Yum Cha Cuisine Carindale

It's been a while since we've had yum cha in Brisbane. Lately the quality of the food at the usual places has dropped and although service was never their forte, that had gotten much worse over the years or perhaps we've just gotten more impatient. Either way, we had boycotted yum cha for a while, until we heard about the new yum cha place in Carindale. Yum Cha Cuisine does a slightly different take on yum cha. I got the vibe that it was targeting a wider market which is great to see - the decor is clean and modern and service was top notch.

It was busy inside, being 11:30am on a Saturday - peak yum cha time. Regardless, within a minute of sitting down, we were met with a trolley full of food, a lady carrying a tray of pan-fried dumplings and a waiter asking us for our drinks order. Already we were impressed. Halfway through our meal we easily caught the eye of a waiter and we ordered a few more special dishes we hadn't seen go around on the trolleys. He did so with a smile. At other places, the waiters have perfected the art of looking at anything other than the customers and when we do get their attention, they're grumpy. Top points for service here.

 Shanghai Style Steamed Pork Dumplings - Xiao Long Bao

Stokehouse Brisbane

Stokehouse is a funny choice for my first restaurant post. I have dined here once before when it first opened and I was thoroughly disappointed, never thinking I'd be back. Recent reviews have said nothing but great things and I decided to give it a second chance. Besides, I came when it had just opened.

Maybe it was the long awaited public holiday or the 27 degree warmth that made this lunch so enjoyable. Will and I were seated near the river. When I say near, I mean we can hear the water hitting the banks. None of this Eagle St Pier riverside view rubbish.

Our waiter was very helpful and friendly. She carried out a huge board of daily specials and leaned it against the table beside us so she could read them out. She then left it there for us to read alongside the a la carte menu. In theory this was a great idea but the party for that table arrived just then and this caused a bit of a kerfuffle.

We ended up ordering the special for the day to start. 

Kingfish sashimi with smoked eel, celery, fennel, pickled onions

First Post

This blog is dedicated to what I love to do - wine, dine, cook and critique. Join me in my dining adventures and attempts at cooking dishes I crave.

Born and bred in Brisbane, I've only just in the past few years started to appreciate Brisbane's food scene. It's growing everyday and is beginning to stand up to its big sister cities. I hope I can prove that all to you through convincing, honest words and captivating photographs :)

As for the cooking side of things, I want to blog classic dishes but the 'best of' versions'. I like to merge multiple recipes to create... 'the ultimate'. But of course not all turns out well so hopefully just the tried and true finds its way here. 

If you have any restaurant/recipe requests or any questions at all feel free to email me on ninawilleat@gmail.com. And of course comments are always welcomed and encouraged.