Mos Burger

http://www.mos.co.jp/english/overseas/storeinfo/australia/index.html

Everybody welcome another new competitor to the already heavily competitive fast food business - Mos Burger. Australia's first Mos burger store is now open for business at Sunnybank plaza, so us Brisbaneites should feel privileged especially me as it is a five minute drive from my house. When I first saw Mos Burger I really didn't think it was anything special, until I saw the people lining up outside waiting to be seated. I hate to say it but I never really gave Mos Burger a chance until my friend told me that it was one of Japans biggest fast food chains, so it had to be good. Today was my second time at Mos burger and it was today that i decided it was blog worthy. If your not a fast food / burger eater then its probably best you give it a miss, but for all the rest of us you have to give it a try. If your expecting a super sized whopper style meal then forget it, Mos Burger is fast food Japanese style, meals are small. Everything runs super smooth, how often at other places do we wait for ages or something goes wrong with our order, in typical Japanese style, everything is well organised and runs like clockwork, also the service is great and super friendly, and is equivalent as any restaurant. As soon as you enter you are met with a '' Welcome to MOS BURGER " by all staff members. The only downside is that you are fairly limited with choice of burgers, but I can assure you that what IS on offer is good. I have tried the self titled Mos burger, the wagu beef cheese burger the seafood rice burger and the beef yakiniku rice burger. In case you were wondering what a rice burger is, its pretty self explanatory, instead of the bun of the burger being bread, its sticky rice. If your thinking  that would be hard to eat...... its not, its actually easier to eat than bread so you can shove it down faster on occasions when your starving. Mos burger also offers soups and salads, and iced tea as well as your regular soft drinks, I would like to see one of Japans favourite soft drinks on offer. My recommendations would be the wagu beef cheese burger if you want a regular fast food burger, if you to go Japanese with your order, go for the beef yakiniku rice burger, its flavour is delicious. Frankly I can't shut up about Mos burger, Im telling everyone to go there and try it out and I can wait to go back. Although it is new and time will tell whether Mos burger is here to stay or whether it was a craze.

D.

Dell-Ugo - Dellllllllllicous

82 Grey Street, South Brisbane, Queensland.


http://www.dellugosouthbank.com.au/


Well my long awaited appearance at Dell-ugo finally arrived last week and it was everything I was hoping for. Located in South Bank, Dell-ugo is a fine dining Italian restaurant bringing class, elegance and quality. Dell-ugo is expensive, but you can certainly justify the prices as soon as you enter. The decor is classy and well designed, but we all go to restaurant for the food and the food is devine. My Mother and I shared a three course meal, for entree I had the calamari, they were generous with portion size but the taste, my god was delicious, the calamari literally melted in your mouth. For my main, I had the Home-made ricotta gnocchi w/ rabbit ragu & shaved parmesan it was beautiful, but my Mum had the Lasagna w/ crab meat, prawns, tomato, béchamel & parmesan served on a bed of tomato & béchamel sauce, defiantly the highlight. To top it all off for dessert we had the white chocolate mouse with almond biscuit and poached pear, washing it all down with two skinny cappuccino. Dell-ugo is a wine drinkers paradise, just take a look at the massive cellar at the back of the restaurant, there are over 150 Italian, Australian and New Zealand wines to choose from. If you are uneducated about wine ask for Yianni's recommendations. 


http://www.dellugosouthbank.com.au/brisbane-italian-restaurant-wine/wine_list/


The service is of the highest standard, faultless, again justifying the prices. If I had more money I would had tipped, which is rare because we Aussies never tip. If you do not wish to dine then at least go to Dell-Ugo for drinks, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the finer things in life whilst looking out at South Bank parklands and city views. Dell-Ugo would be a great place to propose, they also do wedding receptions and hold regular and special events. I will be back at Dell-Ugo for sure, I am not made of money but I am prepared to spend that money again to get the traditional fine dining experience, especially for authentic Italian cuisine. 




D. 

Crab lasagne & Ragu Gnocchi

 Gnocchi




White Choc Mousee.

Blackstar coffee

Blackstar coffee in West End are primarily coffee roasters but also a cafe in their own right.  Located in Thomas street off Vulture street, Blackstar coffee absolutely oozes character. You can find Blackstar coffee beans in a various Brisbane cafes, but I think Blackstar's cafe is a one of a kind and an escape from reality. Open 7 days opening at 7am till late, to get the full experience go on a Sunday. You will find all types of life, with people watching more entertaining than a broadway musical, at Blackstar you can certainly be yourself. I ordered a skinny cap and a interesting pastry dish called boloni. My cappuccino was very strong, very different to anything I've had lately, very bitter . My highlight was my boloni ( not to be confused with the american sausage ) an indescribable dish but certainly a must. Instead of receiving a table number, staff will hand you either a board game token or a toy. The crowd is very diverse, but mainly alternative and musical, with ages ranging from late teens to late 60's, also very gay friendly. If your sitting at home on a Sunday twiddling your thumbs and wanting some social interaction, wonder on down to Blackstar coffee.

D.

