There have been a few places I have been wanting to go and eat in the last few months but being so restricted food wise all I could do was dream about them and lay in waiting for the time when I could eat real food again.  That time has finally come, well about a month ago anyway.  Two of those such places were The Clever Duck and Mama Coco who coincidently are run by the same people.  I have previously written posts on both of The Clever Duck and Mama Coco however Davey, Bill and co are doing exciting new things at both establishments and I thought that called for a brand new post.  Besides if I was going to eat there then I was definitely going to post about it!  I’ll have to save the Mama Coco one for another day because this post is reserved for The Clever Duck.

Having only been open since April this year The Clever Duck has already developed a huge following of locals and fellow foodies because of it’s delicious food and breezy, serene location in Forest Gardens.  Only recently they have come up with The Clever Canteen on Saturday’s and Sunday’s from midday to 4pm.  This particular time we went was for the Labour Day Long Weekend on the 6th of October (yes I realise that was nearly a month ago but I have been overseas, no not working but on holiday).  More on that very soon.

I got a group of friends together and we headed out to Forest Gardens for an afternoon of eating and drinking.  When we arrived the TCD was only about a third full but our group of 9 filled the place up a little bit more.  Bill, the host, politely showed us to our table and explained the menu to us.  The menu at The Clever Canteen is designed for grazing with a choice of four different types of meats for $9 per portion and salads, grains and veggies $5 per portion.  There is also the option of three tasty sauces for $1, grazing plates with sour dough and antipasto for $25 plus things for the ducklings (kiddies) at around the $5 mark.

Since The Clever Canteen is currently BYO with no corkage MS and I took full advantage and planned to get absolutely wasted so we pulled out our bottle of tequila and some shot glasses.  Haha, just kidding.  A couple of Rekorderlig Ciders on a Sunday afternoon at TCD was just what the doctor ordered (I think Rekorderlig is amazing or as my good friend TW would say are ‘like angels peeing on my tongue’).

After having a look over the menu which true-to-form I had already looked over many times on TCD‘s Facebook page we ordered a few plates each and went from there.  First up I went for the Dry Rubbed Smoked Pork Shoulder with Southern Style Whiskey and Sweet Onion Sauce and a side of Saffron Basmati Rice, Dried Cranberries, Pistachios and Mixed Herbs all for $15.  Shit yeah!  Pretty good if you ask me.  MS ordered the same except instead of the Basmati Rice he chose the Pink Eye Potato Salad, Radish, Dill, Sour Cream and Horseradish as his side.  Across from me my favourite sweet toothed blogger Baking Myself Happy ordered the Prosciutto Wrapped Rosemary and Chicken Thigh with Thyme Roasted Pumpkin, Mushroom, Tomato and Shallot.  With the delicious aromas of the BBQ sizzling away outside with Davy at the helm our first round of food didn’t take long to arrive.  Initially I thought the portion size was a little small but then I looked at the size of the cut of Pork Shoulder that was in front of me and remembered that it had cost a mere $15 and soon realised what awesome value The Clever Canteen was.

Dry Rubbed Smoked Pork Shoulder with Southern Style Whiskey and Sweet Onion Sauce and a side of Saffron Basmati Rice, Dried Cranberries, Pistachios and Mixed Herbs (AU$15)

The Dry Rubbed Smoked Pork Shoulder was probably some of the best, if not the best pork I have ever had.  All too many times I have had dry, chewy pork but this…  this was something else.  It was juicy and succulent and the Southern Style Whiskey and Sweet Onion Sauce was that good that I pretty much licked the ramekin clean to finish it off after my pork was gone.  The Saffron Basmati Rice was also a hit at our table with just the right amount of sweetness from the cranberries, crunch from the pistachios and herbs to flavour the dish.  MS and I also ordered some Wood Fired Sour Dough with Wattle Seed Dukkah and EVOO for AU$5 because lets face it, who can resist dukkah and sour dough!  Everyone declared how excellent their respective meals were and after we finished our first plate half the table was already looking at the menu for what they were going to have for their next plate – not because we were still hungry (well I was but I am an eating machine to put it lightly) but because we wanted to try more of the amazing dishes that were on offer.

