A Pig and A Pony

This post is a little bit later than I anticipated. Mainly because I've been so busy this week!
I've been to so many places I want to tell you about so let's get started shall we?

Last weekend I tried one of the new talks of the town, Room For A Pony.
We went on a Saturday morning and it was super busy, there was a queue!
Everything about this joint is super cool.

 

The beautiful staff take orders on i Pads and play music into the court yard where groups of friends drink green smoothies and discuss their antics from the night before.
We discussed the food. The menu is quite small and to the point.
The boys all opted for the meatloaf.

I tried a nibble and it was really good. I've never really fancied meatloaf but this one has turned me over to the dark (meaty) side.
The girls ordered pumpkin rosti, poached eggs and burnt butter hollandaise.

There were a few teething problems with our choice. Me and R ordered the same dish but they were totally different, I'm going to suggest it's due to the fact it was so busy.
I was glad I got mine, despite the fact that it was sans pumpkin.
My eggs were perfect. Check it.

I'd most definitely go back to RFAP but if I was you I'd give them a week or two to iron out the kinks. After that it will remain one of the coolest place in No-Ho.

This week.we trotted (sorry) to The Westend Pumphouse to Pig Out - literally.

Pumphouse is a really well designed space. It's kind of industrial but manages to keep a hint of sophistication. I appreciate how there are spaces that feel intimate but the whole place feels very open.

We took our seats, drank our s-wine (not sorry) and awaited the main event.
The sides arrived. Apple salad.

Roasted new potatoes.

Finally, the one we had been waiting boar (I'm done).

We tucked in. The pork was delicious and the sides were too.
The rolls were toasty and sweet and the crackling was delicious.
The pig is $45 a head (this includes sides) and if it's for a special occasion it's definitely worth it. 
It's something a little bit different and when our pig was delivered the whole place looked on, it offers a little bit of entertainment and with Heston in town it did seem fitting.
I probably wouldn't have it again, it's a sort of a one off thing I guess but, what I would do is return to Pumphouse. The setting is perfect for after work drinks and laid back lunches. 

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend. Has anyone been to beer fest?? 
I've been busy starting my Christmas shopping! Anyone interested in seeing a gift guide? I can't promise it will be anything like Gwyn's but it might give you a few ideas! 

A Trip Down The Huon

This weekend a trip down the Huon was on the cards as I was keen to share with you somewhere away from wee H-Town.
Although I love being around Hobart it's nice to stray if food is good enough. And it is.

We started off with breakfast at my favourite little spot in Huonville, DS Coffee House & Internet Lounge.

Such a retro spot.


An eclectic mix of kitsch and cozy.

 Lonely Planet sum it up perfectly, 'Hands down Huonville's most interesting cafe, this funky collection of retro furniture feels like your first student flat at university'.
 I'm especially partial to the Mona Lisa corner.

Their menu is simple, traditional cafe classics. Bacon and eggs, sandwiches and their famous burgers. With biscuits, ice cream, scones and cakes just some of the offerings for dessert.
I went for scrambled eggs on toast with mushrooms and tomato chutney.
It was tasty, big and cheap. My kind of breakfast! 

I have but one tiny criticism. It could have been way nicer on sourdough or a thicker bread (this is partly my fault as there was a choice; white, brown or Turkish - would go Turkish next time) but a decent sourdough could have taken this from good to great. I guess then the price would have increased as a result and also maybe I'm just a bit spoilt. 

Pop in to DS if you're down in Huonville. It's charming and not just because of the food it's in the decor and the whole feel of the place. Really homely but also like you're somewhere far away from home! 

Full from breakfast I wandered over to have a nosy into The Cat's Tongue Chocolatiers. I walked right into my version of heaven.

The smell was like I imagine the chocolate factory in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to be like and I felt like a small child.
The cabinets and shelves are filled with chocolates, pastries, pies and everything else to indulge one huge sweet tooth!
You can see into the kitchen where the beautiful food is being prepared

And the artists tend their work in front of your very eyes.
 
I can't believe I've not been here before!!
Full from breakfast I was very restrained and just ordered 4 chocolates; mint, salted caramel,  hazelnut and a sort of Turkish delight adaptation.

They are quite pricey but they are so damn close to perfection.

The Cats Tongue do a breakfast/lunch menu which also looks entirely fabulous.
AND they open Thursday-Sunday which I reckon more places should do, it makes it so much more accessible to the 9-5ers amongst us!

Whilst down in the Huon why not check out some of the cider outlets. Willie Smiths and Pagan Cider both offer delightful stops with cellar doors. 
And if you make it as far as Cygnet and feel you're tummy rumbling try The Red Velvet Lounge. You'll love it!  

We have a lovely forecast in Hobart for this weekend, do you have anything planned?
I thought I might find somewhere to do some strawberry picking, any ideas?

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!