beware on cooler days and perhaps try to book ahead if you’ve got more than 2 or 3 people with you.

•  Jude – 9/1 Eagle St, Brisbane CBD +61 7 3220 2201

The girls and I booked a table at The Villager Hotel for a quick lunch break mid-week and found everything from the service, the food and the ambience to be what we collectively described as ‘meh’.  Only a scattering of tables were occupied in the cosy, rustic dining area, however the service was blasé and pretty much non-existent, as our waitress had no interest in taking our order, or even acknowledging our presence…

After making a small scene just to get noticed and our orders taken, we started with the tomato, basil and fetta bruschetta ($11) to share from the tapas menu.  The kitchen was a little slow to deliver, but once it arrived we were pretty impressed with our starter.  The generous pile of tiny diced tomato pieces was drizzled with balsamic and delicate strands of basil, random chunks of fetta and to my delight there was a distinct absence of diced onion.

The mains weren’t too slow in arriving which was a welcome relief.  Princess had the garlic and prawn risotto with congnac cream ($25).  Although not much to look at with its brown, sloppy appearance, the risotto was cooked well and the prawny chunks were fresh and flavoursome.  The cognac cream however was too rich, overbearing and too salty.

I opted for a pasta dish too, having the confit salmon fettuccine with sugar snaps, shaved pecorino and champagne cream ($24).  The serving wasn’t perhaps as generous as I would’ve expected, however once again too salty, too rich and as such I couldn’t finish it anyway.  The salmon pieces were cooked nicely but overpowered by the creamy sauce.

JA had some success with her choice of the wagyu beef burger with hand cut chips and salad ($16).  The patty was nice and plump, cooked well and had a nice big gooey blob of cheese on top, all nestled in a cosy, crusty roll.  And the chips were pretty much spot on.

The menu at The Villager Hotel has some really nice options on it and I suspect a slight attitude adjustment from the staff may see a shift towards a pleasant dining experience.

Whilst I won’t rush back for lunch, I wouldn’t mind spending some time on the tapas menu, with a cocktail or fish-bowl size glass of red wine in one hand.  The Villager Hotel has that feel to it like it wants to go off (in a good way!), but it hasn’t quite figured out how.

Maybe it’s the supper club experience which makes The Villager Hotel shine?

• The Villager Hotel (Gastrobar) – 185 George St Brisbane CBD +61 7 3211 1300

King George Square has been converted into a mini Alpine village with food and beverage stalls lining the concourse outside Town Hall; from churros and donuts to Gluhwein and chai lattes, this little village doesn’t quite match that of those you’ll find in the Swiss Alps, but it’s a enough of a taste to make you feel like you haven’t totally missed out on the magical winter experience that our European mountain dwelling counterparts get to enjoy for 4 months on the calendar.

Following a rather disheartening false start on opening day (with a blown chiller valve), things at Alpine Winter Festival were soon back on track as the temps around Brisbane hit some all time lows – perfect timing!

MM and I took a burn around the ice on the long weekend after summonsing up some Dutch courage with a mug full of Gluhwein, included in our ticket for skating and skate hire ($35pp).  The open air ice rink sure is a novelty and it’s the first time Brisbane-ites have seen anything like it in their own town.  Perched in the middle of King George square under the towering clock of Town Hall, the ice rink is such a spectacle it’s practically stopping traffic on Ann St.

The skating experience is an act in survival of the fittest, as kids, adults, kids in adult bodies and small orange plastic seal pups scuffle around in fits of hysteria and unorganised chaos for 45 minutes.  MM stuck close by the barriers, white knuckles glowing and a look of sheer terror on his face as the weekend warriors blazed past him.  Showing my skating prowess I ducked and weaved amongst the other wanna-be queens of the ice and twirled with finesse unsurpassed by my fellow skaters….no, really, that’s how it went….

With a sigh of relief that we’d survived the skating experience, we ditched our hire skates and wondered the alpine inspired village in search of some winter treats.  MM and I can’t go past the German Sausage Hut (no matter what the season), so we stopped in there for a kransky and bread ($7), accompanied by an ice cold beer as we did some serious winter wonderland people-watching.

The Alpine Winter Festival has brought young, old and in betweeners out of the woodwork this winter and added a buzz in the city which you don’t usually see this time of year.  Don’t expect it all to be smooth sailing however – the skate hire and cloak room processes could do with some refinement and the skating itself is a mess….but I think it’s all worth it for a touch of winter magic.

The Brisbane Alpine Winter Festival runs until June 26^th; you can buy tickets online or at the ticket office in the alpine village.

• Alpine Winter Festival Brisbane – King George Square, Brisbane CBD info@winterfestival.com.au

The four of us kicked things off with a round of Asahi for the girls and plum wine for the boys (go figure…).  Accompanying the drinks was a bowl of edamame ($5.00) and Charsiu Rice with chilli and takana ($4.00) to share.

Taro’s lovely little alfresco dining area was warm and friendly, with heaters and blankets for keeping cold legs toasty.  At a quick glance around the room, it was clear to see Taro’s was a regular haunt for Japanese business men and students, which was a good sign.

My companions and Thursday night regulars, DJ Tashywash and Simmo, recommended the tonkotsu ramen ($14.80) with extra Charsiu (sliced pork, from Bangalow).  Not being able to make much sense of the menu (the 5 years of Japanese lessons in high school clearly paid off…) I went with their recommendation and it didn’t disappoint.

The bottom of the bowl was packed with fresh, doughy, thin noodles and on top was a gooey, soft boiled egg.  The sliced pork was tender and the hot soup broth was full of flavour and totally drinkable all on its own.

The marketing guff boasts that owner and head chef Taro has a mission to serve the most delicious bowl of ramen ever to Australia.  Now, I haven’t had a lot of ramen in my time, but it’s not new to me either.  I can say with certainty, Taro’s ramen is in fact the best bowl of ramen I’ve ever had the pleasure of eating and slurping.  Taro’s ramen noodles are hand-made on the premises and don’t contain any MSG or preservatives; his dry ingredients are sourced from Japan and his fresh produce is found locally.

Open Monday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, Taro’s menu also boasts a selection of Japanese tapas items such as gyoza, mini curry, chicken karaage and takoyaki at a reasonable price, with pleasant and speedy service.  It’s simple food, but flavoursome and filling.  As we get further into the cooler winter months I think Taro’s might be a regular for me too.

• Taro’s Ramen & Cafe – Ground Floor, 363 Adelaide St, Brisbane CBD +61 7 3832 6358

The Stamford Plaza is a great location for the Brisbane arm of Moo Moo’s (after all most of the real estate down on Eagle St Pier is taken).  There is something very grand and sophisticated about the Moo Moo’s decor and overall feel, which I think matches the similar qualities of the Stamford Plaza Hotel.

My party of 3 sat overlooking Edward St and the Port Office Hotel, which was quite a nice people watching spot and a lovely area to sip crisp white wine, tucked away from the bulk of the lunch goers.  We all agreed that both entrees and mains were a must have, in order to get a full appreciation of the Moo Moo’s menu, which was very, very impressive.

Big Phil decided to have the sea scallops with confit pork belly, wasabi cream corn and soy poached quail egg ($26).  A really well plated combination, the black sesame encrusted scallops were cooked perfectly and the pork was tender with just the right amount of crackling.

Knowing I wouldn’t have steak for a main, I figured I should have the peppered carpaccio of beef tenderloin with caper berries, pecorino, apple, curry oil emulsion and watercress ($25).  The slivers of beef were smooth and rich…every component of the dish worked.  However, it was a little on the dry side.

Tommo chose his hand very well and I had to hold myself back from stealing his entree from under his nose.  The Moo Moo’s Szechuan glazed Mooloolaba tiger prawns with fennel angel hair pasta ($26) was indeed the pick of the lot; it was fragrant, fresh and right up my alley….

Onto the mains and as predicted, both my companions chose from the long list of beef options.  All sorts of ‘x’ aged and ‘something’ fed varieties were on the list and the gents were very torn over which to choose.  I didn’t mimic their enthusiasm and although I love a good steak, I had no desire for it on this occasion and I tuned out a little when they made their decisions (sorry!).

What I can tell you is their choices of steak (both around $50) were both cooked as requested, and presented beautifully, the t-bone on its very own chopping board with gravy and roasted roma tomatoes.

I chose the yellow King Fish curry with prawns, spiced pear chutney, jasmine rice and yoghurt ($39).  The flavour was exceptional – very Thai, very fragrant, pleasantly spicy and the sweet flesh of the seafood bits and pieces made a perfect match.

