We eat first with our eyes: is a well-known saying, and with good reason. As hunter-gatherers, humans historically needed to scope and find nourishment.
Our methods of finding food may have changed, but the principle still applies: we love our food to look good.
Here are some dishes from the Ipswich region that demand our attention; Instaworthy dishes that invite us to reach right into the photograph to taste the food on display. They provide food for the senses, to enjoy both looking at and eating.
Fourthchild
Frangipane lovers step right up! Fourthchild’s White chocolate, orange and macadamia tart (top image) has a frangipane-like centre. Not as indulgent as it looks, this tart is gluten-free with raspberry sorbet, orange and strawberry garnish and a swirl of kiwifruit coulis. Simply scrumptious!
With a cabinet full of housemade cakes fronting the street, Fourthchild lassoes in weary shoppers seeking nourishment. The Snickers Bar Cheesecake (above) is a delicious delight. Topped with Snickers bars and laced with a side of cream, the wedge of cake substantial enough for friends to share.
Ballistic Brewery, Bar & Kitchen
On a cold winter’s day, there’s nothing more enticing than Ballistic Brewery, Bar and Kitchen Spicy Chicken and bacon burger with chips and beer. It’s a crowd favourite for its flavour, the chicken marinated before it’s grilled, the kick of chipotle mayo slaw adding bite. Served with delicious crispy chips, we enjoy it with a tasting paddle of four house brews.
And who doesn’t love a Chicken Parmy to quell their hunger urges? Ballistic’s version uses house-crumbed chicken topped with ham, mozzarella and herbed Napoli sauce served with hot salty chips and Greek salad. Team it with a house-brewed Hawaiian Haze Pale Ale whose hop-driven flavours scream “Drink Me!”
San Churro
San Churro’s Happy Vegan is a handmade churro bowl filled with salted caramel and honeycomb gelato, dark chocolate gelato, vegan milk chocolate, strawberries and an Oreo. It’s unashamedly, decadently, drippingly delicious! Who would have guessed that a vegan dessert could be so much fun! San Churro is located inside Orion Springfield Central.
Indian Mehfil
Indian Mehfil’s Head Chef Pitamber Dutt presents us with the rich, buttery dishes of his North Indian Punjabi homeland in a banquet: Fish Methi Malai, Chicken Tikka Lababdar and Shabnam Methi Malai. With traditional food and warm friendly service, there’s a sense that this very affordable restaurant could just as easily house grand celebrations as it could a casual family night out.
The Café Kalina
A Nutella Latte is an indulgent drink to amaze. Choose your way to enjoy it, your lips taking in the Nutella and hazelnut rim from the cup as you sip the mocha-like coffee or make it a two-step treat. The Café Kalina looks out across parkland and a children’s playground at Stockland’s Kalina Estate. BYO doggy friends for a puppychino.
Heisenberg Haus
Named after the TV show Breaking Bad, Heisenberg Haus is famous for its Schweinshaxe (Pork knuckle) served with potato, gravy and sauerkraut which has beaten many hungry diners. Too hefty? Then choose one of the other hearty German favourites on the menu, such as kassler, schnitzel, wurst, pretzels, pork belly or cheesy spatzle.
Indian Tadka
Doesn’t this banquet look enticing enough to make you want to reach in and try the curry? This is the standard banquet from Indian Tadka. You can also a vegetarian or vegan banquet as well as a choose your own adventure.
Ruby Chews Burgers & Shakes
Check out Ruby Chews’ Burger Tower for your next mate date high tea. The dish is available every Friday to Sunday and includes customer favourites: the Ruby Classic, The Chicken, Chicken Tenders, Fries, Onion Rings, Ruby Chews Special sauce, assorted dipping sauces and drinks including alcoholic beverages. It’s a feast perfect for a Sunday afternoon overlooking the river.
Breakfast at Stephanie’s
Dine overlooking the lagoon with James Dean. This rebel without a cause will make your mouth water! Steph’s potato rosti, topped with sautéed spinach, poached eggs topped with hollandaise sauce and your choice of sliced leg ham, bacon or salmon will get you on the road in no time. Breakfast at Stephanies is located at the Orion lagoon.
The Retro Diner
There’s no greater hunger busting burger in the area than the Retro Diner’s Carnivore challenge. Close to a foot tall, the burger itself is a construction feat, held together by one big long flamingo skewer. It’s a challenge to down the huge beef patty, salad, beetroot, egg and cheese, steak, bacon, chicken schnitzel and a stack of onion rings piled into a bun, and that’s only the beginning.
Ungermann Brothers
There’s no ice cream more fascinating than the unique flavour combinations that tempt and tease our taste buds from Ungermann Brothers, such as this Salted caramel, bacon and pecan ice cream.
Rafter and Rose
If your decadent treat is a fresh slice of chocolate cake served up in a garden, then you should add Rafter & Rose to your to do list. Fresh off the pages of Australian Country Style, this delightful café and laneway is decorated with flowering plants. So too are their delicious cakes, making them almost too beautiful to eat.
Mondaze
The Oreo Crash Shake by Mondaze will quell your most indulgent desires. Blended in your glass comes a thick and creamy blend of Oreos and vanilla ice cream topped with Nutella, whipped cream, marshmallow stick and Oreos followed by a drizzle of chocolate sauce to finish. Go on, suck it up! Or should we say spoon it up?
The Yard on Glebe
From Black Forest to Berry or Strawberry Cheesecake, The Yard on Glebe’s French Toast is sure to put a smile on your face. Chef Kacey has dressed the toast with strawberry cheesecake philly, fresh strawberries, maple syrup, ice cream and floss. Who needs to wait until the Ekka!
La Mocha Café
La Mocha’s Istanbul Tower brings the flavours of Turkey to Springfield. Order the bottom layer of the tower, The Turkish Platter, and you will receive savoury items such as pastirma (cured beef), sucuk, sausages, scrambled eggs, dips, avocado, roasted tomatoes and sautéed mushrooms with toasted Turkish pide. Add a second tier of Belgium waffles drizzled with Nutella and strawberries topped by a drumstick if you dare.
Or indulge in Queensland’s favourite dish, Smashed Avocado, done well. Served with a poached egg, sautéed mushrooms, crumbled feta and cherry tomatoes, La Mocha’s Smashed Avo is one of the prettiest examples of the dish that we’ve seen.
