Food

Little India Restaurant | Palmerston North

What a great find Little India Restaurant Palmerston North was! As soon as we walked in I was surprised by the modern fit-out, it just wasn’t what I was expecting. A lovely lady greeted us warmly and found a table.

I love their menu, it’s like a book (beautiful, thick, glossy pages) and it tells the story of the restaurant, with recipes from their Grandmother. Check out the pic for the story or click here.

The lady who served us was wonderful. She helped me to choose the wine (a nice and juicy Pinot Noir) and again with our meal selections, explaining the dishes to us and about Indian cooking and their Chef. Excellent service the whole way through dining.

We ordered the mixed platter entree to begin. I couldn’t believe the amount of food that came out! An excellent option if you like to try a bit of everything. There were vege samosas, onion bhaji, tandoori chicken and lamb skewers (Barra Kebab) – delicious! Loved the mint sauce with the meats and bhaji and the mango chutney with the popadoms.

Honestly, I was nearly full at that point.

Then came out mains. A deliciously creamy chicken korma for Mum (traditionally a mild dish cooked in a creamy sauce, made of almond paste, cream and spices. Kashmiri) and a Chicken Saagwala (an abundance of spinach, cooked with tomatoes, ginger, garlic and spices) for me which was beautiful and creamy and rich. We shared rice and garlic naan. The food was just delicious. Rich and flavorsome just as you would expect with great Indian.

We couldn’t eat too much of them though as we were so full! So we ended up packing it up to take home for lunch – it was delicious the next day too.

The service was fantastic the whole way through, we were constantly checked on to ensure we were happy, if we needed anything or had any questions. There’s some cool booths at the back and as you walk in that would be great for drinks and snacks and bigger parties.

I didn’t even know it was there, tucked away by China Inn on Broadway. Great find and highly recommend a visit to Little India Restaurant if you’re in Palmerston North!

Little India Palmerston North Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Prohibition Smokehouse | Dunedin

Prohibition Smokehouse in Dunedin lures you in with that delicious, smokey smell wafting out from meters away.

Inside, a gorgeously designed restaurant, mood lighting, and kind staff welcome you. And more of that delicious smell!

After talking with the team I decided on; pork ribs (fell off the bone), smoked mac and cheese with crispy pork bits, and corn with chipotle butter and smoked salt.

I was dining alone and wanted to try lots of food and their mains are designed to be shared. So I think I choose the right option. It was enough for two people though, there’s no way I could have eaten it all! A little bit over-indulged.

I now realise the reason I’ve lost weight in NZ is that I’m not eating out all the time and eating as much as I can of everything.

Anyway, the food was ridic. Just delicious – especially those ribs. I would love to try an aged T-bone steak here and some of their chargrilled greens. Will have to try those next time I get to Dunedin and visit Prohibition Smokehouse again!

Now to find the will to get up and walk (roll) the ten minutes back to my hotel… yes, I did indeed write this in the restaurant.

Prohibition Smokehouse Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Cheeky Poke, West End Brisbane- Fresh, Healthy, Quick!

Fresh, healthy and quick – three things I look for when I’m on the run! Cheeky Poke provided just that. 

I stopped by the Cheeky Poke Bar in West End in Brisbane for a quick bite with a friend. It’s a gorgeous setting with gardens, lights in the evening and a cool atmosphere.

There are loads of options to choose from, either from their pre-designed menu items or choosing your own. After a big day, I didn’t want to think about making my own so I just went with the tuna bowl and it was exactly what I was hoping for!

My bowl:
Tuna (GF) – Sashimi Tuna (Mooloolaba, QLD), Black Rice, Zucchini, Pickled Onion w/ Parsley, Cherry Tomatoes, Jalapenos, Edamame, Wasabi Ponzu, Tobiko, 64° Egg, Cheeky Nori, Sesame, Togarashi & Salt

The ponzu provides that beautiful tang I love with my poke, the tuna fresh and firm and the vegies perfect to keep me feeling like I’m getting my intake of greens! I also love the 64° Egg – I mixed the whole bowl in together and devoured it.

Great place for a healthy stop. Check out the menu HERE.

PS. My pic is horrendus and overexposed from using flash as it was dark! The real thing is much better looking.

