Mt Coot-tha is an iconic spot. Fitness enthusiasts like to conquer it on foot or on two wheels, some visit for the beautiful views, and the foodies go for the food. Surprise, surprise.
This was most certainly the case a few weeks ago when My City Life and Brisbane Lights Tours took a collective of lucky food and lifestyle bloggers up to The Summit restaurant for a romantic evening of food, wine and witty conversation.
The crew was escorted by the delightful Mark of Brisbane Lights Tours and enjoyed spiced pork and glass noodle rice paper rolls from the Summit's entree selection en route to the scenic Mt Coot-tha.
Summit restaurant has long been a favourite for Brisbane locals to show off our beautiful city to visitors while enjoying Sunday High Tea, an Express Lunch, or A La Carte dining for lunch or dinner.
It's a popular spot for a swoon-worthy proposal, and subsequently an atmospheric wedding destination. There's plenty of room for corporate functions big and small, too. The awesome Brisbane Lookout is always bustling, and just wait until Riverfire at the end of the month; talk about the best spot in town!
Impressive features aside, we were hosted that evening by Summit's fabulous team to showcase the wonders of their Express Lunch menu and/or Sunset Dinner menu. So for me, the focus was (and always is) on the food!
Summit's Executive Chef Sam McCrystal (cool name!??!) drives a menu that is an international slant on Modern Australian cuisine. There's a focus on Queensland and Australian produce, and a hospitality in flavours that appeal to both an Aussie foodie's palate and the international visitor.
This attitude was certainly reflected in the tastings we enjoyed from the Express menu. The menu can be enjoyed at lunch or between 5pm and 7pm at sunset.
Patrons can enjoy:
1 course …... 19.95 (Main. Available Monday to Friday only)
2 courses ….. 30.95 (Starter & Main or Main & Dessert) or
3 courses ….. 39.95
The team at Summit certainly looked after us - I'm fairly certain we tasted THE ENTIRE MENU. Which the glutton in me was totally up for, of course. I'm glad I was able to curb my enthusaism to not quite finish off the FOUR desserts I was plated - but do not fear - I was certainly not left hungry!
Allow me to take you on a gourmand's journey - I hope your imagination's hungry!
Mixed Entree Plate - Enjoy a Taste of the Following:
warm ciabatta, lightning ridge evoo (love an Aussie olive oil!!)
demitasse of house soup
spiced pork and glass noodle spring roll
chilli lime syrup, zucchini and sweet corn fritter, cucumber tzatiki
Small Mains - Choose Between:
pave of atlantic salmon, potato and fennel gratin, green pea and leek, lemon butter sauce
duck and porcini terrine, continental salad, sweet mustard dressing, gherkins, toasted ciabatta
pan-fried potato gnocchi, semi dry tomatoes, parsley cream, shaved parmesan
grilled moroccan chicken, lyonnaise potatoes, spiced pumpkin, vine tomato, minted yoghurt
aromatic crab cakes, panko crumb, daikon and miso coleslaw, wasabi aioli
We were lucky - we got to try ALL OF IT! My picks are the salmon, moroccan chicken and the terrine (not shown).
Sweet Plates - Choose Between:
choc fudge ice cream sandwich, poached berries, hazelnut crumbs, white chocolate ganache
rustic hummingbird loaf, lavender and pistachio butter, coconut ice cream, isomalt, candied peel
old school caramel tart, banana ice cream, macadamia praline, toasted marshmallow
Again, I was lucky enough to sample them all! If you never 'got' salted caramel and yearn for the tarts your grandma used to make - then I'd say GO FOR THE TART! Totally decadent and perfect for those with an ultra-sweet tooth. Lush.
My pick was the ice-cream sandwich - flavours were divine, textures contrasting, you get to eat it with your hands - what more do you want?! Espresso martinis, I know.
We had dirty martinis instead. VERY DIRTY. Our delightful waitor Will designed this martini with James Bond in mind and holy freakin hell - delicious but not for the faint of heart! I ceased drinking mine half way because a) it was a school night b) I was four delicious Australian vinos down already and c) I'm a disappointment as a sexy martini drinking lady of a certain age. I'll have to work on it.
After a totallly indulgent night of wine and food, we received the most beautiful goodie bags curated by all our hosts, and were driven back down the mountain. A special shoutout to Mark from Brisbane Lights Tours who dropped two of us lady-bloggers at our respective homes on his way home to the Redlands from the CBD. What a gentleman! I'll be sure to book a tour with Mark next time we have visitors come to town.
Thanks to My City Life for organising such a decadent and fun Tuesday evening. I'll be certainly hustling friends and family up to The Summit for an Express Lunch very soon!
xo,
Brisbane Foodie
Disclaimer: I was totally spoiled as a guest of My City Life, The Summit Restaurant and Brisbane LIghts Tours. Opinions are, as always, my own.