While not all of the dishes at Gerard's Bistro impressed me, I need to point out right up front that Gerard's cauliflower was the single best cauliflower dish I've had in my life - anywhere. Star 1: How were the service and atmosphere? Tucked away in Fortitude Valley, Gerard's Bistro brings it when it comes to a classy and accommodating atmosphere. Surprisingly, my co-worker and I were literally the only two people there for the duration of our happy hour around 1500 on a Sunday afternoon, which gave us a friendly and attentive server all to ourselves. After ordering, the dishes came out quickly. Star. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? Gerard's isn't cheap, but you probably know that heading into the experience. Four pieces of house bread ran us $8.00 AUD, and the smaller cauliflower dish ran $18.00 AUD. It's borderline, but Star. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? The dishes at Gerard's were a bit of a mixed bag, but there was unquestionably an all-star. To start off, the house bread was unique, but didn't blow me away. From there, the lamb tartare was the low point, and nothing about the dish impressed. Now, having experienced both of those dishes, out came the cauliflower dish, and it was sensational. The curry sauce was amazing, and it paired perfectly with, wait for it, pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate seeds! Brilliant. Single Star. Star 5: Would you be excited to go back? Were it not for the cauliflower dish? No, but that dish alone is carrying the weight of Gerard's Bistro. Star. read more

Gerard's Bistro - Cauliflower: $18.00 AUD - Bistros Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

See all

I dare say, Gerard's Bistro served up the most memorable midday meal I've had so far this year! Sometimes you read a menu full of things you've never seen or heard of before and it's a drag and other times it's the beginning of an exciting taste adventure. I am happy to report my lunch at Gerard's Bistro was firmly the latter. In need of greens after days of excess, we ordered the coal-grilled broccolini and kale with shallot oil and lemon. The house-cured basturma was an exciting taste adventure as I'd never had anything like this sort of air-dried cured beef. The Bekaa wings with kishk yoghurt and rose petals were a definite crowd pleaser with their vibrant flavor. It's highly possible that I had more than my fair share of the fried cauliflower with tahini, ras el hanout, smoked almonds and pomegranate. (Apologies to my table mates, I just couldn't help myself!) We sat outside for lunch which I really liked. There's no direct sun but the fresh air definitely enhanced the meal for me. I loved every dish we tried here from the Iranian style wild rice to the slow-roasted full-blood wagyu brisket. Were I to recommend one restaurant in Brisbane, Gerard's Bistro would definitely be it! read more

Gerard's Bistro - Bekka wings. Don't ask questions, just order! - Bistros Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

Hey Shah of Oman, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER. Actually I don't, but I did get an insight into how middle eastern royalty live after eating at Gerard's Bistro. This was my last meal in Brisbane and boy howdy did Ben and the team deliver. (Never met a bad Ben. We're all great guys. This one's particularly good.) And just. I mean. The sheer creativity on display. And the flavours. Oh god you guys, the flavours. Smoky bastourma with pickled chili served like butterflies on a log. An actual log! Smoked potatoes with sumac, mackerel and melon with crispy salted fish scales that look like scorpions. Unbelievable tender brisket on a bed of rock salt with a cheek of lemon, eaten with a feta and herb salad. Even the napkins - tiny white dehydrated discs that expand when you drop them in water. I'd consider the flight back up just for this place. I'd sit and gorge and they'd have to roll me out of there with an ice shovel to make me leave. read more

See all

Like Corrie Z, I'm not sure of the poor ratings. I had dinner here last night and everything was exceptional - from the food to the service. It was my colleagues first time in Brisbane and although it was hard to decide where we'd go for dinner, Gerard's seemed like the perfect spot to show just what I mean when I say to people, "Brisbane is growing up!" Led by chef Ben Williamson, the menu is middle eastern in flavours and offers meals designed to be shared. It still blows my mind just how affordable it is to dine here. For us to have 4 plates, a sparkling water and a glass each of Cava was $89. For the quality of food being prepared I wouldn't be surprised to pay $100+ and still feel like I got great value. It is important to note, the serving sizes aren't typical Australian extra large and unnecessary serving sizes. They're ample to savour the dish and to have you feeling satisfied. The wait team know the dishes, how they accompany each other and their recommendations are flawless. We ordered the Spanner crab & textured watermelon salad, chilli & lime (sublime!), the lamb loin which was set off by the last minute addition of lamb belly (okay, I'm not a fan at all of pork belly - I just don't get it - but lamb belly? Sign me up!), Spiced cauliflower, currants and smoked almonds and my personal favourite Coal-grilled broccolini, kale, shallot oil and lemon. Each worked to offer something entirely different in terms of texture and flavour but I don't feel that at any point any of them clashed. I'm heading along to try their new weekend breakfast in a few days and honestly, it might just tip me over the edge to a five star review. read more

