Dined 6/4/09
Aquila, Aquila, Aquila. What you have done to the humble chicken Caesar almost defies description.
Every element of this tangy, delicious salad was destroyed in a serious bout of mediocrity.
At $14.90, I could have had the crispy chicken at McDonald's twice over and received a better meal.
The worst part is, you're normally so good. You scrambled eggs are delightfully fluffy, your bacon so crispy, the lamb pizza resplendent, your coffee spoken of in reverent tones.
But this was a soggy mess of non-descript muck.
For me, the heart of the Caesar salad is the dressing. There wasn't even the faintest resemblance to the traditional tangyness in this salad. There was no Parmesan wafting lazily on top, rather it was swimming around the bottom of the plate in the white muck of the sauce. The bacon appeared to be of the same standard used on $5 take-away pizzas. This horrible mixture was held together by chopped up pieces of boiled egg...this sentence cannot sufficiently describe why boiled egg doesn't belong in Caesar salad; coddled if you must, but not boiled.
The tasteless, if tender strips of chicken where one of the few saving graces. The use of two pieces of grilled sourdough(?) rather than croutons an affront to a purists heart.
I should however put this in the Fussy perspective. My dinning companion thought his was just fine and definitely isn't wallowing in disappointment like I am.
The best part of the salad was the LLB - delicious and comes in a huge glass and at $3.90 a bargain.
Aquila, for me, is becoming one of those places where the trick is to know what to order. For those unaware the results can be very disappointing.
Food excellence 0/5
Ambiance 3.5/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Price 3/5
Sunday, 5 April 2009
Saturday, 6 September 2008
Picollo's
Piccolo's is another long standing North Coast tradition for me. It remains the only place where I had eggs benedict so good that I ordered it twice in one sitting.
The breakfasts here are sensational. Always beautiful, fresh ingredience and managed to do things like French Toast so lightly, so crisply without any other usual soggy, greasy accompanients.
The juices are a little bit ordinary but I'll forgive Piccolo's anything because the food is so very good.
If you're in Noosa Heads I highly recommend going here but it's worth noting that they aren't open on Sunday.
Cafe Piccolo
Shop 3/28 Sunshine Beach Road Noosa Heads
Queensland 4567
Australia
The breakfasts here are sensational. Always beautiful, fresh ingredience and managed to do things like French Toast so lightly, so crisply without any other usual soggy, greasy accompanients.
The juices are a little bit ordinary but I'll forgive Piccolo's anything because the food is so very good.
If you're in Noosa Heads I highly recommend going here but it's worth noting that they aren't open on Sunday.
Cafe Piccolo
Shop 3/28 Sunshine Beach Road Noosa Heads
Queensland 4567
Australia
Zachary's - Peregian, Sunshine Coast
http://www.zacharys.org/
Dined 5/09/08
Zachary's is one of the new eateries that has appeared in Peregian over the last few years. Gone are the days when the only choices was the awful Chinese or equally ordinary fish and chip take-away.
Pizza would have to rate very highly in my favourite food choices, perhaps even taking the number one spot. It's the food for me, that even when it's bad, it's still pretty good. Good pizza has punctuated some of my favourite moments, from the Square in Venice with my mother to the local pub's pesto Margarita in Shepherd's Bush with friends to $6 Friday night specials from Eagle Boy's with my Brother.
I'm always eager to try new pizza places in the hopes that a new favourite will emerge. This was the second time I had got a take-away from Zachary's after the drive on a Friday night. The first time Fussy BF and I ordered from here I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed, so much so I ate chicken on pizza...and liked it!
This time I went with a half n half (I can never choose between flavours):
Nicomeli Proscuitto, Spanish onion, mushrooms & parmesan
Papa Grande Ham, salami, mushrooms & onions
Price - about $20
Having really liked Zachary's the first time I have to say I was a little disappointed this time - mainly with the Nicomeli - I just don't think the flavours worked together and the proscuitto was awful.
