Vue De Monde, wine tutorial with SIA – a selection from Shannon Bennett’s empire (part 2)
Our slothful lunch began with a tipple of 2004 Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon and Krug Grande Cuvée NV. These iconic numbers are routinely served on board first class. I personally preferred the rounded savoury noted of the former. After a little chit-chat we promptly (eagerly) turned the page to begin our indulgence first with the white wine selection.
Bistro Vue, Piggery café – a selection from Shannon Bennett’s empire (part 1)
The fairy tale success of Shannon Bennett’s ever expanding restaurant empire, could easily be pigeonholed into increasing commercialisation. However, in light of a few (and only a few) hiccups along the way, with the new Jardin Tan eliciting polarising reviews on dabbling its in Vietnamese cuisine, and notably the haphazard consistency at Café Vue at … Continue reading
Devouring France: Paris
Quoting my own new year resolutions for 2014 – to eat better (*cough, healthier), be less stressed, be more industrious and write more – I have certainly ticked the first 3 items, but have taken quite a long break from blogging (3 months to be exact), for which I largely blame on writer’s block and … Continue reading
Paris: snapshots of nostalgia, Europe 2012
It has been some time since I trekked around Europe. Being busy and all, *ahem I only got around to posting half of the locations I had visited back in 2012. I have since been on several other trips (Vietnam & Japan), which makes it difficult to attempt any form of catchup. Not to mention … Continue reading
Melbourne lunch bargains | lost treasures
When there are so many options, considering how many new places are competing for the short attention span of Melbourne diners, it is easy to retire older but reliable options. Recently looking through some of my older entries, I was astonished at the trove of long forgotten treasures – many of which also have awesome … Continue reading
Brooks
If anyone was an avid follower of Embrasse (aka fans of the infamous Meli of Vegetables), then you will have already heard and been to Brooks: the new name and basement location (under the historic Austral House) for Nic Poelaert’s creations. The space expresses an entirely unalike character, one that is darker at night, a … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
Unblogged 2012: return visits that I loved
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 … Continue reading
French on Collins part 2 of 2, Henry and the Fox
This is one of Paul Mathis’ semi-new establishments – headed by 2011’s Young Chef of the year Michael Fox – coming almost 6 months before the recent surfacing of South Wharf’s Akachochin and Sharing House. Why now that we get invited one might ask? Paul Mathis was quite frank about this point, pointing out the … Continue reading
French on Collins part 1 of 2, Mr Mason
I was invited to Mr Mason a while-while back to try out a selection of their French inspired menu. The restaurant features several partitions of space – bar, dining, outdoor terrace – finished in a beautiful deep mahogany. It is warm but relaxed with a jazzy vibe. Perusing the menu, one’s eyes were immediately drawn … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
Merricote – a French briefing
This is far from a real review, but rather a vague but very positive recollection of olfactory memories attached to these lick-a-licious photos… High street is jam packed with quirky little restaurants and cafe, and Merricote is certainly one of them. House made duck rillettes & crackers Triangle bites Mussels, anochovy, caperberry, brioche Tuna and … Continue reading
French Brasserie
2 Malthouse Ln Melbourne, 3000 03 9662 1632 It is rather sadly by default from a severe underestimation of early dinner crowds in the city on a Saturday night – an AFL night for that matter – that we stumbled up and down Flinders lane before hesitating to enter this restaurant down an alleyway. My … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
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 … Continue reading
PM24
24 Russell St Melbourne CBD, 3000 03 9207 7424 Now this post goes way back now, and sad to say I’m actually starting to suffer from food-blogger’s delayed-posting-syndrome. I’ve forgotten what things actually taste like… well sort of. It was mum’s birthday, and as part of our birthday traditions (self proclaimed) we partook in a little French … Continue reading
Caf̩ Vue РHeide & Melb airport
This in all truth is a bit of an odd post. Firstly there are two parts to the post, and they were not on the same day. Secondly, whilst they are affiliated with each other, one was disappointingly boring, whilst the other is indulgently delicious but painfully so. So, let me tell you why… Café … Continue reading
French Lettuce Patisserie & Bakery
237 Nicholson St Carlton, 3053 03 9347 7311 What better place to get a birthday cake than from this 30 year old patisserie out on Nicholson St just a short walk off Alexandra parade. Though fairly remote (far from most other shops), despite nearing closing time there were still diners about and a small queue … Continue reading
Marquee Restaurant Bar – Top Melbourne Party
445 Toorak Rd Melbourne, 3142 03 9827 7938 A few of weeks back I was very delighted to be invited along to a Top Melbourne Party to celebrate the newly opened Marquee at Trak Centre. Given we were allowed to bring a +1, I decided I’d bring mum along as part of a small treat for her … Continue reading
Almost Always Ravenous 