Mon Komo

Last week I received a call asking if I would like to check out the new menu at Mon Komo. Being the greedy girl that I am, I said 'yes', started drooling, then phoned the second greediest girl I knew and invited her to join me. To protect her, I won't mention her name.

The first thing you notice about Mon Komo is the gorgeous setting. It's on the gorgeous Redcliffe Waterfront. The restaurant is beautifully furnished, light and airy. You feel like you could be holidaying on an exotic island.

My sister Kerrin (yeah, I lied and outed her) and I took our seats, ordered a glass of NZ Sauvignon Blanc each and started analysing the menu. I gave her orders:

1. You have to order something different to me
2. You have to let me try yours
3. Use your cutlery and
4. DO NOT EAT before I take photos. This was harder than it sounds

Entree
We decided to share the Turkish bread and grissini with hommus, eggplant kasundi, tussah and balsamic oil. Lucky the Grissini (bread sticks) were there because we could use them as swords to fight over the Eggplant Kasundi. This was amazing.

Mains
I ordered the Sweet pea risotto with Swiss shard, oyster mushroom, sweet potato, goats feta, lemon aioli. This was generous and well presented. I was happy that they catered for vegetarians. I personally don't like mushrooms but I am trying hard to train myself. I tried a few, pushed them aside and devoured the remaining dish.

Kerrin ordered Ricotta and prosciutto stuffed chicken breast with baked semi dried tomato polenta and beetroot oil. This looked amazing. I couldn't help myself and kept stealing bites of her polenta, roast beetroot and sauce. This was probably my highlight.

Dessert
Our awesome waiter, Ronald from the Netherlands, suggested we might like to look at the dessert menu. He could see we were weak, dazed from food and had passed the point of no return.

We split a Kahlua tiramisu with chocolate shards and coffee gelato. This was a great ending.

Then it was time to roll out of the restaurant and pick up the children from school. Back to reality.

I did not receive payment for this post. It appears that I can be bought with food but my opinions are honest and my own

Mon Komo Restaurant 
99 Marine Parade, Redcliffe
3284 6520
https://www.facebook.com/MKHotel

Veggie Burger

I have been craving a burger and no, I am not pregnant. I think it was because of the (semi) cold snap in Brisbane.

One thing that annoys me about being vegetarian is the bad burgers. I don't like the frozen veggie patties some places defrost and throw on, so I usually end up ordering a burger without the meat/patty. Afterwards I am left feeling unsatisfied, like something is missing. It's like ordering a pizza and asking them to leave off the base, or Spaghetti Bolognese and hold the pasta.

I decided to visit a new burger place that has opened in Blue Water, Redcliffe called 'Burger Box'. I was happy to see there were two vegetarian burgers on the menu (score!) and neither of them looked like the frozen veggie patty. The African Veggie burger looked awesome, chickpea fritter, harrisa, etc etc but I decided to go for the Vegetarian Feast. I will buy anything that has feast in it's name.

It has salad, haloumi, grilled mushrooms, grilled capsicum and more. To be honest, I don't like mushroom or capsicum but I am trying hard to be a little more accepting of them. I inhaled this burger, I was either really hungry or the burger was that good, I didn't once notice the mushrooms or capsicum. I ordered a side of chips for my girls to share, this is a very small serve and I should have ordered the regular.

 Then I noticed the dinner menu. You had me at Trio of Dips.

Burger Box Gourmet Burgers

Shop 4 Blue Water Square

20 Anzac Avenue, Redcliffe

3284 0040

www.burgerbox.com.au

I did not receive any payment to visit this restaurant. I am happy to receive payment or food (or wine) as incentive to visit but I will always give an honest opinion, rachel@redcliffestyle.com

Mmmm, Corn fritters

Breakfast is one of my favourite meals and I could happily eat breakfast foods three times a day.

So I was a happy girl when we decided to hit Watercress Restaurant in Northlakes for a Sunday breakfast. I had been hearing a lot about this place run by Al and Rebecca. You don't get a feel for the place from the outside, but inside it has a lovely, relaxed tropical feel. I love that there is space between the tables, I could gesture as big as I wanted and didn't have to apologise to anyone.

