Venice - CBD

Situated just up from Customs House right on the river, Venice is definitely well positioned for fine city dining. On the whole we were pleased with the meal, but were far more impressed with the general decor and ambience.

It wasn’t an excellent meal but the restaurant is definitely worth a visit – even if only for the decor! But keep in mind, it’s not cheap so perhaps one to save for a romantic occasion.

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
3	4	4	5	3.5

Food

With a name like Venice, it’s safe to assume that the menu is wholly Italian. We are both lovers of Italian food but on this particular menu it was hard to choose a meal. We felt that many of the dishes included the same ingredients (too bad if you don’t like tomato, mushroom, or fish)!

In the end Jaz settled on the tomato chicken fettuccini and Meredith had the risotto with asparagus. Not exactly thrilling choices – I know. But they were well presented and proved to be quite tasty. But then again, it’s hard to mess up a simple pasta/risotto.

Dessert

We had the ‘Venice’ tasting plate of desserts, including macadamia nut crème brulee, apple pie, chocolate mousse, tiramisu, and berry fairy floss. A great idea to give you a taste for everything, but the desserts aren’t all for everyone – but luckily what one of us didn’t want the other did, so the dessert plate was near empty by the end.

Service

Service was pleasant and prompt. Impressive considering how full the restaurant was! If you are not a fan of crowds we don't recommend going on a Friday night.

Ambience

All seating it indoors at comfortable chairs and large tables. The roof is scattered with decorative scarves and unique lights. The walls are painted beautifully and there is even a small indoor fountain which really adds a spacious vibe to the busy dining area.

Price Range

High

Average $25 entree, $35 mains, $17 desserts

Les Amis – Fortitude Valley

Les Amis is an impressive restaurant that holds it own on St. Pauls Terrace in Fortitude Valley. Just opposite the entrance to the Ekka, and below a new office complex it is surely a little diamond in the rough. Our new favourite!

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5	4.5

Food

We both agreed that the food was exquisite. The variety on the menu was fabulous and made for some tough decisions. In the end, Meredith settled on her favourite, the confit duck with potato fondant, and Jaz had the herbed lamb rump with ratatouille. Both were cooked to perfection and well presented.

Les Amis also serves breakfast daily, and after being so impressed with dinner we will definitely go back to try it!

Dessert

The dessert menu was well priced and featured many of the usual suspects, including Creme brulee, lemon tart and pannacotta. Meredith had the creme brulee which passed the 3 crack test, and Jaz enjoyed the chocolate fondant. These desserts managed to beat us on this occassion, so rich and big, but definitely worth it. On the whole the meals served throughout the evening were flawless.

Service

The service surpassed our expectations as the matron was most attentive and pleasant. It really topped off the whole dining experience.

Ambience

Inside and outside courtyard dining flow seamlessly into each other, making for a very open yet intimate dining experience. Inside is elaborate wall coverings, open bar and kitchen views with and bistro style seating. The ambience here can not be faulted.

Price Range

Med-High

Average $16 entree, $29 mains, $12 desserts

Rapide - Camp Hill

Another small restaurant hidden away in the suburb of Camp Hill. Rapide a modern Australian style restaurant with a twist on classic dishes.

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
4	4	4	2	3

Food

Meredith had the lamb with a minted salad and kiplfer potatoes, beautiful lamb which melted in your mouth and the minted salad gave the dish a unique flavour.

Jaz chose to have 2 entrees for the evening. The first was a Wagyu beef salad with peach and sundried tomatoes. It was possibly one of the tastiest entrees I have ever had. EVER. That good. So light and just perfect as a starter.

The second entree was a rabbit and sage gnocchi stew of sorts. Granted, the salad had set a high standard - but I was a little bit disappointed with this dish. Very heavy and rich I simply could not stomach much of it.

Dessert

Meredith had the dumplings with golden syrup sauce, not my usual choice for desesrt but this was amazing. It has inspired me to try desserts that are not just your traditional creme brulee or chocolaty dessert.

Jaz had the lindt chocolate cake with vanilla syrup and mascarpone. It didn’t look much on the plate and I was sure it wouldn’t be enough to satisfy my chocolate cravings. However, as a long-standing chocolate lover/addict, let it be known: I am unstoppable… until I came across this dessert. So delicious, rich and filling I admit this time I was defeated! Certainly set the bar quite high next chocolate cake I come up against.

Service

The staff were polite, well presented and our water situation was always under control. Couldn’t fault the service.

Ambience

Depending on where you were facing in the room, we decided that the ambience was poor or average. The decor was simple but questionable. For a small restaurant it is so important to create an illusion of space for the guests. Perhaps the owners should visit Cinco and take a leaf from their decor book.

Price Range

Med-High

Average $19 entree, $31 mains, $13 desserts

Mario @ The Dining Room – Hendra

The Dining Room, despite it’s reputation, did not live up to our expectations.

It does however live up to it’s name. Set in a cute converted Queenslander house it is tidy and innocuous. The food and service is home-style but beware because the price certainly is not!

