Elizabeth St Food + Wine and Farm Gate Market

Elizabeth St Food + Wine has been on the lips of so many of my friends recently. People enjoying the food as well as the environment and it was one of those zillion places I mentioned last time.

It's one that I'm kicking myself for not visiting before.

The open plan dining area, kitchen and shopping space is a real treat especially on a not so lovely Sunday morning. The dining room has a really informal, formality to it. The long tables and red accents add nicely to the casual yet upmarket atmosphere.

 

Me and T arrived at the not unreasonable 11.30am on Sunday and there was no breakfast menu.
The lunch menu did have sprinklings of breakfast inspiration but I was really hoping for brunch!
They do open from 8am but I didn't check whether there is a specific breakfast menu, does anyone know?

Instead we opted for the buckwheat pikelet with smoked salmon and crispy capers and the ESF+W ham and cheese sourdough toastie, to share.  

I'm not a great fan of capers but this dish was brilliant, the sauce was creamy and a beautiful contrast to the salty, crunchy capers and the soft, airy pikelet. The toastie was just that but it was a decent serve and came with a yummy tomato chutney. 

Afterwards, we browsed the pantry style shelves stacked with Tassie products, whilst pondering dessert.

It's alright to have dessert if you've eaten from the lunch menu, right?
I'd had my eye on the chocolate and creme patisserie Danish and T was all too happy to share!
For me this was the stand out. The pastry was just so right. Buttery, sweet and rich. No picture because it did look like a chocolate sausage roll but who cares when it tastes that good! 

Overall a very pleasant mid morning. I would be happy to go back to ESF+W, definitely if they have a breakfast menu and if not for either a decedent long lunch or coffee and Danish! 

After, we braved the rain and took to Bathurst Street to check out Farm Gate Market and its new stomping ground.  

I'm guessing most of you would have been to/know about Farm Gate. It's a farmers market mainly selling locally grown produce and food products to take home.

More recently they have increased the number of food vendors. It's great if you're looking for something to nibble on your way around or if you fancy pulling up and chair and having a more leisurely food stop! 

 On this occasion full from ESF+W we just grabbed some veggies to take home for our roast dinner. 
 Lady Hester did her best to tempt me however!

Hobart is becoming well known for it's array of markets and food gatherings and if you're visiting our fine city pop Farm Gate on your to do list, it's the most fabulous representation of just some of the delights our Lonely Planet recommended State has to offer.

If you're a local, FG is great for those Sunday breakfasts where you don't have any plans and want to please all of your friends and take something home for afternoon tea....
 
That's all from me for now.
But just before I go, has anyone tried any of the new restaurants in our city?
I have Franklin, Betsey, Straight Up Coffee + Food, Capital AND Willing Bros Wine Merchants on my ever increasing list!

High Tea at Hadley's & Brunch at The Picnic Basket

Yet again an action and food filled weekend, so enjoyable! 

Saturday afternoon was High Tea at Hadley's for Miss W's bridal shower.
It's been too long since afternoon tea was enjoyed and Hadley's is one of my favourite spots in Hobart to enjoy the luxury of a long, delicious tea.
I have to admit that Hadley's isn't at the top of my list based on the venue, I'm quite partial to Point Revolving Restaurant at Wrest Point but one thing Hadley's does have going for it is the food.

Everything was delicious from the sandwiches to the mini pastries to the classic scones, and the tea selection was splendid. I really appreciated the choice of teas along with the option of iced versions.

Sunday was my zen morning starting with brunch joined by the family at The Picnic Basket, a venue I've been itching to try. I wasn't disappointed. Actually, I loved it!

The inside is beautifully decorated. It's like something out of a book.
Little nooks are filled with books and handmade goodies.

 

 And the shelves are lined with mouth watering pastries and treats.

As well as an eatery PB is a farm shop selling fresh bread, veggies and pantry staples to keep you stocked up in between shopping. It's the whole package!

The ladies ordered Brioche French toast with caramalised bananas and for me it was everything I wanted on a Sunday morning.

 D opted for classic poached eggs and bacon on sourdough and R had the delicious  looking Brioche Sticky Bun. 

