Brisbane

THR3E Restaurant | I should observe @NotQuiteNigella 3 bite rule

Posted 2015-01-14 by Gary

I’ve spent the weekend in Brisbane visiting Miss13, Miss17 and my parents. We have some activities planned and I’ve taken Monday as recreation leave so we could fit things in. I’m writing a series of short posts about the food we ate on this visit.

On Saturday afternoon we spent the afternoon at Southbank Beach in Brisbane’s CBD. This is a fantastic venue for the residents of Brisbane.

Southbank Beach in Brisbane's CBD Apple + Pro HDR iPhone with iPhone 6 back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10000sec, ISO 32 — Southbank Beach in Brisbane’s CBD Apple + Pro HDR iPhone with iPhone 6 back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10000sec, ISO 32

Brisbane River from Kangaroo Point Apple + Pro HDR iPhone with iPhone 6 back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/8000sec, ISO 32

I love a Golden Gaytime Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/2200sec, ISO 32

Here we are again at THR3E Restaurant, this time it’s not just Mum, Dad and me, we also have Miss13 and Miss17 with us. Sadly Miss19 is in Sydney with a friend after her visit to Canberra.

We weren’t here too long ago and this time we had the same thing. The buffet and the seafood platter plus a heap of dessert.

I ate way too much and I really regret my food choices. I need to stop.

I’ve attached a series of photographs of some of the plates and dishes and bowls and cups of food I tried. I was reading Not Quite Nigella the other day and Lorraine mentioned her three bite rule, I think THR3E Restaurant needs a 3 bite rule

Inside THR3E SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 2500

Roast beef and gravy with a really tough piece of chicken thigh, fish bite, chicken nugget, coleslaw and Caesar salad SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 4000

Seafood platter with tiger prawns, calamari rings, squid twisties, prawn twisties, fish bites, oysters and mussels SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 10000

Roast beef with gravy, potato bake, quinoa and soy beans plus a random fish bite SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 4000

Quinoa salad with a truly bad pork fillet in barbecue sauce SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 2500

Caramel mousse Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 125

Vanilla soft serve ice cream with lime topping served in a coffee cup SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 1250

Vanilla soft serve ice cream with lime topping served in a coffee cup SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 1600

Miss13 thought it was hilarious that I piped vanilla soft serve ice cream into a coffee cup. I thought affogato but then saw the lime green topping and thought, why not? I used to make myself lime milk shakes and the only thing that stops me now is the fact I’m not a fan of the Canberra Raiders and they have a thing with lime milk.

Do you like lime green topping?

THR3E is embedded in the Kedron-Wavell Services Club near Westfield Chermside. You need to be a member of the club which isn’t a problem. The membership is easily affordable and the club is very friendly.

Groove Train Chermside @GrooveTrainAU

Posted 2015-01-13 by Gary

To get things started we needed a good breakfast on Saturday. Miss13, Miss17 and I headed to Groove Train at Chermside.

Miss13 asked for French toast, Miss17 asked for the Spanish eggs and I asked for corn fritters.

Miss13 also asked for a guava juice while Miss17 wanted a chai latte and I needed a long black.

Corn fritters with poached eggs, smoked salmon and lime yoghurt SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/100sec, ISO 100

The corn fritters came with poached eggs with runny yolks, smoked salmon and lime yoghurt. The corn fritters at Groove Train are filling and full of flavour.

I’d happily recommend them to anyone who has a hearty appetite.

Do you have a favourite ‘local’ you visit for breakfast when you’re visiting family and friends?

63 Racecourse Road

Posted 2014-12-17 by Gary

Today is my last day in Brisbane to help Mum after her surgery. Miss13 and Mss17 suggested 63 Racecourse Road for breakfast after their morning work out.

I’d never heard of this place but Miss17 has been here a few times and explained the menu theme changes with current events affecting Brisbane. Recently the specials were on a G20 themed menu. Currently the theme is cricket. My only concern is that whenever I eat a pulled pork burger I’m going to be thinking of Lara Bingle.

I won't be able to eat a pulled pork burger again without thinking of Lara Bingle. That's not a good thing people. Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 32 — I won’t be able to eat a pulled pork burger again without thinking of Lara Bingle. That’s not a good thing people. Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 32

I like that we can ask for good solid meals like lambs fry (that’s liver to the younger readers) which I love, poutine which I’m dying to try and of course the usual fare for breakfast and lunch.