Wood Fired Sour Dough with Wattle Seed Dukkah and EVOO (AU$5)

Next up I chose the Herb Crusted Roast Tableland Sirloin this time with Smokey Chimichurri for the sauce and the Pink Eye Potato Salad and MS got Sirloin also except he chose the Roasted Pumpkin and Mushroom Salad.  As we finished off our first cider and moved onto our 2nd (I had 2, MS was driving so he only had one) our second plates of food arrived at the table.  My big cut of sirloin, like the pork, was cooked to perfection and had that lovely grilled/BBQ taste.  The chimichurri sauce was the perfect accompaniment and the potato salad was definitely my favourite side dish of the day.  I have a massive weak spot for potato salad.  And macaroni cheese.  I loved the sirloin but I just couldn’t go past the pork.  That was an absolute standout for me whilst MS thought the sirloin was better.  Different strokes, different folks but they were both awesome.

Herb Crusted Roast Tableland Sirloin with Thyme Roasted Pumpkin, Mushroom, Tomato and Shallot

Across from me KK who was still relishing in her first meal of Dry Rubbed Pork had ordered a Grazing Plate of Soft, Hard and Blue Cheese with Chutney Fruit and Sourdough for $25.  The Grazing Plate served on a large wooden bread board was presented beautifully and neatly and I secretly wished that I had ordered one.  Lucky for the rest of us at the table KK ate as much as she could (hardly any) and then moved the board into the middle of the table for the rest of us to devour.  I went straight for the blue cheese because lets face it, a cheese platter isn’t a cheese platter without that mouldy goodness.  The soaked dried fruits were delicious and I am now kicking myself for not finding out what they were soaked in.

Grazing Plate of Soft, Hard and Blue Cheese with Chutney, Fruit and Sourdough for AU$25

Although I wanted to keep eating savoury dishes and get through all four of the main BBQ portions – fish and chicken still to go – I knew that it was time to check out the dessert dishes inside the cabinet near the counter.  MS and I went over and had a look and after at least 10 minutes of umming and ahhing what each of us should get and then what the other could get so one could taste it and then consulting the waitress as to which one was better than the other.  We finally chose a small slice of the Chocolate and Sultana Brownie with Ice Cream, the Almond, Pear and Frangipane Tart and a slice of Banana Bread, warmed up with butter.  It was a hard choice and if I could have had my way I would have eaten one of everything in the cabinet but alas I have to exert a little bit of self control.  Yes MS and I are fatties (on the inside) but we workout *insert chorus for the song I’m sexy and I know it*.  A lot.  All three of the desserts were fantastic with the exception of the Almond and Frangipane Tart which was exceptional.  There is something about the texture of the tart that just did it for me.  MS was content eating his boring slice of Banana Bread (good but boring) and left me to my own devices with the entire tart and the brownie.

Slice of Chocolate Sultana Brownie with Ice Cream for AU$1.50

Almond, Pear and Frangipane Tart

Warm Banana Bread with Butter

About halfway through our lunch more people started to arrive until the place was chock a block.  Not too many people but enough to fill the place up both outside on the deck and inside where we were sitting.  The amazingly talented and beautiful singer Amy Chase and her guitarist set up outside on the deck and played some lazy tunes whilst families set up picnic blankets in the afternoon sun out on the lawn in front of the deck.  It was the perfect afternoon to end finish off a perfect Sunday with fantastic food, great service and great friends in a relaxed atmosphere by the pond.  I really like the concept of The Clever Canteen – being able to mix and match your food.  There are exciting times ahead as the team at The Clever Duck and Mama Coco are doing some great things for the local food scene with pop up restaurants and weekend BBQ’s like The Clever Canteen.  I only hope that other cafe’s and restaurants take a leaf out of their book to help create a more diverse Melbournesque food culture for our vibrant city.  Bring it on!

PS:  If you haven’t got your tickets for the Melbourne Cup Soiree at TCD then you better get in soon.  With canapés, a bountiful banquet and a dessert pony (whatever that is) it’s the winning trifecta for a kick ass day.

PPS: After all the ranting and raving I have done about these guys I just want to say that I have no ties or links to Mama Coco or TCD.  I do however believe that if a café or restaurant in Cairns is up to scratch then I will shout it from the rooftops, or at least from the safety of my couch and my Toshiba Ultrabook.  As many of my readers should know it’s hard to find good food, good service and good atmosphere in Cairns so when you find all three you know you’re onto a winner.

The Clever Duck

Lakeside, Forest Gardens Blvd, Forest Gardens QLD 4868

Ph: (07) 4036 3936

Opening Hours: The Clever Canteen – Sat and Sun 12pm – 4pm, normal hours Wed – Fri 7.30am – 2.30pm, Sat and Sun 7.30am – 4pm

Website: www.thecleverduck.com.au