Good BYOs in Brisbane

[Daryl Douglas]

I'll be in Brisbane from the 10th or 11th of November and wonder if anyone knows of any good byo-friendly restaurants there. Location would be useful for working out transport/accommodation arrangements for dinner, possibly 11/11/08. Not that I'm much that way inclined, it is a notable date 90 years later, sadly overshadowed by other even more lamentable events all too few years later.

I'm NOT asking for RSL Club recommendations

Suggestions would be much appreciated and any Brisbanites who'd like to participate in or help arrange an offline dinner would be most welcome. Allan (Waiters Friend) will be in town around the same time as I and it seems like a window of opportunity for a bit of a get together, share some good food and some good wine with other forum members. November 11 seems convenient for Allan+1 and me, hope it is for others in Brisbane.

Cheers

daz

[Red Bigot]

Again, you can try here, but I haven't looked to update it for a while.
http://redbigot.info/BYORestaurants.htm#Brisbane
There is also a link to another list of byo restaurants.
http://www.eatability.com.au/au/brisban ... es/byo.htm

[Rednick]

Ecco is always good food wise, but they have a limit of 4 bottles max BYO.

A couple that I haven't been to that are BYO and supposed to be good Rhubarb Rhubarb & Two Small Rooms.

Lastly I believe Isis allow BYO and the food is pretty good (although the mains were over seasoned last visit).

I'be never been to an offline but it would be good to catch up with some forumites. The 11th is a possability for me if you are around then.

Cheers

Nick

[tim1210]

I'll also put a word in for E'cco (had lunch there today - all the meals were magnificent) and Two Small Rooms. They're both great restaurants. Also, Arriva in new farm does great italian (grenache and a pizza, anyone?) and I believe you can BYO, but you'd best check.

Enjoy! Sadly, I won't be able to join you as I've got a couple of exams to pass that week.

Cheers,

Tim

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

It looks like an impromptu Brisbane offline is on the cards. I've never been to an offline before, and now I find I am travelling to the other side of Australia to go to one i

A quick gander at a couple of websites (thanks Brian for the links) has led me to the conclusion that Toowong must be the restaurant capital of Brisbane Three likely candidates spring to mind, all in Toowong: Brents The Dining Experience, Blue Frog and Two Small Rooms. Any thoughts or better still, experiences? I realise Two Small Rooms has already got a couple of mentions.

Sue and I could possibly make Monday 10th or Wednesday 12th, but the other nights in that week are out, I'm afraid.

Finally, I will be off the air (computer wise, and therefore Forum-wise) from Monday, so I'd like to finalise arrangements over the weekend if we could.

Cheers, and I'm looking forward to meeting Daz and whoever else can join us.

Allan

[Daniel Jess]

Hi there! Can I add that I don't believe Two Small Rooms are available as they had a car/ute thing crash into their shopfront and are still undertaking repairs.

I would be most pleased to dine with you crazy lot if you set it up! I have a very nice 90 Clos Vosgeot and a Zema selection I might feel up to bringing.

[Daryl Douglas]

These look ok:
http://www.brentsrestaurant.com.au/menu.php
http://www.mariosarti.com.au/
http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/resta ... apide.aspx

Blue Frog doesn't indicate whether it caters for byo - my impression is that it doesn't but the menu looks excellent. On reflection, I think I saw part of a tv news report about the crash Daniel mentioned that closed Two Small Rooms.

I'm only too aware of how difficult it is to find byo friendly restaurants so perhaps some Brisbanites can come up with some more suggestions

10th or 12th is ok by me - I'll be on holiday and my friends are flexible. Need to firm up a venue though so I can reserve overnight accommodation somewhere nearby.

Cheers

daz

[Wizz]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to spread between Kingaroy and Adelaide that week, so I cant make it, but a word on the restaurants some of the Brisbane crew use from time to time:

Isis: Brusnwick St in the Valley. Tip top food last time I was there in August, great venue good glassware and intelligent wine service, but quality has varied at other times. Will accept BYO. Makes a good Mojito too

e'cco: Just off Ann St on the city fringe. Food consistently v good to oustanding. Glassware has improved. The 4 bottle BYO limit mentioned above is relatively new.

Rhubarb Rhubarb: Wooloowin. Haven't been there for 2 years, but the food was just outstanding. Glassware wasnt brilliant.

Two Small Rooms: Havent been there in ages either, and yes a ute did crash through their window. Others tell me it is still reliably very good.

White Rabbit: This is our current favourite, at Fairfield. Good entrees and mains, dessert list is oddly lacking. Licensed but will allow BYO. We have taken our own glassware every time, not sure what theirs is like.

KIS Cucina: Graceville. This is near home so I visit it every now and then. Will allow BYO "special bottles". Don't know what the limit is to be "Special", but we've taken Burgundy and German Rieslings. Glassware ordinary, but food is delicious. Would only work for a group of 6 or less. The Maitre D (Alisha I think) is a nutter in a charming way.

Rapide: Camp Hill. We used to go here a bit but it has changed hands, and I can't vouch for it first hand anymore.

Brents and Blue Frog are not on our radar, but other may be able to speak up for them.

Toowong is NOT the dining centre of Brisbane.

Now I need to sort out an Adelaide offline on Thu the 13th... and if 707 is watching, we can finally drink the Kaesler bottle I left there if it is still in existence

[GrahamB]

Blue Frog is no longer BYO.

I don't think 2 small rooms is open. Just checked the web site http://www.twosmallrooms.com/
Opened 17 th October.

If I remember correctly, Kis Cucina corkage is $15 per bottle.

