True South, Black Rock by Obelix

I was looking forward to going back to True South, this time for a girls' night out.  I love Argentinian food and the whole share plate concept.  The location was perfect for a balmy summer's night for it overlooked the sea on Beach Road.

Fish of the day

We couldn't decide what to order so on a whim, we opted for the $55 per person "Feed Me" and fed us they did.  I left a bit regretful that my stomach capacity was not greater to cram it all in.  True South's Feed Me option is really anything goes.  They work around any food intolerance and you can nominate any dish you wish to be included. 

Parrot House Restaurant, Kensington by Foghorn Leghorn

Melbourne has some good restaurants in un-welcoming locations. The best-known example is Victoria Street, Richmond, which has some good Chinese restaurants, but local businesses complain that customers stay away because of the ever-present junkies and drug dealers.

The Kensington/Flemington area is similar, with locals renowned for their strange attitude towards outsiders. Sometimes they board trams passing through the area and snatch phones from the passengers’ hands. Other times they just throw rocks at the trams.

Eight treasure duck

Nevertheless, the Kensington/Flemington area has some good food. A friend of mine raves about the laksa in one restaurant, which is so good that the recipe has apparently been copied by other restaurants around town. The Eat and Be Merry Crew have tried out a few places, such as the 1565 ice-cream parlour.

Recently I discovered Parrot House Restaurant, a Cantonese restaurant on Racecourse Road. I went there once with Mrs Shiraz for a scouting expedition, and the second time we were joined for a proper meal by our friends from the Footscray side of the river, Knuckles and Shazza.

Jonker Street Taste of Malaysia, Doncaster East by Obelix

Named after the Jonker Walk Melaka Night Market in Malaysia, Jonker Street Taste of Malaysia in Doncaster East serves up hawker stall cuisine for Melbournians.  It has become the regular place for Kiddo and I to go there for lunch after our haircuts in Jackson Square. Whilst there are a la carte items for sharing (similar to a Chinese restaurant), Kiddo and I would typically just order a stand alone rice or noodle dish for lunch.


I would highly recommend their char kwai teoh.  Full of 'wok hai', that smoky breath of the wok flavour, and it is loaded with Chinese sausage 'lap cheong' and lots of baby clams.  Yum!  I prefer Jonker Street's char kwai teoh over Pappa Rich's any day.  It is Kiddo's standing order.

Sushi Jiro, Chadstone by Obelix

When one of the main food courts in Chadstone closed down for refurbishment, I was saddened as I miss my closest Omi's Wagyu Don (yes, I realise it is very much a first world problem).  However since its re-opening in recent weeks, I have found a new love - Sushi Jiro, next door to Omi.

Sushi Jiro is dotted everywhere in Melbourne.  Their point of difference, they like to tout, is that they offer handcrafted sushi with a creative flair, aka, not your ordinary sushi rolls.  Indeed, they do have a wide variety of sushi and sushi related offerings over and above the standard California roll.  They also have a few tables set up for the sushi train however I've found it difficult to get onto the sushi train tables especially on the weekends leading up to Christmas.  I order from the pre-made display and eat on the run.

My favourites are:


Tempura prawn temaki - I like these partly for the kitsch of a conical shaped sushi wrap (you get more nori, you see). The tempura prawn batter is crispy which is an important sign of freshness.

Ali Qapu, Kew East by Obelix

Step through the statement entrance replete with mosaic tiles and heavy wooden double doors, into Ali Qapu named after one of palaces of the Persian kings. It was very palatial in setting with wide open spaces between tables and a cavernous entrance foyer.  It reminded me more of a function hall than a restaurant.

Persian tea and medjool date 

It was the setting of our quarterly girls' night out which we kicked off with a Persian dip platter over chardonnay whilst the stragglers (me) arrived.  I got there too late to sample the salad olovieh (similar to a chicken and egg salad) which came with the dips but got to try the remnants of mizra ghasemi (smoked eggplant dip) and mast-o-khiar (very similar to a tzatziki).

Syracuse Restaurant & Wine Bar, Melbourne by Log Lady

Syracuse Restaurant & Wine Bar, a restaurant evoking old world European charm located at the bottom end of the CBD on Bank Place, has recently won a prestigious award for Best Wine Bar List in Australasia by World of Fine Wine (they've also been nominated to win the Best Wine List in the World). Syracuse celebrated this illustrious prize by showcasing some of their wine from France to their regular customers. I had the pleasure of attending this intimate event, and the opportunity to taste three of their French wines.

Delicious nibbles to go with our wine  

Toledo, Brunswick by Obelix

P and I recently enjoyed a Sunday morning poking around Mrs Secondhand, a wonderful serendipitous find.  It was a second hand shop one could easily get lost in for hours. When we eventually ventured back outside, squinting in the harsh sunshine of the real world, we headed to nearby Toledo cafe for a bite. 

P being a vegetarian, ordered herself the soup of the day, made with chargrilled peppers and a side of toast.  

