The Northern Territory news Thu 13 May 2010
NT news
The Northern Territory news; NewspaperNT
2010-05-13
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English
Community newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin; Australian newspapers -- Northern Territory -- Darwin
Nationwide News Pty. Limited
Darwin
application/pdf
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Nationwide News Pty. Limited
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2019C00042
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/221223
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/696707
16 NT BUSINESS REVIEW, May, 2010 P U B : N T N E W S D A T E : 1 3 -M A Y -2 0 1 0 P A G E : 1 1 6 C O L O R : C M Y K Our mystery reviewer tries a new eatery on Darwin's waterfront REMINISCENT of waterfront eateries in Brisbane and Melbourne, Curve Cafe Bar has the potential to become a pleasant meeting place away from the hustle and bustle. Decorated in Aboriginal inspired motifs and fresh ochre ish oranges, grass greens and crisp whites, the cafe part of the Vibe Hotel overlooks the waterfront and wave pool. The seating, a mixture of tables and informal benches, is plentiful both inside, in the very chilly air-conditioning, or outside in the partitioned alfresco area. Serving a modern Australian Asian fusion cuisine, the menu includes smatterings of bush foods, such as kangaroo, crocodile and bush chutney, as well as a variety of seafood. Other dishes have a distinctly Asian influence. We dined mid-week, accompanied by a handful of other customers, so it wasn't busy enough to explain the series of small service "oversights'' we experienced. We were seated and given menus and water promptly, but no-one returned to take our drinks order. When we did try to order both wine and food together we were only then told the restaurant had run out of salmon so certain dishes we wanted weren't available. When the meals arrived we still had no cutlery, which had to be brought to the table before we could begin. On their own these hiccups might have been trivial, but one after the other they made me wonder what might get forgotten, or go wrong, next. My meal of beer-battered soft shell crab, unfortunately, did not do much to improve my impressions. Perhaps my health conscious aversion to fried foods might explain why I didn't find the crab, or the accompanying small julienne salad, at all tantalising. This dish is available as both an entree and main; I probably should have stuck to trying it as an entree. The prawn linguine chosen by my companion, however, was delicious. Served in a light chilli, lemon, olive oil dressing, with shitake mushrooms, basil, onion, tomatoes and plenty of shaved parmesan it was very tasty, if a little heavy on the olive oil. This dish is also available as a vegetarian meal. Our wine, chosen off the modest wine list, was one of the most inexpensive but exceeded our expectations. Main meals are about $30, desserts between $11.50 and $20. A bottle of a fairly well known standard red wine will set you back about $60. Ouch! These meal prices are not uncommon in Darwin, or in hotel restaurants, but if I'm paying this sort of money I expect a little bit more service and style than I got on our evening. And perhaps what ultimately led to my disappointment is that Curve can't decide whether it is a cafe, bar, lounge or restaurant. Its choice of genre even differs on its promotional materials so you don't quite know what to expect. My final impression was that, for a restaurant, Curve is a little too cafe casual and for a cafe, its prices are a little too fine dining. But, for those who don't mind paying for a relaxed, out of-the-way waterfront respite, it might just hit the spot. HOSPITALITY16 RESTAURANT REVIEW CURVE scores : 13.25/20 RATING: Food . . . . . . . . . . 14/20 Service . . . . . . . . 12/20 Atmosphere . . . . 15/20 Value . . . . . . . . . . 12/20 *Total is derived from averaging scores out of 20 on the four areas of taste, service, atmosphere and value for money Curve style fails to match prices NEW EATERY: Curve on the waterfront ... away from the hustle and bustle Vegies cut down to size DARWIN-based Outback Stores is selling individual pieces of fruit and vegetables to boost the amount of fresh produce eaten in indigenous communities. The transition is being supported by the installation of scales in 25 remote community stores across the NT, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia. Outback Stores nutritionist Megan Ferguson said: "The move away from pre packaged produce will make fruit and vegetables more affordable by reducing the cost of supplying the produce, as well as allowing shoppers to purchase items individually if they wish. "Instead of leaving a pack of six tomatoes on the shelves because of the cost, or because they don't need that many, a customer can select just one or two. "They can still buy six tomatoes if they wish, but the price will be significantly cheaper because it won't include the cost associated with packaging.'' Ms Ferguson said "inadequate'' fruit and vegetable consumption had been shown to account for a 6 per cent mortality rate among indigenous people. "One of Outback Stores2 key priorities when working with communities to improve health outcomes is to promote increased sales of fruit and vegetables,'' she said. "Our customers tell us they love to buy their fruit and vegetables as fresh produce but there is evidence to suggest that the cost is a limiting factor when it comes to purchasing decisions. "We hope this move will help improve the already increasing rates of fresh produce sales in our stores.'' MONTHLY PROPERTY PAGES The NT Business Review is inserted into the Northern Territory News on the second Thursday of every month and also mailed to a list of companies interstate. Take advantage of NTBRs month-long shelf life and editorial opportunities while reaching 52,000 readers* in the Northern Territory. Our regular property pages give advertisers a platform in which to promote new and existing properties and projects. Real Estate-specific, it aims to produce an environment to educate readers and enhance opportunities for advertisers. Contact: Leigh Mathews Phone: (08) 8944 9826 mathewsl@ntnews.com.au JUNE FEATURES OPTIONS JUNE EDITION 4 6 F A 0 6 Please call 8944 9801 Booking & Material Deadline: Wednesday, May 26 Publication Date: Thursday, June 10 Self Improvement Services Does your business offer s e l f - i m p r o v e m e n t seminars for people within the workplace? Can you assist in enhancing team morale or management training? If you offer one on-one or group sessions for NT staff wishing to up skill and develop within their role in the workplace than advertise your business and events today! Contact Tony Burns E: burnst@ntnews.com.au All companies willrequire the services of a professional printer at one time or another. Advertising in this feature will allow you to promote your printing experience and expertise, and let thousands of local companies identify the skills that set you apart from the rest. Office Refurbs Planning to refurbish the office can become a disaster if you don't have the right services at hand. Companies that specialise in building, painting, flooring, IT networking, electrical cabling, the sale of office furniture and all office renovation aspects are invited to participate. Don't miss out on promoting your services to other Territory businesses wishing to renovate their workplace within this feature. Printing Services Contact Tony Burns E: burnst@ntnews.com.au Contact Christian Pradayrol E: pradayrolc@ntnews.com.au