tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89148894032552552352024-02-06T19:31:07.259-08:00Nicole Eats MelbourneOne bite at a time...Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-18598046832106154302011-02-08T18:56:00.000-08:002011-02-08T18:56:31.533-08:00Eating it up in 2011Greeting Readers. This is a rather tardy first post for 2011. I know, I am slack, and I am unreliable. But please stick with me. I promise to be better.<br />
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Not that I am making excuses here, but its been a rocky start to the year, and food/blogging hasn't been too high on my list of priorities. I've relocated and my postings will be coming to you this year from Northcote! Lovely. <br />
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With all that out of the way, I will be posting a few reviews of places I have visited recently. Highlights include - Hutong Dumplings, A Minor Place, Trentham Estate Winery and a wild little story about zucchini pickles. <br />
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Stay tuned...Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-44517250763099838032010-12-09T19:00:00.000-08:002010-12-09T19:00:42.211-08:00The Parkview HotelThe Parkview is perched on the corner of Scotchmer and St Georges in North Fitzroy and is fondly know to my lovely boyfriend as 'the spew'. Don't ask, don't tell. For many years I thought that the best possible thing about this place was its view of Piedemontes (have written about my eternal love for Piede's <a href="http://nicoleeatsmelbourne.blogspot.com/2010/04/cheese-affair.html">here</a>).<br />
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The front sports bar isn't going to win any points for atmosphere, the staff pretty much look like they want to top themselves, and pokies are a big off put, but its really not that bad, and the lure of a cheap parma is sometimes to hard for me to resist. <br />
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So on a rather desperate Wednesday night, three days before I pack my life up in boxes and put it in storage, I decide that we should go to the Spew. Although it wasn't parma night, I was happy enough for it to be $16 Portahouse night.<br />
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The steak was sprisingly good, the cut of meat was good quality, thick cut, and cook to a perfect meduim. The mushroom sauce (or gravy) left a little to be desired, but when you are getting a nice steak for under $20, bitching about the sauce is a bit trivial.<br />
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If your not that fussy, and like a cheap midweek meal, the Parkview is OK and will hit the spot.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-89925559713835829112010-11-30T15:21:00.000-08:002010-11-30T15:21:59.562-08:00Toto's Pizza HouseOne of the best things about working in a hospitality once upon a time, is coming back and being the diner. It's been years since my tired little feet pounded the tiled floors of Toto's, but the greetings are standard "Niiiiiickiiii! Good to see ya sista".<br />
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I can't eat at any other pizzeria without feeling like I'm cheating on them. I do. And I always feel just a little bit guilty.<br />
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The menu at Toto's isn't going to blow you away, but all the favorites are there. Spaghetti Marinara, Pizza Bologna, Pumpkin Lasagna! <br />
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I have a love hate relationship with pizza. I love a good pizza. But I hate how hard it is to find one. I'm not sure if its because I ate this style of pizza every week for years but I always love a Toto's super special.<br />
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And the marinara. The praws are juicy, and the sauce is always rich. I add a disgraceful amount of chili and cheese, and proceed to inhale the dish. Its not pretty. <br />
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If you are in the area, check out Toto's. The food is cheap, and service is friendly and fast, and I can assure you that the kitchen is clean and the people who work here are happy.<br />
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Perfect for a per Cinema Nova dinner.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-11436977190527758062010-11-22T02:34:00.000-08:002010-11-22T02:34:27.758-08:00Hey Presto...Cashew & Parsley PestoThe weather in Melbourne has been quite splendid this November. Plenty of rain and loads of wonderful sunshine has kicked my garden plot into full production.<br />
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Among other delicious things, the garden plot has provided an abundance of parsley.<br />
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What do you do with bags and bags full of parsley? You made PESTO!<br />
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I have had a pretty good success rate with pesto in the past, so this little recipe is an off the top of the head number. For this batch, I hijacked Nicole Jone's kitchen, and used her whiz bang food processor. But a mortar and pestle will do. <br />
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You will need:<br />
<ul><li>a truck load of parsley </li>
<li>around a cup of cashew </li>
<li>a hand full of almonds</li>
<li>2 garlic cloves</li>
<li>around a quarter of a cup of extra virgin olive oil</li>
<li>a cup or so of Parmesan finely grated</li>
<li>teaspoon salt and a grind of pepper</li>
</ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRPH5-EQIAcq_YS60_Zy0__RgtydD5uU0JRtiH_Cc9t_8WTgp-W8Le2pqEp7sWAnQr11DoC95ZKEIh-9Yd27PE8LAOL2ReD9baI5aV3eL15mYIbQacd4-XOp0c6qpwQiMQZWXVP_s3A/s1600/nicole+iphone+170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRPH5-EQIAcq_YS60_Zy0__RgtydD5uU0JRtiH_Cc9t_8WTgp-W8Le2pqEp7sWAnQr11DoC95ZKEIh-9Yd27PE8LAOL2ReD9baI5aV3eL15mYIbQacd4-XOp0c6qpwQiMQZWXVP_s3A/s200/nicole+iphone+170.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
remove stalks from the flat leaf<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmX-MQgt_OO_QF01xem_Mm2MNRdRVSX8rDe72cigyYQYlFaHd78mF2u1uCOLxCnhR1FFO2HoduhBFoIfUyqhfPft1Sq3P6AQIIkphQXAbKoqSQDBdeOowkqWNtVwnqvJeseegdo92Cw/s1600/nicole+iphone+171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmX-MQgt_OO_QF01xem_Mm2MNRdRVSX8rDe72cigyYQYlFaHd78mF2u1uCOLxCnhR1FFO2HoduhBFoIfUyqhfPft1Sq3P6AQIIkphQXAbKoqSQDBdeOowkqWNtVwnqvJeseegdo92Cw/s200/nicole+iphone+171.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVcYmRTAlMsYFdteN8-tTacdi4jV1l_S9a7RAOFWryXUSbJsOg6aweWes5GM3O8roQ0rISHejp6YN-t1gcP8vLV4DXuqcCGRfPr1ip6ZvLv7U8pqHJnOitjar0UYpkUtJe_7Zj_yjZw/s1600/nicole+iphone+172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVcYmRTAlMsYFdteN8-tTacdi4jV1l_S9a7RAOFWryXUSbJsOg6aweWes5GM3O8roQ0rISHejp6YN-t1gcP8vLV4DXuqcCGRfPr1ip6ZvLv7U8pqHJnOitjar0UYpkUtJe_7Zj_yjZw/s200/nicole+iphone+172.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>add nuts and give it a good whiz<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKdAaR5kPosWanwa_AyqXpBPnQ-kqx1B1t9nT6O5o8avVlRJLC91HhlIXirTSurJRTL0qEVNs4jxqXy7ha9Vuem_QloCMP3V1sn7qx_xb1Idj4tMHuA_253egxn95sgxdPKsMQXPqwA/s1600/nicole+iphone+173.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKdAaR5kPosWanwa_AyqXpBPnQ-kqx1B1t9nT6O5o8avVlRJLC91HhlIXirTSurJRTL0qEVNs4jxqXy7ha9Vuem_QloCMP3V1sn7qx_xb1Idj4tMHuA_253egxn95sgxdPKsMQXPqwA/s200/nicole+iphone+173.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