The Papa Grande was pretty good though and Fussy BF's chicken was very good (her's isn't exactly actually on the menu - she has some particular food preferences).
For a Friday night arriving at the coast the pizza was perfectly acceptable but it won't be going on the memory board of amazing pizza from around the world.
Dined 5/09/08
Zachary's is one of the new eateries that has appeared in Peregian over the last few years. Gone are the days when the only choices was the awful Chinese or equally ordinary fish and chip take-away.
Pizza would have to rate very highly in my favourite food choices, perhaps even taking the number one spot. It's the food for me, that even when it's bad, it's still pretty good. Good pizza has punctuated some of my favourite moments, from the Square in Venice with my mother to the local pub's pesto Margarita in Shepherd's Bush with friends to $6 Friday night specials from Eagle Boy's with my Brother.
I'm always eager to try new pizza places in the hopes that a new favourite will emerge. This was the second time I had got a take-away from Zachary's after the drive on a Friday night. The first time Fussy BF and I ordered from here I was very pleasantly surprised and impressed, so much so I ate chicken on pizza...and liked it!
This time I went with a half n half (I can never choose between flavours):
Nicomeli Proscuitto, Spanish onion, mushrooms & parmesan
Papa Grande Ham, salami, mushrooms & onions
Price - about $20
Having really liked Zachary's the first time I have to say I was a little disappointed this time - mainly with the Nicomeli - I just don't think the flavours worked together and the proscuitto was awful.
The Papa Grande was pretty good though and Fussy BF's chicken was very good (her's isn't exactly actually on the menu - she has some particular food preferences).
For a Friday night arriving at the coast the pizza was perfectly acceptable but it won't be going on the memory board of amazing pizza from around the world.
My Thai - Auchenflower, Brisbane
http://www.mythai.com.au/
Dined 2/9/08
Fussy BF and I went to My Thai for a take-away on Tuesday (and yes we do spend a lot of time together!).
I love Thai food and for take away Thai it's hard to beat Thai Jasmin at Carina (not fancy but so very good). So when I ordered Pad Thai ($10.50 Thin rice noodles, stir fried in our authentic Pad Thai sauce with chicken, bean sprout and spring onion) I will admit to having painfully high standards. Unfortunately My Thai doesn't make the grade. It has to be one of the most muddle flavoured Thai meals I've had. Where were the peanuts and the limes????
Fussy BF ordered the Green Curry (Gaeng Keo Wharn (Green Curry) $13.00
Made of green chillies, bamboo shoots, and sweet basil, with chicken) and for her, it wasn't even close to the one she had had from Thai Jasmin a few weeks prior.
We also had the Thai Spring Rolls (4) $6.00 Deep fried spring roll filled with ground chicken, mixed vegetables and glass noodles, served with a tangy white sauce. Which were the best thing out of the three but nothing special.
I may be outnumbered as a critic though as for a Tuesday there was hardly a table free but for me, I won't be back in a hurry.
Dined 2/9/08
Fussy BF and I went to My Thai for a take-away on Tuesday (and yes we do spend a lot of time together!).
I love Thai food and for take away Thai it's hard to beat Thai Jasmin at Carina (not fancy but so very good). So when I ordered Pad Thai ($10.50 Thin rice noodles, stir fried in our authentic Pad Thai sauce with chicken, bean sprout and spring onion) I will admit to having painfully high standards. Unfortunately My Thai doesn't make the grade. It has to be one of the most muddle flavoured Thai meals I've had. Where were the peanuts and the limes????
Fussy BF ordered the Green Curry (Gaeng Keo Wharn (Green Curry) $13.00
Made of green chillies, bamboo shoots, and sweet basil, with chicken) and for her, it wasn't even close to the one she had had from Thai Jasmin a few weeks prior.
We also had the Thai Spring Rolls (4) $6.00 Deep fried spring roll filled with ground chicken, mixed vegetables and glass noodles, served with a tangy white sauce. Which were the best thing out of the three but nothing special.
