The Pancake Manor - Garden City

Having visited the ‘Pancake Manor’ in Brisbane city a couple of times and having come away greatly disappointed on each occasion, we were somewhat surprised when another Pancake Manor sprung up in Garden City on the south side of Brisbane.

A lover of all things sweet, I couldn’t help but satisfy my curiosity by paying the new establishment a visit. Following a couple of failed attempts (you need to book) we made our way to the Pancake Manor one morning for brunch.

The wait-staff were pleasant enough but for the most part seemed to be fairly inexperienced and it took a while to get seated. There were only two of us so one ordered a sweet pancake whilst the other ordered a savoury crepe - both to share.

We had to wait quite a while again for our food to arrive (surprising since it’s all premixed) and when it finally did, we were somewhat perplexed at overall presentation of the meals.

We ordered:

• Mexican beef crepe with spicy beef, sour cream and tomato salsa served with a side salad

• Black Forest Cherry (Two chocolate pancakes served with cherries, in cherry brandy sauce, choc ice cream, cream and choc chips

The meals are reasonably expensive (circa $15 - $20) for pancakes and crepes but that’s forgivable if the quality is there. Sadly, based on our experience, this is not the case.

The crepe had very little filling and overall looked quite flat and unappealing. The meat sauce was tasty but was akin to something that had come straight out of a bottle.

In contrast the pancakes were quite large and one in particular was very thick. Whilst the taste of the pancake was quite enjoyable, the thicker sections were very heavy and gave us the sensation that we were just chewing on flour and water (which of course we were!) rather than a delicious stack of chocolate pancakes.

I know others that swear by Pancake Manor as one of their favourites but for us - 3 strikes and you’re out - next time we have a hankering for pancakes/crepes we’ll either fire up the grill at home or go elsewhere.


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Brents - The Dining Experience

With a name like “Brents The Dining Experience” you may be justified in expecting to be greeted by a pretentious over-the-top waiter who sneers at your menu choices. However, what Brents brings to the table is something very different.

We discovered Brents a few years ago quite by accident, when looking for somewhere new to dine. The restaurant is inconspicuously nested amongst a residential area in Toowong, Brisbane and the restaurant’s setting, like its surroundings, are the heart of simplicity itself.

But whilst the setting may be simple, the food carries a depth of flavour and sophistication the likes of which we have struggled to find elsewhere. Tempted by the degustation menu, we strayed from the path and decided to create a small banquet of our own.

The waitress (friendly and confident) took our orders and shortly returned to set our table from scratch based on what we’d ordered - a nice touch compared to others which simply remove redundant cutlery.

She returned shortly after with a surprise Amuse Bouche - a small glass containing fresh salmon, thinly sliced, with a chive crème fraiche and thin wafer biscuit. The salmon was delicious and the balance of flavours just right, a wonderful start to the evening.

Next came our appetisers, “wild mushroom cappuccino with truffle oil and ibèrico crumbs”. The mushroom soup was smooth and flavoursome and was complemented well by the accompaniments; all served in the cutest little cappuccino mug we’ve ever seen.

Following on, our entrees arrived -

• Blue swimmer crab, green apple granita, chive crème fraiche & baby herb

• Red claw yabby, citrus cured salmon, nasturtium, mandarin jam, melon & lemon oil

The blue swimmer crab was the definite winner of these entrees, stylishly served in a fishbowl, with an abundance of crab meat and supporting ingredients bringing out the full flavours of this dish. The red claw yabby with citrus cured salmon was also a lovely dish, but perhaps a little on the small side.

In preparation for the main course, out came the palette cleansers -

• Rockmelon, ginger & chilli

• Roasted pineapple & mint soda

Both worthy options, one of us preferred the rockmelon (a sorbet) whilst the other much preferred the soda, served in a retro but charming little flask.

Palettes now cleansed, it was time for the main course!

Mains:

• Slow cooked eye fillet & braised neck, mustard & herb crumb, parsnip & red wine jus

• Pork belly & cider glazed jowl, boudin noir, apple & basil sorbet, cinnamon jus

Sides:

• Duck fat potatoes, truffle cream & parmesan

• Radish stems, blue cheese, candied walnuts, compressed pear & aged balsamic

The mains were both lovely but the eye fillet (cooked 3 ways) stole the show through a combination of flavours and textures that made this dish complete. The pork belly was perhaps a little more cooked that we had expected but due to the flavour and accompaniments, completely forgivable.