If you have a hankering for awesome food and the most gorgeous, unique setting opt for The Picnic Basket. Personally, I can't wait for my second sitting. If only Hobart didn't have a zillion (actual number) other places for me to try, oh, what a hard life!

To work off the huge brekkie we decided to do the Alum Cliffs track. There are several starting spots, all in Taroona and the track goes along the cliffs to Kingston Beach. 

 

With views like this it's so beautiful, serene and totally enjoyable.

It's takes around an hour and a half to get to the pristine shores of Kingston beach.

We had planned ahead and parked a car at both the Taroona and the Kingston Beach ends of the track. However, you could turn back and head back to Taroona for one of these doughnuts.....it did cross my mind.

Find the information for Alum Cliffs Track here! 

Have you guys had an awesome brunch/meal recently?

And is anyone going to Hobart Show? I've never been before but don't think I will make it. Can you pick me up a show bag please?! 

I'll leave you with a snippet of wisdom from The Picnic Basket. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

A New Market, A Sweet Hot Dog and A Good Old Cuppa Tea

I've been here there and everywhere this past week! And all of these spots are brand, spanking new to me.

First off somewhere that is new to all, The Hobart Twilight Market.

I really love food markets, I lived in Malaysia for a while and in the city they have food markets everywhere. A bunch of us would go on a Friday evening, drink cold tiger beer and eat from anywhere we fancied. I loved that it was so social and so laid back; drinking, eating and enjoying life.

It's just fantastic to welcome a new market to Hobart, this one isn't specifically food they also have many more wonderful stalls for your browsing pleasure.

I loved this stall, some awesome prints for our place, info here.

But for me it's all about the food! 

There were some familiar faces.

And also some new ones.

 

The Pulled Pork burger from Spotty Dog Brewers was my first choice (I love pulled pork!) so I grabbed a mini one to nibble on my way around. Delicious, meaty, crunchy and yum. And I love that they do a small servings, it's so my style as it means I can fit heaps of different food in!

 Burger Burger Tas sounded like my kinda deal! They offer no meat which isn't what I'd usually go for but I had the vege burger and it was delicious! I did take a picture but if I'm honest it doesn't do it justice so I will let ya taste it for yourself. I also saw that they do GF, free of charge which is really refreshing and I think more places should offer this.

For dessert I had a macaron from Macarons by Ruby, I'm not a huge fan of the macaron, I find they are a little style over substance and I'm more of a wedge of stodge kinda gal. However, as a baker I have massive amounts of respect for anyone who has the patience and skill to make them.
 
I had a cookies and cream version which was very tasty and there were so many flavours that all looked perfect. If you're a fan or if you haven't ever tried one do yourself a favour and grab one from Ruby, let me know what flavor you try!

The next market is on this Friday 4-8, not sure about the weather forecast but I predict it's gonna go down a storm! After this Friday there is a market on every other Friday (I guess, forever?) so if you don't make it you have many more opportunities!  Find the info here! 

My next newbie was Brat Time, not quite new news I know but my first trip down the rabbit hole. 

When you get down there it's really cool, modern and has a feel of something special to it. 

We grabbed a dog, dawg. Me and one of my oldest friends J both opted for the Brat Time- it has pulled pork ( I told you I was a fan) with rainbow slaw and rhubarb relish. 
We also got cheesy chips and onion rings on the side. 

My dog choice was sweet and I liked it but go for something different if you don't fancy the sweetness, one awesome thing about Brat Time is there choices are awesome, I sat for at least 10 minutes deciding! And the meat and bun were both tops so I'm sure any additions would be hot, digitty dog (had to be done).

As for the sides, the chips were pretty brilliant but I wasn't a huge fan of the onion rings, that's just me. Check out Brat Time if you can, I'm totally not a hotdog fan but I loved it so don't let it out you off, I would recommend shopping both before and after as it's perfectly located in Elizabeth Street Mall. Find info here! 

Finally a breakfast at Pollen Tea Room - I'm English and tea is a way of life for me, it runs in my veins and Pollen has some of the best in town.
 
Also i've heard they have the best baked eggs in town too. I opted for the avo topped ones

And my girl dates L & S went for the feta and pesto topping, both served with sourdough.

