Top 5: Brisbane’s Best Pizzas….

By talesofatrufflepig in Brisbane, Rave Reviews.... hopefully No Comments

 

pizza

1. Beccofino

The owner of Beccofino is your typical Italian – passion, firey and a wizard when it comes to preparing pizza. He has perfected the art of “less is more” with his thin crust bases, fresh ingredients and scarce use of the freshest mozzerella you can find. The chilli and prawn with rocket and pork and fennel sausage pizzas are the winners for me. But make sure you get there early to get a seat on the weekends or be prepared to sit by and watch the beautiful people of Teneriffe from the bar while you wait.

Beccofino on Urbanspoon

2. Two sisters

Two Sisters is casual suburban eating at its best. This hole-in-the-wall in Milton is a secret spot of mine that I don’t tell many people about, but now I am a Sydney-sider I will spill the beans. These pizzas are delicious – they’re not to heavy and a good mixture of meat and seafood options. Or, if you want both, get the Happy Bill – perfect combination of prawns, bacon and veggies. Two Sisters is an ideal place for a BYO dinner or a lazy night in with a takeaway pizza.

Two Sisters Pizza on Urbanspoon

3. The Burrow

The Burrow is the cool new kid on the block in West End. Every hipster is lining up to get pizza while marveling over the extensive craft beer menu and each other beards, perhaps that is why the service sucks. But, you’re there for the pizza and they are close to perfect! Packed to the brim, these pizzas are filled with all kinds different toppings that will have you stumped on what to order. My pick of the pizzas is the Aphrodite with prosciutto, gorgonzola, walnut, fig and spinach. Or you can always get a herd of hipsters to go with you and order one of everything.

The Burrow on Urbanspoon

4. Arriva

Arriva has changed management more times than I have rolled in mud over the past few years and their food as often suffered. But these days they are back on the pizza wagon and punching out plenty of fabulous flatbased fun. The toppings are generous and full of flavour, but opt to eat in because the base can get a little soggy on the go. My favourite choices are the Dolomiti with mozzarella, smoked ham, truffled mushrooms and asiago cheese or the 4 formaggi pizza. Belissimo!

Arriva on Urbanspoon

5. Il Posto

Rumour has it the second in charge at Beccofino has had enough of his boss and packed up ship to Paddington. Unsurprising considering the menu and décor of both pizzerias are almost identical. But, not complaints from me, Paddington is closer to home and makes pizzas almost as perfect and its predecessor. My advice would be to avoid the white base pizza (who the hell wants pizza without sauce?) and order the classic capricciosa
 tomato, mozzarella, ham, mushroom, artichokes, black olives.

Il Posto on Urbanspoon

 

Oink oink,

Truffle Pig.

10 ways to cook left over Christmas ham….

By talesofatrufflepig in Truffle Pig's Recipes No Comments Tags: , , , , ,

10 ways to cook left over Christmas ham….

 

Christmas is the best time of the year. Not because of the sunny weather, time with family or presents (if you’re lucky enough), but because there is so much ham. Ham make same happy but I have found myself struggling to know what to do with it after the big day. So, here are 10 hot tips on how to turn your ham outside down and impress the relatives with your creativity in the kitchen.

  1. Frittata  – The perfect meal for breakfast or lunch. Whisk some eggs, add some spinach, feta and ham, then bake and you have yourself a very merry meal.
  2. Fried rice – Sick of cold meats and salads over summer? Get your Asian fix by making traditional combination fried rice but use ham instead of BBQ pork – perfection!
  3. Pea and Ham soup – bit bloated in your bikini? Soup is the solution! Carb free and full of fun.
  4. Carbonara – grill the ham like you would with your bacon or pancetta and make a carbonara.
  5. Pizza – get a nice pizza base and throw a bunch of leftovers on it. Or keep it simple with ham, cheese and pineapple. The perfect summer pizza.
  6. Parmigiana – got left over chicken or turkey too? Have some ham on top with some tomato sauce and cheese, throw it in the oven and you have yourself a classic meal, Christmas style!
  7. Savory muffins – my favourite would have to be zucchini and ham. Perfect for an on-the-go meal for when you’re heading to the beach.
  8. Toasted sandwich – sounds basic but if you’re feeling lazy after too much “eggnog” after Christmas, this is the perfect quick fix.
  9. Ham and salad. Keep it simple, pick any salad and throw ham on top. My favourites are spinach, pear, gorgonzola and walnut or the classic caprese.
  10. Ham. Yep to me it is perfect. Slice straight off and eat it all on its lonesome. Or gnaw off the bone when no one is watching…. I promise not to judge.