See all

This place is stunning. Seriously, if you want an interesting meal that is as much of a treat to your eyes as you mouth - get yourself here now. Dining as a large group, we were seated outside in the vine-covered walkway. It's undercover, but still full of light from the Brisbane sun. Though obviously not warm enough for the locals as they turned the gas heater on for us despite it being about 21 degrees that day! Inside, the walls are lined with bottles of wine that were a tempting sight, but being a working lunch we stuck to water and just concentrated on the food. The food. So beautifully presented with thoughtful flavour combinations and just the right portion size to try as many things on the menu as our stomachs would allow. Everything was an absolute delight - but highlights include dishes like the house-made basturma served on a warm log, the oh-so-flavoursome bekka wings with rose petals, fried cauliflower with pomegranate and the brisket. The wagyu brisket was served with flatbread and condiments to wrap up - having a table covered in vegie dishes let us experiment with a few combinations. We were definitely spent after this feast, but the lovely chef Ben spoilt us with one more treat at the end - the rose, barberry and pistachio nougat. Worth sneaking home if you can't fit it in straight away. I would love to come back here on another sunny afternoon or balmy evening and graze my way through their menu while trying out the wine list. Next time Brisbane, next time. read more

See all

Having been awarded the 2014 Restaurant of the year in July during the Brisbane Times Good Food Month, we were curious to see what the fuss was about. Gerard's Bistro is located in the James St precinct, nestled amongst the stylish glamour of the area. Headed by Ben Williamson, Gerard's Bistro is an offering of Middle Eastern inspired tapas style dishes. First impressions always count & Gerard's Bistro offers modern decor with dark lines, & timber finishes. Elegantly simple & aesthetically pleasing without trying too hard. The staff are outstanding from the moment you make your presence known; friendly, attentive & personable. As you read through the menu, its clear there's some very innovative & exciting dishes to be had & the only thing left to do is surrender your taste buds to be taken on an adventure. We ordered: Mackerel & piel de sapo melon tartare, orange blossom, chive & puffed skin ($18). Smoked marrowbone, salted cod & potato mousseline, burnt bread, sour herbs ($22). Bekaa wings, kishk yoghurt & rose ($16). Wow!! Each plate is amazing & such an interesting combination of flavours & textures. You will just have to try it yourself & savour each bite. Its an indulgence on the wallet but if you're wanting quality, & a food experience for the memories, then Gerard's Bistro is deserving of all the accolades. Open Mon 18:00-23:00, Tue - Fri 12:00 - 23:00, Sat - Sun 8:00 - 23:00. P.S. Since I can't seem to upload videos yet, check out one of the coolest things we've seen for wiping away the mess from the Bekaa wings. (There's no other way to eat this than with hands!). On our instablog: http://bit.ly/1q4wM0p read more

Gerard's Bistro - Bistros Near Me - Fortitude Valley, QLD

I've been to Gerard's a few times over the years, and it's never managed to disappoint. The atmosphere is great, and the food is always top notch. The menu is perfectly designed for sharing with groups big and small, which I find great as you're never going to miss out on any of the wide selection of dishes. On this visit we opted for a few share plates: the bekaa wings, which were flavoursome but quite spicy, a selection of oysters, which were fresh and tasty, and a raw white fish with a name that I'm unable to remember, let alone pronounce, which did a great job of offsetting the spice from the wings and was a nice light touch. For mains we ordered, as I always do, the wagyu brisket with seasonal accompaniments. This is a great dish for sharing and a perfect way to round of a meal. The flatbread is light but sturdy and the pickled vegetables are a great companion. The wine list was extensive and they have some great local wines. My only gripe was that, on this visit, the service was a little lacklustre and the waiters quickly whisked away our empty glasses without enquiring if we wanted more. Could have just been an off night though, as usually there are no issues. read more

