Tag Archives: lunch

Sofra, Toowoomba

“You must go to Sofra” a few people informed us.

So when a luncheon spot opened up we raced in.

Sofra is a Turkish restaurant in Toowoomba and as someone else said “it’s not bad for a big country town.” Which is probably how I would sum it up.

Maybe due to all its raves and the awesome menu we were looking forward to our feed. It was however quite disappointing.

We ordered the seafood mezze share plate for two ; mussels, calamari, swordfish kebab, prawns, dip, olives, small salad, haloumi and bread. I guess being mediterranean we expected great seafood grilled with amazing spices. Instead the calamari and mussels were deep fried and repeated on us all afternoon.

For mains we shared a mixed grilled plate; lamb kebab, chicken kebab and Turkish mince kebab. Once again it was slightly underwhelming and a bit dry.

Previously when I have had Turkish grills the meat is juicy, succulent and full of flavours. This was quite short of that.

The wines selection wasn’t great and fairly overpriced for what it was with most glasses being $10 per glass.

Overall I would rate this restaurant as 2/5 and most points due to the friendly staff.

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  

Rainbow Bay Surf Club

Surf Life Saving Clubs are an iconic landmark scattered around the Australian coast line.

In Queensland some of the best locations to eat over looking the surf are in surf clubs.

By far my favourite is Rainbow Bay Surf Club which over looks the infamous Snapper Rocks. Snapper, as it is known by locals, hosts the annual World Surf League Quicksilver Pro and Roxy Pro.

The QuickSilver Pro has been drawing the world’s best surfers for years, and my all time fav Kelly Slater carves up the waves only meters in front of you! Definitely worth going down to watch if you are around Late February, early March.

 

 

 

 

At other times of the year, it is still worth drifting down to the southern end of the Gold Coast to have lunch at the Rainbow Bay Surf Club.

The food at this surf club is OK. It’s a kin to a good counter meal. Most the surf clubs are similar. Rainbow does offer lunch time specials so for a reasonable price you can grab a beer and feed, or wine and feed overlooking one of Australia’s most amazing ocean views from which to eat above.

These are “clubs” but visitors are welcome. You will be asked to sign in on arrival or join, which is a nominal fee of around $5.

Eden Restaurant Mt Tamborine

It’s a glorious winter’s day and it’s school holidays on the Gold Coast.

I’m up on Mt Tamborine which is about a 45 minute drive from central Gold Coast.  There are a few ways to the summit and the ridge along the top is scattered with vineyards, restaurants, coffee houses, walks, a sky walk and the part where my daughter is going, Thunderbird park.

I drop her off to do the tree top challenge and I head off to a vineyard to do some work.

My friend owns Cedar Creek Wineries and their sparkling white is fantastic. Unfortunately they are booked out for lunch so I head next door to Mason Wineries.

I am pleasantly surprised!

Run by a worldly couple Dylan and Suraya, the vineyard has a happy feel.

The restaurant is called Eden Restaurant. 

The menu is different – tapas style smaller bites, with plates to share and a couple of salads.

The wines are also pretty good and reasonably priced.

Today I have the panko chicken, quinoa salad. It is quite different. Jalopenos, rocket, corn chips and capsicum salsa. It is light and yummy!

This is an interview I did with Chef Dylan. I love his commitment and passion for sourcing out real food!

The Art’s Cafe Roma

This restaurant caught my eye as the perfect place to sit and paint one afternoon.

View from the cafe

The food is reasonably priced but with most restaurants with world notable views, there are premium prices for everything, including drinking water. But it is worth it.

It is plum across from the Colosseum and for that reason alone worthy of a luncheon to fully suck in the Colosseums magnificence.

 

I find myself there on a beautiful autumn’s day and manage a front table. Arriving a little before 12 often means you can get the best seats in house.

 

 

 

The food from Arts Cafe Roma

Painting the Colosseum

The Duke Hobart

When we grew up in Hobart, The Duke of Wellington, now known as “The Duke” was a funky drinking hole. I believe it still is but today I decided to try out their counter meals.

The hotel has a welcoming vibe, great art on the walls and a fire side for winter.  I really like it.

Built in 1846, the interior still displays the old sandstone bricks and grand arch ways. Long wooden beams help bring the old rustic design to be compatible with a modern hotel style.

The menu is great.

Not over worked, not hundreds of choices, just something in each area.

I have the Scottsdale Pork Belly, which is slow cooked with a delicious glaze (chocolate maple glaze). It is served with four Tasmanian scallops nestled in pumpkin mash and Artichoke puree. The dish works really well and is a perfect lunch before we head to the cinema just down the road.

Accompanying my yummy meal is a Tassie pinot grigio, Devil’s Corner.

My son has a wood fired cooked pizza we he said was amazing – and judging by the pace that he hoovered it in, I imagine it was amazing.

5/5 stars for a pub countermeal/hotel style meal.