The duck fat potatoes CANNOT BE MISSED. Based on experience, it would be a crime to visit Brents without experiencing the pure unadulterated joy of their duck fat potatoes with truffle cream.

With barely an inch of room in our stomachs (or belts) we embarked upon the final adventure for the evening - the mysteriously named ‘black forest floor’. This dessert was a lovely end to a lovely meal and was essentially a deconstructed black forest cake with some creative elements such as toadstools made from soft cherry meringue and chocolate logs.

Throughout the evening the waitress delivered a helpful narrative for each dish, including how the chef recommended it be eaten. Water glasses were regularly filled without need of asking and sufficient privacy given to keep the romance alive.

Brents “The Dining Experience” lived up to its name once again and endures as being in a class of its own. We will be back and recommend you take the journey as well next time you’re looking for some finer faire.


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Wagaya

Continuing on our quest to try new Japanese Restaurants in town, we ventured to Wagaya in the Valley. We had heard raving reviews about Wagaya, mainly centred on the new electronic ordering system. Being technology nerds, we decided to check it out for ourselves.

The touch screen ordering system is very impressive. Choose a dish, hit order, confirm, wait a few minutes and the food is delivered to your table. No kidding, that is how fast their service is! Of course, this presents a tendency to go overboard with your order, but the order history list will set you back on track. :)

We mainly ordered dishes to share, starting with Renkon chips (Deep Fried Lotus Roots with Spicy Salt), Takoyaki gratin (Octopus balls with Cheese topping) and Deep Fried Chicken Karaage. The Renkon chips were my favourite - addictively crispy and tasty. Takoyaki gratin was a surprisingly good combination of octopus balls with cheese. The deep fried chicken karaage was just mediocre; nothing spectacular.

Renkon Chips ($6.50)

Takoyaki Gratin ($7.30)

Deep Fried Chicken Karaage ($7.90)

We went on to order more dishes, but sadly it was downhill from here. :( Based on my experience, I would suggest staying away from the grilled dished unless you like overcooked, chewy meat. The Pork Skewer and Chicken Yakitori were both overcooked. Even the scallop (usually my favourite) was utterly disappointing, chewy and rubbery. What a waste of good seafood! The only saving grace for all 3 dishes was the tasty sauce.

Pork Skewer ($6.90)

Chicken Yakitori ($6.50)

Hotate Kushiyaki ($9.30)

Before we realised it, we had spent too much and were still left hungry. We decided to order a noodle dish to fill us up. Double thumbs up for Tantan Ramen. Spicy pork mince noodle soup - best dish of the night!

Tantan Ramen ($10.50)

We enjoyed the atmosphere but weren’t overly excited about the food. In saying that, I wouldn’t mind going back again to try their other dishes.


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Hakataya Noodle Shop - Market Square

The new kid on the block at Market Square is Hakataya Noodle Shop. For those who are familiar with the area, there is already a Hakataya Noodle shop across the road at Sunnybank Plaza.

This place is crazy busy. Just look out for long queue or a big “sorry we sold out” sign, and you’ll know what I am talking about.

This new shop is packed as usual with very tight seating. To our amazement (and because people did not know they’ve opened yet) we were happy to find that there was no queue on this occasion and we walked straight in.

We ordered the Miso Spicy-Men (noodles) and a plate of gyoza (dumplings) to share. The soup was well seasoned and tasty. At first glance, the noodles resemble ‘instant noodles’ and you may question the fact that you’ve paid more than $10 for you meal. But the devil is in the detail...

According to the brochure, the soup was cooked for 39 hours to draw out the best flavours and nutrients. Similarly, the char siu (marinated pork) is cooked for 2 hours 40 minutes, followed by 2 hours of simmering and then chilled in the fridge for 48 hours. The result - a delectable and tasty soup, well cooked noodles and melt-in-your-mouth pork.

Miso Spicy-Men - Japanese spicy miso and pork noodle soup ($13)

We also enjoyed the gyoza very much. The skin was crispy on one side and soft on the other, complimenting the main course very well.

Gyoza - Fried Dumplings ($7)

Hakataya Noodle Shop has already established itself as a favourite with many locals, and is a must try for anyone travelling through the south side of Brisbane.


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La Provence

La Provence is a suburbia gem hidden in a quiet corner of Coorparoo. Despite the isolated location, this place has been fully packed almost every time we've visited. The owners are traditional French and bring a sense of authenticity to the dining experience, complemented by a friendly team of wait-staff. 

