Third time’s a charm

[St Edmonds, 154 Greville Street Prahran]

Just over a month ago I finally got to try some of St Edmond’s finest breakfast offerings, however I’m not going to lie… I did have a few sneaky peaks prior to this visit….

My first cheeky visit was a very chilli Wednesday eve for German “class” with my beautiful tutor (which reminds me to book in for another sesh soon!) & I was pleasantly surprised with the lack of “hustle and bustle” that goes part ‘n’ parcel with “newest kid in town”

On that occasion, I had the Calamari, and it was delicious! (but not enough) I had thought THEN the portions were quite small for this “working mans all day eatery”

Even the second little visit I had before the big “breaky date with the fellas” was a little (very teeny) disappointing… not as bad as going to SAT2, but it was still a very teeny let down.

The foundations were there though:

a) Great buzz in and out of the eatery.
b) Adorable staff that are well-informed with the menu and the design (a la Scanlan and Theodore, Projects of Imagination)
c) Pretty excellent atmosphere and design (They were playing they very beautiful self titled Bon Iver and that made everything dissolve away into a buttery dream…)

*In case things got a bit heated during your breakfasting…. 😉

 

Third times a charm as they say, and it was surely a charm…

Breakfast was with the “fellas” and it was a feeding frenzy on/off chapel street that morning!! We had just missed the ravenous queue that we successfully ignored as we feasted, none of us were willing to sacrifice a “slow breaky” experience for that fast crowd.. sorry!

Mr “wrapped to be back” and I ordered “Spanner Crab, Chilli omelette and Sesame crumble”:

It was delicious and crisp like a fresh winter’s morning:

Mr “I eat for two, but don’t look it” ordered the big breakfast with a perfectly poached pair of eggs:

Mr “good, thanks” ordered the scrambled egg and bacon (in a very teeny teeny) roll:

Someone once described Melbs to be like one big “small-town”… and I’d have to agree – I was discussing the very ups and some downs of St. Edmonds, and it wasn’t until I had spilled my guts to a particular waiter at my local lunching hole (aka urbanspoon’s “worst server ever” haha!! :)) he decided to advise of his connection to the all day eatery *insert embarrassment here*

Bother dinners were lovely, but not amazing…
Price vs Portion vs wait time was a little imbalanced, however not worth disregarding a repeat visit for.

Breakfast with the boys was a very excellent combination of Great food/friends/vibe.

The food was fast and delicious much like the waiting staff 😉

Don’t let my inconsistent experience deter you from trying the cutest little hangout south of the river. Much like any great eatery, the menu is ever evolving and they are amongst a handful of “new kids in town” so give ’em a chance and hit it up next time you’re in the Prahran area!! 🙂

Tastefully yours,

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D) All of the above

. . .

[St Kilda Pelican, 16 Fitzroy Street St Kilda, Melbourne]

Food envy for me is part and parcel of my dining experience, that’s why I love when its tapas style – “mi casa es tu casa” (so to speak) & I’ve been to Pelican on numerous occasions, ironically never for breakfast and it’s always been on a warm summers eve getting amongst the warm summer vibe…

I know, I know, Melbs hardly experiences a TRUE winter (we’re currently sitting on 12.5 degrees….however, I AM COLD! …How did I ever survive a German winter…?

In this instance, I once again pretended it was summer and we sat outside… rookie error! Who can concentrate on pretending its summer, sipping a pretty summer drink when its freezing??

So we migrated to the cosy comforts of the indoors, surrounded by the aromas of the kitchen and the light hum of the conversation, normally quite busy – it was intimately quiet. 🙂

As I was too preoccupied trying to get my gear off at pretty much every mouthful and every drop of wine, this unfortunately hasn’t been properly visually documented.

However, I do have a little mish mash of photos from previous visits….(excuse the bad lighting and flashless phone camera)

Arancini balls lying on a bed of “heart attack” 🙂

(Fcking delicious)Moroccan lamb meatballs in sauce with yoghurt:

Char-grilled Calamari with a side of rocket drizzled with “delicious”

The one thing I couldn’t help but document was the dessert.

My English teacher taught me once that DESERT (as in “Bear Grylls stuck in the middle of a…”) has one “s”, and the other-DESSERT (the sweet delicious kind) has 2 “s” because you want more.

Fair enough.

