VeganMoFo 2019 #16: N is for Netherworld (Eating Out)

I've been to Netherworld only a handful of times, but I am always keen to get back there for more. Arcade games, board games, a default vegan menu (though I always still specify vegan as they do have swaps for omnivore), and a bar (if that is your thing, I am not a drinker), Netherworld is a lot of fun. Thankfully I had a chance to get back there just last week, which is good because they change the menu semi-regularly, so if you want to try something you should go while you know it is on the menu! You can see my previous visits here.

While we were waiting for our food, we played a couple of rounds of the Jurassic Park pinball machine. I have recently rediscovered my love of Jurassic Park/World and all things dino, so I was super excited to see it there and be able to play it. I sucked so bad, it is really hard! But once I got the T Rex to eat the ball, and that was super thrilling!



OK, so time for food. One of my friends got the Burgatory with a side of fries. The Burgatory has been a fixture on the menu since day one (I think), so this seems to not be going anywhere. It is their version of a cheeseburger (burger, cheese, tomato, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, pickles), but it also has onion rings. Their fries are also seasoned with nacho seasoning.



I got a serve of Kracken Critters to share, which are salt and pepper tofu bites served with tartare sauce. These were delicious, but quite filling!



They have revamped their Mac and Cheese. It used to be made with udon noodles, and a too spicy for my sriracha cheese sauce. They have since changed it to regular macaroni and a non-spicy sauce. My friend ordered this, and I tried a little bit. It was good, though the tomato sauce had quite a strong tomato flavour to it. She also had a side of Caesar Salad with it. You can also get the Caesar Salad as a main, but I love that they have it as a side as well!



As for me, I ordered the Wampus Pizza Waffle with a side of Caesar Salad. The is a potato gem (aka tater tot) waffle topped with pizza sauce, mushrooms, olives, capers, cheese, and rocket. It was amazing! But so big and filling, especially after the tofu bites! I also loved the salad, which has lettuce, garlic croutons, fried capers, shaved parmesan, Tofurky ham slices, shredded vegan chicken and Caesar dressing. I didn't notice an shredded chicken though, so I wonder if that is only if you get it in the main dish serving. It would be great as a main as well!



Finally, some dessert. Well, I only tried a tiny bit. It is the Ekka at the moment, which is an agricultural show (yes, with all that means, sadness) in the city. Strawberries and Cream is one of the traditional Ekka foods, and Netherworld had a special Ekka menu. This was the Strawberry Sundae Waffle, with waffle, ice cream (coconut based), strawberry syrup, and fresh strawberries. I tried a bit of the waffle itself, but I wasn't a fan. I did like the strawberry syrup though, and of course the strawberries.



And now, for a little food bonus! That morning, I saw that some friends on Facebook has responded to a vegan event at a cafe that was only six minutes walk from Netherworld. I had never heard of this place before, which is called The Pick Up Joint. They were selling vegan baked treats for a Chihuahuha rescue. So it seemed like fate. We popped around there while we were waiting for Netherworld to open, and picked up a few treats. I got a chocolate custard tart (which was my dinner because I was still too full from Netherworld to even think of cooking and eating an actual meal), and a vegan sticky bun (which was my breakfast the next day).



Netherworld - 186 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

The Pick Up Joint - 97 Kennigo Street, Fortitude Valley

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



Our sweet family boy Possum was also not one for cat beds, but he still liked to snuggle on and in human beds! Here he is when he was a young man, tucked under a doona cover.

Eating Out*: Netherworld

*Obviously these eating out posts are from times past. As currently I am not eating out at all. None of us are.

I have a friend who has her birthday between Christmas and New Years, and we have had a little tradition of going to Netherworld for lunch to celebrate. (You can see my previous posts about Netherworld here.) This last birthday was no different. What was different, however, as that they had decided to limit their menu for the holidays, so we weren't able to get exactly what we had planned. But still some very good food.

The birthday girl got her favourite, the Mimic Mac & Cheese.



Her partner ordered the Burgatory (a cheese burger with onion rings), a staple of Netherworld, with some fries.