add the cheese, and most of the olive oil...pulsing the food processor gently as you add the oil<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3fwzbrsEGPiQIvAukamdAyENCQkfhili3Rfn7miCp9apWG6rpwQ0qY8pDY-JYGkW_CuDShoe28tzy6Y2991Een18XvlvW3QpKvBh5YXO7PiBgXvkQo9UfhqvSbqmLl5PdD97-qB4Mg/s1600/nicole+iphone+174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3fwzbrsEGPiQIvAukamdAyENCQkfhili3Rfn7miCp9apWG6rpwQ0qY8pDY-JYGkW_CuDShoe28tzy6Y2991Een18XvlvW3QpKvBh5YXO7PiBgXvkQo9UfhqvSbqmLl5PdD97-qB4Mg/s200/nicole+iphone+174.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><br />
and hey presto, you got PESTO!<br />
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The texture of the pesto was pretty dense, so I ground some more nuts separately and folded them into the mixture.<br />
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So what do you do with this green velvety delight? Why, you made pasta of course. <br />
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And you wash it down with a nice cold beer. Spring on a plate.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-23643377715405713342010-11-20T23:49:00.000-08:002010-11-22T02:42:15.773-08:00CERES Salads!My little garden has been bountiful....<br />
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From ground.... <br />
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...to salad bowl<br />
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Sprin onion, + potatoe + parsley = kick ass potatoe salad!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XstLkkvBQndaCAxeEzCnm10VitNCDoQ8zc4IOyP_j1KCbCfGG1L6ykpq0k89InSceWDCJcKCdGrGE0aYnTw5MRK2L4XJ4yNi_mEoGIbgUZg81lzi_ZzesKxyR1wnr9Gse-KpbhrPUA/s1600/nicole+iphone+168.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4XstLkkvBQndaCAxeEzCnm10VitNCDoQ8zc4IOyP_j1KCbCfGG1L6ykpq0k89InSceWDCJcKCdGrGE0aYnTw5MRK2L4XJ4yNi_mEoGIbgUZg81lzi_ZzesKxyR1wnr9Gse-KpbhrPUA/s320/nicole+iphone+168.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-90506482276117895342010-11-08T00:28:00.000-08:002010-11-08T00:28:44.450-08:00My little slice of CERES<div style="text-align: justify;">Back in June all my dreams came true. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I received a magical little email from the <a href="http://www.ceres.org.au/">CERES</a> Garden Collective informing me that I was now the trustee of a garden plot number 5. I was so astonished to be reading this news, I had been on the waiting list for almost two years, I had all but forgotten about signing up! I am now a paid up and proud Garden Collective member!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So over the past few months, I have lived and breathed my little garden. I'm pretty sure that all of my friends a sick of hearing about soil conditioning and planting seasons, but I am totally committed, and discovering that I have a pretty green thumb! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Some early pics of the plot - July/August </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvxxSsI3uvqyQbqDg8OYecki6L7B2YKnd6oV03w3Wao5NZfU7iiKaku_88j3wlHY9htattNgn8SpzlG5L9xRuFQpYNHL_EZxsLzDFrCJw5aTmUGRIJKtkkILX949MtKrILOnfW3My1g/s1600/IMG_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKvxxSsI3uvqyQbqDg8OYecki6L7B2YKnd6oV03w3Wao5NZfU7iiKaku_88j3wlHY9htattNgn8SpzlG5L9xRuFQpYNHL_EZxsLzDFrCJw5aTmUGRIJKtkkILX949MtKrILOnfW3My1g/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4weAF4q1Et2RoUVjngehtbadpe6rdNi9ZOKxL6Pwfnmw8NO_708tKWGUV_p7jGuCmbwJq065cQ4ZGhdszleyauEeZGJ38TDbGvoJc8FcsAW-YazDJ78FLhKkx6reY1fpScomwM8XS0A/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4weAF4q1Et2RoUVjngehtbadpe6rdNi9ZOKxL6Pwfnmw8NO_708tKWGUV_p7jGuCmbwJq065cQ4ZGhdszleyauEeZGJ38TDbGvoJc8FcsAW-YazDJ78FLhKkx6reY1fpScomwM8XS0A/s320/IMG_0342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">August/September</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRsrwxtMWNax8QNLWxlD0aApMbOSuMJLwXJ-ELnc8fl5NEpTxPYsY9Ornk-rTupGZXrOdxxXuTDbKRpOBfFLboJyTAQdb_EfqXRu9Ff8X_JnATpIndAizNT2vVRotV1HDdnw7rQuAUA/s1600/IMG_0341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsRsrwxtMWNax8QNLWxlD0aApMbOSuMJLwXJ-ELnc8fl5NEpTxPYsY9Ornk-rTupGZXrOdxxXuTDbKRpOBfFLboJyTAQdb_EfqXRu9Ff8X_JnATpIndAizNT2vVRotV1HDdnw7rQuAUA/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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October<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z8y0vK6cWuNKNPCEhDef4bLS9G7Q-l74wq9gaAaAeM9abtwxguW06LEALr7AuQBFpEmSRH0wgSj89DqUltxM4RKzg5TrEx0ENkaSk8ec3iR_diGL_PN9s0x2A7XX8X-FuG_CW6IxLA/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Z8y0vK6cWuNKNPCEhDef4bLS9G7Q-l74wq9gaAaAeM9abtwxguW06LEALr7AuQBFpEmSRH0wgSj89DqUltxM4RKzg5TrEx0ENkaSk8ec3iR_diGL_PN9s0x2A7XX8X-FuG_CW6IxLA/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Growing veggies has been something I have been interested in for a while. I like the idea of organic, local produce, and CERES has given me the opportunity to have a really good go at producing. I have had varied amounts of success in pots at home. Last year I had a wicked tomato/chili/basil crop, but nothing else really took off, much to my disappointment! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Growing at CERES has been an entirely pleasurable experience. I'm not eating from it every night, but I have had a bunch of stuff, and been able to share with friends. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My winter/early spring crop included spinach (tons!), beetroot, baby carrots, lettuce and rocket! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am patiently waiting for my potatoes (six months in the growing!). Late spring/early summer is an exciting season, I have sweet corn, eggplant, chili, tomato and zucchini growing at various stages. I really can't tell you how much I am looking forward to the sweet sweet tomatoes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I will make a separate post with some of the lovely dishes I have made from my loot.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-62033472851491759282010-11-07T20:10:00.000-08:002010-11-07T20:26:03.211-08:00I have been cheating on my blog with my garden plot.It has been a very long time since I have blogged. I'm just going to come out and say it, I have been cheating on my blog with my garden plot.<br />
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And I took a cheeky little holiday to Thailand. <br />
