Freestyle Happenings

Wine 101 at Freestyle Tout Emporium
Join us for an evening of bubbles from around the world on Wednesday March 17, 6.30pm for a 7pm start. $30 per person includes wine and canapes.
RSVP essential: 3252 0214. Spaces limited so book now.
Next month: Explore the differences between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris. Enquire now: 3262 3077.

Book Club
Join the Freestyle Tout bookclub and meet others who are passionate about good books and great food.



The next book club is on Wednesday April 7, 6.30pm at Freestyle Tout West End. Also on the night, we'll be serving a 2-course dinner of recipes from the book with a glass of wine for $30. Bookings essential: 3255 3288
This month's book is Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Mehran, an enchanting tale of family, friends and renewal with a taste of something truly magical.

Last month's book club was fabulous, everyone enjoyed the book Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard and the dinner of recipes from the book was sensational and consisted of Savoury Cake with bacon, chervil and figs, Wild Salmon with dill and cucumber salad, Duck Breast with blackberries and Potato and Green Bean Salad with pastis vinaigrette. Then a little treat of raspberry sorbet drizzled with Cointreau and onto dessert which was tastes of Mini Almond Cakes, Yogurt Cake and Individual Molten Chocolate Cakes. So good that everyone has already rebooked. We're all looking forward to a Persian feast with recipes taken from Pomegranate Soup!

Young and the Restless Nights
Pop in after work on a Monday at Emporium or Tuesday at West End with a girlfriend or 3 to share a pizza and salad over a glass of bubbles for $18 each. This is your night to catch up on the weekends goss or your latest fictional hearthrob. May we suggest You or Someone Like You by Chandler Burr, The Luminous Life of Lilly Aphrodite by Beatrice Colin or The Story of a Marriage by Andrew Sean Greer.

Exhibiting Artists
Steph Stewardson (top) and Joannah Underhill (bottom) are exhibiting at Freestyle Tout Emporium throughout March...




...AND Amanda Krantz (top) and Cate Collopy (bottom) are exhibiting at Freestyle Tout West End.




Kate French sculptures on show!
www.katefrench.com.au

When you next venture to Melbourne, try out these

The new Movida in Bourke Street, Melbourne is worth checking out (as is the original Movida and Movida next door). This new one is on a rooftop and a great space, have a casual drink outside in the bar or venture into the restaurant for fantastic Spanish tastes. Staff are very knowledgeable on both food and wine.
www.movida.com.au

Breakfast or lunch at Richmond Hill Cafe is always a must when you're in Melbourne. Check out their website for food and wine events ie. cheese and beer matching, Bastille evening, discover Spain evening or Stephanie Alexander's garden companion dinner.
www.rhcl.com.au

Another new venue on the dining scene is Cumulus Inc. Both food and service are fantastic. Great space. Breakfast, lunch or dinner is well worth a look and is definitely a place to try.
www.cumulusinc.com.au

Bar Lourinha is also a must if you are in Melbourne. Matt and Jo are fantastic hosts and the ambience and food are sensational.
www.barlourinha.com.au

Pop into Koko Black. Amazing array of chocolates. Venture upstairs and try out one of their sinful Belgian hot chocolates blending full cream milk with cream and 60% dark Belgian chocolate. Also available in chili, chocolate mocha and cinnamon.
www.kokoblack.com

Another one to check out if you are a chocolate fiend is Ganache Chocolate.
www.ganache.com.au

Also of note if you are a chocolate fiend, there is Chocoholic Tours.
www.chocoholictours.com.au

New kid on the block Coda Bar and Restaurant is definitely worth checking out. This basement restaurant has a great feel both with decor and ambience. Another restaurant specialising in small tastes, this time with mostly Asian twist. The spanner crab, galangal, roasted chili and lime betel leaf and the roasted spring bay scallop rocked my boat.. yummo.
www.codarestaurant.com.au

The Cupcake Bakery..I'm forever amazed with the popularity of the cupcake since Sex and the City. On this occasion I tried the Red Velvet which is a red chocolate mixture topped with a wicked cream cheese icing..mmm nice, unusual, different...
www.thecupcakebakery.com.au

Longrain is one of my favourites in both Sydney and Melbourne, the best of the best Thai food. I love the communal tables and sharing great food.
www.longrain.com

One of my favourite bars in Melbourne is Madame Brussels, run by Miss Pearls - animal trainer. Located on top of an old building with a deck and views of Church spires, trees and inner city buildings. Great cocktails and punches by the jug with naughty names or Pimms. Staff all sassy and camp it all up in little tennis outfits or similar so you feel like you really are at a garden party. Park benches and old English garden furniture, fake grass in the bar and the parlour make for a unique experience.
www.madamebrussels.com

Other bars to check out include Gin Palace, The Red Hummingbird, The Emerald Peacock, Supper Club, The Rooftop Bar and Alumbra.

