Spoon Deli: Paddington

Spensley and I make time to have breakfast once a week, which feels like an excessive indulgence to me but if we didn't we simply wouldn't see each other due to the busy working and extra curricular schedule we both maintain. We were both desperately hungry when we reached Sassafras' door only to find it closed so decided to head across the road and chance Spoon Deli. The establishment has ample alfresco dining which makes it a perfect stop for cyclists, the cake cabinet hosted a drool worthy red velvet cake, my coffee was passable but that's where the positives end.

Spensley decided to selected the Eggs Benedict with Salmon. It was the better choice out of the two dishes as the yolks were beautifully runny, wilted spinach and a bright hollandise sauce.

I selected the Pumpkin and Zucchini Fritters and was rather disappointed. The fritters consisted of two triangles of flour, it was difficult to find any traces of vegetable and it was bland even with the selection of sauces on the side. I found the Spoon Deli experience overpriced, underwhelming and would recommend avoiding this establishment and rethinking your options.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 107 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, QLD 4000.
Open: Seven Days a Week, Breakfast and Lunch.
Phone: (07) 3367 0722.

Wagaya

From the moment you enter Wagaya, you immerse yourself in another dimension. One of shadowy walnut booths with delicate cut outs and a dedicated touch screen computer to take your order. The meeting of old world aesthetics with new world technology, is very Japanese and was an efficient system for my lunch date with Bean. However I am fairly certain this system could be quite dangerous in a larger group, sake fueled scenario so take heed hipsters.

Bean ordered the Chicken Katsu Curry. Depending on what touch screen icon you select you have the choice to have a side order of salad or rice, miso soup and pickles.

My order came with two pieces of gyoza and takikomi. Takikomi is a boiled rice dish which seasoned with dashi, soy sauce, vegetables and occasionally meat. The dish was developed out of necessity as though rice has been an Asian staple for centuries, it was an expensive commodity in the past and to make it go further, Japanese households would boil it with vegetables like potatoes, beans and grain such as millet.

Here is a photograph my order, the Mentai Tonkotsu Ramen. Though it doesn't look appetising from the photograph, it was soothing noodle dish and though the whole set appeared far too ample, I somewhat managed to fit the entire meal in before Bean and I had to go out separate ways back to work. The speed the order arrived was amazing and makes Wagaya a fun choice for a working lunch.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: Level 1, 315 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006.
Open: 7 Days. Lunch: 11.30am - 2.30pm. Dinner: 5:30pm - Midnight.
Phone: (07) 3252 8888.
Price: Entree: $2.20 - $12.50. Main: $11.50 - $19.50.

La Camera

It was pouring rain when Sarah and I were heading off to the Malthouse Theatre to view Ganesh versus the Third Reich so we stopped in at La Camera, Southbank to escape. I must admit I was more than little sceptical about the quality of food especially when I spotted a poster in the establishment advertising yum cha but we decided to place an order. Sarah ordered the Gnocchi alla Posillipo, comprising of cream, napoli saurce, parmesan and topped with grilled mozzarella (pictured above).

After our big phat panini lunch I was seeking something more soothing and selected the Tortellini con Funghi Porcini. These are large tortellini filled with porcini mushrooms and ricotta, immersed in a creamy field mushroom ragu and finished with shredded grana padano. Admitted I felt the tortellini was under cooked but if you are a mushroom lover this was the dish was you. The ragu was just filled with generous chunks of mushrooms.

Though the offering was satisfactory, the wait staff were attentive and the interior clean, it was underwhelming compared to everything else we had experienced during our Melbourne sojourn. Though it's passable, La Camera was a little plain vanilla for my taste.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 2 Southgate, Southbank, VIC 3006.
Open: 7.30am - 11am (weekdays). 8.30am - 12pm (weekends).
Phone: (03) 9699 3600.
Price: Breakfast: $5.50 - $14.50. Entree: $5.90 - $24.90. Mains: $21.50 - $47.50.

