KC's Food Affairs

Peace, Love, and Pancakes

2012-01-05T19:21:00.002+11:00

The Place: Cafe' Qu Bah

Address: Shop 101 Mid Valley Shopping Center, Morwell, VIC 3840
Cost: Breakfast, lunch and mains (doubles as a bar at night) all ranging from $10 to $25, however most in the under $20's.
Hours: 8am till 5pm weekdays, till late Friday and Saturday.
Style: Cafe / Bar

Rating: 4/5 - Hot Fling!

When my fabulous Daddy passed away early last year, Mum decided to move down from the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, to Victoria. To my utter dismay, she happily settled herself in Morwell.

All I knew about Morwell, was that it was a little town smack bang in the middle of the Latrobe Valley (that's our coal power plant area in Victoria for those of us not from round here), and being an environmentalist, that wasn't a super sexy proposition for me. Sure enough, Mum's house (which is wonderful by the way) has a gorgeous view of not one, but two coal power plants... oh the joy.

That said, I've grown really love Morwell. The older people of the down are downright delightful, the RSL puts on a great value and tasty all you can eat buffet on a Friday and Saturday night for $15, the local markets offer up some amazing continental eats with so many Greek, Italian and Dutch peeps in the town, and there are some lovely cafe's - Cafe' Qu Bah is one of these.

The Food
Mum and I, treating ourselves for no other reason than that of us being 'awesome in every way', went out for breakfast in Morwell's largest shopping hub, the Mid Vally Shopping Center.

We sat down and were served quickly with our English Breakfast Tea and our orders were taken - I ordered the Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes, and Mum went for the Fresh Blueberry Pancakes - both with cream and ice cream of course.

The Apple and Cinnamon Pancakes (pictured top) were delicious! The apple/cinnamon topping was perfectly sweet yet tart and the pancakes were like fluffy clouds! I actually only stopped eating because the portion was so large! SUPER YUM!

Mum's awesome Fresh Blueberry Pancakes

Mum had the pick of the two however with her Fresh Blueberry Pancakes - the blueberry coulis was indeed fresh and packed with flavour - dripping all over the fluffy pancakes with the ice cream melting into it... mmmmmmmm. Divine, seriously.

And everything else?
Although the outside of this place looked a bit bleak, the interior is quite nice, with enough space for you to feel you're by yourselves. The acoustics are great too - there was a family enjoying their Sunday morning breakfast with about 5 excitable kids and we hardly noticed them. This was definitely a relaxing breaky spot.

Food Envy
Well, although this would make me a bit of a pig, some of the cooked savory breakfast items really did look amazing - the simple bacon and eggs was very generous and the bacon looked crispy!! I'll definitely be back here, what a hot fling!

The entrance of Cafe' Qu Bah

Those wings, they be LOCO! o_0

2012-01-03T18:16:00.001+11:00

The Place: Crazy Wings

Address: 177 Russell Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Cost: This place charges per piece. Veg is around the $1 to $2 mark, meats $2 to $4 and seafood and other dishes around $3 to $5.
Hours: Lunch to very late (I may have stumbled past here at midnight one time... maybe...)
Style: Chinese

Rating: 2/5 - It's not us, it's YOU

The Food
In the city and hungry, we decided to hit one of the places our friends had recommended to us - they said the chilli was challenging... so naturally my hubby was keen as mustard to try it. Silly boy... (that comment will make sense later, please read on *winks*)

You order everything by piece here, so it's really easy to get carried away, and naturally, we got carried away and ordered 2 of most things.

Here is what we ordered and what we thought of it - important to note however, excluding the Crazy Wings, the Fried Rice and the Cucumber Salad, the rest of the BBQ'd tidbits can be summed up very quickly with one word - Cumin. It's a spice we all like, and I suppose some of us hate, but really... on everything? *shakes head*

Cucumber salad - sour, refreshing and just a little sweet. I'm obsessed with these salads - super yummy! Oh, and a MUST if you're gonna take on the Crazy Wings. Seriously. And yes, it had Cumin, but it was yummo!

BBQ'd bean curd with Cumin and chilli - tasted predominately of BBQ'd Cumin and not much more.

Fried Rice - glossy, simple yet full of flavour, this is lip smackingly good!

BBQ'd Pork Crackling - rubbery and NOT crispy at all (and, yep, you guess it, predominately cumin flavoured), this was a rather weird and unpleasant eat.

BBQ'd King Prawn - although the Cumin went better with this, it was still another Cumin extravaganza.

BBQ'd Squid - rubbery but tasty, seasoned with Cumin.

BBQ'd Lamb - The standout dish as far as the Cumin brigade goes, (and worth coming here for) these skewers were super tasty - the cumin being a great match with this meat.

Garlic BBQ'd Scallops - it was a scallop, BBQ'd with HEAPS of garlic. I love garlic - and a good thing too, as this is mostly what you tasted.

The "Crazy Wings" (pictured at the top of this post) are FULL ON. I mean, check out my hubby's reaction to them in the picture below... and this man eats habaneros for crying out loud!

Yep, watering eyes, burning lips, sweating, dizziness... Ay Carumba!!!! Do NOT eat these wings unless you like exceptionally (and I mean stupidly, ridiculously, inconceivably) hot food. YIKES!

And everything else?
The ambiance is that of a fast paced diner in the China Town district, nothing wrong and nothing exceptional, it's just nice and busy. The service was good enough, however I think I was speaking too fast or something, as most things had to be repeated a few times, but I do speak fast.

Food Envy
Ah... nah. We were at the front of the store near the cooking area, so we saw many other BBQ'd bits roll out, covered in Cumin, and really didn't feel the need to come back and experience more of it. Unless it was the lamb... mmmmmm.

With a super yummy fried rice I could eat it all day, this place held so much promise! But the Crazy Wings are stupid hot and the 'Cumin-on-everything-YES-we-mean-everything', really let this place down. So I'm sorry, we had a good time, but it's not us, its you.

Love,
The Food Floozy

Dynasty of kitsch, care and yummyness

2011-11-26T13:21:00.001+11:00

The Place: Shanghai Dynasty

Address: Level 1, 206 Bourke StMelbourne, VIC 3000
Cost: View the menu here.
Hours: Lunch and dinner 7 days a week - they're famous for their lunch specials however, so check it out at lunch if you have time.
Style: Chinese

Rating: Hot Fling (4/5)

We've recently bought our first house - which normally spells death to all eating out and what not. But as luck would have it, my hubby's birthday brought us out and about for a dinner. His sister suggested a place she'd gone for lunch and had promised that the "cucumber rolls" were amazing. I was intrigued, picturing cucumber in bread and thinking "nah... surely not...?". Hrm... let the affair begin...

The Food
After you get over the extreme kitsch-y decadence of the decor, you can then focus on the food. The joy of it being my hubby's birthday meant that I could sit back and let him choose - or rather, my most fabulous mum-in-law told him to. Good on you Audrey!. :)

The hubby chose very well indeed - the five of us shared:

Entrees - Crispy cucumber with chilli oil (aka Cucumber Rolls), Shanghai dumplings, Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Spicy Salt & Pepper and french style egg roll with minced pork;
Mains - Parrotfish steamed with ginger & shallot, Dynasty crispy roasted duck off Bone stuffed with glutinous rice, healthy stirfried vegetables (haha, what a name!), and crispy combination noodles (as the Supreme dynasty Fried noodle wasn't available); and finally,
Dessert - Banana Fritter and red bean pancake with ice cream

French style egg roll with minced pork - these were quite nice. A really subtle flavour, which isn't something I've come to expect when out for Chinese (or even home for Chinese for that matter) but it was nice. Could use a little chilli (which Ma-in-law ordered pretty fast, so all was well).

Crispy cucumber with chilli oil (aka Cucumber Rolls) - Kill me now, for I've found heaven! If you come here for nothing else, order these. Sweetly sour with sesame and chilli oil, these little expertly cut rolls of pure cucumber were crisp and delicious. I'm 100% infatuated with these.

Crispy Soft Shell Crab with Spicy Salt & Pepper - Although I really don't like the fact that humans seem to find a way to eat anything at it's most delicate and vulnerable, I have to say, the soft shell crab was bloody fantastic. I'm also always a sucker for the spicy salt and pepper mix - a very tasty dish.

Shanghai dumplings - not the most mind blowing that I've had (Hutong Dumpling house owns that title thus far), but all the right elements were there (ginger, yummy soup, not too hot, etc). I'd eat them every time I came here.

Healthy stirfried vegetables and crispy combination noodles - The vegies were crisp and tasty (with that light sauce made from chicken stock) and the combo noodles were great and tasted just as expected. Nothing outstanding there, just damn nice. :)

Dynasty crispy roasted duck off Bone stuffed with glutinous rice - an appetite killer. I know, I know, I probably sound like a gobble guts, but I really don't like things that you eat one or two bits of and find you have no room for anything else. The glutinous rice not only filled you up (which it always does by the way, so it isn't anyone's fault) but it also made the duck dry, which is a heart breaker in my world.

Parrotfish steamed with ginger & shallot - an excellent choice. Nothing at all wrong with this other than Parrot fish being a little too delicate for the sauce, but it was perfectly cooked. Delicious.

Banana Fritter and red bean pancake with ice cream - The banana fritter (pictured above) was crisp, the fruit was sweet and still a little firm (YUM!) and the sauce was deliciously caramel, I couldn't want for more. :)

The red bean pancake (pictured below) was the best I have ever had - SUPER crisp with red bean melting in the middle, it was genius on a plate. Me want more!

We were full to exploding by the end of it all, but it was - with the only exception being the duck - a very nice meal. Can you eat more cheaply? Of course you can, but it's the experience I feel we were paying for, and I really enjoyed it.

And everything else?
I've mentioned the decor, and I really have to elaborate, as it was both fun, funny and fascinating - and very much sets the scene if you want to take someone somewhere where they feel like Julia Roberts in pretty woman previous to the 'snail-flying-across-the-room' bit.

From the plates to the the paint, EVERYTHING has gold on it (well, let's keep it real here people; it has gold colored stuff on it), and there was lots of red too of course - and by the sheer amount of these colors being used we should have all been both more lucky and prosperous simply by eating there.

In addition to the almost Baroque fittings, the staff were super attentive, friendly and really made you feel like you were the center of the world. A really great service experience here, and I dug the over-done grandeur. If you're gonna do it, do it well I say!

Food Envy
Something that was also nice about this place is that you have a lot of room. However this means, if one is to view what everyone else was eating, we actually had to keep an eye out for the waiters walking past with steaming plates of goodness to catch a glimpse. That said, I really didn't get a good enough look, but it was tasty enough of an experience to ensure I will get back there for their infamous lunch sets to have another Hot Fling!

Hungry Muffins vs Campari House

2011-02-06T22:34:00.010+11:00

The Place: Campari House
Address: 23-25 Hardware Lane, Melbourne, VIC
Cost: Mussel Monday $18 all you can eat with drink, Pizza with schooner $15 (We went for the specials)
Hours: Mussel deal Mondays only from 5pm(restaurant) , Pizza deal Sunday & Monday from 4pm (rooftop)
Style: Mediterranean / European
Website: http://www.camparihouse.com.au/

Rating: Hot Fling (4/5)

I do so enjoy the Hungry Muffins outings - the main reason being that each member chooses a location and I get to try places I'd never think to go to personally (not for any other reason that I just didn't think of it yet!). It was Kathryn's turn to choose our next culinary adventure - the last one for 2010 - and wanting to make sure we were all stuffed with big smiles on our faces for our final fabulous feast, she proposed "Mussel Monday" at Campari House - and I'm very glad she did. :)

The Food

We kick started the night sharing "Polenta Chips with Aoili". I was expecting something chip-like, but we recieved something all together croquet-like. That said, they were still ok (the polenta was fairly bland but the aoili packed a punch - yum!).

The mussels, which were served in nice wide bowls with a choice of 3 sauces (see below) and each new serve came with crusty bread. You also get one drink to kick start your night - all for $18... VERY good value - especially if you can eat three bowls of it to try all the flavors, which I, of course, did.

The mussel flavors:

with Pernod cream - Although this was not a dish to grab your crusty bread and head for the sauce sitting below your mussels (the Pernod flavor blew my head off and I LOVE anise/licorice/aniseed, etc), the mussels were very tasty. I really liked this one, but would have loved it if I could have mopped up all the sauce. - I was the only one to try this flavor.
with tomatoes, chili and coriander - The first 4 plates of these were spectacular. Sweet tangy tomato concasse, warm chili and fresh coriander made this the favorite of Hungry Muffins Al and Kathryn. Interestingly (and disappointingly) the final plates - eaten by myself and Al - were nothing more than tomato concasse with salt. Maybe they were ticked we both ate 3 plates? Who knows, but its fair to say that pissed me off - like everyone else got a hug but me. >:(
with white wine, parsley and garlic - The favourite of both myself and Debbie, this was the kind of Mussel dish you could mop up with your bread! VERY tasty soft flavoursome mussels, and a tasty powerfully garlic parsley sauce, it was divine and I am SO going back for more of it. YUM!

Other "non-mussel" eating Muffins went with menu options. Its important to note that the Pizza deal is only available on the rooftop, so if you order a pizza downstairs, you'll pay full price and get no free drink (however its much bigger too).

Sarah went with the Romesco de Pollo pizza (featuring chicken, goats cheese and roasted almond pesto) for $20. She enjoyed it but said "it isn't the best I've ever had, but its nice".

And finally, Hannah went with a prawn dish from the specials board which coupled prawns with chorizo sausage and peppers. I was a little nervous about that combo, but figured it should taste ok... Hannah was happy enough, however said the serving size was quite small for a main (which it was - what you see in the pick for $28 is what she got).

All in all, the word on the street from me is go for the Mussel Monday dudes, its TASTY!

And everything else?

We had a very good night out at Campari House on the whole. The waiters were efficient (not super warm, but ok all the same) and the drinks were great.

Interesting things to note however was the time it took between plates of "all you can eat" mussels. Although quick to come out in the beginning, our second plate took about 20 minutes to arrive (and we were starving as the first plate was quite small - possibly 10 to 12 mussels in it) and the third about 25. That said, it WAS a Monday, so maybe the didn't have a lot of people on - either way, we booked for Mussel Monday, they knew were were coming, so meh.

Food Envy

Yep, I was envious of all the other mussel sauces until I got to try them all >:) Seriously, this is a good cheap eat, I'll be back. (oh, and I wanted some of Sarah's pizza too!)

We all entered Campari House ravenous for an all you can eat mussel extravaganza, and we weren't disappointed, bar a few odds and ends. So... if they can keep the mussels flowing quicker and ensure the waiters look for empty mussel plates to get the next round going without us resorting to smoke signals and flashing lights, I might even introduce them to my parents... but for now, my dears, you are one hot fling!

