Eating in Brisbane - BrisAsia Festival

After looking for somewhere to eat lunch in Brisbane CBD at the strange time of 3:30, we came across the BrisAsia festival outside the Treasury Casino. 

The square was filled with different Asian stalls of exotic foods.

Difficult choices if you love Asian food. Who would have imagined ten years ago that I would be able to have a choice of Japanese food on the streets of Brisbane? Ironically, Japanese food was not what I was looking for. I still find it hard to find food that matches the technique and flavour of food from Japan, even street food. So I endeavour to find someone new. 

I decided to try the Treasury Casino's Vietnamese stall with a selection of Luke Nguyen's dishes. 

Spicy pork noodles. $10.

This hit the spot. It wasn't too spicy, but spicy enough to make my nose run! The flavours were delicious, the soup rich and deep, the meat tender and more-ish. 

Another winner was the corn fritters $2 from an Indonesian stall.

Packed with corn in a delicate batter - divine. Yes, I had two. 

To balance the heat of the noodles, a fresh coconut drink always cools you down.

For dessert, you must try the coconut icecream from Thai Garti. 

This one came with sticky rice and mango. $5. Perfect!

The festival is open until 9 pm tonight and runs for a month around Brisbane. 

I'm coming back for more......

Asahi Beer :)

The Smoke BBQ

Looking for some authentic smoked meat American style? This is the place for you! With a cosy pub feeling, you will feel welcome and at ease.

We were stuck for a place to go with visiting friends who love BBQ ribs. We looked online for something in the area and found their website. Trip Advisor had good reviews so we gave it a go. 

The Smoke BBQ is in a small shopping village in New Farm. The restaurant had a wonderful relaxed atmosphere, with people enjoying their meals and company. The staff were wonderful. On arrival they presented us with complimentary house-made corn bread, warm and delicious. 

http://thesmokebbq.com.au/

We ordered the Big Rib Combo $54 which consisted of Texas Beef Short Rib, Memphis Pork Belly & North Carolina Pulled Pork served with fries & coleslaw. There was more than enough to share between two. I loved the Texas Beef Short Rib the best. Next time I would like to try the Brisket and Pork ribs. 

Pork and Chicken Platter $54 (shared). Memphis Pork Belly with a side of Memphis Sauce, North Carolina Pulled Pork & a half Hickory Chicken with a side of Memphis BBQ served with fries & coleslaw. Not as many rave reviews of this dish, but the flavors were still awesome.

We also tried the Buffalo Chicken Wings 10 for $17. They were a nice starter, but a little spicy for me. 

The Nebraska Pale Ale $9 was a nice match for the meal.

For dessert we tried the Warm Fudge Nut Brownie served warm with vanilla ice cream – $12, Peanut Butter Pudding – $9, Pumpkin Pie served with vanilla ice cream $12. The Peanut Butter Pudding was my favorite. Not so fussed on the pumpkin pie, it was more like a bland cake. 

Will definitely be going back!!!

Eating in Brisbane - Club Tavern, Caboolture

Clubs, RSLs and Taverns typically serve 'pub food'. But what constitutes pub food has been redefined recently by places serving more sophisticated versions of traditional meals. The last time I visited this tavern 4 years ago they were serving expensive fancy meals that far out-glorified the venue. This time I was pleasantly presented with a reasonably priced menu and more appropriate food. 

http://www.clubtavern.com.au/dining

What impressed me the most was they didn't sacrifice quality for cost. The prices must be at least $10 cheaper per meal than four years ago, and the menu is a lot smaller and simpler. Although, the deal-breaker in most clubs and taverns is the specials menu. Tonight's special was a massive serving of Rump & Ribs with chips and salad for only $19.90. 

The rump was a beautiful large piece that was tender and trim. It had a beautiful flavor, like I remember meat tasting as a child. 

The ribs were falling off the bone with a BBQ flavor that wasn't too sweet. Everything was delicious. 

The club itself is well presented, but the lack of patrons made the atmosphere very stiff. If they turned up the music, things would be a little more comfortable. 

The staff were lovely. We rang and booked a birthday table, and they decorated it nicely with balloons and a table cloth. The staff seemed proud of working there and made the night special. 

There is even a closed-off room for kids to play and scream while parents have some peace during dinner. 

A little tip: the meals are very generous so if you want to take some home, make sure you sneak a container in your bag as the club has a no-take-out policy for insurance reasons. 

So if you are willing to venture out in Caboolture at night, the tavern is putting up some fierce competition to the RSL opposite. Although the tavern is small and doesn't offer as much as other nearby clubs, it is worth a visit to try their Rump and Ribs! 

Eating in Brisbane - Coffee and Chocolate, Queens Plaza

A nice cafe overlooking Queen Street Mall. Cute French-style furniture, pleasant atmosphere. They have a small selection of chocolates and cakes, and a sit down menu.

Being on the second floor, the cafe is quiet. A great place to relax.

Chilli chocolate. $4 each. Perfect balance of Chilli. 

Chilli chocolate and cappuccino. 

Visited: February 10 2015