The days are heating up but the nights are still cool enough for you to indulge in some winter comfort food at The Barracks before officially swapping soups for salads.

Hanabishi Sushi Train

It can be hard to resist fresh sushi, especially when it’s presented on a never ending train of bite sized portions. However if you can avoid temptation at Hanabashi Sushi Train you will be rewarded with a hearty winter meal in the form of warming miso soup followed by a traditional Japanese curry, try the Katsudon!

Peasant

Peasant, just like winter, revolves around good food, wine and company; you may have to supply your own company but the rest is covered. Some say you shouldn’t choose perfume for others and we feel that way about tapas, but at $6 you can’t go past the bread with roast garlic and extra virgin olive oil. As far as wine goes, one of the Spanish cabernet blends should get you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, how about the 2003 Covides Duc Du Foix?

The Chelsea

The ultimate winter meal would have to be a good hearty steak and The Chelsea offers just that. The Rangers Valley Wagyu striploin (250 gm) is served with parsnip hash and a red wine, shallots, and thyme jus. Try following it with the ginger cake served with poached pear, fresh cream and spiced syrup for a real treat.

Coaldrake’s Bookshop

Curling up with a great book may not be a very suitable food suggestion but it’s a winter indulgence nonetheless. The knowledgeable and passionate staff at Coaldrake’s Bookshop are always happy to recommend a good read, whether you prefer to spend those long winter evenings wrapped up in fantasy or brushing up on your history.  To complete the experience, take a freshly made coffee or hot chocolate home with you from Coaldrake’s Espresso Bar.

What will you be getting Dad for Father’s Day this year? You could take him out for a meal at his favourite restaurant or maybe you could send him off for a bit of pampering while you roll up your sleeves and give his car a wash. Or perhaps you could treat him to all that and more courtesy of The Barracks.

This year we will be giving away The Ultimate Father’s Day package to one very lucky eNews reader. The winner can take Father’s Day easy while we take care of their Dad. The package includes:

-       A shave and a haircut at Jimmy Rods Barber

-       Lunch or dinner at The Barrack’s restaurant of Dad’s choice

-       4 x Movie Tickets at Palace Barracks

-       A car wash at Secure Wash

-       … and more!

Entry is limited to eNews subscribers and full details will be released in our September eNews.

Registration is even easier than buying Dad yet another tie, sign up now >>>

The Ekka offers all of the excitement and bright lights that you’d expect when the country meets the city. However after comparing a day out at The Ekka to a relaxing day at The Barracks, you may find yourself reconsidering how you’ll spend your RNA Show Day on the 11th of August.

Getting There
Your day out at The Ekka begins with packing a bag with the day’s necessities and making your way towards your local bus or train station. A short drive away lies The Barracks, with ample undercover parking (free for the first 2 hours) and hardly a line in sight.

The Day Begins
With your wallet in hand, where it will spend a good portion of your day, lining up to get through the Showground gates. Mentally preparing yourself for the mayhem that is the Ekka, running through your days schedule and hoping your carefully selected Showbags aren’t sold out. Meanwhile, at The Barracks you could be sitting down to a cup of coffee and decadent pastry at French Twist.

The Strawberry Sundae
There aren’t many people, young or old, who can get through a day at The Ekka without buying at least one of the infamous Strawberry Sundaes. While Movenpick Ice Cream may not be able to rival on the basis of nostalgia they can definitely compete on taste. Their Strawberry Sorbet combines pureed strawberries with delicate morsels of strawberry flesh to create a creamy textured natural-fruit sorbet with no artificial additives or colours.

Lunch
While the novelty of eating a Dagwood Dog for lunch has a certain amount of appeal it won’t offer you the same satisfaction as a sit-down meal at one of The Barrack’s fine dining options. With The Ekka in mind you may choose a gourmet burger at FAB Fish & Burgers, a wood-fired pizza at Pizzeria 1889 or a mouth watering steak at Hogs Breath Café.

Showbags
The Showbag Pavilion transports you to a world of overpriced novelty toys and treats that could be found in your local Coles supermarket. While The Barracks can’t offer you Bertie Beatles we have created our very own showbag. We are giving away 10 in our next newsletter, valued at over $100 and including an indulgent selection of Bittersweet Chocolates, you definitely won’t find these in your average Showbag. Sign up to The Barracks eNews now for details on how to win a very exclusive The Barracks Showbag.

The Evening’s Entertainment
The smartest move after lugging around oversized soft toys and a few kilograms of candy for the best part of the day is finding a seat in the Community Arena and settling in for cowboys, monster trucks and fireworks. While it’s unlikely there will be a slightly bewildered cowboy wandering around The Barracks, we can promise authentic Australian entertainment. The Palace Barracks Cinemas is currently showing two Australian films, The Waiting City and Animal Kingdom.

Winding Down
On the way home from The Ekka, most people find themselves crammed into some form of public transportation congratulating themselves for making it through the day. Alternatively, after a relaxing day at The Barracks you can head home at your own leisure without having to take a precautionary cold and flu tablet.

With the Ekka just around the corner, we’ve been channelling the spirit of novelty toys and Bertie Beatles to devise our very own The Barracks Showbag. If you prefer decadent dining to dagwood dogs, then this is the showbag for you.

Very soon we will be giving away 10 showbags valued at over $100 each, packed with luxuries from The Barracks including Bittersweet chocolates, movie passes, beauty vouchers and more. We will also be giving away three Admit Two Passes to The Palace Opera & Ballet screening of Ondine.

To find out how you can receive The Barracks exclusive showbag and Ondine Passes all you need to do is sign up to The Barracks eNews before August 3rd. Our August eNews will have details on the giveaway, along with exclusive monthly specials and happenings at The Barracks.

Register now to find out how to put yourself in the running for our amazing August giveaways.

Register for The Barracks eNews >>

The Barracks is one of the best spots in Brisbane to enjoy Brisbane Festival’s QBE Riverfire. With uninterrupted views of the river you can enjoy the spectacular in style followed by a night of entertainment.

After the fireworks display Palace Barracks Cinemas will be hosting an exclusive preview of The Girl Who Plays With Fire. The evening will begin with a glass of wine sponsored by Brown Brothers and tapas on arrival.