Bistrot Bistro

I know I know it’s been a while…. Weddings, baby showers, Easter; you know how it gets.

Wednesday night Party Mouth Foodie and some very close friends took a trip to a modern Australian French bistro in Woolloongabba - Bistrot Bistro. I wrote about the renovated Woolloongabba precinct back in February; 'Woolloongabba's where it's at" I mentioned a few restaurants and pubs in the area but oddly bypassed this little gem. Set in the historic Good Year Tyre and Rubber building; Bistrot Bistro still has some of it's original interiors. Timber floors, window frames, and if you look closely enough you can even see the original brick archways. I loved the seating arrangements; if you have 2-4 people dining you can snap up one of their cute pin-striped booths. They also have a long leather seat with cute little tables running along front; just like in France. They certainly have done a superb job of renovating this abandoned building; and with Edith Piaf singing in the background, the room oozes French la de da.

P.S Check out their cellar room function area...impressive let me tell you.

Foooooood time!!! Their menu is indeed inviting and the service absolute. Our waiter was very helpful with suggestions and very patient; you should see me I'm hopeless! I can never decide what to order.

I could describe in detail my every mouthful, but we all know a picture speaks louder than words.

For entree we ended up ordering the same thing.... could you resist soft figs with fromage (similar to quark) and watercress? We couldn't. We ate it too quickly to take a picture :)

Changing the subject for a second. I love it that when I go out for dinner with my close friends, I get the opportunity to have a tiny taste of everyone's meals; yeah it's called sharing and if you don't do it you should start right now!

OK what we ate.....

Grilled Pork and white bean salad
The white beans were cooked in a broth of pork bones and stock, so yummy!

Braised Lamb, red grapes and crumbed sweet bread
The dish is compared to pork belly but a little less fattening. The warm grapes were very complementarity of the lamb. If you're hungry though this isn't going to hit the spot, but you can opt for one of their yummy side dishes to solve that problem.

Ragout of clams with sauce rouille & fresh sourdough
Bistrot Bistro had run out of mussels that day sadly, but they offered to do the same meal but replacing the mussels for clams; it was most enjoyable. The fresh sourdough was perfect to soak up all the creamy rouille deliciousness.

Desert o'clock....

Creme Caramel
The caramel in this was so sweet and tasty, even toffee like. If I remember correctly I nearly licked the bowl.

Blueberry Frangipane Tart with Buerre Noisette ice cream
The spoon was dug into this before we got to take the photo lol so it did look perfect on arrival to our table. The Buerre Noisette (hazelnut butter) ice cream was so nice beautiful and the blueberry franipane tart was light and fruity.

Chocolate marquise topped with creme fraiche
I didn't personally taste this because it looked far too rich for me but the moans around the table when people were tasting it certainly tells me it was decadently sweet.

Would I dine at Bistrot Bistro again? Yes.
Was Bistrot Bistro the best food I have ever tasted? No.
Is the food really really yummy? Yes.
Is the decor warm, cosy and inviting and perfect for a romantic dinner or catch up with friends? Most definitely!

I'll let you make up your own mind; but I certainly know that this modern Australian French bistro hasn't let the reputation of the Woolloongabba precinct down one bit.

Northshore Riverside Cafe - Hamilton

I was a bit hesitant on telling you about Riverside Cafe because no one really knows about this Hamilton gem yet. I discovered this superb bistro through a close friend of mine. I work in Hamilton and I didn't even know what lay beyond the Hamilton industrial area. Most of us are familiar with the Portside restaurant precinct in Hamilton, but have you delved down Macarthur Ave? Well I recommend that you do.

Every mouthful I have experienced at Riverside Cafe has been sensational. Now you're going to hate me because I guarantee you're going to be hungry once you check out the meals I've had.

Interior of Riverside Cafe

Outside view from the balcony seats

Balcony seat

Beef Ragu Gnocchi with watercress
(this was a special and sadly isn't a regular on the menu)

This one is on the menu and is my absolute favourite!!
Coconut Crusted Tiger Prawns, Mango and Macadamia Salad with a Star Anise Chutney

Roasted Tomato, Capsicum and Walnut Tart with reduced balsamic glaze and micro herbs

Scallop Caesar Salad

DESERT TIME!!

The in house made sweets are always different upon every visit.

Sticky Banana and Caramel Pudding

Lemon Delicious Tart

Do you still love me? You're hungry now aren't you ha ha..... Well you know what to do then. Cruise down to Riverside Cafe soon. They are open from 9am to 4pm everyday and serve breakfast from 8:30am to 11:30am Saturday and Sunday only. If you want to check out the regular menu click here, mind you the specials are always very hard to go past.

When you venture to this neck of the woods not only can you enjoy some fine bistro cuisine, you also have the option to bring a picnic or BBQ lunch along with you. The surrounding grounds include beautiful green lawns which are wonderfully maintained along with BBQ areas.

The below pictures are care of Northshore Hamilton. They're taken when they first built up the area; there are a lot more trees and plants now-a-days.

Woolloongabba's where it's at....

Saturday saw Party Mouth Foodie dining, antique shopping and a bit more dining about Woolloongabba.

