Baked Relief

The flooding in Queensland has no doubt affected someone you know.

My mum lives in Yeronga, and although she was extremely lucky and just avoided the floods, I was over in the suburb on the weekend and felt numb driving around the streets. I spent over 20 years of my life in Yeronga, so it was pretty devastating to see how badly some streets had suffered from the floods.

Luckily there have been loads of people helping out those that have been affected, which is important not only for the rebuilding of the city, but also for everyone's morale. One of the people that is making a big difference is my friend and fellow blogger Danielle, who writes Digella Emporium. Danielle came up with the idea of Baked Relief - supplying home-cooked food to those who need it around Brisbane, as well as to all the impressive volunteers.

If you are a keen cook, please get in touch with Danielle via her blog or Twitter. If you can't cook to save your life, then there are other ways you can help, including donating to Baked Relief.

In the meantime, I'll leave you all on a positive note - I love this photo from Dalby which has been doing the rounds on Facebook - good to see even the animal kingdom is helping each other out in times of crisis.

When too much food is never enough

This weekend is looking terrific! Not only are there two football grand finals and the world championship cycling taking place, but there are loads of food related events happening around Brisbane.

First up Dreamfarm is having a Barn Door Opening morning tea event at its new warehouse in Albion on Saturday morning. Dreamfarm is a Brisbane based design company and will be showcasing their entire range of kitchen gadgets, as well as offering free espresso and tasty treats to all that attend.

Then kick off your Sunday with a trip to Jan Power's farmers market at Blackwood Street in Mitchelton. I'm a regular visitor to the Blackwood Street market - usually picking up fresh raspberries, great mushrooms, local honey, gluten free Sol bread and plenty of other food that tastes much better than anything you'll find at your local supermarket.

Then we'll be heading over to Southbank for two more events - the Thai Culture and Food Festival and Granite Belt Flavours.

The inaugural Thai Culture and Food Festival will feature Thai dancing, cultural shows, Thai products, the Singha beer garden and (most importantly) 15 food stalls. It will be located at the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank.

Once you have had a wander around the Thai Festival, head over to Granite Belt Flavours on Little Stanley Street where you'll find 30 stalls showing off the best food, wine & produce from the Granite Belt. It's a great way to support local food industries, and if you haven't tried much wine from the Granite Belt, it's the perfect way to start.

Dreamfarm Barn Door Opening
Saturday 2 October 2010, 10am - 1pm
9 Amy Street
Albion 4010
W - http://www.dreamfarm.com.au/

Jan Power's Farmers Market
Sunday 3 October 2010, 6am - 12pm
Blackwood Street
Mitchelton 4053
W - http://www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au/

Thai Culture and Food Festival
Sunday 3 October 2010, 10am - 8pm
Cultural Forecourt
South Bank 4101
W - http://www.thaifest.com.au/

Granite Belt Flavours
Sunday 3 October 2010
Little Stanley Street
South Bank 4101
W - http://www.southbankmarket.com.au/events.html

Brisbane Masterclass Weekend

I know it sounds a bit tragic, but for a while now I've been looking forward to seeing the program for this year's Brisbane Masterclass Weekend. Luckily my wait is over, and the program is now up on the Masterclass website.

If you haven't heard about the Masterclass Weekend, it's a huge food and wine event that happens at the Brisbane Hilton. Presenters are brought from all over the world, and usually the program spans a fantastic range of the food & wine spectrum.

Here are a few of the sessions that I'd be signing up to:

Asian Affairs - take three core ingredients – duck, crab and citrus – and hand them over to two of our finest exponents of Asian cuisine to work their magic. The nuances of Thai and Vietnamese will soon become apparent as Martin Boetz applies his modern Thai sensibilities to the ingredients while Luke Nguyen takes an authentic Vietnamese approach. Enjoy the dishes they devise with some of the aromatic Granite Belt Wine Country wines that so suit this style of food, presented by leading consultant and Master of Wine Peter Scudamore-Smith.

The Passionate Patissier - are you a “Zumba loompa”, a follower of the pâtissier extraordinaire who created the croquembouche which brought many of TV’s Masterchef contestants undone? Sign up for this Saturday only session and you won’t have to queue as Sydneysiders do outside Adriano Zumbo’s Balmain pâtisserie to indulge in his famous French macaroons or his luscious cakes and pastries lauded as “unique in concept and execution”. You’ll leave with a special treat.

