Chuck Wagon

With Adelaide’s heavy burger scene, and with what feels like endless options, Chuck Wagon definitely stands out, not only for the Americana food but the distinct look it’s created for itself.  Even before you walk in, your eyes are treated to a barrage of superhero/fandom statues, drawings, pictures and posters from the ground to the ceiling, literally.  As well as coming for food and/or a hefty milkshake, there are sights to behold.  I didn't take photos so you'll have to go look for yourselves... or google it.

In truth, we’ve been to Chuck Wagon a few times, and by we, I mean I had been once before and Paul has to hold himself back from going every week.  Paul has a friend who got him (us, totally us) a voucher for Chuck Wagon and needing no convincing, we were on our way (thanks Amanda!).  

The menu is so vast I was in a daze when it came to order.  Last time I was in this situation I had people to guide me through it.  And it’s easy when you know what you feel like, but seriously, 18 burgers to choose from, or wings, hot dogs, pizza fries, nachos, sides or how about one of their 11 different desserts on offer?  I mean come ON.  I am so indecisive with food, my FOMO is real.

The onion rings were obviously a goer, there was no question on that one.  I had already checked them out on Instagram and they looked all kinds of deep fried crunchy.  And Paul’s go to is sweet potato fries, so sides were sorted before we even got there.  I thought I was going to get the royale with cheese, I was sure of it, pretty much until we ordered and then out of my mouth came grilled cajun chicken.  Paul was having withdrawals from his favourite and ordered the Piglet.

The onion rings - guys - they are the best flipping rings I’ve had.  They’re not battered, but crumbed.  Delicious and crispy and just URGH perfect.  I swear they double coat them or double fry.  There’s some kind of extra trick to their trade.  Sweet potato fries also delicious.  But the onion rings.  Cake taken.  

These burgers were huge.  I was stuck in a mess because my burger was SO juicy that I wanted to put it down to clean up my covered hands, but because I had two hands-ed it everything dripped and the plate was literally wet, I thought I was going to look up and see some kids eating corn on the roof.  I would seriously consider asking for a side plate next time, one to eat over and one to put the burger down on when you need a time out.  

While the taste factor was incredible, I won’t lie, these aren’t my favourite burgers.  They were big, messy, and the bun went soggy.  I prefer that kind of smaller, less is more type that is going around at places like Nordburger and Burger Boss, but the Chuck Wagon burgers are the ones for Paul.  I will definitely go back to Chuck Wagon to try some of the pizza fries on offer, or the mac and cheese (with bacon) or even some ribs. 

Exciting news though - I’ve created my perfect trifecta.  Chuck Wagon onion rings, Nordburger burger, and Burger Boss special fries.  Now if these guys could get together and either open a shop together or open some near each other so I can collect my goods without the others getting cold, that would really help a gal out.  

 

Lucky Lupitas

News that devastated southern Adelaide, particularly Flinders Uni students (from what I hear) was the same news that made my stomach sing.  Lucky Lupitas was coming to my end of town, albeit, for a limited time only.  I’d heard of this place time and time again, so when those mexican delights were dangled in my reach, we hot footed our way there.  

Their temporary restaurant is on O’Connell street, but as soon as you walk through that door you could not be taken further away.  They’ve gone for the warehouse feel and have nailed it.  From the high beamed ceiling, to the ply wood tables and benches, right down to the copious stocks of tomatoes, tequila and beer on the restaurant floor.  It was a very different look and vibe from any other place I had been on O’Connell and I loved it.

Recently I saw a movie that immediately became my all-time favourite.  It’s called Chef, and it was the most upbeat, feel good, food porn frenzy of a movie I have ever seen.  It’s filled with a build up and background of cuban music that just makes you want to move.  It was also filled with food.  So much food.  Two days later I walked into Lucky Lupitas and they were playing tunes so similar that I didn’t stand a chance, I was smitten.  All the feelings that incredible film gave me transferred to this restaurant that I had been waiting for.

The Elote (grilled corn on the cob) was hands down the best damn corn I have ever had.  All warm and grilled to perfection, covered in cheese, maaaaaan.  I took one bite and pretty sure I blacked out for a second, because all of a sudden it was all gone.  If we hadn’t already ordered a stack of other food I would have asked for more.