 

Cheeky Poke Bar - West End Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The Grounds of Alexandria, Sydney 

This is my new favourite place!

I’d heard the rumors the grounds were incredible but I really didn’t understand what the venue offered until I visited.

Based in an industrial area in Sydney not far from the airport, the Grounds of Alexandria are partly sustainable gardens known for its abundance of fresh produce and hands-on experiences. There’s a cafe, bakery, potting shed, florist, animal farm and a coffee roastery.

There are beautiful spaces everywhere you turn, lush greenery and rustic furniture setting the scene. It’s kind of like walking through a magical garden that you would have imagined as a child but combined with all the culinary goodness your adult mind can also muster. It really is the thriving urban sanctuary they describe.

I adore their philosophy: ‘The Grounds is built on the philosophy of creating experiences for communities through quality products, innovations and an ever-evolving vision.’

After wandering around in the grounds in amazement, we decided to eat at the cafe. We were lucky to not have to wait, walking in past incredibly smelling bread and stunning French patisseries.

The cafe was intimate, rustic and had a real buzz. People were moving everywhere and each one of them had their phones out, taking pictures for their instagram. I wonder if it is one of the most instagrammed places in Sydney*?

Our meals came out quickly, I had the signature breakfast, essentially avocado on toast. Avocado, heirloom tomato, feta, pomegranate, za’atar on their own sourdough. Apparently the mushrooms go well with the plate, I was too full to order them too. I did have space for a chai latte though!

Tom ordered the breakfast burger and declared ‘it was the best burger of his life.’ I don’t think I’ve ever seen him quiet for that long while he happily devoured his meal.

The more I write about this, the more I realise it is their philosophy, marketing and model that I’m attracted to. The outcome is something to be truely admired. I’d love to create something similar in Brisbane…

*Ah yes, post writing article and a quick google search, it’s not just one of the most instagrammed restaurants in Sydney but also one of the most instagrammed places in Sydney, fullstop.

The Grounds of Alexandria Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Project 41 Cafe, Bowen Hills Bliss

Did somebody say fantastic coffee & easy, healthy, scrumptious lunches?! Yeah they did.

Checked out a great new cafe, Project 41 Cafe, in Bowen Hills last week with a few of the girls from work. Not far from the Royal Brisbane Hospital.

The cafe itself is bright with lots of natural light and a cool breeze. Simplicity with funky twists for the interior design. Rad graffiti art on the wall – definitely Insta-worthy.

Almond milk – tick! I’m a big fan for an almond chai latte. The girls said the coffees were on point.

Anyway on to the good stuff – the food.

I ordered the peri peri chicken salad, which was nice and light with the contrasting crunch of the corn chips and a hit of peri peri at the end of each bite. Delish.

Ceri ordered the sweet potato and brown rice salad – which was perfect as she is GF & DF. Kris was beyond excited with the 14 hour BBQ beef brisket tortilla.

We all shared the poached chicken salad, which I probably wouldn’t have ordered on my own, but the combination with the ricotta, kale and almonds was my fave dish.

Heading back again for lunch tomorrow.

Ps. Apparently breakkie is awesome there too – report back next week on whether the rumours are true!


  


Project 41 Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Milk Factory Kitchen & Bar, South Brisbane

A bar where they throw rose petals at you and overly garnish your drinks? Hell yeah!

Starting with cocktails, I stole Ka Lei’s drink (a freshly squeezed Apple juice with Bison vodka) so she ordered a bramble. The bar tenders were really interactive and knowledgable. In particular, Aisher was whipping some amazing concoctions!

We ordered the eggplant fingers with satay sauce and the chicken pakoras with aioli. They were both average.

What was amazing however, was the gin & tonic swordfish ceviche served on scallop shells! Best ceviche I’ve had in quite some time.

We went on to play a game with the bar tenders. They had to try recreate the taste of Spice Box – a spicy, sweet, rye rum which they’d never even tasted. There were all sorts of random ingredients being retrieved from hiding places!

The bar reminds me of the layout of bars in Canada. People actually sitting at the bar and engaging with patrons and staff. A nautical theme, dimly lit with a great range of alcohol.

Lots of fun and banter, I’d definitely go back.

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