Vintaged Bar and Grill - Brisbane CBD

Having recently been reading online about the $29 lunch special at Vintaged Bar and Grill, I mentioned this to IronFist, who has most recently been on a protein binge and had to drag him away from the gym to go with me and check it out. Taking a quick stroll up Elizabeth Street, we arrived at peak lunch hour for our 12.30 reservation.

As you would expect of a restaurant situated in the Hilton, the setting was refined and relaxed. I loved the leather couches.

The menu, as you would expect, is focused on the lunch special, comprising of one drink, an entree, a main and a coffee.

Our meals started with a choice of red or white wine. Iron fist went for his preferred red and I followed suit.

Crusty bread complimentary bread was provided, which is always a plus. In terms of the bread, it was a rustic traditional sourdough, and I particularly liked its very porous texture, but it would have been immensely more enjoyable if toasted so that the butter could melt on top rather as opposed to having to force spread it.

Our entrees soon arrived, and for once, we both ordered the same dish (obviously because it was the best choice there).

This was the Wagyu Beef Tartare, served with chips, egg yolk and watercress. I quite enjoyed the tartare, it was fresh, meaty and had a nice tang to it from the capers, sauce and creaminess from the yolk. As for the chips, I found them to be fairly standard like the ones you could get from a supermarket.

After our entree plates were whisked aside, mains soon arrived, no doubt expedient for the corporate lunch time crowd.

Iron Fist ordered the Roast Pork Belly, it was served with apple & parsnip puree, grilled greens and horseradish. The pork belly didn't have a very crispy skin, it leaned towards chewy. I could definitely taste hints of soy and hoisin in it, coupled with the asian greens, it had a distinctively Chinese taste to it.

Wanting something different, I had the Beef Ragu, it was served with pappardelle, mushrooms, green olives and grana paderno. This was far more enjoyable than the pork belly, with a tender pappardelle soaked in rich beef jus. The beef was tender, stringy and delicious with the cheese making for a filling and hearty meal.

Our meals ended with coffee, as usual, he a flat white and myself a cappuccino. Both were quite milky but not overly strong, my cappuccino was doused in a large amount of cocoa, making it reasonably good for restaurant quality, but not at the level you would get from nearby cafes.

Price Range: $29pp lunch special

Taste: 6/10
Value: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Environment: 8/10