We then went for the taco de pollo (slow cooked chicken and slaw) and taco de carne (braised beef).  These we shared, but I liked the beef better and Paul preferred the chicken, so it ended up more of a 70-30 split for each.  Which by the way, is a really difficult split to do when you’ve been handing back and forth packed to the brim, juicy tacos.  If anyone knows of a “clean” way to eat tacos, could you please let me know?  Because I ended up with a fallen apart taco all over my plate/the table, and my hands covered in juices (yes, I read that sentence, and yes, I’m sticking by it because I can’t think of another way to describe it).  

taco de pollo

taco de carne

I had heard of many a great burger here, which was intriguing.  It made me wonder what a mexican burger tastes like?  I was expecting a tex mex kind of thing with maybe corn chips and guac or something on there, like when you order a mexican schnitzel, but this burger had a bit of chilli powder, a bit of cumin, and a whole lot of something else that I couldn’t be more specific about.  It was really tasty, but not my kind of personal taste.  Whatever, it was half a burger and you know damn well I ate my whole half.  

Last but certainly not least was the quesadilla de hongo y frijoles.  That’s basically a mushroom quesadilla for those of you playing at home.  Unluckily for us, it was the last thing to come out so I was absolutely stuffed by the time we got to it.  I ate it, obviously, but it was a bit of a struggle.  Mushrooms are kind of a new thing for me, I’ve only introduced them to my stomach in the last 6 months or so.  Just one of those things that as a kid I hated and never gave them another go… but I’m glad I changed my tune.  Like everything else that Lucky Lupitas provided, the quesadilla was so full of flavour!  Every bite you could taste everything together and everything individually too.  The jalapenos in it proved a little much for me, my mouth was on fire, but like a superstar I pushed through.  10/10 would eat again.

Aside from the food, the service was stellar.  Our waiter seemed genuinely happy to have a chat with us, and all the staff were attentive.  To top it all off, it was incredibly priced.  We had all food mentioned, plus some rice and a drink each for $62.  For me, it without doubt lived up to the hype.

 

Jamie's Italian

It was a Friday night, we made an online “reservation” for in 70-80 minutes (which was about 6.30 - we had met straight from work), sat and had a couple of pre dinner drinks until 6.30, and that counted as a “walk in”.  Perfect.

You know what they say about location, location, location - Jamie’s nailed it.  The old bank building is just stunning.  The super high ceilings, big antipasto station (that’s right – an entire station dedicated to it - actually that's where they do the desserts too), mood lighting, an open kitchen to have a sneak peak at the chefs, and a less obvious but very, very important feature - the prison-bar toilets that were previously the bank vaults.

If you’re not already sold here’s a hot conversation piece for you - Kim and Kayne dined there and apparently one of them was very rude and difficult and it was not Kayne.  Feel free to use that one to fill a conversation void/win over your date with some Kardashian knowledge.  Don't blame me if it goes the other way for you though.  

We were seated as soon as we got in and being there on a Friday night in the comfy romantic, dim lighting with a male friend we got asked “so are you celebrating anything tonight?”  Fair question.  Apparently “yeah, he’s leaving” was not the best answer.  To clarify, we weren’t celebrating his soon coming six-month hiatus from Adelaide, but I panicked. 

Andy had been to Jamie’s twice already so he took the reins.  We ordered three items from the “Plates” menu and an entree sized pasta dish each.  If I’d ordered a main pasta I probably would have finished it, just hated myself after… It was a tough call because I’m pretty sure it would have been worth it.   We started with the Italian Bread Selection - which is a must do.  It’s a great little starter with a selection of three different breads and olive oil/balsamic and for $1.50, your wallet and taste buds are winning.

From the Plates (not Planks - which I will be trying next time I’m there) menu we shared the Sweet Mini Capsicums, Fried Three-Cheese Gnocchi and Crispy Squid.  I thought Andy was exaggerating when he said the squid was the best he has ever had, but after I had that melt in your mouth deliciousness, I had to agree that it’s definitely up there.  Personally (and totally personally because Andy loved them) didn’t particularly rate the mini capsicums, but I’m not a huge ricotta fan so I wouldn’t listen to me.  The Gnocchi – oh my lord.  Cheesy, with a tomato relish-type sauce, crunchy on the outside but so soft once you’d broken that crisp barrier.  I found it difficult to share those.  

