Eating in Brisbane - Hot Rocks Steakhouse Burpengary

The best lunch deal in town!

One Sunday afternoon my cousin and I decided to visit our friend's restaurant in Burpengary. They own a Hot Rocks restaurant, previously known as 'Flintstones'. The restaurant is large, but pleasantly cosy with deep coloured walls and warm wooden tables and chairs. 

Hot Rocks Steakhouse Burpengary

Gayleen and Steve are a friendly couple who love to serve and make the atmosphere welcoming. 

Carolyn and Gayleen

Gayleen is a wonderful cook, so I was surprised to hear that Steve was the one behind the stove. 

Steve in the kitchen

Gayleen showed us their lunch specials menu - an impressive $10 for a hot rock lunch! We were not expecting such a good price. The $10 lunch includes a selection of chicken or fish with chips, sauce and garden salad. Although, when visiting a steakhouse you really need to try the steak, don't you agree? So we opted for the $13.50 hot rock rump steak meal. 

 $13.50 Hot Rock Rump Steak meal

We were not disappointed. The rocks are heated to 400 degrees, and the meat placed on top for the customer to cook as they please. Perfect! They provide quality salt and pepper grinders for you to season your steak before turning it. 

Unfortunately, I never took a photo of the cooked steak, which would have been more enticing, but  trust me when I say it was delicious! Poor old rump has been given a bad rap in recent years, with restaurants serving tough chewy rump steak for their cheap lunch deals. Hot Rocks Steakhouse is not guilty of that. They have renewed my faith in a good rump steak. Of course, they have many exquisite cuts on the menu for those wanting something a little more special and willing to pay the price. Dinner menu meals start at around $24, with a large choice of mains. 

One of the things I really like is that the chef can never stuff up your steak! I couldn't count the number of times I have had to return my steak because they haven't cooked it right. If you aren't sure how to cook a great steak yourself, you can always ask the staff to teach you, they have even turned meat for the real novice diner in the past. But it's not rocket science, a little instruction and you'll be sure to cook it perfectly. Don't be confused with other steakhouses who bring your cooked steak out on sizzling hot plates, these rocks are meant to cook your steak, not keep them warm. The rock stays hot for a long time, so even if you remove it too early you can always try again. Although, be careful with chicken and other dry meats as over-cooking it will ruin your meal. If you really are too scared to do it yourself, there are other choices on the menu that don't require you to cook it yourself, or ask someone at your table to help. It is just a matter of turning it at the right time. 

All the sauces are made in the restaurant. I tried the mushroom and aioli. Both were very nice. We had enough sauce to finish the steak generously by dipping it in. I took my steak off at the rare stage and just seared pieces one at a time then dipped them into the sauce for perfect sizzling steak with every bite. 

As for the chips, and here comes a real compliment, the master of chips herself (my cousin, Carolyn) declared that no extra salt was required (shock!) and they were cooked perfectly - "The best chips I've had in a long time. Perfect". So there you have it. I too was impressed by the well cooked chips by the way. 

Even the salad dressing is restaurant-made and many customers ask for bottles of it to take home (which is currently not possible, sorry). You'll just have to visit there more often. 

The grand finale is what a lot of you expect in your gastronomic pleasure-seeking and to be honest, I have had difficulty in finding restaurants that measure up in the dessert department. Even some high-end restaurants have left me with a, 'meh'. As soon as I heard the desserts were made by the establishment and not delivered on the 'seen-it-in-every-cafe' truck, I ordered one to share. 

Choices, choices.... Well, there was the sticky date pudding, self-saucing chocolate pudding, butterscotch pudding, chocolate mousse and chocolate caramel mousse. We went with the butterscotch pudding. 

Butterscotch Pudding $8.50

This was rather large, by the way. Plenty for two, but too delicious to share. Soft airy sponge with perfect butterscotch sauce. Not bad for $8.50. Next time we will have one each. Hands off!

If you feel like a drink with your meal, the only negative would be that it's not licensed. The positive? There's a liquor land two doors down and the restaurant is B.Y.O. Even better. Sunday lunch has never been cheaper. 

R.S.L, sorry, but this is our new favourite lunch venue. What a warm and toasty winter it will be.

Details:

Website: http://hotrockssteakhouse.com.au/

Facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/HotrocksteakhouseBurpengary

Visited May 2015

Eating in Brisbane: Breakfast at Buderim

 Ingrid's Place

Ingrid's Place - tables inside and out.

While waiting for my Uncle's treatment we decided to go for breakfast in the small town of Buderim.

Main Street of Buderim

Buderim sits on a 180 metre (590 ft) mountain overlooking the Sunshine Coast. It is famous for its ginger and coffee production that began in the late 19th Century. The original ginger factory still stands as a garage, but the factory itself is now located in Yandina 23 kms North of Buderim. It remains a stylish place to live, sort after for its charm and proximity to the Sunshine Coast beaches. There are some beautiful nature walks and waterfalls for people to explore on the side of the mountain, as well as some historic buildings to visit. Other than that, there are plenty of choices for coffee in the Main Street. 

The quieter end of Buderim

Ingrid's Place is not close to the main area of town, but a little further up the street just past The Coffee Club. Buderim doesn't have a Maccas, but it has a Coffee Club, which, by the way, has a lovely view next to the park. 

Back to Ingrid's Place.  

The only thing confusing about Ingrid's Place was finding a sign with their name on it (unless you are across the road)! Other than that, everything was wonderful. 

The chef came out and greeted us as we were ordering and was very friendly and professional looking in his white uniform. 