In a strange twist of fate I found myself at La Provence twice this week: 1. for a friend’s birthday on Saturday and 2. for a family get-together on Tuesday - demonstrating how much this place is well-liked by my family and friends. :)

The setting is cosy and relaxed, which is well-suited for gatherings with family and friends. What we find intriguing is the cow-themed salt and pepper shaker used throughout the restaurant. I don’t know if it is only a preference of the owners or if it has some relation to the cuisine.

The food not only looked beautiful on the plate and also tasted beautiful on the palate.  My favourite is the Duck Thigh with Orange Sauce.  The meat was tender and well-balanced by the citrusy flavour.  My only criticism is that there is not enough sauce on the plate.

Duck Thigh with Orange Sauce ($33)

I had Deer Medallion with Peach on my other visit.  The gameyness of the meat was well-balanced by the sweetness of the Peach.  In saying that, I still find the meat a bit too tough to my liking.  Maybe deer just isn't my thing.

Deer Medallion with Peach ($37)

Everyone enjoyed their dishes whilst also suffering a healthy amount of food-envy. 

Traditional Onion Soup with Cheese Croutons ($14)

Pan Roasted Salmon in Puff Pastry with a Crab Sauce ($29)

Almond Trout ($31)

Lamb Cutlets with Hazelnut and Ceps ($35)

Duck Breast with a Morel's Sauce ($31)

The Mixed Dessert Platter should not be missed if you are after a tasting plate.  The combination may vary each time, giving you the chance to taste the different dessert from the menu.  It is huge and is recommended for sharing. 

Mixed Dessert Platter ($21)

I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone who would like to try French cuisine without burning a hole in the pocket.   

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Red Lotus

Without a doubt, the Valley a.k.a. Chinatown contains a vast treasure trove of Oriental Cuisine.

In the midst of the countless Asian restaurants, Red Lotus presents itself as an up-market Vietnamese/Chinese Restaurant.

Its modern, romantic and relaxed atmosphere distinguishes it from the other Vietnamese restaurants across the road that are seemingly casual and older-looking.

The waiter was very friendly and attentive. He was helpful in offering suggestions when needed. He was also quick to notice that we ran out of water and offered to refill.

We really enjoyed the Vietnamese Style Tamarind King Prawns. The flavour of the tamarind sauce was very appetising: sweet, sour and spicy.

The crispy duck was tasty, but not extraordinary. The dish itself was rather dry, but it was complimented very well with sweet chilli sauce or soy sauce.

The meals are more expensive than surrounding restaurants but the service and decor go some way to making up for it. Overall, an enjoyable evening meal.




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Menya Mappen Noodle Bar

Earlier this year, Mexican taquerias hit the city with eateries like Guzman Y Gomez and the Burrito Bar. Now, the latest craze is on Japanese noodle shops.

There are 2 noodle shops located just outside Sunnybank Plaza: Hakataya Noodle Shop and Menya Mappen Noodle Bar. They are almost impossible to miss if you are in the area - just look out for a big group of people queuing up and it will lead you to one of these noodle shops.

It took us a while to study the menu at Mappen on our first visit. Most of the dishes looked very similar with only slight variations. It is basically a choice between Udon or Soba noodles, soup or dry, hot or cold noodles and extras such as half-boiled egg, curry or sukiyaki beef. There is a Japanese curry with rice dish too, for those who are not interested in noodles.

Once you have ordered the noodles, you can proceed to the self-serve tempura section. All items are individually priced, so you can get as much or as little as you want. Bear in mind that some of the items might be sitting on the counter for a while, so might be cold. I am not too worried about this as they provide hot tempura dipping sauce for free.

The noodles are very tasty and I enjoyed the freedom granted by the self service tempura station. We ordered a relatively basic noodle dishes, complemented by tempura sweet potato, seafood stick fish cake and chicken- Yum.

Ontama Mentaiko Bukkake Soba (Hot noodle with Tsukedashi soup with Mentaiko Butter and creamy half-boiled egg)
Tempura fish cake, seafood stick and sweet potato

Ontama Bukkake Soba (Hot noodle with Tsukedashi soup and a wedge of lemon)
Tempura sweet potato and chicken

The dining experience is very casual with signs asking that you return the tray to the counter once you’re done. It’s like going to a private food court with quick and cheap meals - with noodles priced at around $5.90 and tempura starting at about 80c per piece.

Overall, it was a fun dining experience and I will definitely be back.


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