VeganMoFo 2018 #9: Eating Out: Fitz+Potts and Ciao Gelato

Welcome to week two of VeganMoFo 2018! This week we say goodbye to Recipe Round-Ups, and hello to Eating Out! This is where I eat out at places around my hometown Brisbane (or occasionally further afield), and tell you all about it!

Nunda is on the north side and not really a place that I go too often. However, earlier this year I had two instances where I made the trek over there. There are actually quite a few vegan friendly places over there, but both times I was headed to the same two places: Fitz+Potts and Ciao Gelato. While I'd been to Ciao Gelato a couple of times before, these were the first times I have been to Fitz+Potts. I was excited!

Fitz+Potts is a very unique little bar, it is full of interesting rooms with interesting seats. Though very few seats to easy eating and good digestion! Lots of different rooms with soft sofas or stools perched at funny tables (that don't seem to have much leg room). But it certainly is an experience! The first time I went with my life wife Ashleigh, a Friday for lunch, we ended up sitting in a room with a range of couches and coffee tables, and my chair had a kitty cushion!





We shared a bunch of things. While not all vegan, there are several well marked vegan option on the menu. The potato crispies were amazing, fried, seasoned potato with a creamy vegan aioli for dipping. Though they went cold quickly and did not hold up well once they did. Thankfully we ordered some pickles, which helped cut through the grease.





We also shared some Bao (soft pillowy steamed buns stuffed with edamame, green pea and wasabi mash; coriander aioli; strips of crispy, crumbed fillet; fresh cucumber; coriander and a sprinkling of toasted sesame). They were nice, I love bao. Though the fillet I am pretty sure was one of the White Box Fry's schnitzels, which was odd with the other ingredients. I would have preferred some tofu.



Fitz+Potts is also well known for their jaffles, and they have a rotating selection of jaffles (including two vegan ones) every day. We ordered one with cheese, sausage, pickles, and jalapenos. I asked for it without the jalapenos, but the filling is pre-mixed. They said they would pick them out, but they did not. Once I picked them out and my mouth stopped burning, it was fun! Lots of tomato sauce for the side.



Fitz+Potts is literally across the road from Ciao Gelato, so stopping by for some ice cream afterwards is the only sensible thing to do. This time I went nutty, with a scoop of hazelnut, and a scoop of pistachio. In a vegan cone, of course.



My next visit was with my friend Melanie, to try out their weekend brunch. This time, our room had a disco ball. What could be more fun at 11am on a Sunday morning?



We shared their vegan breakfast board, which had sun-dried tomatoes, olive tapenade, marinated mushrooms, dill pickles, roasted sweet potato, smoked sesame cheese, onion jam, a schnitzel, and a bagel. It was a really lovely spread, and I especially loved the tapenade, the jam, and the sesame cheese!



We also shared a Smoky Maple Pie. Pies are on the menu, but vegan pies are not always available. One of the owners is an amazing pie maker, and the morning we were in they mentioned they had some of these pies hanging around when they found out we were vegan. It was so good, totally amazing! I wish I had bought some to take home!



Then it was time for brunch ice cream at Ciao Gelato! This time I got a scoop of hazelnut, and a scoop of my favourite - the passionfruit.



I haven't been back to either place since these visits, though mainly because they are not really in the vicinity of any of my regular weekly movements. But I certainly recommend giving them a try if you are in the area, or even if you have to travel a bit to get there!

Fitz+Potts - 1180 (Upstairs) Sandgate Rd, Nundah

Ciao Gelato - 1/1207 Sandgate Rd, Nundah, Brisbane - 0479 036 947

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



Possum hogging the camera, with a little Sahara poking out from behind.

Eating Out: Fitz+Potts and Ciao Gelato (Plant Edition)

I've been to Fitz+Potts a couple of times before. It was a quirky little place with vegan options, however at the beginning of this year they have gone completely vegan, how awesome is that? Still very quirky. I recently decided to try and adopt some indoor plants (more on that later) and the place I was going to get them was but a block away, so of course I had to stop in for some lunch first.

They are famous for their vegan jaffles, and they have some amazing filling combinations. I got one with katsu, golden Japanese curry sauce, kewpie, fried shallot, water chestnut, pickled cucumber, and cheeze. It was pretty good, though I would have liked it to be a bit more gooey on the inside, and the hot pickled cucumber was a bit odd. But a tasty combination. They normally serve the jaffles with a side of potato chips, which I am not a fan of. So I got some fries instead. They don't have a side serving of fries, so I had to get the full serve. Normally not problem, but unfortunately these were not very good fries. They were luke warm, soggy, and over seasoned.





