Chef Shinichi Maeda's Signature Winter Menu at Sake Brisbane

Chef Shinichi Maeda's Signature Winter Menu at Sake Brisbane
http://www.sakerestaurant.com.au/brisbane/



Last night, I had the honor of being invited to a special blogger's dinner event at Sake Restaurant in Brisbane. It was my first time being invited to anything for this blog and I was giddy with excitement and nerves.



Because it was a week night in Brisbane, I took the afternoon off work to zip down so I could attend. Hmmm... an afternoon of drilling and tooth pulling or an evening of fine food and beautiful company? It was a no-brainer really.

Three Bistro for Dessert

Three Bistro
www.threebistro.com.au/



After our stint at Mexican joint Guzman Y Gomez, we were peckish for dessert. I was the one who bravely admitted this first, taking the risk of looking like an insatiable pig. Luckily my friends were too polite to say 'really?! Aren't you full yet?' but instead indulged me with well-acted cries of 'me too! I was going to suggest dessert'.



I'd like to assume they were telling the truth :).

Guzman Y Gomez

Guzman Y Gomez
http://www.guzmanygomez.com/



I hadn't eaten Mexican food for yonks. It's not something I often get the craving for but people have been carrying on about Guzman Y Gomez or more as it's more easily known as, 'that new Mexican place in The Emporium'.



Most recently, I heard a recommendation from my hairdresser. Over my 4hr hair session, she imparted wisdom in so many aspects of life that I found myself highly respecting her food recommendation too. In particular, the barramundi burrito from Guzman Y Gomez. This sounded too intriguing to pass by.

Hamptons Home Living

Hamptons Home Living
180 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington



Mochi and I went brunching last Sunday as part of my weekend away in Brisbane. I let her pick where to go and we headed off for Hamptons Home Living in Paddington. She did an amazing reverse parallel park... but unfortunately it was in the wrong part of the street. What a waste! We then tried to find where we were actually supposed to go



I'd been to Paddington a few times but this part seemed unfamiliar. The street was lined with clothing boutiques, design stores and cafes disguised as houses.

Belgian Beer Cafe

Belgian Beer Cafe
http://www.belgianbeercafebrussels.com.au/



Last weekend was my mini weekend holiday in Brissie. I booked a little hotel room and called out all my friends to party it up. I didn't really have any dinner plans for Saturday evening, which is rare for me. But I was more focused on getting pissed. Only being honest here :).

Me and a few of my mates ended up heading to the Belgian Beer Cafe. I threw out a couple of my cravings at the time: German or Mexican. We opted for German because it was closer.



We thought about walking but I was cold and hungry and insisted on a cab. After an afternoon of drinking, I was slightly tipsy but not far gone enough to not notice the cabbie short-changed me $3. I thought about saying something but let it slide in favor of good karma. Or something.

Taste Gallery

Taste Gallery
Shop 20B, Market Square, Sunnybank



Almost all my posts are now starting with 'a couple of weeks ago...' because I'm so slow with writing that that's my approximate delay. In any case, it was indeed a couple of weeks ago when I was at my cousin Mork's house when he told me there was a new Shanghainese restaurant in Market Square.

Bistrot Bistro

Bistrot Bistro
www.bistrotbistro.com.au/



An old, special friend of my recently returned to Brisbane from his Melbourne studies and we made plans to catch up. I'll call him Doc because he's studying Medicine although that'll soon be inaccurate because he's starting his career in something completely different. I find that really inspiring!



What's more relevant to this blog is that I got to choose where to eat (an honour that I never tire of). 1889 Enoteca came to mind but the online reviews were disheartening so I went a few doors down to Bistrot Bistro.

Fortune Well

Fortune Well
Shop 42, Sunny Park Plaza, 342 McCullough St, Sunnybank



Last weekend, I got to prove something.

Dad had a sore throat + cough and my whole life, he's been adamant that sore throats must be treated a certain way. That is... nothing too cold, too oily, too spicy or abrasive.



I've always thought that spicy food makes sore throats feel better. But we all know what dads can be like and they think they're Doctor Dad and their opinion is Law.

We were looking for some place to have lunch before I had to coach back to Toowoomba. We wandered to the outside of Sunnypark Plaza and spotted Fortune Well, which is a brand spanking new SzeChuan restaurant.