Enjoy...

QLD FBI at the Boat Shed

A great group of foodies met at the Boat Shed at Cotton Tree, what a stunning location. Great to see representatives from the Sunshine Coast Regional Council, DEEDI and restaurateurs.
www.qldfbi.com.au


Scott from Noosa Lime Co with his wares


Sally from Beneenie, Greg from Sunshine Coast Regional Council and Petra from Local Harvest

The crew from Pomodoras on Coral restaurant


The Oz Cook crew


The Saltt girls

Enjoying wine and canapes

The Boat Shed view

Bel and Gail from Ma Mensa

Latest Freestyle Happenings

Meet the Artists...
Pop in for a chat and a drink with this month's exhibiting artists at Freestyle.

Cate Collopy

When: Saturday February 13, 5pm
Where: Freestyle Tout Emporium

Joannah Underhill

When: Saturday February 13, 5pm
Where: Freestyle Tout West End


Trivia Nights Tuesday nights at West End from 6-8pm. Pop in and test your knowledge. Heaps of great prizes to be won each week.

Book Club This month's book is Lunch in Paris by Elizabeth Bard. Part love story, part wine-splattered cookbook, Lunch in Paris is a deliciously tart, forthright and funny story about falling in love with a Frenchman and moving to the world's most romantic city - not the Hoolywood version but the real paris, a heady mix of blood sausage and irregular herbs.
When: Wednesday March 10, 6pm
Where: Freestyle Tout West End
RSVP: 3255 3288
Tastings from the recipes in the book will be shared on the night!


Wine 101 Freestyle Tout Emporium is hosting a wine evening with tastings of bubbles from around the world. Wine gurus Peter Marchant and David Bone will share their knowledge over wine and canapes.
When: Wednesday March 17, 6.30pm for 7pm start
Cost: $30 per person
RSVP essential: 3252 0214

Introduction to Numerology For anyone who is curious about numbers and their meanings, Gilbert will give you amazing insights into the mysterious world of numbers and how they apply to you. Gilbert is available instore for one-on-one readings. Enquire now on 3255 3288.

Psychic Readings Freestyle Tout resident psychic Annie will be doing readings at the West End venue. Make a booking now and see what your future holds! Call 3255 3288.

Freestyle Tout Emporium head chef Danilo has just launched a new all day menu. Check it out here or pop in and try it out.

What's new at Freestyle Tout West End

Fabienne and Lillian come to visit and keep an eye on things at Freestyle Tout West End



Artist/sculpturess Kate French's creations Fabienne and Lillian are on show with some more coming soon...

Kate French finds the inspiration for her sculptural work from the people around her. The diversity in human emotions, quirks and physical characteristics is what Kate loves to capture in her sculptures. Kate also specialises in painting landscapes and skyscapes.
www.katefrench.com.au




Head chef Glenn Batchelor has just created a new all day savoury menu at Freestyle Tout West End. Check out the menu here. Ladies, what a dish!
Ps. He's single.




Echo our pastry chef is the lady behind our famous woo woos. When you're in next try one of her yummy dessert specials - this week its a Coffee Mousse Cone with boysenberry compote and chocolate ice-cream.. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Latest Freestyle Happenings...

Trivial Pursuit
Tuesday night at Freestyle Tout West End is trivial pursuit night from 6-8pm. Come along and test your knowledge over a drink.

Book Club
Freestyle Tout is now hosting a monthly bookclub! A great way to meet some new people while discussing good books and enjoying a cup of coffee or a glass of vino!.

This month's book is The Gourmet by Muriel Barbery. Grab the book, read at your leisure and come along to the next events: Wednesday Feb 10th at West End rsvp Please ! on 32553288 or Wednesday Feb 17th at Emporium from 6pm. RSVP appreciated:3252 0214.