I tried The Phoenix - a burger with Southern fried vegan chicken w/ cheese, hash brown, mayo, lettuce and tomato. This burger was precariously assembled! But it tasted good.

I also ordered some Lycan Loaded Fries for us to share. These are essentially burger fries, with mince, cheese, special sauce, shredded lettuce, onion, pickles & sesame seeds



ALL THE FOODS! What even is eating out if you don't take a flattish-lay for Instagram?



I was also able to sneak into Netherworld for a weekday lunch once, and finally got to try the Reuben Dog my heart desired. It had sausage, sauerkraut, pickles, onion (which I forgot to ask them to leave off), Dijon mustard, cheese and Russian dressing. Served with some fries and some slaw, it was a great lunch.



I didn't play any games when I was there for these visit. But I was super sad to see that the Jurassic Park pinball machine was gone from its spot. I knew that a new version of it had come out, so was wondering if maybe they were replacing it. But then, on my way to the bathroom, I passed this beautiful scene. THEY HAVE BOTH!



At present, Netherworld is currently closed due to the pandemic. I really hope that they re-open when all this is done.

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



Dim Sim, surveying the back yard from her cushion perch.

Eating Out: Netherworld

One of the places I kept meaning to get back to, after my two visits four days apart at the end of 2017, was Netherworld, an arcade and bar with a vegan-by-default diner inside (there is the option to add animal products, wish it was all just totally vegan!). It took me a year to get back, at then end of 2018, for my friend's birthday (again). I met them for lunch, and we ate some food. You can read about my previous visits here.

We shared some entrees. The Pegasus Poutine (shoestring fries with gravy, melted cheese, and cheese sauce) and the Munchkin Mushies (sesame tempura mushrooms with wasabi mayo). I'd had the mushrooms before, and I love them. The poutine was a new addition to the menu. It was very satisfying, loaded with lots of gravy and cheese, but it got pretty soggy. I wish they had sturdier fries, and it was more a platter rather than a bowl. It was a big serve!





I was super keen to order the Cryptid Classic Burger (crispy fried tofu, pickled ginger, nori, lettuce, tomato, wasabi mayo and avocado). Sounds like a great combination, right? I was disappointed. Instead of just avocado, which would have been great, they instead used their guacamole. A very strong lime and far too spicy guacamole, that overpowered everything. The pickled ginger was a tiny pile, and I couldn't taste the wasabi mayo at all. The tofu was nice, though very salty. I ended up eating one piece of tofu on its own, so I could make the burger fit in my mouth. They had free fries with burgers at lunchtime, so we all had a side of fries as well.



The birthday girl ordered the Swamp Thing Burger (a cajun patty with grilled pineapple, BBQ sauce, chipotle mayo and coleslaw). She liked it, though it is a messy burger so she ate most of it with a knife and fork rather than burger style.



Her partner ordered The Burgatory, their take on a cheeseburger with cheese, onion rings, pickles, American mustard, ketchup, lettuce and tomato. I've had this before, and it is a good burger. And he agreed.



We shared the banana split to finish - banana fritters, choc-hazelnut brownie, peanut butter caramel, ice cream and glace cherries. I skipped the fritters, deep friend fruit is not my thing, but the brownie was good! The ice cream was coconut based, but was OK in small nibbles with the brownie.



Netherworld changes their menu fairly often, and I have missed out on a few things I really liked the look at by not going back for almost a year! So I really need to make the effort to go there more often, as there are a few things on the current menu that I am definitely interested in, and I wish to have something better than the burger that I had at this visit.

Netherworld - 186 Brunswick St - Fortitude Valley

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



I'll get back to the pile of kittens in my next posts, but just wanted to share that Dim Sim's blood results came back as all stable for her kidneys, liver, and thyroid! My good perfect girl. Here she is, deep in sleep.

Eating Out: Netherworld

The cool kid in Brisbane is undoubtedly Netherworld, a arcade and bar where the menu is vegan by default. Though people can add animal products if they must, they often have to pay extra for this. As well as food and beverages, there is also a huge library of board and card games, and a room full of fun arcade games. I had been meaning to go for ages, but never quite got around to it. Until suddenly I went twice in one week, both times for birthdays. This was at the end of last year, I am finally all done with my 2017 eating outs! Anyway, the menu has changed a bit since then... more than once... so I have made notes on what is still available.