It's "all good"

2010-12-28T19:48:00.029+11:00

The Place: Va Bene pizzeria e pasta cucina
Address: Shed 9, Central Pier, 161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands, Victoria
Cost: Share plates - $10 to $17, Pasta - $18 to $23, Pizzas - $17 to $22, Pizza by the slice - $8, Sides $10, Desserts - $10 to $17.
Hours: Monday to Friday 11.30am to late, Saturday 5pm to late
Style: Italian

Rating: Match made in heaven - its a keeper! (5/5)

Picture a blustery cold day down at Melbourne's Docklands precinct. Two tired ladies finished at 7pm and found themselves quite hungry and in need of a bit of 'best mates catch up". Braving the rain and wind, they made their way across the dock in the gathering darkness, to a warm and deliciously smelling restaurant - Va Bene. Instantly greeted on their arrival, their jackets and umbrella stored, they were shown to their table and given a menu, a wine list and a nice warm smile from the waiter. What a dream!

The Food

Upon our arrival, Debbie and I deliberated over a which glass of wine to have, then caved, and ordered a bottle to share (we're such bad influences on each other) and as a starter we had an olive share plate. These olives are house marinated and were very fruity with the marinade full of garlic and herbs - lovely. Good to note also that all meals are accompanied by a rustic bread made in house, which we then used to mop up the tasty olive oil from the olives.

Funnily, Debbie and I ended up ordering for each other - meaning we ordered what we thought we wanted, tasted each others and then decided to swap!

Trofie w napoli, basil, garlic, evo oil, fior di latte, Parmesan - this ended up mine, and boy was I happy about it. I'm a cheese maniac (if you read earlier blogs you'll start to get that feeling) and this was a cheese maniacs dream. The tomato sauce was excellently complemented by the delicate yet creamy flavor provided by the Fior di Latte (a very young delicate home made version of Mozzarella). Not to mention this new found pasta shape - a real delight! (see top for picture)
Tagliatelle matriciana w pancetta, garlic, olives, Spanish onion, tomato, parsley, fresh chilli (picture above)- Debbie was so chuffed with this pasta... after each mouthful there was a compliment. And I have to agree with her, it was delicious! (The only reason I gave it up was for the promise of cheeeeeeeeese in the Trofie.)

When your pasta is delivered you get a choice of adding fresh cracked pepper and/or freshly grated Parmesan cheese - we of course partook in both!

Feeling happily full, when the our waiter asked if we'd like the dessert menu we said, although reluctantly, "No thanks"... but then he remarked, "Oh, that's a shame, the chocolate mousse here is the best I've ever had...". Cheeky monkey. >:)

So naturally, Debbie and I threw ourselves on the "food sword" and shared a chocolate mousse... and my word, it was almost obscene it was so good. Chocoholics of the world, get your butts here!

And everything else?

Va Bene is so warm, welcoming and tasty, it would take a flood to stop me going back!! There is an open kitchen for a birds eye view of the chefs in action, and the layout of the restaurant is welcoming and personal, even with the large share-style tables. Va Bene is one of those places that is great for friends to catch up and couples for that all important date night. As a side, I held a work function here after this meal and it was VERY impressive, so its great for functions too. I love it, I love it, I love it.

So how do you explain a match made in heaven? It's something that comes along when you're not really expecting it - saying all the right words, doing all the right things. Before you know it you're in love and excited to be so. I'm excited by Va Bene - go there, go there now!

The Hungry Muffins vs The Carringbush Hotel

2010-11-19T23:28:00.006+11:00

The Place: The Carringbush Hotel (Dining Room)
Address: 228 Langridge St, Abbotsford, VIC 3067
Cost: Starters $18, Mains $30 to $48, Sides $8, Desserts $13 to $18
Hours: Lunch 12 noon to 3pm Monday to Friday, Dinners 6pm to 9pm Monday to Saturday
Style: Modern Australian
Website: http://www.thecarringbush.com.au/

Rating: Match made in heaven (It's a keeper!) (5/5)

It was Debbie's turn to choose our next Hungry Muffin (our dinner club) adventure, and she decided to check out the Carringbush Hotel.

We were all pretty excited about going here as not only had we heard the food was really good, but we also knew one of the chefs - my hubby! This was one of the largest Hungry Muffin dinner outings, with 9 of us descending on the place like ravenous fiends after a hard day in the office. So could they handle us? Oh yes, and rather easily. :)

The Food

"oh wow"... "mmmmmm"... "oh my god you have to try this"... "I'm undone... this is amazing!"... "no, you can't have any, its mine!"... These are just some of the comments uttered by the Hungry Muffin foodies whilst savouring the delights presented to us this night. This is what we all had...

Amuse bouche - sweetcorn veloute drizzled with basil oil. Mmmmm, what a way to get our appetites roaring!

Taster - Spanner crab tortellini with beurre blanc chive sauce. Al dente pasta filled with the most amazing crab meat I've ever tasted... I want a huge plate of this ALL TO MY SELF.

For our mains we all ordered what we wanted and then shared samples of what we were having with those closest to us on the table... those of us that were sharing that is. >:) I've copied the descriptions from their menu on their website as I couldn't remember them all.

Duck in two parts - duck consomme, duck liver parfait, truffle oil and brioche followed by raosted duck breast,duck rillete, mustard creme fraiche, du-puy lentils - both Debbie and Jodie had this and enjoyed it so much they almost didn't talk (or take a picture!!)

Lamb 3 ways - Roast lamb loin, confit lamb shoulder brik, braised lamb belly, Meredith's goat's cheese puree,dried tomatoes, purple carrots - Shannon, Adam, Sarah and myself went for this one... devilishly rich and tasty, one couldn't help but feel delightfully naughty!

Roast pork cutlet, cured miso glazed pork cheek, housemade pork sausage with confit apple and cider jus - Fiona went for this one, and for me, the homemade pork sausages were the eat of the night. AMAZING + some major food envy on my part.

Crispy skinned barramundi, yabbie tail beurre blanc, pea puree, Thai basil and tomato salad - Kathryn when for this one and was in raptures. She loved the sauce and said the fish just melted in her mouth! And yep, fair bit of food envy on this one too.

Baby chicken ballotine, parsnip puree, pancetta and sage stuffed morels, jus gras - delicate in texture and full of flavour, this fantastic pick was Estelle's.

Once we finished the mains we lost 2 Hungry Muffins as they were happily full and it was a working night so they left to get some sleep. Those more 'hard core' members stuck it out for some jaw dropping desserts...

Affogato - Fiona, Debbie and myself went for this and it was fantastic. The ice cream was to die for, however I now know I hate Amaretto - that said, it was still good!

Vanilla cheesecake - Estelle went for the cheesecake, which was quite heavy (i like mine a little lighter, even if they are baked) but the winner on this plate was the caramelised pineapple cubes! HOLLY COW! Crunchy toffee and juicy pineapple, what more could you want? :)

Carringbush Chocolate plate - Shannon and Sara shared this one and I tried a little of the chocolate tart and which was rich and delicious. Other winners (so Shannon and Sarah tell me) was the choc raspberry mille feuille and the chocolate sorbet.

WOW what a dinner! Divine choice Debbie!

And Everything Else?

Its a funny feeling walking into the Carringbush. The general pub area serves bistro meals and has a really relaxed 'old pub' feel to it where you could easily see lots of footy fans hanging out with a beer or 6 in the winter and horse race lovers in the spring. Turn a corner and you're transported into a really snazzy looking dining room, with table cloths, wine glasses, ambient lighting and lovely music. The service is fantastic - really friendly and casual - and the music was great too. This is defiantly a "special date" place, as well as a good place to take family for their birthdays. Lovely.

Food Envy?

Sure was! I wanted to eat everyone else's food - especially Fiona's pork sausage... mmmmmmmmmm. I'll be back!

So now there is the matter of my hubby being one of the chefs at the Carro... I can hear the critics amongst us going "hmpf, she gave it a 5/5, no wonder"... However I'd like to respectfully ask those of you who think that way 'bugger off'. The Hungry Muffins and I take our enjoyment of food seriously, and all places we visit are on the same playing field, be it a place with table cloths and degustation menus or park side benches and focaccias. The Carringbush is a divine place to dine, living up to its reputation and putting on not only great food, but lovely personable service too - resulting in some Hungry Muffins returning the very next week with their partners for a date! I'd gladly introduce this one to my mother, what a keeper! :)

Ah the smell of it...

2010-11-11T18:41:00.003+11:00

The Place: Gurney Drive
Address: 284 Victoria Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Cost: Ranging from $6 snacks to $20 mains, however most of the fair is in the $15 to $20 area.
Hours: lunchtimes and from 6pm to late, Tuesday to Sunday.
Style: Malaysian

Rating: Booty Call! (3/5)

I'll be honest and say I'm a real snob when it comes to Malaysian Chinese cooking. Why? Because I'm very luckily married to a Chinese Malaysian dude and his Mum is a ROCK STAR in the kitchen. Its very hard to compare to her cooking, so we rarely go out for it, but when we do, especially to a new place, we're always hoping it will remind us of Penang hawker food...

The Food

This place has QUITE an extensive menu, lots to choose from and lots of favourites. We went with a couple of starters, Lobak and Chicken Satay - both classic Chinese Malaysian hawker snacks - and for mains we went with Char Kuey Teow (as I'm obsessed by it and when looking for a good Malaysian joint you kinda HAVE to really, don't you?).

Lobak - This was a BIG disappointment.

The filling tasted a lot like Aussie Dim Sims... no five spice at all and no juicy chunks of pork-y-ness. :(

Chicken Satay - I have to say I was really impressed with the satay sauce. Normally when you go out for this stuff it tastes like warmed up peanut butter, but this had chilli and garlic and was very tasty. The chicken wasn't flame grilled (which is always a kicker to the satay) but was deep fried so crispy and juicy. This was a good choice. :)

Char Kuey Teow - YUMMO! Featuring all your MUST HAVE's, clams, beansprouts, prawns, chives, chilli, soy, and the all important wok hei (breath of the wok - a kind of charred lightly smokey flavour and smell - it's to die for). The only thing missing - and this is by far and away NOT a deal breaker - was the lup cheong. I will be back for this, its the best Char Kuey Teow we've had to date in Melbourne!

And Everything Else?

The restaurant - which used to be a Vietnamese restaurant - looks really really new. The only issue with this is that it doesn't make you like you're at a hawker shop, which is slightly distracting, as your eating hawker food. Would be good to see the very friendly and super fast staff there do something to the décor to turn up the ambiance factor, but otherwise, this place is great. If I could ask for one thing, it would be to stock soy milk... was just weird not having it.

Food Envy?

Oh yes! Kong and I spotted many sizzling plates, hot pots, towering rice dishes and slippery noodles go past us whilst we were there. Another trip is a must! :)

The Hungry Muffins vs The Abyssinian

2010-11-06T11:03:00.018+11:00

The Place: The Abyssinian
Address: 277 Racecourse Road, Kensington,Victoria 3031
Cost: Starters $6, Mains $15 to $24, Desserts $5 and Special "chef's combo" share plates $25 + $22 for each extra person
Hours: 6pm till late Monday to Saturday
Style: African (Ethiopian)
Website: http://www.theabyssinian.com.au/menus.php

Rating: Hot Fling!! (4/5)

I don't think I've ever been quite so nervous about going out to eat somewhere. Why? I've tasted lots of great food however curries - when made here in Australia at restaurants - seems to leave me wanting. I get overwhelmed by a sense of "sameness". In India I LOVED curry, it was dynamic, challenging at times and FULL of flavour and balance. Here, I avoid it like its got razors in it.

So it was my mate Jodie's turn to choose a resturant for our illustrious and VERY COOL eating club called "the Hungry Muffins", and she chose The Abyssinian. Yes yes, I KNOW its an African (Ethiopian) restaurant and that I shouldn't have thought of Indian curries before going, but I was worried it was going to be a let down... and boy oh boy I shouldn't have been. :)

The Food

Me being first and foremost a total glutton, I asked Jodie for her best suggestion of how to tackle this place in a big way and she suggested the Chef's Combo. This exciting combo gave us a selection of what ever the chef felt like giving us (vegie, fish, lamb, pork, etc etc) and some salad. Sounded great to me, and here is the run down...

Injera Bread (the base) - I haven't found myself quite so excited by the prospect of eating a cold pancake. Riddled with bubbles and super soft to the touch and bite, the foundation of the "Chef's Combo" was light, fluffy, very plain (which is a good thing) and a little sour. Not sure if I'm making that sound delicious, but it was, and you can get an extra round of them for just $1!! :)
The dishes - we had (not all of them, but the best of the best)...
* Salad a la Asmara - a great and refreshing mix of leaves, chilli, tomato and a tangy tasty lemon and mustard dressing.
* Doro Kulwha - This was delicious! Chicken coated in a sauce rich with spices (and a little hot) and fresh tomato salsa.
* Zighini - slow cooked lamb with lots of ghee and chopped onions... melted in your mouth people!
* Asa Kulwha - fish fillets in a light and very tasty spiced tomato and chilli sauce
* A chickpea dish with garlic and ghee with the softest chickpeas... heavenly!
* A fried and velvety eggplant dish

In short, delicious. The only reason this place isn't a match made in Heaven was the service - see below - if they can melt the ice, this would be a keeper for SURE. :)

And Everything Else?

This is the only thing I can say bad about The Abyssinian. The lass that served us reminded me of Ice Queen from the land of Narnia. I know some of my fellow "Hungry Muffins" aren't going to agree with me, however I must stay true to what I have promised on my rating system and this chick was COLD. I could see regulars come in and the received the warmest of smiles, however when we were asked what we wanted, all enthusiasm was drained from the table with her sharp commands as if the air had been sucked out of the place. As it stands, the food was so damn good that it just has to be a 4/5, but seriously, LIGHTEN UP if people are excited to be there, isn't that why you have a restaurant in the first place? Gees!... anyway, she warmed to us as we left, so there is hope when I go back I'll get some smiles.

Food Envy?

I was really delighted with the food we had, and if I went back I'd have exactly the same - I loved the selection and wouldn't want to limit myself to just one thing when they all tasted so good! The only thing I WAS envious of were the smiles regulars were getting from our waiter... I want a smile too... :(

All said and done, this place is a corker! Fanatic décor and mightily delicious food, its one hot fling that will leave you with your cheeks flushed!

Urbanspoon rocks

Sweet side of life

2010-09-26T17:45:00.012+10:00

The Place: Gerbino's Pasticceria & Bread & Butter Bakery
Address: 166 Ashgrove Avenue, Ashgrove, BRISBANE
Cost: Ranging between $2 to $5 for small cakes and $10 to $20 for large - gelato is from $4
Hours: Sunday: 8.30am-7.30pm, Monday closed all day, Tuesday to Saturday: 8.30am-10.30pm-ish
Style: Italian

Rating: Match made in Heaven (5/5)

After eating a great breakfast at Mizu (click here for review) and finding ourselves with time to spare, Mike decided to take me for dessert at his favourite bakery, Gerbino's. Nestled in the leafy hillside of Ashgrove, you come across a bustling bakery, full of exciting smells of fresh bread, cakes, biscuits, pastries and coffee and the noise of happy customers catching up with friends and family. I knew this was going to be good!

