Somewhere over the river

[Ray’s Cafe, 332 Victoria street Brunswick 3056]

Well hellooooo!,

You’re probably wondering who the hell this is??!!! yes, its been way to long, and I’m just about ready to burst at my seams with breakfasty goodness. My apologies for my extreme case of “cbf”…

This second part of 2011 seems to have been a slippery little sucker and time has got the better of me.

However!!!, I shall break that cycle today whilst I “break my fast”… (wow, I am in Dad joke mood!) 😉

So!, shall we?

Let me introduce you to Ray’s cafe:

[image below is from: http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=ray]

You could probably tell from my very “south of the river focus” blog entries that I reside on the south of the River – that being the Yarra River for those of you playing along across the states or oceans. And yes, I know all the culinary excitement is all very much happening in the Brunswick/Fitzroy neck of the woods, however by the time I get ready and get over to the “other side”, I’m so ravenously hungry I could’ve eaten my arm! (so to speak)

So, about 450 odd days ago (not kidding, apparently its been about that long since I wrote anything!!!), I ventured out far and beyond to the lands across the river to test how long I can travel for without breakfast. I’m not going to lie, I had a mini meal before I left incase I turned into some sort of monster on PT.

[image below is from: http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/?action=venue&venue_url=ray]

I had the French Toast w/ sweet Labna and maple syrup.

The service was lovely and friendly, well presented, and great price… however it just wasn’t amazing. In hindsight, it would have been great to have some sort of compote or fresh strawberries, even orange and cinnamon to play with on this dish.

Mr “All sorts of lovely” had Poached eggs (perfect) on toast with capsicum and dukkah playmates. This is really what I should’ve orderd – hello food envy! lol!

It was fresh, balanced and owners of two very perfect poached eggs!

As Ray’s source their produce from local middle eastern suppliers, every dish had a unique middle eastern flavour that only a cafe off Sydney road could have.

Ray’s cafe offered great value for money and is tucked away off the buzzing Sydney road in Brunswick.

It however failed to completely excite me based on my dish alone, and with that I can only conclude will have to try it again 🙂

Hope you’ve been good to your taste buds and tummies, and stay tuned for the next update of “My life as a food junkie” lol! 😀

. . .

Tastefully yours,

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“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,

Dear Mr Oliver…

[ 15 Westland Place, London N1 7LP ]

I think to be quite honest, the food in London isn’t one to sing ‘n’ dance about… and as a Melburnian, you can’t help but be a little picky about the food you eat- as we are so very blessed to have so many talented chefs and cafes. So… going to a place like fifteen, was an absolute treat! [and a half! ]

We went for dinner their the previous night, and I seriously haven’t had such yummy scrummy moorish culinary treat since I’d left home sweet home…. sigh…even the the lush olives were ‘burst- in- your-mouth’ freshness and flavour like your can not believe an olive can hold…

We walked accross the road from the appartment to indulge in some yummies for our tummies before we farewelled LDN to start our adventure in Trier, Germanland.

Fifteen in the morning light gave way to the jovial and light atmosphere. It was bathing in freshness and glistening with new day aura.

I ordered poached eggs/grilled tomatoes/ portobello mushies [I like to judge a breaky cafe by its poached egg quality]

and I think he ordered ‘a mountain of scrambled eggs accompanying pretty much a whole smoked salmon… well it wasn’t exactly what he ordered, but it sure as hell looked like it. [photos don’t even do it justice yo!]

oh!, and I ordered something different to drink, as fresh juices with a hint of ginger isn’t as readily available as it is in melbourne town. I committed to a marriage of ‘apple, english cucumber, mint and yoghurt in the form of a smoothie’…at first taste, I was shocked at the unusual flavour, but after the second, but tastebuds and I aggreed it was a HIT! yummo-land!!!

Eggs were poached to absolute perfection, and the whole plate was pretty much devoured before I could even offer him any. This breakfast had turned me into some sort of breaky animal…. awkward…!!! 😉

One thing I really did forget to mention is the service, MY LORDY, truly unlike most customer service I have been ‘so fortunate’ to receive- they were polite, helpful and actually around. Excuse my cutting remarks, but you have to agree London has many amazing things to offer…customer service aint making that list…

Overall, I truly enjoyed the experience, as dining isn’t 100% about the food – lets dust off ol’ Pareto, and borrow his rule: I would say 80% delicious 20% delivery. voila! a recipe for dancing tastebuds and a super satisfied tum tum!

…………………………………

Tastefully yours,

Joanna