Pizza Caffe - UQ Union*

"University of Queensland

Apart from being one of the leading educational institutions in Brisbane,

it is also home to delicious woodfired pizza!"

Enjoy the A - Z of authentic Italian Pizza with an unique array of ingredients. What's more, there are indicators for Vegans and level of hotness for the more weary. While enjoying a slice of gourmet pizza under the sun, diners may be intrigued by the quirky pizza names on the surrounding billboards. My top pick is Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow- dedicating every day throughout the four seasons to food!

Half n' Half Pizza

If you cannot decide between your two favourite toppings, opt for both!

Giannini

Roasted Chicken, Baby Spinach, Ricotta and Grilled Capsicum

Mediterraneo

Marinated Mushrooms, Parsley, Parmigiano and Garlic

Mimi's Shanghainese Cooking*

"Food Philosophy

Eat to the heart's content,

Drink to quench thirst,

and most importantly...

Cook to share the love."

My itinerary during my week in Brisbane was simple: "Eat and drink by day, and cook by night!" A big thank you to Mimi (Q's mom) who was a great mentor in tutoring us the basics of Shanghainese cooking, as well as teaching us other simple asian dishes. 

Dduk bokki

Korean Chilli Rice Cake, Onions and Fish Cake

Baked Shallot Buns

Won Tons

Fresh De-shelled Prawns, Pork Mince and Mixed Chinese Vegetables

Dumplings

Chives and Scrambled Eggs

Almond Cookies

Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Icing

(Q's sister recently started cooking and made chocolate cupcakes. She even decorated each one so beautifully with illustrations too!)

MOS Burger*

"To stand tall and firm like a Mountain, 

To have a heart that is broad and deep as the Ocean, 

To have passion like the Sun that never burns out.

Making people happy through food!"

Being a successful Japanese chain with thousands of stores across Asia, Brisbane is home to the first MOS Burger store opened its doors in Australia on April 2011. Technically it is fast food, yet good service and their food being freshly made to order will mean a slight delay to receive your order. Regardless, the wait is definitely worthwhile!


My first encounter with MOS Burger was in Tokyo last year, where I instantly fell in love with the Chicken Teriyaki Burger. With intentions of sampling the entire menu eventually, I succeeded in trying a few more items from the menu during several visits at their Brisbane store with Q.

Okonomiyaki Rice Burger



Beef Yakiniku Rice Burger

Wagyu Burger

MOS Spicy Cheeseburger

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MOS Burger

Shop 34, Sunnybank Plaza

Mains Road, Sunnybank, Brisbane

(07) 3345 4567

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Little Singapore*

"Where good value meets great taste.

With pride in flavoursome and aromatic offerings 

of Asian culinary cuisine."

Cheap cheerful eatery where there are generous portions and a large variety of Singaporean and Malaysian dishes available. Expect strong flavours reflecting the traditional roots of south-east Asian cuisine. A deserving winner of the 2010 Brisbane & Darling Downs, Best Asian Restaurant (Malaysian) with Restaurant & Catering Queensland.

Roti Curry Chicken

(The chicken thigh fillets were cooked to perfection and easily separated from the bone. Roti layers were light and crispy, giving Sydney's Mamak a good run for their money. Even the sides, such as the blackbean pumpkin and the light coleslaw, were nice complements.)

Seafood Char Gway Teoh

(Chinese pork sausages provide an extra boost of flavour to this Singaporean version of Pad See Eiw. Love!)

Ice Barley
(Incorporating natural sugars, this sweet drink is not only refreshing but very healthy too! A great alternative to artificial pearl milk teas.)

My yellow dress seems to blend me into the background and even matches with our food.

Q happily seated on the comfortable white lounge, which coincidentally matches with her outfit too!

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Little Singapore

Shop 3A, Market Square 

Mains Road, Sunnybank, Brisbane

(07) 3211 1177

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Campos Cafe & Roastery*

"Maintaining integrity in the art of Coffee,

to produce the highest quality experience for caffeine addicts.

Now extends to the joys of food."

My favourite coffee shop in Sydney is undoubtedly Campos in Newtown, but unfortunately it does not have any food besides some patisseries. When Q suggested brunch at Campos Cafe in Brisbane, I immediately lept at the opportunity. Wonder if the food will be as good as their coffee?

Soy Latte

(The espresso was lighter and had a weaker aroma than the Campos coffee in Sydney.)

Eggs Benedict

Poached Eggs on Smoked Salmon, Spinach and Turkish Bread with Hollandaise

(Q's favourite brunch item, simply classic!)