Dark Horse on the Brit, Mitcham by Bureaucrat

About a year ago, we started venturing into cafe life with Boy Chick in tow.  Back then, he was little enough to force put him in a high chair.  Nowadays, as a boisterous toddler, outdoor seating is a must for us if we want to have any chance of eating out.  I remembered that the Dark Horse on the Brit having a spacious al fresco area that is located in the middle of a not-too-busy pedestrian thoroughfare in the Mitcham shops.  And it seems that we're not the only parents that have cottoned on to this fact - there were plenty of other young families doing the same thing!


As with risotto, paella is a dish that often isn't as good as you'd hope it to be.  The Lawyer is rather a fan of paella (we can still remember the magnificent squid ink paella that we had in Barcelona all those years ago), so when he saw it on the specials menu, he figured he'd give it a shot.  Happily, this was a pretty good version of it.  There was a good amount of chorizo and chicken and it was well seasoned.  The rice was nicely done - not too mushy and not overly al dente.

The Sown—debut novel by AC Bux

Here at Eat and Be Merry, our writers write to justify their gluttony.  We write to eat.  On some occasions, we live to write, even when there is no motivational carrot, metaphoric or otherwise, dangling in front of our noses. 

We are excited that one of our contributors, Obelix, otherwise known as AC Bux, has published her debut novel, The Sown.  If you enjoyed Obelix's posts and want to check out her writing chops delving in the genre of historical fiction exploring dark themes of betrayal, shame and addiction, please head over her website (www.acbuxauthor.com) for more details.

Now And Not Yet, Warrandyte by Bureaucrat

Now And Not Yet is a rather special cafe.  Ensconced in the main shopping strip in leafy Warrandyte, Now And Not Yet is a social enterprise that puts its profits towards local community causes and helping asylum seekers by providing employment opportunities for them.  During a weekend of self improvement, Now and Not Yet seemed to be a rather fitting choice for lunch.

Similar to the Rumour Mill in Croydon, the menu here accommodates many dietary needs (vegetarian, vegan, gluten and dairy free).  There were nine of us for lunch and we made sure to have a booking.  Some of the dishes that we ordered included the Super Salad.  A colourful and hearty salad comprised of kale, chickpeas, beetroot, tomatoes, sweet potato, quinoa and topped with maple roasted walnuts and mustard apple cider vinegar.  

The Coventry, South Melbourne by Bureaucrat

Just over a month old, The Coventry is the newest cafe in South Melbourne.  Owned by the same family who run Piatella and Meat In The Middle, The Coventry is a breezy and relaxed spot that's located opposite the South Melbourne market.  The menu here draws upon a number of cuisines.  Owner, Nick Bourgazas, explained that they wanted to offer something a bit different to the typical cafe fare to differentiate themselves from the glut of neighbouring cafes.

Case in point, is the tuna tartare.  A delightfully modern take on the greasy and stodgy battered fish and chips, The Coventry's version is much healthier and surprisingly moreish.  While I'm usually not a fan of rare/raw seafood, I couldn't help stealing forkfuls of the delicious tuna from the Lawyer's plate. The tuna is finely diced so that even if you're squeamish about eating raw fish, you cannot feel the chewiness of the uncooked fish.  The tuna is tender and melts in your mouth.  It's beautifully seasoned with cornichons, capers and shallots and the aioli gives it a lovely creaminess - it's utterly yummy and there's not a hint of fishiness at all.  The tuna is served with these gorgeously golden and geometric fluffy polenta chips and lotus root chips.

OMI, Doncaster by Obelix

I have fallen in love with the concept of an Onsen egg.  A singular egg poached to perfection at 65 degrees Celsius.  Tenderly wibbly-wobbly.  A yolk-like custard. It was the sole reason why I decided to try OMI - for the Onsen egg.  

Wibbly wobblies on a plate

But then, I was introduced to Mentaiko (fermented fish roe marinated in sake, konbu and yuzu) and I found myself obsessing over OMI since.

Rumour Mill, Croydon by Bureaucrat

Having been smitten with the quaint McAdam Square shopping village in Croydon, we decided to go back there to check out another cafe.  Earlier this year, we brunched at the beautifully verdant Scented Garden Cafe.  This time around, we decided to try the Rumour Mill, whose menu is geared towards those with dietary requirements (e.g., raw, organic, vegetarian, gluten, dairy, vegan needs).

This is quite a big cafe, with seats outside the pavement and lots of room to push a pram through on the inside.  I really liked the range of dishes on the menu, which included breakfast Bento boxes, Mexican inspired salads, to middle Eastern green shashuka eggs. 

Mixing things up a bit, the Lawyer and I decided to pick dishes that we normally wouldn't choose.  Uncharacteristically, the Lawyer went for the lovely mushroom ragu with soft polenta.  This was served with puffed amaranth, pine nuts, poached egg and parmesan crisp.  This plate of gorgeously golden polenta with the deep flavoured mushrooms impressed him.  Warm and nourishing.  

