Truffle Pig Watering Holes

Best places for a drink….. or 10….

The Park Pop Up Bar ….

By talesofatrufflepig in Arts & Entertainment, Rave Reviews.... hopefully, Sydney, Truffle Pig Watering Holes No Comments

The Park Pop Up Bar

As the temperature drops I am holding onto dear life to every bit of warmth and sunshine that is left. There is no better place to do this than in Sydney’s latest pop up bar, The Park.

The pack from Pelicano and The Island have joined forced and are responsible for this this garden delight found inside Centennial Park next to the Paddington entry. It is dog friendly, kid friendly but most of all, it is fun. This fun is facilitated by huge cocktails jugs that are so big you can almost swim in them, and wheel barrows full of peronis. So, pack the bags, head for the park and settle in for a delicious night of cheese boards, roasted pork and good times.

The Park pop up bar is open Wednesday to Friday from midday until 10pm and will shut shop on June 2.

Oink Oink,

Truffle Pig.

New Year, New Beer – March…

By talesofatrufflepig in Truffle Challenges, Truffle Pig Watering Holes 2 Comments Tags: , , , ,

You will notice that this month I went to the lovely little city, Adelaide, home to Coopers beer which was enjoyed over the weekend of festivals. WOMad and The Fringe were so much fun; I am already looking forward to next year. I also had the pleasure of attending my first Taste festival and I it definitely won’t be my last – I had an awesome day, which turned into night tasting some of the best food and wine from across the world (lots of African beer this month!). Beers up!

1.       Sapporo, JAP – an iconic beer form the land of great food and in this case, great beer

2.       Thomas Coopers Selection, SA – Good ‘ol fashioned pale ale

3.       Coopers 62, SA – dense, rich and I couldn’t drink 62 of them

4.       Coopers 5 Seeds, SA – Another variation of a much loved SA Great brewery

5.       Coopers Clear, SA – Just like the rest of the Coopers family, only clear

6.       Dr Tims, SA – Drinking Tim out of a tinny – you don’t get much more aussie than that!

7.       The Hills Cider Company, SA – Made from freshly picked fruit from the Adeliade Hills, no complaints here

8.       Pacifico Clara Cerveza, MEX – A happy, hoppy pilsner beer

9.       Tusker African Lager Beer, KEN – I like the beer more than I like tusking

10.   Tusker Malt Lager, KEN – Made from 100% African ingredients, it was refreshing as the salesman himself (legend!)

11.   Sail & Anchor Boats Bind Amber Ale, WA – great branding and taste

12.   Sail & Anchor Larks Foot Golden Ale, WA – awesome name, and my favourite from this brewer

13.   Sail & Anchor Monkey Fist Pale Ale, WA – The flavour is far better than a fist to the trotter

14.   Wiked Cider, QLD – another boutique apple cider on the market… still not sick of them!

15.   Sail & Anchor, WA –

16.   Crabbies Spiced Orange Ginger Beer – a beer meets vodka cruise flavour – it gets my vote!

17.   Reef Blonde, QLD – blondes have more fun, even when they are beer

18.   Blue Sky Pilsner, QLD – Award winning, clean refreshing taste

19.   FNQ Lager, QLD – Nothin’ bogan about this brand, other than the taste of this beer

20.   Cairns Gold, QLD – Robust flavours, but not flavours for me

21.   ELK Pear Cider – Sweeeeeeet, far too sweet for this little piggy

22.   Hang Man Pale Ale by The Rocks Brewing Company, SYD – good balance of hanging between bitter and sweet

23.   Convict Lager by The Rocks Brewing Company, SYD – Dark, brooding, just like a convict

24.   Boxer Red Ale by The Rocks Brewing Company, SYD – Punches some chocolatey flavours

25.   Australian Beer Company Cider – I think I have found a new fridge staple, freshingly delicious!

26.   Balmain Brewery Pale Ale, SYD – Pales in comparison to other pale ales

27.   Balmain Brewery Pilsner, SYD – Not to bitter and even tastes a little nutty

28.   ELK Cider Berries & Lime, VIC – Tasting more berries than I am lime, great on ice but too sweet to repeat

29.   Grand Ridge Natural Blonde, VIC – Taste a little like coriander… which I love!

30.   Grand Ridge Wheat Beer, VIC – heavy and, you guessed it, wheat!

31.   Grand Bridge Pale Ale, VIC – Smooth, refreshing and full of flavour

Oink oink

Truffle Pig.

Southbank’s best ….