And boy did I want more! We in fact went for an option called “All of the above” – I thought it was a joke, and cross my heart (Burz, this is for you beb) this was no joke!.

Please see below for “how I got diabetes”: (clockwise)

1) Creme Brulee with short bread (O.MY……..sweeeet Jesus, Mary and Joseph…..)
2) Minted lamington (hmmm, could’ve gone without)
3) Peanut brittle ice-cream (I went to the bathroom, and came back to find it mysteriously gone….so the verdict is good 🙂 )
4) Rich chocolate mousse cake (heavens above!!)
5) White chocolate Rocky Road with pistachio (mmmmmm)

Excuse the commentary, but seriously?? What in the world of decadent, moorish heaven was that??

I suppose “all of the above” options eliminates any chance of “food-envy”, it did however leave me in a severe sugar/life high.

(Pinky promise, my next Pelican visit will involve breakfast :))

. . .

Tastefully yours,

Satisfy the “bodhi”, mind and soul.

. . .

[Monk Bodhi Dharma, Rear 202 Carlisle Street, Balaclava]

Open: Mon-Fri, 6.30am-4pm; Sat-Sun, 8am-4pm

I’m not vegetarian, but don’t really eat that much meat (unless of course its Jamón ibérico, then its all a bit of “excuse me while I undress”) and Vegan? I doubt I could ever go there as I get my “bake on” way too often, and you have to agree almost everything that makes you go “mmmmm” has butter in it. (mmm butter…I’m really a heart attack just waiting to happen)

However, I will be honest say that and didn’t even notice Monk was a culinary heaven sensation for vegans anonymous. (what a mouthful, could’ve just gone with “vegan cafe”)

I often find Vegetarian/Vegan food and menus to feel like they are “missing” a key ingredient (derr, obviously), however on this day my eyes feasted, and my tummy left feeling loved, nourished and super satisfied. (yes, SUPER satisfied :))

Good deed for the day? *tick*

Juxtaposed on this beautiful day for breakfast lovers was my “newest cafe find”coupled with my oldest friend in the world!

I met this man when we were children – I was 5, he was 6, and it was lovely to see him again. It’s always surreal to reminisce about yesterday, be in the moment for today and ponder about tomorrow with someone who knew you a lifetime ago.

Lots had changed, and change is a beautiful element of life. Nothing is permanent, and we are ever evolving.

For instance, when I was 5, I hardly spoke any English and articulating my thoughts into words was a challenge… (I still find it difficult to say EXACTLY whats on my mind…pictures help :))

Today, I write this without much thought as to the words on this electronic page, but to the story I wish portray…(yes I waffle on a bit)

So…on to the main attraction, the food and coffee? Here goes:

No ridiculous latte art, just a beautiful creamy latte made with love:

Yucatan “peasant” beans, toasted carbs and vibrant Chilli jam that kicks a punch:

This deceivingly petite dish is a reminder not to judge a breakfast by its portions. It was very filling, and satisfying, and you have to say the colours were delicious!

Marlo sweetcorn ricotta hotcakes:

These were perfect balance of flavours, and were visually exciting too-I’m one to eat with my eyes first, and little Mr Marlo Sweetcorn here was easy on the eye ;).

Some cafes are great, but there is no urge to work your way through the menu from start to finish. And some – like Monk, are a real treat and keeps you coming back to try new dishes and/or relish in your “sunday favourite”.

Breakfast lovers beware, it is a little hard to find (in an alley, behind a carpark….very Melbourne) But I assure you, whether you are Vego/Vegan or not, you will enjoy every minute of this beautiful little hideout and will leave having satisfied your “bodhi”, mind and soul…

Tastefully yours,

Light reading:

About the Monk “Bodhi Dharma”: click here
Broadsheet review: Click here
Age review: Click here

Tennis ball vs MCC young members ball

. . .

[MCC young members ANZAC ball, Melbourne]

For many, Holy Thursday is the start of some heavy partying/drinking being Good Friday the next day and nothing being open.

Good Friday for some is a “write off day”, well it was for me: hot cross buns for breakfast coupled with unregretfully lounging in my PJs all day- “good” friday. I could go on about this day being the holiest on the christian calendar… but this is not the platform for my waning religious concerns…

This year, the Easter long weekend and ANZAC day falls on the same consecutive days of public holidays.
It is a good time to reflect on sacrifice, in whatever form that may be.