The menu is small but interesting with variations on regular classics. I am sitting here sipping tea, hoping to bide enough time to warrant ordering lunch soon. 

A cup of tea and a newspaper?

For breakfast I ordered Scrambled Eggs with onion, bacon, mushroom and cheese. This turned out to be very cheesy and filling for $14.50.

Breakfast :)

Thus the need to wait a few hours before ordering lunch. Tick tock.

My cousin ordered simple French Toast. 

French Toast

It was delicious. Crunchy outside, soft and juicy inside. 

Well, it's nearly lunch time. I wonder if I will get to try the Fettuccine and pesto with grilled chicken they had on the menu for $17.50? Maybe I should save it for next time....

Scrambled Eggs

Visited April 2015.

Eating in Brisbane - Montville Mayfield Patisseries & Chocolate

Montville is a charming tourist town on the Blackall Range in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. 

It is known for its quaint shops and scenic B&B's. You can buy a range of skin care products, shoes, clothes, sweets and home made delights, for a cost of course. 

Mayfield Patisseries & Chocolates is no exception - and justifiably so. 

Mayfield Patisseiries & Chocolates have the best cakes I have ever seen.

These cakes are not all show. A delicate flavour. Exquisite and fulfilling. One of the few times the presentation matches the flavour. 

If you consider these cakes more of a 'dessert' at a restaurant than 'cake' at a coffee shop, then $9.90 per cake doesn't seem too pricey. Most restaurants in Brisbane charge from $12 and upwards. 

The presentation is faultless. These cakes have many layers of delicious filling that complement each other. This cake is a Raspberry Charlotte. The creamy vanilla mousse and fruity raspberry sauce, layered with cake and jelly just melt in your mouth. The white chocolate coating has been stamped by the chef in enticing patterns. It is a dream you never wish to end. You actually almost get your wish as the portions are very large, and you wonder if it will all fit in. Amazingly, because of the beautiful balance of flavours, it is quite possible to finish this alone, without feeling sick. 

The main reason you should try these cakes is because they are made on the premises by the chef. You can buy them nowhere else. Original and divine. 

Below is the Pistaccio.

Visited March 2015.

https://www.facebook.com/mayfieldpatisserieandchocolates

Eating in Brisbane - Redcliffe 'Kashikoi Sushi'

My cousin Robyn found this restaurant on Anzac Avenue and recommended it to me. Since arriving in Australia 6 years ago I had yet to find a Japanese restaurant to a standard that I was used to in Japan. Sono in Brisbane was the only one. There are some small restaurants in Brisbane that serve cheap Japanese food, but nothing of a slightly higher quality. Kashikoi sushi would have to be the first one. 

Don't be confused by the name. Sushi is a specialty here, but they also serve a different menu that is cooked to perfection. 

Tempura would have to be my favourite dish. Naughty, crispy, juicy, and PRAWNS...what more can I say?? 

I have been on a quest since arriving here to find a place that serves tempura correctly. I tried restaurants everywhere only to be disappointed by the mushy soft oily mess that was presented. To this day Sono had been the only one that was capable of understanding true tempura. Now I can add Kashikoi Sushi to my list. Perfect tempura. Absolutely perfect. A plate with two of everything: $11.90.

Another dish I love is Agedashi Tofu. Deep fried tofu in a refreshing soup. $?? I forgot... I think it was around $5.90. Usually the Tofu is coated in a crispy batter, but this was a little different. It was chewy and stretchy. Maybe a new variation?? Either way, it was still delicious. 

To accompany my meal I chose a side dish of Soba noodles. $2.50. Portions were generous! I could have chosen the Tempura Soba $12.90, but the tempura goes soggy in the soup and you get more tempura by ordering it separately. The soup was perfect. Not too salty with the right stock taste. I loved it. 

Wagyu steak is always a winner. This cut was tender but not trimmed, maybe a rump or possibly sirloin? Not the best steak I have had. For $18 I would rather have Hogs Breath. Nice flavours though. 

Oh la la! The sushi was fancy. Yum yum and more yum! I haven't tried the raw fish yet, but this place will be a regular stop for me so I will let you know! 

Tuna and Avocado 'Caterpillar". 

Thanks Robyn! 

Visited March 2015.

No website, but here is the Facebook link:

https://www.facebook.com/SushiKashikoi

  

Eating in Brisbane - Glasshouse Mountains 'The Lookout Cafe'

A place locals often go to enjoy Devonshire Tea in a quiet tranquil setting, overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. 

The cafe is conveniently positioned on the road to the Glasshouse Mountains lookout. We have frequented here over the past 6 years through changes of ownership, closures, and improvements. 

Originally, the only seating was on the deck. It is a lovely place to sit and enjoy the view. The only drawbacks were the heat in summer and the limited seating.

Now they have expanded their seating area to include an airconditioned area, also with stunning views. 

The views are not the only thing to rave about this place. 

The food is rather rustic with a selection of interesting local cheeses and dips, crusty bread and cafe favourites. 

The winner today was the Devonshire Tea $10.50. 

The scones would have to be the best I have had since I was a kid eating mum's fresh out of the oven. How do you describe the perfect scone flavour and texture? 

Crunchy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside with a buttery toasted flavour. 

A lot of places serve scones that taste like muffins. These beautiful scones are worth the trip. 

Australian Jams from South Australia. 

Coffee Australian Grown and roasted.

View from the cafe. The occasional kangaroo hopping around too. 

Will be back soon!

Visited March 2015.

http://www.glassonglasshouse.com.au/cafe.html