See all

Oh wow, what a terrific breakfast I had here with two friends, recently. The food is Middle Eastern, with a slight twist, ensuring your plate looks colourful and exotic, with no expense spared for your tastebuds. We went for brunch, each ordering a different, eggy dish. Each dish contained an astounding four eggs, an abundance of flavour and oh, I don't know, maybe some feed good endorphins or something as the secret ingredient? It was divine. I also had a coffee and a juice and they both hit the spot. I would return in an heartbeat. All that food, drinks, great decor and decent (if a little slow) service, for only $75. We couldn't even finish all our dishes, they were that big. Didn't need to eat again until the late afternoon. Extraordinary value for a poor girl from Perth. Highly recommended, but don't be in an hurry. Food like that deserves to be savoured. read more

See all

DO NOT GO TO THIS RESTAURANT IF YOU EXPECT ANY TYPE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. What that seems like an unbelievable statement - let me tell you it is not. While the quality of food is high the terrible customer service and management are the opposite. I went with a group of six for Brunch. While ordering I asked the waiter for a suggestion for a dish since I am vegetarian. His suggestion was not a vegetarian item. Not a major faux pax, just odd. I point out again that I asked for a vegetarian suggestion. After finally deciding on a middle eastern mezze plate I question the waiter asking if the prosciutto that came with this dish was placed on its own or was it piled on the dish with the other dips and bread. He assured me that it was seperate. I figured why not let one of my 5 brunch companions have the prosciutto to enjoy with their meal. When receiving my order, the prosciutto was in the center of the dish and the way it was placed resulted in it touching EVERY dip on the plate as well as laying on top of the bread. I called the waiter back and calmly explained that the dish was not as he described and that we must have different definitions of seperate and could he please make me another one. He takes my plate and comes back about 75 second later. So I explain to the waiter that I need a new plate made up - one where all the items have not been in contact with the meat due to the fact that I am vegetarian and do not consume meat. The waiter turns to me and says "Well, I didn't know you were vegetarian". At this point i've lost my patience. I point out to him that I told him more than once during ordering that I was - so yes, he was aware of the fact that I was a vegetarian. He picks up my plate, walks away and starts talking about me in a very negative manner. This was done loudly, not muttering - and the entire table heard. So I get up, walk to the bar and ask to speak to the manger. I explain to him just how upset I am at the experience and the manner in which I was treated and even apologized for the shake in my voice because of just how upset I was. His response to me was "Its getting fixed now isn't it so whats your problem?? I don't really appreciate your tone" and dismissed me. Instead of apologizing or trying to rectify the situation he was equally as rude. I hope the owner knows just how mismanaged the restaurant is. read more

Gerard's is one of my favourite places to dine in Brisbane. I've been many times including a few visits for breakfast. Breakfast here has some really different offerings compared to your typical bacon and egg joints. My favourite dish is the Baghdad Eggs and while I've tried a few different breakfast dishes (mostly taking a share from other people at my table heeh) I can't resist going back to this dish again and again. I hope they never take it off the menu! For dinner the menu is seasonally updated so I've been lucky enough to try many delicious things there. If there's ever a wagyu dish we will almost always order it and it has never disappointed us. Other memorable dishes that we seem to order all the time are the bekka wings, their rice dish (which changes slightly with the season it seems), the ras el hanout cauliflower and any pork belly/pork dish. YUM! And don't forget now they even have Gerard's Bar out the back for pre or post dinner drinks and nibbles. read more

I loved Gerard's Bistro. The food was exceptional. The standouts were the pairing of Quail Eggs/Grapes/Caramelised Onion, the Creme Catalan, the Pomegranate and herb salad with the Spatchcock and the Flathead dish. I enjoyed all of the 6 dishes we ordered. The service was genuinely friendly and all the staff were well informed about the dishes and drinks. I would heartily recommend Gerard's Bistro. read more