The first time was for my friend Tracee's birthday. It was a lot of fun! As well as food, we also had a great time playing pinball, and then I reconnected with my youth with some Mortal Kombat II. I am pleased to see my technique of just mashing all the buttons together still seems to work. I enjoyed smashing the patriachy a little, until my character finally succumbed to another woman.

I have an acquaintance who seems to be here several times a week, and they highly recommended the Burgatory as the best burger ever in the world, so I had to get that. It is a cheeseburger, but also has onion rings on it. And it was very nice, a very good burger. Didn't quite live up to the hype, but I would recommend it as a solid cheeseburger option. This is still on the current menu, and it looks like they have a double version as well!



Tracee's partner had the Tanuki Tofu Burger, which had tofu, slaw, and BBQ sauce on it. He said it was good. This isn't on the current menu.



Tracee had her favourite mac and cheese. They actually use udon noodles, so it is a slurpy cheesy experience. I tried a little bit, but their cheese sauce has sriracha in it and was too spicy for me. One of the downsides for my sensitive self is that the menu has a lot of spicy in it. This is still on the menu, though they have moved it from the bites to bowls section. I doubt they'll ever that this off!



We also shared some Tofu Critters, lightly spiced fried tofu with sriracha mayo. The mayo was a bit spicy, but the critters were OK. They were good! These are still on the menu as Popcorn Critters, but with chipotle mayo.



Three days later, I was back for another friend's birthday! This time, there were a lot more people, so we ended up playing a card game. It was like CAH Against Humanity (which I have never played) but with memes, targeted at young millenials and I hated it so much. I confiscated some of the cards for being in too poor taste, because apparently that is who I am now. Oh well.

We shared some food between us so we could try some more things. First up, the Loaded Fries. These had BBQ jackfruit, cheese, and BBQ sauce on. Also a pineapple and jalapeno salsa, which we had on the side. However, what ever was in the seasoning on the jackfruit was really very spicy for me! They seem to still have a version of these on the menu, but with chili beans instead of jackfruit.



We also shared the Mushroom Tempura with Wasabi Mayo. This was outstanding! While I have issues with chilli, I have no issues with Wasabi. I love it! And while I am not a fan of too much deep fried, these little nuggets managed to stay crisp and crunchy and not too oily for a prolonged snacking session. These are still on the menu as Munchkin Mushies (I hate that name!), and I highly recommend!



Finally, the Gwisin Bowl. This was a chilled salad of soba noodles, vegetables, and peanut sauce, surrounded by warm Tofu Critters. It was light, refreshing, and not spicy. This isn't on the menu anymore.



I have been meaning to get back to Netherworld since then, but it is now six and a half months later, and they have been through several menu changes. Some of the burgers I had wanted to get are now gone. Their new menu has a couple of bowls I wouldn't mind trying (the Wampus Waffle and The Rodan), but we'll see how I go!

A final bonus food photo, for my friend Ashleigh I made a birthday cake. It is a double layer cake, using a few different recipes. The cake itself is the Vanilla Birthday Cake from Chloe's Kitchen, and it was filled with a layer of the Salted Caramel Icing from Chloe's Vegan Desserts. Then the whole thing was covered and decorated with Peanut Butter Cream from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World. It got a little smooshed in transit to Netherworld, and is far from a professional job, but I was pretty chuffed.



On a personal note, it has been a while between posts. My dad has been in hospital for the last week and a half, so I try and visit him on days when I am not working all day, and by the time I get home I tend to just watch Netflix and go to bed. But I am still here, and will be slowly continuing to get through my hilariously huge backlog of places I have been eating and cookbooks I have been cooking from!

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



I had a dream a couple of nights ago where I came home from holidays and had to pick up Sahara and Gizmo from the clinic, they both had UTIs. But they were easily treatable. And I was going to be able to take them home and hug them. I miss them always.

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).