Spanglish manglish

Comer er Ortiga .... Eat at Ortiga ...

Early 2010 a Spanish restaurant opened in Brisbane, located beside a traffic light at a T junction. With a nice looking tapas bar on top and a modern restaurant down below.

Coming up along the street one could get a sneak inside the kitchen from the outside window. I was one of them, I used to pass this restaurant every fortnight... getting stuck at the traffic light, I used to stare inside observing how the chefs prepare for their dinner service... wondering what it would be like to cook in a kitchen like that, so shiny, so modern so... Peeepppp!!! getting horned at and snapped back to reality.

The chances of me cooking there is probably pretty slim , but I thought it may be easier to eat there... Yoshi's birthday came and I thought it would be a great place to take her...so the booking was made and we arrived. We waited in the bar for a while and got ushered to our seats downstairs. The menu had a nice variety of tapas but we knew what we wanted, we wanted the lamb shoulder...slow cooked... and fried at the end for a crispy texture.

Whilst waiting we got some croquettes (deep fried creamy mash potatoes); a few bites later the lamb shoulder came. POW! the waiter arrives and placed the big pile of meat on the table... craves it with the littlest of energy; as it was so tender it the meat almost falls off the bone from gravity. Served with baked potatoes and lemon curd... this was one awesome piece of lamb... crispy on the outside, soft tender and yet still so juicy.

At the end of the meal, we both couldn't walk; my arteries was full of lamb after that night ... but definitely worth it. What a meal...

Where:446 Brunswick St. Fortitute Valley QLD

What was your latest food adventure?

Gong Xi Fa Chai - Happy New Year

Chinese New Year has always been my all time favorite season when I was growing up. Ever since I could remember my family has been going to Malacca for our yearly reunion. My uncles, aunties and cousins would come from all over meeting up at grandma's to celebrate this occation. As kids we would help out our aunties; prepare cakes and biscuits. Whilst others would help cook up a feast for the reunion dinner.

The tradition of giving red packetts was and is the best tradition of the Chinese new year; especially if you are on the receiving end. After a day of visiting relatives and collecting the red packets, us kids would sit in the corner counting how much we have received. Gambling is also another tradition of the Chinese new year, this is where we normally blow the red packetts we collected or double it. Being away in Australia for the last few years, I've been unable to celebrate this festive season with my family, but I've always made the best of it. This year, me and Yoshi decided to have a reunion of our on at our place.

Another tradition in the Chinese new year is Yee Sang ; It usually consists of strips of raw fish (most commonly salmon), mixed with shredded vegetables and a variety of sauces and condiments, among other ingredients. Yusheng literally means "raw fish" but since "fish (鱼)" is commonly conflated with its homophone "abundance (余)", Yúshēng (鱼生) is interpreted as a homophone for Yúshēng (余升) meaning an increase in abundance. Basically a fish salad. We used shredded cucumber, radish, carrots, shallots, orange slices, homemade crackers and crushed peanuts. Once the ingredients is placed on the plate, all at the table then stand up and on cue, proceed to toss the shredded ingredients into the air with chopsticks while saying various "auspicious wishes" out loud". It is believed that the height of the toss reflects the height of the diner's growth in fortunes, thus diners are expected to toss enthusiastically A small mess on the table usually occurs later.

Well Happy Chinese New Year to you all!!!

So what's your favorite festive season growing up?

When the goings tough the though gets going

On the 11th of January 2011, Brisbane and many other townships were flooded due to the heavy downpour of rain weeks before the date. The floods came into roads, houses , shops and businesses which was located in lower grounds and which was close to the river and creeks. I was fortunate to not be effected by the floods, but many suburbs close by had gone under.

West End.

Brisbane CBD.

UQ Tennis courts.

The flood had destroyed many belongings of those effected, some only managed to save guard small personal items and had to leave the rest for the mercy of the flood. I could only imagine the grieve they must have gone through leaving all those things they've been collecting for so many years behind.

Although the floods had taken away and destroyed so many things, the people here are tough, they stayed strong. As soon as it was save to go to the properties, the clean up began. We Queenslanders weren't going to let those effected do it alone, people from all around came to help their friends, neighbours and just about anyone who needed help.

