Down To A Tea

After talking rubbish well into the small hours, it was extremely generous of Tim, Rachel and Evonne to awaken from their slumber to wander the Fernvale Markets. We arrived late so we were unable to secure to any Polish Chickens, but we did pick up some farm fresh strawberries before ambling through the mental fog to hunt down a coffee. We pulled up to an establishment named 'Down To A Tea' with dark polished wooden floors, gorgeous high ceilings and a landscape of antiques and gifts for visitors to explore and purchase. But priorities called and this meant coffee. Heck, I would have even taken a handful of beans at that stage!

Though we were the only table, the wait for coffees was longer than expected and I was handed a cappuccino rather than my skinny mocha. The staff are really friendly and accommodating so when I pointed out the error, they immediately offered to make me another. I don't believe in wasting food so accepted my drink and it pains me to inform you all the coffee was bitter and the milk lacking the body and fullness that comes from correct technique.

The Pastry of the Week was Spinach and Fetta. The pastry was feather light, all the ingredients in the salad were fresh and the dressing was zesty. This was a delightful light meal and I would have been happy to settle back and enjoy this meal on another trip. It's been more than six months since the Queensland Floods, but retailers in this area could do still do with your support. So if you are in the area, drop by and visit 'Down To A Tea.'

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 10 Simpson Road, Fernvale, QLD 4306.
Open: Monday, Thursday - Sunday: 9am - 4pm.
Phone: (07) 5427 0830
Price: Lunch: $13. Dessert: $8 - $10.50. High Tea: $32.

Strawberry Fields

There are few luxuries when you are a poor university student but if I had to open the store on a dark Winter's morning, I would always pop down to the Eagle Street Markets and pick up a big punnet of fresh strawberries. That would be my breakfast, lunch and occasionally dinner for the day and I was happy.

But the only thing that beats eating fresh strawberries is actually going out to a farm and picking them yourself. So on the way home from Maleny, we made the snap decision to stop off at Batavia Berries (9 Kings Road, Glasshouse Mountains) and pick up a couple of kilos. The cost is $10 a kilo which is cheaper than current market price and you know every berry is perfect. There is also a beautiful sense of satisfaction you get from picking your own as you breathe in the cool air and enjoying the sound of dry leaves and red dirt under foot.

The Queensland strawberry season is currently at its peak and runs until October, so now is the time to explore one of the two hundred strawberry farms across the state. If you can't get to Batavia Berries, then this handy directory offers some alternative locations.

Cloverly Estate City Cellar Door

Despite being a restaurateur my Grandfather has never consumed a a drop of alcohol and my Mother started in her mid forties drinking a teaspoon of port in winter for health benefits. So my consumption of three alcoholic beverages in one night makes me the family alcoholic. It's taken me a while, but over the years I've really warmed to wine so I was terribly excited about my visit to Cloverly Estate's City Cellar Door. Cloverly Estate's City Cellar Door is conveniently located on Musgrave Road and offers guests onsite parking. But if you are lazy like me, just turn onto Enoggera Terrace, park on one of the many side streets and wander up the hill into a world of wood panelled charm.

Open 11am to 7pm, the space is warm, buttery and just channels country warmth and hospitality without the kitsch that so often accompanies these kinds of executions. There is a beautiful feature wall of framed sepia photography, a flat screen television with slowly rotating images and beautifully upholstered furniture. It's designed to bring the vineyard to the city, which is great for someone like me who lacks the time and inclination to drive for three hours to enjoy afternoon sun and a glass of fine wine.

We greeted at the door with a flute of Cloverly Estate NV Brut Reserve before we were seated at table full of glassware. We were then poured a taste of White Label 2010 Verdelho and Estate Reserve 2007 Chardonnay. As soon as I heard the word Chardonnay my mind instantly registered a note of disgust as I though might despise Chardonnay, I absolutely abhor wooded Chardonnay. But I'll admit now that the Estate Reserve 2007 Chardonnay is actually surprisingly pleasant and buttery. We enjoyed this wine over a gorgeous cheese platter and some salmon mousse served in savoury cones.

We then moved onto the reds: Left Field 2009 Nebbiolo and an Estate Reserve 2007 Cabernet. Nebbiolo is an intriguing beast, it looks and smells delicate like a Pinot Noir and then it just punches you in the face. It's the Thai Lady Boy of wine, but once you get past that initial surprise, you'll find it is rather charming. So what is pictured above? Top left (clockwise direction): Prawn Salsa Tarts, Chocolate Cream Tart, Prawn Twisters, Beetroot Arancini and Goats Curd and Mediterranean Vegetable Scone.

We finished the adventure with Cloverly Estate NV Sparkling Shiarz and Left Field 2010 Botrytis Semillon. Why oh why, was I driving? Cloverly Estate's wine is just gorgeous, the food is exceptional and space ... well I could have stayed a little longer if I didn't have a mad schedule. I do recommend a visit or two.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.
Address: 210 Musgrave Road, Red Hill, QLD 4059.
Open: 11am - 7pm. Tuesday - Saturday.
Phone: (07) 3876 3100.