The slow, lazy lunch was memorable and I’d return in a heart beat to Moo Moo’s.  The staff are friendly and helpful, with intimate knowledge of the menu and cuts of beef available.  I can’t comment on whether the Moo Moo’s steaks are worth the big bucks, but if their other fine menu options are any indication, then the steaks will surely be a cut above the rest.

• Moo Moo (The Wine Bar & Grill) – Stamford Plaza, Edward St, Brisbane +61 7 3236 4500

Japanese cuisine never ends up being a cheap eat; whether you’re taking sushi from the train, doing Tepanyaki, or having a sit down al a carte style meal.  Sake is certainly no exception however the price tag matches the quality of food, the service and overall experience pretty much perfectly.

Red and I were out for a Monday lunch in between meetings and Sake was on the must- try list for both of us.  We were greeted pleasantly upon arrival by both floor staff and the kings of the kitchen who overlook the dining area as they whip up their master pieces.  

Sake is a huge venue (to match the huge list of sake options on the drinks menu!), decked out with typically traditional Japanese fittings, with private and intimate dining rooms for both small and large groups, as well as standard tables and booths for casual dining. 

It was explained to us that whilst most Sake dishes contain traditional Japanese elements, Sake’s menu provides a contemporary twist on the traditional fare, and is portioned mostly to cater for shared dining.  Sounded pretty good to us…

We began with the sashimi appetiser with 8 pieces of sashimi including salmon, tuna, king fish and barramundi ($17).  The sashimi was fresh and ice cold and the barramundi was a nice, unusual twist to the platter.

Next up was the steamed king prawn dumplings ($16); 6 pieces of Chinese inspired shumai (dumplings) with spicy ponzu (citrus juice).  This dish was one of my favourites – the shumai were rich in texture, plump full of prawn meat and although the flavour of the ponzu was a strange combination of sour and spice, it all worked. 

Red’s pick of the lot was the Wagyu new style ($24) which was a long, generous serve of the thinnest slices of wagyu beef, lightly seared with hot oil and finished with ginger, chives and yuzu soy. Enough said.

We finished things off with the tonkatsu cups ($15); 4 pieces of panko fried pork belly and spring onion bites, served in lettuce cups with mustard miso and Japanese barbeque sauce.  These were the smallest tastiest cups of battered pork katsu curry ever but they were a serious package of flavour and the textures in the dish once again were amazing.

The portions at Sake are small, but the flavours are quite rich, so the concept of sharing different plates works well.  If you’re uber hungry, you’re better off ordering a couple of share plates and a main to yourself, because in all honesty after spending close to $70 between us we weren’t exactly bursting at the seams, but we thoroughly enjoyed our Sake experience.

• Sake – Level 1, 45 Eagle St, Eagle St Pier +61 7 3339 0999

The BBC takes up serious real estate at the old Vinos premises, at the top of the Eagle St Pier escalators.  Decked out with traditional German beer hall-style timber bench seating inside and out, you couldn’t think of a better place to drink big fat beers in the afternoon sun.  The tight shirts and short skirts don’t really do it for me, but my male companions were beaming and this alone would probably bring the majority of BBC’s male patronage back time and time again.  The dress code of the female wait staff isn’t at all offensive, it’s just enough to get the guys on the edge of their seats and maybe raise an eyebrow of the none-too-impressed girlfriends/wives.

As for the jugs (of beer that), it’s safe to say I was very impressed.  The BBC has every size of beer stein you could wish for and an impressively long list of “pure bier” from our German friends including Hofbrau, Franziskaner, Munich and (my personal favourite) Lowenbrau variations. 

As you sit, drink and people watch with sweeping views of the river and Story Bridge, or get stein-serious in a booth inside the huge restaurant and bar area, a freshly baked Bavarian pretzel basket is a must have ($3.50).  The pretzels are super-sized and salty – when you smother them with butter and wash them down with ale that you need two hands to hold on to, it’s a pretty mind blowing experience.  And then there’s clanging of cow bells every time a patron orders a rack of schnapps…this place has it going on!

The all day dining menu at BBC offers a range of hearty, traditional Bavarian stodge, as well as lighter options for those who can’t put away a plate full of schnitzel.  I had the king prawns linguine in a chilli tomato sauce topped with shaved parmesan ($25.50) which was exceptional.  The prawns were aplenty, the sauce was spicy and flavoursome.

My co-diners both had the Bavarian tasting platter ($25.50) of succulent pork belly, sausages and schnitzel serviced with traditional Bavarian condiments.  It all looked a little too fried for my liking and the pork a bit fatty, but the boys didn’t have a bad word to say about it. 

There are a heap of starters to choose from, ranging from $11 – $19, which are adequate to share with your fellow companions.  The house specials and schnitzel options will set you back anywhere from $24 – $36, so it’s not exactly budget food and drink at BBC, but you get a lot for your money.

The BBC pumps with atmosphere and friendliness and has one of the best views in town.  If you’re going with a crew of people, it’s probably best to book a table as it’s usually packed from lunch time onwards.  There’s plenty of standing room inside, but you’re going to need somewhere to rest your weary body after a couple of steins.

• Bavarian Bier Café – Level 1, 45 Eagle St, Eagle St Pier, Brisbane +61 7 3339 0900

Siana’s tag line is “Uniquely Asian” and I have to say that sums it up pretty well.  My party of three took a seat in the vibrant, mood lit dining area not quite knowing what to expect – there aren’t too many places you can find Japanese, Indian and Chinese cuisine on the same plate, let alone on the same menu.

The venue was abuzz with a couple of Christmas parties in full swing out on the alfresco area, so it was quite difficult for us in the dining room to hear each other talk; none the less we enjoyed the atmosphere and reverted to alternative means of communication over a couple of whiskey sours and one of my favourites, the ‘take me home’ cocktail ($17).

The dining area consists of a couple of large, long dark wood tables – so you have to be content with shared dining.  The space between seats is more than enough however, so you don’t feel as if the person next to you is imposing on your dining experience.

In an effort to sample a few items on the menu, the three of us chose Siana’s platinum platter ($30pp) which included chicken togarashi, duck rice paper rolls, wonton prawns, vegetable samosas, steamed prawn dumpling, Peking duck wraps, Keema lamb naan, tuna and almond roll, California roll, BBQ pork bun and steamed Edamame beans.

At first glance, with only one of each item per person on the platter, I was dubious as to whether this appetizing spread would adequately cater for our unified hunger.  As we picked through the items however, it was soon evident that we’d be satisfied.

All of the morsels were delicious, fresh and full of flavour.  The stand outs for me were the duck rice paper rolls, wonton prawns and the Keema naan, although I have to say that every item on display was without fault and the combination of cuisines worked (strangely enough) really well.

The staff at Siana City were a little scarce due to the Christmas parties, however they were very friendly and most helpful with recommending suggestions for our meal.  My interstate guests were most impressed with the food and experience which is a testament to Brisbane’s often criticised, but ever growing night life. 

For a similar experience out of the CBD you may like to try Siana Valley.

• Siana City – Upper Plaza Level, Riparian Plaza, 71 Eagle St, Brisbane +61 7 3221 3887

Known to his mignons as The Don, Lukeus Povis has made such an impression with his mobile beans that he’s opening a new Cart El Coffee right in the heart of the CBD on Monday 1^st November.

To celebrate the new location and really kick things off with a bang,  Cart El Coffee are having a promotional ‘free stuff day’ operating from 6.30am to 6pm to ensure the Brisbane public well and truly know who to go for great coffee on the run.

The Don and his boys pride themselves in providing great coffee at great prices through prompt service, providing time-poor, caffeine- needy customers the best takeaway coffee experience. 

Cart El Coffee uses a signature triple origin blend consisting of 100% organic fair trade & rainforest alliance Arabica coffee.  Their medium to dark roast sounds to me how one might describe the perfect man:  Central American (sweet and full bodied), South American (sweetness and tartness combined with a good body) and a hint of Sumatran (exotic and spicy!).

For lovers of espresso, kilos and kilos of beans will be on standby at Cart El Coffee for the grand opening of the new CBD venue, as will various flavours of syrups for those who like their coffee with a sweet twist. 

Not fussed on coffee?  There will be free club cinnamon and vanilla honey chai lattes being handed out courtesy of Bondai Chai Latte, and for those who need a hit of anti-oxidants, the Cart El Coffee specialty 80% cocoa hot chocolates will also be on offer free of charge.

Samples from the Byron Bay Cookie Company will also make a cameo appearance for the event, as will bags of goodies from Amore Fine foods and Pastry Perfection.  Mmmmm muffins….

