029. Birthday Celebrations: Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bat

Editor's Note: So I have been particularly tardy in the last few months with blog updates and subsequently may or may not have photos which accompany the next few updates. I sincerely apologise if the lack of photographs that accompany posts tarnish your food-bebe experience. 

South Bank recovered in spectacular style post-flooding by introducing Brisbane to many wonderful new food fares. Popolo Italian Kitchen and Bar is one of my most highly recommended newcomers to the Brisbane scene. It is perched in prime position along the river with cute little lawn chairs out the front for everyone to sit and chill and the place itself is cute, warm and inviting. 

I have been to Popolo several times for lunch and dinner and it has never disappointed. The tapas style of eating has exploded in Brisbane and I LOVE it. It's a smart *cough* cheeky way of trying other peoples' meals without them actually being other peoples' meals. Genius! Popolo offer Italian tapas - the word is used interchangeably between cuisines nowadays. I cannot stress how amazing the Lattonzolo e pesche; Kingaroy suckling pig with spiced peach compote, anchovy sauce is. I have ordered it every time I have dined at Popolo. I was never an anchovy fan until I tasted the sauce with the pork. Two ingredients I never thought possible made oh-so-well. 

If you get the chance, a lunch time sitting is a beautiful casual affair whilst a night time sitting will show you a picture perfect view of Brisbane. 

028. Birthday Celebrations: Glamorous Wok

Glamorous Wok - the name catches you doesn't it? I only wanted to go because of the name. I didn't know much about the place but feedback from friends was more than positive. I heard many glowing reviews about 'Glam Wok' being the most authentic Taiwanese in Brisbane. I'm not from Taiwan, nor have I ever been, so I wouldn't know about the authenticity but since my first visit, I have come back time and time again. The service is a bit hit and miss; being a first generation Aussie Asian who cannot speak fluent Cantonese or Mandarin, it can be a little difficult on the communication front but the food makes up for it. My first visit was with family for a birthday lunch so I was saved by my mother who could converse fluently with the staff. But on other occasions when I have visited with non-Chinese speaking friends, it has been a little difficult.  Food wise, the quality is great but not fantastic, definitely above average especially considering the area we are talking about here. I recommend the salt and pepper pork or calamari - I always order this. Their rice dishes, sadly, can be a little bit oily.

Among the plethora of Asian cuisines in the Sunnybank area, there isn't much in the way of Taiwanese fare that compares to Glam Wok. I would definitely recommend a visit just for the salt and pepper dishes with fried rice that has Chinese sausage in it. Yum yum!

 

002. One of my favourite food groups is dumplings: Harajuku Gyoza

[Editors Note: Not sure what's happened here but a very old post has decided to pop up to the top of my blogs list. At time of writing, HG has been opened for quite some time and still a favorite of mine]

One day, whilst walking through the Fortitude Valley with a friend, I nearly went into cardiac arrest when I saw the above sign plastered on a shop window. "Oh my fucking God, Tash, LOOK!" I was in a daze. Like the fat kid from Willy Wonka, I had found my sweet, sweet confectionery. Only that it wasn't open yet (and still isn't). 

Harajuku Gyoza is a restaurant bar opening mid-October. It combines two of the best food groups; dumplings and alcohol. Need I say more? 

I am a huge fan of dumplings. There's something so satisfying about a warm, meat and vegetable filled thin dough smothered in tangy vinegar that make dumplings wonderfully delicious. I am eagerly awaiting the opening of Harajuku Gyoza. Stalk their Facebook and Tumblr pages with me:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harajuku-Gyoza 

Tumblr: http://harajukugyoza.tumblr.com/

Website: http://www.harajukugyoza.com/

Once this baby opens, I will be there with arms, mouth and belt buckle wide open. The oh-so-cute Gyoza dumpling beckons me to try it. Stay tuned for a review. 

027. Birthday Celebrations: The Euro

Editor's Note: So I have been particularly tardy in the last few months with blog updates and subsequently may or may not have photos which accompany the next few updates. I sincerely apologise if the lack of photographs that accompany posts tarnish your food-bebe experience. 

The Euro is another one of the Urbane Groups' lovely venues. This one is a little less formal than Urbane but still an elegant spot for a mid-ranged price meal. European inspired food and decor are combined for a classy dining experience. 