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Now that I have thrown that one out there, I'm just going to move on, and start flooding you with joyous stories about the wonderful, beautiful and magical little plot I was so fortunate to inherit at CERES. With a few foodie posts that I have collected along the way over the past few months. <br />
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More to come.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-6796164485865552372010-06-14T00:09:00.000-07:002010-06-14T00:09:53.518-07:00Little Creatures Beer Hall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: auto;"><div style="text-align: justify;">There are two things I love about<a href="https://www.littlecreatures.com.au/"> Little Creatures</a> . The beer and the bikes. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX-Q7ws9yWMCgP19qGUn784yUy91TYndEqTfTbL4BAf_VJ_MbEUnIQhp82_o191x9xG5pmh6PNgLkdfwhsyhzzxh6-gR-IbS4z6LapxYhyH_DawTvIyPlzF0UFXtOiab3v1uP4M3Lgw/s1600/IMG_0317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOX-Q7ws9yWMCgP19qGUn784yUy91TYndEqTfTbL4BAf_VJ_MbEUnIQhp82_o191x9xG5pmh6PNgLkdfwhsyhzzxh6-gR-IbS4z6LapxYhyH_DawTvIyPlzF0UFXtOiab3v1uP4M3Lgw/s320/IMG_0317.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">That's not really true, I also adore Little Creatures Pipsqueak Cider. And as I found out today, I also have a soft spot for the Amber Ale. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48NMaKm-GB7jttkLkYMLA7sIPdkBQBCGrKnaaKc-NndAhdjXwv4hLB9YQdDdUKpFXRErZH7W6sF2E1nDH95CX0sctAPyFZIFhF6RtyfBs2Er0ID5D-DtEm0qS8JOk-WwGMN0CY9_C-w/s1600/IMG_0319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg48NMaKm-GB7jttkLkYMLA7sIPdkBQBCGrKnaaKc-NndAhdjXwv4hLB9YQdDdUKpFXRErZH7W6sF2E1nDH95CX0sctAPyFZIFhF6RtyfBs2Er0ID5D-DtEm0qS8JOk-WwGMN0CY9_C-w/s320/IMG_0319.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">On a rather ho-hum Queens long weekend, I needed a little pick me up, and wandered to the beer hall. Its a big, noisy space located at 222 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Its bright, bustling and in its second, maybe third year, quite popular.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUfrXPZyuUKmVslemVtHvHkST1TS6WG387EjiUmzU_YMEUsU2oKwGgRFwWU_cLKurcWs22mKBiaxtAgv13S2zFv18Tvmel-v2QQ50WcZ49caO_eRmGECnP77dafmEUJM6Q64-4gWNXQ/s1600/IMG_0318.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUfrXPZyuUKmVslemVtHvHkST1TS6WG387EjiUmzU_YMEUsU2oKwGgRFwWU_cLKurcWs22mKBiaxtAgv13S2zFv18Tvmel-v2QQ50WcZ49caO_eRmGECnP77dafmEUJM6Q64-4gWNXQ/s320/IMG_0318.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I wouldn't say the atmosphere here <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">is</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">warm</span>, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">but</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">its definatly friendly, and there are plently of beers and/or other beveridges to chooese from. On this occoasion ther was no food consumed, but from what I could see, there are plenty of options to choose from. Snacks, mains, or shared. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I would highly recommend the Little Creatures Beer Hall for an afternoon drink, and maybe a few more. I have herd that the steamed muscles are fab. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-65951584482589334782010-06-13T02:09:00.000-07:002010-06-13T03:04:27.326-07:00Best Sunday Roast in Melbourne - Contender # 2 The North Fitzroy Arms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Best Sunday Roast in Melbourne, contender #2 is <a href="http://www.northfitzroyarms.com.au/">The North Fitzroy Arms.</a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpXEJaGnw1apkFWQ8y0ZcdrkITrbV5ceGvFe_CD-dRUna2GrTMq0JHXZfdy8HuUxCw5GkmReXhCCHfL3yayPbxQtBQDBe4HIN0fg9KFhcJLPr4sLQAJ7w0xmTrxSyztvr7SJKEzC51Q/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinpXEJaGnw1apkFWQ8y0ZcdrkITrbV5ceGvFe_CD-dRUna2GrTMq0JHXZfdy8HuUxCw5GkmReXhCCHfL3yayPbxQtBQDBe4HIN0fg9KFhcJLPr4sLQAJ7w0xmTrxSyztvr7SJKEzC51Q/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have written about the North Fitzroy Arms before, and I find it to be extremely pleasant. The wait staff are really friendly, and the atmosphere is warm and relaxed. On a Sunday evening they serve a traditional roast from 5pm. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Sunday roast at at the Arms is possibly the best value I have come across. For $10 you get a full roast meal, for $15 you can have roast plus soup or dessert. Today's roast was beef, and dessert was the delightful Queen's Pudding. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This roast is by no means the most adventurous, there are no hidden surprises. Its straight up roast beef, with carrots, pumpkin and potato and those pesky frozen peas (AGAIN). The beef is done well, but its still tender, and there is a nice little bite of mustard in the gravy.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-KtJLxrP4dgDvFVVdJebWEjYhQVZFokBrovw4FfZF6DT1U8pNN-KMW3wFMyIpiMVkQit7OOo5YXhx-1x2UAknO5AhPL5y4v9qozAVfVN61jrSCmHELbx0fZ9S40X1RxX-YSaXv5cOA/s1600/IMG_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-KtJLxrP4dgDvFVVdJebWEjYhQVZFokBrovw4FfZF6DT1U8pNN-KMW3wFMyIpiMVkQit7OOo5YXhx-1x2UAknO5AhPL5y4v9qozAVfVN61jrSCmHELbx0fZ9S40X1RxX-YSaXv5cOA/s320/IMG_0315.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My Queen's Pudding on the other hand is extremely surprising, and a little bit special. Inside this ramekin are layers of warm berry compote, lemon curd and cakie pudding. Topped with a soft meringue and biscotti on the side. It was on of those desserts where you wish it would never end. Each mouthful is a little bit of sweet but tart heaven. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">You aren't going to be blown away by an inventive twist on a traditional meal, but for $10 you will walk away with a full belly and some change in your pocket. </div><br />
Week 2 of the search for the Best Sunday Roast in Melbourne, The North Fitzroy Arms leads the charge.<br />
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Have you been to the Arms?Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-25068210729419741752010-06-12T22:00:00.000-07:002010-06-12T22:00:10.492-07:00Bar Fred - 797 Nicholson St, North CarltonIs it possible to go wrong with a $5 pizza?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKN46krNAB-9kzZJpZTQm5L2sOyR9gf6Mou3dNJ3xxPt0xEkJD202fOQg4lU4xQ2EPhxIKkZ_snZX43CwqiHuB13zZhnHRK9fUlj-m9bpDeVQv1slLXEQehNciePxTN_g6TEa8I7pqA/s1600/IMG_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKN46krNAB-9kzZJpZTQm5L2sOyR9gf6Mou3dNJ3xxPt0xEkJD202fOQg4lU4xQ2EPhxIKkZ_snZX43CwqiHuB13zZhnHRK9fUlj-m9bpDeVQv1slLXEQehNciePxTN_g6TEa8I7pqA/s320/IMG_0113.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-style: italic;">bad photography due to very dim hipster lighting</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'm sure it is possible to go wrong with $5 pizza, you could be ordering a domino's pizza. But at Bar Fred, the pizza is good, and the beer is cold. The beer is likely to be $10, but it will probably be huge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I like Bar Fred, it's within stumbling distance from home, its not going to cost you a fortune, there is no eftpos, which assures this and they play good music. They even play whole <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">albums. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My first few times here were grand. Got a seat at the bar, the friendly bar tender made suggestions on the drinks, some witty banter was exchanged and a great time was had. On my most recent visit, my encounter was less than pleasant. Now I know everyone has bad days, but there are lines that once crossed are hard to come back from. It went a little like this....</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me: Hi, I'd like to order two pizza's, this one and that one. And two honey wheat beers. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bar chick: fine, where are you sitting. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me: on the left had side, at the back. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bar chick: there is no honey wheat beer left</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me: OK, I'll pick something else.</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Bar chick:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> r</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">aises her hand and slaps the bar loudly. The guy standing next to me so stunned be stands to attention and says "what the fuck".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Me: I'll just pay for the pizza then.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have been mulling this over for a day or so now, and I'm going to go with, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">it is never OK to be that rude to patrons</span>. Even if you are a hipster. If this was my first experience at Bar Fred, I would never go back. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-84083999970042074052010-06-12T21:24:00.000-07:002010-06-12T21:25:00.807-07:00Eating it up in Brisbane<div style="text-align: justify;">A few weeks ago I took a nice little long weekend in Brisbane. I love Brisbane, its warm, the bogans are hilarious, and the seafood is everywhere! You can get a Morton Bay bug until 3am in the Queen Street Mall, and that is something Melbourne just can't compete with. </div><br />
One of the rather interesting places I ate at was <a href="http://www.vapiano.com.au/">Vapiano's</a> . It was a combination between a trendy bar and fasta pasta. Its a concept, and for most purposes it seems to work well.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_-mHUNAM0MInyPYG6n6A3Xu52GY5OlTO_0H-Zc0DkxYEVxUdlLevb0zC9OA442FYoVgjKBWuaxjinq0qq3KqwsT2jhl1NMU3qW_U5VK74ngcrnInF0n7oOArIH3QrndWfWiqV7Ke3w/s1600/IMG_0301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_-mHUNAM0MInyPYG6n6A3Xu52GY5OlTO_0H-Zc0DkxYEVxUdlLevb0zC9OA442FYoVgjKBWuaxjinq0qq3KqwsT2jhl1NMU3qW_U5VK74ngcrnInF0n7oOArIH3QrndWfWiqV7Ke3w/s320/IMG_0301.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">When you walk in you are given a card, which you swipe to purchase everything, and pay at the end. There is a line for the bar, a line for pizza, and a line for pasta. Tables are mostly communal, and I recommend finding a place to perch before braving the pasta line. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvo5gD4uoQj1FDYlM0nduWenUCjNOCy3TwdjB-dCznF1aueCskB1bvHs5278F9sbm4aWK09TkiAhE4nkwrgMFHOkbMX7DhE-B-r02HmLu4ySYL8NVS9CHAaZjUiIZ4_TiPUPQj8ysDw/s1600/IMG_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvo5gD4uoQj1FDYlM0nduWenUCjNOCy3TwdjB-dCznF1aueCskB1bvHs5278F9sbm4aWK09TkiAhE4nkwrgMFHOkbMX7DhE-B-r02HmLu4ySYL8NVS9CHAaZjUiIZ4_TiPUPQj8ysDw/s320/IMG_0302.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And this is Vapiano's weak point. While I lined up for the pizza, my friend lined up for the pasta....she waited...and waited....and waited. The pasta is cooked while you are standing in line. But the pizza isn't. If there were less people in line, maybe the pizza and pasta would be in sync, but instead I sat at our table, all alone, for almost half an hour. The cute little pots of herbs on the tables kept me entertained for a few minutes though. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mr_uoDUEIsna-ebb2o-LsGlWjXeag7azJZLo-TnIVHduvftW43tXaCykC17bkrTpf1N3MsNvENEZNztrHAroF5cX7Pm3fJF_XmaLwFxoLsRToHSNAkwPSFxBgI3YauadbhBOjZCUKg/s1600/IMG_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Mr_uoDUEIsna-ebb2o-LsGlWjXeag7azJZLo-TnIVHduvftW43tXaCykC17bkrTpf1N3MsNvENEZNztrHAroF5cX7Pm3fJF_XmaLwFxoLsRToHSNAkwPSFxBgI3YauadbhBOjZCUKg/s320/IMG_0303.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The food is pretty good value for money, and everything tasted quite fresh. We had pesto, baby spinach and prawn pasta, and parmesan, prosciutto and chili pizza. We stayed until they turned the lights out. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-6979410066115875112010-06-12T20:51:00.000-07:002010-06-12T20:51:27.266-07:00Death by cupcake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOda9UuGhMeyD0Ij2IYIuxl0_8qiWSfBKU4futkGwE9KtZ2DGnnzz5brq0TQFu-2dSB87gAC_Khk8zB_uNEcEHiw2sJnNYwB1yk5eOMmJ-ZFtUapQU4Jp_9qKr-2AtU_DgV-n7HuccA/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOda9UuGhMeyD0Ij2IYIuxl0_8qiWSfBKU4futkGwE9KtZ2DGnnzz5brq0TQFu-2dSB87gAC_Khk8zB_uNEcEHiw2sJnNYwB1yk5eOMmJ-ZFtUapQU4Jp_9qKr-2AtU_DgV-n7HuccA/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">It was my turn to volunteer for the monthly morning tea at work, so i whipped these bad boys up!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the left you have coffee cream, and on the right you have earl grey. On the top left, is an example of how much butter went into them. Mmmmm, death by cupcake.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-67935395908443417442010-06-06T20:58:00.000-07:002010-06-12T20:20:43.469-07:00Small Block<style>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Small Block is one of those places that sometimes I love, and sometimes I hate. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I hate it when I have to sit on the stairs, in the way, waiting for a table. I love it when I have the day off work, and the staff is relaxed. I hate it when hipsters sit outside, sipping too slowly on their soy lattes, smoking their cigarettes, and taking up a table I could be sitting at. But can you really give a cafe a bad review because its too popular? Probably not, and I won't. <o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On a rather lovely Wednesday I was feeling quite unwell. With hardly any will to live and no energy to cook for myself, I staggered down the road and ordered scrambled fetta and pesto eggs, latte and OJ. By no means was the cafe empty, but the service was quick. I am always amazed by the number of people who have nothing better to do midweek, at 2 in the afternoon, but drink coffee and eat eggs. Clearly I am jealous. But I enjoyed my eggs, and the coffee was and always is fab. