Ducon

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

Accidentally stumbled across this delightful restaurant on a weekend away up in Maleny with my partner. The unassuming pink building on the edge of the main road heading into Maleny was expected to provide some nice "homely" meals, or maybe a good steak.

Oh how wrong we were. The chef blends delicious local produce with seasonal variations to provide as another review put it, "food beyond excellent". Or should that be beyond excellence. Our first dining sensation was a dinner for two, chosen off the menu. I ended up choosing seafood although I was tempted by others. Scallop perfection started, and was quickly followed by almond encrusted baby barramundi, stuffed with lemon and potato.

We were both impressed with the quality of food, flavours on show, and the simple honest and professional staff that operate there. Other times we have been we have tried the degustation lunch with the in-laws. Due to varying dietary requirements we threw some tricky ones in, such as avoiding cream (difficult for high end restaurants) and low fat requirements. Even though the degustation was a set menu, they developed and altered it (including doing different main) to suit the table and provided a superb meal. The ex-chef dining with us is still raving over the carrot soup with glazed green walnuts.

For fun, play the guessing game with the flavours of the palette cleanser. You'll be surprised with the type of local produce used and probably gives some insight to the creativity and blending of flavours the chefs employ. The wine list is good without being overbearing, and staff knowledgeable without being pretentious.

The service team go out of their way to make you feel included, and do everything they can to make your meal something special. It was nice to see the same faces there each time we return.

Whilst it is a fair drive out of Brisbane, I have no hesitation in making the journey for this gem of a restaurant. Just remember to pack your taste-buds, as they will get a workout. You have been warned.

Feb 16, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  4     

Fairly average eating venue with great views if you can put up with everything else. Despite booking a table for eight in the restaurant we were advised that we would have to sit outside. Normally this would be fine, but considering it was a cold, blowy and wet evening, this made out experience thoroughly unenjoyable. Couple this with repeated requests to turn the outdoor braisiers on so that we could warm up, left us disappointed with the service.

Mutliple repeats of orders, wines, glasses and peppers being served without ordering, mistakes with delivery of the meals, made for substandard servicing from what is a high priced restaurant. Couple this with food that, whilst enjoyably tasty, arrived in miniscule portions. The veal scallopini arrived in two portions, each not much larger than a 50 cent coin. Whilst its combintation with the crab was different and delightful I was still starving by the end of the 5 minutes it took to eat it.

Thankfully the plates were hot and so we managed to warm ourselves whilst waiting for the remainder of the group to be served. Dessert was simple but tasty, with just about the whole table going for the Creme Brulee. Tasty without being exceptional.

Overall quite a tasty place to eat if you can survive the average service, small portions, and poor value. Probably no need to go back.

Oct 07, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  10     

Like others I'm reviewing Madtongsan II, the newer version upstairs which is open for dinner.

In summary. Its cheap, its BYO, the food is fantastic, and the ambience is great.
Wow, what a gem in Brisbane this is. A vibrant, busy, loud, delightful establishment. You can't book, so be prepared to wait anywhere up to 40 minutes as this place is getting a reputation. But the wait is worth it. I couldn't pronounce half the things I ate, but between the four of us it was all tasty although a little too spicy for my partner's liking (soup).

Couple this with quick staff who operate "on call", and the fact that it is BYO, makes for great evening, and a cheap night out ($15 per person for entrees and mains, including some beers). It is noisy so I don't recommned it for couples wanting a quiet night, but get a bunch of friends together and enjoy.

Oct 07, 2010

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  6     

Like many other reviewers on here, this place, once a bastian for fine food in Brisbane, has now become more hit and miss. I feel Restaurant II now has the established chefs and 2small Rooms is more a proving ground for new chefs. I went with my partner over a year ago now as she was new to Brisbane and thought I would introduce her to what was once a mainstay of Brisbane food.

The experience was average at best with bland food, and average service. I was disappointed (based on decades of good food there), but she seemed to accept it as being ok. Last weekend we went back as its local and thought we would give it another go. Wow, what a year makes. Or maybe we got the "good" chef on the night. The food was fantastic. I had the pork belly special for entree and my partner the mushroom tart. Both were fantastic.