Fonda Mexican, Hawthorn by Obelix

In a fit of the "I-can't-be-bothers", we hit up our local Fonda Mexican in Hawthorn for a quick mid week dinner.

Perhaps it was the Spring in the air, P was in an unusually sprightly mood and ordered himself a lychee and elderflower margarita to kick things off.  It was described to him as a frozen slurry of lychees steeped in alcohol - a decadent slurpee, if you will.  He was sold.

Mamasita, Melbourne by Rockstar

A friend was visiting from Sydney and I wanted to introduce her to a Melbourne classic. I remember when Mamasita arrived in 2010 - for me it was a revelation in Mexican flavours. I adored the balanced flavours - the tanginess, the richness, the happiness! I recall the queues down the stairs; the waiting and the utter busyness of the place. And that every time I ate there I’d want to go back again. I’ve been back a few times - every couple of years and it’s never disappointed me. 

There was no queue when we arrived at 6:00pm but it filled up quickly. We started with the tortilla chips, avocado, salsa and retried beans. It sounds so pedestrian, so 1980s. This version is a delightful combination... I tried not to steal them all before the Sydneysider had had her fair share.

Ramblr, South Yarra by Rockstar

A long awaited girls weekend in Chapel Street and I was feeling the pressure of being responsible for choosing our dinner venue. So many options, so I chose two and booked them, making the final decision the day before.


Korean inspired fried lasagne square

I’d read lots of positive reviews of Ramblr, and I’d walked past many times. We chose an early dinner so we could come back and enjoy the hotel. We actually walked past the entrance as it’s a subtle doorway with no obvious signage. Inside it’s a dark and moody place - the food is modern with Korean, Japanese and Chinese influences.

Piatella, Glen Waverley by Bureaucrat

Once upon a time, Kingsway in Glen Waverley was yet another unexceptional suburban shopping precinct - mainly local fashion shops, professional services, a Chinese takeaway restaurant and a cafe or two.  Young families and golden oldies shuffled up and down Kingsway going about their daily business and dropping by at the local council office and the library.  Nowadays, Kingsway is bulging with cafes and restaurants, and getting a parking spot has turned into a competitive sport in this area.

Shakshuka baked eggs with chorizo and prosciutto

There are Asian eateries (e.g., Hong Kong Dim Sum, The Grand Tofu, Ocean King Chinese Restaurant) and cafes galore (e.g., Workshop Brothers, Mocha Jo's Burger Bar, Yo My Goodness) and even fine dining options (e.g., The Black Toro, The Butcher's Bench and Yokohama Teppanyaki) all located in this relatively short shopping strip.  

Dohwa, Glen Waverley by Bureaucrat

A new-ish addition to the Blackburn Road shops near Syndal station (where you'd find Trei and Danny's Kopitiam), Dohwa is a Korean restaurant. It's quiet and assuming.  I was recommended to try Dohwa by a Korean acquaintance of mine who works in the area - he says that the food there is authentic and tasty.  Reviews online agree with this assessment and for a mid-week lunch, we fronted up bang on 11:30am.


Korean fried chicken on rice

Inside, it's clean simple lines with nice little homely touches.  The service here is friendly and thoughtful - I particularly liked how we were given warm water on a cold winter's day and not cold water to drink.  There's a special lunch time menu, which we ordered from.  There's a mix of what you'd call traditional Korean dishes and also more modernised dishes (e.g., burgers made with Korean fried chicken served with chips).

Ichi Ramen, Box Hill by Bureaucrat

Buoyed by my experience of better than average dumplings at Dream Dumplings and chic Asian fusion brunch at The Penny Drop, I thought I'd be brave and see what else Box Hill has on offer.  A quick Google told me that Ichi Ramen was a spot for good ramen eats.  Located on the exterior-facing side of the old part of Box Hill Central, Ichi Ramen looked popular among the lunchtime diners.

For starters, the Lawyer and I shared some deep fried calamari.  These were lovely and tender and nicely seasoned.  However, I wasn't too impressed with the overly burnished hue of the batter - using some fresh(er) oil to cook the calamari would have made this dish much better.  I'm always a bit leery of places that re-use their cooking oil to such an extent that it's obvious in the dish.  I'm an advocate for waste minimisation in the kitchen but this is distinct from cost minimisation, which is what I suspect Ichi Ramen is doing.  

Dumpling King, Hawthorn by Obelix

I am on a lifelong quest for perfect dumplings.  On the pilgrim path, I came across Dumpling King in Hawthorn.


Right after a fun run whereby the middle-aged P exerted himself  in ways he has not in the past two decades, P, high on adrenaline, full of chest-thumping vim and vigour ordered their Sichuan wontons in hot spicy soup.  The verdict?  Hot. Spicy.  I could not get past nibbling the edges of the wonton wrapper before my lips were on fire.  So beyond the obvious adjectives in its name, I cannot describe their taste for you.  However if you are a chilli fiend, then I guess this one is right up your alley.

