Category Archives: Restaurant

Potager, Carool NSW

Potager is a delightful surprise hidden beyond the country suburb of Bilambil south of the Gold Coast.

Established in 2006 by Pete and Gareth with a grand vision to grow and source local food – served with exuberant intent. They nailed it!

Fast track to now and the vision lives on and is evident in every dish made and served. It’s a special part of the dream and the intent is certainly evident in the attention to detail, amazing menu and a relaxing venue.

Unfortunately one of the partners passed away in 2019 but everyone is happy and committed in his spirit.

On our visit we are met by a beautiful rustic home set amongst an enlivened field with a seductive edible garden.

The staff are all very competent and eager to say hello. The ethos of the restaurant/community is to support local including the staff.

The views over the valley are delightful and the wine list substantial.

We are with a few friends and cocktails are ordered.

For entree we share the fair game, wild venison carpaccio, pickled plum, mushroom, tarragon pesto, lemon myrtle cracker.

Wild venison carpaccio with pickled plum

My main course didn’t sound that much on the menu but was delicious with lots of subtle and Peruvian sudado de pescado(fish stew). Whilst the menu changes depending on what is in season and available the stew is always available. I will be going back for the fish stew for sure. Warming, nourishing and flavours full of the depth of the sea.

The fish stew is to die for

It is one of the dishes designed and kept as a tribute. I really rate the fish stew but would go so far as to recommend everything on the menu. My friends have the duck which melts in your mouth whilst my partner has local caught fish which was so well cooked.

Succulent duck

What I love most about Potager is the local grown vegetables used with every dish. It is like a blessing from the planet to your plate.

Thank you so much guys, we will be back again soon,

xx

Watergate, Port Douglas

Situated right in town but feeling like an oasis set under the rainforest canopy is Watergate.

My friend had recommended it as one of her favourite restaurants in Port Douglas and it didn’t disappoint. The staff are awesome – David met us and was very amiable and informative then handed over to Jill.

The Watergate menu is great – not too much but enough to have a wide selection without boggling you down and making you go around in circles.

Offering an interesting selection of Australian fare with Asian influences we settle on the Crocodile Karaage, Lamb Ribs in Korean sauce, Tuna Tataki and Watergate salad.

We paired ours with a Tasmanian Freycinet Chardonnay. It is perfect for the climate and perfect with the food.

Crocodile Karaage

It was very quiet today and we were spoilt by the staff but try to book ahead for lunch or dinner.

I am sure you will be happy with the food and the bill at the end as it is not over the top expensive. Rating 4.2/5

Hartvest Newrybar, NSW

The paddock to plate, garden to plate philosophy of Harvest, saw it booked out for Oprah and her entourage in 2010 when she visited. 

Since then, this once bakery, cafe has become a destination. 

Now days the main highway bypasses the town and it’s probably best to put the address into your maps and understand you’ll be weaving a little bit through the country side before arriving. 

You won’t be disappointed. 

The township of Nearby is quiticential of most Australian towns in the northern rivers of New South Wales; a pub, a garage and a milk bar. Harvest has certainly put the town on the map and now the town boasts an art and homeware collective, an antique shop and a few other places to drift in and out of.

We didn’t make a booking (I strongly recommend you do) so we sat on the balcony. It was a rainy cold winter’s day but fortunately the heater on the deck and the food distracted from the cool.

We weren’t necessarily after a big long lunch, so settled on the carrots (grown on site) roasted in the oven with …

Totally delicious.

For main, I chose a burger which was OK. The produce was locally sourced but not abundant. I get it, it’s a fine dining restaruant. 

My partner had the eye fillet which was also wonderful but served as it. You really need to order sides.

I was a little bit disappointed with the menu on this day but apparently it changes regularly depending on the seasonal foods and produce available. 

To be fair we didn’t have a booking, the place was pumping with people streaming in regularly and was clearly very popular. 

The gardens are uplifting and worth strolling through, as much of the product served inside is from their own garden. A fully functioning bakery is out the back and you can see the guys in action as well as having their own bee hives.

The importance of bees and pollination of crops a very topical conversation piece in the Northern Rivers. On this ocassion food was 4/5, service 5/5. WE will be back to see if we can give them the 10/10.

Bookings a must. 

Balboa Italian, Palm Beach

You know when you hear mixed revues about a restaurant, rather than inspire it tends to make you pause to race there? This was my response to Balboa. A silly trap that I have fallen into before  which only has lead to denial of a wonderful Italian restaurant boasting very good food.

