Last week John and I were invited to lunch with our good friends Jan and David at Daisy’s Place restaurant. Daisy’s Place is on Steve Irwin Way off the beaten track in Glenview (the Crocodile Hunter’s Australia Zoo is just down the road) and none of us had been there before but we’d heard about it.
Daisy’s Place was originally built in 1923 by ‘Daisy’ Emma Johnson who called it The Rustic Cabin. Daisy made homemade pies and Devonshire Teas and people from all walks of life were made to feel welcome there.
Fast forward to 2010 and the entrepreneurial Sue Joseph took over where Daisy left off. Sue paid homage to that wonderful hard-working woman and called her new restaurant Daisy’s Place. Sue has created a tropical oasis that you only see once you’re inside. Towering trees, native birds and clear country air is what we found when we stepped out onto the back verandah to find our table. There were two babbling water features close by and all I could think of was getting into a hammock and falling asleep to the sound of that water.
The menu changes frequently and is based upon the freshest local produce that’s available. The restaurant also has its own herb garden just out of view. There is an impressive wine list with Australian and international wines on offer.
After placing our drink order and catching up on David and Jan’s travel plans and their daughter’s upcoming wedding plans, it was time to order. When we go out together we usually stick to two courses. Jan and I can’t eat 3 courses so it’s wasteful. The decision today was an appetiser and a main – no dessert. Shocking for me, I know.
John chose the house bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and homemade dips of labneh and pesto. I sneaked a piece of bread and smeared some labneh on it and covered that with some pesto and I was in heaven.
Have you ever ordered from the specials menu delivered by the waitperson and then couldn’t remember the name of the dish? No? It happened to me when David had this lovely spanner crab cocktail. The top we decided was akin to avocado foam, then a soft gelatine layer which covered the crab. I didn’t taste this one as they shared it and I had my own appetiser.
When I read the menu and saw ‘Crumbed Camembert with grapes and a spicy plum sauce,’ I knew it was going to be mine. When the dish arrived, it reminded me of something my mother would have made to serve at card party nights. I loved it back then and biting into the softly melting cheese that had been dipped in the spicy plum sauce – well I’m ready to go back and have it again.
We enjoyed a few sips of wine while we waited for our main courses to arrive. It really was the most wonderful afternoon. The weather was perfect, the food was good and the friendship delightful. I didn’t feel guilty for not working one single bit.
David selected Daisy’s Famous Chicken and Mooloolaba Prawns in garlic cream sauce with mashed potatoes and greens. I looked at the dish and the sauce was glistening on top of those prawns and the chicken was well cooked without a hint of dryness.
Jan ordered the Fish of the Day which turned out to be ‘reef fish’ with nam jam sauce, scallops and rice and an Asian salad. Her plate looked the prettiest of them all but we all commented on how nice the food looked. Food always tastes better when it looks good, don’t you think?
John ordered the Trio of Lamb which was a rack of lamb, rolled shoulder of lam and lamb croquettes along with peas and baby vegetables. I knew when I saw the menu what John would order. After 20 years you just know. He patted his stomach when his plate was clean and said he could order that dish again.
I was craving a steak as I hadn’t had any beef in a while and I really enjoy it. I was mildly disappointed in my steak as I ordered medium rare and it was more medium than I like it. I couldn’t do anything about it as nobody came to the table to see if everything was okay. That was my only issue, however. The potato croquettes were outstanding.
My ‘dessert’ was this lovely dish of baked pumpkin with a yoghurt and garam masala sauce. I wish I’d had room to eat the whole thing. I’ll definitely try this one at home.
All four of us would be happy dining at Daisy’s Place again.
Daisy’s Place
2859 Steve Irwin Way
Glenview, QLD
Breakfast and lunch, Wednesday to Sunday 8-3
Dinner, Thursday to Saturday
Reservations: 07 5494 5192
It is so lovely to see some greens 🙂 ours did not come out yet as we are still experiencing some winter weather. I love labneh but never tried it with pesto before.
I love places that use fresh produce to decide on their menu. While it can take away from the ‘my fav food’ line, it has its own charm that is delightful. I love that no name drink, looks like a fun place!
I wish I had a Daisy’s Place. So inviting and relaxing and the food looks incredible. Plus I’d go to the Australian Zoo because, I’d probably need to walk off all those calories!
LOL I have a season pass to get all that walking done!
All of the dishes were winners and the surroundings would have make me want to stay and enjoy a leisurely glass of wine and a long chat. Enough time for the food to settle so I could look over the dessert menu cause pumpkin would not have been my first or fourth choice. 🙂
This looks like a lovely place to have lunch. The menu items look delicious!
Thanks for sharing your visit and your photos!
