Schulte's Meat Tavern

For so many years I've driven past Schulte's Meat Tavern on the way back from Toowoomba, wondering just what they sold (other than meat of course). Recently, on the way back from Peppers Hidden Vale, I dropped in to investigate.

To start with, there's a great range of meat, including beef, lamb and pork sourced from the local area. In addition to the fresh meat, there's a selection of smallgoods, including house-made wursts, which are famous for miles around (even my local Brisbane Woolworths sells Schulte's wursts). You can also buy a selection of wines (including Ballandean Estate) and plenty of specialty German food, like gherkins and sauerkraut.

I picked up two Kumamoto Wagyu rump steaks ($11.65 - which is actually grown on the property at Peppers Hidden Vale), some delicious prosciutto ($5), a bottle of Ballandean Estate Sylvaner ($16 - one of my favourite dessert wines) and a can of Almdudler ($2.35) which I'd never come across in Australia before. Almdudler is an Austrian soft drink, which I used to buy to wash down various kinds of wursts from the little snack stands in Vienna. Seeing a can on the shelf brought back some great food memories, so I just had to buy one.

Anyway Schulte's is a great place to drop into next time you're heading back to Brisbane from Toowoomba way. Not only will it break up the drive, but you're likely to walk out with some great local meat, smallgoods and wine.

Schulte's Meat Tavern
4424 Warrego Highway
Plainland 4341
P - 07 5465 6592

Main Beach Delicatessen

Until just recently, the Main Beach Delicatessen had been my favourite breakfast spot at the Gold Coast. But I went there for breakfast a couple of weeks ago, and the breakfast menu has really changed since my last trip. It was sad to see some of the delicious breakfast options have been taken off the menu and gluten free bread, although listed on the blackboard, was apparently no longer available.

Grudgingly we decided to give it a skip, despite memories of all the great breakfasts I've had there in the past. So if you head along to the Main Beach Delicatessen after reading my previous post, you might be a little disappointed.

There was a happy ending to the story though - I found a great place just around the corner called D'Lish Cafe, where we had an excellent breakfast (there's a post about D'Lish to come).

Main Beach Delicatessen
Shop 10, 14-16 Tedder Avenue
Main Beach 4217
P - 07 5564 0288

Euro 2008 - Greece

Although Greece are still technically the champions of Europe (at least for another week or so), unfortunately the game against Spain tomorrow will be their last in Euro 2008. Greece haven't managed to pick up a point in their first two games, so they won't be repeating their amazing run from Euro 2004 this time around.

But don't despair, there are plenty of places to enjoy Greed food around Brisbane. My best memory of Greek food is when we were on the island of Paros. You could just walk down to the local deli, where they sold the best feta I've ever had. Putting together a simple Greek salad of good Greek feta, olives, cucumber and tomato, with dried herbs and loads of olive oil became a delicious daily routine.

A few of my friends reckon that Lefka's Taverna is the best Greek restaurant in Brisbane. I still haven't been there, but I'm keen to try it out. Lefka's serve up traditional yiros, souvlaki, lamb, calamari and octopus in pretty casual surroundings. Lefka's is BYO, and there's a bottle shop next door, in case you run out of your favourite beer/wine/ouzo during the night.

Another popular spot in West End is Kafe Meze. I noticed when we were in West End on the weekend that it's just moved about 100 metres down the road, into the spot where Cristo's used to be. At Kafe Meze you can start off the night with dolmades, haloumi, keftedes (meatballs) or Atherno (whitebait). Mains include a range of souvlaki (lamb, chicken, fish, prawn, pork or vegetarian), together with Greek plates containing octopus, souvlaki or calamari all served with a Greek salad and chips. Again Kafe Meze is BYO.

I've read some great reviews for The Lounge Bistro at Nundah, if you're on the Northside, and I can't do a post about Greek food without mentioning The Greek Club at South Brisbane. The Greek Club put on Paniyiri every year (which I love) and it's a great place to try out Greek wine, which is really hard to find in Brisbane. If you need a night of Greek dancing to work off a big meal, then The Greek Club is the place to shake your booty. Finally, if its Greek olive oil or deli items you're after, head to the famous Samios Foods at Woolloongabba.

