On my recent trip to Australia visiting family, I caught up with several old friends and naturally, food was involved. One of the restaurants my friend Charlie, who is originally from New Zealand, took me to — TWICE — was Grandmas Kiwi Kitchen. This little eatery is run by a family and you immediately feel the welcoming warmth the minute you enter.
The food is cooked to order and I love the sign displayed at the front proclaiming that you’re not getting fast food here! I will gladly wait for good food cooked to order.
We started with some cappuccino and iced coffee — the latter was an insane mason jar filled with coffee, vanilla ice cream and whipped cream — not just an iced coffee, but a dessert in itself.
Our meal began with an order of Steak Eggs & Chips (AUD18/$16.80) a piece of Scotch fillet, or what we know as ribeye, two fried eggs, and chips (fries). Kiwis like their meat well done so if you want it cooked less, let them know.
One of the best omelettes I’ve ever tasted is Whitebait Fritter (AUD8.5/$7.90), a perfectly fluffy omelette generously dotted with whitebait, a baby fish widely consumed in New Zealand. Delicious and a perfect breakfast item.
Kiwis love fried foods so Battered Mussels (AUD6.5/$6) is right up their alley. Plump New Zealand green lip mussels are battered and fried creating a beautifully light mouthfeel. The home-made tartare is lovely but a squeeze of lemon suffices.
Fush & Chups (AUD9.5/$8.85) is fish and chips pronounced the Kiwi way. You can select between battered and fried or oven baked. We chose our hoki (blue hake) fillet oven baked which arrives topped with spinach and tomato slices en papillote (wrapped in a parchment paper parcel). Served with chips (as everything is) and house-made tartare sauce, I really enjoyed the steamed fish, allowing its own flavors to come through. Nothing is overly seasoned and the freshness of each ingredient comes together harmoniously.
If fried fish is your thing then opt for the Hoki Fish Sandwich (AUD12.5/$11.65). Battered hoki is sandwiched between toasted Turkish bread. Lettuce and tomato, along with beet slices and a fried egg are added. Aussies love beets in their burgers and sandwiches so I wasn’t surprised to see it in the sammie.
An array of house-made desserts are available ranging from carrot cake to these deliciously rich fudgy chocolatey biscuits (cookies).
If you’re ever in Brisbane and want to get some really good homey grub Kiwi style, stop by this spot and enjoy. On the weekends, they offer hāngi — a method of cooking similar to how kalua pig is prepared, under the ground with hot rocks.
Grandmas Kiwi Kitchen
Shop 6/1, Murrajong Road
Springwood, QLD 4127
Tel 0403-143-201
Leave a Reply