Dreamscapes Travel & Lifestyle Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dreamscapes.ca/i/725964
THE SEAFOOD: AN OVERLOOKED GEM Queensland isn't generally thought of as a foodie desti- nation. Sure, no one boards a plane to Australia just for the food, but this is an area where it really shines, par- ticularly when it comes to serving up a diverse range of seafood, with creativity and exotic ingredients you'll unlikely encounter elsewhere (passion fruit and other tropical fruits are a common staple). This is not a salmon, tuna, halibut or bust kind of destination. You'll find more on the menu. Much more. Like barramundi. The Balfour Kitchen at the Spicers Balfour Hotel is consistent at delivering perfectly executed dishes with a creative flair. Whether it was a toasted muesli with poached pear, toasted coconut, raspberry compote and honey yoghurt for breakfast, a hot smoked barramundi entrée for lunch, or marmalade ice cream with bits of dried/candied orange, Dulce de Leche, and other sur- prising ingredients for dessert, they never faltered. A short stroll away is a popular neighbourhood coffee joint, the Little Larder, where there's a decid- edly laid-back, friendly vibe and decent food. It is there that I make another life-changing discovery: the "dirty" chai, a concoction that contains chai, steamed milk and a shot or two of espresso. This is also the spot where I try Vegemite for the first time. And then never again! When it comes to actually delectable culinary pur- suits, Wild Canary is another must. Nestled inside a garden, the chef uses herbs grown in Southeast Queensland, largely locally sourced produce, and edible flowers to create imaginative dishes. Their Road Winter salad, which contains pumpkin, sweet potato, parsnip, heritage carrot, fennel, grilled halloumi, pumpkin hummus, seeds and balsamic reduction, is one of the finest dishes. Their pastry cabinet isn't to be scoffed at either. Their take on a raw avocado key lime pie (with nuts in the crust) is a gift from the gods of culinary delights. Other seafood restaurants worth noting include the Fish House in Burleigh Heads, a beachfront restaurant specializing in southern European dishes; Seascape Restaurant & Bar, which overlooks Surfers Paradise and has a certain fondness for pairing unusual ingredients for that extra flavour kick, as well as employing a pas- sionate bartender; and the festive local favourite, Salsa Bar & Grill in Port Douglas, which is set in a blue and white space, with an easy-going nautical feel. "Chic" is one word that can be used to describe the Salt House Restaurant in Cairns. Views of the water and an unbe- lievable A$20 lunch special, which includes a glass of wine and delicious food all-around, make it a great stop. Going beyond seafood and Australian staples is Tartufo Ristorante in Brisbane. As you can probably tell by the name, there are Neapolitan roots at play here and the Italian-Australian chef, Tony Percuoco, who spends his time between the kitchen and mingling with regu- lars, brings his big heart, passion for food and gregarious nature to the table. A red and black dining room echoing the glamour of old Hollywood was inspired by New York's Balthazar, while the chef's hometown of Naples informs the classic Italian cuisine. FALL 2016 DREAMSCAPES 53 DS TRAVEL PLANNER For more information on tourism and events in Queensland, visit queensland.com. An electronic visitor visa can be obtained online for under A$20. As mentioned previously, Air Canada (aircanada.com) operates scheduled service from Canada while Qantas (qantas.com) offers exemplary service within Australia. Shoppers must check out James Street in Brisbane for unique creations by local artisans.