On my visit with some girl friends, we were shown to our table by the maître d' who was friendly and polite. One of the girls knew our waitress and subsequently were graced with impeccable service. So although we knew our waitress, the service was consistent and graceful. I ordered an orricette dish which is an Italian word for 'little pasta' I believe and it was superb, fresh and light. The feedback from the girls was that their dishes were amazing and they would definitely come back to try out the other meals. 

The Euro is a classy little spot and is perfect for a fantastic meal. You are in good hands at when you dine at an Urbane Group establishment.

Website: http://www.urbanerestaurant.com/the-euro/

026. Birthday Celebrations: Public

Editor's Note: So I have been particularly tardy in the last few months with blog updates and subsequently may or may not have photos which accompany the next few updates. I sincerely apologise if the lack of photographs that accompany posts tarnish your food-bebe experience. 

I went to Public a few weeks after they opened up shop in Brisbane so this has been some months now but I have been back a number of times and my impressions have not changed one bit.  I have been back a number of times and as expected, the menu changes seasonally. My first experience was again, for my birthday as part of my birthday dinner week extravaganza. 

First of all, I wanted to note that prior to Public, the space was occupied by a Groove Train restaurant. From when I first discovered that general area, I noticed not as many people frequented that Groove Train compared to their other locations like King George Square or the Eagle Street Pier restaurant. So I wasn't sure how Public would fare. The area is right near the law courts and it is a side of town where a lot of 'suits' work. 

My first impression of Public was that the decor was beautiful, elegant and classy. I was hoping for the same dining experience and it did not disappoint. The Public style of fare is tapas style, small plates of dishes designed to share. The dishes were crafted beautifully and it seemed like no matter what you ordered, they would compliment each other well. I love dining tapas style, it gives me the opportunity to try all the different flavours and combinations which you would otherwise have to come back multiple times to try the entire menu. The food is fresh and absolutely made with the finest quality with amazing flavour combinations. I highly recommend the Texas Brisket with Flour Tortillas and Chilli Sauce, the Asian Slaw and if they still have it as a special, the Scallop Pie. It is simply just amazing, high quality, stylish food. 

The staff were kind, polite and accommodating. I am in love with venues where the lighting is just enough, not too much that you feel like you're in a dining hall or not too little where you feel like you're dining in a closet. The lighting adds to the mystical elegance of the place.

As I mentioned earlier, I have come back a number of times since and I have loved every dining experience. When I find a place I love, I tell the whole world and his dog about it. I am sure that Public will be an establishment that will make its mark into Brisbanes culinary landscape for many years because it truly deserves to. 

Website: http://www.lovepublic.com.au/

025. Birthday Celebrations: The Laneway

Editor's Note: So I have been particularly tardy in the last few months with blog updates and subsequently may or may not have photos which accompany the next few updates. I sincerely apologise if the lack of photographs that accompany posts tarnish your food-bebe experience. 

The first of my birthday dinner ventures began with some close friends from work at The Laneway. This was a casual get together after work for a cocktail and burger to kick off my birthday week. 

The Laneway is one of the four classy establishments housed under the Urbane Group of restaurants. It is much more of a casual affair in comparison to its fine dining sibling, Urbane.   Primarily, The Laneway operates as a bar, however, I would actually just go there for the bar food. Now, it has been some months between this post and when I actually was at The Laneway and thus they have updated their menu. Nevertheless, I am sure that their quality has not waned. So on my particular visit to the venue, my friends and I were greeted with the most polite of barmen and swiftly given food and drink menus. I ordered the 'Brigitte Helm' cocktail and it was delicious. I ordered a burger (from which they had many to choose from when I was there) and you know when you can tell if the meat of high quality or not and flavours just ooze out of the patty, well that was my burger and it was fabulous. The general consensus from my friends were that their burgers were some of the best they had ever had. 

Now, as I mentioned earlier, it has been some months between this post and my visit and I believe The Laneway were closed for a period of time. Checking out the website, the menu has changed, incorporating more tapas style dishes than mains. Still sounds delish though. Look like I'll have to go back for another visit. 

Website: http://www.urbanerestaurant.com/the-laneway/ 

024. Birthday Celebrations

About a month ago, I celebrated my birthday by gathering smaller groups of friends together to try out a number of places that had either recently opened up in Brisbane or places I was yet to trial. Below is the list of places that I went to and will be subsequently reviewing.

• The Laneway 
• Public
• The Euro
• Glamorous Wok
• Popolo
• The Survey Co