The service was brilliant.  They were on the ball the entire time we were there, even when all their tables were full and the line to be seated was at the door, our drinks and food were coming out at an ideal pace, nothing was rushed and nothing lagged.

After hearing again and again about the daily made pasta, I obviously couldn’t go past a pasta dish for my main.  As a kid, I loved prawns.  As an adult, I didn’t.  Actually, it was probably the moment I had to start peeling them myself that I stopped eating them.  Anyway, I had tried them again and remembered why I used to chow down on them so much, so here I got the prawn linguine.  It did not disappoint.  My general aversion to seafood is that "fishy" taste that can sometimes go through a meal, I know it sounds weird because why would I buy a fish dish if I don't want the fishy taste, but I hope someone out there gets what I mean.  Anyway, it was definitely a comfort food.  It made me warm.  While it was just a tad salty for my liking, it was a decent sized bowl of flavoursome goodness. 

For our three Plates, two entrée pastas and two beers it came to around $80, which with the service, atmosphere and quality/amount of food, we definitely paid a more than reasonable price.  Without a doubt I will be returning.

 

A Hereford Beefstouw

I hadn’t heard of A Hereford Beefstouw, ever.  I feel like I’ve eaten at/heard of a lot of places, but as I’m finding out I have barely skimmed the surface.  It makes me really appreciate Adelaide.  I just love food, I love that we have so much of it.  

Facebook showed me the way here, advertising a lunch special - 2 for 1 cheeseburgers.  Obviously I was making that happen.  It was a picture perfect, sunny warm day with a light breeze so just when you were getting a bit too heated mother nature was there to cool you on down… so we sat outside on the crafty wooden chairs at the heavy wooden table and basked.  And basked some more.  And then got so hungry our conversation ended and would re-start with “oh my god I’m so hungry”.  As is standard.  Obviously, our meals eventually made their way out to us, and it really wasn’t a long wait, but my stomach had already making noise for a couple of hours before lunch.  

….Moving on. 

You know those people that just load everything with tomato sauce?  Just pile it on up with no regard for whether anyone else wants the sauce because that amount of sauce is just what’s necessary for your meal?  And without fail, there’s always a father figure somewhere nearby that has to remark “did you want any food with your sauce” and chuckles.  My life, guys.  I seriously butter up some toast and then put tomato sauce on it.  For a long time I didn’t know what a condiment was - tomato sauce was just part of the meal, right?

My point is.  Hereford do not have sauce on their cheeseburgers.  I KNOW RIGHT!!!  Of all the burgers, you would think the cheeseburger is the one with the sauce.  And here’s the big news - it was so good, I didn’t even ask for it.  Actually, they just gave us some anyway on the side with our house-made fries (which were crunchy and soft in all the right places, by the way) and I didn’t add it.  The burger held it’s own.  It was luscious and juicy and didn’t start falling apart till right near the end.  The bun still didn’t get soggy.  

The sauce they did have - now that was a secret sauce.  When my Mum eats out somewhere and has something she really likes, she has a habit of deconstructing it as she eats it so she can attempt to create it at home (something she absolutely nails, might I add).  I was wishing she was there to try and work this puzzle piece sauce out.  It was creamy and zingy and seemed like it might of had a bit of ahhhh something you know that ummm kind of tasted like…  That was me not being able to work it out at all.  Anyway, we asked the chef because even Paul was wanting to know (did I ever mention he found a recipe for Big Mac sauce and it tastes exactly like it?  Form a line, ladies!) and were very surprised the ingredients in it made such a delectable, oozy goodness.

If you want to know those secret ingredients, I suggest you get your butts into that fancy establishment (eating the burger with your hands is still acceptable - not that fancy) and try it.  Unfortunately they only do the burgers Monday - Friday on their lunch menu, but as the name would suggest, they specialise in steak, steak, steak for all those other times. 