After a second visit to Gerard's Bistro, I continue am amazed by their dishes and the knowledgeable staff. Among a party of 4, we shared: Organic house bread with smoked butter and spice Coal-roasted local quail, smoked beetroot, wilted leaves, chili & hazelnut Duck breast, carrots, peach, burnt honey, cardamom yoghurt, salad burnet Whole smoked eggplant, fermented yoghurt, blackened onions and mint Coal-grilled broccolini, kale, shallot oil and lemon Spiced cauliflower, grapes and smoked almonds Saltbush lamb "tagine", carrot, pickled dates, candied orange and green olive Slow-roasted full blood wagyu brisket for two with seasonal accompaniments Dessert: Caramelized (chocolate dusted) hazelnuts, rose lokum, honeycomb Ginger cake and sorbet, yoghurt mousse and mint Spiced date cream, almond crumble, honeycomb and vanilla Yes, all the dishes are on the small size, but I felt it was perfect for sampling. I like to think of them as Mediterranean tapas. I also like they use local produce, such as honeycomb and honey from the James St bees (can't get anymore local than that!). The staff know their wines and dishes and does a fabulous job of explaining all the elements. I also love the decor - ties in well with the overall concept. The sinks in the bath closets are pretty nifty. read more

So went here with the rents for dinner. Really cool atmosphere had seats outside in the lane. We had ordered about 6 dishes the wings were good the lamb was alright the cauliflower was awesome the octopus was good but weird at the same time and I forgot the other. The star of the night was the bone marrow. It was my first time eating it but it was absolutely amazing. For decent sharing plate sizes it's an alright price still bit exxy but worth a try read more

Dinner here is always exquisite. Generally, we choose the slow-cooked brisket (two servings) as a centerpiece for planning each meal here, but the waitstaff typically recommends 2.5 servings of mains per person. So, assuming you're with at least one more person, the brisket may only be half of your dinner. Starters are quite small and usually aren't filling so much as interesting. If you want the brisket, consider mentioning it in your reservation; they often run out. Yelp seems to only list the price as $$, but really enjoying starters, mains, and cocktails can easily bring it into $$$$ territory. read more

Just spent a lazy Sunday lunch with my mother and sister at Gerard's bistro and still have the flavours swirling through my body. Orgasmic We ordered 5 dishes from the menu for the 3 of us, as was recommended to us by our wonderful waiter. Five was ample remembering this was a lunch. Started with the Mackerel which was fresh and light, followed by the Duck breast, caramelised pumpkin which could not have been better. If you don't like duck, don't care - just order it. You will be converted. Fried Cauliflower was like nothing I had ever tasted - perfect. Iranian jeweled rice with pomegranate, smoked almond and pistachio - say no more and Coal-grilled broccolini, kale. Lastly we were tempted to share a Pistachio, halva, and rooftop honey plate. Memorable. More then Memorable ... divinely memorable. It is not the cheapest lunch I have had but it is up there with the best. read more

An interesting menu that breaks away from the traditional format. Quite a few dishes with complementing dishes placed above and below the mains. The idea is really based around everybody sharing and ultimately we just left it up to the helpful wait staff to recommend a good mix of dishes for us. The quality of the food is just fantastic Beautiful and tasty food that is fresh, cooked perfectly and delights the taste buds. Some of the meat dishes are superb with excellent cuts of meat used. The service is just as good as the food. What an excellent place this is and definitely now on my short list of favourites. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending this place to anyone who appreciates good food, good service and a friendly atmosphere. Bravo. read more

Atmosphere and staff completely lovely! We asked for waiters recommendations and after a few brief taste preference questions, we were delivered a delicious meal! Perfect for a couple, but not suitable for a large group. Definitely will go again and would recommend to a friend. MUST TRY the cauliflower! read more