Make a noise down at the Cart El Coffee cart and you may even get famous.  There’ll be a professional photographer from 7.30am to take caffeine-fuelled photos of the event and if you get snapped, you’ll be able to tag yourself on Cart El Coffee’s Facebook page to win a complimentary coffee on your next visit.  Keep an eye out for the lucky spot prizes too….

• Cart El Coffee – 102 Adelaide St, Brisbane CBD

Coffee & Chocolate’s first point of appeal to me was the gorgeous Villaroy & Boch white porcelain cups and accessories they use to serve their creamy coffees in.  I don’t know of any other venue in Brisbane that does this and for me, it’s such a nice touch.

If you’re looking for something sweet to accompany your coffee, as the name suggests, Coffee & Chocolate have it covered.  For chocolate fans, it’s a tough choice; there are so many gorgeous little chocolatey creatures to choose from.  Penguins, bunnies, crocodiles, koalas…the list goes on.  There are all sorts of cream-filled chocolates ranging from centres of peppermint, strawberry, orange, hazelnut…..and more, in all sorts of shapes and sizes.

It doesn’t stop there.  Coffee & Chocolate do a deliciously bad warm banana bread – again, no holds barred on presentation as the bread is lightly toasted and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar, served with butter.

There are all sorts of calorie-rich meringues, cakes, tarts and cookies, cakes, muffins and quiches to choose from too; as if you really need to be teased even more. 

They’re not the cheapest stop in town for a coffee and cake, but the extra care taken to present their delicious treats makes it worth it; and the outlook to the Queen St Mall and the boutique fashion shops in Queens Plaza isn’t so bad either.

•  Coffee & Chocolate – Level 1, Queens Plaza, Queen St Mall, Brisbane CBD, +61 7 3229 7799

The best deal we’ve come across recently is two-for-ones at the Hotel Orient on Tuesday nights…it gets better though – it’s also trivia night!  The kitchen doesn’t open ‘til 6pm, so if you rock up straight after work you’ll have to settle in for a couple of beers before ordering your meals.

The two-for-ones menu isn’t exactly extensive but there’s definitely enough to choose from and be content with – and who’s to complain when you’re getting one meal for free?  We started with a garlic bread pizza ($8) which had a strange but tasty additive of feta cheese.

MM chose the chicken parmy with garden salad and fries ($20).  I wasn’t lucky enough to be offered a taste (just coz it’s date night doesn’t mean we have to share!) but MM devoured the generous serving and commented that it was just as good as any parmy he’d eaten during his 2 year stint in Melbourne.

I ordered the chicken risotto with white wine, mushroom, parmesan and baby spinach ($19) which wasn’t the best risotto I’ve ever had the pleasure of tasting, but it wasn’t exactly bad and it certainly did the job of filling my ravenous stomach.

As we munched through our mains, we were entertained by the trivia punters (you always find all sorts at these things?!) and tried our hand at the first round before calling it a night.

Other options on the menu were typical pub stodge of bangers and mash, fish and chips, steak and salad etc…a pretty well rounded offering for a cheap, tasty and entertaining way to have a casual night out during the week.

• Hotel Orient – 560 Queen St, Brisbane, +61 7 3839 4625

My party of 6 arrived for a midday seating and the large, beautifully fresh and well appointed alfresco dining room was filling rapidly – a Spring-induced buzz filled the air at Jellyfish and I suspect everyone was of the opinion it was far too nice to be stuck in the office.

Our waitress was a little dishevelled herself and although it took some effort to get the Jellyfish specials menu right, she certainly entertained us with her wit and banter (big points for personality!).  We kicked things off with some sourdough with truffle butter which was a little rich for my liking, but a nice touch none the less.

The entrees menu was full of fresh, fishy choices – all of which sounded delicious, but for me it’s always hard to go past the oysters…so I didn’t.  The fresh, chilled Pacific oysters were natural, with a side of spring onion and Jerez vinegar (8 for $24) and were probably some of the best I’ve had in a very long time.

Princess chose the Stradbroke Island prawns with aioli dipping sauce ($24).  The tiny fried creatures were presented whole and lightly battered to a perfect crispness, ready to be munched heads and all.

BigPhil chose the tempura soft shell mud crab with green chilli and spring onion accompanied by a side of wasabi mayonnaise ($26).  He wasn’t too awed by the dish and suggested it was standard as far as soft shell crab goes.

Ed on the other hand was very impressed with his spicy fish tacos ($26) which looked exceptionally well constructed.

The mains menu at Jellyfish holds a range of fresh fish choices including barra, whiting, squire, kingfish and more – all with recommendations on whether it should be battered, fried, crumbed or grilled and advice on the best accompanying sauces.  There is a great range of sides to choose from to compliment your choice of fish.  If you’re looking for more than just a piece of fish, there is an ala carte menu full of mouth watering dishes.

Here’s a taste of what was on order at our table:

Seared tuna (rare) with soy and wasabi ($30).

Hiramasa Kingfish with cherry tomato compote ($30).

Spaghettini, Tasmanian clams, prawns, white fish, baby zucchini, garlic and parsley ($37).

Carnaroli risotto, wild river barramundi, saffron, fresh peas, fennel and lemon ($37).

Thai style red curry, Port Lincoln leather jacket, basil, kaffir lime, snake beans ($38).

Side dishes of new potatoes, garlic, parsely ($7.50), wild rocket, parmesan, rhubarb vinegar ($7.50), steamed Asian greens, oyster sauce ($7.50).

Each of us were impressed with how the Jellyfish mains were presented and tasted.  The dishes all had a unique construction and were well complimented by our chosen sides to share.  They were cooked delicately but with big handfuls of flavour and passion.

There were only two of us brave enough to squeeze in dessert and boy I’m glad we did.  For someone who’d normally rather eat a pie than a cake, I have to say this chocolate fondant with double cream, mint and raspberries ($18) was exceptional.

The price tags at Jellyfish are sizeable and it’s probably best to point out that this lunch was all expenses paid on the corporate credit card.  I would however return in a flash to spend my own hard earned cash on the Jellyfish menu.  If you’re a seafood lover and don’t mind a good view as well, then Jellyfish is a must.

• Jellyfish Restaurant – Boardwalk Level, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane +61 7 3220 2202

Little Singapore was bustling upon our arrival and we were lucky that JPC had arrived a little earlier to jag a table.  First impressions were pretty good really; there was a mix of clientele with some large, rowdy tables of 6 or more making it an occasion, down to tables for two on a quick mission.

The large, laminated menu had so many good looking options and what I liked about it was they didn’t really give a description of what the dish was – it had an authentic name and a photo of the end result; so we had to go with gut instincts which gave it an element of danger yet excitement (scary for someone like me who is notoriously bad with menu choices).

The three of us made our selections and I joined the queue at the counter to order.  A few minutes later I was back at the table, waiting with bated breath for our meals to arrive.  We were surrounded by tables with large portions of steaming noodle and curry dishes – with nothing over $14 on the menu it was clear this is a value for money experience.  However, as we waited 10, 15, 20 and finally 30 minutes for our meals (watching people who ordered after us cleaning their plates with their Roti) our first impressions had fizzled.

We had to ask several times for our meals and it was clear they had forgotten our order, yet none of the Little Singapore wait staff bothered to acknowledge this and were quite abrupt with us when we requested they check with the kitchen.  When the meals finally arrived (not together, but 5 minutes apart) our hungers had somewhat diminished and it was almost time to get back to the office.

We quickly scoffed our meals and to their credit the dishes were very tasty.  Princess’ black bean beef ($10.50) was flavoursome, packed full of meet (a tad on the fatty side) and vegies as well.

JPC’s char kway teow ($11.50) was a delicious, smoky dish of chicken with fat egg noodles in a soy based sauce.

I chose the BBQ pork and roast duck with rice ($13.90); the pork was a little on the dry side but the flavour was spot on and the duck was mouth-wateringly fatty and roasted in a delicious (what seemed like) plum based sauce.

We all shared a roti planta plate ($9.50) of sweet flat bread with dahl and mixed vegies which was perfect for mopping up any left overs.

Needless to say, the food and price are both winners at Little Singapore so I’ll no doubt be returning to give them a second chance.  I suspect that on this visit we were unlucky; but the overall experience on this occasion definitely warranted the NOT Little Singapore has been given.

• Little Singapore – 42 Charlotte St, Brisbane, +61 7 3211 1177

Zenbar is a modern Australian restaurant with Asian influenced cuisine and as long as I’ve known it, they’ve been serving excellent quality, fresh and flavoursome food.  At lunch time it’s hard to find a seat as the suits descend from the buildings above to grab a quick curry and a beer in their lunch break, or, settle in for 3 courses while they solve the world’s problems.