Golden Boy

Sometimes you need to go on dates with your friends.  Sometimes it’s a Friday dinner date for six, that turns into eight, that finally settles on a party of ten.  Sometimes, a few of those friends drink from 1pm before dinner… which honestly, makes dinner a whole lot more interesting.  Add two rounds of shots (as well as cocktails and a few bottles of wine) by 7.30pm and you’ve pretty much got a party.

Right, so, from the start. 

I have a severe peanut allergy (and am allergic to all other nuts as well), which always plays on my mind when going out for any kind of asian cuisine (or indian which I guess is technically asian… or just any meal because you can find nuts pretty much everywhere if you’re looking out for them), because generally speaking there’s usually quite a few dishes that contain nuts, and even if they don’t, there’s always the mixing of the pans and cross-contamination.  I’ve been turned away from a restaurant because they wouldn’t risk it.  When booking, we told the staff at Golden Boy about it, and they communicated with us, with the chef, the kitchen staff, and back to us just to cater for the one persons allergy, to make sure I would be 100% fine eating everything on that table.   It doesn’t sound like a lot but usually it’s a “yeah should be fine just remind us on the night”… and so I spend those nights with my epi pen at the ready. 

There was none of that, they made sure I was looked after, my dishes were kept away from others, prepared separately, and because it was a banquet, made sure the dishes we had (bar one or two) were nut free.  I was sold on the service before I had even gone there.  So if your date (or friend, or parent, who ever) has an allergy, they’re not going to miss out and they will be safe.  There will be no first date experience of stabbing your date with an epi pen, sorry to take some of the potential excitement out of the night for you. 

Our booking was for 6.30.  I was well aware a few of the girls attending had been drinking half the day, I wasn’t really surprised when we didn’t all arrive until 7pm.  However, as Golden Boy was so busy it meant that we couldn’t get all the dishes we were going to because there wasn’t enough time before their next booking.  We were pretty lucky they could accommodate the extra 4 people we’d sprung on them so we couldn’t complain. 

We went with the “tuk-tuk”, which is usually $58 a head but was less as we had the “mini”.  They picked out their menu favourites and served them - though they did ask us if anyone wanted anything in particular.  There was Stuffed Tomatoes, Salt & Pepper Chicken, Green Curry, a couple of whole Steamed Barramundi, Egg Net Salad, Crying Tiger, Steamed Rice, Cooling Plates and something else in there as well.  My dear lord it was a feast.  A beautiful, bright, aromatic, fresh, full flavoured plate-licking-good feast. 

Dear everyone reading this.  Go. To. Golden Boy.  Get off your chair, make your way down there right now.  Actually, maybe call first (re above: very busy), but okay get off this webpage, google their number (actually, don’t even worry about it, stay here with me, it’s 8227 0799).  The food was so damn FRESH.  I ate roasted stuffed tomatoes AND LOVED IT.  I had some egg omelette thing stuffed with a whole bunch of other stuff (technically they call it an Egg Net Salad, psh technicalities), AND LOVED IT.  I had a mouth-gasm every time I put a new dish in my mouth.  You know that feeling of being so full you couldn’t eat another bite, teamed  with oh I’m in a really nice public place so probably shouldn’t be disgusting?  Well my friend across the table from me was yelling for more shots so while everyone was distracted I ate as much as I possibly could and pretended I didn’t.

I will 10/10 be eating here again.  

Outback Jacks - Redemption Episode

A while back, we went to Outback Jacks as one of our first date nights, and we did not like it.  Well, I didn't like it.  The service was slow and the food was average and the prices too high for what you got.

However, much like Tosh.0 (google it) we believe in redemption, and went back to Outback Jacks.  Truthfully, we've been there a few times since… but we usually go to the Glenelg restaurant, not O'Connell Street.  The Glenelg Outback Jacks has been on the money awesome each time we went there (which was probably twice) so we were feeling confident about the restaurant in general (even though I'm pretty sure they're franchises but whatever).

Unfortunately, I have no good news to report.  Have you ever been to the cinemas and seen a movie that was so bad you were tempted to walk out because you didn't want to be stuck in the dark room with a terrible movie any longer?  Well, this date night was the restaurant version of that.  

