A cosy nook

“This has been a long journey, especially after the floods,” said an enthusiastic Mary as we paid compliments to the crowded dining area at newly opened The Nook Caffe Restaurant in Jindalee this morning. Formerly known as the GardenWay Restaurant, Mary, George, Doug and the crew started from the ground up when they relocated to the Sinnamon Road site after the floods and have been fully operational for just over three weeks. 

Granada, tierra sonada por mi

A few years ago I embarked on my first overseas trip. One of the destinations on my itinerary was Spain. I had such high hopes for my visit, but if I’m honest, it did not deliver everything I had wanted it to. What disappointed me most was the food. More recently, I have noticed an influx of tapas bars popping up around Brisbane; a sign that the influences of the Mediterranean have made their way to Australian shores, and although my experience overseas was not brilliant, it has not deterred me from Spanish food altogether. And this is how I came to find myself in Granada Cafe Tapas Bar.

The Adjustment Bureau – A Review

The concept behind The Adjustment Bureau is quite original, and first-time writer/director George Nolfi should be congratulated for bringing it to life on screen. As an adaptation of a Philip K Dick story, this science fiction, fantasy, thriller (with a hint of romance thrown in) starring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt is hugely entertaining.

True Grit – A Review

I can’t ever say I’ve been compelled to watch a western at any stage of my lifetime.  I don’t recall giving up my Saturday afternoons to engage in any of John Wayne’s films.  I find this somewhat ironic given that True Grit is not only a western I felt compelled to see, but it is also a remake of the film that scored Wayne an Oscar in 1969.  In this adaptation of Charles Portis‘ novel of the same name, Joel and Ethan Coen have written and directed a truly masterful story for the screen.

I’ve got a crush

Monteith’s
Crushed Pear Cider

Tomorrow is Australia Day, but some friends and I thought we’d get the party started a little early with a backyard barbecue and a few bevvies.  We should have gone down the patriotic path and purchased some Australian beer, like a XXXX, Tooheys, VB, Cascade, Coopers or Swan, but it seemed our tastebuds had jumped on a plane and crossed the water to bring back the flavours of cider.

It started with a whisper

Littore Family Wines
Whispers 2009 Cabernet Merlot

Some days I just need to spend some time with my sister.  During the recent flooding disaster in and around Brisbane, I desperately felt I needed a little Sister Time after being isolated and without power in my suburb.  Fortunately, she and I live in the same city these days (although she was unaffected by the flood) and are roughly 30 minutes’ drive apart.  The route has at least a handful of bottle shops, so I thought it appropriate to pick up a bottle of something for our catch up.

That’s amore

I’m sure many of you will understand when I say that there are some restaurants and eateries you save for ‘special occasions’; a romantic dinner for two, the celebration of a  new job, when a long-serving friend comes to visit, or a birthday dinner with your nearest and dearest.  If you’re anything like me, you save them because you don’t want to tarnish your enjoyment or memory of that very first visit, and you want others to experience that same satisfaction.  You get me?

It’s Christmas, c’est Noel

It’s Christmas!  That wonderful time of year where you give presents to your loved ones (and some that aren’t so loved) in the hope of receiving some of your own in return; eating as much glazed ham, roast turkey and pavlova as you can before being rolled away from the table; and listening to cheesy Christmas tunes while you fight with hundreds of other shoppers in shopping centres across the city.  I love this time of year! 

Seeing U2 a dream come true

I was as giddy as a school girl after her first kiss… Perhaps that’s how best I can explain the excitement I felt seeing one of my favourite bands in the world live tonight.  I wasn’t phased by the prospect of bad weather (predicted rain and possible thunder storms), as I entered Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and was overwhelmed by the space-like stage arrangement that hovered high above me in the sky.  U2’s 360° tour was in town, and I – as a long-time fan – was eagerly awaiting the chance to get carried away with it!  I had never seen them live, and I was living a dream.

Food from the hills

I wasn’t sure what to expect as the giant Buddha eyes peered out at me from across the street.  They watched as I made my way to the door, and seemed to hold their lingering stare as I stepped across the threshold into the warm embrace of the Tibetan Kitchen at Spring Hill.  Inside, the Tibetan Kitchen was abuzz with table-upon-table of diners, and my eyes darted from one corner of the room to the other in search of a familiar face.  Having been stood for a few minutes unable to find my group, I was now hopeful of having one of the service attendants come to my aid.  But they seemed run off their feet serving meals and clearing tables, and failed to catch my eye.  I decided to wait outside.