September project day 3: I accidentally have too much coffee

Within walking distance of my work is a charming and charmingly simple cafe named Alberto's Shot. It's where most of us go for our lattes and cappuccinos. It's the cafe I go to most frequently being the easiest to get to, having friendly baristas with attitude and above all, pretty good coffee.

This morning I was feeling a bit down so I decided to stop at Alberto's for an espresso to perk me up . However, as there were no other customers at the moment I ordered, the barista gave me two. The other half of the espresso pull.

So I had my two coffee a day limit by 7:54am.

I tried to persuade myself to go out and get another one at 9:30, 10:30, 1:30 but really - I'd had my coffee fill for the day.

So no big experiment today. I will know better for next time.

I'll probably mention Albertos again, as they are my go to morning coffee spot, but for now - just know it's a nice place to go, the lunchtime pasta special is usually delicious and it's the perfect short walk from the West End Ferry.

No photo because that would have been extra weird.

September project day 2: Blackstar Coffee West End

Day 2 I actually make it to a West End coffee shop.

Blackstar Coffee is a favourite spot amongst many of my colleagues who rhapsodise about the quality of the quality of the coffee.

Been meaning to go for ages, finally made it this morning. But first off, an observation; today was the first day of the new season I got into my car mid-morning and immediately started to sweat. You know when your car turns into an oven? It has happened.

Back to the coffee. Blackstar roast their own coffee. It's there on the shelves, in nifty paper bags all ready for you to buy. They make their own cold-pressed coffee that sells as iced coffee in creamy, black and soy. I might have got really excited about this and vow to return to try it one day.

(Later note - I did try the iced coffee when it got warmer and it was AMAZING!)

I got three coffees, one for myself, two for my colleagues. We all three thought it was simply delicious and would go back any time.

Blackstar products on display.

Excuse the ordinariness of the photo, I feel like a fool taking photos of shops and such.

The guys behind the machine seemed nice enough, though I didn't chat like I usually do. The place is breezy with lots of chairs and the menu is good and affordable. They do a tasty looking breakfast menu I'd be keen to sample one morning.

Coffee: smooth and mellow
Sit and chill factor: 7
Coffee roasting: divine
Parking: could be a pain in the butt
Regular soy latte: $3.80 (no extra charge for soy!!)

September project day 1: I cheated

Straight off the bat, day 1, I kind of cheated. At my own project, so maybe it isn't really cheating?

I rarely make it into the city but yesterday morning I was in the CBD from 7:30am for an all-day Masterclass hosted by Art Support. Side note: fantastic Masterclass.

So there was no West End discovery. Instead I went and got a huge steaming soy latte and lazed on the couches while I waited for the Masterclass to start.

Brew is a fantastic underground cafe / bar / little bit of everything. Open at 7am, still open 'late' you can go there anytime and have a great tasting tipple.I've also tasted their cheese platter and ricotta and honey on toast at other times and can recommend both.

Coffee: delicious
Large soy latte: $4.50
Couch: Comfy. Almost too comfy
Monday morning pick-me-up quality: excellent

Why aren't I here?

In the town of Polignano A Mare, on the heel of Italy, there is a restaurant in a cave. Look how very beautiful it is!

I would happily go out of my way to go to this restaurant.

The inaugural Diner en Blanc, Brisbane

Several months ago I persuaded my good friend Caroline to register with me for an event I found out about on Twitter but neither of us knew anything about – Diner en Blanc.

Diner en Blanc is the most sophisticated flash mob picnic you could imagine. Participants gather together in a location that is kept secret until the very last minute. You sit at long rows of tables decked out in white linen, candles and flowers. You enjoy a sophisticated picnic with wine and the company of your fellow diners. At the end of the night you pack up, pick up and move out, leaving no trace that several thousand people had gathered to wine and dine together.

It's called Diner en Blanc because Everything at the evening must be white – clothes, chairs, table decorations. Everything classic white and elegant.

This event has happened in countries all over the world – France, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, even Rwanda. Brisbane was the first city in Australia to host the event. I believe Sydney and Melbourne events will be hosted in the next few months. If you ever have the opportunity to attend, I suggest you jump at it.