My most recent experience at Zenbar was for dinner with a customer who hadn’t previously had the pleasure of dinner service, only a few beers on a Friday after work.  We were fairly ravenous after a long afternoon in meetings so I encouraged a selection of entrees be made before indulging in mains.

We decided to share a few dishes between the 3 of us and I insisted one of those be my Zenbar favourite of the duck wraps with cucumber, hoisin sauce, shallots and Chinese pancakes ($18.50 for 6).  We also chose the lightly toasted roti flat bread with spicy satay dipping sauce ($7.50) and the Vietnamese rice paper rolls with spicy nam jim dipping sauce ($13.50 for 6).

The duck pancakes were a huge hit and we actually had to play rock-paper-scissors to determine who would have the pleasure of devouring the remaining piece.  The duck was nice and tender with a touch of crispy skin, and once rolled into the fluffy pancake with hoisin sauce and cucumber it really was a flavour sensation.

The roti bread was a little over-toasted for my liking, but the spicy satay sauce made up for it with a zesty punch.  The Vietnamese rolls were my least favourite of the three dishes as the filling lacked texture and depth of flavour; again however, the accompanying sauce was fiery and complimented the rolls well.

On to the mains and I was surprised when my guests who are both curry lovers opted for the more main-stream meals of the marinated lamb rump with Moroccan vegetable cous cous and raita ($34.50) and the Coorong beef fillet with kipfler potatoes, garlic mushrooms and red wine jus ($36.50).  Quite the duck lover at the moment, I opted for the red curry of twice cooked duck, with lychees, tomato and tamarind relish with a side of rice ($27.50).

My curry was delicious – the red paste was punchy but not too hot and the coconut milk was subtle and didn’t disturb the flavour of the duck meat one bit.  The lychees complimented the dish perfectly by adding just a hint of sweetness and took the edge off the chilli.

The steak sitting across from me looked plump and juicy and was cooked to MG’s satisfaction of medium-rare.  The serving was generous (more than you’d probably expect from most restaurants with these sorts of price tags as they flaunt quality over quantity) yet basic, with the small kipflers and large field mushrooms beautifully supporting the fillet.

GG’s lamb dish looked delicious and was cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of pink in the middle.  The bed of cous cous and raita complimented the dish well.

Full marks so far – my guests were well impressed with my recommendations and hinted ever so gently that dessert would ensure their evening was a true success.  I politely passed as I couldn’t possibly fit another thing in, but GG indulged in the chocolate mud cake with vanilla ice cream ($14.50) while MG went for the affogato with honeycomb ice cream ($12.50).

Thankfully I had the pleasure of tasting both desserts, and while the mud cake was too rich for me, it was moist and dense with no doubt the right amount of Calories to qualify as a true mud cake.  The affogato was to die for, with the bitter espresso shot perfectly complimenting the sweet honeycomb ice cream.

Zenbar impressed my guests and of course it was no surprise to me that the meals would be flavoursome and impressive.  The wait staff were attentive, friendly and even a little cheeky as they dished some banter to my fussy counterparts, which made for a pleasant experience all round.  The bill is always a little on the high side of average at Zenbar, but for the quality of the service, food, ambience and overall dining experience, I’d be willing to say it’s justified.

• Zenbar, Post Office Square, Brisbane CBD, +61 7 3211 2333

 There seems to be plenty of coffee schools around Brisbane, but this one seemed to have the right balance of cost and time.  It was a 3 hour introductory course for $75 which I thought seemed pretty reasonable.  After all, this is purely out of interest for us – we’re not about to run out and buy a café and become full time baristas.  

 Australian Barista School holds classes in Brisbane and Sydney and their schedule for introductory coffee making skills is twice weekly and you can book conveniently online.  MM and I attended the Saturday morning session with 8 other keen punters.  The classes are limited to 10 people, which is great for ensuring an intimate setting where by the teacher can spend time one on one with participants as required. 

The classroom is cosy, with one large table to gather around as the teacher does demonstrations and then six commercial coffee machines to hone your skills on.  There’s a good mix of practical and theoretical knowledge sharing and throughout the lesson the teacher makes a point of spending time with each student to check on their progress (or the mess they’re making).

Each participant gets their own spot on a commercial machine to learn and practice skills such as packing the head and making the coffee biscuit, frothing milk, making espresso and then pouring all the types of coffees that you’d find in your local café.  You’ll also learn how all the components of the coffee machine work and how to clean it after a hard day on the grind. 

Best of all, you’ll learn how to spot a bad coffee a mile away.  Since doing the course I have become the biggest coffee snob and now that I know how much mark up most cafes put on their coffees compared to how much it costs them to make it, as a paying customer I believe I (and you!) have a right to send it back if it’s not perfect.

The 3hour introductory course at Australian Barista School will definitely give you an insight into the art of coffee making and equip you with enough knowledge and skills to either get a job in a café as a trainee barista, or make your own perfect espresso at home.  It was a jam-packed 3 hours, and maybe a little rushed, but for the money it was well worth it.  MM and I had a fantastic time and would recommend it to anyone has a love affair with coffee.

• Australian Barista School – 131 Wickham Tce, Spring Hill, 1300 838 962

 The Coffee Supplier is Brisbane’s first CBD located boutique roaster and while I’m not particularly interested in what beans I can have at home (that investment hasn’t been made as yet), I am interested in what sort of pleasure in a cup these guys can provide to support my one-to-two hits a day habit.

To be honest, I don’t know how anyone found this place in the first instance – who knew there was a laneway just up from the Elizabeth St Arcade anyway?  Credit due to Fatman 1 who directed me down this lonely alleyway one morning, as we searched for a stimulating cup of goodness to kick the day into life.

The Coffee Supplier is located in what was the old Jimmy’s on the Mall prep kitchen back in the days when the Myer Centre had a roller coaster on the top floor.  The laneway has been named Stereo Lane, unofficially and for the purposes of Brisbane City Council’s current laneways promotion.  Inside the big warehouse is a shed load of room for catching up with friends or holding a meeting.  

I couldn’t resist chatting to the staff as I was rather awestruck by the whole set up and fell in love with the huge coffee roaster that took up prime real estate to one side of the room.  James O’loughlin is the director and kindly spent some time with me to show off his beloved roaster and explained to me that their goal was to provide Brisbane coffee lovers with the experience of having the freshest beans possible for their home or office.

The Coffee Supplier boasts to roast only in small batches and ensures your coffee order isn’t part of a huge roasting schedule.  They hand deliver to offices in the CBD and you can place your order conveniently online, choosing from their blends such as Prima, Espresso, Europa, Organic and Decaf.

In-store, they serve what I believe is Brisbane’s best coffee and they love doing it.  There’s nothing better than getting that first cup in the morning from someone who loved making it.  If you’ve got some time to go exploring, head down Stereo Lane for a gander and soak up the vibe that The Coffee Supplier offers.

• The Coffee Supplier – Stereo Lane, Elizabeth St, Brisbane

The Riverside along Eagle St Pier is home to a range of casual and fine dining venues, all showing off the same magnificent view of the River, Kangaroo Point Cliffs and the Story Bridge.  Groove Train is no exception, tucked in across from the Eagle St City Cat terminal.  Complimentary to the exceptional outlook is great food, great service and a casual but funky vibe that seems to exist no matter what time of day you drop in.

MM and I met another couple for a recent Sunday breakfast at Groove Train.  It was a cool but sunny morning so we ordered a round of coffees before even contemplating the menu.  The creamy coffees came back to us promptly and warmed us up for what was to be a long, lazy session of food and chatter.

Somehow I managed to get the seat that ensured my back was facing the river…but hey, I got to check out what was going on in the restaurant and all its little quirky features.  Groove Train has a long bar located towards one end of the room and overlooks the main dining area that faces the river.  Up the opposing end of the venue is a scattering of lounge chairs for those who like a more casual approach.  Best of all, they have 3 or 4 Galaga game consoles…which takes you back to the 80’s and brings out your inner gamer.  The walls are plastered with all kinds of posters and artwork – let’s call it a constructive mess of vibrant colours and textures.

Back to the menu and there was a myriad of options to choose from and we had to send the attentive waitress away with another coffee order before we could make up our minds on what to have.  Finally some success, after another brain stimulating hit of caffeine….

MM had his usual construction of poached eggs and bacon with a hash brown on Turkish bread.  The poached eggs were perfect in goo-factor and the bacon was trimmed of fat and nice and crispy.

Ebs chose the strawberry ricotta pancakes with yoghurt and fruit which looked lovely and fresh; not my cup of tea for breakfast but she certainly enjoyed it.

Mully had the smoked salmon scrambled eggs with Turkish bread and a hash brown – the aroma from his dish was mouth watering and once again I was jealous and kicking myself for not going down the same path.