I may be outnumbered as a critic though as for a Tuesday there was hardly a table free but for me, I won't be back in a hurry.
Food excellence 1/5
Ambiance N/A
Cleanliness N/A
Price 3/5
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Pane e Vino - City, Brisbane
http://www.paneevino.com.au/
Dined 30/07/08
Pane e Vino has been a staple city restaurant for me for a long time. With the dearth of reasonable priced cafe style eateries in the city Pane is a frequent choice.
What I like about Pane is it's lack of pretension - it doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not. The food is middling at best but inoffensively stereotypical Italian.
Fussy BF and I stopped in for a quick bite on a Friday night. I wasn't all that hungry so opted for the mixed Bruschetta - Diced Roma tomato, garlic & basil / Prosciutto & mushroom
/ Eggplant, zucchini, capsicum & onion (1 of each)$11.50. All of which was satisfying if not all that memorable.
BF had the Spaghetti con gamberi - Fresh prawns tossed through chilli, garlic, spinach & fresh tomato w olive oil $23.00 and she was quite pleased with it although the garlic made it's presence known throughout the rest of the night.
As usual Pane came through with a good value, satisfying experience.
Dined 30/07/08
Pane e Vino has been a staple city restaurant for me for a long time. With the dearth of reasonable priced cafe style eateries in the city Pane is a frequent choice.
What I like about Pane is it's lack of pretension - it doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not. The food is middling at best but inoffensively stereotypical Italian.
Fussy BF and I stopped in for a quick bite on a Friday night. I wasn't all that hungry so opted for the mixed Bruschetta - Diced Roma tomato, garlic & basil / Prosciutto & mushroom
/ Eggplant, zucchini, capsicum & onion (1 of each)$11.50. All of which was satisfying if not all that memorable.
BF had the Spaghetti con gamberi - Fresh prawns tossed through chilli, garlic, spinach & fresh tomato w olive oil $23.00 and she was quite pleased with it although the garlic made it's presence known throughout the rest of the night.
As usual Pane came through with a good value, satisfying experience.
Food excellence34/5
Ambiance34/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Price 3/5
Sunday, 24 August 2008
Vespa Pizza - New Farm, Brisbane
http://www.vespapizza.com.au/index.html
Dined 23/8/08
Fussy BF and I dropped into Vespa Pizza for a rushed bite on Saturday night. It had been highly recommended by Fussy's brother and even though he had had pizza the night before he and KC manned up and went for the double header.
Fussy BF was on her own as she is from the enemy camp that eats chicken on pizza. Due to the time constrainst we opted out of having starters (and it can be a rookie mistake to fill up on breads) and went straight for the mains.
The waitress was very gracious about our admittedly annoying wishes to change the menu to suit individual tastes. I opted for the Capricciosa: pancetta, salami, olives, mushrooms, anchovies, red peppers 18 but had to get the anchovies taken off. Fussy brother opted for the Salami and mushroom w/ basil, mozzarella and truffle oil 18.5. KC went for Vespa reigns supreme: pancetta, artichoke hearts, buffalo mozzarella, olives, capers, anchovies and vine tomatoes w/ fresh basil and roasted peppers with extra mushrooms and truffle oil. Fussy BF's was too complicated to list (her food specifications are quite specific) but it involved chicken so who cares.
They were all delicious! Pretty close to what I call an authentic Italian pizza - thin base, not too much toping. The salami and mushroom was my pick of the lot.
The were doing a roaring trade on Saturday and we ended up sitting outside. Vespa manages the outside dining well and we were toasty warm under a braisier.
We did have a bit of a wait for the pizza and it seemed that the table next to us got tired of waiting and ended up leaving but waiting for good food doesn't bother me.
It won't make the best ever list but overall pretty damn good pizza.
Dined 23/8/08
Fussy BF and I dropped into Vespa Pizza for a rushed bite on Saturday night. It had been highly recommended by Fussy's brother and even though he had had pizza the night before he and KC manned up and went for the double header.
