Local Traveller: Bookfest & Era Bistro

There’s one of two things that can happen to you upon entering the Lifeline ‘used book abyss’.

You smell op shop old people smell and decide to go home or you recognize the literary goldmine before you and begin to sweat.

Hopefully the latter!

But before you rush in, keep in mind that the book fair is in its 20^th year and has allowed some seasoned readers to make a career (or fetish) out of it, and to compete you must come prepared.

To do it like a Bookfest pro:

1. Bring a granny wheel trolley (yes, the one in tartan pattern)
2. Wear cotton gloves to keep fingers clean
3. Come in the morning – that’s when fresh boxes are put out
4. Pace yourself – there are two massive exhibition halls in which books are divided into three categories – fallen apart, acceptable, and good quality. The honey pot at the end contains collectables, limited editions and out of print books
5. Refuel – in the cafe out the back of the halfway point
6. Bring a list – textbooks, favourite authors, the names of people who would accept a 2^nd hand cookbooks for their birthday, conspiracy authors removed from shelves by the government – it’s your chance to find them all here

But don’t stress if you can’t meet pro standard.

Last week I arrived bagless in the afternoon and still managed to walk away with a reasonable bounty – for $10.50 I got two bags of books… what a bargain!

Plenty of time left to check it out:

8:30AM – 5:00PM Friday 22 January

8:30AM – 8PM Saturday 23 January; Sunday 24 January.

ERA BISTRO http://www.erabistro.com.au

OPEN: 7days for lunch and six days for dinner.

ADDRESS: Just across the road from the Brisbane convention and Exhibition centre on the corner of Merivale and Melbourne Street show map & street view

Okay so it’s a little bit posh.

You get that feeling when you walk in, but by the time you’ve sunk your teeth into one of their delicious tapas, and you’ve sipped your first glass of one of their fine wines – you can feel the prejudice wash away! And so you bloody should!

Era Bistro was not only was awarded Brisbane’s top ten restaurant in 2009 Gourmet Traveller, but also top rating at the 2009 Australian Wine List of the Year Awards.

But let’s cut to the chase.

THE FOOD:

Dinning in the outside area while looking over a busy street I ate from the bar menu which is dips, cheeses, gourmet pizzas and tapas – all perfect for sharing.

The warm salty fried Haloumi cheese dipped into spicy corn chutney was a standout, as well as the tender beef and mushroom skewers in sumptuous truffle sauce.

It was affordable – a plate of four different tapas costs $22.00 and any additional selection for $7.00.

THE WINE:

Although no fancy linens were required for the dinning experience I’m sure the staff were as courteous and knowledgeable as in any ‘5 star’ restaurant.

With tastings included, our waitress helped to choose the Gewurztraminer by Greystone 2008 ($45.00 per bottle) and a Riesling by Wilson Vineyard 2009 ($9.50 per glass).

And how right she was!

The Riesling was like liquid gold – sweet, delicate and perfect with the Margarita Pizza.

The January Discovery Menu ($130.00 per person), which is like a degustation menu with a matching wine for every one of its six courses, looks like a great introduction to the marriage of food and wine that Era is famous for.

THE BILL:

A light meal for 4 people, bottle of wine, beer and cocktails cost $140.00.

If it’s a little pricey to eat – at the very least pull up a stool at the bar and try one of their amazing cocktails, wines or beers on tap.

The bar price list for draught, domestic and imported beer list can be found here: http://www.erabistro.com.au/FolioFiles/178/1507-Era%20Bar%20Beer%20List%20Mar08.pdf