The mains were just as good, with the duck immaculately cooked and presented. Of note was the inconsistency of service. They were a bit over the place, didn't mention the specials until it was time to order, but once we cornered their wine gourmond, he was fantastic. Understood what we were ordering and recommended a reasonably priced Beaujolais to delightfully accompany our meal. But again the general service staff are lacking.

Would I return. Probably, but I might just give it another year before heading back there.

Oct 07, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

Time to catch up with updates again. Nothing much to say about Bretts Wharf. Went there for a birthday lunch a number of years ago, and whilst the place was virtually empty, the service was average.

The food, whilst ok, did not justify the exhorbitant pricing. I had the salt and pepper calamari which while tasty the citrus dressing drowned any semblance of flavour of the meal. All I could taste was lime. My partner had been since (not with me), and reported that not much had changed. No need to avoid, but don't expect too much either.

Aug 10, 2010

9.5 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

Accidentally stumbled across this delightful restaurant on a weekend away up in Maleny with my partner. The unassuming pink building on the edge of the main road heading into Maleny was expected to provide some nice "homely" meals, or maybe a good steak.

Oh how wrong we were. The chef blends delicious local produce with seasonal variations to provide as another review put it, "food beyond excellent". Or should that be beyond excellence. Our first dining sensation was a dinner for two, chosen off the menu. I ended up choosing seafood although I was tempted by others. Scallop perfection started, and was quickly followed by almond encrusted baby barramundi, stuffed with lemon and potato.

We were both impressed with the quality of food, flavours on show, and the simple honest and professional staff that operate there. Other times we have been we have tried the degustation lunch with the in-laws. Due to varying dietary requirements we threw some tricky ones in, such as avoiding cream (difficult for high end restaurants) and low fat requirements. Even though the degustation was a set menu, they developed and altered it (including doing different main) to suit the table and provided a superb meal. The ex-chef dining with us is still raving over the carrot soup with glazed green walnuts.

For fun, play the guessing game with the flavours of the palette cleanser. You'll be surprised with the type of local produce used and probably gives some insight to the creativity and blending of flavours the chefs employ. The wine list is good without being overbearing, and staff knowledgeable without being pretentious.

The service team go out of their way to make you feel included, and do everything they can to make your meal something special. It was nice to see the same faces there each time we return.

Whilst it is a fair drive out of Brisbane, I have no hesitation in making the journey for this gem of a restaurant. Just remember to pack your taste-buds, as they will get a workout. You have been warned.

Feb 16, 2011

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.5 Average

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  4     

Fairly average eating venue with great views if you can put up with everything else. Despite booking a table for eight in the restaurant we were advised that we would have to sit outside. Normally this would be fine, but considering it was a cold, blowy and wet evening, this made out experience thoroughly unenjoyable. Couple this with repeated requests to turn the outdoor braisiers on so that we could warm up, left us disappointed with the service.

Mutliple repeats of orders, wines, glasses and peppers being served without ordering, mistakes with delivery of the meals, made for substandard servicing from what is a high priced restaurant. Couple this with food that, whilst enjoyably tasty, arrived in miniscule portions. The veal scallopini arrived in two portions, each not much larger than a 50 cent coin. Whilst its combintation with the crab was different and delightful I was still starving by the end of the 5 minutes it took to eat it.

Thankfully the plates were hot and so we managed to warm ourselves whilst waiting for the remainder of the group to be served. Dessert was simple but tasty, with just about the whole table going for the Creme Brulee. Tasty without being exceptional.

Overall quite a tasty place to eat if you can survive the average service, small portions, and poor value. Probably no need to go back.

Oct 07, 2010

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  9      Service  8      Value  10     

Like others I'm reviewing Madtongsan II, the newer version upstairs which is open for dinner.

In summary. Its cheap, its BYO, the food is fantastic, and the ambience is great.
Wow, what a gem in Brisbane this is. A vibrant, busy, loud, delightful establishment. You can't book, so be prepared to wait anywhere up to 40 minutes as this place is getting a reputation. But the wait is worth it. I couldn't pronounce half the things I ate, but between the four of us it was all tasty although a little too spicy for my partner's liking (soup).

