Monthly Archives: May 2015

May 24 2015

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World

 Perched on the side of the hill, with the Glasshouse Mountains providing a superb backdrop, are the Maleny Botanic Gardens.    

Pack yourselves a picnic and head off here for visit.  The drive to Maleny from Brisbane, will have you meandering through beautiful country areas, after you leave the Bruce Highway.     A worthwhile drive with the beautiful gardens making for a nice place to stop and enjoy your picnic.  Colours pop from the extensive planting mixes around the grounds.   Wide pathways meander throughout.  Plenty of room to wander here.  

At today’s visit, adults were $16 entry, free for under 16 years.  For $26 you can purchase a ticket to visit the bird aviary as well.  Today though, we visited the gardens and stopped for lunch.  Some of our group visited the aviary, but we will leave this fir a seperate visit and review.  Trees frame the jagged mountains nearby.  Each direction provides a different outlook.

 The grounds are steep in places, however there is plenty of room to drive down to the lower garden area, if you have trouble walking.  Every little corner of the gatden, provides a different setting.

 Water settings reflect their surroundings.    

Use the time you have on a free day to treat yourself to a touch of nature in this breathtakingly beautiful area of South East Queensland.  You certain,y won’t regret it ! 

May 17 2015

Willow & Spoon, Wilston, Brisbane

Nested in between residential, older style Queenslanders, Willow & Spoon is a unexpected surprise.   Eclectic, mismatched, relaxed and interesting, this cafe has it all.   

From the outhouse at the bottom of the garden to the choice of dining in either the intimate interior, or the more expansive outdoor seating at the rear of the building, this place does not disappoint.

Somehow the somewhat different mix of everything, works.   It really does.

Menus arrived attached to old LP’s, perhaps that’s why the meals arrived in record time…….😃. !
 What better way to start your day than with a refreshing juice.   The dull green hue of the Kiwifruit & Apple juice, was offset by the bright, sunshine look of the carrot juice.

 

The Tuscan was my menu choice today.  Homemade muffins were the base for the poached eggs and tomato relish, accompanied by my extra of mushrooms. A delightful dish, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

  
Bright yellow cornbread was the added choice on The Willow meal of bacon & eggs.   I did have a taste of the cornbread which was wonderfully soft and tasty.
 
Hubby’s breakfast above, was Notorious.   A belly warming sirloin, onion gravy, mushrooms, eggs and Turkish toast.  This definitely hit the right spot too.

 

As explained in their brief history on the menus, the menu here changes frequently.   A plus which helps to keep everyone’s interest.  

 Themed dinners occur monthly here too.   You might want to check one out – I think we will be sometime soon.   After all, the Italian night which was drawing near, sounded good value at $45 per person for three courses.

Take a drive down Newmarket Roaf and visit this interesting cafe, with wonderful friendly service, which has just been voted best cafe in Brisbane!   

Check the Steller Story on Steller, or follow Dine Live Travel on Facebook & Instagram. #willowandspoon 

May 9 2015

Grilling Art, Rhode Road, Stafford Heights

 After a brisk Saturday morning walk, it was time to tidy up and head out for breakfast.    Grilling Art wasn’t the first choice on this day however, it ended up being a very pleasant place to enjoy breakfast.

Full table service, with a choice of indoor/outdoor dining, this cafe/bar is nicely set out, with an open kitchen at the rear of the inside area.    A few booths are available along one wall, for those who prefer a booth.  My choice, the above Grilling Art Terrine.   Who could resist three layers of eschallot cream cheese, smoked salmon salsa and avocado.

This delightful dish was beautifully presented, making for a change from the usual standard breakfast choices.   The ingredients married perfectly to create a light, tasty and very enjoyable meal.

 Another choice at our table was the Grilling Art French, pictured above.  Rib fillet, mushroom, onion, cucumber and capsicum resting on a bed of sourdough, with a choice of sour cream or hollandaise.   Certainly enjoyable too, as this plate was  fully devoured!

Blue Ocean smashed salmon breakfast, below, included, boiled egg and aioli smashed onto the sourdough base.   Another fabulous combination which was greatly enjoyed.

 With an extensive menu throughout the day, I’m sure everyone will find something to their liking from any of the meal menus.  Takeaway meals and menus are available here too.    

I think we will be heading back here shortly so that hubby can test out the burger side.   Meanwhile I’m looking at the lunch menu thinking the strawberry and salmon salad sounds enticing!