Flavours without Borders - throughout his journey from his birthplace Hong Kong through Toronto, Singapore and the USA, Susur Lee has never wavered from his consuming passion: to create unique combinations of textures and flavours and juxtapose the complex food traditions of China with the classical techniques of French cuisine. The results are “endlessly inventive” and “daring”. Exquisite artistry on the plate is a hallmark of this chef, named as one of the Ten Chefs of the Millennium in company with Ferran Adria and Pierre Gagnaire. Stepping up to the challenge of perfect wine pairings for Susur Lee’s stunning dishes is experienced Brisbane sommelier Peter Marchant.

Sensational Sherry - Emilio Lustau is one of Spain’s largest Houses of fine sherry, established in 1896 and still garnering swags of international awards year in year out. In November it took home the trophy as Spanish Wine Producer of the Year at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. Join fine wine specialist Christopher Cannan to explore a range of glorious styles from the Lustau bodegas, from the dry and fine Manzanilla and Fino, through the richer Amontillado and Oloroso, to the luscious Moscatel and Pedro Ximenez.

Going the Whole Hog - when it comes to pork, the Italian approach is very much “waste not, want not”. Nino Zoccali will show why the whole pig is prized, demonstrate how to cook the different cuts and take you through salumi – lardo, pancetta, culatello, coppa and the other delicious charcuterie that is a cornerstone of Italian cooking – all using Australian pork. The perfect wine for an array of fresh and cured delights, including classic pork and fennel sausages, will be selected by Italian fine wine importer Dan Clark

Sounds great doesn't it? The only catch is, it's not cheap. Tickets are $350 for one day, or $595 if your stomach will allow you to go both days. Start saving now!

Brisbane Masterclass Weekend
24-25 July 2010
P - (07) 3231 3239
E - alison.alexander@hilton.com
W - http://www.qldmasterclass.com
T - http://twitter.com/MasterclassBne

2010 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards - Part 3

Just to wrap up my posts about this year's Australian restaurant guide, here are the top 10 restaurants in Brisbane according to Gourmet Traveller:

1. Montrachet
2. E'cco
3. Restaurant Two
4. The Buffalo Club
5. Alchemy
6. Gianni
7. 1889 Enoteca
8. Sono Portside Wharf
9. Siggi's at the Port Office
10. Era Bistro

There are no real surprises in that list - the obvious place missing is Urbane, but that's because it is currently closed (re-opening very soon). I'm sure it will be back up at the pointy end of the list next year. It will also be interesting to see if Aria makes it into the top 10 next year.

Any thoughts from readers on the list?

Fieritalia

For the chance to enjoy all things Italian in Brisbane, head along to Fieritalia in New Farm Park on Sunday, 18 October 2009.

The festival will feature loads of Italian themed activities during the day, including a market day, wine tasting, Italian beer garden, grape stomping competitions, music, Italian cooking demonstrations, Venetian face painting and Italian food stalls.

Entry is $5 and you can find out more details for the day on the Fieritalia website.

Fieritalia
Sunday 18 October 2009, 10am to 5pm
New Farm Park
Corner Brunswick and Sydney Streets
New Farm  4005
W - http://www.fieritalia.org/

2010 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards

Today in the post I received my new Gourmet Traveller magazine, which contained the winners of their 2010 Restaurant Awards. I thought it was a bit weird, considering that the awards were on tonight.

Quay in Sydney was judged to be the best restaurant in Australia this year. We actually ate there the night we got engaged, so it's an amazing meal that I'll never forget.

Here are the Queensland restaurants which made it into the top 100 in Australia, as judged by Gourmet Traveller:

Absynthe (#37)
Montrachet (#47)
E'cco (#48)
Restaurant Two (#50)
The Buffalo Club (#51)
Nu Nu (#69)
Vanitas (#81)
Wasabi (#83)
Berado's (#94)

So do you agree with Gourmet Traveller? Given that Urbane is currently closed, I'd have to say that Absynthe would be my pick, but I certainly haven't eaten at every restaurant in Queensland.

I'll do a more detailed post about the other winners later in the week.