For me and my friends, it was sacrificing our dignity and “being a lady”, and just having a “leg-pumpingly” great evening. (“Leg-pumping”: a term coined post an incident involving a boy, a girl, and some leg pumping. Needless to say, it was a night full of laughs, regrets involving fast food binges and …memories)

We knew it was going to be large… on this eve, it started off with a tennis ball…

In the midst of the chaos of Work, work easter egg hunt and a delayed tram: I had 45 minutes to shower, get ready, and be at Miss P’s house. (Jesus!!)

Shower: TICK
Dress: TICK
Nails: “I’ll do it in the cabbage”
Cab: TICK
Shoes: TICK
Bag: “keys/cash/phone”
Tennis ball stuck IN THE GAP BETWEEN HEEL AND SOUL!!!!???:…. tick!! (how this even occurred without my knowledge is beyond me)

Yes, it was going to be a good night…

And this is what we feasted on:

I know right?…. Set menus usually kill me slowly with boredom – but I was excited!

Entrée: “Ocean Tray”

I actually like my scallops with roe – its visually more attractive and I love seafood, so I don’t see the problem with taste. (it’s a personal thing I know…) Everything else was moorish little mouthfuls. Not a fan of cauliflower mash with raisins though…

Main: Alternative between Chicken/couscous

or Veal on a bed of potato mash and beans.

I was secretly hoping for veal, and the girls were wanting chicken: win for me 🙂

The veal. was. delicious!!! Melt in your mouth, delicious. Albeit a bit cold as we were running a muck in the “vintage photo booth” (love!)

I’m a “vege-aquarian” (she says tentatively)…so I don’t eat much meat, however on the off chance I do, and its like this? YES PLEASE, Meat me!….. meat me please.

Dessert unfortunately was untouched…
My Pavlova tasted like cough syrup…

In the words of our P.I.M.P (b-rad), “Panna Cotta is always such a disappointment at these things” and plus, by this stage we were getting our dressed up selves on to the D-floor to join a bunch of white people dance like black people.

There was a lot of “dougie-ing”, and maybe a few “catdaddy-ing”. Watching men (some were boys) getting down with it, and sweating their bootys up a storm is truly entertaining.

This of-course wasn’t the last meal we had… HJs was good to us: chicken wrap… fcking awesome in the middle of the night 🙂

Hope you’re enjoying your time with family/friends and kick started this fine long weekend in style.

. . .

Tastefully yours,

“Poached-poke-ooze” (in that order)

. . .
[Whyte kaffe, 1122 Glen Huntly Road Glenhuntly 3163]

Tel: (03) 9569 2212

Outside we were in the middle of the full throttle Vietnam style torrential pour down! No joke, the weather was psychotic and raining without warning. Actually let me rephrase….. SH*T pouring down without notice.

Inside however, we were warm and toasty and surrounded by the aroma of coffee beans and eggs.

There was the light buzz of conversation, and was surpisingly busy for a friday morning.

Weekday breakies often attract the “ladies of leisure” or young mum types, however today there was a nice healthy mix of ‘cbf going to work on Friday’ folk.

This little cafe is a pretty much the only one of its kind Glenhuntly (that I’m aware of), and one of only a handful in the Carnegie/Ormond/Glenhuntly area.

Daniel ordered the most amazing looking portobello mushies with poached eggs – which was causing some food envy on my part!

Soooo exciting to see the perfection of the “poached-poke-ooze” shiver. Yes, it gives me a thrill to see the oozing golden lava flow over the meal.

Although the presentation was appealing, there is something about seeing Rocket on everything that urks me…. I think I’m pretty bored with the same green everywhere I go….I think I’m craving some ‘pushing of boundaries’ when it comes to leafy greens. (Portulaca would be not only visually playful but a varied addition to the breakfast flavour.)

I ordered corn fritters which originally came with bacon, but thought I might mix it up and alter to come with smoked salmon:

I added the salmon instead of bacon b/c I secretly think I was craving corn fritters from Yellow bird.

What I had failed to foresee was the intense Morrocon infusion of flavour in the fritters….and the Salmon didnt play well with that.
It in fact was really disappointing – but totally my bad. (sad face)

I ordered my usual soy chai, and ate away my troubles. At least I didn’t alter that order, and it was beautiful and creamy and sprinkled with cinnamon love dust!

