Daily Detours to Help Expand Your Palate

Few venues in Brisbane can hold a candle to the 140-year-old institution that is the Regatta. Known fondly as ‘The Regretta’ by anyone who’s come out feeling worse for wear following a Sunday session at the ‘Gats, this sprawling, iconic venue is not just a great watering hole, it’s also home to a pretty magnificent steakhouse. The Boatshed Restaurant is nestled alongside Coronation Drive and in addition to river views they offer a range of dry and wet aged steaks — from 70-day grain fed rib fillet to a 400 gram Thousand Guineas Australian Shorthorn steak — it’s the oldest breed in Australia, dating back to 1825. Why not skip the cooking tonight and head down for a steak at the Regatta, and then pop into the main bar for a nightcap?

Ever heard of pasta from a cheese wheel? It’s a thing at Il Verde. And it’s a thing that you probably want to find out more about. Located in the heart of Fortitude Valley on King Street, Il Verde offers the full gamut of Italian cuisine in an upmarket yet relaxed (and cheese wheel-wielding) setting. You might want to have your next date night here. Make an advance booking and you and your beloved (or fellow pasta fiend) can have your pasta or gnocchi stirred up in a big melty wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano, and dished up onto your plate. Yep. Dinner also includes a glass of wine and a dessert too, so wear your stretchy pants.

Mid-week treats from Philip Johnson’s imaginative and decadent tasting menu at the landmark e’cco bistro are always a good idea. Coming in at a very agreeable $89 per person, you’re likely to dine on dishes like venison tartare, pumpkin agnolotti, local organic chicken, steak with sweet soy and a cheeky mango tart for dessert. Not a bad way to enjoy the best of e’cco without putting too much strain on your wallet.

Image: @eccobistro via Instagram

Going to a bar where everybody knows your name might be something that only happens in sitcoms, however, West End’s new pub, The Montague Hotel, will make you feel like that could occur. When it opened in April, it didn’t hide the fact that it wants to be the area’s new local haunt — and once you’ve been there, you’ll probably be inspired to drop by the Monty quite often. Forget the drinks — a mark of a great pub is a varied menu of comforting eats. If you can see yourself eating there every day of the week, that’s an ace sign. Good ol’ Monty serves up three kinds of fries (potato, sweet potato and the cheese wonder that is haloumi), seven types of burgers, steaks, schnitzels, pizzas, salads and rotisserie chicken, lamb and pork, all of which is sure to get your tastebuds pumping. Oh, and who doesn’t want an espresso martini ice cream sundae for dessert?

When you knock off after a long work week and need of a cruisy spot to help get you into weekend mode, look no further than Boundary Street Night Markets in West End. Zip there after work and wander around a veritable bazaar of stalls and traders. And if you’re hungry, you’re certainly in the right place. The market boasts treats and delights from all over the world — Turkey, Romania, Sri Lanka, Korea and Japan, just to name a few places. Definitely save room for dessert, too, with I Should Coco serving up vegan soft serve, and Organic Frog on doughnut duty. Formerly located on the corner of Boundary Street, you can now find the markets up the road, on the corner of Russell and Boundary Street every Friday and Saturday night from 4pm to 10pm.

Low on cash but still craving a night on the town? We’ve all been there, so here’s what we suggest. First, grab a cheap, hearty bowl of pho at AJ Vietnamese Noodle House on Charlotte Street in the city. These legends dish up the good stuff, nailing the perfect combo of freshness and spice. Plus, a bowl will only set you back $10.90. Total win. After dinner, mosey on over to Brooklyn Standard for a gig, where you could see anything from a mariachi band to a funk and soul group. The bands are fabulous, dancing is encouraged and to top it all off, entry is free.

When you eat the ocean’s finest, you really do want to look at the ocean. As great as your local fish ‘n’ chippy no doubt is, suburban greasy spoons can’t offer that. Morgan’s Seafood can, and has for 31 years. While you’re eating fish, prawns, oysters and more fresh from the trawler, expect views of Moreton Bay — and the Glasshouse Mountains if one scenic sight isn’t enough. While grabbing takeaway is an option every night of the week if you’re a Scarborough local or find yourself in the area often, between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon is the best time to plan a long stay. That’s when this northside favourite serves up platters of hot and cold food made for two and cranks up the live music. Once you’re done, stop by the on-site seafood market, pick from 180 products and go home with dinner for another day.

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