Woodfrog Bakery, Kew by Obelix

Here at Eat and Be Merry, we don't often devote a blog post to bread.  But bread is the manna of life, and I am obsessed with good bread, emphasis on the good.  It has to be worth the carb intake. 

The bread at Woodfrog Bakery, specifically the sourdough varieties, are definitely worth splurging your carb quota on.  It has been my weekend haunt for the past several weeks.  This time, however, I decided to try the fruit loaf.  It was dense as a brick (in a good way) and loaded with figs; apricots; small scattering of raisins and an aromatic orange blossom scent.  If I was a character in an Enid Blyton story, I would have eaten this fruit loaf for morning tea with 'lashings of butter' and a jam jar filled with hot tea.

Stanley, Mt Waverley by Bureaucrat

Stanley is located on Stanley Avenue and its name reminds me of the famous line when the character Stanley in A Streetcar Named Desire cries out "Stella!  STELLA!".  Stanley is literally in the middle of nowhere.  It's not near the main Mt Waverley shopping village (where one can find Son of Tucci and Curator 23 who were the pioneers who first brought cafe cred to the sleepy suburban village).  It's not anywhere need a main road.  It's sort of stumbling distance along the local Scotchman Creek trail but, really, it's buried deep in suburbia.

Soft shell crab with Thai noodle salad

Stanley, with is pristine white exterior and smartly modern interior, is upping the cafe credentials to Mt Waverley (it's owned by the same person who runs Bentwood, Tinker and Clubhouse Malvern).  Stanley is oh-so comfortably middle class with its light-filled dining space, matt gold touches and sleek wooden finishes.  We visited Stanley mid-week and couldn't believe how popular the place was - young families, golden oldies, suited-up professionals, construction workers and locals popping in for a coffee to go.  My first thought was, how did these people find out about this place?  After all, when you come, you'll realise that it is indeed in the middle of nowhere.  I only found out about this place after a bit of Googling for nearby cafes. 

Red Door Corner Store, Northcote by Rockstar

Red Door Corner Store is a large airy popular Northside brunch option... which takes bookings. Sounds too good to be true. I loved the quirky decorations which make a nod to its milkbar past... especially the milk bottle lights!

Smoked trout with spanner crab on a house-made crumpet

I often find brunch can have such high expectations which often aren’t met... or just miss the mark slightly. I would rate this brunch as one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Every dish was well executed and delicious. The service was friendly and efficient.

Ripponlea Food and Wine, Ripponlea by Rockstar

I was looking for somewhere local, with good food for a quiet but delicious Saturday night birthday dinner. I’d been to Ripponlea Food and Wine prior to its renovation and expansion for brunch a number of times and really enjoyed it. I was keen to try their dinner menu, and to see the lush new fit out - I’ll admit to being a sucker for green velvet banquet seating. Sadly we were in the main area rather than the bar/banquet seating but the atmosphere is lovely. It’s modern but luxurious with black, green, and exposed brick, wood and glass. The green subway tiles in the bathroom are divine! 

Golden Gaytime dessert

We had an early 6:15pm booking and had to be out at 7:45pm for the next shift. The wait staff were friendly but seemed a little rushed and hectic - we waited to order our drinks and then to order our food.

Southbank Progressive Dinners - The Winter Trail

My dining companion Gordon Zola and I were very pleased to be invited to another Southgate Melbourne event as we’ve enjoyed the others we attended. This time we were there to sample the upcoming Southbank Progressive Dinners which offer a three course dinner at three Southgate Melbourne restaurants. 

The Winter Trail will be running from Sunday-Thursday nights from 12 August to 6 September 2018, with two sittings at 6pm and 7pm.  To make it interesting, the restaurants will work on a rotating basis for the courses being served each week (read on to find out more details!). 

The evening started at Italian restaurant La Camera with a colorful glass of prosecco mixed with Aperol, Midori, or Chambord liqueurs. We were then served a delicious and enormous range of antipasto. The vegetables included olives, roasted pumpkin, grilled and marinated capsicums and mushrooms, and our favourite the creamy textured grilled eggplant. The salumi offerings included mortadella, moist prosciutto, and a tasty and spicy sopressa.

The Penny Drop, Box Hill by Bureaucrat

There's a lot to love about The Penny Drop.  A relatively new cafe, The Penny Drop has got foodies and locals abuzz with its creative Asian-fusion brunch menu and effortlessly elegant decor.  What's most amazing about this place is that it's managed to do this right in the heart of Box Hill - a suburb known for its glut of Asian cheap eats.  The Penny Drop has brought middle-class sensibilities and chicness in dining options for the area without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Rice burger with forbidden rice, pork belly, kohlrabi and apple slaw and tsuyu sauce

Located in the same building as the Australian Tax Office (don't let that deter you from coming!), The Penny Drop is a beautiful space - super high ceilings with ceiling-to-floor windows give the cafe grandeur and lightness.  The soft pink theme is paired with wooden and warm golden finishes.  And unlike many cafes of its ilk, there is comfortable, spacious seating (hooray!) and the background music is, shock, actually in the background!  While there is a definite buzz to the place, there is no need to shout to your dining companions in order to have a conversation. 