I chose the vegetarian breakfast of poached eggs, tomato, spinach, mushrooms and “Boston” beans (an interesting combination of several types of beans in a tomato and onion salsa) with a side of crispy bacon (a not-so-vegetarian option anymore).  The mountain of food on my plate looked, smelled and tasted so flavoursome; the eggs were cooked to perfection, the bacon was crispy and the beans combination was strange, but it worked.

The venue was starting to fill up as we continued to fill our bellies.  I had managed to maneuver my chair so I was able to catch a glimpse of the river and its surrounds without turning my back to my fellow voyeurs.  The side walk by the river was bustling with Sunday morning walkers and families out early to cruise the river on a City Cat.  This really was the perfect people watching spot.  We ordered another round of coffees and watched the world go by for a little longer, then finally we picked ourselves up and sorted the bill out, which was pleasantly surprising at just under $25 per head.

We waddled out on a caffeine-induced high and strolled along the river to aid digestion and soak up the sun as it shimmered off the river.  What a perfect Sunday morning.  I will definitely be back to Groove Train for breakfast and wouldn’t mind having a snap at their highly acclaimed wood fired pizzas for dinner.

• Groove Train, 123 Eagle St, Brisbane +61 7 3320 0420

I’m not much of a cake person, in fact I’d much prefer a fatty, savory, pastry-based baked good over a sugary treat for my morning snack with coffee (unfortunately scoffing a sausage roll isn’t the best look in customer meetings), but I know a good cake when I taste one.

Shingle Inn is famous for their patty cakes, which I must admit look absolutely de vine in the shop window, but on the palate they didn’t impress.  I chose the chocolate patty cake with chocolate icing, while my 2 fellow cake-goers chose the lemon meringue patty cake and a scone with jam and cream.

My patty cake was dry and crumbly and the chocolate icing tasted like it belonged on yesterday’s cakes.  D was impressed by her lemon meringue icing, but the cake portion was also dried out.  On a positive note, Princess’ super sized, Lady Flo-inspired scone was pretty damn tasty and she had to ask for a doggie bag because it was too big to finish in one sitting!

The girls both had pots of English Breakfast Tea to accompany their treats and seemed to enjoy them, sipping away with smiles on their faces.  My cappuccino however was slightly burnt and had no fluffy, milky crèma to scoop off the top, which was such a shame because the surroundings at Shingle Inn are so pleasant, I really could have settled in for another round.

• Shingle Inn Brisbane Square, Cnr Queen & George St, Brisbane, +61 7 3211 8844

As Princess and I walked into Bubbles Café, we were sure this experience wouldn’t make it to the sought after HOT list.  And to be honest, I was looking forward to awarding a NOT – it’s been ages after all and I was suffering terrible Monday-itis, so the mood kind of called for it.

It wasn’t to be however, and as you’ll read, this nothing-fancy-to-look-at spot will fill your belly and give you plenty of change from a $20 note.

I have walked past this place countless times and never thought to stop for lunch or a drink because it really doesn’t have much appeal from the sidewalk.  However, after a mid-morning meeting and no real desire to head back to the office in a hurry, Princess and I thought an early lunch was in order and we figured Bubbles was a better option than Hungry Jacks.

We were greeted with a smile as we entered and instructed to take a seat, but place our orders at the bar when we were ready.  Maybe I’m just a snob, but I like to be waited on, so this was a good start to me dishing out a NOT.  We headed to the rear of the restaurant to the booth seating , but it looked a little grubby, so we opted for a table instead.

We glanced over the very plain, laminated, double-sided menu and the first thing we both noticed was that one menu item had been covered over with a small strip of electrical tape – umm…nice touch!? Despite the electrical tape, the remaining choices for lunch were ample including a range of sandwiches and wraps, as well as breakfast ‘til midday.  For those with a large appetite, steaks and pasta meals are also available.

Princess opted for the tandoori chicken and salad wrap with mint yogurt dressing ($12) whilst I thought the chicken, bacon, egg and salad club ($12) sounded pretty good.  Both meals were accompanied with chips.

I waited with bated breath for the third strike to rear its head and I thought for sure the food would hold the key.

Only 10 minutes later, our meals were brought to the table and my eyes popped when I saw the portions we were given – we could’ve just shared one meal between us!  Princess’ wrap was fat – full of plump, juicy chicken pieces and lightly toasted, resting on a bed of thick cut chips.  My triple-decker club was on the biggest slices of toast I’ve ever seen, and was jam packed with juicy chicken and green salad, with bacon (that wasn’t fatty) and a perfectly cooked egg.  A tangy aioli was spread generously amongst the layers.  This also rested on a bed of thick cut chips and I knew there was no chance I’d be able to get through it all.

As we casually munched our way through our mountainous lunches, I noticed the majority of patrons were university students and all of a sudden it clicked why this place was a little dark and dingey and why upstairs housed an open plan, lounge-room type dining area – what a perfect place to study all afternoon, while sipping coffee or eating reasonable priced, generously portioned food.  It took me back to my uni days and all of sudden I was at home.

Once the penny dropped as to what market Bubbles is aiming their business at, the NOT in my head quickly disappeared. Wwith food this good, there really was nothing worth complaining about.  For less than 15 bucks I was stuffed full and got to spend some time reminiscing about my days as a student; the only thing missing was a pint of beer in my hand and a pile of text books.

• Bubbles Café Bar and Dining, 190 Albert St, Brisbane +61 7 3210 0080

When it comes to Italian flavours, one place I do get excited over though is Pane e Vino in the city.

Pane e Vino is well known to most inner city dwellers; it’s centrally located in the CBD and is one of those places you can pop into for a quick coffee or glass of wine, or you can settle in for a hearty meal.  Perched on the corner of Albert and Charlotte Streets, Pane’s alfresco area makes for a great people watching spot and the split level indoor area has a constant bustle to it.  It’s a very casual yet authentic venue – the staff are vibrant, relaxed and mostly Italian.

The menu has always appealed to me here, although I rarely explore the variety as I have my favourite and I like to stick to it.  My most recent trip was no different.  My two companions had never been to Pane e Vino before and as I had recommended it highly to them, I hoped it would live up to wrap I’d been giving it.

It was very busy for 6pm on a Wednesday, but as soon as we were seated, our drinks and starters orders were attended to.  We chose to share the mixed bread starter, which comprised of garlic bread, tomato bruschetta and a marinated eggplant, prosciutto and mushroom bruschetta.  Yum.  All very tasty and grilled to perfection.

My standard choice for the main dish is the spaghetti con gamberi – a light, spicy mix of chilli and garlic infused linguini with a generous helping of king prawns.  It didn’t fail to impress on this occasion and my companion S who also chose this dish on my recommendation was quick to give it the thumbs up.  Our lips were left with a slight burning sensation as the chilli fumes made their mark, but it wasn’t overpowering and it was worth it for the beautiful flavour that this dish carries.

DP chose the ravioli funghi (which looked too rich and creamy for my liking) and with his cast iron gut, he devoured it before I had a chance to sneak a cheeky taste.  It had a rich pesto aroma and if the mess he left on the table was anything to go by, I’d say he enjoyed it.

Our meals were accompanied by a bottle of Wild Goose sav blanc and the crisp, light, fruity flavour of this wine was perfect with my linguini.  The menu also boasts typical Italian dishes such as varied adaptations of gnocchi, fettuccine and ravioli, as well as veal scaloppini, steaks and salads – a plethora of choices to suit any appetite.

The dessert options were plentiful but I was craving something simple, so went with the mango sorbet.  A generous scoop of light and creamy sorbet was served and the not too big but not too small portion was perfect after quite a substantial meal.  DP ordered the blueberry baked cheesecake upon my persuasion – it was presented beautifully with a crisp white chocolate dollop and a large scoop of boysenberry ice cream.  He was impressed and once again inhaled his meal with consummate ease.

The service at Pane e Vino is prompt so if you’re time deprived be assured you’ll get in and out with no delays.  The prices are fair and the helpings are very generous and with flavours to come back for I’d recommend a visit to Pane e Vino for even the fussiest of Italian food critics.

Pane e Vino, 124 Albert St, Brisbane +61 7 3220 0044

Sage on Ann is another fairly new restaurant in Brisbane CBD. Business took Jetsetting Dad and I again to the city centre and we decided to try this new place after reading a couple of good reviews from the local papers and The Courier Mail.

Just for a change I’m going to do this review in a reverse order and comment on the dessert before the main meals.

