Can't Talk Eating
July 15th 2008 06:54
Can’t Talk Eating
The excuses I will dream up in order to eat at Verve often border on the ridiculous. My latest was, Sandy's only in Brisbane for a week, she has to come to Verve at least three times to really experience their menu. Who knows what Sandy from Perth thought about the Brisbane restaurant scene, as I only took her to Verve, I told her the rest of the restaurants here aren't really worth worrying about…
The food is casual modern Italian with some great trick shots like the Beer Battered chips $6.90. They come drizzled in a light balsamic glaze, which works really well as is a great modern twist on chips and vinegar. The chips also come with two top notch dipping sauces, and plenty of sauce is served up, my fav is the tomato chutney sauce, it's so thick, rich and sweet, it could be called the Jessica Simpson sauce. Boom Tish. The other sauce is a chubby lemon mayonnaise.
Moving past the chips onto the specials board. I went with the pork belly with kipfler potatoes and brown onion jus. There’s no fussy, wanky food here, just a big unpretentious (but still modern) plateful of real flavours. It doesn’t feel like 15 hands have prodded and fussed over this dish. There is none of that pompous stacking up, and finishing everything off with rocket here. It’s just a fantastic pork belly with some very tasty crispy crackling. $24.
Meanwhile, poor Sandy has to do all the talking while I crunch my way through the pork belly. “How’s the job Mel?” Silence. “How’s your mum going is her arm better?” Can’t talk now, I’m eating! My guest entertained her self with the pasta on all three visits, and her favourite was the chicken linguine $16.90, with basil, pistachio nuts, olive oil, Parmesan.
The crew at Verve make some of the best risotto I've sampled, on our second visit I had the Tiger Prawn kalamata olive, wine, napoletana, basil on rocket $18.90. The prices are so right at Verve, sometimes I wonder if Larry Emdur runs this place. Regardless, I come on down at least once a week. Ok, too far, I’ll stop now.
Oh and before I go into detail on the whole cool, but slightly underground, arty vibe the place emits. Don't forget to try the herb bread. You must, I eat one by myself when I go, as an entree and it is so good. It comes as small pan bread topped with caramelized onion, basil, rosemary and cheese and is an inner city bargain at $3.90.
My only complaint, there is no beer on tap, and the beer that is served is just not cold enough. But the cool vibes, relaxed staff and underground feel make up for that slight glitch. Go for lunch and try the salmon cakes entree size $9.90 or the calamari on salad $11.90. Both dishes are fantastic summer lunch dishes. I recommend Verve for a fun girl’s night out. Or you and mum would be very happy there for lunch after some city shopping.
Verve is a true gem and represents for me everything I’m looking for in a Cafe/Bar, a multitude of moorish dishes for light snacking, also a glam enough menu for a full 3 course dinner for any special occasion. Most of all Verve has an X factor that you can’t quite put your finger on, all I know is that when I eat there, I feel like Lilly Allen.
Rating 3.5/5 Verve Café 109 Edward St Brisbane.
The excuses I will dream up in order to eat at Verve often border on the ridiculous. My latest was, Sandy's only in Brisbane for a week, she has to come to Verve at least three times to really experience their menu. Who knows what Sandy from Perth thought about the Brisbane restaurant scene, as I only took her to Verve, I told her the rest of the restaurants here aren't really worth worrying about…
The food is casual modern Italian with some great trick shots like the Beer Battered chips $6.90. They come drizzled in a light balsamic glaze, which works really well as is a great modern twist on chips and vinegar. The chips also come with two top notch dipping sauces, and plenty of sauce is served up, my fav is the tomato chutney sauce, it's so thick, rich and sweet, it could be called the Jessica Simpson sauce. Boom Tish. The other sauce is a chubby lemon mayonnaise.
Moving past the chips onto the specials board. I went with the pork belly with kipfler potatoes and brown onion jus. There’s no fussy, wanky food here, just a big unpretentious (but still modern) plateful of real flavours. It doesn’t feel like 15 hands have prodded and fussed over this dish. There is none of that pompous stacking up, and finishing everything off with rocket here. It’s just a fantastic pork belly with some very tasty crispy crackling. $24.
Meanwhile, poor Sandy has to do all the talking while I crunch my way through the pork belly. “How’s the job Mel?” Silence. “How’s your mum going is her arm better?” Can’t talk now, I’m eating! My guest entertained her self with the pasta on all three visits, and her favourite was the chicken linguine $16.90, with basil, pistachio nuts, olive oil, Parmesan.
The crew at Verve make some of the best risotto I've sampled, on our second visit I had the Tiger Prawn kalamata olive, wine, napoletana, basil on rocket $18.90. The prices are so right at Verve, sometimes I wonder if Larry Emdur runs this place. Regardless, I come on down at least once a week. Ok, too far, I’ll stop now.
Oh and before I go into detail on the whole cool, but slightly underground, arty vibe the place emits. Don't forget to try the herb bread. You must, I eat one by myself when I go, as an entree and it is so good. It comes as small pan bread topped with caramelized onion, basil, rosemary and cheese and is an inner city bargain at $3.90.
My only complaint, there is no beer on tap, and the beer that is served is just not cold enough. But the cool vibes, relaxed staff and underground feel make up for that slight glitch. Go for lunch and try the salmon cakes entree size $9.90 or the calamari on salad $11.90. Both dishes are fantastic summer lunch dishes. I recommend Verve for a fun girl’s night out. Or you and mum would be very happy there for lunch after some city shopping.
Verve is a true gem and represents for me everything I’m looking for in a Cafe/Bar, a multitude of moorish dishes for light snacking, also a glam enough menu for a full 3 course dinner for any special occasion. Most of all Verve has an X factor that you can’t quite put your finger on, all I know is that when I eat there, I feel like Lilly Allen.
Rating 3.5/5 Verve Café 109 Edward St Brisbane.
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Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
"She's only here for a week..."
That's just hysterical.
I miss Scotland now
Reminder: if I ever go to Brisbane go to Verve. It does sound good.
~Dianna