Dream Dumplings, Box Hill by Obelix

You know a place has something going for it if more than one Eat and Be Merry Crew independently chooses the same place to dine at.  The Bureaucrat was introduced to Dream Dumplings recently; while I discovered this delicious foodie experience by happenstance.  This was one made by P who was circling around the Box Hill Centro food court, uninspired, wanting just to grab a quick bite before ducking off to run some errands, when the owner of Dream Dumplings in the food court struck up a conversation with him.

Crab and pork xiao long baos

The brief exchange went something along the lines of this - the owner proudly stated he made the best pan fried pork buns, just like the ones people queue up for miles for back in Shanghai.  P then smacked his lips, saliva drooling and promptly handed over his money for the said fried buns.  The rest is history.  Because we've been back multiple times since.

The Beer & Burger Bar, Richmond by Bureaucrat

Winter weather brings on the need to carbo-load.  Notions of healthy eating are put to one side in preference for carbs, protein and fried goodness.  The Beer & Burger Bar in Richmond can certainly help with this.  Before turning up, I checked out their Instagram account - it's replete with blokes tucking into massive burgers, including "The Don" a mammoth burger made with 1.2kg of beef, 16 rashes of bacon, 400g of chips, two cans of soft drink plus all the usual burger trimmings.

Lunch is served!

Dainty portions isn't what The Beer & Burger Bar is about.  So even our regular sized burgers were still quite hefty. 

Banoi, Melbourne by Rockstar

I love Vietnamese food. I’ve often thought if I had to choose only one cuisine to have for the rest of my life, Vietnamese would be up there. Maybe because there’s so much variety. 

Salt and pepper chicken ribs

I’m pretty pleased to have Banoi right behind work... but I'm not always pleased when it’s so popular that you can’t always pop in and get a table! I’m loving their recently updated menu. There’s the healthy tasty options and then there’s the deliciously decadent comfort food in case it’s been one of those day where only fried chicken can make it better.

Little River Hotel, Little River by Foghorn Leghorn

Little River is a speck on the map between Melbourne and Geelong, but it has a couple of claims to fame. It gave its name to the Little River Band, and it was a filming location for the first Mad Max movie.


Lamb shanks

Mrs Shiraz and I occasionally go for a stroll in the You Yangs, and the closest place to eat afterwards is the Little River Hotel. It’s a country-style pub, similar to what you’ll find in small towns much further from Melbourne.

Chef Lagenda, Hawthorn by Rockstar

Winter in Melbourne leaves me craving a particular type of food - I want comfort and warmth. Chef Lagenda Malaysian Kitchen was recommended by my friend as a place we could catch up for noodles on a Saturday night. Luckily she booked as even at 6:30 pm it was pleasantly busy. 

Vegetarian laksa

Our first offered table was up front near the door which I wasn’t keen on, so another table was found out the back. The overhead outdoor heaters created a decent amount of heat though I still needed to use my jumper as a knee rug to warm up my bottom half, as the back is really an outdoor covered set up. I imagine it would work well on a pleasant summer night.

Charlotte's Corner Cafe, Blackburn South by Bureaucrat

Boy Chick is a winter baby and finding a suitable place to celebrate his birthday required a bit of consideration.  Ideally, some outdoor space that's sheltered and reasonably close to home were the main things I was looking for.  A bit of Googling led me to Charlotte's Corner Cafe in Blackburn South.  Alliteration aside (ha!), the charm of the murals, a heated and covered outdoor space (which included a kids' play area), the ability to make a booking (even on the weekend) and reasonable reviews of the food meant that Charlotte's Corner Cafe was a go-er for us.

Big breakfast

First impressions are important and the beaming smiles and friendly hellos from all the staff including the kitchen staff made us all feel very welcome indeed.  Our reserved table was in the courtyard.  While we were there, a few more families with little ones and fur babies also had the same idea of taking a leisurely brunch in the covered and heated outdoor space. 

Valencia Cafe Kitchen, Doncaster East by Big Fil

I know we see fusion styles of food around town all the time but a nasi lemak burger? Who’d of thunk it? Nasi lemak is one of my all-time favourite breakfast/lunch/dinner options and I was intrigued when Ms Counting her Calories suggested a nasi lemak burger lunch with the family at Valencia Cafe Kitchen.

First the practicalities. Valencia Cafe Kitchen offers up a mix of typical Melbourne café style options, a small but interesting range of burgers and some Malaysian classics that rotate through the week. I particularly noted the Hainan Chicken Rice Balls, which I understand is a mainly Malaccan thing. While we were too full to try any they also offer a selection of Malaysian style kueh (cakes), something that is hard to find around town.

Nasi lemak burger

The café is fairly small and basic and if you are planning to visit for a Sunday lunch like we were booking ahead is probably a good idea. While not rude service was a little brusque, although it should be said we weren’t the most organised when deciding what to order.