For breakfast I took a visit to the newly opened egg BISTRO at 989 Stanley St East. Chris used to run the Garden Cafe at Cottage Garden Nursery on Stanley St East (just a few doors down from egg BISTRO). The venue itself is very chic and has a very warm, cosy feeling. Together with it's black and white interiors, timber furnishings, old silverware cutlery and soft music, you definitely feel like you've walked into something special. There's a lovely outdoor courtyard that connects itself to Michael Allen's Antique store, so make sure you have a mosy around there after you've tantalised your taste buds.

Talking about taste buds, lets get onto the best part - food! The menu at egg BISTRO is simple and the menu small, just how it should be. I ordered: Soft polenta with balsamic mushrooms, baby spinach and fried halloumi. Though I enjoyed my meal, I was still a little hungry afterwards so I would suggest accompanying a slice of sourdough with the dish.

My partner and close friend couldn't go past the Big Breakfast. This consisted of 2 eggs, sour dough toast, thick bacon, pork sausage, grilled tomato, balsamic mushrooms, home made potato cake and a tasty tomato salsa. They enjoyed the meal greatly; their only criticism was that the balsamic mushrooms were too strong. I felt the same with my dish also (and I love balsamic).

We sipped a couple of delicious coffees while we were there; my skinny flat white wasn't too hot and wasn't to bitter (truly a crime when this occurs!). Overall egg BISTRO is a lovely place to enjoy a quick coffee and home made cake or relaxing breakfast. I'll definitely be going back!

Later that morning I met up with some other friends and headed to the Woolloongabba Antique Centre. This place is awesome!! They have traditional Australian antiques, some amazing vintage clothing, groovy homewares, art and much much more.

Walking further up towards Logan Road, you will find the newly renovated Woolloongabba precinct. I love this place. You've got antique stores, boutique clothing/homeware shops, groovy bars, cute cafe's and top end restaurants.

I will start with a dear favourite of mine, Pearl Cafe. They say good things come in small packages well this place is more like good things come in small venues. The place is quite small and sadly inside can be a little noisy for some but I love it; reminds me of the quaint little alley way cafe/bistro's they have in Melbourne. I often head here for dinner or lunch on the weekends. They have a delicious modern menu comprising of rustic homely style meals. Their specials are always hard to go past! On Saturday I enjoyed the special which was Homemade Ricotta Gnocchi with Crispy Artichokes. I thought it was fresh and tasty, they over killed the olive oil but it was still good, not the greatest but still an enjoyable meal all the same.

My sister delved into the crisp local pork belly with apple and fennel slaw, mustard fruits and almonds. A nice dish but the pork belly wasn't crisp enough, tasty side flavours though.

We shared pickled beetroot with fetta and mint; yum yum yum is all I can say about that. The beetroot was pickled in house as well, it had a wonderful flavour!

There are a number of other venues in the area which I haven't tried but certainly will be in the very near future :)

I popped my head into The Crosstown Eating House. On entry of the 1920's 2 story brick building, I was greeted by some genuinely friendly and helpful staff. I advised the waitress that I wasn't eating but wanted to look around the place (I was thinking potential birthday venue you see) I liked how the tables where tucked away here and there; a nice change to the normal one room outlay. I was escorted to the top floor where the newly completed UPTOWN Drinks Lounge was. Warm timber furnishings, old school table settings and a piano. Instantly I envisioned family and friends walking into this room, piano playing cocktails on bar. I'll be looking into this for sure.

Thursday nights you can enjoy live music by resident pianist Joff Bush. Music starts at 7:30pm. Sundays sessions have just started too; Pub for the Day they like to call it: burgers, beers and maybe even the odd meat raffle thrown in for good measure. Every Sunday 12noon till 6pm.

Moving onto Canvas. I haven't been here when it's been open, but they have some great deals throughout the week that I must check out. Tuesday is Tapas & Tequila - Taste a rustic Spanish / French tapas board teamed with a Margarita for only $30 for two, $55 for four etc... They have a new Margarita each week created by one of their award winning bartenders.

If you're game! They have Absinthe - Canvas Green Hour – They say you can discover your inner bohemian and delve into the magical world of Absinthe every Thursday... They have an Absinthe appreciation society too. I’m not sure I could handle this lol

Sunday is all about my favourite things!! Jazz, wine and cheese. Now tell me you can’t go past that! Cool jazz sounds kick off around 3pm with different local artist performing each week and they have a $20 cheese and wine special to go with it.

Next door you will find 1889 Enoteca. Voted 94 in the Gourmet Travellers Top 100 Restaurants. A few people I know have enjoyed their italian flavours and raved about it; not the price though, pretty expensive. My partner and I popped in for a glass of Pinot Noir a few months ago and we're definitely impressed. The venue itself is gorgeous! Brick walls, timber floors and red furnishings, the menu was to die for too. Like most places in the Woolloongabba precinct its in a heritage listed building, this one is in the Taylor-Heaslop building.

As you can see Woolloongabba has something for everyone. So why not check it out this weekend, I promise you wont be disappointed :)