Oink oink,

Truffle Pig.

Top 5: New Farm’s Best Breakfast….

By talesofatrufflepig in Brisbane, Rave Reviews.... hopefully 2 Comments Tags: , , , ,

Cirque
Cirque can do no wrong in my eyes – they have been serving me some of my most beloved breakfasts for years now and after what is usually a 20 minute wait to get in (always worth it), I am always greeted with a friendly smile and fantastic food. The French-Aussie couple who are running the joint are clearly passionate about what they do, this is obvious from their animated recital of the special boards which usually includes things like oven baked omelettes, black pudding or seaweed with eggs. Although I love their enthusiasm for their specials as much as their coffee, I always opt for my favourite menu items like the corn fritters with bacon and a poached egg and the eggs Benedict.
Cirque on Urbanspoon

Campos
Campos Coffee are not only dominating Queensland’s premium coffee market, they have made a name for themselves for making some of Brisbane’s best breakfast. Tucked away behind the James Street markets, Campos coffee storage/café is the city’s worst kept secret, with a flurry of people coming in and out for takeaway coffee or sitting down for seriously big servings. The menu changes seasonally, always featuring something for those with sweet teeth or savoury snouts, like the piles of perfect pancakes or ham hash on toast with poached eggs and rich hollandaise. Either way you will leave happy, incredibly full and coming back for more.
Campos Coffee - Valley on Urbanspoon

Harvey’s
The meeting place for yummy mummies on James Street is one of the nicest locations in the city, with an open, sleek space rolling onto the lawn of New Farm’s most stylish precinct, James Street. The portions aren’t huge, so this is the perfect place if you don’t want to expand the pork belly on a nice, sunny day. My favourite breakfast here is the potato and feta rosti served with creamed corn (bet you won’t find that on any other breakfast plate around Brisbane!), herb pesto and a perfectly poached egg on top –breakfast bliss!
Harvey's Bar & Bistro on Urbanspoon

Little Larder
Little Larder is the quintessential New Farm café found on one of the the suburb’s leafy streets; it is a place the locals like to call their own…. Shame the rest of Brisbane does too. Sprawling on the street’s foot path, there is always plenty of pigs waiting to pull up a crate to sit on, especially on weekennds. The service is efficient, making the long lines bearable. If you’re feeling ravenous, order ‘The Lot’ – as the name suggests you will get tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, eggs, roast and a beautiful bronzed hash brown for the belly. Or another favourite of mine is their pesto scrambled eggs with bacon, oink oink!
Little Larder on Urbanspoon

Vine
Better known for their amazing Italian food, Vine also serves spectacular breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays. Away from the hustle and bustle of busy Brunswick Street, Vine is the perfect spot to enjoy some peace and quiet, read the paper and pig out! They have some old favourites and Italian style dishes; my top pick is the “Italian Breakfast”, two eggs fried in Napoli sauce served with toasted ciabatta (and of course, I order bacon on the side), or the sautéed garlic field mushrooms served with flavoursome feta. A little slice of Italian charm in New Farm, belissimo!
Vine on Urbanspoon

Oink oink,

Truffle Pig.

Nothing Wong with Mr. Wong ……

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

Mr Wong’s, a dumpling dynasty I have been drooling over for months looking at photos and reading about it in magazines and blogs everywhere. Now, with my new office just a hop, skip and peking duck away, I made sure I arrived at 5:30 on a Tuesday to beat the crowds (they don’t take bookings for small parties, be warned!). The fit out is nothing short of amazing. Down the back of a very Melbourne-eske alley, this dumpling dungeon is a modern regeneration of an old space with a traditional chinese twist.
 