Fussy BF was on her own as she is from the enemy camp that eats chicken on pizza. Due to the time constrainst we opted out of having starters (and it can be a rookie mistake to fill up on breads) and went straight for the mains.
The waitress was very gracious about our admittedly annoying wishes to change the menu to suit individual tastes. I opted for the Capricciosa: pancetta, salami, olives, mushrooms, anchovies, red peppers 18 but had to get the anchovies taken off. Fussy brother opted for the Salami and mushroom w/ basil, mozzarella and truffle oil 18.5. KC went for Vespa reigns supreme: pancetta, artichoke hearts, buffalo mozzarella, olives, capers, anchovies and vine tomatoes w/ fresh basil and roasted peppers with extra mushrooms and truffle oil. Fussy BF's was too complicated to list (her food specifications are quite specific) but it involved chicken so who cares.
They were all delicious! Pretty close to what I call an authentic Italian pizza - thin base, not too much toping. The salami and mushroom was my pick of the lot.
The were doing a roaring trade on Saturday and we ended up sitting outside. Vespa manages the outside dining well and we were toasty warm under a braisier.
We did have a bit of a wait for the pizza and it seemed that the table next to us got tired of waiting and ended up leaving but waiting for good food doesn't bother me.
It won't make the best ever list but overall pretty damn good pizza.
Food excellence 4/5
Ambiance 4/5
Cleanliness 4/5
Price 3/5
Thursday, 14 August 2008
The Regatta Boatshed - Toowong, Brisbane
http://www.regattahotel.com.au/eat_boatshed_restaurant.html Dined: 15/08/08
I don't think I've ever actually eaten at the Regatta before as I was a QUT girl. I was taken here for my leaving lunch from a job I had been doing for a few months.
This is one of the strangest meals I've ever had - it was all perfect, the food was nicely done, the service was good, it involved drinking beer at lunchtime on a sunny day and yet there was nothing in it for me to even remotely wax lyrical about. I get more excited about the under $10 fried mee at the Satay Club that I had on Thursday (Charlotte Street, City - best cheap asian in town) than that meal.
The Boatshed is going to get a free pass on this as I just wasn't in the mood that day to be judging the food (a very, very rare occurrence I promise!).
Here's what I had:
We started out with the huge slices of Garlic & Mozzarella Cheese Toast $8.
Eye Fillet (minimum Med 100 days grain) 200gr $29.50
Surf and Turf.Moreton Bay
The steaks come with your choice of potato (chips, mash or baked) and salad (Crisp Garden Salad, Regatta Coleslaw or Caesar).
I guess I compare all these sorts of lunches with the Stamford outdoor bar and food wise, this doesn't even come close - although the Stamford does rate a mention as possibly the worst service in Brisbane.
I'd have to go back to give this any sort of a accurate rating so I'll just leave it as "not bad".
I don't think I've ever actually eaten at the Regatta before as I was a QUT girl. I was taken here for my leaving lunch from a job I had been doing for a few months.
This is one of the strangest meals I've ever had - it was all perfect, the food was nicely done, the service was good, it involved drinking beer at lunchtime on a sunny day and yet there was nothing in it for me to even remotely wax lyrical about. I get more excited about the under $10 fried mee at the Satay Club that I had on Thursday (Charlotte Street, City - best cheap asian in town) than that meal.
The Boatshed is going to get a free pass on this as I just wasn't in the mood that day to be judging the food (a very, very rare occurrence I promise!).
Here's what I had:
We started out with the huge slices of Garlic & Mozzarella Cheese Toast $8.
Eye Fillet (minimum Med 100 days grain) 200gr $29.50
Surf and Turf.
The steaks come with your choice of potato (chips, mash or baked) and salad (Crisp Garden Salad, Regatta Coleslaw or Caesar).
I guess I compare all these sorts of lunches with the Stamford outdoor bar and food wise, this doesn't even come close - although the Stamford does rate a mention as possibly the worst service in Brisbane.
I'd have to go back to give this any sort of a accurate rating so I'll just leave it as "not bad".
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)