I've visited Gerard's on 4 occasions now, each time I felt like it was better than ever! The first time I visited was when they were quite fresh, and I think there were still a few creases to be ironed out. I found our waiter to be a little bit too familiar with us, and he really rubbed me up the wrong way when I had to send my main (spatchcock) back to the kitchen to be cooked some more as it was raw on the bone. It was a busy night and I totally forgave them for this, hating to be "that guy" that sends things back... but the waiter argued with me about whether it was cooked enough or not? NOT COOL DUDE. Eventually he took it back to the kitchen and it was cooked to perfection. Apart from this small issue, the rest of the night was perfect, from the cocktails to the dessert. Loved it. My second visit was practically flawless. A quick couple of share plates before a movie. I visited again as part of the yelp progressive dinner event on James St. I absolutely adored the goat tagine, and the broccolini and kale was fantastic. I regret being a little too eager with this side, I accidentally flung a stalk to broccolini to the ground in my haste to get more on my plate. Woe. And last weekend I snuck in a breakfast visit, as a prelude to the UYE breakfast club visit this weekend (which I sadly didn't make as I have the flu of doom). I tried the granola, and snuck some of my friend's fruit toast which is served with ricotta and bee one third rooftop honey. I rate this toast! Heavy with fruit and nuts, so yum. My granola was out of this world. Dried dates and loads of hazelnuts and pistachios took this dish to the next level. The only problem was that I wasn't given a spoon?? I had to flag down our waitress to bring me one, so I stole my friend's toast while I waited. The coffee was pretty awesome, I'm not sure who's beans they use but the barista definitely knows what they're doing. I also had a virgin mary and it was fab. If it wasn't dastardly early in the morning I'd have been tempted to de-virgin this with some vodka. Our waitress that morning told us she was on a trial, and she was very attentive despite how busy it was, she didn't crowd us or rush us, and she was lovely and cheerful without being OTT. I hope she got the job! I will definitely visit Gerard's again, for any meal of the day. It's very affordable, has really interesting menu options, and some fantastic staff. I think it is definitely going to become a bit of an old faithful for me, indeed. read more

I went here for brunch and really love the hanging plants along the outdoor area. I ordered the crab omelette while my partner ordered the bacon and egg dish. I love the crab omelette, it was so soft, buttery, and delicious. I'm happy that it came with a side of sourdough slice otherwise I would have still been starving. The bacon and egg dish was lovely as well. The coffee was also good and the service was alright. I just wish that the OJ was freshly squeezed instead of pulverised. Price wise, it's not the cheapest. But I didn't feel like I was ripped off because the food quality was there and quantity wasn't too bad. read more

I have twice eaten at Gerard's Bistro and do not understand the poor rating it recieves here on Yelp, hopefully it improves as this place deserves many stars! Gerard's menu has a Middle Eastern/Moroccan/North African type of vibe, which to me is incredibly exciting, there is no restaurant doing what they do in Brisbane. The space is very funky in design, heavy wooden seating, brick walls, leather.... the cocktail menu is amazing (I had a "Delightful Turk" the first time I ate here, rose water and watermelon, yum), as it should be with owners that also have Laruche and Lychee Lounge, two of the best cocktail bars around. The food here is meant to be shared, but the share plates are definitely on the small size, which obviously puts some people off. A couple of standout dishes we have sampled were Seared scallops with sujuq (a spiced minced type of sausage), and a Goat tagine on our last visit. Desserts are also fabulous; Spiced date cream, pistachio and halva biscuit, honeycomb and vanilla was so creamy and sweet I wanted another.... and how does Bitter and sweet chocolate mousse, biscuit and ganache with milk icecream and salted oat sound? Dreamy! read more

Trying for breakie been to dinner and lunch quite a few times and always been very happy with flavours and service. Style is casual dining with technique ie freezing, dried, thi k freeze dried eggs with smoked grapes etc, looked and thought at times hmmmm but always seems to work so be adventuous. Seem to always have vege dishes so posdible goid option if meat is in the banned list. Menu hard to pick but do it, because u will change your mind as u see other peoples as they look fantastic. Flavours were great had the suckling pig with kale eggs and pimiento delicious. They did however miss 2 orders ????? From 7 so thats odd. read more

Great wine list and fantastic menu. We could choose from wagyu, duck to suckling pig. I ended up having wagyu flap which was the first time I had the cut. It was cooked pink and melted in my mouth. I didn't love the suckling pig, not quite up to an Asian expectation. There was too much fat left and the skin wasn't as crispy as it should be. I also enjoyed the world's most unusual affogatto which was anglaise that had been freeze dried. read more

Absolutely astounding food and drink. The service is always impeccable and I feel so welcomed every time I am there. They are exploring new and exciting food creations that I am always willing to try and always impressed with!! read more

Visited here for dinner on the recommendation of a friend. Spacious restaurant with plenty of seating meant a comfortable and casual dining experience. Service was very friendly and food arrived in good time. The wagyu brisket to share is a must with a good assortment of sides. Would visit here again no questions asked. read more