Before me in the cold cabinet were three cakes—a chocolate cake, an orange and poppy seed cake and a Spanish cheesecake. They were single-layered without any decorations; honestly, they looked rather boring. The cheesecake, in particular, looked a little crumbly.  Well, the word “Spanish” suggested something different from the common cheesecake so we decided to give it a try. Now my new motto is: “Don’t judge a cake by its appearance”.  The cheesecake was simply fantastic – light, with a “melt-in-your–mouth” texture, and just the right dose of cheesy flavour and sweetness. When I commented on how good the cake was, one of the friendly staff told me that all of their food was made on the premises and they’re trying to offer “something different”.

Their savoury menu does offer something different, including cheese and macaroni (very retro); salad nicoise with fresh seared salmon; roasted pork belly on Vietnamese salad; and German bratwurst in a roll with a choice of condiments which come in small jars brought to the diner’s table. Freshly made sandwiches and wraps are also offered.

Now rewind back to our main meals. We were placing our order at the counter, still undecided, when we saw a tray of steak pies being lifted out, piping hot, from the kitchen oven. They looked huge and totally irresistible in their individual ceramic dishes. So that decided that. Our pie arrived promptly at our table topped with mushy green peas. The puff pastry was light and crispy and the filling was hot with tender beef, chunks of vegetables and plenty of gravy. For $8.90 it made a very satisfying lunch dish.

We also shared a plate of wild mushroom risotto ($13.5). I must admit that I’m a diehard risotto fan. Despite numerous disappointments, I’m always in search of a good risotto. Now I think I’ve found one. Our risotto was perfectly cooked, smooth and creamy, yet al dente without being too crunchy. The stock was flavoursome without being overly cheesy or buttery. The finely cut spring onions added a refreshing dimension to the flavour. It is definitely a dish worth returning for.

Always a discerning coffee drinker, Jetsetting Dad gave a thumbs up for his cappuccino ($3.35).

Our only complaint was about the ventilation in the kitchen. Apparently, it needs an upgrade. On the day of our visit, the air-con wasn’t working too efficiently and the greasy kitchen odour which wafted from the semi-open kitchen to the dining area was a bit overwhelming. Other than that, it was a very pleasant lunch.

For other great lunch options in the CBD, try Top Sushi, Boulevard St Michel and Vapiano.

• Sage on Ann, 140 Ann St, Brisbane +61 7 3221 4471

Deep in the archives for both BNE: HOT OR NOT and MEL: HOT OR NOT you will find reviews and promotions for the skincare brand Aesop, as our founder Jetsetting Joyce has located nirvana with this range of skin, hair and body products.

Following our recent promotion of the Aesop range, we were kindly invited to visit the Adelaide Street store to sample the fine goods and friendly service that Aesop has to offer.

Now I’m one of the most uneducated girls I know when it comes to skin and body products and if it weren’t for my good friend and beauty therapist Princess, I’d still be committing the ultimate skin care sin of washing my face with everyday body soap and moisturizing with sorbolene cream!  So when I step into stores that ooze sophistication when it comes to skin care, I’m always a little unnerved and intimidated that they’ll treat me with contempt.  Not the case with Aesop.

The store manager Alison was very accommodating to my naïve ways when it comes to looking after my skin.  She took the time to ask me about my normal cleansing routine (without judging me) and didn’t show any glimpses of going the hard sell.  As I described my lifestyle at a high level and what’s important to me as far as maintaining healthy skin goes, she gradually lined up a range of products that we could play with.

I should mention at this point that the Aesop store is uniquely set out as one long large work bench, with a couple of industrial sized sinks and funky taps where the staff can perform hand treatments for customers to sample the products.  In the middle of the work bench is a perfect display of the product range and promotional packages – whoever does their marketing is a clever little so and so.

I felt very spoilt and pampered as Alison went through the range of products, from face cleansers and exfoliants, to toners, serums and moisturizers.  I was running out of patches of skin to test them on, but it didn’t matter.  The aroma of the products was instantly relaxing and not overbearing in any way.  The fresh scent of citrus and indefinable (to my uncultured nose) herb and plant extracts was divine and I couldn’t wait to take a stash home and pamper myself some more.

Lucky for me, I was fresh out of facial cleanser and moisturizer so Alison didn’t have to try too hard to make a sale.  For myself, I walked away with the fabulous face cleanser (200ml, $47), the camellia nut facial hydrating cream (60ml, $43) and the rind aromatique body balm (120ml, $33).  I purchased the Rosetti gift pack ($95) for my Mum consisting of the resurrection aromatique hand wash and hand balm, the rejuvenate aromatique body balm, rosehip seed lip cream and coriander seed soap slab citrus body balm.  Personally I think we’re both glowing!

Knowing I was only a couple of weeks from walking down the aisle, Alison was kind enough to also throw in samples of parsley seed exfoliant and anti-oxidant serum plus several packs of deliciously gooey vitamin C infused gel face mask.

Since its inception in 1987, the Aesop philosophy maintains that every product is made with the same attention to detail that they believe should be applied to life at large, taking into consideration the needs of the consumer’s skin, the elements of their environment, and the constraints on their time.  They advocate the use of their products as part of a balanced lifestyle and this is evident through their marketing, store management and of course their delicious products.

(All photographs thanks to Aesop and Michael Warnock)

• Aesop, Shop GL35 Adelaide St, Queens Plaza, Brisbane +61 7 3229 1337

CC’s HOT Gig List – Top 3 HOT gigs for the next 3 months

April 2010

1) Yves Klein Blue – 17th April, Old Museum Concert Hall, Fortitude Valley

Four guys from Brisbane, recently supporting Franz Ferdinand on tour.  Debut album ‘Ragged & Ecstatic’ was recorded in a 2-room flat in North Hollywood with Kevin Augunas (Cold War Kids), with influences of Elvis Costello, The Replacements, Bob Dylan, The Beatles and Weezer.  Be interesting to check them out.  With Cloud Control and Last Dinosaurs.

2) Crayon Fields – 11th April, The Zoo, Fortitude Valley (with Mountain Goats)
Indie pop band from Melbourne – sweet songs reminding me of innocent days…think indie geek and glasses.

3) The Jamfest 2010 – 17th April, RNA Showgrounds, Fortitude Valley
For R&B fans or those just wanting a break for all that indie music, this urban pop tour coming featuring Akon, Kelly Rowland, Pitbull, Keri Hilson, Nino Brown and Chris Sorbello should get you poppin’ and lockin’.

Also check out:

Deep Purple – 27th April, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane
Stereophonics – 19th April, The Hi-Fi, West End
Eddy Current Suppresion Ring (I went see this band years ago back in Melbourne!) – 8th The Zoo, Fortitude Valley

May 2010

1) Vampire Weekend – 11th May, The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
This band is HOT, and their second album Contra is HOT! The direction of the new album is less ‘try hard afro-pop’ (or whatever it was in their first album), and now has a lot more pop with a hint of the 80’s in it.  Favourites are ‘Giving Up The Gun’, ‘Horchata’ and ‘I Think UR a Contra’.

Vampire Weekend has just released the video for ‘Giving Up the Gun’ (which can be seen on their MySpace page) – I’ve been trying to figure out the meaning of this track…the lyrics are very ‘Japanese Shogun’. But after the watching the video (there’s even a samurai in there!), my take on the meaning of this song is that you are own worst enemy, and no matter how good you are, you often lose sight of this and beat yourself up over things.  But the force is within you, don’t give up and just go on, go on, go on.  Something like that anyway!

The video shows a tennis match, with a variety of different players (including HOT Jake Gyllenhaal, who rips his pants off and gets drunk while playing tennis).  There’s even pyrotechnics and milk involved. HOT video for a HOT song. Check it out.

2) Tegan and Sara – 3rd & 4th May, The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley
These two sisters have been recording music since their high school days. I saw them at Koko here in London, HOT gig (although there were a lot of butch-looking girls in flannel shirts there who kept looking at me in a slightly uncomfortable way…). Great hairstyles, catchy tunes and very apt lyrics over the spectrum of relationship issues. Emo? No, not quite. But they did have Hunter from AFI play with them in The Con.  Favourite songs: Hell (..when you get up, over it, and over them) and The Con (….a million hours left, i think of you, i think of that). Tegan and Sara lyrics, always gets to me.

3) Creamfields 2010 – 3rd May, Eagle Farm Racecourse, Ascot
Ok dance music fans, this one is for you. Creamfields, an international dance festival, is coming to Australia for the first time. So get your camping gear and don’t forget to bring the glow sticks. Line up so far:

The Bloody Beetroots Death Crew 77 (6 piece band)
Steve Angello
MSTRKRFT
Ferry Corsten
LMFAO (6 piece band)
Dave Clarke
Marco V
Green Velvet
Dirty South
Kid Sister (4 piece band)
Joris Voorn
Lifelike
Riva Starr
Tommie Sunshine
Bingo Players
Zoo Brazil
Filo & Peri
Oh Snap!!