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
3	3	3	3	2

Food

Jaz had the veal with prosciutto and Meredith had the lamb cutlets. However neither of us have much to say about it. Ho hum. Tasted like a fairly nice home cooked meal on regular home-style plates.

What did disturb us somewhat was the fact that both meals came in the same format with sliced roasted potatoes and zucchini quarters (obviously the accompaniment was not stated on the menu).

Dessert

Meredith had the Chocolate and Caramel Semi Feddo a classic dessert, with good flavours although slightly hard.

Jaz had the Tiramisu, and while it wasn’t that bad… I’ve had much better.

Both desserts were a decent size, for all those dessert lovers. With most elements of this restaurant we have to say it was good, but not quite good enough for the price.

Service

Our waiter was asked several times to repeat just about everything he said due to his mild mannered tone. He also forgot to mention the specials - only when we were placing our order did he ask if he had told us. Our water glasses were not once filled up and sadly, our bottle was left to run dry.

Ambience

A nice space with a lovely outdoor water feature. The wall is lined with newspaper articles proclaiming the chef, Mario’s excellence. Perhaps the hype has gone to his head.

Price Range

High

Average $25 entree, $35 mains, $15 desserts

Sprout - Auchenflower

Sprout Cafe is located in a converted house in Auchenflower. While many would simply drive pass and not notice this restaurant it is definitely worth a visit.

We both agree that not only will we be returning to this BYO restaurant to try some more of their unique menu; we will recommend it to our friends!

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
4.5	4.5	3	4	4

Food

Jaz had the slow cooked pork belly and blacklip mussels with thai basil, saffron coconut milk and crispy prosciutto. The whole meal was excellent, my only hesitation was the pork belly - so large that it was impossible to eat all of it!

Meredith had the confit duck leg with white bean and porcini puree, red cabbage marmalade and duck neck and pistachio sausage. The confit duck was amazing and melted in your mouth and the combination of the red cabbage marmalade and the sausage made the dish unique.

Dessert

We both had the rosewater and raspberry cream brulee with vanilla poached pear as avid fans of the creme brulee, are not easy to please. This dessert was amazing and definitely a must try!

Service

There was only one waiter servicing the whole restaurant, which should not have been an issue as there was only 3 tables full. In our case we felt the waiter could have been a little more attentive, as it sometimes took awhile to gain her attention.

Ambience

Although the restaurant is set in a small converted house, it does create the illusion of space due to the small number of tables. A nice restaurant to go to if you are sick of being squished in next to other people. Perfect venue for a romantic dinner on a special occasion.

Price Range

Med-High
Average $20 entree, $32 mains, $14 desserts

Cinco – Camp Hill

Cinco is definitely a diamond in the rough, and it seems the locals know it as it was packed out when we went last Thursday.

I think we will both go back at some stage to try more of the menu (and it's great accompanying wine list)!

Rating

Food	Dessert	Service	Ambience	Value
4	3.5	4.5	3.5	4

Food

Jaz had the smoked chicken with blue cheese and pear risotto. It was the perfect amount to eat and left me feeling healthy and satisfied. Would definitely recommend it.

Meredith had the roast duck with apple and potatoes. The duck melted in your mouth and was probably one of the best either of us have ever had. A must try!

Dessert

We both had the creme brulee and as avid fans of the dish, are not easy to please. But we decided that it was delightful. It came served with a round hot cinnamon doughnut. Though the menu said that it was served with ‘doughnuts’ so we were a bit disappointed that they didn’t keep their word.

Service

My water glass was never empty and we were checked on regularly (without being pestered) despite the restaurant being quite full. We were served by well presented staff with good manners.

Ambience

A slightly lower rating than it may deserve, the average location and venue size bring it down a bit. Though I must say they do a lovely job with the decor and the large mirror gives the illusion of space.

Price Range

Med-High

Average $20 entree, $30 mains, $14 desserts

The List (so far)

Some of the restaurants that we have already been to as part of our weekly dates include:

• Seven Heaven - West Ashgrove
• Huo Fo - Sunnybank
• 16th on Park - Milton
• C'est Bon - Wooloongabba
• Libertine - Paddington
• Sugo Mi - Bulimba
• Bar Alto - New Farm
• Giardinetto - Fortitude Valley
• Flute - Rosalie
• Eves On The River - Teneriffe
  
• Sprout - Auchenflower
• Java Queen - Highgate Hill
• 5th Element - Southbank
• Onyx - Milton
• Kabuki - CBD
  
• Anouk - Paddington
• Belle Epoque - Fortitude Valley
• Piaf - Southbank
• The Vietnamese Restaurant - Fortitude Valley
• The London Club - Teneriffe
• Bali Grill - Rosalie
• Grappino - Paddington
• Buffalo Club - Fortitude Valley
• The Continental Cafe - New Farm
• Garuva - Fortitude Valley
• Asian House - Fortitude Valley
• Zuri - Fortitude Valley