Spanish Garden Steakhouse

The Breakfast Creek Hotel Steak is a Brisbane icon and you can enjoy it in two ways: The Staghorn Beer Garden or the Spanish Garden Steakhouse. The Spanish Garden Steakhouse basically consists of breezy courtyard (perfect in Summer but rug up if you dare to enter this icebox in winter) and full table service. For a few dollars more you receive the same Breakfast Creek Hotel Steak. We started our meal with some bread and I was disappointed to find the garlic bread was cold. Also disturbingly I found it difficult to determine what was actually on the Italian Bruschetta.

I decided to order a rare Petite Eye Fillet, with mushroom sauce, traditional coleslaw, bread roll and an idaho potato. The steak was just perfect, fresh, cooked perfectly and I enjoyed it immensely with a dab of mushroom sauce. The traditional coleslaw, however needed a little more dressing. Though it wasn't a bad experience, I didn't view the Spanish Garden Steakhouse as a highlight either. If you want to enjoy this icon, then the Staghorn Beer Garden is the way to go.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 2 Kingsford Smith Drive, Albion, QLD 4010.
Open: 7 Days a week. Licensed hours: 10am - 2am.
Phone: (07) 3262 5988
Price: Entrees: $6.50 - $29. Steak: $32 - $40.50. Desserts: $7.50

Haoke Chinese Seafood Restaurant

There are few things that make me quite as cross as when Sui Mai is labelled as Dim Sum. Dim Sum is the category of dumplings that feature in various Yum Cha Restaurant menus. The item that most Australians know as 'Dim Sims' (eurgh ... it isn't even pronounced correctly) should actually be called Sui Mai. Dim Sum is the area that my father specialised in before his passing so I admit I expect nothing less than perfection when I visit a Yum Cha Restaurant. My Mother had heard great things about Haoke Chinese Seafood Restaurant so we set off early this morning for Yum Cha.

One of the tests of a good Yum Cha Restaurant is the quality of their Har Gao. Haoke's Har Gao has a gorgeous translucent skin and generous chunks of prawn.

The standard of their Sui Mai is also good and topped with a prawn. This would have been one of my picks.

Steamed bean curd wraps with thick sauce. These is generally no middle ground with this dish, as they are either fabulous or awful. This was the first time I had encountered an average one, the flavour was there but the texture was far too solid for my liking.

Lean pork and century egg congee. Century eggs are an acquired taste and are made by preserving eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, lime and rice hulls. This mixture raises the PH of the egg over several weeks or months and leaves the egg with its distinctive texture. It is a common congee ingredient as it compliments the smooth rice. Unfortunately the congee was the worst offering at Haoke. It was extremely floury and lacking in flavour.

Combination beef. Often contains beef tripe, tendons and pig's blood jelly. Unfortunately for my little brother there was no pig's blood jelly.

The egg tarts were a good size, the pastry was flaky and the egg was silky smooth. Cheong Fun is also another Yum Cha favourite and they traditional come in three variations, cha siu (barbecue pork), prawn or You Zha Gui (translates as fried ghosts. This is a fried dough that sometimes is served with congee). The one pictured is cha siu, it arrived cold.

The final selection was the Shark fin dumplings. Though the spine of the dumpling appeared dry, they were passable. So in summary, the quality of the dim sum was passable, the atmosphere and service within the restaurant was lacking. If it is your local then it is passable, but if you have to make the trip, don't bother. Head to Landmark when you will have the selection and the brisk pace you would expect.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: Shop 36/223 Calam Road, Sunnybank Hills, QLD 4109.
Open: Monday - Friday 10am-3pm. Saturday and Sunday 9am-3pm. Dinner daily from 6pm.
Phone: (07) 3273 4900

Hot Cake House

I've got some really fond memories of great street food from my travels around China and they include everything from portable waffles, wheel barrows stuffed with coals to keep petite chestnuts hot and toffee served between crackers from the back of a bicycle. Since Australia doesn't have the population to sustain this sort of practice, it is rare to see street food but it is there if you search hard enough. One of these examples is Hot Cake House in Sunnybank Plaza and they serve warm chewy Taiwanese pancakes. These pancakes come served warm and in a variety of fillings ranging from custard, red bean, cheese and corn, chocolate etc.