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RXKSsnQ9pF5qa3rAkj_Tc6zfEC3FKedI5v_D2zu3T7miqF3id4krPkZdxNTTegllKzRQE-6Bfp7nh8_zSHRWD7knI0YOQd9O7zPMmsjIpPWlwBItd7edN98Z3ZBa7j_hFXs91fV7OQ/s1600/IMG_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RXKSsnQ9pF5qa3rAkj_Tc6zfEC3FKedI5v_D2zu3T7miqF3id4krPkZdxNTTegllKzRQE-6Bfp7nh8_zSHRWD7knI0YOQd9O7zPMmsjIpPWlwBItd7edN98Z3ZBa7j_hFXs91fV7OQ/s320/IMG_0306.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPsxvvQqLptYVVMPrZYj-nGL6Vt6Kjwt3xLqxbrw9eWIvy_GEGeH1EDSyC2vqBijXfIVVZkokSuo3VFYptG8YwbeEe-iPFTPTv5BbQdU93hmVcf4vQk2HpnUCRE8XlT6dZt3BrAH3EQ/s1600/IMG_0307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPsxvvQqLptYVVMPrZYj-nGL6Vt6Kjwt3xLqxbrw9eWIvy_GEGeH1EDSyC2vqBijXfIVVZkokSuo3VFYptG8YwbeEe-iPFTPTv5BbQdU93hmVcf4vQk2HpnUCRE8XlT6dZt3BrAH3EQ/s320/IMG_0307.JPG" /></a></div><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-62460828542267171172010-06-06T20:39:00.000-07:002010-06-06T20:39:05.477-07:00Best Sunday Roast in Melbourne - Contender # 1 The Gem<div style="text-align: justify;">As winter rolls in my appetite for hearty warm meals grows. And so, my search for the best Sunday Roast in Melbourne begins. I estimate that I have at least 3 months worth of cravings up my sleave, and an eating partner with an insatiable taste for roasted meats. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The search begins at <span style="color: #cc0000;"><strong>The Gem</strong></span>, 289 Wellington Street, Collingwood. The Gem is a little rough around the edges. The walls are plastered with gig posters and the pool table is missing a ball. All these things add to the warm, no bullshit atmosphere of the pub. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Onto the meal. For $18 you have a choice of roast pork or lamb, with veggies and Yorkshire pudding. The lamb is a good size meal, with juicy meat, gravy, roast potatoes, parsnip, carrots and peas. Best of all is the yorky pud. Yum, yum, yum. My fellow dinner says in summary, <em>"at first I was mad that the pudding was soaking up all my gravy, then I took a bite and I was in heaven. Gravy heaven. I would come back for the gravy alone". </em></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now I don't know if the Gem is going to be the best roast in Melbourne, but for the first cab off the rank, the standard has been set. My only critique is that the potatoes could have been better roasted, and I am not a fan of frozen peas, ever. At $18, the Gem represents good value.</div><br />
Have you eaten at The Gem?Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-77822135723943964982010-05-11T03:09:00.000-07:002010-06-07T03:48:59.056-07:00Grand BBQ- Target Centre, Melbourne<div style="text-align: justify;">Have I mentioned lately that I am mad for dumplings? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My cravings take me all places, this week they took me to the Grand BBQ in the Target Centre off Bourke Street. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTriitvCoMw02Wy0TiZr-nczOVREGl6oWaFMP60JIWY1VjetE58bahzbrQZ75Pg1D0oF_IRtAmmKjHpj8hn63s0pTEYshsgzaUGqnTIXwx3K-Nq7_bQo2CbPd35i4yv7eqggep_-WQ/s1600/IMG_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTriitvCoMw02Wy0TiZr-nczOVREGl6oWaFMP60JIWY1VjetE58bahzbrQZ75Pg1D0oF_IRtAmmKjHpj8hn63s0pTEYshsgzaUGqnTIXwx3K-Nq7_bQo2CbPd35i4yv7eqggep_-WQ/s320/IMG_0298.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">At the Grand BBQ you can choose from a menu or the young tao foo. Young tao foo are selections of vegetable and bean curd stuffed with fish paste and other tasty teats like friend bean curd skin and chicken dumplings, with noodle and soup. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really not sure if the dumplings are mock meat? I don't think so, but quite frankly I am to afraid to ask. I don't come here for the friendly service. One time, I lost my numbered ticket, and the same woman who served me almost refused to give me my lunch...this same woman took my money and stated at me with rage when I couldn't decide which dumplings to have...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyhoo, I have the vermicelli, with chicken broth, two chicken dumplings, one bean curd roll, two crispy bean curd skin and a pork and prawn dumpling. At $9.50 its extremely good value, and its EXTREMELY yum. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-67201183558341028772010-05-11T02:47:00.000-07:002010-05-11T02:50:18.121-07:00A Birthday of glorious food...<div style="text-align: justify;">This years birthday was a celebration filled with good friends, to many drinks and great food. I have come out the other end a year older, a few kilos heavier, and with a few memories for the vault. Thanks to those who made it one to remember! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'll start with Yum Cha at <a href="http://yumchacafe.com.au/">Yum Cha Cafe.</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGrtxEN5HELsWx9x6h5Ryh4J7g7h_Q4iekfXVzVNnoElxpLXFdr51xUhE3cK1QMvgBO_nW5zrGc4WIj3FEFo3TMkMGjSTXsg469M-zsNv5e4ZKhMgPy21Bm-8e4YrXf8gSNXutlIu6A/s1600/IMG_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGrtxEN5HELsWx9x6h5Ryh4J7g7h_Q4iekfXVzVNnoElxpLXFdr51xUhE3cK1QMvgBO_nW5zrGc4WIj3FEFo3TMkMGjSTXsg469M-zsNv5e4ZKhMgPy21Bm-8e4YrXf8gSNXutlIu6A/s320/IMG_0282.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I am my no means a Yum Cha expert. I don't really know the rules, but we had a nice lunch. We felt obliged to pick whatever was on offer, and ended up with a few too many fried selections. But we ate until we were full to our eyeballs, and had some very yummy dumplings (prawn, pork and prawn, duck and pork). </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The main event was duck. Sweet sweet peaking duck. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7NIsMhTe8lT7v2BjnRG-4FGg_YiXpgY6iFNxtc2CDsvk8OMEgCXEOoIc6AzeHMddN9_z1a6vL8vrhaOIojZTiKFr2DSQfyT6EJZF4cwmy994ZnOY3UC6nouWeMklY6Xns9CGZbs1uw/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7NIsMhTe8lT7v2BjnRG-4FGg_YiXpgY6iFNxtc2CDsvk8OMEgCXEOoIc6AzeHMddN9_z1a6vL8vrhaOIojZTiKFr2DSQfyT6EJZF4cwmy994ZnOY3UC6nouWeMklY6Xns9CGZbs1uw/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">My only birthday request as a peaking duck, at The Old Kingdom on Smith Street, Collingwood. We were served by the duck master, who slices a peaking duck like a surgeon. The man has magic hands. I ate until I was in a food coma. It was by far the most enjoyable duck session I have had, mainly because there was more than enough food to fill our tummies, but I also enjoyed being told off for not rolling my pancakes properly. I will return to the Old Kingdom time and time again. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12YJkGBNuYYO_VCkpRlsvZMe2XDWNxA3_hqurN5KSKRHQvPraualU9yXCo2k_PKWvVft7iIfxUGrFBxnnZEtOpY9DqTMqH1T_9UZA3ZnN9d-rj5W652gwU75TuWBwOrBoUGPy5QxfGg/s1600/IMG_0287.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12YJkGBNuYYO_VCkpRlsvZMe2XDWNxA3_hqurN5KSKRHQvPraualU9yXCo2k_PKWvVft7iIfxUGrFBxnnZEtOpY9DqTMqH1T_9UZA3ZnN9d-rj5W652gwU75TuWBwOrBoUGPy5QxfGg/s320/IMG_0287.