It started off fine.  We walked in and got a seat very, very easily.  So easy, not because we had a reservation, but because the place had hardly any people in it.  They have table service now which is great, no more waiting in ridiculous long lines to order.  And it was super speedy ordering too because they had what looked to be 10 x too many people working.  That's cool - I'm not going to complain about fast service!  And while I'm not one to get all judgey about a restaurants decor… there's some big TVs around the place, which gave it kind of a Cafe Primo feel.  I don't have anything against Cafe Primo, but you know what I mean right?  

Anyway, Paul ordered the chicken and ribs and I got the nachos.  I didn't realise how bad nachos could be.  I counted about 4 beans, it was a thrown together mess and they used some tomato sauce that tasted metallic and sweet and just weird.  The whole thing together was just gross.  I had a few bites and then left it.  For the first time ever, I wanted to ask for my money back.  Paul's chicken and ribs was a joke.  The tiniest chicken breast steak and ribs that looked as though they were slapped on the plate with minimum preparation and apparently tasted just that way too.

It didn't leave me feeling inspired.  I didn't walk away going oh my goodness I wish I could cook a meal like that at home, or better yet, that was so amazing I don't even want to try to make that at home because it was so good I probably couldn't.  I didn't feel satisfied, I felt unclean and gross.  I know that sounds like its maybe a bit of an exaggeration, but I assure you it isn't.  It didn't taste fresh and there was no pride to the meal.  I know, I know.  I ordered nachos, how much "pride" can go into that?  But it was a world of difference at the Glenelg one.  At Glenelg it was presented neater, it tasted better, I didn't feel so scungy eating it, it made me mmm and ahhh and it made my tastebuds happy. 

Outback Jacks O'Connell Street, you and I are never, ever, ever, getting back together.

The Curious Squire

It could be said that this blog as been on somewhat of a hiatus.  It's not that I haven't been thinking about it - or that we haven't been eating out, to be honest I've probably just been a bit lazy.  Anyway, during this time we have been to the Curious Squire a couple of times... 

Our first time was after Paul had picked me up from after work Friday night drinks and I had been nibbling away even though I knew we were going out for dinner… if there's tasty food in front of me it takes more self control than I have to turn it down!  So when we went there all I got was some onion rings (because I loooooove me some onion rings!)… oh.  And I got a dessert.  Of course.

Paul got a BBQ chicken pizza (which I had a slice of and it was bloody amazing) and for dessert we got a chocolate fudge sundae… each.  I didn't think anything of it really, my thoughts were more yes yum sundae uurrghh delicious I'm not even hungry but chocolate mmm.  Alarm bells should have rung when the girl taking our order confirmed with us twice that we were ordering a sundae each.  At the time, I didn't think anything of it.

When our onion rings and pizzas were done and the sundae's came out I realised "oh, these things are huge… and look at that, they each come with two spoons".  They each come with two spoons.  I guess that's why the girl wanted to be sure we were getting one each.  I mean, she could have said, just so you know they're big and usually shared between two people… but she didn't.  Instead she chose to reiterate the point she never made by having them still come out with two spoons.  Please don't read this in the wrong tone, it might sound a little mad, but I'm not at all.  We were both crying from laughter at our piggishness.  And lets be perfectly honest… if she had told us, we probably would have got one each anyway.  

So to set the scene - there we are at our table surrounded by people with a half finished pizza, drinks, finished onion rings and two biiiiiiig sundaes… and four spoons.  We looked a little part funny but I didn't care because I was in my happy place.  Surrounded by delicious food and my favourite boy. 

Our second time was on an empty stomach so I had all the more room to fill, and this time I filled it with a burger.  A cheeseburger to be exact.  A cheesy, tasty, mouthwatering, can't-talk-eating, burger.  This thing was on par with Burger Theory.  The glazed bun and the perfect patty, holy moly I loved it.  Paul had the "Sliders Trio" which was one of each angus beef, wild boar and chicken parmy.  A mans platter.  We didn't over do it this time... because after dinner we made our way down to dairy bell and had to save room!

There are so many things on the Curious Squire menu that I want to try it's a sure thing we'll be back there! 

Second the best...