Fitz+Potts is right across the road from Ciao Gelato, a place with several vegan options. You can see previous visits here. Fitz+Potts does sell a few of their vegan pops, but I prefer to go to the original place for a wider variety of options and being able to get a cone. On this day I got one of my favourites, the passionfruit, along with a new favourite, Turkish Delight.



The reason I went over that way was to visit The Plant Lounge, as I had been yearning to buy some cute indoor plants for my room. This was a Big Deal. I have a black thumb, but I really wanted them. And The Plant Lounge is a smaller, very personalised plant shop. It seemed the best place for me rather than going to a big nursery. I'd emailed with the owner before I went, and she is an absolute delight. And I brought home three new friends.



From left to right: Buffy (ponytail palm), Bethany (baby rubber plant peperomia),and Beatrice (peperomia rosso). Sadly, Beatrice has died. And I just found out on Sunday when I was watering them that Buffy seems to have mealy bug. Oh no! I am really hoping that I don't lose her too. Bethany seems OK still. Being a plant parent is terrifying! But they bring such a lovely energy to the room, I guess I will keep on trying.

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



Dim Sim also loves certain plants. Out in the catmax, there is a patch of ferns. As you know, she loves a good cave, and she has made herself a nice little cave in the ferns for some fresh air napping.

A Quick Brisbane Vegan Tour

Good news! VeganMoFo is keeping active throughout the year (with the main MoFo event to be held later in the year). This month they are celebrating all things vegan and Australian! I am contributing this blog post, but be sure to check out their main page on the 26th of January for a whole range of fun Australian vegan posts.

Today I will give you a quick run down on some of my favourite places to eat in my home city of Brisbane. While no where near the level of Melbourne, Brisbane has still been growing in vegan leaps and bounds. There are so many new places opening, or existing places starting to offer vegan options, that this post is just a tiny drop on the ocean of vegan Brisbane options.

My Top Five

To start out with, I thought I would try and narrow down my top five favourite places in Brisbane. This was H-A-R-D, but I am pretty happy with my final result. I've included my favourite dish from each place, as well as a link to my other blog posts about them so you can see all the other things I have eaten from them! Let's get started. All in alphabetical order.

Charlie's Raw Squeeze: Raw Squeeze is taking over Brisbane and surrounds, with new branches popping up all over the place. The North Lakes one even has a vegan burger place as well! Raw Squeeze started out in Charlie's Fruit Market in Everton Park. The owners of Charlie's not only started the Raw Squeeze empire, they also have made Charlie's a completely vegan store. Phasing out the eggs, dairy and meat it used to sell with the produce and now running a little vegan grocery store there as well. Fantastic! Raw Squeeze is the place to go for all you juice, smoothie, bowl and nice cream needs. They also have yummy salads and wraps, and have recently started selling coconut gelato. They have a bunch of new summer salads I am keen to try. My favourite smoothie there is the Cotton Candy, which has red dragonfruit, banana, coconut water and coconut chips. (More Charlie's Raw Squeeze)



Easy House: OK, technically not Brisbane. But if you are in Brisbane it is well worth the trip down to the Gold Coast to go to this amazing vegan yum cha restaurant (or dim sum, for my US friends). They have a regular menu as well, but to be honest I haven't ever ordered anything off it because yum cha! I have so many things I love there. Steamed BBQ Pork Buns, Radish Cakes, so many different types of steamed dumpling. But my favourite is the Beancurd Rolls. (More Easy House, More Vegan Gold Coast posts)



I Should Coco: It is so hot here at the moment, a cool sweet treat is always appreciated. The best vegan ice cream in Brisbane is easily I Should Coco's amazing soft serve. While it is coconut based, it is not heavy in coconut flavour or fat (which means it doesn't make me sick like other coconut ice creams can). They have several standard flavours (which you can get in a cup or a cone), as well as specials. The current special is a PB&J one that I really hope I get a chance to try! I Should Coco doesn't have a shop front, however does appear at different markets (including the Boundary St Markets on Friday and Saturday nights). My favourite flavour from there so far has been their Cherry Merry (cherries and chocolate and coconut... so good). I always get them in a cone because a cone is the best way to eat ice cream! (More I Should Coco)



Khot Thai: This place opened just up the road from work earlier this year, and it is amazing. They can make the majority of the menu vegan (and much of it gluten free). Thai Tuesday lunch time became a regular thing for quite a while! I have only eaten in once, but have had a lot of takeaway. They make great curries, noodles and stir-fries. Of course my favourite is the Pad See Ew. (More Khot Thai)



Pu Kwong: Since new owners took over a couple of years ago, Pu Kwong has gone from meh to a firm favourite (plus it is near my house). The majority of the delicious Asian-style menu is vegan, though some is vegetarian, so you need to be sure to specify. There is loads to choose from on the menu as well. I like to work my way through the menu, but the one thing that I always get is the beancurd rolls. Yes, more beancurd rolls. I just can't get enough of them! (More Pu Kwong)



Other places I've been

This isn't a comprehensive list of everywhere I've been. Just places I remember and have enjoyed. For most of them I have included a link to see my blog posts about them so you can see more of what I have eaten. A few don't have links, because it was a while since I've been there or because I haven't gotten around to blogging about them yet.