The Boloni - Mmmmm

Archive - West End

http://www.archivebeerboutique.com.au/

100 Boundary Street West End Brisbane, Ph: 3844 3419.

If you're a beer and cider lover then you have to get your drink on at Archive in West End.  If you're tired of the same old traditional Aussie beers in Brisbane's watering holes and you especially love a good pale ale, then Archive will be heaven for you. Located below Uber on Boundary Street Archive is a brilliant place to check out. Whether you are looking for a night out or a place to have lunch, Archive will definitely make you want to return. Offering the finest of local and overseas beers according to their website Archive has, "eight constantly rotating draught beers on tap and over 200 different bottled beers in our bar fridges ,as well as another 100 or so more beers are available in our Next Door Cellar bottle-shop". Can it get much better than is?. It's also nice to see passion in a workplace and this is quite obvious at Archive. Every little detail has been gone into such as the interior design through to their beer selection and bistro menu. Book shelves full of old novels and hard covered Readers Digests run along the back wall. Another wall is layered with recycled paper comic books but where it really gets impressive is the bar itself. Although it is hard to describe imagine a bar tiled with leather bound books. A big plus for me is the pool tables and darts boards, personally I love a game of pool over a few beers and everywhere you go there is always a snooker hotshot ready to challenge you to a game. I haven't yet come across one of these types at Archive and to be honest I dont think I will. 


In terms of food, Archive's bistro offers vibrant tasty dishes. The mains are big meals and as an alternative I would even suggest maybe sharing a couple of entrée's and I think there is more variety on offer on the entré menu anyway. There are also plenty of vegetarian and gluten free dishes. 


I don't think I have seen  a bar in Brisbane with such uniqueness and Archive could certainly give Melbourne a run for their money.  Archive is becoming very popular from Wednesday through to Sunday night and I have seen Archive petty crowded with people. Service is 1st class and for now I can't find a bad thing to say about Archive. 


D.

Thai Essence Cafe

2/130 Bennett's Road Brisbane - 3398 1399 Open Daily 9am-5pm

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Thai-Essence-Day-Spa-Cafe/146896455320774

When I first came across Thai Essence I was driving on Bennetts road and noticed a sign announcing 'duck wraps available here' and couldn't resist checking it out. After taking a closer look I found the appeal of the place was very alluring. Formally a house, Thai Essence has a very comfortable feel. There are two seating areas, one located in the front of the shop, in a lounge setting and the other an outside courtyard. Surrounded in greenery and traditional Thai statues, the courtyard is a perfect place to escape. Without fail I always order the duck wrap, and it never lets me down. Thai Essence also offers a variety of food, including asian salads, they also do breakfast. Segafreda is the brand of coffee they use (which is one of my favourites) and the Thai essence staff certainly make a good cappucino. Their service is faultless,  quick and quiet. Thai Essence also has a day spa for massages and beauty treatment. A big plus for me is that there is FREE parking, located at the rear of the building. Overall Thai essence is a great experience and ideal for wanting an escape from the house or work. Check It Out!

D.

Oishii Sushi Bar - 10 out of 10!

Oishii Sushi Bar 2/70 Pinelands Road Sunnybank Hills PH: (07) 3423 7774


Oishii sushi is not only the best sushi I've had in Brisbane but possibly the best sushi I've tasted anywhere. I look forward to the day my opinion is changed but until that day the crown stays with Oishii. Located on the southside in Sunnybank Hills you'll find Oishii tucked away in a tiny little shopping centre on Pinelands road. If you are a lover of sushi than you have to make the journey out to Sunnybank Hills and give Oishii a go. These days Im a little over sushi trains, I find them too hot n cold and are always inconsistent with their freshness of the sushi. Oishii is a sushi bar made fresh as you order. Never once have i been disappointed with service and more importantly the food. When I go to Oishii I usually order the Himawari and spider roll. The Spider roll is particularly yummy its contains a soft shell crab filling rolled in japanese fishcake and egg. Today I ordered the Unagi Maki ( eel ) at first I was a little hesitant to try eel but I was glad i did, wrapped in a egg omelette the Maki is a new favourite. I also find the ginger and wasabi served with it quite tasty, i usually hate the taste of wasabi but at Oishii I can nibble on it without dry reaching. My other recommendations would be the Avaocado Fantasy, Red Bull and the Snake roll. If whoever you are dining with dosent like sushi, Oishii offers plenty of curry and rice dishes as well as another favourite of mine the Omu yakisoba which is fired noodle again wrapped in omelette deliciousssssss. Parking is a complete nightmare, I find it almost impossible to get a park so if you cant get a park in the allocated spaces, park at the pinelands shopping centre and simply walk down. Oishii is open for lunch and dinner but closing in between the two sittings, they are also closed Mondays. Everybody go to Oishii where your money will be well spent 10 out of 10.  


D.

Browndog Cafe @ The Gabba

http://www.browndogcafe.com.au/


Browndog Cafe 54 Logan Rd Wolloongabba Ph: 3891 7355


I might have said this before but the Browndog Cafe would have to be one my favourite cafes in Brisbane. If i cannot think of somewhere new to go i will always go to the Browndog, Why? because I know Im going to get great coffee, food and defiantly great service. When eating at cafes i always try to reframe from ordering sandwiches because i think i can make them better myself, but at the Browndog i am proven wrong. Made from freshly delivered bread in the mornings all of Browndog's sandwiches are beautiful and offer something different. They are generous with the fillings and are neatly presented and  you get your value for money which is what we are all after. I have also eaten breakfast which passed in flying colours, i opted for the ever present eggs benedict which again is making me hungry whilst typing. I also love the layout and the design of the Browndog, in-particular the seating on the right hand side of the building facing the street. I could sit there for hours and drink my coffee and read a book especially in the wonderful autumn weather Brisbane is currently having. There is street parking but unfortunately you have to pay but if your quick you can get away with it. I wish i worked or lived around the Gabba so i could be more of a Browndog Cafe regular. 


D.