Last weekend, Panu and I headed up to Brisvegas just for the weekend, to celebrate my mum’s 60th birthday. That was the only reason we went, although if you look at the amount of stuff we ate, you might be forgiven for thinking we’d embarked on some sort of Panu & Cat vs Food adventure.
I guess that is the beauty of going home, right? Whether it’s overseas or interstate, you have got to come back with an obligatory extra couple of kilos otherwise you just did not have a good enough time.
So, here’s what Brisbane looks like on a whirl-wind eating trip.
Touch down Friday afternoon and we’re immediately whisked off for a seaside lunch at Doug’s Seafood Café. I’ve told y’all about Morgan’s Seafood before, and Doug’s is equally delicious, albeit a much tinier operation.
Where Doug’s has the one-up is that they are located right on the beach in Sandgate, which is pure heaven on a warm, breezy day like Friday. We ordered some crumbed barramundi fillets (huge portions, don’t say I didn’t warn you), calamari rings and chips, and well, let’s just say this meal was a good start to the weekend.
Doug’s Seafood Café
60 Flinders Parade
Sandgate, QLD, 4017
(07) 3269 4713
Friday night we had dinner at home, which honestly is better than dinner out any time. My dad caught some mud crabs the week before and saved them just for me, with his signature chilli crabs.
This is my all time favourite meal at home, next to mum’s curry fish. I ate so much I couldn’t physically sit up straight, but it wasn’t comfortable leaning over either… you know what I mean? I’m sure you do
Anyway, after eating like a glutton and totally not being able to stand up or sit down or lie down, we went out for dessert. As you do. Freestyle Tout was the destination, and I also caught up with my bestie from primary school who you’ve all met here. Freestyle are super famous for their desserts and scarily, I hadn’t been before. But now I have! And going on a 110% full stomach, no sharing of desserts? That’s dedication for you.
blueberry cheesecake
berry pavlova
Freestyle Tout
Emporium, 1000 Ann Street
Fortitude Valley, QLD, 4006
(07) 3252 0214
website
Saturday morning we woke up. That’s all, and I think that is a huge achievement in itself. Mid-morning, we went for a walk at the West End markets – blogged here – followed by lunch at Trang – blogged here – because we were hungry! Obviously!
And for dinner, the four of us headed over to Brisbane’s real Chinatown for a seafood binge. Lobster noodles, steamed oysters and a prawn and scallop stir fry. Oh, and the best gailan in garlic I’ve ever had!
So fricking full after this, we went home and passed the fugg out.
Suncrop Chinese Restaurant
Sunnybank Plaza, McCullough St
Sunnybank, QLD, 4109
(07) 3344 3283
Sunday morning, and we sure saved the best for last. Don’t you love stumbling upon a new place and it turns out to be AH-MAY-ZING? La Via was totally that. Heading out for a pasta fix, we walked past this “traditional Italian” restaurant at South Bank and gave it a shot. Holy crap, it was so good that I’m definitely going back, and my parents are bringing their friends back!
The pizza at the top of this post is from La Via, a wagyu bresaola pizza with roast garlic, truffle oil and parmesan. It was, honestly, one of the best pizzas I’ve ever had – thin crispy crust, light on toppings but packing a huge flavour punch. We also had two pastas:
suckling pig ragu, pappardelle verde, granny smith parmesan
slow cooked lamb shoulder lasagne, béchamel, gremolata
Both of them blew my mind – the simple yet rich flavours, quality ingredients and perfectly cooked pasta. If you’re in Brisbane and haven’t been, I highly highly recommend this place.
La Via
Shop 6e, Little Stanley Street
South Brisbane, QLD, 4101
(07) 3844 3460
website
So that was the weekend! We left at 4pm on Sunday, ate plane food for dinner and arrived home to some crazy thunder storm in Sydney.
Oh, and the most important thing all weekend? My mum! What two things must every 60 year old have? Why, an iPhone and an ice cream maker of course!
