This post ends the last of my Hobart series and reflection of a wonderful weekend away. Separate from the rest, this post focuses on a few eats around town that were not mentioned in Part 1 and Part 2. As a guide, I've posted from least favourite to must visit.
Jackman & McRoss:
We walked past this place on day 1 after exploring Battery Point but had breakfast here the next day. Outside were small tables of people with their dogs and coffees - this seems to be the trend everywhere! - and inside were these magnificent displays of cakes and pastries.
It always baffles me when cafes charge more for eat-in, I guess they have to make profit some how.
We ordered coffee, and though mild in flavour, it was still better than expected. While the cafe itself is not particularly large and all the food seems to be premade and reheated anyway, we still waited a good 35 mins for food; best not to come here if you were planning to catch a ferry to Bruny Island early in the morn...
Soy Latte $4
I don't even remember what this was, some sort of poached eggs with wiltered spinach, corned bread(?) and a meatball(?). Oh, and it had beans on the bottom! I definitely don't recommend this...
Choriozo, gruyere and carmelised onion wrapped in puffed pastry $7.80
After waiting half an hour I expected a bit more, but I guess for the price I should've known better. It was pretty much a pig in a blanket with some chutney and rocket salad (no dressing).
Lemon Meringue Tart $6.00 (TA)
While the savoury dishes were a let down, have to give props to this meringue tart. It's huge for the price, around the size of my palm as you can see! Soft peaks of meringue on top with a good citrus hit from the lemon curd and buttery short crust pastry.
Verdict: Come here but don't stay, grab a few pastries or maybe a pie to go.
Daci & Daci Bakers:
Silly us tried to come here on the Sunday morning before realising they were closed (which consequently lead us to Jackman & McRoss) so we it made a mission to hit this place early Monday morning before our flight home.
Even at just before 7am, this place was busy with a couple of suits and a few people in their sportswear buying loaves of bread. The place had a warm and friendly vibe, mirrored in the service of their staff.
Silly us tried to come here on the Sunday morning before realising they were closed (which consequently lead us to Jackman & McRoss) so we it made a mission to hit this place early Monday morning before our flight home.
Even at just before 7am, this place was busy with a couple of suits and a few people in their sportswear buying loaves of bread. The place had a warm and friendly vibe, mirrored in the service of their staff.
Even in the early morning I was craving a sugar hit, the rows upon rows of beautiful pastries were so hard to resist. I got a couple of small tarts and croissants take away for my colleagues, at a really affordable price of $4 each and for myself a huge slice of this pear tart ($7). It was a bit of a struggle carrying them home in one piece so it didn't look too pretty by the time we landed, oops.
Pork and Fennel Sausage Roll $10 (TA)
Late apologies to the lady sitting next to me on the plane while I was eating this sausage roll, I bet the smell made her mouth water and tummy hungry. I loved the ratio of meat to pastry, and it was quite filling for the size. The pork filling was so flavoursome and the chutney that came with gave it a bit of spicy kick. This was super tasty and could definitely give Bourke St Bakery a run for its money.
One of my colleagues actually recommended for me to try Daci & Daci before my trip, especially for the savoury french toast or the Croque Monsieur with huge bread slices. While I would of love to try them both, was happily satisfied with my departing presents from Hobart.
The Standard Burgers:
This was lunch on the first day, and I would have made it dinner as well if we didn't have reservations at Ethos. I have such a deep seeded love for burgers; it's a representation of all things I love about food. It can be so uncomplicated, but executed with such perfection that the first bite makes you take gratitude for simpler things in life.
The Standard, by definition, IS the simple, but done to the next level (which sounds a bit like an oxymoron). Owners Christian and Sam, who worked together serving fine food at MONA's The Source, took the concept that after a long day of work, you just want to sink your teeth into a juicy burger and not go make yourself a 4 course meal. And ta-da, The Standard was born with BYO booze and opened till 10pm.
The Standard Burgers:
This was lunch on the first day, and I would have made it dinner as well if we didn't have reservations at Ethos. I have such a deep seeded love for burgers; it's a representation of all things I love about food. It can be so uncomplicated, but executed with such perfection that the first bite makes you take gratitude for simpler things in life.
The Standard, by definition, IS the simple, but done to the next level (which sounds a bit like an oxymoron). Owners Christian and Sam, who worked together serving fine food at MONA's The Source, took the concept that after a long day of work, you just want to sink your teeth into a juicy burger and not go make yourself a 4 course meal. And ta-da, The Standard was born with BYO booze and opened till 10pm.
Double Standard $10
The killer must-order: a simple combination of double patty, double cheese, lettuce, and pickles. The buns, which are baked fresh daily, were also amazing. Slightly toasted but soft and holds all the juice in it. The meat is also freshly grounded on site - do not expect it to be slightly pink in the middle or the gourmet angus/wagyu kind you'll find in Sydney or Melbourne.
The Godzilla $12
We ordered this upon recommendation from the staff member. A combination of crumbed chicken, bulldog sauce, sesame dressing, cabbage, tomato, pickles and mayo. Like seriously, look at the size of that chicken!! The panko crumbled chicken was still moist and not too oily and the spicy 'bulldog' sauce and sesame dressing lifted this burger to new flavour territories. Could have prob done without the tomatoes and just have cabbage but that's very minor.
Nori Fries $5
We knew we wouldn't have had enough stomach space for the animal or chupa (pulled pork) fries, but just had to get some kind of potato. The simple alternative were the shoe string fries dusted with nori, or seaweed, powder that gave it a salty and smokey taste. We also ordered a malted Oreo milkshake ($8), that was a bit too thick to drink at first, but still hella good.
Even the location and overall aesthetic of the place gives justification for its simplicity. It is located within an alleyway in central Hobart and there are no tables and chairs, more of a platform on the side if you wanted to sit. These burgers are definitely in my top 5 and I hope they open, at least a pop-up, in Sydney soon!
***
For a small city, Hobart is doing big things with their food. There are so many other places in Hobart, and Tasmania in general, I want to try and this trip barely hit them. From farm to table and fine dining, to street snacks in markets and beautiful pastries, and finally the invasion of American burgers done effortlessly; this city is standing out by its own merits.
You've been great, Hobart.