Perched up on the bar I was able to see the chefs at work, pumping out dishes faster than you can say ‘fried-rice’ and roasting the variety of meats in the mammoth sized oven. If you’re curious about what type of meats I am referring to you can have a look for yourself. Hanging in the glass cabinets you will find ducks, parts of pigs (oink!) and chickens, they even follow you right to the bathroom where the “draining” process is taking place… quite fitting I guess.
 
Now, to the important stuff! To celebrate the fact is was Tuesday afternoon and my arrival at Mr. Wong’s I ordered the strawberry and mint cocktail, a chilled, fruity concoction l perfect for summer. Watch out though, these go down like liquid gold and they don’t come cheap! To start, it was imperative we order the dumplings, so we did just that. At lunch you can order them how you like in true Yum Cha tradition, but for dinner you only have the option of ordering a platter of 8 inclusive of 4 of the best dumplings which changes daily. They were all perfect parcels and Cantonese creativity but my favourite was definitely the prawn and chive.
 
We were stumped when it came to the mains so after some consulting with our very friendly waitress we decided on half a roast duck, kung pao chicken and special fried rice. The fried rice was perfection – the perfectlymixed fresh pea, shallot, pork and king prawns tumbled through it and cracked egg to complete the dish. It was absent from the gluggy, greasy rice you find in so many chinese restaurants. It was the  perfect foundation for the kung pao chicken, which was the highlight for me. The tender chicken pieces were wok tossed with shallots, died chillies, pepper sauce and the roasted peanuts.
 
I had high hopes for the duck, and although it was delicious, it was too much hard work for me. But by that time, my bloated belly was a good distraction from the disappointment. Until of course, the waitress suggested Mr Wong’s deep-fried vanilla ice cream with butterscotch sauce… How could I possibly resist? Cracking open the crisp exterior and watching the creamy, melted goodness ooze into the rich, caramel butterscotch sauce was like watching XXX rated food porn. I felt looking and feeling like a pig, but I figure, it is good practise for Christmas!
 
The bitter: The Duck a lot of money for a lot of fat and bones (i recommend getting the pekking duck pancakes instead!)
The Sweet: Cocktail – amazing. Fried rice – perfect. Kung pao chicken – exquisite. Deep fried icecream – life changing.
The damage: Considerable but worth it. Our bill, including too much food a few drinks came to $180 for 2 people.
 
Oink oink,
 
Truffle Pig.

Mr Wong on Urbanspoon

Brisbane’s Best CBD Lunches….

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

Cheap Eats

Sparrow & Finch:

Sparrow & Finch is the perfect place for either a takeaway lunch or a catch up with fellow pigs on your lunch break. My favourite thing to order from the big, beautiful presented cabinets are the range of salads, which change daily. The ceaser, roast vegetable and Asian noodle salads are my top picks. But if you are feeling super hungry, you can order a mammoth burger (beef or chicken) served with chips. I would avoid the sandwiches, although they look tempting, they are too front-loaded for my linking (aka, they look jam packed with ingredients but in reality, they are mostly bread). Price: $7 for medium salad.

Sparrow & Finch – 100 Creek St Cnr Adelaide St, Brisbane, QLD 4000

Sparrow & Finch on Urbanspoon

FantAsia:

I am a sucker for an Asian soup so Fantasia made my life a lot easier when they opened earlier this year and now they are all popping up all over the city! My pick is the prawn wonton soup (you can add BBQ pork for an extra $2), it is clean, clear and fresh, ideal for those days when you are feeling a little heavy or in the mood for something hot. All wontons and dumplings are made on premises, as is the amazing malayasian chilli sauce. Don’t let the long lines deter you, they move quicker than you can say ‘soy sauce’. Price: $9.50 for a soup.

Fantasia – Macarthur Chambers food court (Lvl 1/255 Queen St), Brisbane, QLD 4000

FantAsia on Urbanspoon

PourBoy:

As the name suggests the guys here are coffee lovers and the proof is in their pudding. But, considering I am more of a food enthusiastic than a bean hunter I was more blown away by their food. I am a serious sandwich enthusiast so I was thrilled when I found Pourboy who do one of the best Ploughman sandwiches I have ever had –  stuffed with leg ham, vintage cheddar and pickle on grainy bread. If you are looking for something lighter they do a great caprese salad. Price: $10 for a sandwich, $18 for a salad.