Couple this with quick staff who operate "on call", and the fact that it is BYO, makes for great evening, and a cheap night out ($15 per person for entrees and mains, including some beers). It is noisy so I don't recommned it for couples wanting a quiet night, but get a bunch of friends together and enjoy.

Oct 07, 2010

6.5 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  6     

Like many other reviewers on here, this place, once a bastian for fine food in Brisbane, has now become more hit and miss. I feel Restaurant II now has the established chefs and 2small Rooms is more a proving ground for new chefs. I went with my partner over a year ago now as she was new to Brisbane and thought I would introduce her to what was once a mainstay of Brisbane food.

The experience was average at best with bland food, and average service. I was disappointed (based on decades of good food there), but she seemed to accept it as being ok. Last weekend we went back as its local and thought we would give it another go. Wow, what a year makes. Or maybe we got the "good" chef on the night. The food was fantastic. I had the pork belly special for entree and my partner the mushroom tart. Both were fantastic.

The mains were just as good, with the duck immaculately cooked and presented. Of note was the inconsistency of service. They were a bit over the place, didn't mention the specials until it was time to order, but once we cornered their wine gourmond, he was fantastic. Understood what we were ordering and recommended a reasonably priced Beaujolais to delightfully accompany our meal. But again the general service staff are lacking.

Would I return. Probably, but I might just give it another year before heading back there.

Oct 07, 2010

5.8 Average

Food  5      Ambience  7      Service  6      Value  5     

Time to catch up with updates again. Nothing much to say about Bretts Wharf. Went there for a birthday lunch a number of years ago, and whilst the place was virtually empty, the service was average.

The food, whilst ok, did not justify the exhorbitant pricing. I had the salt and pepper calamari which while tasty the citrus dressing drowned any semblance of flavour of the meal. All I could taste was lime. My partner had been since (not with me), and reported that not much had changed. No need to avoid, but don't expect too much either.

Aug 10, 2010

7.8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  7     

Love the food here. Been twice now, once for lunch and once for dinner. Lunch was excellent with the roast pork roll, which had a fantastic dressing/sauce. Very reasonably priced. Dinner was very good. We had mains, but would have loved to try the tapas.

May 22, 2010

9.8 Highly Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  10      Service  10      Value  9     

I love this place. Probably my favourite restaurant in Brisbane. Excellent food, creative and artful in presentation, and delightful in the complex flavours being presented.

Service is always a treat with attentive but not overbearing staff. We love the ambience of the old Qld. Wine list was great last time, and the menu changes regularly to keep things fresh. Never had a bad portion, let alone a bad meal.
I concur with the Assiette of Chocolate (only for sweet tooths)!

Mar 23, 2010

2.5 Not Recommended

Food  1      Ambience  2      Service  3      Value  4     

The only positive comment here is the value. Pricing is ok. Food is pre-frozen meals which they heat up in the oven out the back. Just ask for the pizza without "something" and they'll tell you. Nothing says ambience like drunk, sweaty, stinking people walking down the main thoroughfare to the Regatta ferry stop, on which this cafe (and I use the term loosely), is situated. Don't bother.

Mar 23, 2010

7.8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  8      Value  8     

What you see is what you get. Big large open pub style steakhouse, where the cacophony of noise either adds or detracts from the experience there. The food is tasty, plentiful, and generally good value. Everything typical for a good quality steakhouse. Service was good, and even though it was packed at lunchtime we were still served promptly.

Mar 23, 2010

3.8 Below Average

Food  5      Ambience  3      Service  4      Value  3     

I understand that it is a fusion restaurant, however, their combination of flavours seems more haphazard rather than some thought out creative process. The food was generally good, well presented, but just lacking. Esp for the price.

On a service note, we booked early, for two, and they managed to place us on a narrow bench right next to the register. It was so narrow that we couldn't sit facing each other, and so had to sit offset. Add to that they hit my partners head once, and kicked her chair 3 times, we couldn't get out of there sooner. But friends recommend this place no end, so maybe we caught a bad night with a bad menu.

Mar 23, 2010