Queensland Good Food Guide

When I moved to Brisbane 12 years ago I was instantly struck by the lack of decent coffee, the lack of sidewalk eating, and the generally disappointing food scene.

WOW! How far have we come!

Last year I ate at Esquire a few weeks after it opened. I can safely say it was THE best dining-out experience I have had in Australia. And possibly anywhere in the world. EVER.

Last night Esquire became the first Queensland restaurant to be awarded 3 Hats by the newly established Queensland Good Food Guide, taking its place alongside Sydney and Melbourne restaurant luminaries including Tetsuya's, Marque, Quay, Attica, Vue de Monde and more.

I was excited to be invited to the Queensland Good Food Guide Awards last night. Not because I work in the industry [I did once. As the world's worst waitress ever.]. Not because my friends were receiving awards. Not because I wanted to meet celebrity chefs.

I was excited because it gave me the opportunity to applaud the many, many hardworking restauranteurs, cafe owners, wait staff, sommeliers, baristas, chefs, cooks, dishwashers and all those others who have worked tirelessly to give Queensland incredible food experiences.

To all of you I say THANK YOU.

Books like this don't "just happen" - thanks to all those involved  - the lovely Natascha Mirosch who edited this book [and who just tweeted is going out for one last lunch before starting the "mother of all diets" tomorrow!], brisbanetimes.com.au, all the reviewers [how do I get a job doing THAT?], and all the sponsors, including Citibank and Vittoria Coffee.

And to everyone like me, who loves food, loves dining out, loves sitting in a cafe for a sneaky coffee when you're meant to be working, all I can say is, how lucky we are in Queensland.

You can check out all the winners at the Good Food Guide website. 

Make sure you grab a copy of the Queensland Good Food Guide [book, iphone app, digital version, e-book, or website subscription] and get eating! 

Please make sure you tell me reader, what is your favourite place to eat in Queensland? 

Kim Thanh Restaurant celebrates 24 years

Last night was the end of an era for Chieu Lu and Cuong La - owners of Kim Thanh Restaurant in West End. And it is the beginning of a new era for their son, Bao La, up and coming chef.

I was privileged to be invited to a dinner to celebrate the 24 years Kim Thanh has been open. In an age where staying in the restaurant game for 24 months is a notable feat, 24 years is truly a triumph. Sadly at the end of the meal it was announced Kim Thanh will be closing next year. If you've not been, then go, and go quickly!

Dinner last night was cooked primarily by Bao La. At only 24 years old, and in the early stages of his chef's apprenticeship, it was a big challenge to take on, and one that he excelled at.

The 5 course tasting plate was a sensory delight. As I review the menu and my photos, I'm still trying to decide what I enjoyed the most. The photos below really don't do justice to the colours and until there is smell-o-vision or taste-a-picture, you'll have to take my word on the flavours and aromas.

Nem nuong cuon cham tuong Hue (grilled pork rice paper rolls with Hue dipping sauce)

Goi ngo sen tom thit (Pickled lotus stem salad with prawn and pork belly)

Mi vit tiem (Master stock cooked duck with egg noodles in Chinese herb broth)

I haven't cooked a master stock before, and also haven't experimented much with duck. After tasting this dish, I'll be doing both. I'm pretty sure it was my favourite. But then I nearly ate all the ice cream (below) before realising I hadn't taken a photo!

Bo luc lac (Wok tossed Black Angus with Dalat salad and tomato rice)

I don't know what the flavours were in the salad, but it had a beautifully subtle sweetness that complemented the flavours of the beef.

Dua nuong trai vai ca rem (Roasted coconut and lychee ice cream)

The only part of the meal Bao didn't make was the ice cream. The roasted coconut added a completely different flavour to regular coconut, and the addition of what I THINK were crushed fortune cookies at the bottom of the glass, gave a delicious little crunch that lifted the dish.

Thank you to Bao and your family for inviting me to celebrate with you. I look forward to returning again soon. And I will listen out for your future food adventures with interest.

Brisbane's Budget Bites - book review

I am just going to unashamedly say that I love this book. Even more than I loved the first and second editions - if that is possible!

Brisbane's Budget Bites 2011 makes it possible to eat out regularly on a tight budget, while exploring the culinary delights of multi-cultural cuisine. And as someone who loves food, loves eating out and loves trying new places, this book is perfect for me. All eateries in the book are budget (as the name suggests) with meals below $20.

The book first came to be when editor Mei Yen Chua moved to Brisbane six years ago and was horrified that there was no guide to budget eating places in Brisbane. So she decided to write her own. And thank goodness she did! It is easily the most used food resource in our home (yes, even more than Stephanie Alexander's ABC of Cooking!), and we've never had a dud experience from any of the recommended restaurants.

A few of my favourites are:

• Cantina at West End for breakfast
• Brother Espresso for coffee - conveniently over the road from a client's office!
• No No's Lebanese Cuisine at Red Hill - the BEST babaganoush I think I have ever eaten
• Curryville Indian at Morningside - close enough for us to roll home down the hill
• all the Vietnamese places I've tried at Inala (I forget the names of them all).

Mei Yen Chua at the launch of Brisbane's Budget Bites 2011

The book is divided into geographic locations with a handy map at the front to help you work out where your suburb is (apparently I can be a bit geographically challenged...). This year it also includes budget bites on the Gold Coast. The index divides restaurants into cuisines, making it handy when you have a craving for Vietnamese or Indian, or if you are wondering where to go in Brisbane to try food from Sudan, Peru, Persia or Brazil. And if you love Chinese food, then you definitely need this book - the 2011 edition includes 28 Chinese eateries. Yum!

This year's edition of the book is bigger than ever - 95 new eateries, 16 coffee spots, 16 providores and 13 bakeries were added.

The new bakery section is going to be a much referred to section - researched and written by Julia Tuomainen, who writes the stunning baking blog Melanger (read it and drool!), it includes a few of my favourites (Leavain at Morningside - the BEST bread in Brisbane; and Jocelyn's Provisions at New Farm - the source of my baking inspiration for many years); and others that I'm going to have to try. All in the name of research of course.

Brisbane's Budget Bites 2011 is available for the budget price of $19.95 from www.brisbanebudgetbites.com.au and many bookstores in Brisbane including Avid Reader (West End) and Riverbend (Bulimba).

My advice - buy a copy today for a year of delicious eating! The biggest decision will be where to try first! I think I'll go to Mama Ferraris. No, I'll try Grub St Eatery. Or will I go to Char Char Yiros? Decisions, decisions...

What is your favourite restaurant or cafe to eat at on a budget?