The Gourmet by Muriel Barbery

Frances greatest food critic is dying. After a lifetime in singleminded pursuit of sensual delights
he lies on his deathbed, tormented by an inability to recall the most delicious food to pass his lips
which he last ate long before becoming a food critic. Desperate to taste it one more time,
he looks back over the years to see if he can pin down the elusive dish ...

Why this book? This book is quite kooky as it reveals the life of a food critic and those of the lives he touched! Great one for discussion...as owner of Freestyle I have a love affair with France and food ... hope to see you there...Cheers Martin !


Grab the book at...

Avid Reader

193 Boundary st West End ph 38463422

Coaldrakes Bookshop

Shop 26 Emporium Fortitude Valley ph 3854 0188




For all the Tweeters!
Freestyle Tout West End is holding a Sweet Tweet Meet for all tweeters to get together on Wednesday Feb 3rd. 10.30am with coffee and sweet treats or 6pm with beer, wine and canapes. Both $10. Hope to see you there! Or catch me on Twitter @dessertboy

Win a MINI for a weekend
Fill out the entry form in store at Fortitude Valley Freestyle to go into the draw to win a MINI for the weekend!


For the art lovers
Meet artist Joannah Underhill for coffee and art talks throughout February at West End.


Or meet Cate Collopy at Emporium.


Register online at www.freestyletout.com.au then art page and sign up for exclusive invitations to art events.

Freestyle Tout Breakfast
West End is doing breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays from 9am. A nice way to start the day!

Introducing some of our crew

Craig, Louise and Chris - managers of the A-team at Freestyle Tout Emporium


Sam - day manager of Freestyle Tout West End (makes awesome coffee and cocktails!)


Echo with this week's special at West End, Tiramisu


Echo our pastry chef, Glenn our head chef and Ethan our second chef (West End)


Danilo our head chef, Paolina our dessert chef and Chris our pastry chef (Emporium)

Virtual Online Tour for Granite Belt home of Qld Wines

Virtual Online Tour for Granite Belt

Marketing the Granite Belt this week moves to a new platform with the launch of a new online virtual tour. The 30 second online commercial provides an introduction to the Queensland wine capital for visitors on the web.

The online tour is the latest initiative of Granite Belt Wine & Tourism Inc (GBWT), the progressive local tourist association which is committed to putting Stanthorpe and surrounds on the map.

GBWT President Phil Moye commented: “The research shows that the majority of consumers do their travel research online and that YouTube is the world’s second biggest online search engine. These are the two reasons why it is important we now have our marketing message in video format online."


The virtual tour can now be reached from the front page of the official tourist information website and also learn more about the Queensland Wine capital at http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au/pages/home-page/
http://www.getsmartonline.net/granite_belt_wine_country.html

If you do want to go out that way with a group may I suggest the Abbey of the Roses at Warwick for a fun place to stay ..I have been several times now each time has been a hoot!
http://www.abbeyroses.com.au/



One of my Favourite little Qld wine producers out there and on the Freestyle Tout wine list is Symphony Hill.

Symphony Hill Wines is a family-owned boutique winery located in the cool climate of the Ballandean highlands of Queensland's Granite Belt. Ewen and Elissa Macpherson bought the old table grape and orchard property in 1996 after falling in love with the area and its potential for premium wine production and in partnership with Ewen's parents Bob and Jill Macpherson have developed the vineyard to its present high standard. Symphony Hill Wines is a family focussed venture with, at one stage, four generations of the family living on the property.



Symphony Hill's winemaker and vineyard manager, Mike Hayes,is a third generation viticulturalist in the Granite Belt area. His links with the property go back to his childhood where he had his first kiss on the property's tennis court! Mike's proudest achievement to date is making the 2003 Reserve Shiraz which became Queensland's first ever gold medal winner at the 2005 Sydney Royal Wine Show.

Symphony Hill specialises in high quality wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Verdelho, Chardonnay and Viognier grapes proudly grown on the estate.

http://www.symphonyhill.com.au/

Some of my other favourites are....

Suttons Juice Factory and Cidery
http://www.hivalue.com.au/AboutUs.htm
Robert Channon Wines www.robertchannonwines.com

Ravenscroft Wines
http://www.ravenscroftwines.com.au/

Enjoy.....