More than alternative health foods
Address 166 Hardgrave Road, West End Qld 4101
Phone: 07 3844 1132
As we headed off to Mondo Organics, we were wondering whether the food would mean that they would be able to provide a tomato that looked and tasted like the ones we remembered, or whether we would be reduced to eating alternative health foods.
Mondo is situated in Brisbane's trendy West End, about 3km outside the CBD. On arrival, the venue's location - perched on a particularly busy corner with a bus stop cheerfully placed at its front door - together with the lack of parking, can initially be a little off-putting.
But Mondo's interior presents a relaxing Mediterranean-style decor, complete with recycled timber-slatted windows, hand-laid stone flooring and stone water feature. And as Australia's first fully licensed organic restaurant, it is a pioneer on the pure and natural food front, specialising in delicious modern Southern Italian cuisine.
We've caught Mondo at a stage of transition; and with an updated look, new chef and staff, the restaurant is changing some of its menu and wine list to include more Spanish and Italian selections.
The entrees (herb risotto with caramelised vegetables, labne and roast garlic crŠme watercress salad, grilled western sea scallops to name just three), are delightful and well presented. While the vegetables in the risotto are tasty, the rice and the case in which it sits unfortunately lack some flavour. The scallops, on the other hand, are cooked to perfection, plump and juicy - although a serving of size at $21.50 does seem on the pricey side but is well worth it.
For mains, we sample the roasted alaringa chicken breast with vannella buffalo feta, warm zucchini salad and pan juices, and the South Burnett grilled eye fillet with cream corn polenta, roast tomato, onion compote and red wine jus. Both these meals are very enjoyable, the chicken tender and moist, the beef, slightly cooked more towards well done than medium, full of flavour.
Surprisingly, dessert is able to be accommodated and the puddings perfectly complement the meal: Baci, bleeding chocolate and hazelnut fudge pudding with mixed berry compote and lick vanilla bean ice cream, and Panetone, panetone and roast almond butter pudding, vanilla crema, red wine poached pears (on such a cold Brisbane day).
Overall, Mondo Organics is a great local restaurant, and its new range of wines and changes to the menu will no doubt win it new patrons.
