Last week I reviewed lunch at the Woods Bar in Mitchelton (the review is here https://wiatw.com/2019/07/06/the-woods-bar/) and I wrote that I absolutely would be back. Today I went back!
I am not going to do an “update” or “redux” review every time I revisit a venue but had to write about this experience simple because it was so good … again!
This time we ordered everything the same as the lunch reviewed save that the Cajun cauliflower Koftas were replaced with the pork belly bites. The other thing we did differently was order two plates of fried pickles.
Commenting on the second difference first: the only explanation needed is the fried pickles are the best thing I have eaten since I have been writing this blog. I will be back to the Woods Bar if only to have more fried pickles.
The pork belly bites, which came with a sherry glaze, were outstanding. So good were they that they did not last long enough for me to get a photo. The pork was cooked perfectly and the glaze sticky whilst being a spot on accompaniment.
If anything this visit to the Woods Bar only solidified my view that this bar, if it is not already, is about to become the next “big thing” in Brisbane’s north side. Get around it people!
Popcorn Chicken – drizzled with ranch and buffalo sauce
Sautéed Chorizo – leeks, garlic, tomato and fresh herbs
Fried Pickles – with cheddar aioli
Cost: Each plate was $8 each except for the Chorizo which was $10 for the plate.
The Woods Bar (photo by author)
The Review:
As a local in Mitchelton, trying out any new venue along Mitchelton’s Main Street, Blackwood Street, is always a high priority. Having watched the Woods Bar come to life over the last month and launch last night today presented a great opportunity to test it out.
The menu, if anything, a little limited but only in number of items available. The Lunch / Dinner menu and the Morsels menu (from which we ordered) both contain dishes that look to be of the highest quality.
We ordered four plates to share (between two of us). To say I was impressed with the quality of each dish would be an understatement.
The Fried Pickles where an absolute standout. Sliced and lightly battered they were cooked to perfection and tasted great. Matched with cheddar aioli they could be a smart entree, an accompaniment of a larger main or a great snack if you happened to drop in for a drink at the Woods.
The three other dishes were also, as noted above, of a high quality. The highlights of each where:
The Cauliflower Koftas where perfectly cooked and had a unique flavour that actually made me enjoy eating cauliflower.
The Popcorn Chicken was combined well with the drizzled sauces and were so moorish they nearly demanded a second plate be ordered.
The Chorizo, much like the popcorn chicken, was perfectly accompanied with leek and garlic and was not too oily as one oft finds a share plate of chorizo.
This is another dining experience I can not fault. The Woods Bar has only been open two days but already seems to be dominating Blackwood Precinct with large crowds being seen each afternoon / night at the venue. With a great fit out and a significant range of beers and other beverages on tap I do not see its immediate popularity waining any time soon.
On the side:
I paired today’s lunch with a pineapple juice which was the perfect accompaniment.
Will I be back?
Absolutely – great venue, great food and very nice people.
The Last Word
This is the venue that Mitchelton’s Blackwood Street has been screaming out for: a well fitted out, dare I say “funky”, bar selling a limited but absolutely quality menu. Locals will flock to it and I expect it will become a must visit venue for those in the inner suburbs of Brisbane.
What I ate this week 