Mmm...lambs fry Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/30sec, ISO 50 — Mmm…lambs fry Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/30sec, ISO 50

On entering we’re greeted by friendly wait staff and we ask for a table and are shown to one inside. The tables are old and distressed but solid. No wobbling. The chairs are solid too. The tables are big and there’s space between the tables so you aren’t sharing your life with other people eating.

Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/15sec, ISO 64

Inside 63 Racecourse Road Apple iPhone 6 Plus with iPhone 6 Plus back camera 4.15mm f/2.2 at 4mm and f/2.2, 1/10sec, ISO 100

Even though I’ve eaten quite a bit since being in Brisbane and caring for Mum by feeding her and Dad, despite using the next hole in my belt I have a hankering for pancakes and bacon. Miss13 wants waffles.

The pancakes are nice, nothing special, but not stodgy which is good. They’re light and fluffy and absorb the maple syrup well. The maple syrup combined with the frozen yoghurt goes well with the pancakes.

Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 320

Miss13 said she loved her waffles.

Waffles with ice cream and maple syrup at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 640

Pancakes with bacon, maple syrup and frozen yoghurt at 63 Racecourse Road SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/4, 1/60sec, ISO 500

Mum and Dad's front door SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 2000 — Mum and Dad’s front door SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/2.8, 1/60sec, ISO 2000

Curried salmon

Posted 2014-12-16 by Gary

It’s Monday so that means salmon. I’ve eaten salmon every Monday in 2014. Tonight I cooked curried salmon for Mum, Dad, Miss13 and Miss17. Miss19 is working tonight.

Cooking a kilogram of salmon with the skin on isn’t quite like cooking one portion for myself

Miss17 helped with the salad again which was good. I prepared the vermicelli by soaking it in room temperature water for 15 minutes and then draining the water.

I cooked the salmon in the same way I usually do. I rubbed in some curry powder and oil and then laid the portions out on a hot frying pan and put the lid on top for 5 minutes. I then poured in a tin of coconut cream and then added the vermicelli and then another tin of coconut cream. I broke up the salmon in the frying pan while cooking through the vermicelli and coconut cream.

The salad had mango, avocado, cucumber, cos lettuce, nectarines and tomatoes in it.

Earlier for breakfast I also had some granola

Christmas dinner

Posted 2014-12-15 by Gary

So I’m up in Brisbane a little earlier than usual. I’m here to help Mum and Dad for a few days while Mum continues her recovery from spinal surgery. She’s doing well and maintaining her exercises. I’m pleased to see her getting around and moving better than I imagined. I’m still trying to convince her though that things like ironing and perfect hospital corners on her bed are not essential to living and enjoying life.

Given that I’m in Brisbane earlier than usual I was so happy that Miss13, Miss17 and Miss19 came for a visit yesterday for Christmas dinner

I started the day knowing I had a lot of cooking and food ahead of me.

Vegemite on toast bathed in butter SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/5.6, 1/10sec, ISO 800

Vegemite on toast, also known as the breakfast of champions.

For lunch I made a simple smoked salmon and sour cream on toasted wholemeal bread plate for Mum and Dad. They both enjoy smoked salmon and sour cream. I should have bought bagels.

Smoked salmon and sour cream SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/5.6, 1/13sec, ISO 400

Smoked salmon and sour cream on toasted wholemeal bread SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/5.6, 1/20sec, ISO 400

In the afternoon as I was thinking about preparing for dinner I got some cheese out for Dad. Dad loves cheese and this was a treat for him. What I also love about my daughters is they will try anything, even smelly cheeses. Miss13 said it wasn’t something she’d actively go looking for again but understood when I explained our palates change over years and as she gets older she may appreciate cheeses like this more. I love the spirit of Miss17, from an early age she’d try things, like oysters. I remember the first time she wasn’t that impressed but she made a conscious decision at a young age to try one every time we went out and now she loves oysters.

For afternoon tea we had Roquefort, Castella white and a Tlba cheddar SONY ILCE-7S with E 35mm F1.8 OSS at 35mm and f/5.6, 1/60sec, ISO 1250

Christmas dinner is usually quite large in the Lum household. I tried to explain to Mum we could do something simple and still enjoy it. So I suggested we limit ourselves to two meats and just a salad plus some spuds (potatoes for refined readers).

So here we have a series of photographs that I shot as dinner was being prepared. I’m grateful to Miss17 for help with the salad and of course Mum who supervised and made the apple sauce even though I was meant to be looking after her.

So I apologise in advance for the number of photographs in this post but what you won’t see is the number of photographs I shot and are still in my Adobe Lightroom library.