The Food

After exploring the delectable treats on offer, I decided to try Gerbino's vanilla slice, which was yum Yum YUM! The pastry was very crisp (which was great as often it becomes stodgy), the icing was sticky and sweet, and the custard was SUPER creamy and soft - very morish!

Michael went with the gelato and had two scoops, one Butterscotch the other Whisky. I hate Whisky - I even completed a Whisky appreciation course, but nope, no appreciation here - however that said, the Whisky gelato was strong but nice and the butterscotch was sweet and a little salty, which complemented the smokiness of the Whisky gelato really well.

And Everything Else?

The coffee's were really great, very Italian in style - so strong, bitey and creamy - and the service was super fast and very friendly!

Food Envy?

It was impossible not to envy what everyone else was eating! That, my friends, is the trouble with these amazing bakeries, you want to just stay all day trying everything - to hell with the aftermath of the oh-so-big butt!

With out a shadow of doubt, there are some very talented and passionate people working at Gerbino's, and it shows in the wonderful desserts they showcase everyday. This wasn't my first encounter with this bakery - as Michael always brings their cakes for Mum and Dad - and I'm confident it won't be my last. :)

Up in the north eating breakfast from the east

2010-09-19T15:38:00.017+10:00

The Place: Mizu Japanese Restaurant
Address: 2 Macquarie Street, Teneriffe, BRISBANE
Cost: Ranging between $5 to $15
Hours: Weekdays - 12 noon to 2pm + 6pm to late, Weekends - breakfast from 8am to 11am (and then onto normal hours)
Style: Japanese

Rating: Hot Fling (4/5)

After saving a whole heap with my hubby and sacrificing a lot, we funded our very own 6 month world trip (not including the US sadly). Of all the amazing countries we ate our way through, Japan stole our foodie hearts and never gave them back. Simplicity and respect for produce abounds in the dishes we tried in Japan, even when we were eating what we thought was their more indulgent items. So when, after visiting my parents on the oh-so-sunny sunshine coast of QLD, I found myself with a full day to kill before my flight back Melbourne, I asked my darling friend Michael to show me his favorites eats - and so he whisked me off to Mizu...

The Food

We decided to sit outside (and in a lovely 26 degree day who wouldn't?) and the waitress came over quickly with our menus and a smile. Immediately I was torn 6 ways (as that's how many items were on their breakfast menu) and was about to settle on the Yaki Onigiri (rice balls brushed with soy and served with pickles) when Michael announced he was going to have the Breakfast Bento. Not to be outdone, I joined him. :)

The menu advised that we'd have a "chef’s selection of traditional Japanese breakfast dishes", and being a huge fan of the whole "surprise me" kind of order, I was very relaxed waiting for my feast. Wonderfully, this is what we were served:

Kome (rice) - fairly self explanatory, however this was very nicely cooked, so I'm going to mention it (so there!)
Sunomono - Sweet vinegared Wakame and cucumber with sesame seeds (tangy and refreshing)
Miso Soup - Which was also made light and refreshing with the addition of fresh spring onions
Nimono - a soy based stew with a taro ball, shitake mushrooms, carrot, lotus root and beans (delicate and divine)
Crispy bits - a deep fried homemade tofu and fish ball, and a piece of Chicken Karaage (both fantastic!)
Plain Grilled Fish with wasabi mayonnaise and hiyashi wakame (seaweed salad) - good, but a little dry
And finally, a half a boiled egg (seasoned to perfection), salty cucumber pickles and sour dikon pickles.

What's best about eating this way is that you get little amounts of flavourful and varied tastes - it wakes up your senses and excites your appetite. Truly satisfying, I'd recommend this to anyone - even my Mum who doesn't really like Japanese.

Everything Else

To accompany our breakfast we had a hot pot of genmai cha (green tea with roasted rice), which went down a treat. The service was wonderful, and, feeling brave after our lovely feast, I decided to say one of the few remaining Japanese words I can remember from our short 2 weeks there - Arigatou gozaimasu (which means "thank you very much"). The waitress reacted in kind and I left feeling very satisfied and a little proud of myself too.

P.s. Food Envy

The dangers of catching up with a friend you haven't seen in ages is that you tend to - heaven forbid - pay more attention to them than the food being served around you. Such was the case this time. However I am certain there would have been delights being dished up to all who came here.

Next time I'm in Brisbane, I'll try my darnedest to get back here. The food was lovely (and that was just breakfast!) and the atmosphere was great too. If you're in the area, do make an effort to pop over and try it, I'm sure you'll agree with me - this is one Hot Fling!

Baked Lumaconi stuffed with pesto ricotta

2010-07-11T19:08:00.016+10:00

Did you know, if you buy a large and impressive looking bag of pasta, everyone will stare at you? Truly! And they won't just stare at you, they will approach you and ask you questions about it - like it was a cute baby or something. Hilarious and heart warming all at the same time.

So what to do with this awe inspiring pasta? STUFF IT!

Baked Lumaconi stuffed with pesto ricotta

Serves: 3 (as a main) and 4 (as an entrée)

Ingredients:

500g fresh ricotta
150g fresh pesto (you can buy this but I made mine. If you would like the recipe, just ask and I'll post it soon)
1/2 cup fresh basil, torn
13 Lumaconi
3 very ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 can of peeled whole tomatoes
1 brown onion, diced finely
40g salted butter
1/2 cup olive oil
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
salt, pepper and sugar
1tsp of oregano
Parmesan cheese for the top of the bake

Method:

Put a large pot of water on the stove with about 1 tablespoon of salt and bring to the boil. Once boiling rapidly, throw in your Lumaconi and cook till just on al dente. Use the lucky13th Lumaconi as your testing pasta.

Whilst the pasta is cooking, mix the pesto, torn basil and the ricotta together in a bowl until you have a really consistent green mixture. Taste it and add salt and pepper to if you feel you need to - I went with just pepper. Set aside.

Once the pasta is cooked, strain off the water, then lay them out on a tray or board to cool.

In a heavy pan, melt the butter and add the onion. Cook on a low heat until the onions soften, then add the diced tomato and garlic.

Continue to cook until the fresh tomatoes are broken down, then mix in the oregano, canned tomatoes and olive oil, then cook until incorporated and then switch off the heat and leave the sauce to sit for about 5 minutes. Now taste - all going well, it will be a little sour and need salt. Add sugar and salt to taste - normally you'll use about 1 tablespoon of sugar and about 1 teaspoon of salt, but do it slowly and taste as you go - if it doesn't "need" sugar or salt, then don't use it. Once happy, set aside.

Now its time to get stuffing. Grabbing your now cool cooked Lumaconi, gently stuff it using a teaspoon - it is a bit fiddly and messy, but fun and rewarding too!

Once the Lumaconi are all filled, pour your tomato sauce into a baking tray (about 20cm square, or what ever you think will work), then push your Lumaconi into the sauce. I put them into the dish open end down, but it might work better the other way around - I'll leave that up to you.

Finish the dish with shaved Parmesan cheese (HINT: use your vegetable peeler to shave the Parmesan) and bake for about 30 to 40 minutes in a 180 degrees Celsius oven (356 degrees Fahrenheit) until golden brown. Serve with a tangy side salad and lots of fresh hot bread.

Enjoy my friends!

I've got a lovely bunch of Coconuts, ba-dom ba-dom...

2010-07-04T11:02:00.010+10:00

The Place: Coconut House
Address: 449 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC
Cost: Ranging between $9 to $15
Hours: 10am to late 7 days.
Style: Malaysian (Hawker Style)

Rating: Hot Fling (4/5)

The best way to describe this place is to share with you the way my husband Kong (who is Malaysian Chinese) reacted when he walked through door...

"Oh my god! Look what's on the menu! Do you think we can eat three dishes between us!?! Did you see that? No, not that, the chicken! LOOK! And look at those noodles! AN OH! They have FRESH HOT SOY MILK!!!!!!!"

I could go on, but I trust you get the point. :)

The Food

I am very happy to say that Kong was not disappointed with the food - actually, he was so impressed that when ever we're in the city and I ask "so where should we eat?" it takes him a nanosecond to say "COCONUT HOUSE!". We've been back a few times now and the consistency is amazing - very much at the same level as Cafe Don Don. On this particular visit (our first) we tried Crispy Chicken Rice and Pork Noodles.

Crispy Chicken Rice - YOU MUST TRY THIS. I just don't know how to put into words how buttery it was... no no... how chicken-y it was... let me just say the rice was "blow your mind" material. It tasted of chicken, but felt like velvet in your mouth - it was perfectly cooked. So tasty, you almost didn't want to mix it with anything as the flavour was so strong yet subtle, you might loose it. Amazing. The chicken was also tasty and crispy and all things good, but the rice - BY GOLLY MISS MOLLY!!!
Pork Noodles - These were good. Yes, I was suffering a serious almost deadly case of food envy from Kong's chicken rice, however this was really porky. Let me walk you though it - pork stock, pork balls, pork meat and crispy pork fat. That was the good bit. The part that ruined it for me was the lashings of white pepper. I'm not a fan of white pepper, not sure why, but I can always smell and taste it in things... and when I do, I tend to turn into a bit of a "no, I don't want it" 3 year old. That said, I munched into it, but it was quite overwhelming in the end and Kong happily finished it off for me, all the while saying "This is very tasty miss, you better write a good review!". Pffft...

So a mixed review, but that said, I have been back to try some other items, their laksa is AMAZING and so is the dry noodles with char siu. So I'm happy to give it a 4/5, because quite frankly this place is fantastic.

And Everything Else?

Yay! Not sure if anyone is familiar with the "Lat" comic series, however they've recently decked out the place with Lat inspired wall paper and it is fantastic. All the staff are in uniforms (so easily identifiable) and move at the speed of light. They have a very efficient "order, pay and then sit for table service" set up. Another cool feature are the plates and cutlery. If you've been to Malaysia and eaten at the hawker stalls, you notice that everything is served on plastic plates - they do that here too, and I very much think this is what made Kong fall in love with the place before we set foot in the door.

The drinks of course were yummy. I went with the iced lemon tea - which was sweet (from the sugar), bitter (from the black tea) and sour (from the lemon). Kong - no surprises here - went with the hot soy milk, which he had two serves of and wanted more. I enjoy coming here - only draw back is, if its really busy, you'll be snug up against a stranger or 6, but I actually like it as it adds a bit of atmosphere.

P.s. Food Envy?

Sure was! I haven't eaten everything on the menu yet and always see something go out - either a drink or a tasty looking food dish - that I try to identify so I can remind myself to have it next time. Part of the fun really!

This is has been a hot fling, however I think I might consider introducing them to my parents and see where it goes... who knows, it might even end up being a match made in heaven. ;)

Search for the best Ham & Cheese toastie

2010-06-05T15:37:00.012+10:00

CHEESE. The word excites me - as does its many forms, flavours, and ways in which to cook it. Not to mention the things you can mix it with. Ahhh, cheese!

So, no surprises that I have become obsessed with finding the BEST ham and cheese toasted sandwich recipe. I've searched long and hard on the net and have come the following conclusions:

No-one wants to take longer than 5 minutes to assemble a toasted sandwich,
Good ingredients are everything, and
Testing is critical

So, I'm going to take a fall for the team, put myself on the line, jump in front of the cheese-coated bullet, and start the testing! Testing for the world's BEST under-5-minute-assembled toasted ham and cheese sandwich!!

After eyeing off lots of different ingredients and completing much research, I decided to go with a cheese combination and a strong ham. Commencing testing:

"Food Floozy vs Toasted Ham & Cheese sandwich - take one"

Ingredients:

Prima Donna Cheddar Cheese (or your favourite cheddar, just make sure it has bite)

Jarlsberg Cheese (or your favourite Swiss cheese)

Smoked Gypsy Ham

Wholegrain light rye bread

Butter (use salted butter; don't go soft on me now!)

Seeded mustard

Ripe tomatoes (optional)

Method:

Seems funny to give you a method to make a toastie; however, there are some very serious points to make it juu-ust right...

1. Cut your bread thick (or if you're buying the bread, get toast cut) and - this is very important - slather one side of each piece of bread with butter.

2. Now sandwich the buttered sides together, so they don't stick to the cutting board. On the non-buttered side of one of the pieces of bread, spread about a tsp of seeded mustard (or more if you love it). Place the Jarlsberg cheese down - 2 pieces.

3. If you are using the tomatoes, pop them on now and remember to season with salt and pepper, then add the ham (use about 2 or 3 slices).

4. Add your last layer - the tasty cheddar cheese.

5. Grill until the toast is a deep golden brown, the cheese is melting out the sides and you just can't wait to eat it because it smells sooooo damn good.

And there you have it: one hell of a tasty sandwich with a side of Cucumber and Mint Salad.

Only one question remains: Could it get any better?

Stay tuned for Round Two!

Ooooooh, I want some more...

2010-05-29T19:34:00.019+10:00

The Place: Dolcetti
Address: 223 Victoria Street, West Melbourne, 3003
Cost: Cakes and biscuits range from $2.50 to $6.00 (although it depends what they make on the day)
Hours: Monday to Sunday
Style: Sicilian
Find out some history of the owner here

Rating: "Match made in Heaven" (5/5)

The easiest way to describe what it is to eat a cake, biscuit, pastry or tart at Dolcetti is to quote from a song by Dan Auerbach that my wonderful friend Fiona loves: "I'm just a kid and you're a walkin' candy store, ooooh, I want some more". Of course, this is a love song about two people, but let's not pretend that we are all, in one way or another, NOT having a "naughty affair on the side" with the wonderful food we eat. And, of all foods, why not have a fling with these exceptional Sicilian pastries?

The Food

I find myself feeling very much like a kid in a candy store in Dolcetti. Everything looks so good, you KNOW it will taste amazing. It's just about deciding which item you want more... if you can.

Kong, always after deep-fried morsels, targeted the Sicilian doughnuts - “Sfinci” - which you can see pictured to the left. It was served at room temperature and was just COVERED in sugar, and was all the more delicious for it. Inside was a light and fluffy ricotta filling that had hints of lemon zest and cinnamon. It was divine!

I, after trying to talk Kong into eating half of most things with me, chose the Egg Custard Brulee Apple Tart (pictured below). Oh my god, I need more of that custard. Not want, not desire, not "I'd like to have", I NEED more. So soft, so balanced, so silky, so... so... so YUM! The apple was soft also, with a little tang that balanced the whole affair brilliantly and the tart of course had a wonderful toffee top (the brulee) that you could crack your folk through... *sighs happily*

And Everything Else?

Dolcetti has a very relaxed atmosphere, with a classy and minimalist decor, giving me a feeling of "white innocence trimmed with black lace" - the black lace being the Gothic black chandelier in the centre of the room - very sexy. The service is very fast and friendly, and they seem to really love the cakes they serve - which WILL NOT help you choose, since often they'll be torn about what to choose themselves. A very good sign. :)

Food Envy?

