Simple and delicious "Nonna" inspired Italian - I like everything about Arriva at New Farm. This neighbourhood gem has an avid and loyal customer base and as such it can be difficult to get a table- so bookings are best to avoid disappointment.

So what is it that keeps me and a throng of others coming back to Arriva? The answer is simple, it is the best Italian in Brisbane. The menu at Arriva is as you'd expect- starting with breads, antipasti and favourites such as calamari. Crisp salads, pastas, pizza, risotto and classic italian dishes such as scaloppine beg for your attention as you browse the menu.

Without fail I always order the Calamari- perfectly seasoned in a light crisp batter and served on a bed of rocket - simple and delicious and tender.

On this occasion Mr Eat Me Brisbane and I were in a pizza and red wine mood. We decided to order a mushroom and truffle pizza and a prosciutto, mozzarella and basil pizza. The verdict; both delicious- and arguably the most important element of the pizza- the base, was spot on thicker on the crust and a perfect flavour cradle on the base. Not at all doughy and not too thin.

On previous visits to Arriva i've had the Risotto ai funghi and the Gnocchi Gorgonzola- both dishes were very pleasing. The gnocchi here is almost perfect.

Arriva is both licensed and BYO- the wine list here is short however the Italian Reds on offer by the glass are both very quaff worthy.

What a debacle! Sister Eat Me Brisbane and her husband set off to south bank surf club for lunch. Having arrived at 11am they were promptly served drinks and presented with menus. The drinks arrived in good time, after pouring over the menu they decided it was time to order. After finally getting the attention of the waitstaff- they asked to place an order- only to be told that there was a break in service and the lunch menu could not be ordered from until 12. To which they asked if breakfast was still being served -they were informed that it finished at 11am. Sadly they were seated at 11 and presented with menus and the waitstaff didn't inform them of the break in service.

We will all have to go back to see if the food is any good - however this preliminary report puts me off going- as the staff clearly need better communication. This is not the only report i've heard of average staff. So lets hope a good concept won't be bought to its knees by bad first impressions before its even found its feet.

To celebrate a glorious Brisbane winter’s day replete with warm sun and a chill wind Mr Eat Me Brisbane, his mum, his nanna and I went to lunch at James St Bistro. The bistro is perfectly located on the James St precinct next to the Palace cinema and appreciably attracts the pre movie coffee and cake crowd. This is my fourth visit to the Bistro and I must commend them on being consistently pleasing. The food here is homely and well executed, the service is friendly, competent and efficient.

We were promptly seated and the waiter informed us of the specials – a tantalizingly tasty sounding rabbit ragout yum! First thing on the agenda though was wine! Although a concise wine list-, the key wine varietals are all represented and modestly priced hurray. I settled on a pinot grigio and my mother- in-law a sav!

The menu at James St Bistro is exactly what you’d expect from a modern Australian Bistro- a wide selection of meals designed to suit everyone’s palette with some more unique dishes to please foodies. I wasn’t ravenous so I had a squiz at the cabinet – there was a selection of freshly prepared wraps and paninis- I chose the Mediterranean vege panini. This was exactly what I’d hoped for plump marinated roasted vege with a yummy aioli- and not too oily as many med vege sangers can be!

Mr Eat Me Brisbane – satisfied his carnivore lusts with the Steak Burger- I had order regret as soon as I saw it – it was yum and the chippies with it perfectly seasoned and nicely crunchy!

M-I-L Eat Me Brisbane had the Peking duck rolls- which she loved- generous meat filling and the hoi sin was delish

Nanna Eat Me Brisbane decided on the Fish and Chips- the fish can be cooked to your desire- crumbed, battered or grilled. She chose battered- the batter was perfect and she declared she was happy.

We decided to take our coffee out into the sun and the bistro happily accommodated our wishes.

For a casual yet satisfying lunch with friends, great service and genuinely tasty meals- make your way to James St Bistro, I’d be very surprised if your disappointed.

James St Bistro

9 James St
Fortitude Valley, 4006
www.jamesstreetbistro.com.au

Unlike the dramatic french song-bird, Piaf hits a few flat notes. The hype surrounding Piaf since its opening made me look forward immensely to eating here. My sister, my dad and I nipped in for a quick lunch. Piaf is centrally located along the Grey St Precinct. Having eaten at Piaf before my sister recommended everything on the menu.