Dream Dumplings, Box Hill by Bureaucrat

I tend to avoid Box Hill.  I know there's a lot of good cheap food options in Box Hill but the density of the crowds and shops mean that I rarely step foot into this boxed hill.  However, dining out with Boy Chick these days means that one needs to be flexible.  Mother Hen suggested that we get a mid-week dumpling lunch inside the food court - since the renovation to the shopping centre, the food court is spacious with plenty of seating (especially if you get there before peak lunch hour) and there's even a play space for the littlies.

My last foray into the Box Hill food court found me at Grain Express (six years ago!).  The food was alright but it didn't wow me.  Grain Express is still there but Dream Dumplings has set up shop.  Mother Hen has eaten here are a few times and says the dumplings are pretty good.  She ordered for us two dishes to share.

The first was the pan fried juicy pork buns.  Six good-sized buns with a reasonably fluffy bun.  The filling was piping hot and full of lovely porky soup (much like a xiao long bao but on a bigger scale).  In fact, we both had to change our tops when we got home because we got sprayed by the soup as we took the first bite into each bun.  The bottom on each bun had a nice golden crust to it.  Definitely worth ordering next time.  

Bonne Maman Caramel Cheesecake Recipe

Ah, Bonne Maman!  Who doesn't love the iconic French jams in the country-chic red and white jars?  I love their jams and feel ever so French when I have a jar in the pantry - it just invokes memories of my carefree Parisian jaunts back in the day when I had yet to become a mother (I had so much spare time back then... lol!).  Bonne Maman is launching a new product very soon, which will be available nationwide from mid-July.  This decadent Bonne Maman Caramel spread is unctuous, gooey and has a lovely deep caramelly flavour.  You may have already tried the caramel spread as there are a few select bakeries and cafes who use the Bonne Maman Caramel in their pastries (including Noisette's caramel doughnuts).


Bonne Maman Caramel spread and cheesecake

The Eat and Be Merry Crew were offered to try out a jar or two Bonne Maman's Caramel spread. I was impressed that the caramel was made with all-natural ingredients and no colourings or preservatives (which meant I could share this with Boy Chick).

Left Field, Carnegie by Bureaucrat

A long overdue catch-up with Big Fil saw us converge upon Left Field in Carnegie.  Situated on a corner of an unremarkable stretch of surburbia, Left Field draws hungry families and couples in need for decent brunch offerings.  Fortunately, when we arrived, we didn't have to wait for a table - it would have been very different had we arrived 30 minutes later.

Roasted pumpkin bruschetta on quinoa toast

While I didn't have Boy Chick with me, I did note that the tables are spaced reasonably apart from each other - my elbows weren't touching those of my neighbours.  Service here was also particularly friendly and came with a smile - a nice touch :)  

The Scented Garden Cafe, Croydon by Bureaucrat

Croydon is a suburb that I know very little about.  My experience of this area is limited to what I see when I whizz past it in my car as I make my way the Yarra Valley.  I have never thought to stop and explore.  Having seen some very pretty and delicious photos on Instagram, I decided that we needed to check out The Scented Garden Cafe in Croydon.  And I'm so glad I did!

Smoked salmon, avocado, poached egg on potato fritter and beetroot hummus

Situated in a quiet yet bustling shopping village, The Scented Garden Cafe is pretty.  It has a beautiful wrought iron fence complete with a floral design.  Inside, it's a cosy, sun-dappled oasis that was surprisingly busy (pretty much at full capacity) for 11am on a weekday.  Despite the wintry weather, it was nice and warm inside (I also spotted throw rugs for diners to use); and I can imagine the cafe being a great place to relax in the sun during the warmer months. 

HWKR, Melbourne by Rockstar

I will admit to often having food FOMO. Not wanting to miss out on the new restaurant or that dish that everyone is raving about. I’m pretty sure I should be more mature than that now... but I’m not! I was catching up with old friends and some of their associated cute little people and took a punt that we’d have more chance of getting into HWKR on a Sunday than a weekday.


Salted egg lobster and prawn noodles

I walked in and got a table for six without waiting. It’s a neat set up - modern and funky, neon and wood and pop. HWKR houses a number of restaurants which are all pop ups; and they rotate every 3 or 4 months. You can order via the app or by going to each stall and paying, via card only, to have the food delivered to your table.

Tutto Bene Risotto Masterclass by Rockstar

I jumped at the opportunity to attend Tutto Bene’s risotto masterclass for a few reasons: I remember going to Tutto Bene not long after it opened;  I have had a number of delicious risottos there; and I was very curious about the secrets that would be revealed about how to create the best risotto at home (keep reading for Tutto Bene's recipe to try at home!). 

Risi e Bisi risotto (photo supplied)

Head chef Nathan Scarfo was engaging and incredibly likeable and knowledgeable. The opportunity to not only see him cooking but to hear his top tips, and see them applied, was definitely worth it. 