The Two Sides of a Steak

I've already written a post about the $2 steaks that the Fox Hotel sells on Sundays. Not to be outdone, Hotel Broadway at the Gabba is now selling steaks for $1.95 on Sundays and Mondays, provided you buy a drink - sides will cost you extra. I can't imagine how many steaks both pubs must be selling at those prices.

At the other end of town, the soon to be opened ARIA Brisbane has a 200 gram Blackmores wagyu rump (marble score 9+, 400 day grain fed) on its menu for $95. A side dish of truffle mash will set you back another $12.

So how would you spend your $95 - one wagyu rump at ARIA, or steak for you and 46 friends at the Fox/Hotel Broadway?

Hotel Broadway
93 Logan Road
Woolloongabba 4101
P - 07 3217 3469
E - john@hotelbroadway.com.au
W - http://www.hotelbroadway.com.au/

ARIA Restaurant
Eagle Street Pier
1 Eagle Street
Brisbane 4000
P - 07 3233 2555
E - enquiries@ariarestaurant.com
W - http://www.ariarestaurant.com/

ARIA Brisbane

You might have already heard that Matt Moran is opening a Brisbane version of his highly regarded ARIA restaurant. The current plan is for ARIA Brisbane to open on 17 August 2009, which is only a few weeks away now. The restaurant will open at the site of the old Pier Nine, on the Eagle Street Wharf in the city. It's right next to where I work, so I've been keeping a keen eye on the construction work. The fitout must be costing a fortune, judging by the amount of people that have been working there.

As both Urbane and Isis are currently closed, I'm really looking forward to eating at ARIA. If you can't wait for the restaurant to open its doors, you can make a booking from Monday 3 August 2009 on 07 3233 2555.

Brisbane Festivals this Weekend

Until I got my regular OurBrisbane email the other day I had no idea just how many neighbourhood festivals were on this weekend. If this amazing weather keeps up, you'll be able to take your pick out of the Red Hill Fair, Mt Gravatt Show, Centenary Rocks! Festival, Einbunpin Festival (Sandgate), King of the Mountain Festival (Pomona) or the Morningside Festival. I think we'll try to get along to the Red Hill Festival, just because it's the closest.

Here is the OurBrisbane page with all the info, otherwise read on below. If the sun sticks around, there's no excuse not to get along to your closest fair/show/festival.

Red Hill Fair
Saturday 25 July 2009
Woolcock Park
Hawthorne Terrace
Red Hill 4059
P - 07 3369 4756
E - info@redhillfair.com
W - http://www.redhillfair.com/

Mt Gravatt Show
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July 2009
Mt Gravatt Showgrounds
1644 Logan Road
Mount Gravatt 4122
P - 07 3343 2322
E - info@mtgravattshowgrounds.org.au
W - http://www.mtgravattshowgrounds.org.au/show/

Centenary Rocks! Festival
Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 July 2009
Rocks Riverside Park
Counihan Road
Seventeen Mile Rocks 4073
P - 0439 789 677
E - Kozij@hotmail.com
W - http://www.ccconnect.asn.au/

Einbunpin Festival
Sunday 26 July 2009
Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands
Brighton Road
Sandgate 4017

King of the Mountain Festival
Sunday 26 July 2009
Stan Topper Park
Main Street
Pomona 4568
E - info@kingofthemountain.com.au
W - http://www.kingofthemountain.com.au/

Morningside Festival
Sunday 26 July 2009
Thynne Road
Morningside 4170

Gourmet Traveller Top Brisbane Restaurants

My September edition of Gourmet Traveller arrived the other day, along with their 2009 Australian restaurant guide. If you don't normally buy Gourmet Traveller, go out and grab the September edition, because the restaurant guide is great. I always find it really handy whenever we are interstate or just away from Brisbane. You can just flick through it until something takes your fancy.

Anyway this year Absynthe remains Queensland's best restaurant according to Gourmet Traveller, coming in at 41 on the list of the top 100. It's dropped from number 28 last year. Here are their top 10 Brisbane restaurants:

1. E'cco
2. Montrachet
3. Urbane
4. Restaurant Two
5. Isis
6. Baguette
7. Gianni
8. Restaurant Manx
9. Alchemy
10. Two Small Rooms

I haven't yet eaten at Montrachet or Alchemy, but there aren't any surprises in the top 10. Urbane is still my favourite restaurant in Brisbane, but I don't eat at all these places 4 or 5 times a year, which is probably how often they get reviewed for Gourmet Traveller. I thought Era might have just scraped into the top 10, but maybe next year. I'm hoping to eat at Alchemy and Montrachet before the end of the year, so hopefully both meals will be terrific.