I know it seems we've been slack, either not writing or not date nighting, although I'm sure there's few of you out there that couldn't blame us - the silly season will be silly! 

As much as I love using date night as an excuse to try new places and discover new foods, what's the point of finding these delicious delights if we don't get to go back because we're already off to the next place?  And I know there's 7 nights in a week so why don't we go another night you say - but all our other nights are taken already and also we don't have endless funds. 

Anyway, as it has happened towards the end of last year we had unintentionally been revisiting old favourites.  "Old" favourites being Devour Dessert Bar (their menu had changed a bit so obviously we had to get back there), Paesano and TGI Fridays.  My goodness did I have a good time!

Devour happened when we were sitting at home on a Sunday night, not hungry enough to cook dinner (or too lazy…) and I was doing what I do best, sitting at my computer browsing the internet.  Up from somewhere comes a picture of a tasty looking dessert and in a heartbeat I was out of my pyjamas and into my "I can eat as much dessert as I want because I haven't had dinner" clothes.  

If you recall our previous visit, you'll know that I tried my very first soufflé… and my very last.  While I knew it was not to my liking, I also knew it was no ones fault but my own - try something new, she said, it'll be fun, she said!  So this time I was sticking to what I knew (or had heard, seen and smelt) was damn good.  Chocolate filled cinnamon donuts with raspberry sauce and honeycomb ice-cream.  

I enjoy food.  I enjoy it a lot.  But it is rare that I find something so mind-blowing and tastebud tantalising that my eyes light up and a big goofy smile forms across my face for the entire time I eat (trust me, not a great look.. especially when you're eating chocolate).  I mean the entire time.  I was making those embarrassing "oohhhhhhh my goodness this is SO good" words and the "mmmmmMMMMMm!!!" noises that go with it.  I've heard of a couple of people being a little disappointed at Devour because it's a small menu, but I think I would always manage to find something I liked there (even if it didn't give me the same… experience… as the donuts).  Everyone needs to try this place, even if it's just once!

Paesano, another spur of the moment date night.  We were out late (well, late for us - it was 8.30pm and we still hadn't had dinner - the silly season!) on a Sunday and we both had work the next day.  We were in town and took a stroll along O'Connell Street as we have done so many times before.  Not a lot of places were still serving food - but Paesano was.  It was comfortable, I had enjoyed it last time and was confident I would again… hopefully Paul would avoid spilling coffee all over himself this time, hehe. 

I stayed safe with what I knew and had the calzone I had last time - I am happy to say it held up!  I know it should be expected that when you order the same meal at the same restaurant that it would be the same, but from previous experience that's not always the case.  The service was good, we had a lovely waitress and the food (as I've said) was really good.  It's just a nice and easy place to go back to. 

Our most recent second visit was to TGI Friday's.  It's terrible how much I enjoy this place… and how much I enjoy stuffing my face with their flame grilled tasty burgers.  We'd just seen a movie in the morning at Gold Class (spoilt!) and obviously haaaaaad to go to TGI's while we were at Marion.  Their menu had changed ever so slightly, but just enough that I had to search and read descriptions of the burgers to remember which one I got, which didn't work because I really could not remember.  Regardless, I got a burger.  A bacon cheeseburger to be exact.  

I won't lie, it wasn't the over-the-top "can't talk - eating/can't put burger down because I need to eat more as soon as this mouthful is swallowed or maybe even before that" experience I had last time, but to be fair - my expectations were set pretty high.  This cheeseburger didn't have any tomato sauce on it, which was fine because there was some on the table… but you know how when they put the sauce on the bun and by the time the meal gets to you the sauce is the same temperature as the burger?  Yeah I like that, but when you put it on yourself its so noticeable and cold, it's just something I don't like.  And you can't ask them to put the sauce on because its at the table already.  

The onion rings blew my miiiiind - and went so well with the sauce that Paul got with his chicken tenderloins (oh yeah, we ordered a bit).  Paul didn't talk while he was eating his pasta and described it as "really really good" haha.  I won't lie, I didn't enjoy it as much as last time.  I'm not sure what was different, I really do think the different burger made a difference, but it doesn't really matter.  We still have vouchers for Gold Class but I think I've had my TGI fix, I'll be trying somewhere new next time!

