My very first post gave the POD nod to Baker D. Chirico's pop up in Crossley Lane. Never one to disappoint, Daniel's newbie on Faraday St in Carlton is a beautifully executed, contemporary showcase for those seeking a dose of daily bread (and other yummy goodies) without the need for a take away coffee (yes, it is just a bread shop - thank goodness for that - and Brunetti is just a few paces away for the caffeine fix). I assumed it was inspired by one of those slatted bread boards with crumb tray thingy (which apparently it was). March Studio has taken that inspiration and delivered the best thing since sliced bread.
Beautifully sliced
Boat loads of bounty
Ah what a joy it is to discover a brilliant foodie destination. It's definitely upper end (a quick squizz around the car park suggests driving a BMW is mandatory ... but really I think you could roll up on a bicycle and fit right in). Fresh seafood, a bakery and florist sit nicely alongside an abundance of fresh produce. I thought the deli counter was a stand out, likewise the salt brick beef display (personally tagged beef being aged for birthdays and anniversary gifts - v. impressive - in all my travels I had not seen that before!). The Boatshed was a deliciously memorable destination that almost made me wish I lived in Perth.
Pop the kettle on…
The new Tea Too on Chapel Street is rather dramatic. Love the chandelier made from Turkish tea glasses and striking mosaics.
A cut above the rest
My gorgeous foodie friends in the West (Perth) and I seem to connect over steak. As fortune would have it, last year our paths crossed in Florence (Italy) and we all drooled together over a succulent Bistecca Florentina at Trattoria Mario, an authentic worker's bar/bistro (located just off the main square at San Lorenzo Market) which has been there for half a century or more. A few months ago we got together again, this time in a butcher shop where quality and simplicity sit very nicely with the steaks and seasonal vegetables. Just like the Trattoria, Torre has also been around for more than half a century and somehow I managed to get a tour of the cool room / back of house without asking (just like I did at Mario's)! I can't explain why, but this just seems to happen without me asking (and as it is happening the talking bubble over my head generally reads like this... "WTF?" "It's happening again" "This is hilarious" "I love this blogging caper!"). How could I resist David's smile and super friendly personality? If that doesn't win you over the product will - it's quality all the way. Torre Butchers, Northbridge, Perth.
Chinese Restaurant Syndrome
Ms G has more personality than you can poke a chopstick at and food with bucket loads of flavour (and a fair amount of attitude thrown in for good measure). Some weeks ago now I took a super speedy trip to Sydney for the Fine Food expo and was treated to dinner at this Asian outpost (well for the Merivale Group I guess it's an outpost ... Victoria St Potts Point is not the CBD where they tend to dominate the dining real estate and keep the Sydney social scene on its toes). First up there is the brilliant branding - loved the menu and biz card design (soz, it was too dark to get a pic so you will have to go see for yourself) and the in-your-face artwork (the pop fluoro 621 is the E number for monosodium glutamate and the joke behind the name - darn how clever is that). Mini banh mi rolls, twice-cooked pork belly and grilled corn on the cob was washed down with a v. good wine list. Desserts are hilarious although I was slightly dubious (an exploded jam donut had me thinking wtf? ... but I'm somewhat easily influenced and our 'smooth-yet-subtle-I'm-all-over-this-game' waiter talked us into what turned out to be a sweet sensory sensation). Chefs Dan Hong and Jowett Yu have taken iconic Asian street dishes and served them with premium chilli sauces and zesty dipping mayos with no 621 in sight. It's friendly, fast and loads of fun. Ms G 155 Victoria Street Potts Point Sydney.
Lovin’ Leavain
Jerome & Louis from Sourced Grocer gave me the tip on Terry Wilson and I've fallen madly in love with his loaves of loveliness sold under the Leavain label ever since (aside from the bread, his hazelnut flourless mini chocolate cakes are not half bad either!) I enjoyed a chat with him on a sunny Sunday morning at the new Stone's Corner Farmers Market. It's a family affair (his gorgeous girls pictured with him here) and his passion for the product is all in the tasting. You have to reside in BrisVegas if you want to break Terry's bread (really this is a town that continues to evolve ... whilst it will never be Melbourne, Milan or Manhattan it has its own certain charm).
Hot tamale
My gorgeous foodie friend Gilly J was over from Perth quite some months ago now. A girly goss and great lunch at the Newmarket was all the go given it had just opened .. but then I got busy and forgot I'd taken some spy snaps (which I have just found filed in a folder I would never have thought to look in had I been looking for them). Whilst it's no longer 'new' and has had plenty of press I almost passed on posting these pics but then I thought why not... the chilies, garlic and artichoke installation is unexpected, the lunch was a smokey Latino inspired love fest of flavours with great plate presentation, the service was happy, the indoor-outdoor dining feel was perfect for fine weather dining back in February and Six Degrees has delivered another pub design that punches well above its weight. From the same stable as the Royal Saxon in Richmond, the Middle Park and Albert Park Hotels... if you haven't been then you should get out more.
Seen sprouting at Southbank
Loved these planter boxes to promote Brissy's regional food producers festival that fires up this weekend. Must admit to being a tad disappointed to discover the concept design was imported from Melbourne. Southbank's team of gardeners did the assembly and planting ... and haven't they done a fabulous job of restoring the parklands since the floods went through 6 months ago. From what I can see Brissy has bounced back brilliantly.
Sat & Sun, 30 & 31 July 2011. www.regionalflavours.com.au
And furthermore:
Since posting the story this morning I have received news from Southbank on the planter box designers. Sister's Michelle and Maddie are the creative force behind Sow N Sow. These talented gardening girls grew up in Brisbane so are definitely in the know about what seeds they should sow in this town. The good news is that this creative pair have bloomed internationally in recent years and now base themselves out of Melbourne. Well done to them I say!
Limestore’s square
I found 33 Squares in the back blocks of Newstead yesterday, yet another cool little cafe discovered in downtown BrisVegas. Taking up 33 squares of the Limestore foyer, I also loved the large artwork that celebrates the buildimg's original usage (tanning hides that were shipped to Italy to be made into shoes and accessories). 33 Squares / Limstore, 33 Longland Street Newstead Brisbane.
Go straight to the Source
Jerome Battern and Louis Joseph have added to Brisbane's gourmet grocery landscape with their laid-back look and range of 'love-it' produce. Seasonal and local is supplemented by staples from a little further afield if a local producer can't be found. Reclaimed boards in a pastel palette and potted plants soften the entry to a warehouse shell that is tucked into a side street in Teneriffe. Talented baker, Terry Wilson's Levain breads, Bangalow Pork, Eumundi Smokehouse Meats, Mirrool Creek Lamb, Murrumbooee Sauces & Preserves from the Gold Coast hinterland, Farmer Jo muesli, Yatta Pasta, a chilled cheese room full of fab finds and fresh produce at competitive prices makes this a destination for fresh food with flavour. You can also kick back with a coffee, stop by for brekkie or lob in for lunch. It looked like the locals were loving it when I popped in yesterday. If you live in Brissy, and haven't been, then I'd suggest you go straight to the source. Sourced Grocer, 11 Florence Street Tennerife, Brisbane. Oh and BTW the gorgeous graphics were done by friends and local lads, Dave and Tom, at one iota (think I need to pop in and meet them too - love their work).
