Somebody say cheese?

August 19, 2009 at 1:06 pm 1 comment

Somebody say cheese?
 

Last night the GFD was still in town, and we resolved to go two for two in the dinner stakes.  Feeling somewhat nawty after dissing Mr L’s wish that Monday’s dinner be cheapncheerful, we were on a mission to find a hearty meal at an anti spend lock price.

We happened upon Verve Cafe and Bar which I’d walked past a few times before.  Each time I’d been past previously I had a bag of shopping from Woolies in my hot little, overplanning, good wife hand.  It was good to have an excuse to go in with the GFD.

We had a look at the sandwich boards out the front and all the hanger rounderers and agreed it looked like a goer, so down the stairs we went, into the basement.

A very funny waiter dude met us at the bottom of the stairs and looked a bit concerned that he may not have a table.  Looking around we noted the reason for his concern – the place was packed.  Trivia night was on – we arrived half way through – and the players all appeared to be enjoying themselves.

We were led to a table and given some menus.  Everything appealed to my taste!  Hurrah!  What’s more – they had several gluten free options on the menu.  Including a gluten free version of this excellent bread that we had called Pan Bread.  The Pan Bread that we chose was covered in lots of delicious cheese and a good amount of chili.  It was superfreakintasty and appealed to the GFD’s previously stated desire for pizza.

Very funny waiter man (VFWM) gave us the run through of the specials and one stood out for the GFD.  It was fish and chips, but the description from VFWM was theatrical – delivered with a flourish, and I think the beer battered chips won the GFD over.  We couldn’t wait to order.  I was having chicken and pumpkin GF risotto.  Fabulous.  Mr L would have been impressed, for he is a risotto afficionado!

VFWM was down the back end of the room when we were looking to order, but another lovely waitress lady swung by to take our orders.  The GFD’s plea for the fish n chips was apologetically rejected… Fish of the day (unbenownst to VFWM) was swordfish with vegetable ragout (or something of the like) with lentils.  GFD was trying to hold it together, but it was pretty clear his hopes were dashed..  We sent lovely waitress lady away as the GFD needed some thinking time (and music.)

A couple of minutes later another waiter – I’m calling him Swedish dreadlock dude (SDD) came by to take our revised order.  The GFD went for meatballs linguini – braised lamb & beef, Lambrusco, rosemary, napoletana.  And I enthusiastically put in an order with SDD for my chicken and pumpkin risotto.

The meals arrived.

The meat balls were really delicious.  I love a rich sauce and if I don’t get a lot of meatballs in my meatbal dish, I generally feel gypped.  Having adequately scrutinised the GFD’s dish and comparing with his similar view, I can completely recommend those scrumptious little numbers!

My gluten free, and therefore guilt free risotto was talking to me.  It was saying “I am so guilt free and gorgeous, you want to tuck in now!”  So I did.  The risotto was made up of chicken, pumpkin, green peas, caramelised onion, mint, fetta, herbs and chicken stock.  It was so tasty, I was sure I was eating one of Mr L’s famous home-style risottos (of course, I taught him everything he knows !)

We weren’t up for a big night.  GFD had a glass of red, and I had a pot of green tea.  I was pleased to receive real green tea (it was in a bag, but I’m okay with that) – nothing too fancy – no value added jasmine scents – just plain Madura green tea.  It was just what I was after.

The meals were large, the ambience was good and the service was fast and attentive.  VFWM did have that small stumble over the fish and chips, but I think GFD got past that, and in fact, probably decided that Mrs GFD would have been happier with his final choice.  One day, GFD, we will go back for their beer battered chips!

The bill came in at $54.70.  Pretty bloody good.

Check out the menu for Verve Cafe on their website at www.vervecafe.com.au.  They do lunch and dinner most days, and have all sorts of entertainment on throughout the week.

If you do decide to go, make sure you check out the art around the walls – we couldn’t tell whether the framed pics were lithographs, photographs, or someothersortofgraphs, but they were all pretty cool.  I tried to take a photo, but my iphone had a tough time with the lack of light in the basement – anyway, drop in and see for yourself!

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By the way….

Has anyone seen that new KFC ad?  Does the music not sound like the Ready Steady Cook theme song?  Do do do do do do dooooooooo…

And… is anyone else surprised that The Fonze is in the new series of Numbers?  Heeeeeey….  What’s with that?

Entry filed under: Brisbane, Cheap n cheerful, Dinner, Good Food Dude. Tags: .