015. Under the Asian sea: The Manor Chinese Restaurant

The southside of Brisbane is littered with late night informal and formal Asian dining  restaurants. Some good, some great, some terrible. Some cheap, some dirt cheap and some a little more pricey. The Manor Chinese restaurant is fantastic and although a little more pricey than the restaurants in the surrounding areas, you get what you pay for and service from the managers adds a bit of entertainment to your meal.  The quality of their food is superb and you get much more quantity wise than a lot of other places. Opening late for yum cha is an added bonus! The last time I went to the Manor, my companion was feeling wealthy and decided on lobster. The waiter was kind, informative and actually made sure we really wanted to go ahead with the order, and being around $130 per kilo, I'm glad she actually made it out like she cared for our wallets and not just wanting to take our cash (I'm quite weary of a lot of Asian places as a lot of Asian's I know, are money hungry). 

 Before

After

The lobster was cooked in a smooth ginger and shallot sauce and it was perfectly fresh. The $300 meal was 'worth every dollar and cent I worked for'. 

014. Singapore Sling

Around this time last year, I was on a Singapore Airlines flight going back home from Hong Kong. Needless to say, I did not want to leave so I drank my troubles away. On the plane ride back, I was reading the in-flight menu and saw they had cocktails. There was one that caught my eye which I decided to try; the Singapore Sling. I figured it would end up being some pre-mixed stuff, being on a plane and all. Totally wrong! Made fresh, this drink was DELICIOUS! Fast forward a year later and I finally get around to attempt to make this cocktail because every bar/pub/club I had been to since my trip from Hong Kong, I was unable to find the Singapore Sling ANYWHERE so I decided I'd have a go at making it. My first attempt, I put in a little less than the recipe says, I didn't want all the alcohol in it to be too overpowering. Because you can't really buy the ingredients in smaller bottles, I had to buy the 700ml ones and so I think I have enough alcohol to last me another year! My first attempt at making this, I was very pleasantly surprised and have made them a few more times since. Do try it, it is amazing!

I used this recipe: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink3758.html

013. Sizzle Sizzle: Obaltan Korean BBQ

Obaltan Korean BBQ is a spicy little hot-spot on Elizabeth Street in the city that is so popular, the line on a Friday evening stretched out the door. You walk into a bustling restaurant with silver ventilation tubes above each grill flame. Korean BBQ has really started to take off in Brisbane and about time too. Critics say you don't go to a restaurant to cook your own food but a dining experience doesn't always have to be the static 'how would you like your steak cooked?' line. Obaltan offer various cuts of marinated and non-marinated meats; chicken, lamb, beef as well as a a great selection of fresh seafood for your barbecuing pleasure. Once you have placed your orders, waiters rush out with a host of Korean sides to accompany your meal; traditional Korean kimchi, cold potato salad leafy greens and a selection of sauces. 

 Selection of meats: pork belly, chili marinated chicken and beef ribs

Bbq-ing away!

Book ahead or get in early otherwise you'll be waiting a while!

Website: http://www.obaltan.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Obaltan