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.
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Vapiano, 191 Albert Lane, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane +61 7 3221 4933
[...] of Queen Plaza, Wintergarden and The Myer Center. All on Queen Street Mall! Recent Blog EntriesHOT: Vapiano, 191 Albert Lane, Queen Street Mall, Brisbane | BNE …Today we have another guest blog from Jetsetting Mum reviewing her excellent recent visit to [...]
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I always get a bit nervous when I rave about a place in case no one else likes it!! LOL – Thanks for the mention too!!
Definitely NOT.
The staff have no concept of customer service. I am constantly amazed why they chose to work in the HOSPITALITY industry when they clearly do not understand what the word means!!
I would much prefer eating off meat to ever return to Va Piano.
Hi James
It’s a shame that you didn’t enjoy your experience at Vapiano, as it seems to have received good reviews from others (including us). Have you expressed your concerns to the management? They’re new and I expect they would be open to receiving constructive criticism.
Jetsetting Joyce
[...] reading about it on BNE: Hot or Not and the activity on UrbanSpoon, Fatman 2 convinced his sidekick in food to head down to Vapiano in [...]
Aw I really like Vapiano! Went there for the opening and the pizza was delish…fresh, simple, perfect crust. Why all the hate Jamesy?
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| April 13, 2010, 3:06 pm
not hot.
Have eaten at Vapiano in Munich, Germany and Tallinn, Estonia and liked the concept. Ingredients are fresh and quality goods.
Anyhow, will probably pass Vapiano on my upcoming Australian trip… I want to try something new that I can’t find here in Europe.