Here are some little stacks just waiting for customers to devour them but it's a joy to watch the talented staff make these little pancakes. The batter is poured into the mould and just before it is set, a dollop of filling is added before a skewer lifts the half from the mould. They then the staff quickly add another bit of batter before flipping the cooked half on top. Magic!

Here is one of these magical creations being held by my little big brother. Check out those manicured hands! So much nicer than mine and he has better eye lashes to boot. I hate you boys! So the basics, hot Taiwanese Pancakes in a variety of fillings for 80 cents. I say yes please!

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: Shop B/315-317 Mains Road, Sunnybank, QLD, 4109
Open: Monday - Friday, 9am - 5:30pm, Thursday, 9am - 9pm, Saturday, 9am - 4pm, Sunday, 10am - 4pm.
Phone: 0403 266 287
Price: From $0.80 each.

Siana Valley

Beautifully appointed and spanning two spacious levels is Siana Valley. This restaurant/bar offers its patrons everything from Dim Sum, Thai, Indian and Japanese cuisine. The main strength of Asian cuisine comes from its simplicity and relies heavily on freshness of its ingredients. However having such a broad offering is fraught with danger and I was decidedly dubious about Siana Valley's ability to deliver. Though the staff are friendly and attentive, I decided to put the kitchen to the test by ordering the Nigiri Platter. $15 brought me a six pieces of tuna, salmon and kingfish nigiri sushi. The tuna and salmon wasn't presented at its best and the metallic taste shone through despite the chef's attempt to disguise it with copious amounts of wasabi. However the kingfish was completely inedible with its unsavoury colour and tough chewy texture. Siana Valley is beautiful and would make a fantastic after work, drinks location. But if you are looking for sushi, I would strongly suggest aborting your mission to Siana Valley as you will be left hungry and your craving unfulfilled.

Rating: 2.5 out 5.
Address: 512 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, QLD 4006.
Open: 7 days a week. 12 noon until late.
Phone: (07) 3252 9960.
Price: From $8.

Gambaro's Seafood Restaurant

Established in 1972, Gambaro's Seafood Restaurant is the jewel in the crown of a Brisbane family empire. Located on bustling Caxton Street, stepping into Gambaro's is remarkably tranquil. The restaurant has been refurbished since my last visit and though a tad dark, the area is clean and modern. The staff are attentive and welcoming and with a range of breads, I selected a moreish olive and herb bread. This was satisfying before my main arrived with a small seafood rissole taster (pictured above). A tastebud's lifespan is approximately 10 days, so when they are pretty happy critters when offered something deep fried ... however my arteries and thighs may be suitably horrified later.

For my main I had selected the Pan seared Prawns with Ravioli of Spinach and Ricotta. Roast garlic pods, parsley, saffron aioli and pinenuts. Though the prawns were plentiful, fresh and deveined, I was disappointed with this dish. For an establishment that prides themselves on seafood, you want this component to shine rather than obscuring it with layers of rustically chopped aromatic ingredients, you want to see your seafood. I didn't realise I even had additional prawns until I started shifting through my meal as the prawns were sliced in half and unrecognisable under the sauce. I really wanted something more from Gambaro's and it was unfortunately lacklustre with the bread and service being the only shining beacons.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 33 Caxton Street, Paddington, QLD 4000.
Open: Lunch 11:30am - 3pm, Monday - Friday. Dinner from 5:30pm, Monday - Saturday.
Phone: (07) 3369 9500
Price: Entree $6.50 - $39.00, Main $26.50 upwards.