As a result of my bad first experiene – totally my fault for changing a good menu, I think i’ll need to try it again.

For a “kaffe” trying to be a little different in a very “sameness” area, they were doing a good job, and wouldn’t hesitate going back for a second try.

. . .

Tastefully yours,

Polished it all off.

. . .

[Borsch Vodka and tears, 173 Chapel St Windsor]

tel: (03) 9530 2694

Boasting more than 50 different types of vodka, this Polish Vodka bar and restaurant offers the best of the southside of Chapel street in a perfectly polish themed destination.

Whether you are a vodka fan or not, I’m postive either one of the following will win you over: Vibe, knowledgable friendly staff and amazing food – the kind of food that would give your grandma a run for her money!

We tried some flavoured vodka, some clear vodka and some truly amazing homely food.

Ang ordered “beetroot soup”…. I was dubious about this as I’ve never heard of it before, and couldn’t get the taste of canned beetroot soaking through bread out of my mind.

We were in for a surprise!

First, the colour was amazing and vibrant, and the aroma of the soup was overpoweringly goooood!

Most importantly, the taste was amazing. It was light and full of beetroot flavour, but not in a canned way.

Laura ordered Goulash, which was again amazing…. moorish, and full of flavour.

And I ordered a Polish style gnocci in broth which was also out of this world.

We had polished it all off in true Polish style, and sat back to enjoy the warmth of the food and vodka as we caught up on each-others lives.

(Yes, I have a tendency to add ‘non breakfasty’ type entries… In my defence however, I really think breakfast can be enjoyed many ways including last night’s leftovers or a traditionally ‘lunch type’ food. Breakfast is what you make it. Technically the first meal of the day, and I would be more than happy to enjoy a warm hearty soup some melbourne mornings 🙂 )

. . .

Tastefully yours,

A little European mid-week adventure

. . .

[The European, Spring street Melbourne]

Open: 7.30 to 3am

“…Breakfast to supper, 7 days a week, The European serves honest, simple food, sourcing only the best produce from Australia and Europe. This institution is a must visit, even if it’s just for one of this cities finest coffees…” (http://www.theeuropean.com.au)

It wasn’t our initial intention to be at The European (although, it is always a delight being there), Miss H and I started our day eager to try an ACTUAL breakfast at Cumulus inc

We’d previously been paralysed with culinary joy at a share platter of something sweet and savoury, but had never returned due to my adventure to Germany, so luck & fait were our ladies that day as Cumulus was a bubbling over with way too many people and we made our way to try something a little more “European” as there is nothing more frustrating than “enjoying” a breakfast whilst tactfully “crowd surfing”, and NOT eavesdropping on a billion (very fast paced) conversations. (What I didnt get was, they were all in suits – hello work anyone? hahah)

So, when we stepped foot into a less “stock market vibing environment” to a more relaxed one at The European, our tummies were looking for some yummies!

It was particularly humid on this day, and a hot breakfast was not really looking appetising – although, being inside the warm hues of The European, you immediately get transported to somewhere very Winter in Europe and long for that glorious aroma of “home-style, slow cooked” meals.(I immediately was transported to many a cosy feast in France, Luxembourg, Germany…)

So.. Miss H ordered her favourite Brioche with assorted jams:

And I opted for some fresh fruit salad:

It was very exiting to see the “usual suspects” of a fruit salad were absent, rather a myriad of delicious bite sized delights which simultaneously stimulated my 5 senses were very much present. 🙂

It was AS bursting with flavour as it was bursting with colour, aroma and the assorted textures. Uniting the flavour differences was a delicious natural yoghurt, and whimsically presented pot of honey.

I was in culinary, breakfast heaven. 🙂

There is nothing like the sheer, unadulterated joy of a simple, yet flavoursome breakfast. (or any meal really) Its exiting when the produce is so good, it really doesn’t need much else.

Upon leaving The European in one of my post breakfast bliss moods, we made our way to explore a little bit of Melbourne city that I had missed!.

Living in Melbourne allows us to experience such treats that transport our senses to another place. We live in tumultuous times, but its nice to know that a little adventure to Europe is a stones throw away.

. . .

Tastefully yours