I have eaten at Gerard's a few times now. The first couple of times our party just ate a few small plates, the food I found very good and the service the same. The fit out is also great and I see they have corrected the colour temperature of the LEDs in the tubes over head which makes the space feel warmer. My last dinner experience I have to say was infuriating. We had a latish booking and we did arrive late as well, so I must say the staff were very accommodating on that count. By this stage however everyone was very hungry and keen to eat. Unfortunately it took maybe 40 mins to get someone to take our order. Appreciating that this is a Bistro that serves small plates, my wife and I chose the Suckling Pig, one of two options listed on the menu under the For Two header. The waitress did politely suggest we might like some accompaniments and recommend the Broccoliini. Being quite Hangry at this point, we also ordered bread for the table to help us through, sadly it never came. The Suckling Pig eventually arrived, and unless I am completely mistaken, we assumed that this was an oversized portion at $54 and that two people were required to consume given the header on the menu. But what we received was barely a starter for one person. Four matchbox sized pieces of belly, beautifully cooked and very tasty I will add, but my two lasted about 30 seconds as I woofed it down. The few bits of pear and smears on the plate didn't really help. The Coal grilled Broccolini accompaniment was bitter and burnt, not sure if that was the desired flavour, but almost inedible. The Kale was not pleasant. Two people at the table ordered the same items from the desert menu, this was received on two different sized plates and two very different sized portions. I only noticed this as I was still very hungry and wanted some. Right now around town, everyone is complaining about the cost of the Suckling Pig at Alfred and Constance. But a share plate of 500g with salad or veges, bread and condiments for $52 sounds like a tasty bargain. Or the For Two, 24 hour hour cooked Sous Vide and roasted Lamb Shoulder from Ortiga that comes with potatoes and other treats, is so good and really too much for two people also seems like great value at $75, especially when considering the truly amazing service and experience of the place. So Gerard's is a big let down. Food quality is patchy, portion size miniscule, prices high and service hot and cold. Avoid if you are hungry. read more

Obsessed with the Bekka Wings and the Wagyu Brisket for 2 would have to be know of the best share dishes I have ever had. This place is worth every penny and more read more

We just had a really bad experience there.... Half of the tables were empty but supposed to be booked, so we were asked to come back one hour later. Which we did... Same situation.... Lots of empty tables and the only option we were offered is to sit at the bar with no dining menu. The staff seemed quite arrogant and did not care at all about us just leaving in the end. This is not the way you treat customers..... Will not come back. read more

We eat out a lot. Maybe that makes me fussy. I am not going back to Gerard's. Number of reasons. I hate restaurants where you have to ask the waiter what things are. Do restaurants think using obscure words to describe food makes it taste better? Or maybe it's so they can charge more. Main reason though is that it is overpriced for what you get. We had Waygu which was very good, however the accompaniments seemed to me to be chosen for their strangeness and were small portions. I really don't want pomegranate with my steak. On the whole to pretentious for me and the food does not compensate enough. Rating is for the meat. read more

Quality dining without the pomp. Gerard's has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere with delightful wait staff. The food is a well adapted take on African & Middle Eastern fare. Everything we tried was well balanced & full of exciting flavours. A surprise favourite was the cauliflower, it came highly recommended to me and I have to pass along the recommendation. The restaurant was quite busy the night we visited but the food was still timely and the staff calm & professional. All in all, a lovely venue with exceptional food & great service. read more

We were staying in Fortitude Valley and happened upon Gerard's for dinner one night. Had an amazing meal. Presentation and food were lovely. Service was perfect as well. Wish we lived closer! read more

This place is great. Not a huge menu but its somewhere that you want to order everything. Always great service, good atmosphere and reasonable prices. Getting pretty busy now so book ahead for Friday and Sat nights. Haven't been for brekky yet but the menu looks good. read more

I went to Gerard's Bistro over the weekend and I must say it was amazing. The food was delicious, the staff were very attentive and the wine was lovely! Prices were a little high but that completely suits the James Street area so we weren't bothered. read more

I went to Gerard's Bistro on opening night and had an awesome time. The cocktails were scrumptious, food was awesome and the staff (particularly Ellen!) provided excellent service, all combining into really fun night. Thanks guys! read more