And if you want to lend a hand too, or if you have some spare coin; Follow the links below

Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal

Volunteering QLD

Also For the people in Brazil

Brazil Flood Relief

Super Breaky

A few weekends ago, SunSuper along with the Brisbane Festivals hosted the River Breakfast with a hint of French. It was packed by 9am, main reason = free stuff. We were all treated to a barrel of Apples, yogurt and a hand out of bread, nuts , strawberries and cheese

The area was decorated with knit wear and the colours of France. The Knit wear which has beautifully graced Brisbane city was called "A close Knit". For more pictures do check out a Guest Post I did on "Chow and Chatter".

The free breakfast and the lovely view of Brisbane River, the best things in life are indeed free.

Also treated to some French songs .

This River is on Fire...

Riverfire marks the start of the Brisbane Festival which started on the 4th September up till the 25th of September 2010. Being one of the most popular events in Brisbane, most vantage points around the river draws big crowds. The bright light in the above picture was the F-111 doing its "dump and burn" which in simple terms , making the aircraft spit out loads of fuel and sticking a lighter behind it. The reason the picture looks like a sunset was mainly caused by the heavy clouds.
This year I decided to go to New Farm at Wilson's Point to catch the fire works along with the wonderful view of the Story Bridge and the City. Those guys in the were probably parked there since 8 am, getting them one of the best seats in town. Armed with their barbecue pitts , chairs , tables and not forgetting beers , they were all ready for the show.I came at 2pm and realised all the prime camera spots were taken. Luckily I met another photography enthusiast and he asked if I would like to park my tripod next to his.

So after adjusting the tripod and camera, we waited patiently for 4 and a half hours for the fireworks to start.

And after 30 minutes of non stop fireworks... the F-111 came by again to signal the end of the show for the Grand Final. A long day, but it was good fun.

State of Origin - QLD Pies vs NSW Pies

My apologies for the lack in posts; I've been a little tied up with a whole load of stuff, from boring courses/exams to me and Yoshi's "Save the Date" project and also the new acquisition of my canon Kiss X3.

Our "Save the Date" poster


I've always wanted the 50d but due to the GFC I've made do with one more "0" which is the 500d. But I have no regrets; it is still one piece of awesome technology; can't complaint(because I Love It) ; back to the Pies...


Anyways, I've been longing to try Harry's Cafe' de Wheels for ages; famous for their pies and hot dogs. In my first trip to Sydney a few years ago, we didn't have much time so I had to give the pies a miss. However this time around I had to try it. Many famous celebrities has popped by this Iconic stall for a bite, people from the Colonel of Chicken Sanders to my hero Anthony Bourdain.

Both me and Yoshi ordered the signature dish which was "Harry's Tiger"; the mash potato and peas was just delightful and wonderfully creamy. The pie was alright and was everything a pie should be; however the NSW iconic pie tasted rather commercial, like it came out from a factory.In my view, I think the QLD crew at "Yatala Pies " would give Mr Harry a good fight with their melt in your mouth cheesy pie that leaves you with a chronic sense of wanting more. Being State of Origin Season , ie Rugby League; Its NSW vs QLD.

In my books; Harry's Cafe's Mash potatoes & peas & gravy is unbeatable but the pies at Yatala Pies is at a different level . Being a pie fight, I declare Yatala the winner; thats QLD 1 , NSW Nil.

Harry's Cafe de Wheels

Location : Cowper Wharf Rd, Woolloomooloo NSW

Yatala Pie

Location: 48 Old Pacific Hwy, Yatala QLD

Which one do you think looks better?

West End Markets

I came to Australia as a poor student, to save money I generally cook most of my meals. The thriftiness in me has not rubbed off much even though I've been out of student hood for a while now. To be save even more money me and Yoshi shop for groceries at West End market when ever we can.

This place opens from 6am ish to about 2pm ish every Saturday , it offers abundance of fresh vegetables, fruits, seafood, meat and a great atmosphere. Shaded by giant fig trees, the smell of fresh food , aromas from freshly blended coffee and cooked food and also the occasional live music is just a superb way to spend your Saturday.

Some people say the fresh goods here are sold at prices from the 90's, so with that saving get yourself a German sausage , a cuppa and enjoy your Saturday... while you can...

Location : Davies Park Market West End is located in Davies Park - off Montague Road and at the end of Jane Street. @ Brisbane

Taste : depends on your recipe/ cooking

How do you spend your Saturdays?