Fishtail Buffet and Restaurant

After my spill in the last post about how buffets are good but I'd rather pay good money for one good meal rather than choosing from a whole bunch of different meals…  Guess what we did.

It was completely unintentional, well, not completely.  But we didn't realise that buffet was our only option and by the time we realised it was too late!  It was one of those nights where we walk around O'Connell Street and try to decide where we feel like eating.  Of all the glorious places on O'Connell Street we found our way to the Chinese buffet.  Don't judge!  

The place has recently been renovated or taken over or something of the like and were having their "grand opening".  Shame they did it on a finals weekend when Crows had a home game!  Out the front there was a board that had what I had assumed was the menu.  I assumed correctly but in the wrong way.  It listed all the meal options (without prices next to them) and had a buffet price.  The way it was set out made me think that we could have the buffet or one of the things listed.  Incorrect.  

It was a weird buffet, I would call it a westernised Chinese buffet with some Indian dishes too.  Because that's exactly what it was.  There was a bar marked "entree" which held your soups, salt and pepper squid, spring rolls and of course fries!  Soggy, saltless fries.   The bar marked "mains" held the classics to the likes of honey chicken, lemon chicken, some beef dish that I always see on menus but now cannot remember the name of, fried rice, butter chicken, lamb korma - the usuals!

 I wasn't actually as excited as I look...

To be honest, while the place looked amazing, the food was not anything to call home about.  It was overpriced for what I could stomach (although if you're a biiiiiiig eater then you'd probably get your money's worth!) and I left feeling full and a little sick.  The food didn't sit great with Paul either.  

Overall, I would go back to the Walker's Arms buffet before I went back to Fishtail because Walker's Arms is cheaper and… well the food (in my opinion) is better!

Chuy's Thai

SORRY for the extreme lack of posts!  Date Night has been put on the back burner for (hopefully) a limited time only.  With sickness and the finding a new rental for me and Paul to move into.. YES that's right.  Paul and I are moving in together!  It's been a busy few weeks of going to inspections and doing applications and being tired and having things on, date night has not happened since TGI's.  But for those following, there's still a bunch of places we've been that I haven't posted about so in the next couple of weeks (we start moving the coming weekend!) I think I'll posting those.  They may not be as detailed as more recent date nights as my memory isn't always great - but maybe i'll make some stories up that COULD have happened just to spice things up ;)  

This was one of those "lets walk down O'Connell Street and see where we haven't been" kind of date nights.  Granted, there's still a lot of places there we haven't been… but we're working our way towards it!  In video games I like to collect everything and finish it to 100%… I think my date nights will be the same.  

We ended up at Chuy's because it was, well, kinda cheap, and we both like Thai food.  It was fairly empty, but we were there early so it might get busier during the non-grandparents eating hours.  As usual, both hungry so we ordered quickly.  I had salt and pepper squid and Paul had chicken of some sort, possibly sweet and sour.  Lots of rice.  For whatever genius reason, I decided to put my glass of water on the window sill.  I can't remember the reason why, maybe I wanted more room for our food, or perhaps I was trying to stop myself from drinking it all before our meals came out.  Regardless, I forgot it was there.  Of course I did!  And quickly got sick of my bag at my feet and put it on the window sill.  Knocking over and smashing my full glass to the ground, under the table and over the window.  What a fantastically difficult spot I smashed it in!  Cleaning it was awkward for the waitress and while I did my best to help… I think I made it worse.  So after "pulling a Paul" (for those of you that don't remember, see here)  I didn't order another drink and we ate.  We ate quickly and we paid and we left.  

The food was okay, it was pretty standard and nothing mind blowing that I couldn't get somewhere else.  But not a bad place and prices were a bit alright!

Himalayan Kitchen

We went for something completely different this date night… There was no scoopon. 

However, a little while ago we purchased a fine little book of entertainment, an Entertainment Book if you will.  It was high time to break it in.  Paul picked the place - the Himalayan Kitchen on Melbourne Street.

