Spring (CBD)

Continuing the topic of the CBD dining let's talk about Spring... and I don't mean the season, even though I wouldn't mind a bit of warmth and sunshine in our Brisbane lives...Spring is that restaurant that has created a lot of buzz since its opening a few months ago  and many of you have heard of.

My first visit to Spring was not long after its opening. The design and unusual interior decorations sculpted heads and arms resting on the nearby table definitely made a pleasant impression -white crisp colours,  lots of light, wood, fresh pastry and salads displayed in glass cabinets and fancy bottles of wine prominently displayed, sneakily unveiling the action happening in the kitchen - an exquisite design with a twist, yet 'cosy' and welcoming and not at all intimidating. For a moment I felt like I was back in Europe in one of my back then favourite cafes.

During my fist visit the food  was good, but nothing too impressive. What deserves special credit is the service. While I was eating a nasty insect landed its tiny body in my salad and died right in between the spinach leaf and a piece of beetroot - the waitress reacted in a glimpse of a second and my dish was replaced promptly, which I haven't even requested as the appetite was gone as the wine tasted too good!

Anyway, this week I had to pick a place for a dinner in the CBD with a special person - a lady who was partially responsible for my  move to Australia 3 years ago -  sure thing I wanted to go to a nice place, where we would be able to enjoy good food, pleasant atmosphere and be able to have a decent conversation without having to shout to beat the crowd noise (and I wanted all that on Friday, when  the majority of the city workers start drinking at 3 pm!). After  a careful consideration  a google search at work  the choice fell on Spring!


My guest approved of my choice and we had a lovely time chatting for a couple of hours while enjoying our meals. Again, food was good, but nothing over the top exciting - maybe I am becoming spoilt or choosing not the best things off the menu, this time I went with the Salad with Pumkin and Haloumi cheese (it sounded a lot more fancy on the menu, but you get the idea) ? Service was attentive and the  coffee was yum!

Overall - a lovely experience, and definitely a unique place in the CBD.

Design:  10/10

Drinks:  9/10

Food: 7/10

Service: 9/10

The highlight: The atmosphere

Disappointment: The line to the ladies!!

Splurge: $$$ 

xoxo

Julie

Peony Asian Fusion:CBD Casual Dining

I have been meaning to write about the Peony Asian Fusion for a while now, as this is one of the places that has pleasantly surprised me the first time I went there a good few months ago and hasn't left disappointed ever since. 

Peony is one of those 'easy' places that would fit pretty much anybody's taste, featuring Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese cuisines,  wine, cocktails and Sake  and is perfect if you are aiming for a 'safe' option - nothing over the top fancy, but nonetheless nice and pleasant, with no damage to your bank account  (save the money for the End of Year Sales!!)

The atmosphere is calm and relaxing, tables are positioned at a fair distance, allowing for a decent conversation, the service is prompt and attentive. 

Now the food. If you are as bad at decision making as me you probably will struggle, as there are quite a few items to choose from, the menu features mouth watering photos of the dishes and the prices are so reasonable, that for a moment you feel like ordering half of the menu  (the items are ordered by  ticking the dish number on the piece of paper, saving you from the waiter's judgemental look), but beware! - portions are generous, ordering a 'light meal' salad made me wonder wether I would have had a need to eat the next day have I ordered the main as well. 

Prawn & Chicken Salad

Anyway, I think enough said. If you are looking for a place for casual lunch a dinner in the CBD Peony is the place to go. 

Design: 7,5/10

Drinks: 7,5/10

Food: 9/10

Service: 9/10

The highlight: Great variety

Disappointment: trying hard to think of anything....

Splurge: $$ 

xoxo

Julie

What's On Brisbane:Beat the Procrastination

I have been guilty of being slack recently, with both my blog writing as well as a few other commitments, and oh, I wish I had a serious excuse for that someone, delete Instagram from my phone! , like saving the world from the invsion of weird creatures from the Prometheus or something a bit more useful down to earth like cleaning my house and sorting out my wardrobe.

 But no, I have been stuck in pure Procrastination, and apparently ' it's cold,dark and gloomy out there' is not a good enough excuse.

It's not all that negative of course, a few great things happened in the past couple of weeks, that I can't help to booast about to share.

First of all, Winter Festival is on in Brisbane - tag along to King's George Square for some winter comforting food, mulled wine, and of course ice skating (and the rink is not even melting this year!)

Make sure you jump online to book though, as Brisbanites are keen for some winter experience and the tickets are selling fast.
http://winterfestival.com.au/

Lady Gaga concert.
I was lucky to go to the Gaga's last show in Brisbane last Saturday and see for myself the amazing perofmance of the Pop Star, I am not her biggest fan but , oh my, that woman knows how to create an incredible show! Great entertainment, even though she probably was a bit exhausted coming towards the last show, judging by how many times the F* word was said out loud!Nevertheless - great show!

The Nutcracker on Ice

For something a bit more conventional we went to see a Nutcracker on Ice at the QPAC.
The 25-strong cast of World, European and National Championship ice skaters performed their unbelievable stunts on stage - the performance is just breathtaking - most of the tricks are hard to perform on the ground, never mind on Ice!http://www.qpac.com.au/event/Nutcracker_On_Ice_12.aspx

Yoga.
I have been doing it for nearly 3 weeks now and I am just loving it - I think it is the reason why I have started my war with winter procrastination! The school of Meditation and Yoga in West End is a truly tranquil place - very peaceful,non-judgemental and professional and they give away sweets in the end of the class htttp://www.asm.org.au/locations/qld/brisbane/west-end/

xoxo

Julie