Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Brisbane - To Eat 24July24 (Maru Grill House)

 

Brisbane - To Do
Brisbane - To Eat


Brisbane - To Eat
Primarily known for the charcoal bbq, but due timing, went in for one of their al-la-carte dishes.
Ordered On:
24July24
Spicy Beef Noodle Soup AUD20
*Huge portions. Nice table side service in a clean crisp environment for a flat AUD20. Hearty and enjoyable. The beef is on point as is the soup that'll get the sweat pores working. 
Sides aren't the usual free-flow. Allows for two top ups but it was plenty. The Khim Chi here on the sweeter, fresher side (not pickled as long). Their Japchae is more on the peppery side. I didn't fancy the noodles too much and should've stuck to the soup which comes with a bowl of rice.*
Food 3.5/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Value 3.5/5
For about as cheap eats you gonna get comparing to road side shawarma at about 15AUD range, an additional 5AUD gets you full table service, sides and water refills. Would recommend for their al-la-carte and try their BBQ meal daily specials deal sets as well.

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Cairns - To Eat 19Jul24 (RattleNHum, Caffined, Mooz Gelato & Juice Bar, Pho Street Cairns,Waffle On)

Cairns - To Do
Cairns - To Eat

Cairns - To Eat
RattleNHum
Bar, Grill & Pizzeria
(located around the night market)
Live band in the evenings but am not sure for all nights. A good variety selection of almost everything. Dinner and drinks with some sides pretty much goes from about 30AUD-50AUD.
Ordered On:
19July24
Fish and chips x2 $29
Oyster to share natural half dozen (sharing) 24.50
Calamari salt and pepper (sharing) 17.50


*Oysters were nice and fresh. The calamari pieces think and no fishy smells.*
Big Aussie Steak Sandwich AUD22.50

*Meh.*
Crispy fried chicken burger

Food 3.5/5
Ambience 3/5
Service na
Value 3/5
Pretty decent eats and the good thing is live band and its open till midnight. The beer on tap was spot on and ice cold! Fantastic.
Click here for ABBA location of RattleNHum

Caffined
Cool cafe place with a mix of grunge art gallery. The skate boards designed by various artist are up for sale and the places serves up unique, Asian-fushion mix breakfast eats. Meals go around with the AUD20-ish range as with most places.
Ordered On:
20July24
Caffiend Chilli Eggs & Ice Latte Total AUD24.50
 Poached eggs on ciabatta toast with our famous 3-day caramelised chilli jam, fresh coriander and our thai-style green papaya slaw.

*The dish gotta kick to it. Interesting dish. It may not have been the order for me, but all their other offerings were unique and interesting that I'd make a return journey to check it out.*
Food 3.5/5
Service 4/5
Ambience 4/5
Value 3.5/5
Will recommend for their coffees and looking for unique fusion take on simple breakfast.
Mooz Gelato & Juice Bar
(Recommended by Cairns local)
Super-rich decadent Gelato that was thoroughly enjoyed along the board-walk. No extra charge to have it in a cone or in cup. Best AUD6 spent.
Ordered On:
20July24
Pistachio Chocolate
*Highly recommended. Thick, decadent chocolate and was thoroughly enjoyed along the boardwalk. The Pistachio was completely over powered by the chocolate and probably added to the more thicker and richer flavors.*

Pho Street Cairns

The place looked hugely popular with most outdoor seating taken up. Went pretty much for their standard fair and markers.
Ordered On:
20July24
Special Beef Noodle Soup AUD18.90
Crispy Pork with Vermicelli AUD20.90
*Overall pretty decent. Slightly above average and could have done with stronger spice flavors and with more raw vegetables. The soup isn't overly sweet and goes well on a chilly night. A soupy meal and refreshing cold noodle dish for the Asian in you.*
Food 3/5
Service na
Ambience 3/5
Value 3/5
A good to know fall back, but will try the Night Market's one with cheaper dining options but yet to see how it ranks up in flavor.
Waffle On
 
Place gets very busy especially around lunch time. Stick to their sweet dishes. The
Ordered On:
21Jul24
Sir Benedict AUD23.90
Housemade Waffle Served with Poached Eggs, Spinach, Hollandaise, Bacon and Mushroom.
*The waffle was a little disappointing. A little on the soggy side. Rest of the ingredients pretty average. Would rather head to Caffined reviewed above for a breakfast.*
The Classic AUD15.90
Housemade Waffle served with Canadian Maple Syrup, Vanilla Ice-Cream garnished with Melted Belgian Chocolate and choice of strawberries, banana or both.
*A good waffle. Nice crispy edges. The ice-cream could be of better quality though*
Food 3/5
Service na
Ambience 2.5/5
*There's no real decor actually. Sitting is very limited with most of it being outside. More of a hole-in-the wall experience with counter and some sitting indoors*
Value 3/5
Might return if in the mood for sweet over savory waffles. Stick to their sweet options which do look amazing. Servings are large. Skip on the smoothie. For our case, the banana mango smoothy, the bananas could use more time to ripen. It was a disappointment this time round.
Click here for ABBA location of WaffleOn

Saturday, July 20, 2024

Cairns - To Do 19Jul24 (Night Market, Rusty's Market, Cairns Botanic Gardens, Sunset along Cairns Board Walk, Saint Monica's Cathedral )

Cairns - To Do
Cairns - To Eat

Cairns - To Do

Cairns Night Market
(Opens daily at 4.30pm and closes late 11:30pm)
There isn't a lot to see here. Shops wise seem arbitrary. It really is just a glorified Food court with eats ranging around 15-20AUD. Good whilst seeking late night eats with more fancy eats surrounding the building.

Rusty's Market
(Opens only Fri-Sun 5am-4pm/3pm)
Must check out for great fruit and vegetables!
This in-doors farmers market only opens three days of the week. Offering only Fruits and Vegetables. Quality stuff with some unique offerings which are cheaper than what you would find at your regular supermarkets. A must visit if swinging by on (Fri-Sun).

There's loads of small vendor dining options so one can grab a bite here whilst shopping for local fruits and vegetables.
Cairns Botanic Gardens
Free to Enter



Its more of a for-locals family place to check out and enjoy. Nice board walks which are relaxing, well shaded and great for family time. It feels like another Governor's Island visit (NYC).

Great for locals and if traveling with young children. Unless a nature lover, the natural further from the city nature reserves I'd assume to be would be a more mesmerizing and enjoyable experience. 

*Christina from Melbourne sharing with us the lay of the land*
 
Walking the Cairns Board Walk
Checking out the sunset view
*Check out the planes on departure from Cairns Airport.*




Saint Monica's Cathedral
St. Monica's Cathedral in Cairns is a modern Roman Catholic cathedral known for its stunning stained glass windows depicting the Creation and Peace themes, and its beautiful tropical garden setting.
St. Monica's Cathedral in Cairns also features stained glass windows depicting the Battle of the Coral Sea, commemorating the pivotal WWII naval battle fought off the coast of Australia.