Easy House

March 17, 2013

H5N1 honey as well as distant friend's start solo fine art exhibition drew us from Brisbane to the Gold Coast, as well as nosotros scheduled inwards about veg eating too. Reader Fiona start recommended Easy House to us inwards an e-mail to a greater extent than than a twelvemonth ago; Matt echoed her endorsement inwards a to a greater extent than recent message.

Our timing didn't permit us to examination out Easy House's yum cha but nosotros did halt yesteryear for dinner. The bill of fare runs to to a greater extent than than lxxx dishes - fried entrees, soups, tofu, vegetables, lots of mock meats, hot pots, rice as well as noodle dishes. Many of them were familiar from other Chinese-style vegetarian menus, but nosotros constitute a span of new dishes to order.

The vegetarian roast goose ($14.80) was made primarily of layered edible bean curd skin, amongst a few finely chopped mushrooms as well as other vegetables tucked inwards betwixt to boost the umami element. The curd was melt-in-the-mouth tender as well as perfectly contrasted amongst a crispy-battered shell. The accompanying sauce was to a greater extent than sweetness than sour, but nonetheless welcome.

We doubled downwards on deep-fry amongst the tabular array salt as well as pepper eel fillets ($16.80). These didn't deviate from the glutenous faux-fish I've eaten elsewhere but I wasn't disappointed - there's something almost electrical virtually the seasoning that I can't imagine replicating at home.

The Easy House atmosphere is a niggling stark, as well as to a greater extent than customers seemed interested inwards takeaway than eating in, but nosotros received real helpful as well as timely service. The bill of fare is extensive as well as the character as well as cost of the dishes nosotros tried compares favourably amongst the Chinese-style mock meats we've eaten elsewhere. I promise nosotros tin laid upward up other reasons to catch again, ideally for yum cha adjacent time.

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Easy House has already earned weblog love on definatalie.com as well as Delicous Encounters.

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Easy House
8/90 Markeri St, Mermaid Waters QLD
(07) 5572 8808
veg dishes $4.80-18.80
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Accessibility: There's a small-scale footstep upward into the eating seat (see photograph above) as well as tables within are quite crowded. We ordered at the tabular array as well as paid at a high counter. We didn't catch the toilets but I noticed about other diner borrowing a key, presumably to access them elsewhere inwards the mall.

Vintage Espresso

March 18, 2013

Michael made a cursory search for nearby cafes that powerfulness serve us breakfast on Mon forenoon as well as upwards popped Vintage Espresso at Mermaid Beach. On sight, I could barely believe it: this cafe could accept been airlifted as well as deposited straight from Melbourne's inner north. (More likely, my feel of south-east Queensland is vii years out of appointment as well as such cafes thrive all over Oz.) The interior is vintage through as well as through, from the slice of furniture as well as wallpaper to the crockery as well as copious (but non cluttered) knick knacks. This much orangish as well as brownish commonly strikes me equally dowdy. Maybe it was the white walls, the expert status of their wares or the Gold Coast Sun streaming in, but hither it was positively cheerful.

I was cheered, too, to consider another cafe offering iced chai ($6.50). I am likewise optimistic. This 1 was the sweetest, to the lowest degree spicy version I've encountered yet. Peeps've actually gotta form out out a means to inject around ginger and, I dunno, actual tea into these things. Michael's apartment white offered to a greater extent than satisfaction.

Glutton for penalty (and sugar), I backed it upwards amongst an lodge of banana breadstuff ($5.50). This, I tin recommend - thick as well as gently sweet, amongst a expert stair out of toasty walnuts.

Michael ordered the Spring Harvest ($15), a procession of good poached eggs, roast tomato, mushrooms, polenta bake, spinach as well as pesto - all fresh as well as heartily enjoyed, including the tomato plant (!).

Game for more, he followed upwards amongst a kale, apple, grape as well as cucumber juice ($6.50).

There's enough on offering for vegetarians at Vintage - additionally fruit, muesli, French toast, to a greater extent than eggs as well as avocado mashed amongst feta - but vegan options are less obvious. Gluten-free dishes aren't marked either but are relatively slowly to identify. I liked that the toast bill of fare extended beyond sourdough to fancy fruit, bagels as well as something pumpkin-based. The service was pleasant as well as the kitchen didn't piece of occupation out us waiting likewise long. Vintage Espresso accept clearly pose equally much assist as well as science into their nutrient equally their fit-out.

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There are positive weblog posts close Vintage Espresso on your local markets, green been, Girl Who Does Lunch as well as Espresso Escapades, as well as thence a mixed 1 on Taking Care of Breakfast.

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Vintage Espresso
1/43 Alfred St, Mermaid Beach QLD
(07) 5527 7878
veg breakfasts $3.50-15.50
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Accessibility: The cafe is split upwards degree - tables out front, upwards a stride as well as counter degree as well as upwards a span to a greater extent than steps to an elevated dining area. Tables are somewhat crowded inside. We ordered as well as paid at a medium-height counter, though nutrient was served to our table. We didn't catch the toilets.