The Oakleigh Doughnut Co, Oakleigh by Bureaucrat

In addition to trying out a new cake or two, whenever I'm at Nikos Cakes, I always make sure to order my holy trinity of sweet heavenly desserts: galaktoboureko, loukoumada and the cannoli.  However, on my recent visit, I was dismayed to learned there were no loukoumada - it turns out that Nikos Cakes only makes these gorgeously golden, syrup-soaked, chewy doughnuts on the weekend... d'oh! 

Fresh from the kitchen

Feeling more than a bit bummed out, we left the shop and then spotted The Oakleigh Doughnut Co (TODCO) right across the street.  Looking a bit incongruous among this enclave of old school style shops and cafes, TODCO is all about pink neon lights and brash hipster vibes.  The doughnuts here aren't like how yiayia makes them - they're bigger, loaded with icing, sprinkles and feels very American.  There is a nod to the local Greek community, with a few of the doughnuts paying homage to classic Greek desserts: Bakladough, Mastic & Pistachio, and Galakdough.  

Two Little Pigs, Brunswick by Rockstar

Melbourne - so many cafes, so hard to find somewhere when you haven’t booked on Mother’s Day! Luckily we were able to have a late lunch at Two Little Pigs, a casual comfortable little cafe specialising in charcuterie goods.

My fairy god-daughter's mother couldn’t resist the breakfast board, as she had to have their pate. The breakfast board was a great option for a little taste of things including eggs, toast, tomato and feta, as well as the pickles, pate and cured meats. I managed to sneak some pate which was deliciously rich - I liked that it wasn’t too smooth but had some texture to it.

La Cocina Peruana, Randwick (NSW) by Foghorn Leghorn

You’ve probably heard the old jokes about how heaven and hell apply the talents of different nationalities. For example, in heaven, the English are the policemen, the Germans are the engineers, and the Italians are the cooks. Whereas in hell, the English are the cooks, the Germans are policemen, and the Italians are engineers.  I don’t know how all those jokes work in South America, but I think I know where the Peruvians fit in: marvellous cooks, terrible organisers.

BBQ ox heart

We happened to eat at La Cocina Peruana on a quiet Tuesday night. There were four customers (including us) and three staff. Normally this would be a pretty good staff-customer ratio, but there turned out to be some gaps in the organisation department. It didn’t really matter, because the food was so good.

We ordered four dishes, two warm and two cold. After that, not much happened for half an hour, apart from an occasional rattle or clang from the kitchen. That didn’t faze us, because the online reviews had warned us to be patient. Also, we had eaten at this restaurant years ago, when it was further up the road, and we knew roughly what to expect.

Vietnam Bar, Mt Waverley by Bureaucrat

Vietnam Bar is fast becoming a family favourite of ours for good value and great tasting takeaway.  Formerly known as Po Hing (a Chinese restaurant), the owners have renovated the place and it was reborn as Vietnam Bar.  Despite the changes to the name and menu, if you're still hankering for the old Po Hing dishes, they are still on offer.


Warm vermicelli noodles with lemongrass pork, spring rolls, pickled veg and salad

While Po Hing was alright, I much prefer it as Vietnam Bar.  Firstly, the interior is much improved - it's brighter and has a few more decorative touches.  Secondly, the food is much nicer.  During a recent flurry of work, I relied heavily on Vietnam Bar for a quick and easy dinner - I never went to Po Hing for takeaway.  And while I can't remember what the opening hours were for Po Hing, I love the fact that Vietnam Bar is pretty much open all day - this is brilliant when you need to have dinner before 5pm because of a hungry toddler.

Chinacy, South Yarra by Rockstar

I jumped at the chance to go to a Chinacy when they invited us along - it’s a spot on Chapel Street I’ve walked past so many times. 

Chicken and scallop dumplings

Arboretum Kitchen & Pantry, Caulfield South by Bureaucrat

A spot of early lunch was in order when I spied Arboretum Kitchen & Pantry.  A mix of diners were already enjoying their meal out on the sunny street pavement which is fenced off with a "hedge" of pot plants.  Clearly a favourite among locals, there were lots of young families, golden oldies and office workers taking in a meal and a coffee or two.

Inside, the plant motif continues, with creepers meandering their way across the rafters and pot plants hanging from the ceiling.  All the greenery added a nice touch to the cafe, although, truth be told, the plants seemed like they could've done with some water.

I perched myself on the communal high table and ordered myself a serve of blackened barramundi fish tacos.  These were pretty tasty - good chunks of barra on a bed of fresh coleslaw, avocado and dressing. The corn tortillas were nice and warm.  The only improvement could have been more seasoning on the fish.  With my birdlike appetite these days, I ate two of the tacos and already felt full, but I managed to squeeze the third one in (where there's a will, there's a way!).  

Mr Burton, Ashburton by Bureaucrat

After a morning of channelling our inner child with Boy Chick at the rather fabulous playground at Markham Park (seriously, why didn't we have playgrounds like this when we were young?), we trundled up to High Street, Ashburton for a spot of brunch.  