Yes, yes, yes and yes - I wanted to eat EVERYTHING. So, naturally, as we sat there in rapture with what we had chosen, others came in and chose all the other items I wanted - like the chocolate pistachio meringues, the brandied muscatel biscuits or the chocolate and cream cake with cherries... *drools*

I'm not that into sweets as a rule. I often find them overwhelming. However, the only thing that will overwhelm you here is the choice, followed quickly by the satisfaction of your first bite. Dolcetti is a dream in a cake, a fancy in a flan and a match made in heaven.

On the side with cucumber and mint

2010-05-22T17:49:00.012+10:00

I always think that if you're eating cheese (and lots of it) you have to have something to balance the glorious richness you will undoubtedly be overtaken by. To balance our many cheese eating endeavours, I like to prepare something tangy. This is a salad I knocked up and thought you guys might like to try it cos it was yummy!

Cucumber, red onion and mint salad
with a light white wine vinegar dressing

This is an easily made and is, quite frankly, a freaking awesome salad... even if I do say so myself.

Ingredients:

Cucumber
Mint
Salad/red Onion
White wine vinegar
Olive Oil
Salt, pepper and white sugar

Method:

1. Slice the onion finely and then place in a small bowl. Season it with salt (1/2 tsp), pepper (a couple of good grinds) and sugar (1 tsp), then add about 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar (don't worry if you add too much, you can balance it by adding more sugar later). Grab a wooden spoon and bash the onion slightly, this will help it soften and prevent the dreaded ONION BREATH.

2. Cut the cucumbers into large pieces, place in a large mixing bowl and season with a little salt and pepper. (I used Lebanese cucumbers, but that's only as they were on special, you could also use continental).

3. Wash and then chop the mint finely. Use quite a lot of mint (1 cup), don't be shy, its a forgiving herb that packs a great flavour into any salad. Chuck ALL the chopped mint in with the cucumber. Don't mix.

4. After the onion has soaked for about 10 to 15 minutes, taste the vinegar. If its too sour, mix in some more sugar. It should be slightly salty to taste too (if it isn't, add a bit more salt). Once your happy with the flavour, pour this over your cucumbers and mint - then add about 4 tablespoons of olive oil. I know, I know, "4 tablespoons of olive oil!!?? What is she? MAD?". Trust me, it will taste great. Now mix and eat!

p.s. If you can allow the salad to stand for about 10 minutes before eating, the cucumber will soften and this really REALLY adds to the flavour, however I'm normally useless at waiting, so feel free to dig in. :)

Premiers Sustainability Awards Dinner 2010

2010-04-25T10:12:00.016+10:00

Ah, the Premier's Sustainability Awards! How we should have won thee! Let me count the ways...

For those who don't know, my "day job" is as an Environmental Analyst. In this role, I manage the strategy to engage our employees in our environmental agenda so they can reduce their own footprints (at work and at home). You might think that sounds like I'm doing nothing all day, but it's actually very rewarding and I love being able to make a difference. So, we entered the awards as we've all been working out butts off, and doing a good job of it, and had lots to share. Obviously, we were hoping to win it. We didn't. >:(

The "build a bridge and get over it" part is still under construction. However, that said, congratulations to all those who did win. A big "Hurrah!" in general for any companies putting time and money into resource efficiency!

Although we didn't win, we still had a lovely night out together. The dinner was great and the speeches were interesting, but a tad on the onerous side (which is always the way at corporate functions, no?).

Anyway, enough of that stuff... let's talk about FOOD (and apologies for the picture quality, it was quite dark - well, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!).

The Food

I was in love with the menu. Not only was it sustainably sourced and 100% local, it told me where all the ingredients came from so I could target them on my next "I've lost a little weight, so let's go on a road trip and eat our way around Victoria" road trip. Did I take a menu home, or at least take a picture of it, so I wouldn't forget all the great companies that were listed? Of course, I didn't! Useless I am. Oh well, I have my memories and my food photos!

The starters were lovely and the same for everyone (unless you were vego). It featured (clockwise from the top left - see picture to the top right):

Soft salmon sashimi topped with salmon roe which exploded delightfully in your mouth,
Free-range chicken and pistachio roulade topped with tangy mango chutney, and finally
A deliciously salty, free-range pancetta, topped with a celeriac remoulade.

This was an awesome way to start the meal.

I was very much looking forward to the entree, which was - thank the gods! - CHEESE. Not just any cheese, but ash-coated goats' cheese, accompanied by the cutest poached baby pear, sweet caramelised onions and a crunchy slice of French bread. Super fantastic - my ideal world to a T - fruit, cheese and bread. YUM!

The other entree option was braised, free-range pork belly on a bed of bok choy with a sweet soy reduction and crackling chips. Sounds mouth-watering? Well, I'm normally cautious about eating braised pork belly when I'm out; this is mainly because Kong's Mum cooks it so damn well that most other versions pale in comparison. In the end, I was happy that I didn't choose it, though I was sad for my dining companions who did. The dish was overly rich as the pork fat had not melted enough during the cooking, leaving my companions looking a tad green around the gills, rather than excited about the main course to come.

Our mains are where the night took a downturn for some of us. There were two options: fish or beef. I'm not a big fan of chunks of beef - regardless of cut (be it porterhouse, rib-eye, etc) or cooking (mind you, if it's medium well or well done, I'll get quite ticked off!). I find it always sits heavily in my tummy of a nighttime, so I'll avoid it unless I'm out at lunchtime.

Thus, I went for the fish, which you can see below. YUMMY! Very well done. The fish was soft and delicate, the beurre blanc was creamy and tangy, the tomatoes burst with sweetness in your mouth. Perfect, wonderful.

Again, I was happy (and relieved) with what I chose, as the beef was a shocker. The only way to describe it (other than horribly overcooked) is "old". It was like chewing on a big boot that hadn't been seasoned very well. And now I find myself in the need of a rant: "WHY WHY WHY do caterers continually recommend that their clients have eye fillet steaks at bulk catered events?! It will NEVER cease to annoy me - eye fillet is NOT, and never will be, the best cut of meat, especially when we're talking BULK COOKING. It's the chicken breast of the cow - DRY is what I'm saying! Dry and BORING!!"... *clears throat* Yes, well... rant done. *sighs happily*

Anyway, that was the mains. Then we moved onto dessert. I'm quite bad at being a sweet tooth. The flavours in order of how much I prefer them goes as follows: sour, salty, bitter, spicy, sweet (and, if there are any I've left out, insert them before sweet). That said, the sweets were really nice. Pictured below is one of the strawberry chocolate filled macarons. We also tasted chocolate truffles, citrus sorbet, white chocolate shards, mini-cheesecake tarts and mini-chocolate cakes. I ate half a macaron and was overcome by sweetness, but that had nothing to do with how good or bad it was. I'm just "soft" when it comes to eating sweet stuff. My dining companions (who you can see in the top picture) loved all the desserts, and were disappointed with my efforts.

All in all it was a very enjoyable, delicious feast (with some wobbly bits). Thanks, SV. Next time? Just let us win! :)

La Plaza del Mercado!

2010-04-18T17:05:00.015+10:00

I was on a mission today: To eat myself silly at the Queen Victoria Market's La Plaza del Mercado (or Spanish and Latin American Food Festival). Nothing excites me quite as much as a food festival, especially when it's Spanish food!

Setting the scene for you: The sky was blue with a smattering of clouds, the sun warm verging on hot. I could hear samba music that made me walk funny as I couldn't help but swing my hips in what I'm sure was a shocking rendition of some dance, but I was in a moment, and I enjoyed it! Coming around the corner from Victoria Street, I saw dancers samba-ing away (doing a much better job than my "walk o'samba") and heaps of people milling around, various types of snacks in hand, watching the dancers. Then my eyes moved further afield, and there - just beyond the dancers - was the FOOD.

At this point I walk o'samba'd over to start viewing what was available to eat; there was HEAPS, and it ALL looked good. Meeting up with my mate Debbie and her flatmate, we started our food affair. There was one clear winner out of all the snack huts, but I won't spoil it for you. Let's get eating!

It was very hard to decide what to eat, and I have to say it was a bit stressful and heart-wrenching leaving one food for another, but sacrifices had to be made! Tasting needed to occur!

So, here's what I got through:

Stop #1: Salvadorian Pupusas (fried cheese-filled bread)
My GOODness, this was really tasty. Initially, I thought it was going to have refried beans too (and I guiltily admit that I love refried beans), but received a plain cheese one, which had quite a subtle flavour, and the salsa that was served with it was punchy with a touch of chilli. Super!

Stop #2: Pino y Questo (baked beef pastry)
The pastry was super-short (meaning it had loads of yummy butter) and soft, and the filling was, again, subtle but divine. Featuring minced beef, olives, sweet fried onions and egg, this was really a lovely snack.

Stop #3: Argentinean char-grilled lamb ribs
Sadly, this was my least favourite snack. The meat by itself was very tasty, but it had massive hunks of fat (sometimes more fat then meat), so it was quite rich, but ok. The other not-so-good bit was the green sauce you see there. It was made of what seemed to be just garlic and parsley (super-hot raw garlic that I can still taste...even after brushing my teeth), and it didn't add to the lamb at all. I actually scraped it off. The salad was ok, but had the same texture and flavour of leftover "next day" Christmas garden salad.

Last stop: THE MOST AMAZING THING I'VE EVER SEEN!!!! aka: Whole Stuffed Pork
I can't think of how to write and tell you how bloody amazing this was, not only visually, but the flavour. It was utterly delectable, as was the description the lovely dude in my picture gave us: "We take rice, onions, spices (he wouldn't tell me the spices... meany!!), stock to make the stuffing. Then we get a whole pig, remove all the skin carefully, then stitch it together, take all the meat and rice, stuff that into the skin and cook it slowly for 10 hours..." Oh... My... Goodness! Stunning. The taste was 100% porkiness, and the crackling was out of this world. Super, amazing, the best thing I've had all year!

Thank you, Queen Victoria Market, I truly love you. :)

I'll have one with the lot, thanks!

2010-04-17T18:49:00.028+10:00

The Place: Melbourne Bratwurst Shop
Address: The Deli Hall, within the Queen Victoria Markets
Cost: All start at $5.50/$6.50 each, and come with sauce and mustard. Then you can add grilled onion, cheese and sauerkraut for extra cost.
Hours: Check out the QVM website below.
Style: German
Website: http://www.qvm.com.au

Rating: Hot Fling! (4/5)

Be it pasta, dumplings, jerky, tofu or sausages, I find myself endlessly awed and thankful for what other cultures have brought to our tables and markets. It's simply wonderful, and makes me happy to know that we're still mixing it up with more cultures as we speak. Very exciting!!

So, we're talking sausages today - TASTY sausages. The Melbourne Bratwurst Shop is far and away the major money-spinner of the Queen Victoria Markets. There are always people lining up and the service is really fast.

So, what's the big deal?

The Food

The tasty goodness that comes from a nicely grilled sausage (available in mild, spicy, weisswurst and pork & pepper) really isn't something anyone should pass by. There is something satisfying about sitting down with a hot sausage that is slathered in mustard and tomato sauce, seeing it peeking out at you from behind the glossy grilled onions, tasty cheese and tower of bitey sauerkraut. I'm hungry all over again just thinking about it!

The important thing about the Queen Victoria Bratwurst shop is that they sell good quality sausages at a reasonable price, and you will most certainly be full once you've made your way through one. I have always found these to be endlessly satisfying and completely irresistible on cold days. This place is an institution that most Melburnians know about; if you haven't had the pleasure, block out a day on your weekend, and give it a go!

And Everything Else

The team of close to 10 dudes behind the counter make sure that you get your sausage quickly, regardless of the time of day, and they're always friendly enough (friendly for people working in such a small space with such a huge demand). I guess I'd call their service 'efficient, with a smile.'

Food Envy

Always. I have to choose, you see. I can't possibly eat them all, so when ever I go there, I get mine and always want what "they're" having. It's a curse, I tell you... Oh well, I'll just have to go back.

This is the kind of hot fling Carrie Bradshaw would write about...that is, if the sausage weren't a sausage *hehehe*. Super tasty, and a bargain price; you HAVE to get to the markets to try this - you simply must!

Durian, KING of fruits... to some

2010-04-14T20:00:00.014+10:00

As I am a big lover of fruits, I have decided to start the "fruit affairs" files! I have, of course, decided to begin these fruit affairs with the infamous king of all fruits: the durian.

So, what's good about it?

Arguably, the best features of the durian - the aroma, texture, and taste - are also considered by some as the worst. It depends on who you talk to. Spiky in appearance, the durian has a stringy, custardy texture (similar to a custard apple, but gooier) that is pure bliss! It has an aroma akin to raw onions mixed with custard, which doesn't sound very nice, but once you are hooked on the flavour, it is something you always want to have, over and over again. It becomes an obsession.

Many people in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia (basically, most of Southeast Asia) will pay top dollar for particular varieties of durian, of which there are many these days. In Australia, we mainly have access to the frozen Thai variety, which I find less pungent than the Malaysian durian I have tried. This is always slightly disappointing, and never really cure me of my durian cravings. However, I'll happily buy them in the absence of the Malaysian durian as SOME durian is better than NO durian. :)

When it's in season

Durian season runs from April-May for the Thai durian, and somewhat later for the Malaysian ones. The durian season is as eagerly anticipated by local Asians each year as Christmas is by children in the West.

Where is it from?

It originates from Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia, and is now grown extensively throughout Southeast Asia and the northern Australia. The map below tells the story:

Source: http://gsndev.org/archives/webs/durian/nftree.html

Where can you buy it in Melbourne?

At any good Asian market! Footscray, Richmond and Springvale are some good spots, just to name a few.

And another thing...

It is believed that the durian is a very "hot" fruit, meaning that it will make your internal temperature rise, or make you sweat. It is recommended that one does not drink coffee or alcohol during or after eating durian. There are legendary tales of people expiring after combining durian and alcohol. So, my recommendation to you is to enjoy the fruit with:

Lots of water (my Auntie always made me drink heaps of water when eating durian), or
Mangosteens (which are considered a "cool" fruit).

What are mangosteens you ask? Stay tuned for the next fruit affair!

Now, go on and be brave. Take on the king of all fruits: the mighty, the aromatic...DURIAN!!

The Falafel - A beautiful pairing of the pulse and the spice!!

2010-04-14T14:34:00.037+10:00

It is said to have its origins in Egypt, while others say the Middle East, and there are also theories of it having its origins closer to India. Regardless of who is right, one thing rings true: falafel are truly a delicious snack of which there are many differing versions, originating from all parts of the Middle East to the Mediterranean.

In Egypt, they mainly use fava beans, the Lebanese often use a mix of fava and chickpea, whilst in most of the Middle Eastern regions only chickpeas are used. I really love the use of both fava and chickpeas when I am making falafel.

It used to be that I thought falafel were nothing more than tasteless, oil-soaked, crispy things (after sampling them at various takeaway and vegetarian eateries), then my eyes were opened one day to the tasty delights that they are by someone who knew how to make and flavour them correctly! My old boss, Suzie, a Greek mum and an excellent cook, showed me how to make homemade falafel, and I have not looked back since!!

