Omigod you guys!

I recently had the pleasure of kicking up my heels and going to see, Legally Blonde- The Musical. Actually, in the interest of full disclosure, I had already seen the show. Such is my passion for all things pink and fluffy, I ventured down to Sydney late last year, as I couldn't bear to wait any longer to see Elle Woods live on stage!

But back to my recent viewing in Brisbane. On this occasion, my sisters (used in the Delta Nu sense) and I indulged in some decadent pre-show dining at the acclaimed Lyrebird, QPAC's acclaimed a la carte restaurant.

While the décor was not to my taste (it was rather in keeping with the Brutalist architectural style of the building, of which I'm not a fan), the food and service were faultless.

All the food delivered to our table looked sublime, however special mention must go to the crab linguine with chilli, rocket, lemon and garlic. The perfect combination of the bitterness of the rocket with the slight sweetness of the crab amplified the flavours of both the chilli and garlic, making for a delightful dish that danced on the palette.

The house-made ice cream was also a standout. $12.50 gets you three generous scoops in the flavours of the day, in this case strawberry, cappuccino and raspberry and white chocolate. All were delightfully decadent and incredibly mouth-watering.

Chandon pinot noir rosé 2010

 Classic baked New York cheesecake with peppered 

strawberries

 Selection of house made ice cream

And so to the show. All froth and bubble (much like the delicious rosé we downed with dinner), the show is flashy, funny and more than a little gauche. Fortunately for devotees of the original film, the plot proves far enough removed to prevent you from constantly comparing the two.

The musical score is truly delightful and I can all but guarantee you'll be humming the tune of the title track, "Omigod you guys", for weeks!

On the night we attended, one of the understudies filled the role of Elle. While she missed the extra zing brought to the stage by Lucy Durack (in my mind, the ONLY true Elle, who I saw play the part in Sydney), she delivered a solid, quality performance.

Special mention must also go to Cameron Daddo, a silver fox to rival George Clooney, and the dogs, who definitely steal the show!

Program and gorgeous frozen Cosmopolitan

Overall, the show deserves some serious snaps! Definitely one to see!

Kat xx

A Trufflin' Good Time

On my aforementioned coastal escape, a friend and I decided to venture away from the hustle and bustle of Surfers Paradise and enjoy an evening more relaxed at the Little Truffle Dining Room & Bar in Mermaid Beach.

From start to end, it was a truly charming evening. Our waiter (presumably also either the owner or maitre d'), was the perfect host, providing charming, speedy service and an impeccable knowledge of the menu.

Which brings me to the food. I honestly couldn't fault the fare we were presented with. Warranting special mention was the beef fillet and croquette, sautéed spinach, mushrooms and red wine jus. It may be my Dutch heritage talking, but croquettes hold a special place in my heart. This particular variation didn't disappoint, providing the perfect compliment for the fillet and serving as an interesting, flavourful substitute to the usual mashed potato (or similar).

That is not to say we didn't order mashed potato...we did. And it was delightful. The truffled creamed potatoes came creamy, light and infused with the woody decadence of truffles.

The final stand-out of the night was, fittingly, dessert. I ordered the berry soufflé with warm white chocolate sauce and was pleasantly surprised (actually, that's a lie, I was floored) when it appeared on the table less than fifteen minutes after ordering. I don't know quite what black magic was involved, but I like it! The soufflé itself was light, fluffy and flavoursome, while the accompanying white chocolate sauce was delightfully decadent.

Rustic sign outside the restaurant

Menu

Sourdough with olive oil and balsamic vinegar

Free range chicken with truffle, baby vegetables, 

garlic cream and jus de Provence  

Beef fillet and croquette, sautéed spinach, 

mushrooms and red wine jus 

 Truffled creamed potatoes

White and dark chocolate mousse with variations of strawberries and raspberries

Berry soufflé with warm white chocolate sauce

My sole criticism of this delightful venue relates to the décor. While the upper level is cloaked in dark colours and dim lighting, the lower floor was, by comparison, harshly lit and festooned in far brighter colours, creating a visual dissonance.