FaB Fish and Burger Grill

Located at the Barracks, FaB Fish and Burgers is a cheap and cheerful offering providing customers with a range of lunch and dinner options ranging from cheekily named burgers, fish and a small range of desserts. The store perfectly fills the needs for those customers who need to get to a movie or Suncorp Stadium game on time.

I decided to select the 'Number 1' which was a beef pattie, lettuce, tomato, relish and aioli served between soft bread. The waiter kindly brought me a glass of water while I waited for my meal. My burger arrived shortly after and was served on top of a simple piece of grease proof paper, stamped with FaB's half cow, half fish logo. All the ingredients were fresh and homely but I found the relish quite viscose so it was a tad messy to eat. But that's the joy of burgers and I'm sure it amused passers by. I've only had a mere taste of FaB Fish and Burger but I'm more than happy to go back and have another helping.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: The Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Paddington, QLD 4000.
Open: 7 Days a Week. 12:00pm - Late.
Phone: (07) 3367 8088.
Price: Burgers from $9.95.

Pizzazz Cafe

We had grand ambitions of heading to Silo Bakery for our Sunday breakfast but sadly it was closed, so Aaron made an executive decision to head to Pizzazz Cafe. The cafe lacks polish but the menu is reasonably creative and I quite enjoyed my Strawberry crepes came red current compote, ricotta and slivers of kiwi fruit.

Under no circumstances should you order the tea. I am always baffled when I am served an awful cup of tea but honestly this one tasted like someone had stolen the contents of Nana's dusty potpourri while was attending church and added water. It was horrid and I struggle through my two sips. So just have breakfast and you'll be fine.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 41 Kennedy Street, Kingston, ACT 2604.
Open: Tuesday - Sunday. Breakfast and lunch.
Phone: (02) 6239 6200

Kingston Grind

I've always said that I am one strike away from the trifecta of bad driving being Asian and female, so all I need to do is drive a Volvo or apply a frangipani sticker to my vehicle. So it was with much trust and love that Mellie and Aaron put me behind the wheel on their car. Having successfully accomplished our mission we headed to Kingston Grind for a celebratory coffee. The coffee came recommended and it was probably the nicest beverage I had on my holiday. The coffee blend is unique to the cafe and is sweet and silky smooth. It lacks that coffee kick, so those who like something a little stronger may be slightly disappointed, but I was a happy little scamp.

The breakfast menu was a standard affair and I ordered the Eggs Benedict. The muffin base was lightly dusted with polenta, ham grilled lightly to add intensity to the flavour and the yolks of my eggs were runny and a vibrant orange. This offering could be improved with a homemade hollandaise sauce and perhaps a touch of wilted spinach ... but that's just my own personal preference.

To summarise, Kingston Grind: good coffee and a passable breakfast selection. If you're heading there for breakfast I would suggest having a look at the pastry cabinet ... they looked gorgeous.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: Cusask Avenue, Kingston, Canberra, ACT 2604.
Open: 7 days a week. 8am - 4:30pm.
Phone: (02) 6295 8189.

Coffee and Chocolate

There is something dangerous lurking around Brisbane, it's like Godzilla rising from the ocean, it's a Krakatoa waiting to blow .... but worse as there is nothing quite as terrifying as an angry foodie.

I had a couple of hours before my next appointment and with the pouring rain I decided it would be prudent to settle down in a cafe and start drafting one of my university papers. I decided to settle on Coffee and Chocolate in Queens Plaza as it's light, open plan and has a range of desserts that remind me of now closed and much missed, Fude and Drinc. I ordered an English Breakfast Tea and a Lemon Meringue Tart at the counter from a helpful young lad. The tea came served on stylish homeware and the Lemon Meringue Tart, though expensive at $7 each was full of taste and well presented, but that's where the positives end.