Caroline and I gathered together with our fellow diners at New Farm Park – one of 5 or 6 meeting points around the city - at 6pm sharp. We had no idea where we were going and to be honest, I hadn't really thought about it at all. I was relishing the suspense. Ideas bouncing around the bus included King George Square and UQ Main Court. However, the super-secret spot turned out to be the QPAC forecourt, the perfect, picturesque Brisbane location. 

 

Arrival and set up.

 

There are dozens of rules for participation in Diner en Blanc, from the size of table that is allowed, to the process of being invited, to what you can wear. The answer to the last one was 'elegant white'. No colours allowed.

Us in our elegant whites.

We took up one whole side of the QPAC forecourt.

 The Wheel of Brisbane and the ABC/QSO building behind us adding to the dramatic backdrop.

When I registered the two of us for Diner en Blanc, I ordered everything we could need for the night; table, chairs, hamper, wine. The food was delicious and the only problem with the wine was that I had foolishly thought one bottle would be enough for two. I will know better next year. 

Looking rather happy and a little smug with the city lights behind me and 

my candle-lit dinner in front of me

 

Our neighbour's Mumm and table decorations.

There were some fun little traditions to the night. Very French, if I may say so. To mark the start of dinner, everyone stood up and waved their napkins in the air. Then at 9pm, we all lit sparklers that had been handed out and the park lit up with glittery, fizzy light.

Kicking off the night.

9pm sparklers.

It was a perfect night out. The setting was exquisite and photos – at least, my photos – don't show just how beautiful it was, and how wonderful we all looked together. No one had come at this half-hearted. There were candles on every table, flowers and fairy lights; white hats, white gowns and white cravats. 

  

Looking down the length of our table.

We made friends with the people surrounding us. The couple to one side were celebrating their 16^th wedding anniversary that night. Another woman was telling us about her recent trip to Paris, a trip she'd been wanting to take for 30 years. We got to meet the caterer and compliment him on the deliciousness of the food. He told us that he had prepared 1,200 hampers for the night and there were 2,000 participants.

 

Our delicious hamper courtesy of Dalton's Hospitality.

Unbeknownst to us, at 9pm a DJ started up and we hustled to the dance floor. I hadn't had a good dance in years but everyone on this floor was just letting go! The perfect end to the night. Even if I did have a stitch from too much cheese.

Some seriously impressive moves on the dance floor.

It was a truly magical night out. There was that strange feeling of togetherness amongst us all. We were all there for this slightly bizarre event, priviledged to be there for the first occasion; in this strange sort of club. Like it was our secret night out, that no one else would understand. 'You had to be there'.

To cut a long story short, it was one of best, most fun nights out in Brisbane I have ever enjoyed and I cannot wait for next year!

September’s project

I work in West End and it is an utterly delightful place to work. The people are nice and interesting, the atmosphere is comfy and relaxed and from my desk I have one of the best views in the city.

The view from my window. It's much nicer in person.

West End is stuffed with cafes and eateries and there seem to be more popping up all the time, particularly of the work-coffee-stop variety. However, because of where I work and the difficulty in finding a midday park, I don’t get around to trying all these great new places. I get my morning coffee from one of three places, and my lunch from one of 6 or so places.

So this is my project for September: get out and try all the cafes and place to eat in West End I never make it to. It’s going to cost a bit so I can’t go crazy. Each day I will either treat myself to morning coffee or lunch. So by the end of September I will have tried pretty much all of the coffee shops in West End. Then I’ll be able to say I proper appreciated the time I’ve spent working here.

Any suggestions for must-visit or if there are any places you’ve wanted to test but haven’t got to yet – please let me know! All recommendations gratefully received.

The Beer Chase

Carlton Draught make brilliant ads. Or rather, they commission brilliant ads.

How could anyone forget the genius of The Big Ad? Or the quieter but still great Slow Motion Ad?

Here is the latest: The Beer Chase. Hilarious, brilliant. Almost makes me want to drink Carlton.