Restaurateurs Travel in Queensland, Australia
Story and most photos by Debbie Thomas
I recently retired from owning Thomas Hill Organics, a fine dining, farm-to-table restaurant in Paso Robles, California. I decided in retirement that I would enjoy life and travel and share my experiences with other like-minded people. Here is where my journey begins.
My trip started at the Delta Terminal in LAX. Imagine showing up for your flight and being told, “I’m sorry, you can’t get your boarding pass. You’ll need a visa to go to Australia.” Panic sets in. I haven’t seen my family for four years! No worries. Darren, who managed the Delta kiosks that day, came to my rescue. He took my iPhone and typed in the website needed to apply for a visa. Luckily, I had a long wait to board my flight to Sydney. He calmed me down and had me sit by the window to apply online for a visa. My visa came through, and I made my flight. Darren is a rock star.
Best Deli
After disembarking and collecting my luggage, my first stop in Queensland was in Brisbane at the New Farm Deli in Merthyr Village Shopping Centre. The oldest deli in Brisbane and a local favorite, it is known for hard-to-find gourmet foods, Australian and imported cheeses, locally made breads, pastries, and cured meats.
My family and I dined at the New Farm Deli twice. They don’t take reservations, so I recommend arriving early for lunch, and yes, it is worth the occasional wait. They serve generous portions, are known for their pasta dishes, and have warm and friendly service. The food engaged all of the senses.
Provincial Charm
We headed to Montville on the second day, a quaint town in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, where we planned to spend the night at Spicers Clovelly Estate. Before I go further, you need to know my family, who lives in Australia, planned my entire two weeks while taking in my taste for exceptional cuisine, well-balanced wine, and comfortable accommodations.
At Spicers, we stayed in a charming 3-bedroom cottage surrounded by a landscaped property that exudes tranquility and reminded me of a French country-style estate in rural France, with courtyard gardens and gravel pathways– rustic but romantic. We took a hike through the grounds to a deck overlooking Lake Baroon, a majestic spot for a private event or to take photos.
Rainforest-edged Luxury
We dined at Tamarind that evening, known for its modern take on Asian cuisine. With an accompanying cooking school next door, we had high expectations.
When seated, we felt like we were in Thailand, with the exotic flora, water gardens, and sparse but well-appointed décor. I call it rainforest-edged luxury, a concept that combines the natural beauty of a rainforest with the luxury of a high-end resort.
A Taste of Asia
Our “entrees” (Aussie speak for starters or appetizers) were creatively prepared and perfectly spiced. The mains we found to be undercooked or overcooked and lacking in flavor or overly sweet.
My favorite was the Dubu Jorim, which is baked tofu with a spiced Korean chili and shallot sauce, and an exciting take on modern kimchi made with pickled Brussels sprouts. The other entrée we all enjoyed was the twice-cooked duck flavored with lemongrass, coriander, and mint and topped with a hot and sour dressing, lychee, and peanut soy. The duck was crispy with a thoughtful balance of flavors and textures.
Sunshine Coast
Our next stop was Noosa Beach, with its stunning beauty, friendly locals, and gourmet restaurants. We stayed at the Ocean Breeze Resort in the bustling tourist town of Noosa Heads. Our apartment was a block off the ocean and centrally located to all my favorites: dining, shopping, and sand.
Noosa is a top-rated destination in Queensland, and early restaurant reservations are essential. The beaches are stunning, with light golden sand and aqua-blue water, plus Noosa National Park, where I walked the path with jaw-dropping views of the coastline and ocean. The humidity, which evoked memories of my summers on the East Coast, was well worth it for the scenery.
Shopping
One of my favorite sports, besides dining, is shopping, and there were plenty of shops to keep me busy for the duration of our time there and an abundance of store employees eager to help. Hastings Street is Noosa’s globally iconic shopping street, recognized for its high-end designs.
Gourmand’s Paradise
My gorgeous niece Linda and her husband, who live in the next town from Noosa, booked our dining experiences. Two that stood out were Sails Restaurant and Alba Restaurant.