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">A duck should always be washed down with a glass of Pinot, and we did so with a bottle of Le Chat Noir 2008. It was rich and smooth, with pronounced cherry flavours and strong tannin. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gMg7G1ayTTqR03GpnhINfZBgW-mfmesc6MrTaH62n1hG7g755kLwausXBNjWJ68mEesGPj1LAnZjUhNHHb9ChOyZuBx4bwLstDUCWz5mGRZrSSlGj9g_ojHhUcAjT22Atqq64EdA9g/s1600/IMG_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gMg7G1ayTTqR03GpnhINfZBgW-mfmesc6MrTaH62n1hG7g755kLwausXBNjWJ68mEesGPj1LAnZjUhNHHb9ChOyZuBx4bwLstDUCWz5mGRZrSSlGj9g_ojHhUcAjT22Atqq64EdA9g/s320/IMG_0283.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee; text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;">To round out the decadence, a cheese platter tops me off nicely. All essentials can be found at Maria's Coffee House and Deli on Nicholson St, North Carlton. You will probably not get the most friendly service in the world, but you will get the most amazing prosciutto you have ever eaten. Maria's has all essentials you could possibly need. Including wine. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekR8OJNUWGp0vvGMRTnmvIFBnlfn8AF3i4KJweUC2qz68waa-hrPWBAhTZgoMLIcsf4q5K9SZUDDUiNYIyIeMM9JVwV8bPUqjND4w4NyJ_dxVw0UsUhv2zxgkEwDo58j_cGW7ZYv51w/s1600/IMG_0284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekR8OJNUWGp0vvGMRTnmvIFBnlfn8AF3i4KJweUC2qz68waa-hrPWBAhTZgoMLIcsf4q5K9SZUDDUiNYIyIeMM9JVwV8bPUqjND4w4NyJ_dxVw0UsUhv2zxgkEwDo58j_cGW7ZYv51w/s320/IMG_0284.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Maria's has quite a nice international selection, but I chose an old favorite, Trentham Estate Pinot. Its affordable, and very drinkable. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In summary, as far as 20 something birthdays goes, this one was 10/10. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-27875610419597081112010-04-27T02:35:00.000-07:002010-04-27T02:35:16.202-07:00Thai Pumpkin Soup<div style="text-align: justify;">Thai pumpkin soup is my first creation from the organic food box. The soup is really simple, takes about half an hour and its hearty and warming. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With the veggies from the food co-op, meals like this one are super cheap. This soup cost less than $10, eat your heart out Kurtis Stone. I even have plenty left over for lunch. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2tAPH-Runbo9mOYg2efXmR3dQdgDE6AZB5x02K4jfE0_Gp2ZCeHzx0SA2as5p6h4aLsWayyaiaHlXaywnRX1N2dthcJISKO-OERSbwUv74ihkxl8A9WA7aRsjTwB1EmhFSdFEXOaCA/s1600/IMG_0281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2tAPH-Runbo9mOYg2efXmR3dQdgDE6AZB5x02K4jfE0_Gp2ZCeHzx0SA2as5p6h4aLsWayyaiaHlXaywnRX1N2dthcJISKO-OERSbwUv74ihkxl8A9WA7aRsjTwB1EmhFSdFEXOaCA/s320/IMG_0281.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The following ingredient list makes around 4 average size serves.<br />
<br />
<ul><li>1/4 Kent Pumpkin</li>
<li>2 medium carrots</li>
<li>2 small brown onions </li>
<li>3 cloves garlic</li>
<li>1 cup red lentils</li>
<li>1 tbl spoon red curry paste</li>
<li>1 litre chicken stock</li>
<li>150ml coconut milk </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Dice the onion, pumpkin and carrot into small cubes. Throw the veggies into a large soup pot with a knob of butter and a lug of olive oil. Add the crushed garlic, red curry paste and season with salt and pepper. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Cook on a medium heat for between 5-10 minutes and then add a cup of water. Leave to simmer for another 5 minutes. Add the cup of lentils and 1 litre of chicken stock cover and let simmer again for 10 minutes to allow the lentils to soften. When the lentils are soft, add the coconut milk. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Use a blender or stab mixer to wazz the soup up. Be very careful to not get hot orange goop all over your kitchen! I found that the soup had a nice smooth consistency, but if you use a little more pumpkin you may need to add some more liquid. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Serve with a dollop of sour cream! Yummm. </div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-2538773056290378732010-04-22T04:03:00.000-07:002010-06-07T03:50:02.668-07:00North Fitzroy Arms<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_749571756">296 Rae Street, </a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.northfitzroyarms.com.au/">North Fitzroy</a> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Jeff and I have driven past the North Fitzroy Arms about a hundred times in the last few months. Every time I say 'Oh we should go there!' It's getting old, but tonight we finally remembered to check it out! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tucked away in quiet Rae Street, the Arms is a sweet little local with a bar at the front, a restaurant out the back and a pretty good menu. There are plenty of gluten free and vego options and heaps of wine by the glass. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Tonight I had a seafood spaghetti with chili and a glass of Mornington Peninsula Pinot. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGecQZc_bCkSurknsakXn7MgRcuUwitTHWHi7viEvV87xFSISzRN7MRGrd_009Xtq_5db7MvHUOk0T_B2IcSWhVDJ5VNHBGH1HjGCeRAEPzuP47yhDVc_-SWAdFPznwI1rH2Mo1y7A7w/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGecQZc_bCkSurknsakXn7MgRcuUwitTHWHi7viEvV87xFSISzRN7MRGrd_009Xtq_5db7MvHUOk0T_B2IcSWhVDJ5VNHBGH1HjGCeRAEPzuP47yhDVc_-SWAdFPznwI1rH2Mo1y7A7w/s320/IMG_0278.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Jeff had the fish of the day which was Atlantic Salmon on a light tomato risotto.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb7A_2geczpJW5LTnUF32fVqxeVA25rOjrPkxqCMyAKzeuoM24JKYX8hz-HJyIeTcpW7pOrX5rk7AfMqK6o8HtObtptpnMS6ZRq1rduEzalrlTOUBRdVP4oq5Eu7G5QVJit8ZAMdVMA/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWb7A_2geczpJW5LTnUF32fVqxeVA25rOjrPkxqCMyAKzeuoM24JKYX8hz-HJyIeTcpW7pOrX5rk7AfMqK6o8HtObtptpnMS6ZRq1rduEzalrlTOUBRdVP4oq5Eu7G5QVJit8ZAMdVMA/s320/IMG_0279.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Both dishes were excellent. My seafood pasta was light and fresh tasting, the prawns and mussels were juicy and the chili really lifted the white wine sauce.<br />
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The service was friendly and the atmosphere was relaxed and warm. Its seems like a place that a lot of people love, people seem at ease here.<br />
