Guide to Vietnam – Day 2 in Hanoi

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Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot … there would be much pavement pounding yet ahead… It is surprising how quick your mind adapts, and stops worrying about the potholes ahead of you or darting your eyes frantically to avoid traffic catastrophe. It all slowly blends into the backdrop of your mind, as you … Read more

Recap part 1: Breakfast in the ‘burbs

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Eating too much and not having enough time to blog is a running theme, and ongoing problem… I am officially overwhelmed with the number of posts I have to trawl through before being anywhere close to being up to date, not to mention the enormous amount of digital processing I have to do for my … Read more

Guide to Vietnam – Day 1 in Hanoi

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Have you been wondering where has Almost Always Ravenous been since April (aka my last post)? I have taken a breather away from blogging and given myself a little headspace to reshuffle and rationalise my career calling. Of course there would be no moping around feeling depressed; rather there is no better way to get … Read more

Circa, The Prince

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There’s never a better excuse to splurge than with birthday celebrations… Over the past few years there has been much change in the menu and direction at Circa. Whilst I cannot say I have witnessed the changes in person, I have seen it through the eyes of other bloggers. The current décor is well pared … Read more

Sake Restaurant

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In recent weeks passed on one summery evening, I was invited along to the newly revamped Art Centre’s Hamer Hall to dine at Sakè Restaurant and Bar, marking its arrival from Sydney and Brisbane. Being always somewhat of a traditionalist when it comes to food, with “fusion” comes a degree of scepticism and hesitation. Sure, the … Read more

Rockpool bar and grill

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Melbourne is hardly new to Neil Perry’s invading restaurant empire, with new additions every few years, they are all anchored down the west end (*ahem steep priced section) of Crown. Today we head to the original Rockpool bar and grill, opened back in 2006, which took inspiration from its sister restaurant in Sydney. Being a … Read more

East-side brunch series: Breakfast-thieves versus Robyn-hood?

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Part 3 of east-side brunch series… I remember I used to follow quite a few more brunch-oriented blogs trying to keep up with the never ending new kids to our food scene, but with so little time to spare, I have been doing much less of the scouring and gravitated instinctively towards a select few … Read more

Whirlwind of a 2012.

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As we embrace the new year, we look back on the past year in reflection and move forward with hope and resolutions. In mentioning resolutions, my one is to be more real-time with my blog updates. Though as unrealistic as that may seem (*ahem, so much for perseverance), I will try! A little flashback on a … Read more

Unblogged 2012: return visits that I loved

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In the days leading up to the end of 2012, I will shower you all with food envy from my infinite compilation of unpublished food photography. Once upon a time in the early days of this blog there was much enthusiasm to re-blog restaurants, but now return visits are partially sanctified opportunities to purely enjoy … Read more

Espai Sucre – dessert degustation (Barcelona, Spain)

“Sobar” with salt, lime and basil

Imagine this… You have just finished an incredible Spanish feast, stand up with a plump satisfaction to complete the monetary exchange. You wind around the narrow cobblestone pathways of the old Gothic quarter, sidestepping the occasional intoxicated rambler, and reminiscing on the still tangible flavours lingering on your palate. Turning a few corners, the well-trodden … Read more

Huxtaburger – most popular burger in Melbourne?

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If you are reading this, you are probably one of the few people who are yet to try the huxtaburger (*ahem, including me until very recently). There are already too many reviews drifting around in the blogosphere encouraging a spiralling hype. I will try and suppress my impatience and slightly piqued annoyance whilst I write … Read more

East-side brunch series: Yumcha for brunch? David’s. Wealth Garden.

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Part 2 of east-side brunch series… When one suggests brunch, it is not unusual to conjure images of scrambled eggs, fritters, bacon and all those awesome things mostly European inspired. How many people think of yum cha as being a brunch option first up? I do it on a frequent basis, but when I was … Read more

East-side brunch series: Coffeehead & Goldilocks

Poached eggs, Hollandaise, smoked salmon and corn fritters

Part 1 of east-side brunch series… With the summer months on our doorstep, it is time to bring on the lazy weekend brunches and enjoy the weather! This month I will bring to you a mini-hunt of Melbourne’s east-side for the most worthy brunch delectables. Some of the delectables to expect in coming posts include … Read more

Tapeo Anem de Tapes (Barcelona, Spain)

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After reading all about the fine eateries at the pinnacle of the culinary pyramid around Spain, a stop on the Iberian peninsula was a must for my Europe travels. Although San Sebastian with its insane concentration of top restaurants with three in the top 10 restaurants ranked by S.Pellegrino, it would have been my ideal … Read more

Snapshot of Europe: Barcelona!

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In line with the string of Spanish themed posts this month, I shall dislocate the chronology of my Europe travel posts and bring on the Barcelona series. It was only a very brief few days in Barcelona, but felt like I ate a tonne of food, walked a million miles under the warm-almost-sweltering Spring weather, … Read more

Komeyui

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It probably does not come as a surprise by any measure that a review on this restaurant was meant to be written way last year. But long story short, I simply never got around to it… sad yes. At the beginning of this month, just before the Melbourne Cup races, I was kindly invited to … Read more

Double patty smash burger! Rockwell and sons

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This is a quick but deserving burger mention for Rockwell and Sons – a relatively new place (mid 2012) which has taken over the original Provenance food & wine site on Smith Street. The vibe given off here is one of casual and pared back coarseness. The small kitchen is quite open, so much so … Read more

Spanish roundup fiesta III – Lulo

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Now for part 3 of the Spanish series. P.S. Avoid scrolling all the way down for my final verdict… The cuisine at Lulo, derives its flavours from both Spain and Latin America, so provides some unique differences to the other two venues (Bohemian and Portello Rosso). The sherry fino cured yellow fin tuna speckled with chilli … Read more

Spanish roundup fiesta part II – The Bohemian

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This would not be the first or last time I would visit the Bohemian. Previously a paid-for meal, this time: out of pocket. Staff are warm, and head chef Josep Espuga is always around to make the dining experience that little more special. Patatas bravas. This is a distinctly unique rendition steering away from the traditional roughly … Read more

Spanish roundup fiesta I – Portello Rosso

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Ever since coming back from Europe, I have been craving the food, particularly the French and Spanish. What does one do when you have an yearnings for food? Eat more! Here is a short review series of three Melbourne Spanish eateries I’ve dined at since I returned in May this year … [Portello Rosso] Where: … Read more

  • Food RATING scale

    Unpleasant: damn upset my desire to eat

    Average: palatable but many shortcomings

    Yummy: a pleasant experience

    Yummy +1: mouth-watering like rain

    Yummy +2: exquisite flavours that hit all the right notes

    Divine: sheer culinary perfection!

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