PourBoy Expresso – 26 Wharf Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.pourboy.com.au
PourBoy Espresso on Urbanspoon

AJ Vietnamese:

This hole in the wall is a well-known and well-loved amongst the Vietnamese obsessed community of Brisbane. They do the classics well including the spring rolls, vermecilli salads and soups. I recommend the spicy beef pho or the grilled chicken salad, both jam packed with meat, salad, herbs and noodles. Get there early if you want a seat or call ahead for takeaway. If you’re a spice lover, tell them to make it HOT! Price: All soups are under $10

AJ Vietnamese Noodle House – 70 Charlotte Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000
AJ Vietnamese Noodle House on Urbanspoon

Brew:

Brew is one of the many not-so-new restaurants in Brisbane Burnette Lane, what seems to be continue to be all the rage for city-goers. This basement café is a great place to hide away from bad weather and eat some amazing and amazingly cheap food on your break. The sandwiches are all classics and done well, my picks are the turkey with cranberry sauce and roast beef. But my favourite lunch option here is the avocado and halumi salad. Price: all under $10.

Brew – Lower Burnett Lane, Brisbane, QLD 4000 – http://brewgroup.com.au/
Brew on Urbanspoon

 

Moderate Meals

Jude:

This is the ideal casual Friday lunch spot, it is located within the thriving Eagle Street Pier precinct on the river, without the big price tag. Jude has a range of different salads that change daily and you can team these with pies, quiches or Jude’s balls (thai chicken, risotto, Morrocan lamb or lentil). But for me, Jude is all about big beautiful burgers. My favourite is the Brissy Beef Beetroot Burger which is a made with a huge meat pattie (made fresh in-house) with beetroot, salad and served with crisp, beer battered chips, perfectly accompanied with their aioli. Price: Burger with chips or salad $15.

Jude – Eagle Street Pier, 45 Eagle Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.judebrisbane.com.au
Jude on Urbanspoon

Verve:

Who would have thought that the basement of the arts factory would make such great Italian food? Don’t let the dark and dingy space scare you because the food is phenomenal. My usual go-to dish is the poached chicken fettuccini in a rich creamy sauce with english spinach and roasted almond flakes stirred through. Be prepared for a food coma because most of the dishes are as heavy as they are delicious. Price: around $20 for a bowl of pasta

Verve Café and Cider House – 109 Edward St, Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.vervecafe.com

Verve Restaurant Bar Cider House on Urbanspoon

Malt:

My old office was right around the corner from malt and my colleagues and I found any excuse to go there to enjoy a great meal and atmosphere in a stunning setting. The specials board is always what captures my attention and I can thank it for one of the best prawn laksas I have ever had! But the steak sandwich is a consistent favourite, the lavin bread is melded together with beautiful gruyere cheese and caramalised onions. The braised beef cheeks, placed on perfectly creamy mash are also a winning dish. Price: all meals are are between $15-$20.

Malt Dining – 28 Market Street Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.maltdining.com.au
Malt Dining on Urbanspoon

Hanaichi:

Hanaichi is better than your normal run-of-the-mill sushi train, it makes sushi because it prepares sushi, sashimi and dumpling fresh to order, as well as delicious option that pass by on the rail tracks. This is my top pick for when I am n the mood for something healthy, so I can’t go past a mixed sashimi salad and a miso soup. Or if sushi is more your thing, go for  their tempura prawn, chicken and avocado and soft shell crab rolls. Price: Miso and a salad cost about $20.

Hanaichi Sushi Bar and Dining – Winter Garden, Queen St, Brisbane, QLD 4000 - www.hanaichi.com.au
Hanaichi Sushi Bar + Dining on Urbanspoon

Richards & Richards:

This place doesn’t just sell perfectly tailored suits, they also cook perfectly crafted meals ranging from poached chicken salads, spaghetti with prawns, thin crust pizzas and gourmet sandwiches. I have tried all of the above and they are all worth a return visit but the winning dish for me is the crispy chicken burger with bacon, avocado and aioli – perfect for those days when you are feeling ravenous. Price: Sandwiches are $12, everything else is closer to $20.