Suzie made her falafel out of chickpeas, but after a little research (and reading Claudia Roden's Middle Eastern cookery book), I settled on a mix of fava beans and chickpeas. This, I thought, gave me the tastiest falafel, but I know that you, like me, will make your own decision.

You will need the following ingredients:

2 cups dried fava beans (soaked overnight)
1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
1/2 bunch fresh coriander
1/2 bunch of fresh mint
2 medium brown onions (diced)
4 cloves garlic (chopped)
5 tablespoons ground cumin
1/2 cup self raising flour
1 1/2 tablespoons cooking salt (or to taste)

Method:

Start by draining off the fava beans and chickpeas and retain 2 cups of the soaking liquid.

Grind the fava beans and chickpeas in a food processor, adding a little of the soaking liquid if required to produce a firm but fine paste.

Place this ground mix into a mixing bowl.

Next, blend the onions, garlic, coriander and mint to form a paste.

Add this paste, and the ground cumin, salt and self-raising flour, to the fava/chickpea mix.

Mix to incorporate all the ingredients until you have a nice smooth mix.

Now test the mix by frying off a small portion in a frying pan to check on the level of seasoning. Fry till golden on each side, and taste to see if you want to add more salt.

If you are happy with the flavour, allow the mix to sit for one hour before shallow-frying. This allows the flavours, seasonings and flour to steep, and improves the overall texture of the falafel.
When ready to serve, shallow-fry the falafel in vegetable oil over a moderate heat until golden brown and firm to the touch.
Drain golden brown falafels on a paper-lined tray to absorb extra oil.
Allow them to cool a little, and scoff them while they're still warm!!!

I like to eat falafels with a zesty salad, warmed pita bread, and a yoghurt dressing of some kind (either mint or tahini flavoured - or both!!). For those who like a little extra kick, a spicy sauce - such as chili or harissa - is always a good thing.

HAPPY EATING, MY FRIENDS!

Seasonal Thai

2010-04-11T14:40:00.013+10:00

The Place: In Season Thai
Address: 279 Victoria St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Cost: Entrees- $ to $, Mains- $12 to $22.50, Dessert- $6.90 to $7.90
Hours: 5.30pm till late
Style: Thai

Rating: "Booty Call!" (3/5)

This place opened up around four months ago, taking over from an Italian joint that sadly never had anyone in there. The situation is thankfully quite the opposite for In Season Thai, and they're doing a nice steady trade, which I'm always happy to see.

Right at the edge of the North Melbourne shopping strip on Victoria Street (so much on the edge that it falls into West Melbourne), this is a nice restaurant with yummy food and super friendly staff.

The Food
Kong and I went with a couple entrees and three mains with steamed rice and were then, sadly, WAY too full to take on any desserts. That's our own fault, of course, as we like savoury too much and over-ordered. But, that said, what we had was quite tasty!

Tod Mon (Thai Fish Cakes) $8.90 - Hot and spicy, with hints of lemongrass, kaffir lime and sesame oil. I used to work with some Thai ladies when I was a chef, and these tasted just like theirs... very nice. :)
Chicken Satay Skewers $8.90 - I hadn't realised how used to Malaysian satay I'd become, until I tried this and was surprised by its 100% peanuty-ness (ie. no chilli, chicken fat, etc). That said, it was a very tasty satay sauce, and the chicken skewers were nicely charred. I'd order it again in a flash!
Gai Yang Ta Krai $14.90 - The menu called this "The Traditional Thai favourite dish of all time!" So, naturally, we HAD to order it. It was a little disappointing in that the lemongrass marinade wasn't as flavoursome as it could have been, and for some strange reason they used chicken breast, which resulted in the chicken being quite dry. The sweet and sour sauce helped quite a bit with the dryness so, all in all, this was ok.
Pad Makur Tow Hu $15.90 - Featuring eggplant, basil, chilli and tofu in oyster sauce, this was very tasty and not at all spicy. The basil really added to this - I could eat it all day!
Pad Thai $17.90 - This is my 'barometer' dish (like spaghetti carbonara, wonton soup, and char kway teow): I like to order it to decide if I really like a place. This is because I become quite fussy with these dishes, having eaten them more often than any normal person trying to keep some semblance of a small bottom should. The version this evening was, unfortunately, quite sweet, and featured the dreaded dry chicken breast. On the up side, they did serve it with some "add your own" peanuts and lime, but I would have required quite a lot more lime to balance it. Not great, not TERRIBLE, but not great.

Overall, this wasn't a bad place to eat. The food was quite tasty and well worth the visit - we'll be back to try the other items on their menu. :)

And Everything Else

The service here is really great - very friendly and efficient. They make nice efforts like infusing the water they provide with orange, which is delicious and make you feel loved as soon as you sit down. The ambiance isn't super intimate, with lighting that reminded me a little of hospital waiting rooms but, that said, the decor is very comfy and they've put a lot of effort into the theme of the place.

P.s. Food Envy?

Yes! Kong spotted an amazing looking salad (we think it could have been the "Yum In Season Talay") which was jam packed with seafood and herbs - I'm going to have to try that!

With warm service, tasty food, In Season Thai is a good place to visit for a casual mid-week dinner or for some take-away - and definitely for the occasional booty call!

Its tasty, its fast, its cheap - gotta be Don Don

2010-04-10T17:13:00.018+10:00

The Place: Don Don on Swanston
Address: 321 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000 (near the corner of Lonsdale and Swanston)
Cost: Everything on the menu (all 8 or 9 items) range from $6.50 to $9.90
Hours: Daily, 10am till late
Style: Japanese

Rating: "Match made in heaven" (5/5)

Whether you're going to a movie, in a rush, on a lunch break or just wanting some good food that doesn't cost an arm and leg, Don Don will provide. Never, EVER, have I been to such a consistant eatery. Every time I go, the food is very tasty, the service is so fast your bum hardly hits the seat before you have both drinks and dinner, and everyone is friendly. They're also always playing 50's music that is either Spanish, Italian or Hawaiian in theme. Weird, but it works, so I like it.

Hardly a respite from the crazy busy-ness of Swanston Street (the eatery is often busting with takeaways and new customers), it is still one of the best value joints in Melbourne.

The Food

Your choice is made very easy here. Everything comes with rice and all you have to decide is what you want with it and how much (ie. a bowl or bento). You can't really go wrong. I went with the Sashimi Don, and Kongy went with his beloved Don Don Bento Box.

Sashimi Don (pictured top) - Soft, silky, super-fresh salmon, warm rice, assorted pickles, as well as shredded sweet tofu skin (if anyone knows the name of this, please share!), a nice chunk of silken tofu and salad leaves. Super filling and very satisfying; it's one of the dishes I can eat myself silly on, and feel light as a feather afterwards - YAY for Japanese food!!
Don Don Bento Box (pictured right) - if you're a big eater, then this mammoth meal will surely satisfy you! Featuring shredded beef with ginger (slightly spicy from the ginger and very tender), teriyaki chicken (soft and delectable!), hot rice sprinkled with nori and seasame seeds, a zesty salad (fresh and tasty) and a couple of pieces of fruit to finish.

Even though we've only shown you two of the 8 or 9 choices you have at Don Don, I can honestly say that if I wasn't so damn obsessed with raw fish, I'd be eating everything on their menu. It's just that good and that consistent!

Everything Else

The service is incomparable! Lighting-fast - you place your order, look around for a seat, turn back, and it will be waiting there for you. I'd imagine it might take about 2 minutes at busy times but, people, 2 MINUTES?? That is just freaking amazing. Also, the service isn't just fast, it's friendly. I love the music and the squishy seats and the bustle; it's a fun place and well worth your time, money and tummy.

If you haven't been to Don Don, you simply must go! Take a friend, go for lunch, go for tea, or visit late one morning with a hangover. Whatever you choose, just make sure you get down to Don Don! You will be shocked by the value, of that I'm certain. And like all of the other Don Don regulars, you'll create a special space in your heart for this amazingly valued match made in heaven!

Market Food - Boreks

2010-04-05T10:40:00.016+10:00

The Place: Boreks - Made Fresh on Premises
Address: The Deli Hall, within the Queen Victoria Markets
Cost: All Boreks are $2.50 each
Hours: Check out their website below

Style: Turkish

Website: http://www.qvm.com.au

Rating: Hot Fling! (4/5)

If you're a foodie like me, you'll know that a food market is one of the most dangerous places threatening vows to stick to healthy eating. That's not to say that you can't buy a plethora of fresh fruits, veggies, seafood, meats, breads, pastas, cheeses (mmm...cheeses...), wines, coffee, etc, but you can also buy a whole heap of tasty tidbits that I like to call Market Food. In most cases, Market Food will be great for your tastebuds, but maybe not for your bottom. :)

So, Part 2 of my insider's guide to the Queen Vic Market's "Market Food" is devoted to arguably one of the most popular: Boreks. Boreks is about the only shop that rivals the uber-famous Queen Vic kransky stall (which I'll tell you about next week), and let me tell you why!

The Food

Boreks offers mainly boreks (hahaha...no surprises there!), but also offers some Turkish salads and falafel too. The boreks come in three flavours, all of which are as rewarding as each other, but quite different. So, even if you're a 'moody foodie', you'll always find something to please you here.

Added to that are the lovely ladies who sell the boreks. They are super friendly, always offering you a sample of the freshly baked ones and welcoming you to their shop. Their strategy is a classic, simple yet highly effective: Let them try some, then they will buy some. And, my dears, it works. It works very, VERY well. I challenge you to take them up on their offer to try some, then honestly say you don't feel the need to eat an entire borek (or two). You will want to, that I am sure of.

So, the flavours are as follows:

Spicy lamb and vegies - The lamb is a hit with most people. It is spicy, but in a pleasant "anyone could handle this" way. The vegies aren't so much a flavour, although you can see them throughout the borek. The lamb is what takes the main stage with this one.
Spinach, cheese and parsley - This is my favourite. The cheese is tart yet creamy, the spinach unashamedly strong and the parsley lightens the whole affair and cleans your palate. Simply YUM YUM YUM!
Spicy potato and vegies - A tad more spicy than the lamb, and has a really bold potato flavour (I'm thinking they might oven-roast the spuds?). This is a great treat if you want a vegetarian snack.

All of these are worth a try. I suggest you grab a friend (or a big appetite) and order all three so you can decide which one you like best. Also, if you're into your legumes, the salads are very nice and shouldn't be overlooked.

And Everything Else

If you visit Boreks at lunch time or early afternoon, being surrounded by other stalls is an exciting, bustling experience! All around you are heaps of people enjoying food, ordering food, purchasing food, enquiring about food, spruiking their food, stealing customers' attention from one food to another... it's heaven, and full of energy and life.

The Deli Hall at the Queen Vic Markets is quite a unique place and has a lot to offer by way of history, as well as products/produce. You have to be there to really appreciate the high ceilings, the old store fronts and the banter... it is one of my favourite places. If you enjoy Turkish Food (or haven't tried it yet), get on down there and enjoy a hot fling with a borek!

Please sir, can I have some more...?

2010-04-04T16:39:00.017+10:00

The Place: The Artful Dodger
Address: 267 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick, VIC 3185
Cost: Prices range from $6.50 to $28.00
Hours: Everyday- 6.30am to 5pm
Style: Cafe (although looking to do dinners, so watch this space!)
Website: http://www.theartfuldodger.com.au/

Rating: "Hot Fling" (4/5)

For those who are die-hard cafe nuts, you might know of an Elsternwick institution called Gunters Kitchen Cafe. It had a little bit of everything, and just a tad more, and we all loved it, even on its off days. After moving from Elsternwick to St Kilda, I hadn't been there for about 2 years (shocking, I know), and went back the other day for old times' sake, only to discover it had closed.

At first, I was devastated by this. I had been a regular of Gunters (a weekend stalker some might say), and just wasn't ready to discover it had gone. But I quickly recovered after seeing the new kid on the block, The Artful Dodger. Funky, cheeky, fun, kitsch, expressive are all words I'd use to describe the ambiance of this place... I think I'm in love!

From the stickers on the glass (see pictures) to the menu (with its reference to the movie Oliver - it even had Gruel!!), this place is bound to have you smiling and relaxing into a tasty morning of good coffee and tasty food.

The Food

Quite creative is how I'd describe this menu. I can't really put a "style" to it, as you'll find things like my breakfast roti wrap and Kong's Big Breakfast, then moving down the page you'll see house-cured salmon and crepes. What do you think? Modern Australian? Yeah, let's go with that. :)

No matter how you want to pigeonhole it, you won't be disappointed by The Artful Dodger. However, you WILL be full! I had trouble finishing my roti wrap, but it's nice to be full in the morning. So, what did we have in detail?

Breakfast roti wrap - Featured a plain egg omelette, bush tomato chutney, crispy bacon, melted cheese and sautéed spinach all wrapped up in crispy, buttery roti bread. It was a delight to eat. It was also a lot to eat, so you might like to share this with someone. Then again, it tastes pretty amazing, so you might like to just stuff yourself silly!
Big Breakfast - Featured eggs (anyway you like them - Kong chose scrambled), bacon, tasty pork and rosemary sausage, sourdough toast (which I don't like, but seems to be very popular at the moment), sautéed mushrooms and green tomato chutney. This, of course, was a lot to eat, too, but Kong gallantly finished the lot. Then helped me finish mine. A special thing to point out about this dish is the sausage - you could really taste the pork and rosemary. It was very nice. Also, the eggs were soft, just done - lovely.

And Everything Else

The service here was very nice. The Artful Dodger has only been open since January, so everyone is still getting into the groove and gaining their confidence but, that said, they're all lovely and we'll be back because of it. Oh, and our coffee was really nice. They do their own blends as well as sell some more mainstream stuff, so if you're a coffee buff, head on down there and tell me what you think!

P.s. Food Envy?

Yes - even though we were only 1 of 4 couples in the place. Everything that went out looked lovely. There was an avocado toast with goat's cheese that moseyed past our table, and a gigantic, tasty-looking iced coffee. I also saw someone order the house-cured salmon - it looked so shiny and yummy and... I WANTED IT.

I love a good themed party or restaurant, especially if it's backed up with super tasty food and friendly service. From the get-go, this place was going to become a favourite, and I was excited when biting into my roti wrap to find that it wasn't just another affair. This is the place for your next hot fling!

Anything but Mexican... >:(

2010-04-02T18:03:00.017+11:00

The Place: Bluecorn
Address: 205 Barkly Street, St Kilda, 3182
Cost: Shared Platters- $18.50 to $42.00, Mains- $19.50 to $28.00 and Sides- $3.50 to $7.00
Hours: Monday to Friday - 6pm till late, Saturday and Sunday - 7am till late
Style: Mexican

Rating: "Heart Breaker" (1/5)

I should start by saying that this is not a nice review. I'm not a happy customer. What is that famous saying? "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," or something to that effect? Well, I agree, hell doesn't, and scorned I am.