By talesofatrufflepig in Brisbane, Rave Reviews.... hopefully, Truffle Pig Watering Holes 1 Comment

Remember the days when Soutbank was once a place hated by locals and visited only by tourists? I remember those painful Sunday shifts I used to do in 38 degree heat at Cold Rock Icecreamery, mashing up Tim Tams into a litre cookie dough icecream at a time for the families visiting out of town, showing their  kids the ‘big smoke’ and swimming at the man made beach, they were not fond memories.

But these days, Southbank has become a trendy hub for locals wanting to indulge in some amazing food any time of day, and be entertained by the diverse people watching at hand or of course, enjoy a drink at one of the numerous bogan-less bars around the place. As a result, over the past few years I have done plenty of market research, and here is the short list of Southbank’s Best:

Piaf:


When it comes to food and wine, you can rely on the French to nail it. And Piaf looks taste like it has been teleported from Paris as they believe in fresh produce, butter and operate under the philosophy that less is more. The seasonal menu provides you with a few options for each meal, all of which are on the smaller side when it comes to portion size, but leaves you feeling satisfied rather than stuffed. The breakfast menu’s stars of the show are the Avocado on sourdough w with roasted sweet corn and coriander salsa and the porcini omelette with truffle oil. Or if you’re looking for a meal later in the day, the dinner menu is ever changing and inclusive of rich orange infused duck dishes and perfectly cooked steaks with buttery sides.

Piaf on Urbanspoon

Sardine Tin:

If you’re looking for a night cap and cheese board dessert after a meal at Piaf, you can head to their sister bar Sardine Tin, the optimum place to set up shop and watch the world go by once the sun goes down. You can get a tasting plate full of cheese, quince and crisp breads and team it with a selection of cured meats and house marinated olives. If that doesn’t do the job, the Soy braised pork belly sandwich with kimchi and a bowl of the kipfler potato fires with chipotle mayo will certainly do the job…. beats going to Cold Rock, that is for sure!

Sardine Tin on Urbanspoon

Ole:

The first thing I think of when someone says Spain is TAPAS and the second thing that comes to mind is SANGRIA. Thankfully I don’t need to travel across the world to find them, I can just head to Ole and enjoy some lethal but delicious sangria (concocted with either red or white wine) and some delicious small, overpriced dishes to share with friends. But I would head here for the amazing drinks, atmosphere and stuffed olives rather than a full meal.

Ole Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Popolo:

Inspired by old roman romance, Popolo has certainly seduced me. At the moment I don’t think there is any better place to enjoy a long, lazy lunch with friends on a weekend. The best place to start is with one of their perfectly shaken espresso martinis or Mojitos to ensure you have the energy to power through the lengthy lunch, then of course the share plates, the stand out being the pork and beef meats balls and aranchini balls. For the main, you can’t go paste the suckling pig share dish with apple peach compote – it will fall apart in your mouth and leave you wanting more. If you have a large group, fill in the gaps with their perfect potatoes (uber crunchy out, super soft inner) or wafer thin pizzas topped with only the most gourmet toppings. You will be amazing by how cheap the bill is at the end of it once you have eaten and drunk the day away.

Popolo on Urbanspoon

Bestie Burgers:

I may not be an expert of wine, coffee or caviar, but I know my way around a burger and consider myself quiet the expert when it comes to gourmet burgers. Bestie Boys have led the way the likes of Grill’s pale in any comparison. The burgers are everything a burger should be – a parcel of juicy, beefy goodness topped with the best ingredients you can imagine. The highlights are the The frenchie burger which are loaded with a melted rocqueforte cheese and onion jam, or the Spice Route burger which is layered with spiced sweet potato, haloumi and hommus. You will return time and time again, trust me.

Beastie Burgers on Urbanspoon

 

Oink Oink,

Truffle Pig.

Brisbane’s Best New Bars …

By talesofatrufflepig in Brisbane, Rave Reviews.... hopefully, Truffle Pig Watering Holes 2 Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

brisbane

On a few recent trips to my old stomping ground, BrisVegas, I was blown away by the amount of change there has been over the past six months since moving to Sydney. Naturally, I made a concerted effort to try all the newest places for cool cocktails and delicious dishes. Here is the list of all the hottest new bars around town:

Riverbar and Kitchen:

Once I found out Boardwalk Bar was shutting down, I was disappointed as I loved the river-side drinking on an afternoon down there. But it was a blessing in disguise because now Matt Moran has waved his magic wand and converted this prime real estate into a sleek new watering hole for Brisbane-ites. The name is self-explanatory – the venue pays homage to its water front location, the theme is boat shed beauty and they have buckets and prawns and cocktail jugs to match.
Riverbar & Kitchen on Urbanspoon