Graham

[Waiters Friend]

Thanks Graham - I saw the Oct 17 re-opening date on their website, too, so - assuming Two Small Rooms has reopened, perhaps that is a go-er? Toowong is not badly placed for me either, in relation to where I'm staying.

Could we finalise this by Monday morning, please? I will be off the air after that. Who's coming, what date, and do you want me to make the booking?

Cheers

Allan

[redstuff]

offline sounds good.

I went to Sprout last night. Very good service and food. Glassware was a bit crap. Might be better to bring your own.
I had the Harvey Bay scallops as entre with Chandon NV and the Venison with BP 2004 - a great dinner

they are BYO

http://www.sproutcafe.com.au/

The "Brisbane Wine Club" has eaten a few times at Brent's and it has always been awesome. corkage is $10 a bottle now.

Two small rooms:
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24293856-3102,00.html

[n4sir]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to spread between Kingaroy and Adelaide that week,

That sounds painful.

Now I need to sort out an Adelaide offline on Thu the 13th... and if 707 is watching, we can finally drink the Kaesler bottle I left there if it is still in existence

Steve hasn't spent much time on the forum in the last year - last month's question about SV was the first peep we've seen in a long time. I reckon the best way for you to contact him will be by PM, or maybe Gavin or Mark Wickman (or their contacts) could pass on a message if they see him in the next week.

If you want help organizing give us a yell - any idea what you had in mind for a theme or type of food?

Cheers,
Ian

[Wizz]

Hi Guys,

I'm going to spread between Kingaroy and Adelaide that week,

That sounds painful.

It is...

Now I need to sort out an Adelaide offline on Thu the 13th... and if 707 is watching, we can finally drink the Kaesler bottle I left there if it is still in existence

Steve hasn't spent much time on the forum in the last year - last month's question about SV was the first peep we've seen in a long time. I reckon the best way for you to contact him will be by PM, or maybe Gavin or Mark Wickman (or their contacts) could pass on a message if they see him in the next week.

If you want help organizing give us a yell - any idea what you had in mind for a theme or type of food?

Cheers,
Ian

[/quote]

No biggie on the Kaesler, I'd given it up for dead.

Not looking for anything too spectacular, I'm on a 6am flight back to Brissie the next morning and straight into the office. Where woudl you guys normally go for a less formal "lite" offline - perhaps the food can guide any wine choices?

[n4sir]

No biggie on the Kaesler, I'd given it up for dead.

Not looking for anything too spectacular, I'm on a 6am flight back to Brissie the next morning and straight into the office. Where woudl you guys normally go for a less formal "lite" offline - perhaps the food can guide any wine choices?

Normally the quick & easy choice ends up being T-Chow (or one of the other Chinese places on/around Gouger St) - it's central, the corkage is virtually nothing, we can usually book at short notice & just order as we go.

Maybe it's worth starting a new thread for the offline if you definitely want one for the 13th, and we can sort out any details there.

Cheers,
Ian

[tim1210]

i just had a moment of blinding brilliance. Mario at the Dining Room in Hendra is easily the best BYO i've hit in brisbane in terms of food, atmosphere and service. It's run by the Mario that set up Mariosarti in toowong and seems to receive all his attention now. Great restaurant.

One particularly memorable dinner there was a duck and truffle ravioli dish accompanied by a 1999 Lindeman's Limestone Ridge. Perfect.

[Daryl Douglas]

i just had a moment of blinding brilliance. Mario at the Dining Room in Hendra is easily the best BYO i've hit in brisbane in terms of food, atmosphere and service. It's run by the Mario that set up Mariosarti in toowong and seems to receive all his attention now. Great restaurant.

One particularly memorable dinner there was a duck and truffle ravioli dish accompanied by a 1999 Lindeman's Limestone Ridge. Perfect.

I sent an email to Mariosarti asking if byo's allowed there but haven't had a reply. I believe The Dining Room's location at Hendra would be a negative for Allan and myself. The corkage is most reasonable at $3.50 but couldn't see any desserts on the website's menu, that could be a negative for some planning to attend the offline - see relevant thread.

Thanks and cheers

daz

[tim1210]

i just had a moment of blinding brilliance. Mario at the Dining Room in Hendra is easily the best BYO i've hit in brisbane in terms of food, atmosphere and service. It's run by the Mario that set up Mariosarti in toowong and seems to receive all his attention now. Great restaurant.

One particularly memorable dinner there was a duck and truffle ravioli dish accompanied by a 1999 Lindeman's Limestone Ridge. Perfect.

I sent an email to Mariosarti asking if byo's allowed there but haven't had a reply. I believe The Dining Room's location at Hendra would be a negative for Allan and myself. The corkage is most reasonable at $3.50 but couldn't see any desserts on the website's menu, that could be a negative for some planning to attend the offline - see relevant thread.

Thanks and cheers

daz

hi daz,

there definitely are desserts at mario's dining room (and mighty fine ones at that!) but if you can't get there you can't get there. RE mariosarti - i've not been in the last few months, but the last time i was there it was not up to the same standard as the dining room (new owner/chef i think). hope this is helpful
tim

[Daryl Douglas]

Yeah I was sure The Dining Room would offer desserts but couldn't find them listed on the website. Perhaps it just depends on what the chef or sous chef decides when planning the next days menu.

Interested in joining in the offline?

Cheers

daz

[tim1210]

I'd love to but I have exams to sit sunday, tues and wednesday... and I'm thinking that my head wouldn't be in the best shape the day after an offline! I'll watch the other thread, see when it is and let you know if i can come.

Cheers,
Tim