BNE Question
 

Maybe not the appropriate forum, but I think this is my best shot.

I'm in MCY at the moment (after flying NTL-BNE and driving up) for a conference, with my wife joining me for the weekend, flying up from NTL to BNE.

The Queensland Club looks likely to be closed over this weekend, still on the Christmas break, so can anyone recommend a good ***** restaurant?

No Niel-Perry-3-pieces-of-gnocci-and-that's-your-main-poser-tosspot rubbish, I mean decent food where you'll get the arse if you show up in shorts and a T-shirt.

You local boys from BNE - any good advice to offer?

We're staying at the Novotel, so anywhere in the city or nearby is fine.

Thanks lads.

Cha cha char - fantastic steaks
or
Catch a ferry across to Kangaroo Point, and have a few beers (one of the best selections "on tap") at the Story Bridge Hotel, followed by a great meal at Deery's.

If you're talking old-fashioned *****, Siggy's is good. It's at the gardens end of Edward Street, attached (in theory) to the Stamford Plaza. It has a great setting in the old port office building.

If you want something that is modern, but not wanky, Restaurant Two on the corner of Edward and Alice St is great. Gianni's, which is just next door to Restaurant Two, is also nice, but it's a bit more pretentious and I don't think the food's as good.

Let me know how you go.

Shillard, took your advice and joined here as well. Looking through should keep me going.

As a Brisbane-born-and-bred-boy:

You could check out the recently renovated Breakfast Creek Hotel...always had the best steaks off the grill and beer off the wood. $8 cab fare from the Novotel (which is just around the corner from my work).

The St Pauls Tavern (cnr Wharf Street and Leichhardt) has been renovated and have a new eatery called Halos. A 500 metre walk from your hotel (come out onto Astor Terrace, turn right and walk 100 metres to t-intersection (that's Wharf Street), turn left and walk up the hill to the top, it's on the RHS just past Federal Police Building)

Another option is Oxley's On The River on Coronation Drive at Milton. A short cab ride or walk along the river from the city.

I agree with whitters, if you want a really good, old-fashioned dining experience, I recommend Siggi's at the Stamford Plaza (former Beaufort Heritage).

Got to agree that Cha cha char (sic) and the Brekky Creak are my favorites, but I am such a carnivore that I am at the point where I will only eat the meat of animals who eat other animals........
For a more laidback night, try somewhere in New Farm or West End.
My personal favorite is Epicureans in Merthyr Road New Farm. Owned by a local Gastroenterologist. If you get a bit of reflux from the meal..........

Shillard, another two - more upmarket, in accordance with your original point in your message:

Baguettes - Racecourse Road, Ascot
Bretts Wharf - Kingsford Smith Drive (Cnr Racecourse Rd). [Run by the owners of Baguetes] -

Can vouch for Baguettes, had Christmas dinner there with fiancee's work colleagues. Have always heard good reviews from Bretts Wharf (particularly the seafood), but not dined there yet.

Both have extensive menus, excellent wine lists and are half-way to Airport (if you are thinking of doing it on your way to/from the airport). Only about $12 cab fare from Novotel.

My experience of Oxleys has not been that positive - really not that upmarket and service poor when busy.
My pick is Carriages Restaurant at the Sheraton just a short walk from the Novotel- great steak and seafood and good wine-list and service - prices at the top end -AUD 35 for a beef filet but well worth it .
The only problem is that it does not reopen until 16 January.

For traditional style 5 star dining, lesser known but a firm favourite with your upper echelon corporate types is Armstrongs, located at the Inchcolm Boutique Hotel, 73 Wickham Terrace, (07) 3832 4566 - closest walking distance to your Novotel than anything else in Brisbane, and equal to all in terms of fine dining and wines.

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. Siggys was still closed for Christmas (lazy communists), and Armstrongs was booked out, so we ended up at ecco.

Not really *****, but very good nonetheless for a more "trendy" establishment. Small but select winelist, excellent quality food and good service. Only cost around $100 for two courses each and a couple of drinks.

Thought about Char-Char-etc for Sunday evening, but couldn't be buggered so we ate at the hotel. Definitely one of the better Novotel dining experiences here in BNE, right up there with the Lakeside Rotorua (legendary Thai buffet on there some weeknights).

Checked out Steve Irwin's zoo on Saturday - Mrs Shillard was enthralled by the Otters (imagine stretched out cats that love water).

Your lovely wife would like Aeropelican then! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Dave

(for the information of the peanut gallery, I have actually met Mrs Shillard)

I travel to Brisbane once or twice a year and usually make a point to eat at the Baguette Restaurant Brasserie, Racecourse Road, Ascot. I have stopped going to Oxley's on the River... On the last visit my family and I were not too impressed with how streaked and dirty the windows were. Could be an indication that the kitchen is also a bit unkempt? Someone mentioned Siggy's at the Port Office, Heritage Hotel, which is a good choice. A decent place for afternoon tea with a view is at the Kuta Cafe on Mt. Coot-tha. The Summit Restaurant there is also good for Sunday Brunch.

My girlfriend lives just 50 metres away so I just have to straight out of the door and then find the white house on the left side http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Another bar I like very much is Jorge or if you like Pubs you should go to Irish Murpheys...

You betcha, she used to swear by them back when she flew regularly BEO-SYD-MEL with the dark side.

Mr Shillard sends her best.