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

Delicious steak at Bakehouse Steakhouse, Ipswich

Will drive 49 minutes for steak…. Well to Bakehouse Steakhouse in Ipswich anyway – it’s totes worth it.

My friend Bolliwood, who used to live in Ipswich had heard rumors about a great steak restaurant there. So we drove from Brisbane to check out Bakehouse Steakhouse and see what the fuss was about.

It was stunning inside. From the moment we walked through the adorable candy-pink door and I saw the ‘press for champagne’ bell – I knew we were in a good place. The interior design is beautiful. The candy pink theme continues inside with a stunning European-looking bar (it’s the arches that do it) to a cute dessert station all captured in a beautiful old brick building with a lovely courtyard outside. Even the bathrooms were cute with brass taps.

I was very tempted by the wine and cocktail menus…. however I am attempting to cut back post-holiday season so it was sparkling water for me. The Aperol was calling my name from those beautiful arch shelves in the bar too… anywho I resisted.

I would normally go for an eye fillet but instead decided on trying something different – the rib fillet on recommendation from the team there. All steaks come with salad and limitless chips – yup, limitless! I went with medium rare even though my preference is rare because by then I trusted the team’s suggestions. We also ordered the truffle mash (how could you not, really??) and some greens. Because we are healthy. Or at least pretending to be.

The steaks came out quickly and were beautiful and tender. Delicious and definitely worth the 49minute drive. Add to that the creamy and flavorsome truffle mash and we were happy as can be.

We will be back for sure and checking out more of the area. I hear there are fantastic donuts at the bakery…

Bakehouse Steakhouse Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Mosconi – Fortitude Valley, Brisbane

We were all really excited to eat some pasta this weekend as after the holiday season we’ve been attempting to be less indulgent to save our figures. After looking at a few options for Italian dining around Brisbane we settled on Mosconi in Fortitude Valley.

The three of us arrived at the restaurant and oddly a guest who arrived after us was bought in from behind us and seated. We were taken upstairs to our table where two of the chairs had their legs down the hole in the floor at the edge of the mezzanine. The tables were crammed upstairs and it was a full house. Not a great start.

We had menus dropped at our table and upon seeing a different meal on another patron’s table we asked if there were specials – had we not asked we wouldn’t have been told them. The team weren’t very attentive.

The entrees at Mosconi were fantastic. Beef carpaccio and burrata. The burrata was my favourite – perfect with the yellow peach, tomato and basil pangrattato. Delicious.

We missed out on the pappardelle special as it had sold out already so we chose the butternut risotto and the lamb ragu tagliatelle and asparagus with Parmesan custard. We couldn’t decide on a third main meal so we decided we would get some cheese instead afterward.

I’m thankful we didn’t get the third main. Both mains and the asparagus were bland. Two of us stopped eating as it just wasn’t very good. Super disappointing considering the premium price point and our excitement to eat there.

It’s never nice writing negative reviews but it wouldn’t be fair to only share the good stuff.

Mosconi 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

Banter Bar Kangaroo Point – Fresh Fish & Chips

A new-ish edition to Kangaroo Point, Banter Bar has been on my list to visit for some time.

The restaurant itself is a converted Queenslander, well fitted out with a beach-side, simplistic feel to the interior. The bar is a bit more funky with a giant neon sign and there’s plenty of tables around.

I ordered the special of the day, the Red Emperor and chose for it to be crumbed with a Greek side salad. I didn’t drink (I know you’re all shocked – ha) BUT they have a big selection at the bar and even nice champagne by the half and full bottle (hello Louis Roederer!) would go down well with some of their fresh oysters if you ask me.

Our meals came out quickly and looked as good as they tasted. Crunchy chips, fresh Greek salad and a herb crumbed, generous piece of fish. Delightful!

I’ll definitely go back soon, especially now I have oysters and champagne on my mind. They have a take away menu too, would be lovely to grab some and watch the sunset on the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.

You’ll find Banter Bar right off Main Street, next to The Pineapple Hotel and there’s parking out the back.

PS. I’ve been back since and the beer battered fish is just as delish!!

 

Banter Bar & Seafood Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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