Stuff To Keep You Sane In Iso: Brisbane Edition
Brisbane has never been further from it’s ironic title: Bris Vegas. With social distancing rules in effect and no guaranteed end in sight, it is easy to find yourself feeling bored. Fortunately for you, my isolation brethren, our team has compiled a list of food, drinks and activities you can still enjoy from the comfort of your home or big cat zoo.
Eat
Food brings people together, in a time when not much else does. Enjoy a special meal with those in your household, be that family or friends. check out our list of our favorite Brisbane eateries that all offer pick up or delivery. #supportlocal
Julius Pizzeria — South Brisbane
Amazing, simple and authentic Italian the way it should be. The Duck Ragu will absolutely blow your mind and take you to a place far, far away from lockdown. Another favorite is the ‘Number 1’ which is a pizza that marries Tomato, fior di latte, basil and thinly sliced Prosciutto di Parma. If you’re feeling a little thirsty, Julius Pizzeria offers a range of wine and beer to take away. Salut!
The Wolfe — East Brisbane
Isolation has us hungry like The Wolfe (pun intended). This will give a fancy little twist to your isolation. We recommend the Lobster Roll, which pairs fresh Australian Lobster with almond, scallop, roe, mayonnaise, cucumber and herbs. I am literally salivating while writing this. I’d pair this with a cheeky little pale ale and a long nap. Available for delivery or pickup.
Bird’s Nest — Fortitude Valley, West End, Toowong
Meat (primarily chicken) cooked over charcoal. This one gets you back to basics and feeds your neanderthal urges, if neanderthals paired their food with kewpie mayo and miso soup. Treat yourself to an Asahi Black or better yet a Japanese Highball to take your stick of goodness to the next level.
Fonzie Abbott — Albion
I’ll set the scene, it’s Friday you’ve just knocked off work and moved the 3m from your work desk to the couch. You look in the fridge for a tasty morsel and stare grimly into the abyss, briefly you consider the 2 day old fried rice, but make a wise decision to bin it. Now what? Well, Fonzie Abbott is now offering pizza delivery, they also have brewed some absolutely banging beers, which at the time of writing I am sinking like the Titanic.
Drink
It’s isolation, normal rules don’t apply. It is still probably not totally acceptable to have a cocktail first thing in the morning, but it is definitely more acceptable and that’s good enough for me. Below we have included a cocktail to have with each meal of the day. Although, you can really just drink them whenever.
P.S the spirits in these cocktails are all made by local Brisbane distilleries.
“When I was younger I made it a rule never to take strong drink before lunch. It is now my rule never to do so before breakfast.” — Winston Churchill
Bloody Mary — Breakfast
Some people don’t like Bloody Mary’s, probably because of the tomato juice. If you have not had a Bloody Mary before, I urge you to look past the tomato juice and broaden your beverage horizons. These things are magical in the morning, served best with a hardy English Breakfast. We have tried a few recipes, this one comes up trumps.
Ingredients
- 2 parts Wishbone vodka
- 4 parts tomato juice
- ½ part fresh lemon juice (to taste)
- 4 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
- 4 dashes of Tabasco (or hot pepper sauce)
- Some cubed ice
- To garnish: Celery, ground black pepper and fresh aromatic herbs
How to mix
- Add plenty of ice and all of your ingredients to a shaker or stirring glass
- If you’re using a shaker, tilt it backwards and forwards a few times to mix the ingredients without making the drink frothy. If you’re stirring, you can do so vigorously
- Pour the mix into a glass. Top up with fresh ice if it’s not quite full
- Add your garnishes. Any fresh herbs and a celery stick work well
- Tabasco tip: if you’re making Bloody Marys for a group of people, make a jug without spice and let people add their own Tabasco. Some like it hot, others not so much!
Jug Of Pimms — Lunch
The little hand strikes 12 and we are at the end of April, the last warm days until the last days of winter, it’s time to enjoy the heat while we’ve got it. This is a better excuse than any to set-up a little beer garden on your balcony or in your backyard, soak up some rays and enjoy an old pub favorite with a local twist.
Ingredients
- Pimm’s №1
- Brisbane Gin
- Carbonated lemonade (chilled)
- Ice (to fill the jug)
- Cucumber
- Mint leaves
- Orange slices
- Strawberries (washed, hulled, and halved)
How to mix
- Gather the ingredients.
- Take a pretty glass jug or drinking glass if you are making just one Pimms, and fill with ice.
- Mix one part Pimm’s №1 and part Brisbane Gin with 3 parts chilled lemonade to fill either your jug or glass.
- Now begins the creative part. Lightly crush the mint in your hand to release the scent, and add to the Pimms with the cucumber, orange and strawberry pieces in whatever proportions you like the best. The rule of thumb is 2 slices of cucumber to one of orange and strawberry, but you should make it how you want and the taste you prefer.
Pina Colada — Dinner
Nothing transports you away from your troubles than picturing yourself on a beach somewhere with a Pina Colada in hand. Make that a reality, maybe you won’t be in Hawaii or a Caribbean Island but your backyard can have it’s charms, particularly after a few rum based cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 parts Beenleigh White Rum
- 75 ml Pineapple juice
- 25 ml Coconut cream
How to mix
- Pour everything into a shaker with ice.
- Shake, pour and enjoy!
Step Outside
From Saturday the 2nd of May, the Queensland Government has announced that some national parks will reopen, and picnics will be allowed between members of the same household. This is welcome news to those suffering with a serious dose of cabin fever, so to assist those eager to stretch their legs in the great outdoors we have put together a couple of spots that would be ideal for a little walk/picnic within the 50km limit from Brisbane.
*Disclaimer: ensure your residence is within 50km of these locations and check the Queensland Health website for the latest information before embarking to the parks below.
Wellington Point Park
Soak up some rays and if you’re lucky enough to catch low tide you can take a walk to King Island via a natural sand bridge, just make sure you don’t get stuck! There is also a great spot to get some fish and chips (takeaway) and plenty of places to sprawl out a picnic blanket.
Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve
Throw a line in and kick a ball around on the banks of the lower part of the Brisbane River. This gem is located only 40 mins from Brisbane CBD, making it well in range for a cheeky day trip, it is also within the 50km range we are allowed to travel with Covid-19 restrictions. Take advantage of the cheap fuel and get amongst it!
We hope you got some ideas on how to entertain yourself after reading this piece, or in some small way reading this mildly amused you. Stay strong and stay safe, we can’t wait to see you soon!
