Whirlwind of a 2012.
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
Espai Sucre – dessert degustation (Barcelona, Spain)
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
Komeyui
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
Mr Hive Kitchen & Bar
This is virtually ancient history now (well it wasn’t when I drafted this post) that Gordon Ramsay’s Maze at Crown has been taken over by Mr Hive. The décor retains much of the features of its predecessor, but with a much darker tone with a glossy ink finish. Having an unfilled venue on a midday … Read more
Hell of the North – a snuggle of food for Wintery weather
To write about French food in Melbourne immediately after returning from Paris, may seem like an appalling idea, but you might be pleased to hear that the benchmark back home is actually not as bad as one would think. It does however, take a little hunting and rummaging through the rubbles. With no fluoro or … Read more
Brunch roundup – June 2012 (Proud Mary, Fandango, Pope Joan, L’atelier, Penny Farthing Espresso)
Having just returned from another trip overseas, I am genuinely and horrendously … @#%&#$& behind. So get ready for an epic round up of brunch places I’ve visited in the past “many” months… Proud Mary, Fandango, Pope Joan, L’atelier, Penny Farthing Espresso. Also stay tuned for drool-worthy posts from EUROPE. *** [Proud Mary] Where: 172 … Read more
South Wharf progressive dinner… 6 places in 1 night.
South Wharf, this new precinct in central Melbourne is equally if not more isolated than Docklands, and is for now a very quiet place to be at night. “The heritage cargo sheds… [have been] restored to their 1930′s look” (The Age), retaining some of the historic charm spruced up with some modern interpretation. A dozen … Read more
Albert Street Food and wine
With new restaurants, I generally keep to a watch-and-wait for a couple of months before I dine policy, to let them iron out all the nooks and crannies, *ahem, unless of course I get invited to the launch in which case I brave it out. I failed to follow this policy on this occasion, as … Read more
Luxbite – Summer Collection
Summer and Christmas are coming up! So on preparation for this, Yen and Bernard have added extra sparkles of white-Christmas, and a touch of tropical vibrancy from summery fruits to their new Summer Collection. A lot of new items added, and some revamped with new twist. I’ve been to Luxbite a few (*ahem*) times before … Read more
Brunetti – Food trail
Truth be told, I never thought I would visit Brunetti again, in part due to my dislike of Lygon Street, but also in part due to previous experiences. But being easily swayed to anything that comes without a price tag, I thought I would give this place another go when Ashley from Food Pampering suggested … Read more
Burch and Purchese – South Yarra
As part of my birthday celebrations, which eventually coalesced with a few other friends’ birthdays to form a massive week long binge, we trekked out to South Yarra after having a lazy breakfast at St Ali. Certainly for those of us, who had been following Master Chef, were incredibly excited. Entering into B&P is liking … Read more
Maze pop up dessert
[Note: Maze Melbourne has closed. Currently resided by Mr Hive] Not sure if this will make anyone change their minds about visiting the ailing branch of Gordon Ramsay’s empire – Maze Melbourne. This will be a quick post highlighting Maze’s pop up dessert theme, wherein the pastry chef creates the desserts before your eyes and … Read more
The Atlantic – ocean to palate
Crown Entertainment Complex 8 Whiteman St Melbourne, 3006 9698 8888 See also: Second visit review. It is quite easy to be sucked into a whirlwind chase of the latest offerings, and doubly hard to be patient in waiting for the hype to plateau out. But as I have learnt, this means you will probably escape the … Read more
Fog Restaurant – Prahran
142 Greville St Prahran, 3181 03 9521 3155 I don’t often travel to Prahran, and of the few occasions I have they have been for HuTong and reluctantly for Chapel St. With its dark exterior and fairly minimal lighting within I would be lying if I said I had noticed it on Greville St on … Read more
Luxbite – cakefest
{Luxbite} 38 Toorak Road South Yarra, 3141 03 9867 5888 Not long following a satisfying macaron fix, a sugar-crammed-cake-fest was already in the making. In view of Luxbite being a relatively small space, it would not have been viably possible to fit in more than a small group of 10, so it was essentially first … Read more
La Belle Miette
Despite being relatively “new” to the Melbourne macaron scene, I am still probably the last to visit and blog about this place along Hardware Lane. P.S. I have officially bumped Miss Adriennely off the ranks for now officially being the last person haha! (Correction: this statement no long stands true, now that there a string … Read more
JJ’s bar and grill – dessert please!
Crown Entertainment Complex 8 Whiteman St Southbank, 3006 03 9292 6891 This place has had its fair share of debate and mixed reviews over the years. So I was a little surprised that Ms JG decided this would be the backup plan after our failed attempt to obtain a table at Coda for dessert. But … Read more
Dench Bakers – best bread in Melbourne?
109 Scotchmer St Fitzroy North, 3068 03 9486 3554 On the way back from the city after a mid morning appointment, I deliberately planned in a small detour up Brunswick street to have a quick lunch at a bakery. This Brunswick institution has been raved for several years now as one of the best organic … Read more
Seven Seeds – sister of BBB and DeClieu
114 Berkeley St Carlton, 3053 03 9347 8664 Just a quick stop after dropping Ms JH off at Uni… I seriously don’t understand this trend for café obscurity – what happened to big fluoro signage that was easy to spot? Thank God for iPhone GPS, for the front entrance is so hidden away you could … Read more
Garden Tuscany
32 Young St Moonee Ponds, 3039 03 9375 2896 A decent trek across town, a few turns here and there, a short stroll down a cobble stone alleyway and you will find a Tuscan mural leading to the backyard entrance to this café. Amongst the relaxing evergreens of the shaded garden the little details in all … Read more