All in all, a wonderful restaurant...I will certainly be seeking out a reason to visit again soon!

Bon appétit! Xx

On the QT

I recently had the privilege of spending a relaxing weekend sojourn at Hotel QT on the glorious Gold Coast. I have to confess, this was far from my first visit to this delightful abode, which has fast become my favourite hotel on the GC (in my opinion, better than the classic Sheraton Mirage, the opulent Palazzo Versace or the space-age Hilton).

For me, it's the delightful kitch-factor which sets this place apart. Upon arriving at the hotel, you are greeted curbside by dashing gents in lurid bordshorts and vintage blazers, and girls sporting capri pants, plimsoles and twillies. Upon proceeding to reception, you are instantly transported back to the 1970s as you are checked in by girls and boys in vintage Pan Am-like attire, looking more like extras from the film 'View from the Top' than hospitality employees (dreadful movie, but stunning visual).

Then, to the service. I've stayed at myriad typically 'good' hotels in my time, but the customer service at QT trumps them all. On my recent stay, I visited the concierge to enquire about a jet boating for myself and my friend.Within moments, we had been given a list of companies to choose from, were booked in and it was charged to our room, for convenient payment upon checkout. Speaking of checkout, I fell in love with the blowdryer in our room during our stay (see below picture and you'll find out why). Conveniently, it was for sale in the gift shop (thoughtfully known as the QTique)...unfortunately, the QTique was closed for the day. Before you could say 'beautiful blowdry' the lovely lady who was serving us had unlocked the boutique and returned with my pink new toy.

 My fabulous new blowdryer

And finally, to the food. I don't usually set much store by hotel food (particulary buffets), by the Bazaar Marketplace at QT always leaves me delighted. While the breakfasts are nice enough, with the requisite fry up, fruits, muffins, croissants and pancakes, in addition to delightful fresh smoothies and flavoured milks, dinner is a true standout. How many buffets offer steak cooked to order, tasting plates of stuffed zucchini flowers, fresh Chinese dim sum AND a sundae bar, in addition to all manner of usual buffet fare?

What more can I say? This place is truly a delight. If you still don't believe me, check out some of my happy snaps, below:

QT sign

 Picture-perfect view from our room

 

 Refreshing, complimentary lemonade delivered to your room on arrival

 Morning sun in Bazaar Marketplace

 Breakfast smoothie bar

 Vintage car out front

 Candy in FIXX cafe

 Gorgeous pool

Go forth and enjoy! Xx

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

With my twenty-fourth birthday approaching (a little too quickly for my liking), I was overcome by the urge to reminisce about my childhood.

What better way to remember the past than by whipping up some of the sweet confections I used to devour with gusto as a young child? Cue, the butterfly cupcake. Sweet, gooey and shamelessly girly, this little baking foray had definitely left me feeling like a child again...I even licked the spoon (and beaters) once I was finished!

NB. I'm the first to admit I'm not a 'neat' or 'pretty' cook...but I just keep telling myself the imperfections in my presentation give my cooking a slightly rustic, homely quality. Maybe that's not entirely legitimate, but as my wise mother always says, it's the taste that counts...and these were pretty delicious!

Bon appétit! Xx

Everyone's a little bit mental

In the midst of last night's inclement weather, I found myself snuggled up in bed (well, as much as one can 'snuggle in the middle of Summer) to watch "Mental", an Australian movie touching on the oft taboo topic of mental illness. As a psychology graduate, the premise of the film both intrigued and frightened me; would they manage the handle the heavy subject matter with requisite sensitivity? Coupled with this, the wildly inconsistent reviews the film received led me to conclude it was an acquired taste (much like sashimi or caviar).

I'm glad to report I was pleasantly surprised. However, I feel it only right to warn upfront that the film, written and directed by PJ Hogan of Muriel's Wedding fame, suffers from much the same cringworthyness, not to mention some striking plot similarities.