Alfred and Constance

Nothing screams Brisbane more than a Queenslander conversion. This old house on the corner of Alfred and Constance street has been revamped into a thriving tiki themed bar where all the ‘cool kids’ are now hanging out. The space is huge, but not big enough to accommodate the crowds that are flocking here for the cocktails and suckling pig. It takes forever to get a great, but has a great vibe. I can’t wait to return when the crowds have died for a lazy roof top session in the sun.
Alfred and Constance on Urbanspoon

At Sixes and Sevens

Another stella house conversion of Brisbane’s most fashionable strip, James Street. The Cru Bar crew are responsible for this little gem, and you can tell by their sleek and sophisticated fit out and wine-adorned walls. You will also find a great bar menu perfect for sharing that includes pork and fennel sausage rolls with apple sauce and cheese boards (up to three varieties) accompanied with quince and flat bread.
At Sixes and Sevens on Urbanspoon

Pony Lounge and Dining

The name of name sense as soon as I stepped into the ranch inspired space filled with furniture and fit out made from beautiful timbers, leathers and hides. The outdoor bar and terrace has unrivalled river views and is the perfect place for an after work drink to settle into the weekend. Try the William Wallace cocktail, it is completely orgiainla and made from gin, grape fruit, orange and vanilla, perfect for those without a sweet tooth (like me!).
Pony Dining Eagle Street Pier on Urbanspoon

Loft

I have spent a few fateful nights in this space before when it was Uber, a rowdy uni student haunt, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it is now a NYC-style bar with an impressive wine and cocktail list. It is conveniently located above on of my favourite bars, Archive, but if you want to get away from the crowds or not a fan of craft beer, head here.
Loft West End on Urbanspoon

Green Becon Brewting Co.

The craft beer craze isn’t showing any signs of slowing down as more and more microbreweries are popping up all over the place. This isn’t a ‘place to be seen’ scene, but a great post for those that appreciate a good brew, because the beers on offer are brewed right there in front of you in revamped old industrial space, to add the Teneriffe’s old-to-new charm.
Green Beacon Brewing Co on Urbanspoon

Next Door Kitchen and Bar

Once a flavourless tourist trap, Southabnk has come into its own in recent years with great new bars and restureants taking reign. The newest addition to the clan, Next Door Kitchen and Bar, offering a range of premium ciders and quirky cocktails. If that doesn’t get you excited, the parmesan and truffled fires will… YUM!
Next Door Kitchen & Bar on Urbanspoon

Oink oink,

Truffle pig.

Queenie’s of the Forresters

By talesofatrufflepig in Rave Reviews.... hopefully, Sydney, Truffle Pig Watering Holes No Comments Tags: , , , , , ,

The young pub gurus who we can thank for the Norfolk, The Flinders, the Abercrombie and the Carrington are also the brains behind Surry Hills hottest bar (and bar tenders), The Forresters. Women flock here to flirt with the tatt covered owners, while the men are attracted to the rare sight of a pub filled with females… and food – not sure which are better though.

The pub downstairs are a certain non-pub feel to it though, more like a classic Italian restaurant with plasma TVs, beer on tap and the quint essential smoking area filled with drunken fools out the front. But if you’re hungry, looking for an escape from the busy bar or place to start a big night out, Forresters restaurant is just what you’re looking for!

The menu is huge, casual and full of fun fillings. The pizzas are charred to perfection, thinner than Kate Moss and flavoursome. You can also get Rueben sandwiches made from the daily rosisster meat and a basket of crinkle cut fries covered in pulled pork and melted cheese… Just when I thought fries couldn’t get any better.

If Italiana pub food ain’t your thang, head on up to Queenies, the address’s new addition which is the equivalent to taking a holiday to the Bahamas with your grandma…. In a good way. The food is more tropical than a pineapple, and the décor is more retro than a record. But don’t bother packing your bikini on this holiday – the food is fried, plentiful and absolutely delicious.

For mains we shared the BBQ jerk chicken served with jungle slaw and sweet potato fries and the fried pork burger with pinable, both were HUGE, tasty and were washed down well with the tropical beer, Palmer Cristal. But the highlight of the meal was the cevechi made of snapper, avocado, mango and chilli – tangy, fresh, full of flavour and all devoured with accompanies corn chips – if this is what eating in the Caribbean is like, I need to book my ticket!

Oink Oink,

Truffle Pig.

The Forresters, Surry Hills:

Queenies on Urbanspoon

Queenies , Surry Hills:

The Forresters on Urbanspoon

1 2 3 4