Kelvin Grove Urban Village Markets

More markets for Brisbane! This time it's the turn of Kelvin Grove. Starting this Saturday, Peter Hackworth will be running the Kelvin Grove Urban Village Markets.

I haven't been able to find out too much about them as yet, but the Kelvin Grove Urban Village website promises retro clothes, original art, ethnic food and artefacts, jewellery, and much more.

The markets will be held every Saturday, running from 6am till 1pm. I can't get along to them this weekend, but will try to check them out next Saturday and put a post up about them.

I think its great to see more markets popping up in central Brisbane, especially if it means we can all buy more fresh meat, vegetables and food from local suppliers.

Kelvin Grove Urban Village Markets
6am - 1pm Saturdays
Blamey Street (between Musk Avenue and Victoria Park Road)
Kelvin Grove 4059

Gourmet Traveller

I've been subscribing to Gourmet Traveller for the last 5 years or so, and I think its a great food magazine. I'm not so keen on the travel side of the magazine, as it usually concentrates on luxury or exclusive accommodation, which isn't my idea of travel. But this isn't a travel blog, so I won't bore you with my views on that.

The only problem I have with Gourmet Traveller's food coverage is that, historically, it has had such a Sydney and Melbourne focus that it's hard to find much written about Queensland (or the other states). According to their 2008 restaurant guide, Queensland only has 4 restaurants in the top 50 Australian restaurants (with Absynthe picking up the highest spot at 28).

However, Queensland has been creeping a bit more into its consciousness over the last 2 years or so, which is good to see. I think the increased profile of Queensland food in Gourmet Traveller is associated with the rise of some great restaurants in North Queensland (like Nu Nu at Palm Cove).

Gourmet Traveller's April 2008 magazine was its "Best of the Best" edition. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Queensland is starting to pick up some well-deserved kudos on the national food front. Here are the Queensland dishes, restaurants, shops and hotels which got a mention as "best of the best":

• Ecco's tonka bean panna cotta, apple consomme and green apple sorbet;


• Anise's "The Smokehouse" amuse bouche;


• Montrachet's steak frites;


• Bar Alto's pappardelle with goat ragu;


• Fish & Wine at Coolangatta;


• Piaf at Southbank;


• Rosalie Gourmet Market;


• Chouquette boulangerie at New Farm;


• Freestyle Tout at Emporium


• Maleny Cheese;


• Rusty's Market in Cairns;


• The Junction Cafe in Mossman;


• Cafe China in Cairns;


• Emporium Hotel in the Valley (which is listed as one of the 30 best new hotels in the world); and


• Qualia at Hamilton Island (also one of the 30 best new hotels in the world)

Let's hope that the great restaurants we have here in Queensland continue to receive the national coverage that they deserve.

Queensland Lifestyle Awards

Voting is now open for the Courier Mail's Queensland Lifestyle Awards. You can vote in the following categories:

• Best Bar
• Best Bar Person
• Best Cafe
• Best Barista
• Best Restaurant
• Best Floorstaff
• Best Deli
• Best Queensland Product

Get in quick, as voting is only open until 24 February 2008. You can vote here.

I'll keep an eye on the results and post them up. It'll be interesting to see which places come out as everyone's favourites.

Masterclass Weekend

I just picked up a card today for the 2008 Brisbane Masterclass Weekend, which is held at the Hilton.

This year the dates are 26 and 27 July 2008. You can register your details to obtain a program by sending an email to alison.alexander@hilton.com.

The website for the Masterclass is here, but it doesn't seem to have been updated since 2006. Hopefully the program will be up there a little closer to July.

I'll post up some more details once I've got my hand on the program for this year. In the meantime, start saving your pennies for July.

Chinese New Year

Its now officially the Year of the Rat, and there are plenty of Chinese New Year celebrations happening in Brisbane.

Loads of Chinese restaurants around Brisbane are holding special dinners, with banquets, events and entertainment. There are also heaps of free events happening in the Valley.