The purpose built Balboa Italian situated on the Gold Coast Highway in Palm Beach opened only a few years ago.  

Sporting a healthy clientele and return customers because of their pizzas, (they look amazing), the pasta (apparently the gnocchi is to die for) and the al la carte.

I was super impressed by the table service which in a country like Australia is often lacking. 

We order an Italian chardonnay – I’m not sure that is was a true chardonnay but a delicate light white, more like a chablis from France. Perfect for our meal.

Scallops for entree which were delicious, light and tasty.

The calamari salad also delicious and could be a meal in its own right. Light, tasty healthy. 

For mains we share the lamb shoulder which is delicately served on a bed of puree, beans and tomatoes.

We accompany this with the house made potato chips and aolii and broccolini.

The cocktails are wonderful and my partner orders an old fashion which is served with the smoke trapped inside the glass.

I can highly recommend it. Service 5/5, food 5/5 overall 10/10.

Bookings are a must. 

O’Sushi Coolangatta

Synonomous with healthy eating, beach side dining and long standing awards and reputation is Coolangatta’s Japanese favourite, OSushi.

Whilst this restaurant has a sushi train it is far from just a sushi joint. The place has an extensive hot menu too offering many styles of Japanese dining, including the popular poke bowls, udon noodle bowls, sashimi and other styles.

The layout is simple and welcoming. The happy bustling staff make your experience memorable as well as high quality food. 

Position opposite the main beach at Coolangatta beside the Cooly pub it draws a diverse crowd. Lunch time vacay goers can stagger off the beach, and score a great snack. Night time diners can have a myriad of choice. Either dining at the sushi train or sitting outside with the sea breeze gently cooling the evening. 

On this night we have kingfish cerviche. The fish is fresh and the tastes infuse well on my palette.

For mains we share a sashimi platter with comes with seaweed salad. I look sashimi and the salmon is buttery and fresh. 

The best thing about this restaurant aside from the great food, friendly staff and ideal location, is that is serves a variety of alcoholic beverages at reasonable prices.

Definitely add this to your go-to when in Cooly. 

Bread and Butter, Milford NZ

Bread and Butter Milford is a great little breaky place.

Downtown Takapuna isn’t worth raving about but step back a few beachs/bends and blocks and find Bread n Butter. In a strip more called Milford, you will find a bevy of Brunch options! 

We are here on a Sunday and have no where to be, or no where to go to. Which is very opportunistic as finding a park take a few minutes (or hours) and then deciding on your “place” takes a bit more. 

We settle on Bread n Butter. A funky, nouveau place serving gluten free, dairy free and wine for breakfast. Giddy up! My sort of breakfast lounge! 

The menu does fit most tastes and needs but isn’t over whelming. In fact I applaud the menu. It is truly hard to be “trendy” and “dietary needs aware” and not be over the top. 

Bread n Butter seem to have it nailed!

If you are not GF, DF or vegan, fill your boots, they really do have some heart stopping food. Alas I am DF and GF and settle on the Avocado Rocket Salad. 

If you ask me… a perfect start for a Sunday  

3 Free things to do in Devonport Auckland

Devonport on a Sunday

1. Visit Mt Victoria 

Overlooking the charming area and suburbs of Devonport it Mt Victoria. Set up as a battalion base in the wars it now serves as one of the best, unadulterated views of Auckland.

The Signalman’s House is on the way up and truly breath taking. For it’s colonial style, it’s obvious connection to yesterday and it’s current purpose of offering writers a retreat. Being a writer I am totally in-love with the idea of a haven. A place to write whilst being frivolous and overlooking the harbour. 

You can’t drive all the way to the summit any more but you can walk, hike or stroll. Ie foot is the only way. Up the top you will be greeted by sweeping views to the east, north and west. To the south you have iconic views of Auckland although you need to veer past a few trees.

You can have a picnic on the old forts, while watching the clouds jump and jive overhead. 

Or you can share a chit chat with an old mate reminencising over times of old … waxing lyrically about childhood while your feet dangle over the edge of the old fortress. 

Exploring is lot of fun which is what makes this the perfect afternoon trip for a family or lovers or solo travellers.

2. Visit the Devonport library

Well blow me down, I have visited many libraries around the world but this library is amazing. 

Aside from being an architectural designer master piece it offers peace. 

Peace and an open air outlook over one of the most amazing bays in the world. 

It’s inspiring and has all the literature greats at your finger tips… all for free… waiting to be indulged.

I whittle away a few lustful moments reading the local rag and absorbing the view. 

Whilst not a “tourist” attraction I sincerely hope you visit this space. Especially if you have never been to a library before!