I had no idea what type of food it was and neither did Paul, so it was a very much a … well lets see how this goes… kind of night… but sometimes those are the best nights, right?  So it was on and we headed to Melbourne Street. It was really close to that car park that's behind.. something on Melbourne Street so that was nice and handy because it was quite a crisp night. 

It looks small from the outside but goes a fair way back, and was warm and comfortable inside. Generally, it was quite dim lighting. There were a total of two lamps on the walls and we got one of them, (the lamp was conveniently located at around head height so half the night was spent sitting with my head at an angle so it didn't glare too much).   But it really wasn't a bad thing, it made reading menus easy and we felt a little special getting one of the two. 

It was lovely and warm inside, but definitely bring a jacket if you're going in the colder weather.  As soon as you walk out the back to go to the bathroom, it gets freezing.  Ice cold, shivering worthy freezing.  You warm up pretty quick once you're back in, but still.  Bring a jacket. 

So it turned out to be Tibetan and Nepalese food, which didn't help me much because I've never eaten anything like that either… So I thought.  Reading the menu it seemed very similar to Indian and Asian foods.  There was curries and spring rolls and pakoras etc etc. 

A few of the entrees looked so good, there was a handy little try it all option which was called Four Seasons, which was a combination tray of (what I assume is) their most popular entrees. 

It had: "Momo" which was homemade steamed dumplings, "Sekuwa", tender chicken marinated with yoghurt, ginger and masala, "Bereco Roti" which is spring rolls and "Pakora" which were onion, spring onion and potato fritters.  

Every single one was so delicious.

The entrees are between $8 - $11.  The Four Seasons was $10.50 and you got one each of the best so I was pretty happy with that value, especially because they were all so yummy!  The chicken was so tender, the spring rolls were crisp and it all just tasted fresh.  You know when you have a really greasy spring roll and you end up with the grease all on your fingers and you can feel it in your mouth and you just kinda hate yourself afterwards?  It wasn't anything like that. 

We had a pretty cool waitress, she seemed either new or awkward or both and had big trendy glasses and her work top was just that bit too big for her.  She stopped serving us about halfway through the night so we might have ended up being a creepy over friendly couple.  Happens to the best of us.  

The mains!  Oh the mains.  After such tasty entrees my hopes were high. I had ordered the Festival Chicken, which was chicken cooked with red chilli, basil, seasonal vegetables and tomato and Paul had Pokhara Ko Kukhura (also known as Coconut Chicken). 

I was told that the Festival Chicken was only a bit spicy, even though it listed red chilli as a main ingredient.  That's okay I said to myself.  What's a little bit of chilli to someone who doesn't eat spicy food, we'll be right.

It was spicy.  It was like, if I ate a few mouthfuls one after another, the flavour of the meal disappeared and if Paul had asked me what it tasted like I would have to respond with "spicy, it tastes like spicy".  If I took a break every now and then and let my mouth recover then I would get the hit of actual delicious flavours that the curry was offering, but if i didn't… Well, do I need to say spicy one more time so everyone understands?

I don't want to say I'm a fussy eater, but Paul's meal was a non-spicy, nut free curry so I could have had that… But it was a coconut milk curry and while Paul loved it and scoffed it down with only offering me a bit out of politeness and then going back to his meal with super speed when I said no… I don't like coconut milk.

However, lets all take a moment to remember that Jade (that's me) has a few eating disabilities:  super bad reflux (which takes full force when eating spicy foods, anything too acidic, anything too fatty, too much onion/garlic (yes lets talk about the onion fritter I had already eaten)) and the ever present nut allergy (which sends me to hospital when eating… nuts).  It all hinders me "trying new things", and sometimes a bit of sickness is totally worth the reflux (the nuts aren't usually worth the hospital visit).  I know I know, excuses! Reasons to stay with the "safe" food!  I promise you all (even though I'm sure you don't mind what I eat) that I will TRY to try some more "adventurous" foods, because why not live a little. 

ANYWAY completely off track.  Overall, with drinks, entree and mains and using the Entertainment voucher (25% off) it came to about $45.  It was good, spicy, flavoursome, delicious, tender and there was a variety of options on the menu.   And to top it off, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, though I wouldn't go there with a big group for a birthday or anything because I'd want a bit more space.