Weekends this time of year are my favourite. Sunshine, not too much heat and the option to choose from both your summer and winter wardrobe wear. Planning a lunch catchup with my favourite girls Linda and Vee for last weekend we weren't sure where to go initially - just that we wanted to take advantage of the sun, and that alcohol was needed.
A little brainstorming led us to newbie on the block, Northbridge Brewing Company. It's only opened recently, with two storeys of bar and dining areas, a rooftop Skydeck and a great range of alcohol and food to choose from.
NBC Collins
I arrive at 12.30pm Saturday to see the girls just sitting down at a prime outdoor table the overlooks onto the Northbridge Piazza. Already NBC is jam packed with families, groups and couples enjoying boards of beers, burgers and all kinds of heart damaging but delicious looking foods. It's looking like the best kind of pub grub!
We each order a drink to enjoy while perusing the menu. Linda and I both opt for an NBC Collins ($11.50) which is gin, lemon juice, soda and a cherry. A nice summer drink - very refreshing! Vee chooses the Pimms Piazza ($11.50) which looks perfect for the sunny day. We probably should have ordered a beer but I knew if I drank beer I'd probably fall asleep.
Onion rings
We're all starving so we pick a few items (probably one too many as usual) to share, then head up to the bar to order and pay.
First up to the table is the stack of onion rings ($8) which are golden and chunky, accompanied by a curried ketchup. They're a good serving size for the price, crunchy though too oily for my own tastes. I love the sauce however, it has a real tang to it that makes you want to return over and over again for more.
Hush puppies
One of my favourite dishes is the hush puppies ($9). They're bite size fried polenta with corn, cheddar and green onion inside, with ranch sauce accompanying. They're so, so, so good! Fluffy, flavoursome and well seasoned. A must order if you're visiting NBC!
Mini dog
Mini dog
There's a selection of breaded items you can choose from which all sound yummy and perfectly fatty. This is turning into a great cheat day for us all!
Vee chooses a bratwurst mini dog ($6 each) with beer braised onions and house curried ketchup. For $6 it's a pretty decent size, with the mini-dog held together with a large skewer.
Cheese jaffles
The toast on the outside is so wonderfully crunchy you can actually hear it as we bite down. I'm all about truffle and well if you can't get the real thing then truffle oil will have to do! It's earthy, cheesy and so decadent - working well with the sweet yet tart onion jam. I'm so surprised by how much I really loved this.
The Caveman
The Caveman
The final dish to come to the table is the Caveman pizza ($24) which is made up of pepperoni, chook, steak, pulled pig, mushrooms, olives and smokey bbq sauce. Thin, crisp base is covered in all kinds of meaty goodness, herbs and that lovely rich barbecue sauce that binds all ingredients together.
I like it, but it's nothing special and I definitely am full after a slice from all the other heavy fried items we've devoured for lunch. Thank god the other item (fish croquettes) we wanted to order too were sold out! Sometimes we really are way too ambitious!
I really liked Northbridge Brewing Company - it's exactly what Northbridge has been hanging out to have as an addition. It's a gigantic institution nestled between Mustang Bar and the Piazza, and already attracting a loyal following from what I hear. I'm definitely keen to go back when the full menu is available to try the likes of the 12 hour braised beef cheek, or the wonderful desserts they'll be offering. Next time I'll remember not to kill myself with all the dude food snack items - yes they're delicious, but boy do they fill you up something crazy!
Tasty
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