Sails Restaurant is on the water’s edge of Noosa Main Beach. Not only did we dine well, but we also enjoyed the salt breeze and breathtaking ocean view. Sails is known for its contemporary Australian cuisine, a fusion of exotic influences from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. The service was excellent, and the food was superb. My favorite entrée was the Betel Leaf with Fraser Coastal prawns, green mango, coconut, chili, and lime. A betel leaf has many health benefits, containing vitamins like Vitamin C, niacin, riboflavin, and calcium. I wanted to return and have it again and perhaps again after that!
Alba Restaurant, Culinary Delight
Indeed, the coup de grace of the dining part of the trip was Alba, a restaurant in the heart of Noosa with elegant décor, outstanding service, and fresh Australian cuisine. His native Sri Lanka inspires Chef Peter Kuruvita’s menu made with locally sourced ingredients.
Sri Lankan Snapper at Alba
Starting with the house-made sourdough bread and coconut butter with Australian olive oil, who could resist? My entrée (starter) was the Black Pepper King Prawns with paneer and coconut, which was rich and fragrant. My main (entrée) was the Sri Lankan Snapper in curry, with Aloo chop and tamarind. The curry was earthy with a touch of sweetness, and the snapper was mild and nutty. The Aloo chop, basically a potato croquette, was delightful! I also got to taste the char-grilled glazed eggplant with date chutney. All shared The Tomahawk steak, very tender and flavorful and BIG. An unforgettable experience that lingers in my memory.
Granite Belt Wine Region
The next stop on the trip was Sirromet Winery, located in Mount Cotton, a short drive from Brisbane. Picturesque views from the Tuscan Terrace restaurant were of vineyards in the high altitude of Queensland’s Granite Belt region. Among their award-winning varietals are Lagrein, Shiraz, Pinot Grigio, Montepulciano, and Merlot. My choice of wine was the Vermentino, with fresh fruit notes and a good balance of minerality and salinity.
Manly Boathouse — A Must
We dined at several other restaurants during the next few days, but the one that stood out was Manly Boathouse in Manly Beach, along Brisbane’s bayside. This is a must-do!
The restaurant decor itself, light and white, reminded me of my second restaurant in San Luis Obispo. It was magical, and the view of the bay was stunning, not to mention the friendly and attentive server. These only made the dining experience more enjoyable.
The dishes I would suggest are the sashimi of local fish with a laksa sauce, kaffir lime, and chilis. The sauce slightly overpowers the sashimi, but it’s beautifully presented and worth trying. The large ocean king prawns were grilled perfectly and lightly dressed in a Café de Paris butter, herbs, and spices, adding a savory flavor whipped into the butter. Just the description of this next dish will make your mouth water: Roasted pumpkin, amaretto, nutmeg ravioli, burnt butter, and spiced pumpkin puree.
I had the Pavlova with whipped cream for dessert. It was a perfect egg white méringue, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, melting in your mouth and topped with macerated berries, second only to my niece’s pavlova roulade with mascarpone cream, fresh berries, and raspberry coulis.
With its breathtaking landscapes and delicious cuisine, Queensland was more than a vacation. This trip taught me that travel is not just about reaching a destination but about completely involving myself in its character. The memories created will continue to inspire me, urging me to discover new adventures and flavors that will enrich my life.
If You Travel to Queensland, Australia
For more information on Queensland, Australia visit these destination websites: https://www.queensland.com/in/en/places-to-see/destination
https://www.discoverqueensland.com.au/
About the Writer
Debbie Thomas moved to Paso Robles from Los Angeles in 2003 to pursue a slower pace of life. Midway through a career that included upper management positions with licensed apparel companies Adidas, Rival, and Starter, she and her then-business partner started a 10-acre organic farm. Nine hundred fruit and nut trees and various row crops later, she opened Thomas Hill Organics, a farm-to-table restaurant in Paso Robles.
After fourteen years of owning and managing a successful restaurant, she sold it to pursue her next adventure, writing. She is passionate about travel, creatively prepared food, and well-balanced wines. She enjoys sharing her experience with others.
Several of her articles can be found on www.foodieflashpacker.com.