June 2010:

Gig listings are currently a bit sparse for June.  I will provide an update for June gigs once I get more info.  So watch this space…

Looking tickets for gigs in Brisbane? Check out the BrisbaneTix Posse store.

CC’s HOT Mixtape

1. Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
2. Giving Up The Gun – Vampire Weekend
3. Hollywood – Marina and the Diamonds
4. If – Janet Jackson
5. Photographs – Rihanna (featuring Will.i.am)
6. Telephone – Lady GaGa (featuring Beyonce)
7. Walking On A Dream – Empire of the Sun
8. Wide Eyes – Local Natives
9. Hero – Regina Spektor
10. Hopelessly Wasted – Shrag

On entry, the colourful mountain range of gelati flavours in Gelatissimo provides a visual feast. Unfortunately, the product from this national chain is not really up to scratch.

Nocciola is one of the few words I can say in Italian (along with ‘gelati’) and I’ve never been disappointed with hazelnut gelato. Unfortunately, Gelatissimo’s version is about as bland as gelato can get – the mere hint of hazelnut and utterly forgettable. Hoping to find a redeeming flavour, I asked for a tub of caramelised fig. This had the opposite effect on my taste buds, as it contained a massive hit of teeth-aching sugar, which then petered out into a non-descript creamy nothingness. Frankly, wasted calories.

Gelatissimo, Shop 3 The Pavillion, Cnr Albert & Queen Streets, Brisbane

Melbourne is renowned for its utilisation of the funky laneways that branch from main streets of the CBD: bars, cafes, boutique shops…you name it, in the laneways down there they’ve got it.

Brisbane, however, has been a little slow on the uptake.  We have plenty of laneways, but there’s not much doing aside from rubbish bins and maybe a few groggy party goers late on a Friday night.

So I was driving down Margaret Street a few weeks ago when to my surprise I noticed a street sign labelled The Laneway.  I did a lap of the block and came back to see that Spencer Lane (across from the Stamford Plaza) has indeed been Laneway-ed!!  Sure, there are the alleyway rubbish bins, but beyond that is a funky new entrance, giving way to a cool, very Melbourne-esque bar (The Laneway), bistro (The Euro) and exclusive restaurant (Urbane).

I had heard rave reviews about Urbane, so decided to sample the goods on a balmy Saturday evening with my other half and another couple.  Designed by local architects Arkhefield, the features of the long, narrow Urbane dining area are very modern with clean lines and simple, classic colours amongst the timber floor, shelving and entry way.

When MM and I entered we were watched closely by the patrons, which was a little unnerving – perhaps it had something to do with my Steve Maddens making a right racket on the wooden floor?  The majority of diners consisted of couples looking dreamily into each other’s eyes (when they weren’t gawking at us) and having quiet, intimate conversation.  A little clinical and sterile was my immediate impression.

Our friends joined us shortly after and finally we were able to get a bit of laughter and ambience into the room.  The wait staff greeted us promptly and reminded us that we had signed up for the 6 course degustation menu.  We glanced over the set menu and all gave nods of approval.  We chose to have the wine degustation as well – why not let the experts chose the wine for us?

No one at our table had tried a degustation experience before.  Most of the courses on the set menu sounded mouth watering, but I had my doubts on how sufficient the portions would be. In the back of my mind I was flashing dollar signs – the degustation experience isn’t cheap, and this meal wasn’t on behalf of anyone’s corporate expense account.

The first tasty morsel was lobster, almond gazpacho, capers and lime meringue – very small, but a flavour sensation and it was served in the most fascinating conical shaped glass.  The second sample was one of my favourites – yellowtail kingfish with Japanese inspirations.  Again the serving was quite small but the fish was fresh, light and melted in your mouth.

The third plate was questionable….but perhaps my palate’s not cultured enough for this sort of experimental cuisine – it was foie gras in a white chocolate bonbon, with gingerbread, carrot and dark chocolate.  To be honest, the rich flavour of the duck pate didn’t mix well with the sweetness of the chocolate.  This dish didn’t really work for any of us at the table and it was too rich for me to finish (more dollar signs flashing).

From there, we were served slow cooked pork belly with apple, onion and rhubarb – another taste sensation with not a scrap left on the plate, except for my crunchy crackling (which I would have loved to pick up with my fingers and shovel into my mouth – not the kind of behaviour this establishment would encourage so thought it best to let go).

Now that we were into the main dishes I was really starting to enjoy the degustation experience – the portions were more liberal and the combination of flavours was unusual and delicious.  Next on the bill of fare was the stand out for me – venison with raspberry, beetroot, cocoa and hints of liquorice.  This was my first taste of venison and it fell gracefully away as I cut into it and melted in my mouth; the liquorice and cocoa worked well with this dish which really surprised everyone on the judges panel.

Onto the dessert items and the first was lightly poached peach with jasmine flower, lychee, sesame and almonds with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.  MM thought this sort of food was best served at breakfast, but I thought it was a perfect balance of fresh and light with a little bit of sweetness.

Following this was a tray of petite fours which included a chunk of creamy aerated milk chocolate (MM thought perhaps they had sampled an aero bar from the local 7-11?!), compressed watermelon and a green tea sponge cake.  All in all a very nice, light finish to our meal.

The wines that complimented our meals were very well matched to the food that was presented.  There was a mix of

aged French red, white and sparkling wines as well as some locally grown and bottled.  We imbibed sufficient wine to warrant a taxi home, but with no hangover the next morning.

Would I return to Urbane?  Yep, no risk – but next time I will be dining from the a la carte menu.  The degustation was a great way to sample a range of items from the menu, but the portions are small and it’s a bit of a tease.

Unfortunately by the time we had finished it was almost midnight and we were feeling the pinch from a late night and full stomachs, so we chose not to have a night cap at The Laneway.  Its décor and ambience looks fresh and exciting for Brisbane and I can’t wait to sit at the bar and sample a fruity summer cocktail.

As we wandered back down Spencer Lane there was an old black and white movie being projected onto one of the laneway walls – very cool . I can’t wait to see more of this in Brisbane.

• Urbane Restaurant, 179 Mary St, Brisbane +61 7 3229 2271

The Jetsetting Parents are pretty fussy with their sushi, but they can’t stop raving about LR Sushi at QueensPlaza. Apparently Brisbane office workers have also pegged it as a popular lunch spot. Eat Drink Brisbane also gave it a rave review.

Why? LR Sushi produce nori rolls with a difference. The high demand means a fast turnover of stock, and the large selection of rolls are mostly priced at an amazing $2 for the standard fillings. Most importantly, each roll is huge by normal standards, with the contents of each roll obviously fresh and the filling is not weighed down by gluggy, or worse, warm sushi rice.

My three rolls containing salmon and avocado, seaweed and tofu and teriyaki chicken made a filling and cheap lunch and if I worked in the city, I could imagine LR being my local lunch stop too.

For other sushi options in the city, try Top Sushi.

LR Sushi, QueensPlaza, Ground Level, Adelaide St, Brisbane +61 421 656 006 (also Felix Street, Brisbane)

Today we have another guest blog from Jetsetting Mum reviewing her excellent recent visit to Vapiano. Lots of exclamation marks!

Another tip-off from Jetsetting Joyce (Ed: Thanks to Eyes Bigger Than Belly and FourThousand) saw Jetsetting Dad and I stepping into Vapiano, an Italian eatery which opened shortly before Christmas in a CBD alley.  It’s so new that we could almost detect the timber smell from the new furniture and decor. Or was it the smell of the potted rosemary and basil found on each table?

We were greeted by a friendly staff member and given an electronic card each at the entrance. The cards are used to order food and for billing at the end of the meal. It’s self-service from then onwards.

The open-plan kitchen is divided into several sections—antipasti and insalate; pasta; pizza; bar and dolci and an extra bar upstairs. On the menu there are several types of pasta, including two wholemeal ones to choose from, which are made fresh continuously inside a glass-partitioned room and open for viewing if you’re interested. We walked to one of the pasta stations, ordered penne pomodoro e spinaci ($15) and watched a big bowl of pasta cooked before our eyes. Voila! It was al dente, fresh and delicious, just can’t beat that! We were so impressed.

Next we ordered a pizza marinara e rucola with prawns, calamari, rocket, tomato base and mozzarella ($19).  We were given a pager and a buzz 10 minutes later told us that the pizza was ready for pick up. What a clever arrangement! The pizza base was thin and crispy, very Italian, and the topping was fresh-tasting yet a little sparse in quantity. For that price, I would really like to see a more generous amount of seafood.