Right now, I have my mother's voice in my head saying, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it..." But I AM going to say it, Mum, because I am SO GODDAMN DISAPPOINTED.

So, with that said, before I tell you about the food, I have to tell you about the service - or the lack of service.

(You'll notice I mention the time of night a bit. This is due to us having "paid metered parking," and not wanting to get a parking fine. I had my phone out, so we knew what time it was.)

The service: I was so excited to be going to Bluecorn. It was my first suggested food affair, and I LOVE Mexican food. It's a food of passion! We rocked up at Bluecorn around 7:10pm and grabbed a table for two out on the street. Then we sat there, and continued to sit there, while a waiter (who we discovered later was the manager) laughed and joked with a table less than 1 meter from us. VERY annoying.

Feeling unloved, after being unsuccessful in making eye contact with any of the waiters (who were busy, yet still standing around and looking everywhere but at us, which was just weird), Kong got up to get some menus about 10 mins later. The waitress rushed at him when he headed for the menus, and followed him back to our table and withwater and a couple of glasses. I told her that I was excited to be eating there, and was super hungry, and said that we'd have to be out by 8.30pm because of our parking. She assured us that would be fine, and not to worry. We were feeling a bit loved again. The waitress then asked us for our drinks order, then left us to look at our menus. We waited 15 mins to place our order (up to around 7:40pm now).

We received our entrée of dips quite quickly, within about 10 minutes (see more detail in The Food below). When we were done, the waitress removed our plate (8pm). Then we waited. I cannot believe I am saying this, but we waited 40 minutes for our mains, with the waitress coming to us only when we flagged her. We advised of our 8.30pm cut off time (at 8.25pm) and she said, quite rudely, "You and everyone else, but we're doing what we can and your food is on its way."

15 minutes later our food arrived. It was warm, not hot.

We asked the waiter for our bill. We figured we could pay while we ate, so we could leave ASAP, since we'd already be running to make it to our car to avoid a fine. She responded as she walked away, but I couldn't hear her. Another waiter brought us our bill, dropped it on the table, and stormed off. Interesting. Then our waitress came with our bill, saw the bill we'd just received on the table already, and turned around without a word. She then ignored the credit card we placed on the bill, choosing instead to stand near the entrance of the restaurant, and stare into the distance. So, in the end, we finished our food as quickly as we could, went up to the bar to pay, then hurried to our car. :(

So, that's the service. What about the food, you ask?

The Food

In short, you'd be better off going to Taco Bills, and that comment isn't even me being mean; it's the bloody truth. I'll explain each dish below but, in short, all I tasted for the most part was cheese, sour cream and tasteless beans. Boring, uninspired and grossly overpriced. Incredibly poor service aside, the food fell way short of the bar for me. I'm at a loss why this place is so popular. Ok, rant done, here is what we ate:

Bluecorn chips & cornbread with dips: The cornbread was great - dense, moist and lightly seasoned - and the bluecorn chips were really quite good. There were also a few olives on the plate, which were very tasty. Simply becuase they HAD flavour, it was a real treat. The dips are explained below:

Spicy chickpea - I scooped this up on a corn chip and placed it in my mouth. It was fizzy/fuzzy... in other words, the chickpeas had gone off. Shocking.
Pipian Rojo - I'm unaware of what this was trying to be. It tasted like 'red nothing'. "What's 'red nothing'?" Something that is red, but tastes like nothing - in short, yuck.
Guacamole - Mashed avocado with huge chunks of raw onion and no salt. Never again.
Mushroom and blackbean - The only dip that seemed to have seen salt. Very nice.

I ordered the Blue Masa goat's cheese quesadilla and Kong ordered the roast lamb tacos with rocket, olives, onion, sweet corn and cheese. Although some may argue that the pictures look tasty, I assure you that it wasn't. Looking at it still makes me feel a bit nauseous because of the overpowering cheesiness of it all (and, my dear readers, you and I both know how much I love cheese).

Blue Masa Goats Cheese Quesadilla - Quesadillas are a popular savory Mexican turnover, stuffed with a cheese filling. The turnover is grilled or fried, using either flour or a corn tortillas. My kind of Mexican in other words! The exciting thing about quesadillas is that you're eating HEAPS of cheese, but the crispy (and, if you're lucky, caramelised) corn tortilla helps cut through the richness, and it's a very enjoyable treat. The Bluecorn version was nothing like this. The corn chips they used were soggy and all I tasted was avocado, cheese, beans and sour cream. No spices, no salt, nothing. Very rich. So much so that I didn't finish it.
Roast Lamb Tacos with Rocket, Olives, Onion, Sweet Corn and Cheese - This dish looked more promising than mine but, funnily enough, tasted almost exactly the same. The lamb flavour was lost within the sour cream and cheese, and we didn't really taste any sweet corn. Again, the olives were great. Maybe we should have had a main of olives.

The most important thing to note here is the lack of seasoning in everything. "Why didn't you just add salt, you fussy woman!!??" I hear you ask. Good question! Here is the answer: "Because there were no condiments on our table, or on tables near by, and it was near impossible to get the waiters to come to our table to order our food, let alone drinks or condiments."

Mexican food should taste of chili powder, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cocoa, chipotle (a smoke-dried jalapeño chili), garlic, salt, pepper and onions. It should excite your taste buds, not make them want to run away!!

Everything Else

The decor of the place is really quite cool. It looks like a cosy canteen with the tables and chairs, yet the cleverly put together lighting and wall decorations make it so much more. The bar, fronted by an army of salt and sugar rimmed Martini glasses, is backed by some very sexy looking bottles containing liquids to muddle your brain, and there is a little window where you can see into the kitchen. Seating is on the street, inside, and out the back in a courtyard. As for the other stuff, I think I've described the service/food side enough.

Food Envy

No.

Whether you agree or disagree with this review, this was our experience, and I am an honest and reasonable person. I don't like having to say anything bad about restaurants, cafes, bars or pubs. When we arrived at Bluecorn, they weren't too busy. As the night progressed, they became much busier. Because of this, some might say, "Ease up!"

I don't agree. The service and food we receive shouldn't be that dependent on their becoming busy.

I went to Bluecorn to enjoy myself, and wanted to be able to encourage you to go and do the same. But...no. It might sound mean, but I cannot recommend that you visit this place. This affair was a heart breaker. :(

Me scream, you scream, we all scream, for ice-cream!

2010-03-30T18:14:00.012+11:00

The Place: West Beach Bathers Pavilion
Address: 330 Beaconsfield Parade, St Kilda West, VIC 3182
Cost: This place is massive. We went to the snack side where prices range from around $5-$15. There is also a restaurant, which I'll be trying another time.
Hours: Everyday, 7am to 4pm
Style: Cafe

Rating: "Booty Call!" (3/5)

I just wanted to share my happy "I'm being naughty and eating fudgy ice-cream" moment with you, as I enjoyed it, and feel you would do the same.

The Food... well, The Sundae
This isn't a formal review as yet. I'll go back and try all their other food, so let me just talk about the yummy sundae I had; that way, you can know about it right now, jump out of your chair, and head there today!

The ice-cream was reminiscent of the Streets "Blue Ribbon" ice-cream. You know, creamy and tasty, but not a blow-your-mind, homemade vanilla bean affair. But that was fine with me, as it took me back to being a kid again. Next to, and all around, that ice-cream was a delicious chocolate fudge... warm... gooey... mmm. To top it all off, a huge amount of cream, nuts and some grapes (as they were out of strawberries). The grapes, although strange, were an excellent way to finish the sweet treat.

And Everything Else?

This place is MASSIVE! If you Google "West Beach Bathers Pavilion" you will find a whole heap of stories that relate to how the 81-year-old building was saved from demolition, and is now run by the Van Der Sluys family. It looks and feels like 'ye olde (restored) building,' with old telephones on the walls, cool bathrooms with little lights all around the mirrors and a huge polished wood dining hall area and open style kitchen. I think it could be a fun place to eat, so I'll be going back for sure!

Food Envy

Yes! Although I'd had MORE than enough sweetness, they had the most AMAZING looking custard slice. The custard was really soft; you could tell by how it was bulging and barely staying within its crispy pastry top and bottom. Then there were some pretty tasty looking breakfasts heading out to people. I noticed that all the people finishing their meals had very clean plates - always a good sign, my dears!

If you're in St Kilda and feel like a coffee and cake (or a gigantic yummy sundae!), take a walk along the shoreline, take in some sea air, and give the Bathers Pavilion a booty call!

Lost for words... sorry, can you repeat that?

2010-03-30T16:32:00.021+11:00

The Place: Lost for words
Address: 25 Blessington Street, St Kilda VIC
Cost: $6.50 to around $15
Hours: Breakfast and lunch daily

Style: Cafe Brekky/Lunch (Mexican)

Rating: "It's not us, it's YOU..." (2/5 - Good food, but poor service)

Where to have a quite brekky with my good mate, Fiona, in St Kilda? We asked each other this question as we strolled along the esplanade, past the Sunday Markets in the cool morning air taking in the sun.

We were looking for a quiet breakfast spot so our third companion (Fiona's lovely puppy dog, Brinny) would be happy. This means keeping clear of the busy Fitzroy Street and Acland Street. We finally headed for a place just down from Ackland Street called 'Lost for Words,' a snug and bustling cafe (yet quiet compared with the other places we walked past), where there was water set out for Brinny to drink, and lots of room for pup and people to relax.

The Food

The breakfast menu consisted of your usual brekky cafe fare, with all the usual sides available, and reasonably priced, too. There was also a dash of Mexican flare in breakfast offerings, with the addition of their 'Breakfast Burrito'. The lunch menu was much more Mexican (or Tex Mex), but we were there just for brekky.

When we placed our orders is when things became a little more interesting. It was in a funny way at first, but a bit beyond funny as the ordering saga continued.

Here's a sample of it:

Waitress: "Are you ready to place an order?"

Me (said quite slowly as I was still deciding): "Two poached eggs on Turkish bread... wiiiiiiiith.... a side of hashbrowns aaaaaaaand..... a side of smoked salmon."

Waitress: "OK, scrambled eggs with mushrooms..."

Me, interrupting: "No, no (smile). Two poached eggs on Turkish bread with a side of hashbrowns and a side of smoked salmon."

Waitress: "Sorry, ok, so two poached eggs, hashbrowns and bacon..."

Fiona and me, jumping in (still smiling, as these things happen, everyone has an off day): "Two poached eggs on Turkish bread with a side of hashbrowns and a side of smoked salmon."

Waitress: "(giggling) No worries, two poached eggs, hashbrowns and salmon - got it!"

Me: "Cool, and I'll have a freshly squeezed orange juice, too. Thanks!"

Waitress: "One juice."

Fiona: "I'll have a juice, too, and two poached eggs on Turkish bread with bacon."

Waitress: "Ok, another juice. Two poached eggs on rye and bacon."

Fiona - "On Turkish."

Waitress: "An Turkish bread too?"

Fiona: "No, Turkish bread instead of rye."

Waitress: "Ok, got it. Thanks!"

And she walks off.

WOW! Never in my life have I had to think quite so hard about the stuff I'm ordering! Ok, so the juice comes out first, in a glass about the size of two champagne flutes joined vertically. I was a bit underwhelmed as the price tag didn't really add up; they were charging $5 for this, and although the picture looks large, it was really only about three mouthfuls.

Next came our brekky and, all in all, it tasted good. My hashbrowns were crunchy, smoked salmon ok, and eggs nice, runny, and very tasty. The only downside was that my eggs were super-runny and Fiona's were poached hard. We fixed that by swapping one of my runny ones for one of her hard ones, but I found the differences to be quite weird.

And Everything Else

As soon as we finished eating, Brinny made her presence and her need to go for a walk RIGHT NOW known to us, so we headed over to pay for our meal.

Cue our next bout of "what the...?":

Waitress: "Hello, all done? Ok..."

She then spent two or three minutes running her hands back and forth on all the dockets looking for ours.

Me: "Busy day, hey? Did you want some help? I can tell you what we had to help you find our bill if you like."

Waitress: "Good idea! (grabs the menu and heads to the till) Ok, what did you have?"

I repeated everything we had and, as I did, the waitress entered the prices into the register, then gave us our tally.

As I was paying, the barrista (who looked quite busy) exploded with, "F*** this place, there are no f****** teaspoons!".

HAHAHA! My goodness! What a way to start the day!

Food Envy

Not really no, I didn't see anything go by that tempted me away from my food.

The place has a good atmosphere, with comfy cushioned chairs and cool tiled tables. It's a good respite from the busy-ness of Acland Street and Fitzroy Street, but I'm not sure I want to have to think that hard in the morning. Thank god I didn't have a hangover!

Sorry, it's not us, it's you. :(

Revisiting Hopkins Street Favorites...

2010-03-27T14:48:00.012+11:00

The Place: Hien Vuong
Address: 146 Hopkins Street, Footscray (most sites say it's on Peel Street, but it isn't, so take my word for it!)
Cost: $6.50 to around $12
Hours: All day, everyday! (9am to 9pm)
Style: Vietnamese

Rating: "Booty Call!" (3/5)

Do you love Vietnamese food? If you do, have you been to Hopkins Street in Footscray? There are HEAPS of places, so much so that it's quite hard to choose. That said, we always do end up choosing a place to eat, and Hien Vuong is one of the places we choose most.

An added bonus to visiting this eatery is the Little Saigon Market, which is directly behind the shop. So, once you've had your dinner, you can go and pick up some bargains at the food market!

The Food

The Phở here is simply outstanding! Lots of rich flavours in the stock, like star anise, beef and lime, and very little fat. I normally go for the beef Phở and Kong will normally have the Broken Rice. This predictable way of eating has resulted in us having an increasingly better understanding of what makes good Phở or Broken Rice. Both are very good here, and incredibly cheap, too.

Everything Else

The service is VERY quick. What I like about the owners/waiters in this eatery is that they are happy to stand by while you check out the menu. They have hot tea to you within seconds of seating. The food is served very quickly, too. The ambiance is great after a hard day at work: comfy chairs, a very clean and relaxing eating hall, two TVs (normally on The Simpsons when we're there)... it's a really nice place to eat.

Food Envy

Nah, not really. Everyone seems to come in for the Phở. Occasionally, someone orders something I haven't seen before, but it is mainly about the soup, and for good reason! It's lovely!

If you haven't been to Footscray yet and want a good excuse, use this and pop down there. Very yummy! There is parking behind this restaurant as well as on the street; you just have to find it. This place is in our little black book of food affairs, and will be called on again soon.

Market Food - Dim Sims

2010-03-27T13:56:00.018+11:00

The Place: Yummy Yummy Chinese Gourmet
Address: Corner of Peel Street and Victoria Street, next to Nandos.
Cost: Dim Sims are $1.20 each
Style: Chinese

Rating: Booty call! (3/5)

I've been a regular customer at the Queen Victoria Markets for about 5 years now. It's such a fun place to visit, and getting to know the people who own the shops makes it even more so. All this time, I've been trying different types of food there, and I'm going to start sharing with you what are some of the nicest.