Asian Omelette

Soy Chicken Strips, Capsicum, BBQ Pork, Peas and Mushroom

(Loved this dish! An unique interpretation of the omelette with Asian influences.)

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Campos Coffee

11 Wandoo Street

Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, QLD

(07) 3252 3612

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Quenching Thirst*

"What harm in drinking can there be,

since beverages and life so well agree?"

I drink when I have an occasion, and sometimes when there is no occasion. This week Q has been a great host and has helped me to experience the life of Brisbane locals. A perfect occasion to celebrate with drinks. Mental note to stay busy, get plenty of exercise, and don't drink too much. Then again, don't drink too little!


La Dolce Vita
Liquid Italian Milk Chocolate, Sauvignon Blanc, Soy Latte and Baci
(A taste of 'the sweet life' indeed. Experiencing Little Italy in the heart of Milton along footpath dining. Difficult to miss this cafe when the owner's red ferrari is parked at the front of the entrance!)

Belgium Beer Cafe

Floris Strawberry Beer

(An alcoholic version of strawberry jam doughnuts.)

Grove Juice

Chilled Squeezed Juice of Orange

(As I strolled around the heart of Brisbane CBD, I discovered a makeshift orange plantation where complementary bottles of orange juice were handed out to bystanders. It was entertaining to see girls juggling oranges, a violinist and even gymnastics being performed!)

Sakuraya
Green Tea Matcha and Taro Milk Tea
(I always have a soft spot for beautiful packaging, especially when it entails cherry blossom illustrations. Even if the drinks do not taste good, at least you have some eye candy.)

Juliet Pinot Grigio
(Enjoying a simple glass of white on my way back to Sydney.)

Jocelyn's Provisions*

"An unsuspecting destination for quality cakes, patisserie and fine ingredients.

Whether it be for a dedicated home cook or the professionals.

There is something for everyone!"

En route to Campos Coffee Cafe we made a pitt stop to stock on some delicious provisions. Upon first glance, the window glass display filled with colorful gift boxes prove to be misleading. Enter through glass doors into a quaint space filled with eatable delights in every corner. 

Provisions

(Parmesan Rounds for JS turned out to have an overbearingly intense parmesan aroma. I guess their namesake is precisely what one should expect- a round of parmesan!)

Sweet

(Let your eyes feast on rows of neatly arranged speciality cakes, ready for picking. Did I hear you say carrot cake, triple chocolate mud or bread & butter pudding?! All of the above, please!)

Savoury

(Lebanese Pizzas and Quiches served on a board resembling a baseball bat. Maybe it is a sign to play some sports after all consuming all this food!)

Roast Vegetable Quiche

(Pumpkin, potato, thyme, goats curd and baby spinach.)

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Jocelyn's Provisions

Shop 8, Centro on James Street

Fortitude Valley

(07) 3852 3799

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Curtains Drawn*

What can one expect to find behind the curtains of a changing room?
Something quite unexpected.
Lights on for a scene of browns, blacks and cream hues ~

Brisbane Farmers Market*

"It is a colorful bustling market selling fresh produce and food related objects.

It is a feel good grass roots experience with a social and community slant and a lot of fun.

It is a BIG, Bustling, Busy, open air food market 

that sells all the most interesting things under the sun."

To visit Q, my sister in another State, was merely a short flight away. A relaxing week where I escaped the busy streets of Sydney and enjoyed sunny winter days with a friendly, easier pace of life. Located in the heart of Brisbane CBD, a myriad of producers transformed Reddacliff Place into a vibrant farmer's market experience for locals and tourists- like myself!


Original German Bratwurst
(Chriberg Kransky. The unthinkable happened, indeed, every foodie's nightmare. I discovered a fly in my hot dog! After overcoming the initial shock, I eventually returned the following week for a Hot Hot Spitfire that thankfully did not have 'extra-unwanted-protein' hidden inside.)

 

Yummy Kettle Corn
(Extremely addictive popcorn combining the sweet and savoury. My first encounter with these bundles of joy was when Q brought some to Sydney for me to try a few months back. Since then my obsession has exponentially increased, and I shall continue the tradition by bringing some bags for my friends!)

Noosa Chocolate Factory
(Generous portions of fresh Rocky Road broken from a large palette of chocolate goodness that are individually packaged by hand. I never understood nor appreciated the magical combination of marshmellows, chocolate and turkish delight until I sampled this!)

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Jan Powers Farmers Market

Queen Street Mall, Brisbane

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