I didn't even need to look at the menu, I had heard about the corn fritters and I will climb a mountain, swim an ocean or wear stonewash to reach a good corn fritter. That is how much I love them. Presentation was beautiful (thanks Al), the combination of avocado, poached egg, tomato and sauces were perfect. This greedy girl was satisfied. A big plus for good coffee.

My husband had Eggs Benedict with bacon. He couldn't tell me what he thought he was too busy inhaling this.

The girls also got appropriately sized and priced children's bacon and eggs. I could have taken a photo but didn't because I was too busy eating by then.

As Arnie says "I'll be back".


Watercress Restaurant
Evergreen Lifestyle Centre
Shop 13, 14-18 Discovery Drive, Northlakes
07 34812910
watercresscafe@gmail.com
watercresscafe.net.au

A Stones throw

The weather has been beautiful for the beginning of 2012. As I was driving around the Peninsula, I noticed how gorgeous the water looked and it seemed like every every BBQ, table set up, park bench, patch of grass and car park had been taken. I love how outdoorsy Queenslanders are.

I decided to take my girls to Woody Point for ice cream. Since it was a public holiday the place was busy and there were only a few places open. The cyclists had already arrived from their far away destinations for their coffee reward. Lucky for us, Stones on the Point was open and we found a table outside.  Dean and Melinda Meakins are the owners and run a great clean and unique restaurant.  Don't judge me, but we decided to order Potato Wedges with sour cream & sweet chilli sauce and a coldstone ice cream. These came out quickly and were huge servings. I could feel 1/2 dozen pairs of judgemental cyclist eyes burning into my back with their pursed, espresso stained lips and shaking their helmet-haired head. The ice cream also had a selection of lolly treats and sprinkles on the side. My girls eyes were nearly as big as the servings and they didn't make a peep for the next ten minutes.

The wedges were perfectly cooked, but the size beat us.  I think we only made it about half way though.

The piece of orange garnish was left neglected on the plate.  Poor sad piece of orange. 

Then a short walk across the park to the jetty in a pitiful attempt to work some of it off.

Next time (and there will be a next time), I think we will cycle there and then we will look like we deserve our yummy treats.

Stones also makes meals.  They use a unique method of cooking using a heated stone. They specialise in steak and seafood. Another great place in Redcliffe.

I love living on the Peninsula and days like this remind me why.

Stones on the Point (BYO)
14 Oxley Avenue, Woody Point
07 3283 8988

A Vegetarian's nightmare?

My Peninsula eyes and ears, also know as Lisa van der Zalm (from Car Bizz, Margate), told me to check out Rene's Fine European Smallgoods in Clontarf. Being vegetarian, the idea of wood smoked ham, gourmet sausages and hot salami is not appealing, but Lisa insisted. So like a good little girl, I grabbed my meatitarian 6yo and trotted off across the Peninsula to Clontarf and came across Lisa's husband exiting as I entered. "Hello kind Sir" "Good day 'mam".

I will admit that I wasn't too excited, but this was so much better than I anticipated. I did purchase some meaty products for my husband but I also got some yummy cheeses and they have an awesome selection of jams, german products, etc. Rene uses premium products and is gluten free, their motto is 'Lean, Gourmet, Everyday'

Rene offered my littlie a piece of sausage as we were leaving. She has been raving about it ever since, she thinks it was so good, even I would like it (She is probably right too, but I won't tell her). After three hours of listening to her no-stop drooling about the sausage, I have agreed to take her back tomorrow. What have I raised?

Rene's Fine European Smallgoods

41 Tubbs Street, Clontarf

07 3283 7711

www.renessmallgoods.com.au

Breakfast at Reef Point Cafe

Anyone who loves a long, leisurely breakfast must stop by here. Mid-week is great but Sundays are excellent. They have tables and chairs set up outside under trees, so you can bring the hairy members of your family (I mean dogs, but husbands are welcome too and they are allowed to sit inside). This gem is hidden behind the Scarborough Caravan Park and is on the beach. We managed to grab a table, but I would recommend booking because they are so popular. They serve a delicious breakfast and sell the paper. On the weekends, they also have a band.

This is a great place for people watching. Bike riders, runners and dog walkers go past in a happy, spontaneous parade, and then the skydivers land right in-front on the beach.

Another reason we are so lucky to live on the Peninsula!

Reef Point Cafe

2 Reef Point Esplanade

3880 0250