Oxford 152

I went to Oxford 152, Oxford Road Bulimba last night for dinner to catch up with some friends who have been living overseas.

The place was very accommodating. They had these brazier heater things going on inside which were making everyone way too hot, but the staff turned them off when we asked.

They had 2 vegetarian meals.  A pasta which was like a plain spaghetti bolognese  looking thing,  Or mushrooms with fetta and spinach.  Both were about $19

The mushrooms were delicious.  I'd say they were a little expensive for what they were, especially considering a whole plate of steak, chips and salad was about the same price.

They also forgot my order of mushrooms but were very apologetic, taking the price of the meal off the bill, and offering free drinks.

All in all it was a nice place to eat- as long as you are happy with the plain pasta or musrooms.

3 1/2 mushrooms out of 5

Verve Cafe

Sorry I've been slack but I'm saving to go overseas soon and so my eating out has to be curtailed.  I did however make an exception last Tuesday night to eat dinner at the Verve Cafe and participate in their trivia night.

I really like the Verve Cafe... think my love started back when I first discovered it. It had the coolest stencils on the toilet wall, or otherwise you had to walk up this rickety staircase to go to the official loos.  I like being afforded a different view of Brisbane.  I also liked the way Verve is small with a cozy and cool vibe.

Anyway, I have digressed... back to the food.

Verve earns points for having more than the usual 1 vegetarian main meal option- and not all of them include eggplant!!

There are multiple vegetarian pasta dishes, and pizzas to choose from.

I usually go for the pumpkin pizza which is yum, however on Tuesday night I went for the artichoke heart risotto.

Now if you have read my previous posts you would know that I haven't been all that lucky with my risottos- so I was hoping that this one would end my bad streak.

Unfortunately no.

The rice was not cooked.  Yep that's right- Not cooked- it was crunchy.  I ended up sending it back- something I hate to do having worked in a kitchen myself.  They sent me back another one- rice was still very, very al dente, AND it had a different sauce (I had originally chosen a cream sauce, and the second attempt had a tomato based sauce).

No offer to have the meal taken off the bill- or for a complimentary drink- or anything to help save such a sour experience.

I have also noticed that Verve never (rarely??) puts on vegetarian specials, and their beautiful sounding vegetable soups are all made on meat stock.

These days though I am starting to wonder if my liking of Verve is just due to nostalgia, they don't even have the cool stencils on the walls. 

Think I will need to search for a new funky place to drink and eat in the city,  and I'm definitely not ordering risotto for while.


Score- 3 out of 5 artichokes

Bistrot Bistro

I went tonight to the Bistrot Bistro on Logan road in Woolloongabba.

Woolloongabba has become a bit of a restaurant haven there in the old Moreton Rubber building.  It's a nice looking restaurant helped by the interesting features of the old building.

Trouble was the food.

I had a Chestnut and Mushroom risotto as a main.  This was the only vegetarian option (which I can be forgiving as it is a small limited menu of 5 mains). 

To start the presentation was dreadful.  All my meat and fish eating friends got delicate, beautiful looking (and tasting from what I've heard) food.  Whereas my risotto was sloped on a plate/bowl with no garnish or anything looking like yellow slop.

The presentation I could have forgiven except to my disappointment the risotto was inedible.  The rice was cooked well, but all I could taste was Parmesan cheese.  Very overpowering Parmesan cheese.

I would definitely not go back until they changed there menu.


It is strange that ever since I have started this blog I have been to two 'bistros' and had two inedible risottos.  Here's hoping my next review is not cursed!


Score - 2 Cheeses out of 5

Atomica

Went to Atomica on Boundary St, West End, again yesterday morning.

Atomica is one of my favourite places to meet friends and family on a weekend for breakfast.  It has something for everyone.

Some of the reasons Atomica is a hit are~

• They make really yummy soy flat whites (and other coffees)
• It has airconditioning
• There is often a table big enough of a group (although sometimes you have to wait)
• The staff are nice and efficient
• The food comes out quickly
• They use organic milk
• And free ranged eggs
• They have a unusual and diverse menu
• They have vegan options
• And options for gluten free bread

Everyone has a different reason for liking Atomica.

Also, and probably most importantly, the food is always great.

I personally can recommend their:

• Massive vegetarian big breakfast
• Tomato and avocado on toast
• great specials such as goats cheese and mushroom scrambled eggs
• I even like the simple toasted turkish with raspberry jam

Nothing better than a yum breakfast, and then maybe a wander up to Avid Reader for a quick little peruse- It's a great way to start the weekend!

Score: 4 Eggs out of 5

James St Bistro

Last night I went for dinner to James Street Bistro; on James st, in the Valley.
It is a nice relaxed place, with great atmosphere and service.
I think they reached their best when they used to make a nice vegetarian pappardelle and a nice vegetarian pizza.

Both were sadly lacking of the menu last night.

Yesterday the vegetarian options were a entree/light meal goats cheese tart, or a main meal of mushroom risotto, or Margarita pizza.

I went with the mushroom risotto.

It was disappointing-not entirely sure what was so wrong with it but i think it had been over cooked- the rice was all mushy and the mushroom taste was way too heavy like it had been stewing for a long time.
I have eaten many a risotto and many a mushroom in my time, and this was one of the worst i have eaten.

All up- I like the restaurant, but to only have 2 vegetarian main meals (a cheese and tomato pizza or inedible risotto) is not enough and therefore not a good thing.


Score- 2 Mushrooms out of 5