Festival Series - Gerard's Bar launch of the James Street Food and Wine Trail

http://www.gerardsbar.com.au/

There is so much cool stuff going on in Brisbane it really is hard to keep up with it all.  July has seen the fun that was the Good Food Month which included the Night Noodle Markets as well as the annual Regional Flavours festival at South Bank.  The fun and frivolity doesn't seem like ending anytime soon with the third annual James Street Food and Wine Trail kicking off from the 31st of July to the 3rd of August.

The James Street Food and Wine Trail is a way to share in the celebration of all that is food and wine from one of Brisbane's top food precincts.   There will be fresh produce stalls, cooking demonstrations from live pop up kitchens, tasting corners and family fun zones to tease and tantalise the tastebuds and excite the soul.  Run by the James Street collective of bars and restaurants, the Food and Wine Trail is an event not to be missed.

You can check out the details here

To celebrate the launch of the Food and Wine Trail, we were invited along to the launch at one of James Streets newest and quite possibly hippest spots, Gerard's Bar.  If you've not been yet, Gerard's Bar is located just behind one of my favourite One Hat restaurants, Gerard's Bistro.  Run by the same team, head chef Ben Williamson has demonstrated his breadth of talent by establishing a bar menu that hits all the right notes.  The menu has a definitive Spanish and Italian feel to it, with plenty of cold cut meats, cheeses and sweets to tempt all who step through it's doors.

The James Street Food and Wine Trail promises to be a fun extravaganza for all interested in food, wine and fun.  Get yourself a map and head for the trail - it's going to be epic! (or, if you're reading this after the trail, make sure you plan for next year!)

@FoodMeUpScotty

**I was a guest of James Street Marketing and Gerard's Bar for this launch

The beautiful sobrassada was flame grilled and combined with Bee One Third rooftop honey and some rye toast

I think I've found a new favourite sausage meat with the cured pork and paprika tasting even better than my beloved chorizo!

There is a great selection of meats available from Gerard's and this charcuterie plate had just a sample included ham and tasty salami as well as some pickled vegetables

Wow, I've never had quail liver parfait but it was delicious and full bodied.  It had a slightly different taste than the usual duck liver parfait - meatier!

One of my favourites was the Mojama - cured and smoked loin of tuna from a local producer that had a rich and almost meaty flavour and a slightly chewy texture!

A great charcuterie bar needs to have cheeses and this mild Grandvewe sapphire sheep's blue cheese went well with the tasty Maffra cloth cheddar

The beautiful mulloway tartare was another favourite - the hand cut Jerusalem artichoke chips, kimchi, shiso and smoked lardo worked wonderfully well with the strong tasting mulloway

I love a good bresaola and the extremely thin and full flavoured wagyu bresaola from Gerard's bar was as good as I've had anywhere.

I'd heard that the Gerard's Bar Cheese Burgers were something special and one look at the pint sized burgers told me all I needed to know.  Melty cheese, two beef patties, bacon and relish was pure indulgence!

Gerard's Bistro does amazing desserts and it looks like its the same at Gerard's Bar.  This banana split had banana mousse, tonka bean ice cream, toffee jelly and oat crisps - it was heavenly!

Preparation is everything and Gerard's Bar was ready for action

The incredible meat slicer looked like it could have been built in a Ferrari factory - sleek and sexy

Gerard's bar is very cool and very understated.  It's dark but still light enough to see whats going on and the funky tunes help bring just the right vibe

The meat action happens here

I can think of no better place to hang out, enjoy some tunes, have a great cocktail and snack on some of the best bar food in Brisbane than Gerard's Bar