Ekka strawberry sundaes and strawberry jam are coming to you, new Italian eats, must have laksa paste, new food trail packed with treats, cherry blossoms and a good time bar, it’s all in Feast on Brisbane #30.
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Fairy Floss French Toast at Jillys Cafe for Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Photo Nigel Hallett
* 9 TOP BRISBANE BITES YOU NEED TO KNOW
Here’s nine food finds for your eating pleasure in Feast on Brisbane #30.
DIY and drive through Strawberry Sundaes
If you are grieving the loss of your Ekka Strawberry Sundae, put away the tissue box and hop online. From 10 am Wednesday, you can order a DIY strawberry sundae kit and pick up at Brisbane collection points. The kits include everything you need to make 20 sundaes for $110. Yes, the money still goes to The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.
On Saturday the Ekka drive-through opens in Brisbane Showgrounds along with an Ekka Tastes pop-up in King Street, Bowen Hills for strawberry sundaes, dagwood dogs and Bertie Beetle bags. It will run for nine days from 10 am to 7 pm. Strawberry Sundaes will cost $5.50, dagwood dogs $5.50 and Bertie Beetle Bags $5.
Ekka Strawberry Jam
Kathryn and Mark Lang from Lang’s Gourmet bought 500 kilos of Ekka strawberries usually used for strawberries sundaes to turn them into Ekka jam at their Cleveland factory. Just like the sundaes, jam proceeds will support the Prince Charles Hospital. You can buy a jar for $7 online here or search their stockist’s list for somewhere close to you .
New Italian Street Kitchen
West Village devotees (me included) will welcome a new addition to the hood in September when Italian Street Kitchen – ISK for cool peeps. It’s street food/Nonna’s kitchen collision with a style Rome background. Expect cheese and fungi pizza, Sardinian gnocchetti, along with vegetarian and vegan alternatives.
Get some Moreton Bay bug macadamias
One of the signature flavours of the sadly cancelled Moreton Bay Food and Wine Festival was Moreton Bay Bug Macadamias. I have tasted them, and they are worth seeking out. Buy them online here for $12.95
Emily Yeoh’s Laska Paste
Former Masterchef Australia 2014 contestant Emily Yeoh is sharing her much-coveted Laska Paste available for purchase from her Paddington restaurant by the same name, Emily Yeoh. The paste comes with step by step recipes and the promise of videos for some of her favourite dishes for cook-at-home chefs.
A special pandemic caviar treat
You’ll need to either have deep pockets or a true love of caviar but snap restaurant closures have created a real opportunity for retail customers like this one. How about 250g Caviar Giaveri oscietra, which normally retails at $850, for the very special price of $700? All orders come with four mother of pearl caviar spoons and a carry bag. The best before date is 07/09/2021. Order from The Truffle Man here and use CAV150 to receive your discount.
Father’s Day dining
- Walter’s Steakhouse has an epic feast featuring their signature porterhouse. Seatings are 11.30 am and 1.30 pm. Cost $100 per person.
- Emporium Hotel South Bank’s The Terrace Restaurant has a two-course Fathers Day menu. It features a paddle of Boiling Pot Brewing Co. beer, a delicious entrée platter of calamari, karaage chicken and eggplant chips, followed by his choice of oven-finished market fish, black angus steak or kimchi fried rice for $49 per person.
- Nota at Paddington has an $85 set menu with reservations available until 1 pm. ‘Dad” gets a free drink to start off his lunch. Bookings via phone 3217 6116
Baconfest cancelled
The Kingaroy BaconFest Committee has made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s ‘PIG’ celebrations to August 2022. They are determined to return bigger and better in 2022, with 19 to 21 August already locked into the calendar.
Global Fiesta by Regional Flavours postponed
Yet another virus casualty, the Regional Flavours Global Fiesta event, will now be held on October 16 and 17 at South Bank Parklands.
CherryHill Blossom Festival
Plan your next escape
#trEATS in Toowoomba
‘Do you want petals with that?’ is the new catchphrase for Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers with the launch of their flavour-packed food trail. Throughout September, cafes, restaurants and bars will offer a $10-$20 signature springtime dish inspired by the event.
I’m a big fan of The Baker’s Duck. Just the thought of their apple crumble éclair featuring their signature Choux pastry, filled with baked caramelised apple pie filling from Stanthorpe apples, topped with house-made Chantilly cream, salted caramel and crumble mix, is enough to make me jump in the car right now!
For the savoury lovers, there’s Moreton Bay bug with pumpkin puree, crushed walnuts, edible flowers, prosciutto and zesty citrus dressing from Hotel Norville, or slow-roast pork belly, garlic rice, hot and sour sambal with a snake bean, chilli and toasted coconut salad.
New good time bar
New in Toowoomba’s Walton Stores in August will be Bodega, a New York meets Mexican good time bar. Hiding behind a modest street front, you’ll need to look for a secret entrance to this new cool spot from ex-chef and Junk Bar owner Todd Farr with drinks from Marcus Boyle. Find Bodega at 4/476 Ruthven Street, Toowoomba.
Extended rainforest stay savings
Book for a stay at Binna Burra from November 2021 to March 2022 and take advantage of some fantastic deals on offer for more extended stays here. It’s a magical place to stay! Read my review here.
Cherry Blossom Festival
You have little chance of getting to Japan, but slightly more opportunities to get to Victoria’s Yarra Valley for premiere cherry producer for the stunning CherryHill Blossom Festival from 18 September to 3 October. Wander through endless rows of gorgeous cherry blossoms, sip on cherry-based drinks, enjoy delicious cherry ice cream, live music and activities for the whole family. CherryHill Orchards is located only a one-hour drive from Melbourne CBD. Event details and tickets are now available here.
Feast on Brisbane #30 Recipe of the week
Quick and easy, these two-step healthy Peanut Butter Bliss Balls will give you the sweet treat you are missing without a sugar hit.
Healthy Peanut Butter Bliss Balls
What happened last week in Brisbane? Check Feast on Brisbane #29