I do like the sound of this restaurant, Maureen. If my Alfie had been a girl, she would have been called ‘Daisy’. How lovely that you can sit outside in a tropical garden – sounds like heaven right now – we’ve had nothing but rain for days and everything is so soggy and damp. I love the look of your beef; it’s beautifully presented but what a shame it was over-cooked. I’m glad you had a lovely day out away from the office. How is Rob going in the aged care facility? xx
Dear Maureen,
The food looks great and like you, I would have opted for the crumbed camembert as well. LOL about shocking without dessert. I’m the opposite as I don’t have a sweet tooth and can forego that easily.
This sounds like a perfect place to share a meal with friends and the food really does look great. I’n not a deep fried eater so the crab dish would be more to my taste but I know my hubby would love it. I really dislike it when restaurants keep you hanging like that, doesn’t translate well to the overall service.
Love the name of this venue, Maureen, it just screams ‘happy place’. Such delicious food too!
What a cute restaurant!
All of the dinners looked wonderful, the atmosphere looks cozy, like something my husband and I would really enjoy. Thanks for sharing!
Everything looks really good and I can’t wait for you to try the pumpkin “dessert”! 😛 And yes when food looks good it certainly adds to the experience!
I would have been tempted with the lamb main too especially the lamb croquette which sounds intriguing. Actually, anything deep-fried in breadcrumbs is a no-brainer to order. Sounds like you had a well deserved break from the office in beautiful surroundings with great friends – win.
Maureen, that sounds like a wonderful place and the food looks so delicious!! One of my weaknesses is the bread, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, I could just eat that with a cold beverage and be ok. The food looks amazing! 🙂 Oh how I wish I could visit!!
Did you see my Chocolate Chip Paradise Pie copycat recipe!
Michael
https://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/04/15/chocolate-chip-paradise-pie/
Ooh, that crumbed camembert sounds fantastic!!! You showed a lot of restraint having baked pumpkin for “dessert!” Such a fun meal with friends 🙂
Gosh, every dish really looks like a winner. I’d probably have ordered the lamb too — must be a thing about guys named John! — but the Famous Chicken and Mooloolaba Prawns look mighty tempting.
Looks like a lovely place, I think I may have gone for the fish of the day but the lamb looks tempting too.
I’ll take that chicken with prawns on mashed potatoes! 🙂 ela
Sounds lovely Maureen. The baked pumpkin with a yoghurt and garam masala sauce sounds divine. What a great way to spend an afternoon.
Amazing food, relaxed time with friends at a beautiful place…it all sounds so perfect…almost heavenly!
Good golly I hate when blogger friends post about restaurants with photos of all the fabulous-looking dishes that I cannot get to. I’d eat here in a flash (though sorry about your steak. Been there, done that). But I am intrigued about the baked pumpkin with a yoghurt and garam masala sauce… for dessert? Please do come up with and post the recipe!
Crumbed Camembert sounds absolutely heavenly. 🙂
Happy Easter! May it be filled with lots of love, joy and chocolate!
That crab cocktail looks exceptional and Jan’s fish dish – wow! Now to that pumpkin with yogurt and garam masala sauce – I cannot wait to see your replication!
Daisy’s sounds wonderful!
This restaurant sounds and looks very nice…like the presentation of the dishes…nice place to hang with friends.
The dessert looks delicious!
Hope you are having a nice week Maureen 😀
That looks like a wonderful place! But what really got me was that crumbed Camembert! Brilliant idea too, I might try and make those at home!
What a wonderful place. The setting alone would convince me to go, and it sounds like they deliver on food too. I’m glad you checked it out!
What a great place! the food looks fantastic – it’s always fun to try to reproduce a lovely dish when you get home!
Mary
Sounds like a nice place to enjoy and relax.
Have a happy and blessed Easter celebration. Hugs, Catherine xo
I could go there right now—-and just relax. Sigh. Unique dishes which are beautifully presented. What a wonderful eating experience you had. Thanx for sharing.
Happy Chocolate Bunnies——-
That food looks all so terrific. If I knew it all looked like that I’d have a seriously hard time choosing from the menu. The crumbed camembert looks amazing. I usually used to have crumbed brie, since I’m not such a fan of camembert. It reminds me though – I haven’t eaten it in absolutely AGES! Need to fix that…
i live for fresh bread and dips! heaven!
hi maureen
i have a feeling we drove past that place a week or 2 back and i pointed it out to hubby. i love the idea of using local and seasonal food. makes it an adventure every time you go!
hi maureen
i think hubby and i drove past this place last week and commented on it. love that they use local and seasonal products- makes it an adventure each time you go!
This looks like a fun spot! Perfect post-zoo meal. 😉