Funnily enough, I'm going to start this mini-series of Queen Vic entries with something I've never tried before. Since I first visited the markets, I have been eyeing off a Chinese eatery called "Yummy Yummy Chinese Gourmet." Why? Because it has always had a sign out the front asking you to come and "Try the best dim sim in the market". So, today I did it, and I'm happy to say it was tasty!

The Food

These dimmies were nicely peppered and had a strong cabbage and pork flavour. They're available steamed or fried, with a nice dark soy sauce. I tried both (of course) and found the steamed one was ever so slightly on the soggy side. That said, both were very tasty, and I'd eat them again.

I feel it's important to share some knowledge I came across when I first met my husband Kong (who is Malayasian Chinese). A Chinese dim sim (or dumpling) is NOTHING like an Australian dim sim. Kong is endlessly devastated by my enjoyment of a good steamed or deep fried Aussie dim sim, as the mere smell of them makes him feel ill. The major differences between them are the flavours: Aussie dim sims tend to be pepper, pork and cabbage, while Chinese dim sims tend have simple pork and prawn flavours. That said, Chinese dim sims vary a lot, with some having ginger and shallots, others with blow-your-mind tasty stocks inside (Shanghai dumplings, for example), and some with chives.

I will always prefer a Chinese dim sim, as the flavour and texture are far superior. However, I grew up with Aussie dim sims, and they'll always be appealing to me, especially if someone is claiming theirs is the best!

Everything Else

This is a very no-frills eat-in or take-away joint. The menu offers hot box-style foods, hot soups, fried rice and sandwiches, and the place has a slightly unfinished feel to it (that is, I wasn't 100% sure it was open when I walked in). The lady behind the counter was really nice and served me the dimmies in record time.

Food Envy

Not really, no. The stuff in the hotbox was standard bulk Chinese fast food and, although many people like this kind of thing, it doesn't really turn me on. I'd go back for more dimmies though. :)

Sausages: The love affair that began with pork....

2010-03-25T21:51:00.061+11:00

Despite the many saucy connotations which could be extracted from this entry's title, it is the truth, I have always loved pork. I love it's versatility and it's ability to take so many forms... it can be roasted, fried, grilled, boiled, salted, smoked, cured and i feel one of it's ultimate forms is the sausage.

A good sausage is a tasty piece of art. The art of mincing meat and fat together, plus the careful and precise addition of seasonings, spices and herbs are all woven together within the casings of a hog or a sheep to produce something that is not of this world, it is so much greater. And so, loving sausages dearly as I do, I decided to start making my own.

I am a chef by trade, but I had never really delved much into the art of making sausages. I had bought a book called "Charcuterie" by Michael Ruhlman and Brian Polcyn - It is a truly excellent book and has taught me the most about making not just good sausages but how to make great sausages - and so my sausage adventures began...

The sausage that 'worked'...

The first sausage I tried was a mexican style chorizo, which is pretty much a fresh sausage, so not cured and smoked like the spanish one. It turned out ok, yet was lacking in something.

The next one I tried was a spicy italian style pork and fennel sausage. These were better than the first, but still not quite right - they weren't bursting with juices, the texture wasn't quite there, yet the flavour was good and the seasonings right - ahhhh!

So then I tried the 'Merguez" sausage. A lamb sausage with north african influences that sounded tasty and it worked a treat - success! The sausage was a great texture and it was bursting with juices. I discovered that working the proteins in the meat with my stand mixer (using the paddle) it made an enormous difference to the final texture as well as mincing the fat into the meat.

So now I can share with you the recipe that works, the Merguez sausage, from 'Charcuterie', my bible.

Ingredient Note: Buy only the freshest ingredients for making sausages - from the pork and the fat, to the herbs and spices you use. Buy just enough spices for your sausages and please DO NOT use spices that have been kept in your cupboard for ages, fresh is best and only option - that is, if you want tasty sausages.

Merguez Sausages

Ingredients:

2kg boneless lamb shoulder, diced
450g pork back fat, diced
2 1/4 tblsp cooking salt
4 tsp sugar
1 tsp hot red chilli flakes or cayenne pepper
2 tblsp minced garlic
1 1/2 cups diced roasted red peppers (see note below)
1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tblsp sweet paprika
2 tblsp fresh oregano
1/4 cup chilled red wine
1/4 cup ice water
6m of sheep casings or 3m hog casings

Method

1. Combine all the ingredients together except for the red wine and water,

then refrigerate until you want to grind and be sure to let the meat marinate for at least 2 hours before grinding.

Grind only when the meat is VERY COLD. This is very important for the final success of the sausage - if the meat is ground warm you may end up with a dry crumbly sausage!!

2. Grind the mixture through a small to medium die into a chilled bowl.

3. Add the chilled wine and water to the meat mixture and mix with a paddle on a stand mixer or a strong spoon until all the liquids are combined and the mixture takes on a 'sticky ' feel and appearance. This normally takes about 1 minute on a medium speed.

4. Fry a little of the mix off to ensure the seasonings are correct and flavour good.

5. Stuff into sausage casings with a sausage stuffer attachment on your mincer or a piping bag with the casing threaded onto the nozzle.

6.Twist into sausage links as big or small as desired and refridgerate or freeze until you want to cook it.

7. When cooking ...DO NOT OVERCOOK YOUR SNAGS... cook to an internal temperature of about 65 deg C and you will have a tasty juicy sausage!!!

Cooks Note: To Roast Peppers

1. Place raw peppers over open flame and burn the outside skin until blistered and blackened on the outside.

2. Place hot peppers straight from flame into a covered heat proof bowl and place a cover on top so they sweat.

3. When all the peppers are done, peel by gently scraping the blackened skin from the flesh... if done properly this should come off quite easily. DO NOT RINSE THE PEELED PEPPERS UNDER WATER or the flavour will be diminished greatly.

4. If not using it straight away, you can marinate it with garlic, bayleaf and olive oil and it will steep and take on those wonderful and complimentary flavours... tasty!!

Baked Camembert Cheese with Red Wine and Thyme

2010-03-23T20:54:00.023+11:00

As you've probably read in my blogs already, I'm rather obsessed with cheese. Its as much a curse as it is a blessing...

the curse being that cheese is probably the single most fatty thing you can pop in your mouth next to straight butter or fat, and;
the blessing being the rewarding and varied spectrum of flavours, textures, stories, methods and cultures that come with every piece of cheese you try, no matter where you are in the world

And so, as with most things, the much more attractive "blessing" gets my attention and with the curse only receiving attention when I feel the need to complain about my bum. :)

Now this recipe (which we first saw on an episode of a documentary called "Cheese Slices") is the first of many my hubby and I will share with you, and it has made me feel as if I've died and gone to cheesy heaven.

So my instructions to you all is to forget your bottoms and waist lines, then head down the market, buy the ingredients, and enjoy!

Fondue Normande (baked Camembert)
Serves 2

Ingredients
1 Camembert cheese (since Aussie Camembert SUCKS due to our government not letting us use unpasteurised milk for our cheese craft, we used a French cheese called 'Clarines')
2 garlic clove
2 teaspoons thyme
2 teaspoons fresh Parsley
1 cup red wine (we used Paxton Shriaz Grenache 2008 - very nice for couple of glasses too!)
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Method

Break the garlic into its natural segments and leave the skin on. Blanch in boiling water for 2 minutes or so. Then peel, discard the skin and cut into quarters.
Make a series of small holes in the Camembert and insert the blanched garlic throughout the cheese.
Pour half a cup of red wine across the surface of the cheese, pressing lightly to allow it to penetrate the surface.

Sprinkle cheese with thyme and parsley.
Pour remaining red wine over the top. Add pepper.
Place cheese, still in its wooden container or ramekin, on a baking dish. Bake for 10 min at 200°C.
Serve with freshly boiled dutch potatoes, blanched asparagus and broccoli florets, crusty grissini sticks (Kong made the ones pictured), and just for added naughty, we had some homemade duck and pork rillette.

Enjoy my friends!

Gnocchi in the know...

2010-03-21T21:47:00.012+11:00

The Place: Cafe Cavallino
Address: 181 Lygon Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053
Cost: We went for gnocchi. All pastas ranged from around $9 to $20

(There are also meats, seafood, entrees and desserts, but we were on a gnocchi mission, so didn't look at these)
Hours: Lunch & Dinner - Tuesday to Sunday
Style: Italian
Website: http://www.cafecavallino.com.au/

Rating: "Booty Call" (3/5)

In the 5-6 years we've lived in Melbourne, Kong and I have never really eaten in Lygon Street. Sacrilegious, I know, but we just never seemed to get there. I love Italian culture, and I am mad keen on Italian food. My god, the food! Mmm...but we've just never come to "little Italy".

Thankfully, a workmate of mine, Luisa (certified 1st generation Italian Australian!), was kind enough to take us out for what she calls "good tasty and cheap gnocchi". She was so right. Thank you, Luisa!

The Food

This place is busy, filled with families, students, couples, and friends. Everyone's eating, and having a great time. The menu is quite extensive. As mentioned above, it really does cover most tastes, including vegetarian. However, what I noticed around me was that many people were ordering the gnocchi, so I'm glad that I had some inside help to choose the right thing! All the pastas were home-made, too, so it was really hard for me not to choose Fettuccine, but I'm glad I tried the gnocchi!

Luisa had her gnocchi with a lovely sauce called Cardinale (with which she requested extra cream) featuring chicken, avocado and tomato concasse. I forgot to take a picture of it, so you'll just have to take my word that it looked tasty.

Kong had his gnocchi with the Arrabiata sauce (pictured to the right), which featured spicy salami, anchovies, peppers and tomato concasse. He loved it, and said: "The gnocchi was light and well made, and the sauce was lively and hot. Very nice".

I had my gnocchi (pictured below left) with a sauce I had been pronouncing wrong for the last 10 or so years, the Amatriciana sauce (featuring smoky bacon, chilli, olives and tomato concasse). It was really yummy, and this gnocchi didn't leave me feeling like I had rocks in my belly, so that was great! All in all, it was a really delicious affair!

The Drinks

I went with the house Cabernet Sauvignon, and it was basic, but nice. A little sweet, but not a lot of body. Then again, I didn't ask where it was from or anything so, for a house wine, I was really happy with it! Luisa had the house Shiraz and enjoyed it. Kong went for his usual hardcore Coke.

And Everything Else

This place is busy busy busy. Always more people to seat, more drinks to serve, more bills to arrange. So, thankfully, there was always someone waiting for our signal. Service was very good, and I was impressed with how attentive they were to our needs when they were so damn busy. The ambiance is casual; we were sitting out on the street, so got to take in all Lygon Street has to offer: the posers, the glamorous, the Mustangs and, unfortunately, the exhaust of the cars from the rev-heads that roll past.

P.s. Food Envy?

YES! Another weakness of mine (aside from mountains of cheese) is prawns. Not just prawns, though, GARLIC prawns. The table next to us had a TOWER of garlic prawns delivered to them, and they looked firm, tasty, and creamy. Oh yum. My mouth is watering just thinking of them!

Lygon Street has so much to offer, and it was great having an insider's tip and company to find a gem of a place like we did tonight. Cafe Cavallino served up some very nice gnocchi, and accompanied it with good service. We'll remember this place when we have a gnocchi itch to scratch. Then, my readers, it shall be time for a Booty Call!

The Queen Victoria Market's World Street Food Festival

2010-03-21T11:56:00.021+11:00

All hail Melbourne and its ability to pay homage to the food of the world!! "ALL HAIL!"

Not sure if any of you guys have gone to an event like this, however it was real a revelation to me! The food is reasonably priced, tasty and super varied - all the stall holders are excited and the people there all seem to have relaxed into a "we are family" feel - I had at least 10 conversations with complete strangers (sorry Mum!) about food I in my hands or the food in their hands, it was great!

So lets get into what I ate and how it looked!

Some standing space with a view - some of the food tents at the Festival

My first stop - The Traditional Lemonade Stand - fresh lemon juice, a healthy dose of sugar and ice, shaken and then served. Very very refreshing!

My second stop - Japanese filled pancakes. Custard or red bean... custard or red bean... I'll take both thanks! For the record though, the custard wins.

My third stop - Twistto. This is a really simple concept and these guys could make millions! The stall owners were proudly yelling "From Korea, first time in Melbourne, don't miss out", so naturally I raced across to eat one!

The Twistto is made from potato, cut using one of those vegetable cutters you see on daytime TV, threaded onto a skewer, deep fried and served with a sprinkle of your choice. I went with chicken salt and chilli and it was super morish! The photo is thanks to my mate Adrian that I ran into at Twistto - no surprise, with us both being food fans.

My fourth stop - Himalayan Nepalese Curry. These guys were making dumplings by hand rolling the pastry, adding small amounts of mixture in the centre and then closing to be steamed fresh for eating. I was fascinated as I didn't realise that the Nepalese people made dumplings - this lead to me simply having to try them!

Steamed till piping hot and covered in a home-made simple tomato sauce, these slightly spicy chicken dumplings were delicious - I had specially asked for only 4 as I wanted to try other stuff, but could have easily eaten 8! :)

My last stop - the Venezuelan snack shop. These guys were really cool, very friendly and slightly over excited! All good things when one is cooking the food of ones native land. I had a chat to the man in the yellow bandanna and decided to order the Arepa (which is a freshly cooked corn meal grill cake with a filling of your choice).

I went with the avocado and chicken. Sadly, it was a bit plain - not that I was expecting a flavour explosion, it just tasted very much like boiled chicken and avocado mixed together and that's it. This said, it was still ok, it just wasn't freaking amazing.

And so I ended my food affair with my Arepa in hand, listening to some live African drum beats that were being played at one end of the festival. What a way to spend a morning - I have one happy tummy! :)

All the magic of Harry Potter... just not the same name

2010-03-20T22:02:00.018+11:00

The Place: Grigons and Orr
Address: Corner of Queensberry and Chetwynd streets, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051
Cost: Most items (breaky and lunch) range from $6 to $13.50
Hours: 7 Days - 7am to 5pm
Style: All day breaky and lunch cafe style
Website: http://grigonsorr.com.au/

Rating: "Booty Call" (3/5)

What's with the Harry Potter reference? Well, I used to call this place 'Gringotts and Orr'. My fellow Harry Potter fans out there will know that Gringotts is the goblin bank in Diagon Ally, not a tasty brekky/lunch place in North Melbourne!

So, Grigons and Orr (G&O): How to describe it...? Do you remember those little milk bars on the corner when you were a kid? The ones with all your favourite lollies in big jars, and an amazing selection of stuff on the shelves behind the counter, and the yummiest milkshakes and spiders? Whether you answer yes or no, there is hope for you to come to such a place. At G&O, you'll find jaffles, homemade iced tea, scones, cakes, fried Spam (yes, SPAM), bags of mixed lollies, and much more. It's like being at home and, at the same time, in a really groovy cafe on the outskirts of Melbourne city.