Lefka's Taverna

170 Hardgrave Road

West End 4101

P - 07 3844 1163

Kafe Meze

Shop 7, 220 Melbourne Street

West End 4101

P - 07 3844 1720

The Lounge Bistro

Shop 1, 1252 Sandgate Road

Nundah 4012

P - 07 3266 6144

The Greek Club & Convention Centre

29-31 Edmondstone Street

South Brisbane 4101

P - 07 3844 1166

W - http://www.thegreekclub.com.au/

Samios Foods

36 Annerley Road

Woolloongabba 4102

P - 07 3391 2169

Euro 2008 - Switzerland

As a result of the games last night, I've had to skip to Switzerland. Unfortunately, Switzerland, although having another game to play, are now out. Not exactly what you hope for as a co-host of a major tournament, but that's football I suppose. It was a pretty cruel way to lose, with Turkey scoring the winning goal in the 92nd minute of the game.

But if you're a Swiss supporter, don't despair, as there are a couple of places in Brisbane where you can enjoy food to remind you of home.

One such place is Des Alpes at Mitchelton. I haven't eaten at Des Alpes, but I have a few friends who love the place. Entrees at Des Alpes include bundnerfleisch mit nussbrot (thin slices of Swiss style air-dried beef, served with homemade bread, butter, pickles and sour cream - $12.50) and truite fumee (smoked river trout served with salad, sour cream dressing and toast - $12.50). For mains you can try out Zurich geschnetzeltes (sliced veal in mushroom cream sauce - $24.50) or kassler (smoked pork tenderloin served with sauerkraut and mild pepper sauce - $24.50).

But no Swiss restaurant would be complete without fondue, and at Des Alpes you can take your pick from cheese, meat or chocolate fondues. And if you really want to go over the top with fondue, you can have cheese fondue for entrée, meat fondue for main and chocolate fondue for dessert ($40.50 per person).

Des Alpes also has separate gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy free menus, which allows plenty of choice for everyone. The restaurant is both licensed and BYO.

If it's a Swiss deli you're after, look no further than the Swiss Gourmet Delicatessen at West End. I've walked past this deli hundreds of times over the years, but I don't think I've ever been inside. The deli sells cheese, cured & smoked meats, pâté, chocolate, salads, pastries, pasta, oils and loads of other goodies. The Swiss Gourmet Deli also offers a pretty reasonably priced catering service if you're in need of finger food for a party.

Des Alpes Swiss Restaurant

47 Blackwood Street

Mitchelton 4053

P - 07 3355 9627

W - http://www.desalpes.com.au/

Swiss Gourmet Delicatessen

181 Boundary Street

West End 4101

P - 07 3844 2937

E - swiss@swissgourmet.com.au

W - http://www.swissgourmet.com.au/

Gourmet Haus

I recently headed over to Racecourse Road for breakfast at one of my favourite spots, the Ascot Continental Deli, only to find it was closed. It always had a great selection of gluten-free breakfasts, so I was sad to see it gone. Obviously there weren't enough other people out there who liked it as much as I did.

After a quick scout around, we decided to go to Gourmet Haus over the road, and it was a good find. I hadn't eaten there before, but they have a great breakfast menu. If you're sick and tired of seeing bacon and eggs or pancakes with maple syrup on your local cafe's breakfast menu, head over to Gourmet Haus, where you can try kippers, black pudding and a range of wursts to get your day started. If wurst isn't your bag, then there are vegetarian breakfasts, gluten-free options, breakfast specials and even bacon & eggs.

The service during our meal was excellent and friendly. Although there was a bit of a mix up with our initial order, it was fixed up quickly, without any hassle.

Gourmet Haus is also a deli, and there is a tempting range of sandwiches that you can order for breakfast, lunch or to take away.

Next time you're looking for something a bit different for breakfast, head over to Gourmet Haus. Its imaginative menu and friendly service stand out from the usual breakfast crowd.

Gourmet Haus
68 Racecourse Road
Ascot 4007
P - 07 3216 4899
E - gourmethaus@bigpond.com

Olive Oil Spectacular!

Rosalie Gourmet Market is holding an Olive Oil Spectacular this Saturday, 19 April 2008, starting at 11am. There will be olive oil aficionados in attendance and blind tastings of oils for the public. Its not every day when you get to try a whole lot of olive oils next to each other, so it could be an interesting (or even spectacular) morning.