We seated ourselves upstairs near to a small green house where pots of rosemary , basil and chilli grow. On each table bottles of olive oil, chilli oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper were provided together with a pot each of rosemary and basil. We could practically pick basil leaves from the pot and add them straight to our pasta or pizza. What could be fresher than that?

Jugs of drinking water are available in the bar area. It’s a small detail, but the addition of ice-cubes, fresh lime and lemon gave the water such a refreshing and pleasant taste. Another bonus point.

As tempting as they might have looked, we didn’t order any dessert this time. There’s no rush. We’re talking about returning to Vapiano very soon.

• Vapiano, 191 Albert Lane, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane +61 7 3221 4933
  

CC’s HOT Gig List – HOT gigs for the next 3 months

January 2010

Yeah Yeah Yeahs (US) – 7 Jan, Sunset Sounds
No one could be HOTTER than Karen O with amazing vocals and crazy outfits! The latest album, ‘It’s Blitz‘, has clever, yet heartfelt lyrics and melodies in the league of Maps, perhaps even better.

The Horrors – 17 Jan, Big Day Out
Moody, yet melodic bass lines and guitar distortions. Primary Colours – one of the HOTTEST albums released this year. Swoon to Scarlet Fields.

Passion Pit – 17 Jan, Big Day Out
Uplifting, bubblegummy, fun, electro band from US. It was mentioned somewhere that the songs were originally written as a present for the girlfriend. ‘Sleepyhead’ was on my MySpace for quite some time.

The xx – 29 Jan, St Jerome Laneway Festival
The xx are four young teenagers from south west London, who released their HOT debut album this year, and have now had sold out shows all over London. The album is sad, yet uplifting and inspiring at the same time.

Florence and the Machine – 29 Jan, St Jerome Laneway Festival
Listed as “one of the breakthrough acts in the UK for 2009″. Fronted by 23 year old Florence Welch, who has been compared to the likes of Kate Bush, PJ Harvey and even Fergie (the Duchess, not the one from Black Eyed Peas). She used to sing at funerals too. Expect angry lyrics and maybe some harp playing.

Also check out:

Andrew Bird – 7 Jan, Sunset Sounds
Grizzly Bear – 7 Jan, Sunset Sounds
Peaches – 18 Jan, The Hifi
Calvin Harris (with Lily Allen) – 19 Jan, Brisbane Riverstage

February 2010

The Cribs – 16 Feb, The Zoo
Awesome band (which Jetsetting Joyce and I saw twice in London!). The 3 Jarman brothers now have a new addition, guitartist Johnny Marr (of The Smiths and Modest Mouse).  Watch out for the crazy antics of Ryan Jarman.

Also check out:

The Pains of Being Pure at heart – 20 Feb, The Zoo

March 2010

1) The Big Pink – 4th Mar, The Hifi
Definitely HOT gig pick for March.  An excellent debut album was released in 2009, “A Brief History of Love”, for this electro rock band.

2) Lady GaGa – 26 Mar, Brisbane Entertainment Centre
Now, this lady, she’s HOT! Check out her new tattoos and new video clip for Bad Romance. I’ve been learning those dance moves, and someone please dare me to get inked with the cursive text of some random philosophical quote on my arm.

3) La Roux – 25 Mar, Barcadi Express atTivoli
Weird hair, weird look but catchy songs!

Need tickets for gigs in Brisbane? Check out the BrisbaneTix Posse store.

If you get a Christmas bonus from the boss this year, Aria is the place to spend it.  I’m struggling to think of a better in venue in Brisbane when it comes to food, service and scenery.

If you got sucked into the reality TV extravaganza that was MasterChef Australia, then you’ll know that the original Aria is Matt Moran’s signature restaurant in Sydney.  I was so excited to hear that he was bringing Aria to Brisbane – who could justify buying flights to Sydney just to experience fine dining from some dude who helped make Average Joes famous?!

Aria in Brisbane has taken over residence from one of Brisbane’s most well known seafood restaurants, Pier Nine, down on the Eagle Street Pier.  For some reason I have always found the vast interior of this venue a little bit sterile and overall ambience boring, but that certainly didn’t dampen my Aria experience.

My table of four had an early sitting in the dining room after sharing a bottle of Billecart Salmon Brut Rose in the bar – we were celebrating a 35^th birthday and Christmas after all.  I was delighted to see they stocked my favourite champagne and it was a great start to the evening, overlooking the spectacular Brisbane River and lights of the Story Bridge.  The wait staff were well presented, well spoken, and had exceptional knowledge of the wine list and dinner menus.  We all agreed it was one of those occasions that probably wouldn’t be repeated in the near future due to the cost, so we went all out on entrees, mains, desserts and we weren’t shy with the vino.

The range of entrees made it near impossible to make a decision.  I decided on the scallops entrée – pan fried with sweet corn puree, cauliflower beignet with caper and sultana dressing.  I never order scallops because I am so fussy with how they’re cooked – I couldn’t fault this dish however and the combination of flavours really was a taste sensation.  MM chose the sashimi special – yellow fin tuna sashimi and tartar tasting plate, decorated with green beans and a delightful anchovy mayonnaise.  We are sashimi snobs and this was possibly the best we’ve tried.  My female companion K chose the gnocchi and beef ragout special which almost made me regret my entrée choice.  This was all washed down with a deliciously smooth yet flavorsome Coonawarra Balnaves Cabernet Sauvignon.

Onto the mains and again the choice wasn’t easy, which really troubles me because I am notorious for my poor menu choices and drive MM crazy as my fork spends more time poking around his plate than my own.  The snapper dish caught my attention as it was flanked by pippis, ginger, shallots, baby bok choy and black bean sauce.  The black bean sauce was gentle and didn’t over power the favour of the fish and complemented the pippis perfectly.  A sigh of relief from my friends as they realised I wouldn’t be pilfering their mains.  MM and J both chose the special – pave of beef with a side of mash and roasted vegetables.  The beef really did melt in your mouth and like most men with a juicy slab of meat in front of them, they were very reluctant to share.  K enjoyed her 200g Blackmore Wagyu rump and we shared a generous side of the garlic and chilli broccolini.

I didn’t have much room left in the dessert pocket, but thought it rude of me to sit and watch everyone else indulge.  MM and I chose the Valrhona Chocolate delice with chocolate sorbet and J chose the doughnuts with strawberries and cinnamon ice cream.  All faultlessly presented, the doughnuts were the pick of the two dishes and regrettably I really was too full to enjoy my rich, chocolaty tart.  It didn’t stop there though – we were surprised when a complimentary plate of petite fours arrived with our coffees, which would have been ample dessert for all of us…if only we’d known.  The turkish delight and macadamia nougat were perfectly textured and I was heart broken that I couldn’t fit more than one (or was it two?) of each in my overloaded belly.  Unfortunately Aria is not the kind of establishment that you can pocket your leftovers and save them for later.

We had our waddles on as we said thank you and goodnight to our friendly wait staff.   If I had to make a negative comment about our time at Aria it would only be that it’s a little too perfect – it’s not a venue that copes well with rowdiness or banter and at this time of year (or is it me and my friends?!) it’s a little hard to avoid that festive spirit.  This aside, it really was an exceptional experience.

• Aria, 1 Eagle St Pier, Brisbane +61 7 3233 2555

Boulevard St Michel caters for eaters on the run and offers tasty, creative light meals at reasonable prices. Tucked in amongst the retailers and bars on George Street, this busy, cramped, bustling café really took me by surprise.  As my client and I sat down I had to shuffle my seat around a bit to ensure I wasn’t encroaching on the party behind me and I hoped I didn’t need a bathroom break during lunch, as getting out from the table may have been complex.  As soon as we sat down though the attentive staff took our drinks orders and returned within a minute to deliver the goods.  We didn’t have much time so I asked my companion who was a regular here, what she’d recommend; otherwise it would’ve taken me all day to decide as the menu was big.  The BSM Club Sandwich it was.

We only managed five minutes of pleasantries before our triple-decker sandwiches arrived with a generous serving of chips.  As I bit into one of the quarters it oozed with gooey melted cheese and a tangy aioli sauce.  For a simple club sandwich it had a whole lot of flavour, and I was won over instantly.  It was hard to talk through the layers of bread and salty chips, but we were both in the same boat and chose scoffing over conversation.  As we finished up I looked around and noticed the place had emptied considerably since we sat, but there was still a steady stream of new patrons searching for a quick feed.  Thirteen bucks later I was tip top, had managed lunch and a meeting in under an hour, and didn’t feel like a nanna-nap later that afternoon.

• Boulevard St Michel, 187 George St Brisbane +61 7 3003 1618