I have been here a few times before I started my blog, and revisited today. As always, I was very happy with my order. I was joined for breakfast by my good mate, Debbie, who talked me into some sweets with my coffee after breakfast. This is a decision that I will surely re-visit in my dreams. The Portuguese tarts at G&O are really good.

The Food

G&O have a great menu. Everything, even the pan-fried Spam with scrambled eggs and truffle oil, sounds good, tasty and exciting. It's hard to make a decision. A lot of thought goes into what is on your plate, and the winner for all this effort is you and your happy tummy.

I went with the BLAT (bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato; see picture on right), and Deb went for a jaffle filled with tomato, ham and cheese (below left).

The BLAT was really, really good.

Bacon: It's salty yet low-fat, because they use the eye bacon. I like eye bacon on BLAT's, as the rashers can make it too rich (shocking that I wouldn't like the fat, I know!).
The lettuce is iceberg, which is nice as it has a crunch, but doesn't detract at all from the BAT part of the BLAT.
Avocado: Soft, ripe and a perfect addition.
Tomatoes: Oven-baked, soft and sweet.

All of this was served on the bread of the day; I had a wholegrain poppyseed slice, and it worked wonderfully. The sauce you can see in the photo is a creamy mayonnaise; the sauce you can't see is a tasty and tangy tomato relish (looked to be a green tomato relish, but I'm not 100% sure), which comlements the whole shebang really well.

Deb's jaffle was nice, but not super dooper amazing. The tomatoes were the same that I had in my BLAT (therefore, soft and tasty), the ham was very nice, and it was all served on the yummy wholegrain poppyseed loaf. However, the cheese appeared to be that plastic cheese that Maccas uses! This really affected the whole thing as I LOVE cheese, and I just don't understand using this horrid stuff, ever. That said, Deb really liked it, and I'm probably just being a cheese snob. :)

To end our meal, we had the Portuguese tarts I mentioned earlier (see pic below). Creamy, custardy and tasting lightly of vanilla and cinnamon, I'm so going back to eat more of these than I should. Oh, yes, I am.

The Drinks

G&O have the best drinks of any breakfast cafe I've ever been too. What fun! I don't want to spoil the excitement for you, but I can't help myself:

Muddled juices (like Kiwi fruit, mint and orange)
Homemade iced tea (see pic at top of review)
Spiders
Old-school milkshakes (using homemade syrups)
Teas, and
Good, good coffee

Deb went with skinny lattes, and I tried the nectarine-infused, homemade iced tea (as you can see up top). That was really fun and tasty. The nectarines could have been a tad sweeter, but it didn't worry me too much as I do like them tangy, and it worked well with my BLAT.

At the end, both Deb and I had coffees with our tarts. I don't tend to drink caffeine in the morning as it makes me mean and grumpy, so upon ordering a "decafe soy latte," I was delighted that the lovely waiter playfully responded to my excuses with "I get mean and grumpy when people order the opposite of anything resembling a good coffee," and poked his tongue out at me, as he should. Hehehe. It's stuff like that that makes me come back (as long as the food is good!). I love a good dose of banter.

And Everything Else

As you can tell, the waiters enjoy themselves here. They're all quite approachable, sport some wicked-looking tattoos, and are usually really friendly and casual. They recognise you quite quickly - I've only been there about 4 times - but there is an air of familiarity with them. Either they remember me, or they're just super welcoming to everyone; either way, it's nice. The ambiance is simply fantastic. I'd call it "old school corner shop style, the kind you'd see a grandma working in". Spunky, and a 'must visit' if you live in Melbourne, or if you're visiting.

Food Envy

Well, of COURSE there was. I'm a gobble guts, remember! However, in my defense, the cheesecake that had a thick layer of berries and a side of cream was accidentally placed on our table, so it's not really my fault that I have to go back to eat it. It was more a case of 'fated envy,' wouldn't you agree?

G&O is fun. It's a great place to get over a hangover, wake up properly, and/or meet friends for a catch up over some tasty treats. It will always be there waiting for you to call. It knows there are other lookers in the area that might catch your eye and tummy, and whisk you away...but Grigons and Orr isn't worried. You'll be back. They gave you their number, and you'll make a booty call soon!

We're regulars because its good....

2010-03-20T09:10:00.016+11:00

The Place: Char Siu House
Address: 37 Errol Street, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051
Cost: Ranges from $8 to $25, however most dishes sit around $9 to $15.
Hours: Monday to Sunday - 10:00am to 9:30pm
Style: Cantonese

Rating: "Hot Fling" (4/5)

Although my hubby and I are always on the prowl for our next new and exciting food affair, every foodie has their regular haunts. I'm planning on sharing a few of ours, and this is the first of many, many places! I'm a bit of a ghost when it comes to haunts. Hehehehe.

Char Siu House is a great place to get your fix of tasty Cantonese-style roast duck, roast pork and, of course, char siu; all are made in-house everyday (marinated overnight, then roasted in the morning). Char Siu House is also an expert in quite a few other dishes, including curry laksa, noodle soups, fried noodles and - a personal favorite - dry noodles with roasted meats. To date, we've tried a lot of different dishes here and haven't gone wrong.

The Food

This is the kind of place you visit when you don't want to cook but still want to have a satisfying, homestyle, soul-nourishing feast. It's not a 'dining experience' for the most part, but with a menu as large as Char Siu House's, I am confident that you could turn it into such. I've regularly seen others do just this. The restaurant is also wonderfully consistent. There is nothing worse than coming home from work, feeling lazy, going out for a cheap eat and being heart broken by it. You're always satisfied when you leave here, and it's great to know you can trust the quality.

On this visit, we decided to go with the char kway teow (pictured above) and dry noodles with roast duck and roast pork (pictured to the right).

Their char kway teow has all the good bits: bean sprouts, fish cake, chilli, flat noodles that have the 'breath of the wok' (so a little smokey), spring onions, prawns, egg, and a tasty sauce that clings to the noodles like it's a part of them. Very nice! I should tell you that my favorite version of this classic dish includes garlic chives and lup cheong (Chinese sausage). This version, however, is still super tasty; so much so that you don't notice the other bits are missing.

The dry noodles with roast duck and roast pork were pretty much perfect. The noodles were 'al dente' - yes, I know we're talking Chinese noodles here, but I can't think of a Chinese way of saying 'to the bite' - the dark sauce they were covered in was light, yet tasty. Now the roast pork... YUM. The pork fat was one with meat, making it succulent, and the crackling was super crunchy. The roast duck was on a similar level; it had been so perfectly cooked that it just fell away from the bone and melted in your mouth - divine! If you order a "dry noodle" here, you receive a steaming hot bowl of lovingly prepared chicken stock that is garnished with crispy brown onions that add a great flavour of their own and balance the dish nicely.

The Drinks

You will always receive piping hot and strong Chinese tea here with your meal when eating in, and it never fails to cleanse your palette so you get the most of the dish in front of you. We also grabbed an iced tea from the fridge - just a Lipton iced tea - which was as good as you'd expect.

Everything Else

I love the service here, and the ambiance can be likened to that of a Malaysian hawker cafe. The service is fast, polite, efficient and friendly. After you come in a couple of times, you start getting smiles of recognition from the regular staff (which we do) but, apart from that, we still simply sit down and order, talk to each other over some hot tea, and enjoy a good meal. It's perfectly simple, and simply perfect.

P.S. Food Envy

Nearly every time I'm there, I see something where I think to myself, "Oh, I have to get that next time". This time? It was the Beef Hor Fun, which I HAD considered ordering! It passed our table steamily, almost winking at me. Beef Hor Fun, you're mine next time!

If you're out for a really good bite to eat but don't want to spend too much, like casual quick service and the Erroll Street atmosphere of North Melbourne, head down to Char Siu House. Try the Prawn Laksa and Char Kway Teow - if you don't like them, I'll be SHOCKED (unless of course, you have a prawn allergy! :) )

This place is definitely a hot fling, one we'll be back for again and again.

Food for your soul - sustainable eating in St Kilda...

2010-03-12T22:59:00.037+11:00

The Place: Slow Down!
Address: 59 Acland Street, St Kilda, Victoria
Cost: Small Plates- $14 to $20, Large Plates- $24 to $29, To Share (for 2)- $50 to $75ish, Dessert- $8 to $14
Hours: Wednesday– Friday 5pm-11pm / Weekends & Public Holidays– 10am-late
Style: Slow Food - seasonal and European flavors used
Website: http://www.slowdown.net.au/

Rating: "Match made in heaven" (5/5)

What a great night! I can but sigh happily with my full tummy and completely satisfied expectations of what this dinner would bring.

It all started when my sister-in-law emailed me about a new "slow food restaurant in St Kilda". Being a bit of an unwashed hippy - strictly in the metaphorical sense - I promptly booked a table for me and my hubby (thanks for the tip, Fooi!). Our booking grew from 2 to 5 as we were joined by our wonderful friends, Sonya, Ant and their endlessly impressive daughter, Harry (I say endlessly impressive because she'll eat anything once, and eat most things more than twice!).

So, with our pack of food lovers, we descended on the 2-week-old restaurant and set our minds to trying all that we could fit in. I'm happy to say we ate much more than we should have, and I'd have eaten more except that I was bustingly full. FANTASTIC!

The Food

Great golly, Miss Molly, and wow! Seasonal, fresh, homemade, thoughtful, excellently matched and skilled - these are all words that I'd use to describe Slow Down!'s menu. I'm so impressed, I want to seep out of the screen and gush at you about the place - it was GREAT! Why was it so great? So glad you asked!

These guys have good ethics about their food, ethics more restaurants should have. All food sourced is 100% Australian and, wherever possible, they only use ingredients from within 200km of the restaurant! So, it's not only Aussie, it's very local, too. And they don't only do this, they tell you about it so you can learn what is available, too. They have:

covered the restaurant walls with pictures of the farmers from whom they source their produce,
flagged on their menu what you're eating and why it's there, and
staffed their restaurant with waiters who know heaps about the food and are jealous of you because you get to sit and enjoy it (always a good sign!).

But enough of that, let's get to the food! For the good of this reviews blog, I'll always taste as much as I can. At Slow Down!, you can have small, large, or shared plates, so we went for a selection of small and a couple of large plates. This allowed us to range across the menu and this, my dear readers, was very rewarding.

To start, the savouries:

Cold fresh pea soup with creme fresh and mint - Zingy yet slightly creamy, an amazing way to start the meal.

Duck liver parfait, with duck prosciutto and poached rhubarb - The parfait was light and fluffy and delicately flavored, complemented nicely by the sweetness of the rhubarb. The prosciutto had a strong duck flavor - very nice.

Free-range pork terrine with crispy pig ears and sweet apple puree - Wow! This was really a stand out dish for me and my pork-loving hubby Kong. The pork used in this was melt-in-your-mouth, and the jelly used to set the terrine had a strong pork flavour, too (evidence of a lovingly made pork stock). Together with a tiny bit of sweet apple, this dish is heaven.

Organic heirloom tomatoes, fresh buffalo mozzarella, basil oil and micro herbs - The tomatoes (in shades of green, red and purple) were served in wedges and slices scattered with chunks of the mozzarella, micro herbs and a super tasty basil oil. It was a perfect mid-meal palette cleanser.

Crispy roast pork served with pumpkin puree, caramelised shallots, witlof and jus - Yummo, people! Although a little smaller than what we were expecting, this was one hell of a tasty dish. The pumpkin puree, witlof and caramelised onion set the perfect base for the powerfully flavoured pork with sticky, crunchy crackling. It's the kind of dish that makes you want to run away from the share table and eat it all by yourself. Being a professional, I didn't of course...but the thought did criss-cross my mind!

Holy Goats Cheese (ash coated) and caramelised whole shallots on a crispy wafer of pastry, accompanied by a fresh fennel and radicchio salad - Alleluia!! Caramelised onions are one of my favourite things as they're often caramelised in their own natural sugars (as they were in this case), but my absolute favourite food (and my growing butt hates me for it) is CHEESE. This dish was a fantastic combination of the smokey, strong Holy Goats Cheese and sticky, sweet onions. The salad broke up the richness of it, but I ignored that until the very end, preferring to savour first the mouth-coating cheese and caramel from the onions.

And now, to the sweets:

Fresh summer berries with double cream - All your favourites (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries), coated lightly in a fresh berry coulis, served with a huge dollop of double-cream. Superbly simple.

Chocolate and hazlenut torrone - Described to us by the waiters as an "Italian nougat", this was softly flavored by the chocolate and jam-packed with roasted hazelnuts. Homemade to boot, this dish easily took me back to Italy.

Cheese board - This consisted of Mossvale Blue (creamy and subtle), Buffalo cheddar (tangy and strong) and a creamy double brie (mushroomy!!). It was accompanied by fresh thin slices of sweet green apple, sweet black grapes and a walnut and fig rye bread from the establishment St Kilda bakery, Baker D. Chirico. YUM YUM YUM, give me cheese!

The Drinks

We had two wines, both of which went really well with everything. I should warn you that I drink strong reds on most occasions; I like wine that makes you sit up and take notice. :)

So, that said, we had a couple of glasses of "The Story, Shiraz" from the Grampians. It was a very fruity shiraz, and a great way to start and end the meal, which is what I did with it.

Then we shared a bottle of Craven's "Heathcote Shriaz", which is a fantastic wine. It was complex, having subtle fruity flavors but peppery, too. It wasn't too bold in either area, and it had a good whack of tannin. Yum!

Kong and Harry went for lemonade (which was served in a really cool kitsch bottle) and Coke, respectively. Kong finished his night with an affogato, and he said the coffee was lovely (but we were naughty and didn't ask them where it was from - SORRY!).

And Everything Else

The waiters here are wonderful, really great. I was so excited about this place - I love sustainable ANYthing - and had built it up so much in my mind. When we arrived, I exploded saying "Hi! How are you? I'm so excited about coming tonight. WOW! Look at your walls! Are these your farmers? Gosh, this place looks great! How long have you been open? What happened to the restaurant that was here before?" and so on and so forth. The waitress took it all in her stride, answered just as excitedly, and was obviously passionate about what they were doing.

The ambiance is dark, with subtle warm lights. An army of wines, just waiting to be picked, stare at you when you're sitting inside; outside, you have St Kilda and all its charms and palms.

This is a perfect place to take someone for their birthday, Valentine's Day, or just a special dinner for two. We had fun going there with our foodie mates. If you have some buddies who love their food too, make a booking with them now! This place is going to be REALLY popular!

P.s. Food Envy?

In the extreme. We saw duck consomme with ravioli in little glasses, lightly fried zucchini flowers on a bed of something yummy, a whole chicken for 2 to share...so, there is nothing else for it: We simply MUST go back.

There you have it readers, a night to remember. It was faultless, exciting and you know that when you eat here, you're doing your bit to make the world a more sustainable place. This restaurant will come to you in your dreams, remind you of why you should want more, tease you with what you've missed out on, and whisper for you to come back. Truly, a match made in heaven!