Deer Duck Bistro is a beautiful restaurant with very warm staff. Chairs are comfortable and…read moreinviting, which is good because no matter which menu option you choose, you will be there for a while. We had initially planned for the short course but upon arrival, we decided to jump into the long one with wine pairings. I wish we'd stayed with the short. The food was, well, fairly bland. It was beautifully put together and clearly thought through carefully. The pairings were superb and really well matched with the dishes, but not even one Australian wine in the mix - I suppose I should have realized this would be the case as it is more of a European style restaurant. Unfortunately, the food itself was just super blah. Again, very pretty but just not at all interesting. We left a little too full and fairly sotted. The pours were generous so make sure you don't drive if you plan that option. I wish I could recommend Deer Duck Bistro. They have all of the elements in place. Great service, beautifully appointed space, clearly talented sommelier and obviously skilled kitchen. But the one thing you can't fix is taste. If their taste doesn't match your expectations or your preferences, it just isn't going to be the place for you.

There's a stretch of Milton Road that is kind of a nothing spot. It isn't Toowong and it isn't…read moreAuchenflower. It's a black spot marked but a row of rather destitute looking empty shopfronts. You've probably driven past in a million times. Surprise! This is where Deer Duck Bistro resides (Side note: they're about to open a tapas bar just 2 doors up which excites me. Perhaps this stretch of Milton Road could actually be resuscitated). Anyway, the fact that Deer Duck exists in this space is kind of fantastic. Walking in the interior is a rich, dark and has a very British "Honey, we've just gotten back from a day of hunting" atmosphere. We dined there on a Friday night and there were only a handful of other diners around us. It was a set menu for $65 and they've now got their liquor license so are able to offer a small selection of beer, wines and spirits. The chap and I enjoyed a stupendously large sharing plate for an entree which was a selection of in-house baked breads, cornichons (I just like saying cornichons), meats, cheese and a delectable smoked artichoke dip. For mains, he had the fettucine with mussels and I opted for the ocean themed fish. I'm not sure what a fish has to do to be ocean themed? Dessert was the stand out for me. The chocolate forrest which is given it's own theatrics with a jar of dry ice and liquid nitrogen and the textured pineapple which is small yet ample with it's syrupy flavours. I enjoyed dining at Deer Duck Bistro and perhaps it was the result of building it up so much in my mind (It had been on my "To Dine" list for almost a year), that I just felt a little underwhelmed. There was nothing at all wrong with our dinner or experience, but it just didn't live up to my own expectations. Deer Duck Bistro is wonderful though, and the service was exceptional - we never wanted for anything. It is more of a special occasion dining experience, but I'll be back soon. There's something about it that makes you forget you're dining in Brisbane.

Not a fantastic first impression as piped music was a little loud (had to ask them to turn it down)…read more and Service was a little slow (over 45mins from order to delivery), however, it all picked up from there. All members of our party commented on the delicious, generously portioned meals all cooked to perfection. Salads were fresh and prices were very reasonable. In light of some members of our party commenting on their favourable previous experiences here, happy to raise it from a four to five stars despite the initial couple of issues. Absolutely, we will be back!

Vaquero is hands down the best new restaurant that I have been to in Brisbane in 2016…read more I snuck in here on an unassuming Tuesday night at the suggestion of a friend with absolutely no idea as to what I was about enjoy, my expectations were low as we were in suburban Brisbane afterall! This, however, is a beautiful fine dining establishment, hidden by the guise of the Euro style Albion Butchery at its facade on busy Sandgate road. Once you enter the restaurant through this secret door you are transported into a refined dining space, outdoor courtyard and bar that has old world charm and designer Euro chic with a warm inviting and intriguing feel. I just know that I want to taste the whole menu! The menu consists of delicate sharing platters for the table to share from starters, mains & deserts. I won't comment on how amazing each of the dishes were, I just recommend ordering an assortment matched with their plentiful & delicious wine list to enjoy with some great company. I highly recommend searching out this amazing little secret in Albion before it becomes a challenge to get in!

From the owner: Contemporary European cuisine, charcoal oven, house dry aged meats, with wines, beers and cocktails…read moreto match.

Alchemy was the perfect location for a surprise birthday dinner and the meal was exceptional…read more While enjoying a champagne and the stunning views of the river and bridge we were presented with a complimentary cauliflower soup amuse bouche. We chose the special, medium rare wagyu tri tip with duck fat potatoes and mushrooms, which was absolutely delicious paired with a Shiraz. Dessert was the affogato, liquid nitrogen bomb experience, and another surprise, some mini macarons with a lovely Birthday message from the chef. This was our first visit to Alchemy, but it definitely won't be our last.

Took my girlfriend out here as a special going away dinner…read more We both ordered the degustation and were very happy with the overall experience. All dishes were fantastic and the service is exceptional. Highlight was the scampi risotto with sea urchin butter. A definite must have!

After 3 weeks on the east coast of Australia, Sydney to Caines, we have had the absolutely best…read morefood! I can not recommend a better restaurant for amazing food with a beautiful view of the river and the best service! It had to be Brisbane's best.

Thankful that I ate a snack first!…read more I'll state upfront that I'm not a fan of formal dining as things like ambiance and atmosphere do not register on my importance meter nor does location or waterfront views. Having said that, La Vue likely would register high in those categories but I'll leave that review to someone else as I usually only comment on food and service. Tonight I had an average experience here. The food was wonderfully prepared and thoughtfully presented but nothing jumped out as remarkable to me. No bold flavors or original dishes. Serving size vs price was what one would expect from a waterfront fine dining restaurant so I won't complain about that. (I know places like this usually have modest servings so I had a snack before going!) Slightly disappointed with the slow service. We were only one of two tables seated on a Wednesday night yet our entrees and deserts were very slow to arrive. Another reason I'm glad I had a snack first! If it was a busy weekend night this would have been understandable but tonight this place was empty. In the end, this place falls in the "take it or leave it" category.

We stopped here to grab a late lunch and were very pleasantly surprised…read more There was a good food and wine menu and well priced and affordable, especially considering it is the West End. The meals we had were a good size and delicious. The outdoor area is spacious with lovely greenery everywhere and it was great to be able to have our dog there with us. The staff were excellent and extremely helpful and friendly. We are looking forward to coming back again.

Good place for breakfast and brunch. Table Service is reasonably prompt. Menu has good range of…read moreoptions but on the trendy side. That said the food is good - on a weekend it is busy so may have to wait a while for the food to come out. My family like it - ticks the boxes - good choice and reasonable service and taste is as good as it look. A tad pricey but OK.

I have been to perks many times for breakfast I love their breakfast. I always go in wit my family…read moremy partner and our son who is 7 months we always take him in the pram, previously I have never had a problem before getting a seat and have my pram beside me. However today only George and I went for breakfast and I was asked to sit in the front door or leave my pram at the door. I don't understand why I was made feel like this when there was plenty of room available and I have taken my pram in plenty of times before. It's such a shame that two people have let the quality of service down for your business.

The Healthy Choice Breakfast really hit the spot. With poached eggs, spinach, tomato, smoked…read moresalmon, haloumi, mushroom, avocado, Turkish bread and a delicious relish it was exactly what we needed.

Taste--- less Had brunch with a group of 8 this morning. The…read moreservice was terrible as was my meal of tasteless corn fritters. This was a favourite restaurant of mine but has certainly gone down hill. Won't be going back.