If you do go along, make sure you pop over the road to Gelateria Cremona to grab a gelato. By the time you've tasted 10 or so olive oils, you'll definitely need a fix of their delicious icy treats.

Rosalie Gourmet Market
Corner of Nash Street and Baroona Road
Rosalie Village 4064
P - 07 3876 6222
E - admin@rosaliegourmet.com.au
W - http://www.rosaliegourmet.com.au

Main Beach Delicatessen

The Main Beach Delicatessen has been my favourite spot for breakfast at the Gold Coast for the last couple of years. I certainly haven't tried all the cafes on the coast, but after a few visits here, I just keep going back.

The Main Beach Delicatessen is on Tedder Avenue at Main Beach (surprise). One of the reasons I love to eat here is to sit in one of the window seats and watch the amazing parade of people walking along Tedder Avenue - it's always entertaining.

The deli has just had a major renovation, and the breakfast menu has changed. It's been shortened a little, but the prices seem to be even better than before. Even though its a compact menu, there is a good range of options.

I'd just eaten a fantastic eggs Benedict the morning before at Kingscliff, so decided to go for the bacon, eggs, tomato confit and veal sausages with gluten free toast, a bargain at $12. The poached eggs were perfectly cooked, with deliciously runny yolks. The bacon was also well cooked and I didn't really need the sausages, which made for a pretty filling breakfast.

We also had the roasted field mushrooms with goats cheese, rocket and lemon oil (again crazily priced at $10). We ordered this without the olive tapenade. This dish was presented fantastically, and its quality wouldn't have been out of place as an entree at any good restaurant. It exemplifies that you only need a few quality ingredients, put together with some imagination, to make a terrific dish. It was one of the best vegetarian breakfast dishes we've come across for a long time.

Coffee here is Segafredo. It was $3.50 for a flat white and our coffees were fine.

Aside from their breakfast and lunch menus, there are loads of other deli goodies you can pick up here. At the fresh deli counter there are cold meats, cheese, antipasto, salads and various pastries. Along the other wall of the deli is a great selection of food, covering spices, pasta, oils (we almost bought some argan oil from Morocco), gluten free goods, jams, relishes, sauces, biscuits etc. Since the renovation, the range of deli goods seems to have been expanded, which is great.

Service at the Main Beach Delicatessen has always been genuinely friendly, and the presentation of meals has really picked up. Be warned though, it's not the biggest shop on the coast, and can fill up quickly. If you can't get a table straight away, its definitely worth the wait - in the meantime you can browse through the delicious deli selection.

What does all this mean? Beautiful breakfasts and lunches at low prices and a great deli too.

food bling ratings
Food - Great
Service - Great
Ambience - Modern cafe surroundings
Value for Money - Top Shelf
Wine - N/A
Vegetarian - Great
Gluten Free - Good

Main Beach Delicatessen
Shop 10, 14-16 Tedder Avenue
Main Beach 4217
P - 07 5564 0288

Fruit Fantasy & Deli

Ever since Vinnies at Newmarket decided to close its deli section (which was excellent) I have been trying to find a good deli in the North-West area.

I noticed that Fruit Fantasy & Deli opened at Stafford City recently. We don't go to Stafford City very often, but decided to pop in there today to grab some lunch supplies.

Fruit Fantasy & Deli sells a good range of fresh fruit and vegetables. It also has a small deli section at the back of the shop. Although its not the biggest deli in the world, it does have a particularly good selection. There are plenty of cold meats, smallgoods, antipasto, Italian & Australian cheeses (including Kingaroy Cheese), Maggie Beer's products, Gerbino's breads, dips, gelati, spices & honey.

On this visit, we ended up buying a jar of Suzanne Quinter's locally produced preserved lemons (which are my new favourite ingredient after our visit to Morocco last year), a Kingaroy Cheese Stuart River triple cream brie, some large semi-dried roma tomatoes, Bertocchi sopressa and a basket full of fresh fruit and vegies.

It doesn't have the range that Zone Fresh or the New Farm Deli carry, but it's streets ahead of supermaket delis in the quality stakes. The prices are very reasonable too. If you live in the area, its definitely worth a visit. I'll definitely be going back.

Fruit Fantasy & Deli
Shop 135, Stafford City Shopping Centre
400 Stafford Road
Stafford 4053
P - 07 3352 3857