Richards & Richards Café – 214 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, 4000 – www.richardsandrichards.com.au/#/cafe

Expensive Eats

Il Centro:

Arguably Brisbane’s best restaurant, Il Centro has survived the GFC, one plate of sand crab lasagne at a time. This long standing institution has a wine list as impressive as the view, serving some of the city’s best sea food and steaks. The menu is long and I lust over it, but I can never go past their famous lasagne – lashings of fresh pasts sheets layered with crab and the most delicious and devilish sauce you will ever taste. If creatures of the sea aren’t your thing, opt for the parmesan crumbed veal with carbonara and wilted spinach, trust me, it tastes as good as it sounds. Price: Main meals are around $40.

Il Centro Restaurant and Bar – Eagle Street Pier, 45 Eagle Street – Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.il-centro.com.au
Il Centro on Urbanspoon

Moo Moos:

As the name suggests this restaurants is all about beef and its meals are as big as the restaurant itself. The grand venue is part of the Stanford Hotel and has impressive cabinets of beef and wine adorning the walls, leading diners into the bar, resturant and private dining booths. My suggestion would be to order with your piggy friends and get a spice rubbed 1kg wagyu rump to share and a bunch of sides. The steak is brought out and sliced in front of you and is perfectly accompanied with tempura onion rings with smokey BBQ sauce, a iceberg wedge salad and the best thing of all, truffled parmesan shoe fries. Price: approximately $40 per person.

Moo Moos Wine Bar + Grill – 39 Edward St, Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.moomoosrestaurant.com.au

Moo Moo The Wine Bar + Grill At The Port Office on Urbanspoon

Sake:

Sake was created and runs on the following values –  precision, organisation and respect. The food and fit out are reflective of this, brilliantly executed, made with car and absolutely stunning. Pigs have the option to dine at the bar, in the main restaurant or a traditional sunken banquet table, private dining room or intimate booth, all are the perfect place to celebrate something special. I opt for all my favourites when I go here – sashimi tasting plate, featuring my favourite raw calamari, edemame, beef tataki with garlic chips and snow peas and miso, a little piece of japan in our fare city. Price: Enough food for a pig will cost about $50.

Sake Restaurant and Bar – Eagle Street Pier, 45 Eagle Street, Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.sakerestaurant.com.au/brisbane
Saké Restaurant & Bar on Urbanspoon

E’cco:

Tucked away on the edge of the CBD, E’cco has become a desination restaurant and a consistent favourite amongst foodies around Brisbane and is an institution known for its high quality food and impeccable service. Its style, both in the food and the restaurant itself, is classic with modern twist and is perfect for a lunch in the city to celebrate anything worth the trip (and cheque). You won’t be disspointed with anything on the seasonal menu but my suggestions would be the eye fillet with bone marrow and onion rings or the bork belly with caramalised peach. Price: about $60 for 2 courses.

E’cco Bistro – 100 Boundary St Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.eccobistro.com
E'cco on Urbanspoon

Vintaged Bar and Grill:

I felt like I had walked into ‘Back to the Future’ when I finally saw the Hilton refurbishment earlier this year. What was once a 80’s inspired,  drab foyer is now a grand, modern, stunning lobby fit for a king. And the best part about it is the hotel’s restaurant, Vintaged Bar + Grill. With a wine room the size of my apartment and Himalayan rock salt insulated fridge for the abundance of cured meats, I knew was going to like this place. You can’t go wrong with one of their steaks, or if you want to eat like a king on a budget, they have $20 lunch specials including a huge, delicious Rueben sandwich and a glass of wine. Price: lunch special – $20 or a steak with trimmings will cost about $40.

Vintaged Bar and Grill – The Hilton – Level 6, 190 Elizabeth St Brisbane, QLD 4000 – www.vintagedbarandgrill.com
Vintaged Bar and Grill on Urbanspoon

 

Oink oink,

Truffle Pig.

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