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Both our mains and a glass of wine each came to $66. We really loved the Arms and were talking about what we wanted to order next time.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-11859319397714317952010-04-22T03:28:00.000-07:002010-04-22T03:31:14.510-07:00Moreland Organic Food Co-op<div style="text-align: justify;">Thanks to Carla's recommendation on <a href="http://northsideladies.blogspot.com/2010/04/moreland-organic-food-co-op.html#comments">Easy as (vegan) pie</a> I decided to give the Moreland Organic Food Co-op a go....and i <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">love</span></span> it! I have been like a little kid waiting for Christmas this week. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I'm really astounded by how great the value is, I don't know how we are going to eat it all, but I'm sure we will manage. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK-RznZTE-ykorYEnG-vU8HRN9Ur11ckKEQQExqGcXgtonnsiY0Smg_dtQTf3RJhc-GWZV6sBo_G4SwymVx9Dej8qiMxuLQX_6faqYnl0NQeIuJQvzcOLdTYA2dZreecgd9rYRqBJNQ/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcK-RznZTE-ykorYEnG-vU8HRN9Ur11ckKEQQExqGcXgtonnsiY0Smg_dtQTf3RJhc-GWZV6sBo_G4SwymVx9Dej8qiMxuLQX_6faqYnl0NQeIuJQvzcOLdTYA2dZreecgd9rYRqBJNQ/s400/IMG_0280.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>This weeks box has:<br />
<ul><li>Carrots</li>
<li>Onion</li>
<li>Cauliflower</li>
<li>Pumpkin</li>
<li>Cos and baby spinach</li>
<li>Apples</li>
<li>Bananas</li>
<li>Custard Apple</li>
<li>Red grapes; and</li>
<li>Sweet corn</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">I really encourage anyone who lives in the area to give it a go, the above box is $25 and its local and organic. You can trial the co-op for a month before joining for $30.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To learn more about how the co-op works and how to get involved check out Carla's post, its very detailed! or email <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_811738738">morelandvegiecoop@gmail.com</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Trebuchet; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_811738738"> </a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 16px; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-3326469415557587652010-04-20T05:25:00.000-07:002010-04-20T05:27:08.969-07:00Cheese affair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDPLQvak5XoBkwRQtrx1twOsu5ug9YqHuZatc0z3B6sBT7cxpxwBOIqhQvz12UKXk7yd0c-MgxVb_joiOX0qEbwnLvtFu7cv_KP0Qw6Y7ZFgXR124UCkQgremZzMcPMEd9zXU4HaowA/s1600/IMG_0272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBDPLQvak5XoBkwRQtrx1twOsu5ug9YqHuZatc0z3B6sBT7cxpxwBOIqhQvz12UKXk7yd0c-MgxVb_joiOX0qEbwnLvtFu7cv_KP0Qw6Y7ZFgXR124UCkQgremZzMcPMEd9zXU4HaowA/s400/IMG_0272.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c; font-size: 32px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">I </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #134f5c;">want to marry this cheese.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What you are looking at here, is some fine South Gippsland Shadow of Blue, stocked in the deli at my favorite supermarket, <a href="http://www.piedimonte.com.au/">Piedimonte's.</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The cheese has a rich and creamy flavour and finishes with a lovely sharpness. Its not to overpowering, and is best eaten at room temperature. Wonderful with a cold Pinto Grigio, on a Saturday afternoon, or any other time really. </span></span></span></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-49979741673875621502010-04-20T04:58:00.000-07:002010-04-20T04:58:07.328-07:00Matsumoto Japanese Restaurant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Its no huge secret that I'm not the biggest fan of Japanese food. I love the way the food looks, but that doesn't often translate to wanting to put it in my mouth. I'm sure it has something to do with my meat and three veg upbringing, but that really isn't a good enough reason to avoid such fascinating cuisine. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Over the past few weeks, all I have been wanting to eat is Asian food. Chinese, Thai, Malaysian....even Japanese. Miso and Gyoza. Mmmmmm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">With Japanese, its the main meal that get stressed about, I never know what to choose. Don't want to go with teriyaki, boring. And tempura is a little same same. Tonight, Jeff forced me to have beef sukiyaki, and it was fabuous. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsAKx5gvtTsONER6iLIMTAeJ6hkdgKAaH3JdpbNwD01Tn7Q3ggZISIuJL0WhuaFDeNiFgO50WilnAPWHeWeEQODCL-KsYAnjz1AR7mXxlsGyjmWDTz5gSmRbGrZbJwQUDLOUMH-robA/s1600/IMG_0276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrsAKx5gvtTsONER6iLIMTAeJ6hkdgKAaH3JdpbNwD01Tn7Q3ggZISIuJL0WhuaFDeNiFgO50WilnAPWHeWeEQODCL-KsYAnjz1AR7mXxlsGyjmWDTz5gSmRbGrZbJwQUDLOUMH-robA/s320/IMG_0276.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Sukiyaki is a dish cooked in one pot, at your table. It was quite amusing sitting in the middle of a busy restaurant, having a waiter cook our meal in front of us. The beef was amazingly tender, and the combination of veg was delish. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBpfwJjRctFRBLAdfKKxrs-boQrL_fFQz2yeDSpS0JSnyvPcsHShdM4ndT4MDylGee0kQt8BIharptanIjcEXHPBE6XGXLoRbjVZY1F7z_ZaKNqpuRwtVLlPhBYmE75lLGM3OResyXg/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBpfwJjRctFRBLAdfKKxrs-boQrL_fFQz2yeDSpS0JSnyvPcsHShdM4ndT4MDylGee0kQt8BIharptanIjcEXHPBE6XGXLoRbjVZY1F7z_ZaKNqpuRwtVLlPhBYmE75lLGM3OResyXg/s320/IMG_0277.JPG" /></a></div>Cabbage, onion, carrot, greens, swiss brown and oyster mushrooms and delicate rice noodles. I ate untile I had sukiyake coming out my eye balls. And I even dipped the beef in the egg wash, much to Jeff's amusement, I actually enjoyed it. It was lovely!<br />
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Matsumoto is at 48 Lygon St, Brunswick East.Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-46653548408325376442010-04-09T20:38:00.000-07:002010-04-20T04:59:16.672-07:00Fitzroy Market<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_892940686"></span><span id="goog_892940687"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGOdT5Wu6Pei-bCmb72PCWonrQuL-YjKPXb50MzzqcISm9OE-eAOn4IkEKsT7PFtQqs2_VKd__zaSXT0WycrDXOuwacl5JfjGaGfMiPPuqv74FaNMgo0pm-ejnRCpuhJ_hPgII-qW8A/s320/market5.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8wEdQENI8gcqKQExrK8suDDxibjwUYyTHbUsQJbi1ZTkqOS7iV6_hmi0DmlC4RVj4-0gNDXJ6m-_g1YII1cqLAp5PnKSwEyob0PvCIJhmx8LkvSNDCLNtnTyCqjPMKGkD9IFsTLAeg/s1600/market8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8wEdQENI8gcqKQExrK8suDDxibjwUYyTHbUsQJbi1ZTkqOS7iV6_hmi0DmlC4RVj4-0gNDXJ6m-_g1YII1cqLAp5PnKSwEyob0PvCIJhmx8LkvSNDCLNtnTyCqjPMKGkD9IFsTLAeg/s320/market8.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDydLIkXG_9yclrT1Mb_AdCcCgmS4D8hrJTFcmGLMxAA0-iu7GUJN0RyUxiy6KCv8dSIL2CUAnj5Z629BkZdU467axDE4Z6a06WfQWwoXh5xc2HtvEbbe3DX2SNqmmpuolnDSGdKsfJQ/s1600/market2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">I've been travelling past the Railway Hotel in <st1:place w:st="on">North Fitzroy</st1:place> every weekday for around 4 years now, and I have never really been tempted to go inside. One rather peculiar visit to the bottle shop put me off going back<i>. </i>The mixture of stark white linoleum, old men and decor which hasn't been updated since 1975 made me feel like I was invading a sanctum of sorts. It didn't really have the welcoming vibe.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Now, I'm going to put this out there, I'm kind of looking for a new local. Its been a few months since I have been located across the street from the Lomond, and the promises I made about always going back have been broken. A recent visit to the bottle shop saw Jeff confessing to James how much he misses him...and I realised that I also have a gaping hole in my heart!<br />