For more info about Chinese New Year events, check out these sites:
http://www.brisbanechinesenewyear.com/
www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson/chinesenewyear/chinatown/

Be warned though, if you're thinking of going out to dinner on Friday or Saturday night, you better book quickly, as restaurants are filling up fast.

The Foodie BlogRoll

food bling, Brisbane is now a member of The Foodie BlogRoll, which is an enormous list of food related blogs from all around the world. It's put together by the Leftover Queen, whose blog you'll find here.

You'll find The Foodie BlogRoll under my links on the side bar at food bling, Brisbane. Have a look through the list and check out some of the great food blogs as varied as "100% Microwave Cooking - Indian Food" to "My Husband Hates Veggies".

Sustainable Seafood Guide

The December issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller has an interview with Tim Winton about sustainable seafood, which makes for interesting reading. The Australian Marine Conservation Society (AMCS) has published Australia's Sustainable Seafood Guide. According to the AMCS's website, it's the first national guide to choosing sustainable seafood. The guide lists those species which are overfished and which we all should avoid buying or eating.

The Sustainable Seafood Guide only costs $9.95 and you can order a copy from the AMCS's website here. It also comes with a handy pocket guide to take with you on your next shopping expedition. There is plenty of other information about the AMCS on their website, if you want to find out exactly what it is they do.

New Blog Features

Just a quick post to let you know about a couple of features that have been added to food bling, Brisbane.

First of all, I have added a contact form, which you will find at the bottom of the home page, under the current posts. Please let me know of any comments that you have about posts, food in Brisbane or the blog generally.

I've also added a poll. To get things started, we'll see what Brisbane's best restaurant is.

Happy eating!

Mitchelton Farmers Markets

Just a quick update about the Mitchelton Farmers' Markers. During 2007, they have been held on the last Sunday in every month. In 2008, they are switching to the first Sunday of the month. The first markets for 2008 will be held on Sunday 6 January 2008.

For more information, read my earlier post or check out their website here - http://www.janpowersfarmersmarkets.com.au/

Christmas Supplies

Looking for something different to eat or drink at Christmas this year? Good cheese, a great bottle of Champagne or antipasto to remember? Here are some of my favourite food and wine stores to stock up on Christmas goodies.

If you are looking for good cheese, cold meats or other tasty nibbles, then try Togninis. It's one of the best delis in Brisbane, with a particularly great range of cheese. The staff are friendly, but be warned it can get very busy here. So get in early. Togninis delis are at Toowong (Baroona Road) and Spring Hill (Corner of Turbot and Boundary Street).

Other delis worth a visit are Rosalie Gourmet Market (Corner Nash Street & Baroona Road, Rosalie) and the New Farm Deli (900 Brunswick Street, New Farm). And of course don't forget the Jan Power's Farmers Market (New Farm and Mitchelton) which are on this coming weekend, 22 and 23 December 2007.

If you are looking for fresh fruit and vegetables, then try Zone Fresh at Windsor, Cannon Hill, Hamilton, The Gap and Strathpine. Zone Fresh also have a great selection of cheese, fresh meat and loads of deli lines. Again, Zone Fresh can get really really busy, so get there early. Another local favourite of mine is Charlie's Fruit Market at Everton Park. Charlie's has a great range of fresh fruit and vegetables and is deservedly popular thanks to their great prices and friendly staff.

For fresh meat, other than your local butchers, you can give Sirianni's in the Valley at Emporium and also at Ascot. I've bought a few steaks there recently and they have been fantastic. Sirianni's also have plenty of deli lines to keep you occupied.

Looking for chocolate? If you really want to go for broke, head in to Hot Chocolate, Cool Coffee at 102 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington. They have the best chocolates, if you want to indulge yourself and family at Christmas.

Finally, no Christmas is complete without a good bottle of wine or six. If you are looking for a special bottle, then head into The Wine Emporium in the Valley. Although their prices aren't necessarily the greatest, they have a fantastic range with knowledgeable staff. You'll be hard pressed to find a better range of premium wine in Brisbane. The Wine Emporium's Champagne selection is particularly impressive, and its hard not to walk out of here without a few bottles. Other wine shops worth a mention are Stewarts (stores at Ascot, Hamilton and the City), era wine store (South Brisbane) or any of the Dan Murphy's stores which are now all over Brisbane.

Hopefully you can track down a Christmas feast with a visit to a couple of these great stores.