Exploring the Southbank of Brisbane last night might not have yielded any answers, but it certainly had a charm that was friendly, relaxed and inviting. Or at the very least that was the company I was with.
The two companions that were showing me around whisked me to QPAC for the last night of the Green Jam sessions where we caught the last hour of the Euan Cumming Jazz Trio. Such a novel concept, Hazily strewn cushions on ikat mats, low backed sun loungers, fairy lit trees with the sweet strains of Blues. We should do this in Sydney!
We strolled around more afterwards shopping the night markets (yep I bought a skater dress. Animal print of course) and settled in at Sardine Tin, picked for its industrial fit outs and Ferran Adria cookbook display. We were not disappointed at all! The little shared bites we ordered to accompany our Tasmanian Pinot noir were gorgeous to every last morsel and flavorful in every bite.
Clockwise from the top: Roast quail with carrot purée and raisin jelly; divine ceviche served with kumara chips on a rockbed; menu booklet; Scallops and veal cheeks on a smear of cauliflower purée. We also ordered this rustic but honest Heirloom tomato, basil and goats cheese mousse salad, and the truffle pecorino gnocchi which don't plate up as prettily, but are definitely moorish dishes.
Lotsa laughter and a bottle of wine later we went back to their apartment where we sobered up with a palate cleanser of marinated watermelon and a generous plate of haloumi, Pistachio, almonds, mint and rose petal pilaf rice from a Nigella Lawson recipe whilst we discussed freely the necessity of school and the inequities of the Malaysian education system.
I crawled into bed well fed, well spoilt ( they left chocolates on my pillow!) and happy for having had a grand time with amazing people tonight.
I was woken up five hours later to the smell of newly made pancakes, and sizzling bacon. A cup of aero pressed coffee and fluffy berry pancakes were produced on the breakfast bar to wake me up from my zombie state and prepare me for my flight home.
I have some delightful friends in Brisbane! Makes it all the harder to say Goodbye...
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