So why does Coffee and Chocolate rile me? Well it is painfully clear to me that the passion is lacking with the cleaning products are left in clear view of the customers, the magazine holders in disarray and an obvious residing labelling enthusiast (see photo above). But worst of all, there isn't any pride in the food. My dessert came served on a warm plate, which meant the cream yellowed and was melting fast. Every time I encounter an establishment like this, it makes me angry. Food isn't simply about nourishing the body, it is about nourishing the soul, it is a passion and anyone who doesn't feel that way about their establishment, simply shouldn't be there. Coffee and Chocolate is a convenient location but it shouldn't be a destination on your food radar.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 226 Queen Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000.
Open: Monday - Thursday. 7:30am - 5pm. Friday. 7:30am - 9pm. Weekends. 9am - 5pm.
Phone: (07) 3229 7799.

The Chalk Hotel

Once regarded as a "dive" the renovated Chalk Hotel has come of age with two restaurants, eight bars and seven function areas which makes the Chalk an intriguing venue. It is easily accessible by public transport and for the teetotallers amongst us there is even free parking space.

Trading up to 22 hours a day this eclectic beast offers everything from the early morning breakfast, fine dining, live music and encourages individuals to host functions in one of its numerous space. On Saturdays the venue is transformed into a Farmers Markets and these open from 6am.

Chicken Schnitzel with salad, fries and mushroom sauce.

The venue loves to boast about its paddock to plate approach to food and I was genuinely interested in seeing what its steak offering was like. I rarely say no to a good steak and feel it sets the benchmark for any pub. Thus I ordered, a rare 250g Eye Fillet with Vegetables and Beer Battered Fries and my goodness was it ample! The fries were beautifully light and the steak was well seasoned and melted in my mouth. The only thing that detracted from the meal was the mushroom sauce which reminded me strongly of Gravox but it was still an enjoyable meal. The Chalk isn't my favourite venue but if you're after a pub lunch, a drink and in the area, the Chalk isn't a bad spot.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: 736 Stanley Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102
Open: Monday - Friday. 7:30am - Late.
Phone: (07) 3896 6565
Price: Starters and light meals: from $3.50. Mains: from $16.00.

Bar Merlo, Fortitude Valley

Located under the Endeavour College of Natural Medicine, Bar Merlo, Fortitude Valley has stripped back industrial style feel and offers Merlo Private Blend coffee, a range of salad and sandwiches. The Merlo brand of coffee has wound its way into many of Queensland's tertiary institutions so I must admit I have a soft spot for their hot chocolates and paninis. The Paninis come in a range of flavours including:

• their classic Breakfast Panini of Ham, Cheese and Napolitana Sauce,
• Chicken and Pesto and
• Roast Vegetables.
  

Pictured above is their Breakfast Panini, served in all its glory on a paper plate. The other nice thing about Bar Merlo is it ofters a number of snack size tubs that you can fill with trail mix, chocolate sultanas or my favourite chocolate almonds. Oh and they have happy hour, so keep an eye out on the chalk board for details.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: Cnr Water & Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD 4006.
Open: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 2:30pm.
Phone: (07) 3253 9539.
Price: Coffee from $3.40.

Hanabishi

One of my favourite dining precincts is the Barracks as it's central, has ample free two hour parks (four if you are attending the cinemas), the fabulous Bittersweet Chocolate Boutique and offers a number of lovely dining options. I've had the misfortune of drawing the short straw with sushi in my last couple of workplaces so any opportunity I get to have sushi, I do and lucky for me, Miss Sarah humours me.


We decided to catch a bite at Hanabishi before watching 'Black Swan.' Hanabishi is Japanese for fireworks and despite the line being out the door, I can't say that this sushi bar provided any sparks for me. The sushi rice was warm and I had to order the usually stock standard nigiri. However, it's efficient, the sushi is edible and it's in the right place. I wouldn't make a trip to Hanabishi but if you're at the Barracks and after sushi. It will do.


Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
Address: T13, The Barracks, 61 Petrie Terrace, Paddington, QLD 4000
Open: Daily, 11:00am - 10:00pm
Phone: (07) 3367 3889
Price: From $3.00.