Where Restaurateurs Eat: George Curtis of Milquetoast and Before & After, Brisbane CBD

Even if you don’t recognise George Curtis by name, you’ll know him by his bars. Curtis owns two of Brisbane’s best boozers: George Street amaro den Before & After and Milquetoast the tiny wine bar tucked in a CBD garage.

Broadsheet sat down with Curtis to talk about the best cocktails in Brisbane, the Gold Coast spot he thinks is one of Australia’s best restaurants and the hangover feed that always sorts him out.

Where’s your favourite spot to go for takeaway?
Sankalp in Annerley. Pretty authentic Indian food, all things considered, and reliable when I can’t be bothered to cook.

What’s your favourite cocktail? And where do you get it?
Black Manhattan. The best one I’ve had in town is made by Tess at Antico. She always nails the balance. Otherwise, a dry Martini. It’s hard to look past the house Martini at Supernormal. Always icy cold and perfectly balanced, which are the two crucial aspects to any Martini.

Where do you go for drinks and a snack?
Bar Francine, without a shadow of a doubt. It’s a dream venue. Always buzzing, so welcoming and the food and drink is always absolutely delicious, whether it’s a full dinner or quick snack. Rick and Adrienne are such good hosts.

Where’s the best food close to where you live?
Oh Monk is a cracking Asian joint in Tarragindi. The duck curry slaps, the value for money is great and it’s a lively, fun fit-out, which makes for a good experience all-round.

Where do you go for a special occasion?
Bosco is legit. It’s a big space, so it threatens to feel cavernous and empty, but it’s fitted-out really well, the food is superb – particularly the mussel dish – and the place smells unreal when you walk in, which is super enticing. The wine list is interesting too.

Where can you get the best dessert in Brisbane?
The best dessert I’ve had in Brisbane is at Gum Bistro. The sticky date sponge with cardamom ice cream is something I have dreamt about ever since I had it. It’s a very English dessert, so call me biased, but it’ll be hard to beat.

What’s your favourite dish on the menu at Milquetoast?
Fish crumpets. It’s the flavours of fish’n’chips and it’s executed so well. Cured fish, curry aioli, herbed crumpet, pickles. Naughty!

What’s a hidden gem that’s underrated but great?
It’s not so much hidden, but somewhere that deserves more attention is Clarence in the Gabba. They’re in the top three for dining in Brisbane for me. I’ve been three or four times and I’m always blown away by how well executed and tasty the food is. They did a duck dish at one point that absolutely sent me.

What’s your go-to hangover feed?
Cafe O-Mai. A tamarind chicken banh mi and combination pho sorts me right out. I usually take away a piece of pandan cake too; I can’t help myself.

Where would you take someone you’re looking to impress?
Hopefully I impress my partner enough as it is, but if not, I’d take her to Restaurant Labart on the Gold Coast. It’s legitimately one of the best restaurants in the country with incredible service and food worth travelling and staying over for.

Where do you go for a late night post-service meal?
Late night feed options are limited (that’s why we opened Milquetoast!) but Doodee Boran is a go-to. It’s a laneway joint just down by Frogs Hollow Saloon, so it’s ideal for a post-session feed, and serves up big portions of authentic Thai street food in record time. I’m there twice a month, but I wish I was there more.