• 5Dogs: A hot dog place with vegan hot dog and chip options.
• Botanica Real Food: Delicious salads, most of them vegan. They also have an amazing vegan brownie with coconut caramel that is just so good. (My blog posts)
• Cafe O Mai: I've only been to this Vietnamese cafe once, but it was amazing. Delicious pho and rice paper rolls for brunch. They have a whole vegan corner on their lunch menu I must work my way through.
• Doughnut Time: With several locations around the city (and now the country), Doughnut Time always has at least two vegan flavours on their roster. My favourite one ever was the Blue Ivy, blueberry filled cinnamon sugar, though sadly that has not been in rotation for a long time. (My blog posts)
• IGA Supermarkets: OK, not a restaurant at all. But if you are in need of some great vegan groceries, check out your nearest SupaIGA for Tofurkey, Field Roast, Vegenaise, Gardein, So Delicious and more!
• Lost Boys: Cute vegetarian cafe with a small vegan menu. The veggie burger was OK, apparently the breakfast waffles are amazing. (My blog posts)
• Loving Hut: The ubiquitous Loving Hut. My favourite is the Beijing Black Bean and the Seven Seas Delight. (My blog posts)
• No No's: This Lebanese place has amazing (and very garlicky) vegan salads. My favourite is the brown rice and lentil with crispy onions. (My blog posts)
• Pawpaw Cafe: I've been there for breakfast a few times (not for a while) and they have some nice vegan options. They also have a Thai and Balinese menu for lunch and dinner with several vegan options I would like to try.
• Pitstop Pizza: Yummy vegan pizzas and also has a couple of vegan strudels as well. The pumpkin pizza was very nice.
• Pure Simplicity Health Bar: Bowls, burgers, breakfasts and the yummiest peanut butter hot chocolate. (My blog posts)
• Su Life: This place is hit and miss with dishes, but their Spicy Crispy Chicken is famous! Their pan-fried dumplings are also my favourite in Brisbane. (My blog posts)
• Superoll: A new Asian-style restaurant close to me that is quickly becoming a favourite. I love the Happy Farm (a mix of mushrooms, yuba and veggies).
• The Cruelty Free Shop: Not a restaurant, but CFS recently opened up one of their vegan shops in Brisbane. The Green Edge: Brisbane's first vegan grocery store, it also has a cafe.
• Thien An: Super cheap and tasty Vietnamese place, though you have to go to Inala to eat there. Yummy pho and fun drinks. (My blog posts)
• Veganyumm: Brisbane all vegan bakery! Get the peanut butter chocolate chip bars and the ANZAC biscuits!! (My blog posts)
• Vegeme: Asian-style in West End. The Small Bites section of the menu is definitely the best, I have been underwhelmed by some of the mains I have had there. Order lots of little things and make your own yum cha. (My blog posts)
• Vegerama: Vegerama has several locations, though the one I frequent most is the sit down restaurant in West End. The food and the service can be a bit hit and miss, and I have never had a good dessert there. However, the pizzas are excellent. ((My blog posts)

Places on my wish list

There are so many new places opening in Brisbane, I can't keep count of them all! Here are just a few that are on my 'to go' list.

• Ciao Gelato: Just up the road from Fitz & Potts, has a range of exciting vegan flavours (as well as non-vegan).
• Fitz & Potts: A bar that has vegan jaffles on the menu, I love jaffles! Also a vegan platter. It is very doggo friendly as well.
• Netherworld Arcade: The newest addition to Brisbane is this super fun arcade, bar, and food spot. While not vegan, the menu is vegan by default and you have to request to add meat or dairy (and pay more). I don't even know where to start with this menu! The top of my 'to go' list.
• Sol Natural Foods Fortitude Valley: I've heard lots of good things about this place, from their yummy brunches to exciting pizzas. I want to go!

I hope you have enjoyed this quick tour of Brisbane's options. Looking at this, Brisbane really isn't that bad a place to be vegan at all! If you are ever heading this way, please let me know because I would love to hang out and eat some of this food with you! And would be happy to give more detailed vegan food tips as well.

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



For anyone new to this blog, welcome! I like to end all my blog posts with a photo of a cute kitty, because cats are everything. Here is a photo of my two perfect girls, Dim Sim (the little black Princess) and Sahara (the slightly bigger red bear).