Southeast Queensland’s dining scene has a new flavorful boost with Myrtille Bistro Crows Nest, a scenic two-hour drive from central Brisbane. And that’s not all – right next door, you’ll find the delightful My Little Blueberry patisserie and a charming array of shops at Nolan’s Block. Keep an eye on this budding hotspot – Crows Nest is poised to become the next dining and day trip sensation in SEQ!
Top SEQ Regional Dining at Crows Nest
Drive into Crows Nest, and you can’t miss the imposing Nolan’s Block building. Designed by James Marks, it was built in 1906, not long after the discovery of gold in nearby Cressbrook Creek in 1884. This impressive emporium speaks of a time when the future was bright for Crows Nest. Most recently, Nolan’s Block is remembered as the home of popular store, Salt Antiques.
Three couples from the Toowoomba region, Amanda and Larry Hinds (known for their award-winning restaurants Emeraude and Indulge), Sandra and Andrew Jenner (who own the gorgeous Anduramba Homestead) and avocado owners Sally and Daryl Boardman, have poured around $300,000 into the restoration of Nolan’s Block. Restoring the building took 20 months of hard slog to reveal the beauty of the high vaulted ceilings and brick internal walls in the multi-tenancy emporium.
When fully tenanted, Nolan’s Block includes eight outlets. There’s My Little Blueberry, Myrtille Bistro, The Pottager at Nolans, High Country Collective, Blackbird Antiques and Collectables and newly opened Humphrey & Lulu Boutique. So, you can pop in for a dress, settle in for lunch, browse antiques and garden collectibles and then head home with pies and pastries for dinner.
Myrtille Bistro, Nolan’s Block, Crows Nest IMAGE Kevin Gordon
Myrtille Bistro, Crows Nest IMAGE Kevin Gordon
Myrtille Bistro, Crows Nest
Amanda and Larry Hinds have used their wealth of hospitality experience to create an exceptional offering with Myrtille Bistro in Crows Nest. (Refresh your memory on Emeraude and Indulge) It is a striking combination of high-end European Cuisine themed as a French Bistro and focussing on high-quality Hampton micro-region produce.
One step inside the front door here, and you know you are in for a treat. The décor is dark and moody, splashed with colour from a wall-sized floral mural that reflects perfectly in the bar mirror and punctuated with splashes of vibrant red. Don’t be fooled by the gorgeous female art deco images on Myrtille’s walls. Myrtille actually means blueberry in French, and is it pronounced mur-tee, not MER-terl like the girl’s name popular around the 1920s. It sounds even better if you can say it with a French accent.
Myrtille’s seasonal menu is strongly influenced by the regional harvest, so the menu will be a changing feast. It’s no surprise that the region’s full-flavoured blueberries will feature strongly; however, you can expect to see local figs and raspberries on the menu in season.
Crisp rice tempura king prawns, topped with a slice of pickled Hampton ginger at Myrtille Bistro. IMAGE Kerry Heaney
Hand-cut chips and Italian breaded Toogoolawah pork loin
Myrtille’s seasonal menu is strongly influenced by the regional harvest, so the menu will be a changing feast. It’s no surprise that the region’s full-flavoured blueberries will feature strongly; however, you can expect to see local figs and raspberries on the menu in season.
The autumn selection starts with small tastes ideal for munching on while waiting for larger dishes to arrive. Think crackling chicken skin, ham hock-infused brulee, and warm local olives. Of course, I chose the crisp rice tempura king prawns, topped with a slice of pickled Hampton ginger. There were two, and we shared ($11).
Emphasising the French connection in the smaller plates section are slow-cooked snails ($22), chicken liver and Grand Marnier pate ($12), goose and pork rillettes ($19), and shrimp bisque. Main courses include steak frites with Darling Downs grass-fed Angus rib fillet ($55) and a Limousin cheeseburger using Plainsby beef ($33). Both come with hand-cut chips. My choice was to share the Italian breaded Toogoolawah pork loin, which came with a lemon and anchovy sauce ($55). Think of it as the ultimate parmy, only better.
Kerry Heaney in dessert heaven with her Myrtille dessert.
Madame Myrtille’s midnight blueberry tart with elderflower, cassis, and lavender ice cream. IMAGE Kevin Gordon
You won’t see the dessert menu until after you have finished the mains but trust me on this – save room!
There’s only one problem with the dessert menu. It is just too hard! How does one choose when all the options sound so delicious? I’m talking about ice cream sandwiches with caramel and Pechly High country Hooch syrup, chocolate millefeuille with chocolate mousse, and a choux bun with rhubarb pannacotta finger lime and white chocolate custard.
My solution? Madame Myrtille’s midnight blueberry tart with elderflower, cassis, and lavender ice cream. It’s superb! Larry Hinds is the pastry genius behind this blueberry tart. I can’t believe you have been hiding your talent behind a coffee machine for so many years, Larry!
When selecting wine, take advice from Toowoomba sommelier Nivard Nelson (ex Spicers Peak Lodge), who compiled the wine list. It’s an excellent list that includes a wide selection by the glass. The restaurant manager is the lovely Ashley Kirchner, who you may know from Locale Noosa.
This is a restaurant where you really want to go hungry and eat your way through each menu section with relish. I suggest a late lunch preceded by an energetic National Park walk for Brisbane day-trippers.
BEST TIP: Book ahead because this is a popular restaurant.
Myrtille Bistro sommelier Nivard Nelson explains the wine list to Kerry Heaney.
Outside the shop and some of the pastries at My Little Blueberry.
My Little Blueberry
Also owned by the Hinds family, My Little Blueberry is the patisserie you wish you had as your local. Filled with fabulous fresh flavours, you’ll stop here for morning tea and fill your car with take-home goodness. The footpath tables are perfect for a quick breakfast or lunch stop and a cup of their fabulous Jasper coffee. Oliver Hinds says My Little Blueberry was inspired by the overwhelming response to their pastries at Emeraude. The shop is filled with the most mouth-watering gleaming delights making it almost too hard to pick. Start with a pastry or cake and finish with a pie (Cheeseburger pie is highly recommended) or sausage roll. Take home a baguette.
BEST TIP: Buy early as they are sure to sell out!
Where are My Little Blueberry and Myrtille Bistro in Crows Nest?
You can’t miss Nolan’s Building in Thallon Street, Crows Nest. Myrtille Bistro is open Thursday to Sunday from breakfast through to dinner. Bookings are strongly recommended. My Little Blueberry is open 8 am to 2 pm Thursday to Sunday.
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