Goat is the New Black
July 15th 2008 06:49
My Sex and the City adage is no accident as BA is sexy as hell. You are welcomed to BA as if they have been waiting for you to arrive and now the party can really start. I recommend sitting outside, as the river view is divine. The staff glide around you calmly to remove cutlery and deliver bread. Don’t worry about being “forgotten” because you are outside, things like that just don’t happen at BA.
It’s enchanting, they offer you bread without the hard sell, it's as if the wait staff know how good it is, and they just want you to try it so you can see for yourself. They are right. Ciabatta at $2 per person is amazing value. The bread comes warm and you anoint it in the EVOO placed on your table. Anoint or drown the bread in the oil like an unwanted kitten, it’s hard to be ladylike with this quality bread. The EVOO is fruity and peppery and makes you feel very chic as you tear it to shreds and dip it in the oil, so European darling.
As you anticipate the arrival of your entree of Goat Ragu on homemade Parpadelle, relax, take in the view, sink down into your seat, and try to concoct a reasonable excuse to have dessert, anything will do, it’s worth it ladies.
The goat ragu dish is magic. Don't be put off by the goat factor. In reference to this dish G.O.A.T also stands for Greatest of All Time. I know, I know I’m handing out more props to BA than a teary Halle Berry, to the Academy on Oscar night, but trust me this is amazing stuff. The pasta is rich but light at the same time, the ragu is beautifully cooked and strands of goat delicately slide into your mouth alongside green olives and the freshly grated Parmesan that the fantastic staff bring out the minute your meal arrives. Oh yes they are slick here, they’ve done this before.
I am trying to block out memories of all those other places in Brisbane that charge twice as much and don’t come anywhere near this standard. Goat ragu entrée size is $14. I know, this is ridiculous at a restaurant with a hat from the good food guide. I am staring to wonder why I’ve been paying $32 for singed butter, overcooked packet gnocchi, on a big white plate plonked down in front of me by a hung-over backpacker across the river. Explain yourself Brisbane.
I move onto the gelato of the day, once again, this is crafted with a deft hand. Chocolate, plum and boozy gelato in a martini glass, three big scoops $8. This is madness. Is this a bowls club? The prices here are something from the Whitlam era. Do they know that they could probably charge $12 for this and people would still think it’s a bargain? The gelato tastes fresh, homemade even, and would be perfect for Carrie and Stanford to share or Miranda to polish off by herself.
The food here could easily hold its own against the big boys in Sydney or Melbourne. BA doesn’t take bookings so an early arrival is a good idea. The wine list is of course extensive and wonderful, I had the Brokenwood red something, I can't remember, I’m busy texting everyone I know, heralding the arrival of goat as the new messiah of the food world. “Waygu is over. Goat is the new black.
”The service here is spot on, friendly, quick, classy and never pushy. I really can't emphasis enough how special the staff there make the evening. They seem truly delighted to bring you your dinner. The know the menu, they can tell you off the top of their heads that the quail is on a pear salad, it comes butterflied and wrapped in Parma ham and a light balsamic drizzle. $14. A lovely summer entrée light and delicate. The quail was juicy with a crispy, crunchy outside. Complimented by a sweet albeit small pear “salad,” read, just pear.
The food is one third of a great trifecta here; food, service and location all serve to make this one very special modern Italian restaurant. It’s a great place for a special occasion but it still has a nice laid back vibe too. It’s gourmet without being snobby. It’s like wearing $260 Sass and Bide jeans with an op shop t-shirt. Bar Alto is fashionable but not elitist. Brisbane’s all grown up she’s got her braces off, and she’s a sassy lady now, see for yourself at BA.
Rating 4/5 Bar Alto 119 Lamington Drive New Farm http://www.baralto.com.au/
| 45 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