Set in the class-less, tact-less town of Dolphin Heads (sounds strangley similar to Porpoise Spit, does it not?), we are welcomed to the Moochmore family, whose patriach, the town mayor (Anthony LaPaglia) is having a rather public affair with his secretary while his long-suffering wife (Rebecca Gibney) suffers a nervous breakdown (deja vu, anyone?).But enough about "terrible" similarities between the two films, topped off by Toni Collette serving as the well-meaning, but slightly mental, protagonist, known as Shaz.

Once the damaged and broken mother is shipped off to a mental asylum (referred to as "Woolongong"), daddy dearest picks up a hitchiker named Shaz (Collette) to take care of his five neurotic, dysfunctional girls so he can continue to lay down the law in the boardroom (if you catch my drift...).

Cue a wonderful tale of self-discovery in which Shaz encourages the girls to cast off the shackles of their father's neglect and the stigma which precedes them.

For me, the true beauty of the film were the assumptions of normality which we always accept as gospel. What is it to be "normal"? And conversely, what does it mean to be "insane"? These heady questions are tossed around meaningfully as most of the main characters face their demons, often oscillating between normality and dysfunction.

This raises the poignant question of whether sanity or otherwise is a permanent state of being, or simply a transient state; a matter of perception.

But don't fret...these existential questions are tempered with plenty of comedic relief including, notably, Aunty Doris and her china dolls and Nancy the neighbour, whose obsessive-compulsive tendencies see her scrubbing her driveway with a toothbrush on a daily basis.

Not to spoil the ending, but I think it's safe to say that "normal" is a highly subjective term and there's probably a little mental in all of us!

For the trailer, go to: http://youtu.be/VnQPnXbj-RY

Happy watching! Xx

A True Landmark

Occasionally you happen across a true culinary institution, such as the fittingly named Landmark Restaurant.

I recently had the pleasure of partaking in Yum Cha at this wonderful venue, nestled  in Sunnybank, Brisbane's mecca for divine Asian cuisine.

During my undergraduate studies, my University was unfortunately (or rather, fortunately) situated in close proximity to this Aladdin's Cave of Yum Cha delights. Needless to say, many a long, languid afternoon was spent here, in the company of fellow students, musing over life's existential questions and devouring tasty dim sum.

However, I give you fare warning: this is an authentic Yum Cha restaurant and with that comes the presence of all manner of Eastern delicacies (eg. tripe, chicken feet etc.) on the menu. I therefore suggest you exercise caution when ordering (especially on your first visit) or better yet, take a seasoned professional.

Landmark Restaurant sign

 Gorgeous mirrored ceiling bedecked with chandeliers

Delicious dim sum

Egg tarts- arguable the best part of any Yum Cha outing

 Wonderful for a lazy Sunday lunch. Wèikǒu hǎo! (Bon appétit!) Xx

Popolo (Italian: “people”)

I recently had the pleasure of escaping to the rustic Popolo, for an evening of delightful food, delicious cocktails and a long-overdue catchup with a good friend from University. But before I skip ahead to the heady delights that awaited me at this wonderful venue, I feel it imperitive to first dwell on the name.

Ever-curious, I stumbled across the below history of the term Popolo:

"In the communes (city-states) of 13th-century Italy, the popolo was a pressure group instituted to protect the interests of the commoners against the nobility. Until then, noblemen had exclusively controlled the commune governments. The popolo in Florence controlled the government 1250–60 and again after 1282. By the beginning of the 14th century, its elders formed the supreme executive of the commune."

This history is intrinsically linked to the fare on offer at Popolo. Large, hearty dishes designed to be shared between friends and an informal, communal ambience.

Wall signage

Ricotta gnochi with Italian sausage, red onion jam, pumpkin and pecorino.

 

Kingaroy suckling pig with spiced apple and peach compote and anchovy sauce

(NB. While the suckling pig and accompanying compote were delicious, the anchovy sauce proved to be an acquired taste)

Rustic wall décor

 Tiramisu- even better when it's oversized and designed to be shared (or not!)

 

Special mention must also go to the divine white rose bellini, complete with dried rose petals. Alas, I consumed it in its entirity before managing to snap a picture.

Definitely a restaurant to try on a cold, blustery eve!

Bon appétit! Xx