<br />
This review by<a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/epicure/restaurant-review/railway-hotel/2010/03/05/1267291950131.html"> the Age</a> and a few reassuring words from my old neighbour were enough for me to coerce a few friends to have a pub meal on a Thursday night. Maybe the Railway could be the one...the Empress had failed me, maybe her homely neighbour could be the place for me....I was gunning for the Railway from the start. I <b>WANTED</b> it to be good. <br />
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I wanted it so bad that I wasn't put off by the kitchen closing at 8:30pm. And I wasn't put off by the Fluor lighting, or the lack of music...or the weird old guys ogling my girlfriends legs...I only saw $15 <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">parma</st1:city></st1:place> and $15 jug of beer and the hipsters lurking on the tables at the back of the restaurant. In retrospect, maybe this wasn't such a good sign. <br />
<br />
Without going into to much negative detail, the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">parma</st1:place></st1:city> was ok- nothing special. The wiener schnitzel is defiantly not top quality veal (and possibly not veal at all) and the chicken cacciatore was reportedly like eating a greasy pigeon. Not the good kind...the diseased kind that live at Flinders St Station. <br />
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HOWEVER, I am not giving up on the Railway. It's certainly not going to take the place of the Lomond in my heart, but the pool table and beer garden look pretty appealing for a causal weekend afternoon. The beer garden is pretty impressive, and the beer is served cold. <o:p></o:p></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-58072163190424840432010-04-06T17:45:00.000-07:002010-04-06T21:41:33.065-07:00Shanghai Dumpling House<div style="text-align: justify;">Over the Easter long weekend I made a very long trip up the Calder Highway. I could write about who has the best dim sims and potatoe cakes (FYI - Sealake) but I will spare you the details of my most disgusting food habits and move on to tell you about my road food come down. <b>Shanghai Dumpling House. </b></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xMYNMx-Qxw2Buow1QOtkIoMvKfFQjroV6zclw9M_UZNBFO-Z0F9Uex1JvSTZrnBsudW0RjLi5GCr0cNfje4FbqnXilcj7yCKe1wprqzorL5Bept6qTUW-Skt86DNeNgWeeOsbfRNhA/s1600/dumpling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2xMYNMx-Qxw2Buow1QOtkIoMvKfFQjroV6zclw9M_UZNBFO-Z0F9Uex1JvSTZrnBsudW0RjLi5GCr0cNfje4FbqnXilcj7yCKe1wprqzorL5Bept6qTUW-Skt86DNeNgWeeOsbfRNhA/s200/dumpling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It's not fancy, it's not classy, but it's a straight down the line, no fuss dumpling house. And I love the shit out of it. And sinfully cheap. If you have been in Melbourne for more than 5 minutes there is a good chance you have already eaten here. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This lunch was shared with my bf Jeff. I always reminisce when we come here, as it was one of the first places he took me when I moved here, and we both feel as enthusiastic now as we did back then about the place. I remember how overwhelmed I was the first time I ate here, the noise, the shared tables, and the picture of Chairman Mao on the wall next to the lucky cat. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t grow up in a town of no multiculturalism or restaurants, but you won’t find a place like this in Mildura. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">We had a plate of steamed pork and a plate of mushroom and veg dumplings and a serve of Chinese broccoli and oyster sauce, covered liberally with chilli sauce. Washed down with Soy bean drink. Mmmm.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What I love about Shanghai Dumpling is that it never changes; the food is always exactly as I remember. It’s filling, it’s comforting and no other dumpling place seems to be able to knock it off my number one perch. For those of you who are not aware, its at 25 Tattersals lane, Chinatown. And this feast cost us a grand total of $20.</div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8914889403255255235.post-71839869459904161602010-04-06T17:05:00.000-07:002010-04-06T17:10:18.940-07:00Bottega<meta content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv="Content-Type"></meta><meta content="Word.Document" name="ProgId"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Generator"></meta><meta content="Microsoft Word 11" name="Originator"></meta><link href="file:///C:%5CTemp%5Cmsohtml1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml" rel="File-List"></link><style>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">This years <a href="http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au/">Melbourne Food and Wine Festival </a> very sadly passed me by. I have no one to blame but myself, there were plenty of wonderful free events...but I did manage to get myself along to <a href="http://www.bottega.com.au/home.html">Bottega</a> for an express lunch. Express lunch is a tried and true format, two courses, a glass of wine and coffee for $35.<o:p></o:p></div><div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I have had a few express lunches in my time, some good and some not so good. Bottega was most defiantly in the GOOD category. Unfortunately there are no photos, as I was completely caught up in the meal! <o:p></o:p></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I had a entre of heirloom tomato caprese salad with goats cheese and pumpkin rollo with burnt butter, sage and hazelnut for main. Both dishes were sensational. The heirloom tomatoes had a wonderful diversity of flavour and colour, from what I could tell there were tigerella, yellow pear, green zebra and black pear (love heirloom tomatoes!) the tartness of the goats cheese balanced the sweetness of the tomatoes, while the addition of black olives and basil made a dish that was in perfect harmoney. </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Main course of pumpkin rollo was fantastic. It was kind of like a rolled up pumpkin lasagne, and looked a little like canelloni. Butter and sage is my new favourite thing, and I have noticed it cropping up on a few menu's around town. Its a wonderful seasonal combination of flavour. Topped of with a glass of sangiovese it was a throughly enjoyable meal. Very friendly and professional service, I highly recommend Bottega lunch!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><o:p></o:p></div>Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06239796754364563623noreply@blogger.com0