hahauuk's Profile
Farmers Markets : A massive rip-off?
Hmmm, I wonder if this needs to be part of the broader debate on food miles, supermarkets and our unrealistic expectation about food prices and fuel - all of which are inextricably linked.
I can't speak for London as I live in Australia but my observation is that for the most part genuine farmers markets represent good value on many levels, including supporting local producers, invigorating a local economy, supporting a local community. Some things may be more expensive but I would rather see my money going directly to the producer than propping up giant supermarket conglomerates who really do rip off farmers by dictating the price they will pay the farmer to produce that food. Farmers market produce should be lower - much lower - in food miles as the food should come from the surrounding area - not shipped, flown or otherwise transported thousands of km to you.
Another observation is that food in general (and again, I'm speaking of Australia) is pretty cheap compared with other costs of living and in fact there is an unrealistic expectation that food will remain that way. This is clearly unsustainable as so much of our food relies on fossil fuel across it's whole production. Farmers Markets challenge that expectation as you are paying the real cost of what is takes to produce that food. You are also paying someone for their time - some of these people work all week on a farm then do 2 days at the markets.
So I don't mind paying a bit more for fruit, meat and vegetable produced locally and sold at the farmers market - I love the atmosphere, I am injecting my money into a local economy, and it's great for the local community. And lastly, it depends on how you define rip off - personally I feel ripped off at the supermarket!
Unique Australian Cuisine
My advice would also check out any farmers markets that happen to be on. Often there are many farmers/producers who like to value-add by growing native or bush tucker crops that they sell at these markets.
If you are stopping in Cairns take a trip to Cape TribTropical Fruit Farm (http://www.capetrib.com.au/) as they do tastings. If you've never tried a mangosteen or a soursop or rollinia this is the place for you....
Other than that I can only concur with kmh and sample crocodile, kangaroo (both often available in supermarkets or good butchers to take home and prepare yourself) and find restaurants that prepare food using bush tucker ingredients.
Depending on your itinery try finding a tour conducted by indigenous people who may take you bush where you can experience real bush tucker.
Honeymoon in Oz
In Port Douglas, Sassi at Bale has a good repuation. Nautilus is very romantic....its an tropical outdoor place - http://www.nautilusrestaurant.com.au/
If you are prepared to drive a little further then Nu Nu at Palm Cove is awesome as well as quite romantic - the perfect honeymoon spot.
Best restaurant in Christchurch?
Loved the meal we had a The Bodhi Tree in Colombo Street. It's generally packed and not sure if they take bookings. It serves Burmese cuisine and you are meant to order a series of small plates to share. It was outstanding but not the cheapest meal I've ever had.
South Island, NZ restaurants
Also check out the restaurant and travel sections in New Zealand's best food magazine, Cuisine. www.cuisine.co.nz.
Traveling to Brisbane- Ideas?
Whie Australian Gourmet Traveller is a great resource it often doesn't cover the Brisbane scene - it's very Sydney/Melbourne -based. A winery tour is great too - closest winery to Brisbane is Mt Cotton's Siromet winery with Lurleen's restaurant but other than that it's a 3 hour trek to better stuff around Stanthorpe. So it depends on how much time you have. If you want to check out the food scene without venturing from the CBD frame then my recommendations are:
For fine dining Philip Johnson's L'ecco and Kim Machin's Urbane should be your CBD choice. Some other great offerings are Belle Epoque (The Valley), Anise (New Farm), White Rabbit (Yeronga), Rhubarb, Rhubarb (Wooloowin), Liqorish (Bulimba) and many others. All mentioned above are either train or ferry lines.
Have a read of the Courier Mail's Where to Eat section at
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/index/0,23806,5012434,00.html
as well as their 'Eat Streets' section (a link on the same page)
There are loads of cheaper ethnic places in the CBD - mostly Korean and Japanese - browse along Elizabeth Arcade in Elizabeth Street. West End has a plethora of Vietnamese places along Hargreave Road and the beautiful Mondo Organics on the same street. New Farm boasts it's own Texan BBQ place called Blue Smoke (if you really must...)
Enjoy and hope the information provided is useful.