They were yum and the avo was perfect so was the toast but if I'm honest they are just eggs. For me the brilliance of Pollen lies with the tea along with their other mantras, Pollen uses organic produce as well as offering heaps of GF and DF options, along with raw treats and fresh juices. The business takes on the difficult prospect of balance in this crazy life and it does it with such grace. We left Pollen feeling happy, content and inspired which is a really nice feeling as oposed to my usual 'full'. 
I would definitely head back for tea and raw brownies in this quirky, cute tea rooms in the future. 

Head here for some more information about Pollen Tea Room!
Plus I read that they are featured in Frankie Magazine this issue, has anyone read it?

Have you been to any of these places before? What did you think? Would love to know your opinions! 

South Hobart Favourites

As you know if you read my last post I've been house sitting in South Hobart and whilst there I decided to take advantage of my new surroundings.

My first South Hobart (does anyone legitimately call it So-Ho?) favourite is Cascade Gardens/So-Ho Rivulet Walk. 
 

With the weather getting nicer I'm a massive fan of the humble picnic. I love picking a sunny spot with some friends, eating yummy food and enjoying the outdoors and I found some beautiful spots in Cascade Gardens and along the Rivulet Walk.  
 
Imagine a Summer's afternoon sitting here with your feet in the stream, bliss.

 
Or in gardens with the view of the spectacular brewery and all of the mod cons, think BBQ, benches and huge shady trees. There is something for everyone and I simply can't wait for summer to enjoy it.

Just in case you don't know the two are linked by a sort of path and The Female Factory is slap bang in the middle if you fancied a bit of history pre or post picnicing 
Click to find info for either the Rivulet Walk or Cascade Gardens.

Next up, the food. 

I mentioned I'd like to try Ginger Brown and Macquarie Street Foodstore Cafe and managed to get to both of them, on the same day I'm unashamed to say!

Starting with breakfast at the Foodstore. 

From the outside it looks like an Indian shop front.
 
 But just behind the door it's totally retro. 

The food is a classic breakfast, my cuppa tea. Along with the in-laws I opted for the pikelets (after my pikelet envy at Machine) with bacon and maple syrup and my regular coffee, the coffee was the best I've had for a long time and the food was just as good. 

If I could make one ever so slight criticism there wasn't enough syrup for me (return of the undying sweet tooth) but I guess I could have asked for more. 

I was however, so impressed with the portion size for the price, $8.50 for this delicious combo of salt and sugar. 

I would urge you to go to Foodstore if you're looking for a really decent breakfast with the added sweetness of a good deal, it also has a sort of local feel like the 'Cheers' of the Hobart cafes.

Find the info here.

Next up, Ginger Brown.

I have to admit that after breakfast I was very full and so popped into GB to check it out and have afternoon tea.

I had a vegan, (that makes it healthy) beetroot (so healthy) chocolate (slipping...) cake (damn it). It was super moist and a massive slab of deliciousness with my EB tea.

I loved the look and feel of Ginger Brown but I made one crucial mistake. I read the menu. Now I'm visualising the banana french toast or the kimchi pancake. 

I will return to Ginger Brown and eat their food, but now I can do that knowing that I already enjoy the atmosphere,the service, the little Jaffa on my spoon and the knowledge that this is one of Hobart's finest. 

Find Ginger Brown info here. 
So, my final thought on the two is that Ginger Brown is the one when you are looking to treat yourself with food that is splendid but in the higher price bracket whereas Foodstore is the one with food that you could replicate at home but, why not go out for breakfast when it's so reasonable? Bonus, no washing up.

Last but not least, Strickland falls. 

  I love falls, and this one has the extra bonus that it's a stones throw away from the car. It's in a bit of an odd spot and I can't find an awesome map but the directions on the bottom of this page are the best I can find and better than I could do!!
The falls are so beautiful and there is a longer walk that you can do if you feel like working off brekky.

I'm eventually going to return to So-Ho to do the Cascade Brewery tour but in the meantime I want to know what you want to see on my blog? 

I've got a few posts up my sleeve (Hobart Twilight Market and healthy lunch recipes) but please let me know if you'd rather be seeing recipes, restaurant reviews, day trips, markets, events or just a big mix like now! 

Thanks for reading, you lovely people.