Kids' fish and chips

I do quite like High Street, Ashburton.  There are quite a few nice cafes (The Oak Room, Two Seeds and Mr Brownstone are among the better ones).  Towards the very end of the shopping strip, opposite the local library, is Mr Burton.  Despite being located a bit further from all the other cafes, Mr Burton has a serious buzz to the place.  Inside it's a little bit squishy and a little bit too loud, but the sunny courtyard was a perfect spot for us.  

The Oaks Cafe, Surrey Hills by Bureaucrat

Continuing with our adventures in finding cafes that are child-friendly, I decided to get creative.  I'm aware of a few cafe-with-garden establishments (Cafe Vue at Heide, Warran Glen Garden Centre & Cafe and also the Collingwood Children's Farm) but they're just a tad too far for us nowadays, since Boy Chick dislikes sitting in the car for too long.  A bit of Googling came up with cafes in nurseries and a promising nearby option was The Oaks Cafe in Surrey Hills.

Lasagne

The Oaks Cafe is located within Acorn Nursery.  The nursery is quite beautiful - there are gorgeous floral scents wafting in the breeze, bees are buzzing around, and there's the melodic squawks of happy birds.  

Piggery Cafe, Sherbrooke by Bureaucrat

Dining out with a toddler presents a few challenges.  No longer can the Lawyer and I have the luxury of going on gourmet road trips (how I miss the ginger treacle cakes at Red Beard Historic Bakery in Trentham and the gorgeous wood-fired pizzas at Birregurra Farm Foods) or linger over a seafood buffet at Melba or degustation lunch at Champions Bistro.

Wagyu beef burger

With a wriggly and potentially cranky toddler in tow, I find myself critiquing restaurants and cafes on more than just their food and service.  What's the lack of accessibility in so many of our restaurants?  I'm astonished at how cramped and squishy restaurants are - how are people with a wheelchair, walking aids and prams meant to navigate their way through?  And my gosh, I feel for those with sensory conditions.  The prevalence of polished concrete, exposed bricks, loud music over speakers as the design de rigeur and the lack of sound-proofing not only makes it hard to have a conversation without shouting but must be overwhelming for people who are sensitive to loud noises (on a side note, bravo to Coles for introducing its 'Quite Hour' shopping - even those of us who aren't on the autism spectrum can appreciate a quieter shopping environment).

Little Sparrow, Chadstone by Rockstar

I remember when Chadstone was a bit of a foodie destination. It’s taken a while, and I think it will continue to improve, but I love the options now - whether it’s food court, cafe or restaurant. Melbourne had some pretty terrible weather and I didn’t want to stay home but it was too wet and windy to be outside. I took my book and headed to Chadstone! By the time I got there it was 1.30pm and I was hungry!

Scrambled eggs with lobster, feta and chilli and bacon

I chose Little Sparrow cafe (which also has an outlet in the new food court) as it was close, it wasn’t too busy and there were a few things on the menu I wanted to try. It was nice to be out of the bustle of the shopping centre, and it was a little quieter too.

Nutrition Darling's Pop Muesli

Cinzia Cozzolino of Nutrition Darling is on a mission to get delicious wholefoods into our artificial, over-processed lives.  With the success of Smoothie Bombs (which adds a nutritional punch into your smoothie and baked goods (I use them to make healthier versions of pancakes and carrot cakes for Boy Chick), Nutrition Darling has released a new range of healthy, natural muesli.

Pop Muesli (photo credit: Nutrition Darling)

Nutrition Darling's products are unprocessed and unfussy to prepare. I'll admit upfront that I'm not a cereal person and much less a muesli person.  I'll also admit that I'm not one for too much vanity - I'm happy to get old and I accept the fact that my body is not longer like it was when I was in my 20s.  However, as a 30-something year old with a little one to look after, I acknowledge that I do have to put more effort into looking after myself... less sugar, less unprocessed foods (*sob!*) and more wholefoods is the way to go.

Friends of Mine, Richmond by Bureaucrat

Friends of Mine is a cafe that I've been wanting to try for a long time.  Every time I drive down Riversdale Road/Swan Street I see this lovely while period building that has that quaint, gently decaying look to it.  There's not many cafes nearby so I figured it must be doing something right if punters are willing to come and queue up for a table.  It's situated right next to some industrial (electrical?) building/power station that lends an air of grittiness to the scene.

House-made iced tea

And queuing up for a table is a given here - at least during peak periods.  The Log Lady and I arrived around 10:45am on Sunday and, boy, was it crazy hectic here.  A crowd of 15 or so people all crammed into the small entrance area, all waiting for a table.  While there were quite a few tables available on the footpath, all of us wanted a table on the inside, which was packed full.  Being told that there would be a 10-15 minutes wait turned out to be closer to 25 minutes (*groan*). Sandwiched and sardine-d we were... not unlike squishing onto a packed peak hour train but with a lot more noise.