Australian Restaurant Reviews by Brisbane-based foodie; Tanya Hall.

The Moray Cafe | Newfarm

29/4/2015

Moray Cafe Newfarm Brisbane Review

New Farm is renowned as a hub for river walks, bike tracks, park picnicking and general good eating. Basically everything you can love about Brisbane is in this one area.

Tucked away among the neighbourhood's giant camphor laurel trees and historical homes is this cute-as-a-button café/bar/bistro: The Moray Cafe.

We stopped in for lunch on a gusty day in need of some solid sustenance, and we found it here.

Bacchus | South Bank Brisbane

24/4/2015

Bacchus South Bank Brisbane Review Degustation

If you have a special event to celebrate but aren’t quite sure if your blow torching, juliening and microplaning skills will cut it, why not give yourself some slack and leave that all up to the pros?

One place that will ensure you have a pretty memorable night is Bacchus in Brisbane’s South Bank.

While some fine dining establishments only offer one type of menu, Bacchus has gone nuts on choice, meaning you can cater for any kind of event you have in mind.

Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can order À La Carte, or opt for a Seven-Course Degustation, a Four-Course Petit Degustation, a Vegetarian Degustation, a Vegan Degustation, a Dessert Degustation, a 3 course Chef’s Selection or a range of High Teas including a gluten-free option.

The guys at Bacchus have recently added some new dishes into these various menus, and we sat down to try them out.

Gordita | Fortitude Valley

17/4/2015

Gordita Spanish Restaurant Brisbane Valley Review

Nestled among the brightly-lit stainless steel structures of the M&A precinct in Fortitude Valley is something not quite expected- a little slice of the old world.

Gordita brings a touch of Southern Spain to Brisbane in all areas of food, wine and low-lit ambiance.

Does this cozy, comfortable restaurant work in a modern arena? Let's find out.

Aria | Brisbane

15/4/2015

Aria Brisbane Lunch Dinner Matt Moran Restaurant Review Masterchef

Brisbane fine dining is synonymous with Aria, which always promises a fantastic foodie experience but sadly may be out of reach for quite a lot of people. This is the issue with fine dining; it isn't always terribly accessible, and a meal at a top restaurant can sometimes be followed by subsisting on toast for the rest of the week.

Now though, Aria has a new set menu lunch on offer, with two courses plus wine at $59, or three courses plus wine at $79. For a top quality meal, these are some very, very good prices.

Do you still get the whole Aria experience though along with your change? Let's find out.

Up on Constance | Fortitude Valley

10/4/2015

Up on Constance Fortitude Valley Bar Restaurant review

Rooftop bars are all the rage in Brisbane town at the moment and who can blame us ground-dwellers for getting so excited about taking in some views while sipping away on our alcoholic beverage of choice?

The main selling point of such rooftop bars is, unsurprisingly, sky-top views. As such, some of these bars can get away with pretty average food and drink offerings.

The latest bar with a view in Fortitude Valley however has really upped the ante in the kitchen, while still offering city vista scenes.

Up on Constance has recently opened to the public with some absolutely cracking dishes and cocktails to ensure that going straight home from work becomes the last thing on your mind.

e'cco bistro | Brisbane

7/4/2015

ecco bistro dinner philip johnson brisbane restaurant recommendation

There are a lot of reasons I love going out to dinner including not having to chop onions and not having to don yellow gloves to wash-up.

While these things are a given at any dining establishment, other things aren’t guaranteed: great quality food, friendly service and finding an ambience that’s a nice place to be.

One place that does offer all of these things is Brisbane dining institution, e'cco bistro.

Recently revamped at the end of 2014, e’cco now boasts some new killer good looks but still maintains its chilled-out vibes.

So how was the rest of the dining experience here? Let’s find out.

Hoo Ha Bar | South Brisbane

17/3/2015

Hoo Ha Bar South Brisbane Southbank Review

Normally when I go to a bar, all I need is some funky ambiance and a good choice of beverages to be happy. If a place has great food on offer as well, that takes it up to a whole other level.

Each of these three things is exactly what you get at Hoo Ha Bar, which is set up as a cosy home-away-from-home, tucked away just behind the hustle and bustle of the Southbank restaurant precinct in South Brisbane.

So what's all the Hoo Ha all about at this place? Let's find out.

Beccofino | Teneriffe - Newstead

3/3/2015

Beccofino Becofino Teneriffe Newstead Brisbane Restaurant Review

The best Italian restaurants often aren't the fanciest. Rather they're the ones that are relaxed, warm and welcoming, while they serve up hearty amounts of pasta.

That's exactly what you get at Beccofino, on the Brisbane suburb border (kind of) of Teneriffe and Newstead.

Being a local Italian favourite, Beccofino attracts young couples, old couples, families with small kids, families with teenagers, families hanging out with other families, etc. etc. Basically if you and whatever family you have need to get out of the house for some quality time over a satisfying meal, this place is a pretty good pick.

Jimmy's On The Mall | Brisbane

27/2/2015

Jimmys on the Mall Brisbane Queen St Mall Restaurant Review Australianfoodie

I don't like grumbling about Brisbane, but there is one thing that often gets brought up and I find myself nodding in agreement- if you want a late dinner, everywhere seems closed.

This is where the enduring restaurant Jimmy's on the Mall comes in, and also why it's lasted the test of time in Brisbane city when so many other restaurants haven't.

Jimmy's is open 24/7.

Chow House | Fortitude Valley

17/2/2015

Chow House Brisbane Review Fortitude Valley James St

While I do love a good fine dining experience, I have to say that some of the best foodie experiences are made up of casual catch-ups in a chilled out place over delicious food.

This is exactly what you get at Chow House on James St in Fortitude Valley.

I recently went here with a group of friends where we cheers-ed, chowed and chatted all night.