3. Walk along the foreshore

This is one of the oldest, loveliest foreshore walks in New Zealand. 

Beautiful trees, spaces, play grounds, picnic areas and Elizabeth House, make this a beautiful lazy afternoon walk. 

Grab a photo with your family – a real keep-stakes as the back ground of the azure waters of the harbour and the sky line of Auckland subside away. Truly beautiful. 

4. Lunch at the Esplanade Hotel

The Esplanade Hotel is such an iconic landmark. Built in 1857 the interior is everything you would expect from a timeless building.

We rock up on a Sunday and have the bowl of mussels done in white wine garlic and cream. Yes you guessed it! Something I will travel back for again and again and again. Especially at the end of the pier if the ferry from Auckland. It the perfect romantic escape and boys… it has a fire side! 

5.Visit an art gallery

Despite everyone assuming art is for the rich or eccentric art is an expression. There are many art galleries in davenport and all worth a Casual wander through. There are too many to name and in my personal (artist) opinion, sometimes it is better to waltz through art galleries than it is to visit one. See where your heart takes you. 

Stonyridge Vineyard Waiheke Island

Stonyridge Vineyard and restaurant

Perched about 20 minutes via car from the ferry at Waiheke is Stonyridge Vineyard. It is a magnificent looking vineyard and in summer boasts a vine wrapping all around the main building. It reminds me of a vineyard I once visited in Corsica.

I have been here before so going back was for the wine and ambiance.

What we discovered is that most vineyards on Waiheke charge (what I would call, a small fortune) to do a taste sampling. Some charge $10 for 3, others $15 for 3 premium. Guard your wallet because whilst they are guarding their cellar door so you don’t drink down their vats for free, you will be paying quite a lot more for the privilege of drinking a Waiheke grown wine.

On this day we are very fortunate to have Nathan as our bar tasting man. Entertaining and a whizz at wines we learn a lot about the local wines as well as New Zealand wines.

The wines here, like everywhere else on Waiheke, are expensive.  But you have to expect it… don’t be surprised. 

After sampling some wines we settle on a nice crisp Riesling and venture into the restaurant for lunch. In summer the outdoor area pumps. It’s referred to as the yoga deck which is kinda suitable as it has views spanning over the vineyard and to be honest I don’t know if they do yoga there or not, but it would be a perfect venue. 

The restaurant is fine. Vineyard style, with a good menu but rich prices. We chose to share two entrees and a main. 

Our entrees prawns and fish cerviche are good and our main is rib eye fillet, with mashed and jus.

We love our food so don’t want to put it down but it feel short somehow. As I type I feel bad writing. It was OK – to great but just not spectacular. 

Obviously it is better than cafe food and a pub meal but when you pay $44 for steak I think one should expect 6 star.

I would give the experience this time 3.5/5. The food 4/10, the wine tasting with Nathan 5/5 but the service unfortunately only 3/5. 

Ponsoby, Food Central Auckland

Coming back from the airport and eager to eat we stop into the very popular and funky suburb of Auckland called Ponsoby. 

Right on the fringe of the CBD this food and inner city precinct has a great vibe. 

There are many restaurants, cafes and designer shops to explore. It is late at night and city traffic is hectic so we go straight to the Collective. Here you will find many styles and types of eateries. 

We go straight to an Argentinian Restaurant at the back called El Sizzling Chorizo. 

It’s a flame grilled BBQ – what Argentineans are famous for.

We order the mix grilled and it is amazing. Three styles of meat, lamb, pork, beef all BBQ to perfection. It is served with a fresh yummy side salad and a delicious Malbec red.

I highly recommend this one. 

Soup at My Friend’s Place

I am battling a cold and feeling worse than death warmed up on this Saturday morning.

It is a winters day, my chest is sore, and I am after a good old fashion serve of Melbourne’s best. My friend suggests a place not far from her place called “Friends of Mine” . Which I think at first, she literally means – it’s her friends place.

Turns out it is a very popular corner eats place.

I order soup of the day which is perfect for my aching body. It is  a potato soup – something I wouldn’t normally eat – but is therapeutic in it’s warmth alone.

What bedazzles me about Melbourne is that it really is an all weather city.  It is a cold brisk winter’s day with the sun peaking through the frosty leaves. I find a spot in the sun which is remarkably warm, but even if I wasn’t there was the option of a courtesy blanket.

I top it off with a peppermint tea and wander up into Richmond past all the ritzy car yards.  Get to My Friends Place if you are in town after a sleep in coffee or soup!