The Woodhouse Restaurant Bendigo

August 22, 2017 ~ danib@eatmystreet.net

The Woodhouse Restaurant Bendigo

I was delighted to have a lunch date at The Woodhouse Restaurant in beautiful Bendigo on the weekend.

I have been driving past this restaurant for years, ever since it charmed and beguiled me with its previous name “The Puddler.” There is also something quant and delightful about its location and the actual building itself.

The Woodhouse has been open for some years now and was quick to receive accolades and praise for its food. Now that I have finally been able to visit I can understand why.

The largely steak based menu offered up many tempting suggestions and I was immediately tempted to try the “rost biff” as I had the strong impression whoever was in the kitchen knew what they were doing with a steak. Maybe the glass fronted wall of steak fridge at the entrance was a clue.

I was not disappointed and I would go so far to say this was the best steak I have ever tried. Juicy, perfectly seasoned and with an excellent caramelisation on the outside and perfectly tender to the bite.

The Woodhouse Restaurant also has a great kids menu ($16 for a main and a starter) and my son also enjoyed perhaps the nicest meal he has ever eaten. In fact the rest of us were a little jealous by the beautiful meal on his plate. The Woodhouse Restaurant Bendigo

Steak can be served with a sauce of your choice and potato dauphinois, both very tempting offerings in my opinion.

You can also order from the pizza menu but why would you when everything else is so tempting? Perhaps because it too reads like a dream

The service was exceptionally helpful with particular attention paid to one of our guests with food allergies.

We ordered the lunch special, which included the two courses and a glass of wine for $40 and which was provided very good value in my opinion. You can also order from the a la carte menu.

I tried and loved the zucchini blossoms with pinenut, farro, basil, Meredith goats curd and eggplant salsa ($15).

The Woodhouse Restaurant Bendigo McIvor Farm old breed pork belly, cauliflower, Tasmanian scallops, La Boqueria chorizo and pork crisp ($15).

The excellence of the locally sourced, modern menu and the intricate perfection of the food coming out of the kitchen was not quite matched by the interior design of the restaurant but I hear that there is a renovation on the cards.

The dimly lit, slightly hazy and brick walled interior of the restaurant is slightly reminiscent of a cave where all the treasured morsels are being served up.

I can wait to visit again and this time I’ll stay for the dessert. One of everything is on my wish list..

Happy Eating.

Dani xx

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The Woodhouse Restaurant Bendigo

www.thewoodhouse.com.au
Address: 101 Williamson St, Bendigo
Hours:
Monday Closed
Tuesday 12–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm
Wednesday 12–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm
Thursday 12–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm
Friday 12–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm
Saturday 12–11pm
Sunday Closed

Dani B is a food and lifestyle blogger from Melbourne. She posts regular recipes, reviews and foodie happening for enthusiastic home cooks. Please visit Facebook and give us a like to keep up to date.

Awkward Jeffrey Cafe Daylesford

July 10, 2017August 6, 2017 ~ danib@eatmystreet.net

Awkward Jeffrey Cafe Daylesford

A recent family camping trip to Daylesford provided me with the glorious opportunity to check out a few new cafes.

Daylesford has long been one of my favorite spots in Victoria. I dream of moving there and writing books in the back room of my old farmhouse in between cooking generous Country style dinners for visiting family and friends.

I guess I would occasionally need to pop out for company and caffeine and when I did, I think I would visit Awkward Jeffrey.

Housed in a gorgeous, timber window framed, narrow, two story building Jeffrey’s charms include a black spiral staircase, an open fireplace, a gorgeous mural and many house plants.

The Espresso syndicate coffee was very good and food from the small, thoughtful menu was delicious and included a selection of local produce. La Madre vine fruit sourdough bread , cultured butter, Dele Foodstore jam ($7) or buckwheat pancakes, ricotta, chai custard, orange jelly, almond, mint ($16).

I ordered the luscious orange cake that was on display on the countertop and it was cake-y perfection.

Housed in a heritage building Awkward Jeffrey is a cosy and very visually beautiful cafe to dine in. I enjoyed the gazing out the window into the Daylesford streetscape beyond as much as I enjoyed the array of house plants and art work creating an inviting space inside.

If you are visiting beautiful Daylesford, and why would you not, then be sure to pop into Awkward Jeffreys for a meal.

Happy Eating

Dani xx

Awkward Jeffrey Cafe

117 Vincent St, Daylesford VIC

Hours:
Wednesday to Monday 8am–3:30pm
Tuesday Closed
Suggest an edit
Phone: (03) 5348 1798

Dani B is a food and lifestyle blogger from Melbourne. She posts recipes, reviews and tips for living mindfully. You can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.

The Pantry at The Schaller Studio, Bendigo

March 19, 2015October 18, 2015 ~ eatmystreet

The Pantry at The Schaller Studio, Bendigo

I have spoken of my love for elegant Bendigo before. With her grand Cathedral that instantly takes me to another time and another place. And her luscious, exquisite Rosalind Park stretching right through the heart of the City. The rambling but grand Hotel Shamrock that once (or was it twice) hosted royalty. The dotted outposts of Poppet Heads that to locals need no explaining. The Nationally renown Art Gallery and of course, the dinning scene. Great cafes and restaurants abound and are easily accessible, well staffed and often set amidst architecturally interesting and sophisticated surrounds.

A recent addition to the tourism scene in Bendigo is the Schaller Studio Hotel, part of the wider Art Series Hotels group.

It seems like this sprawling Hotel went up in a matter of weeks and I have it on the authority of a local that this is indeed how it was built. Situated not too far from the Bendigo Art Gallery it will hopefully be full to the brim of tourists, keen to see the sites of beautiful Bendigo.

The Pantry at the Schaller Studio Bendigo is the Cafe that sits underneath the Hotel. I recently visited for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. I also had my own exciting moment of celebrity spotting when the cast and crew of The Today Show pulled into town and were just lingering around the lobby. Karl Stefanovic was there people. And Lisa Wilkinson! Being the coward that I am, I did not stop for a photo but instead just pretended like I could not care less.

I could care less though couldn’t I? Karl is a first rate hilarious Aussie idiot and I missed my moment. 🙁 Lisa is a first rate Aussie feminist role model and general legend. Shame on me for trying to be too cool for school……

The Pantry at The Schaller Studios is a sweet addition to the area.

Tom my handsome model (who just happens to also be my nephew) enjoyed his lunch.

It’s his birthday today! Everyone say Happy Birthday Tom!

I really liked my coffee and we ate in the “Sculpture Garden” which was pleasant. The art works both outside and inside were fantastic and fresh and interesting and easily made for an inspiring backdrop to sit and sip.

I sampled the Nutella Donut, the excellent Caramel Slice ($6-) and the piquant and perfect lemon slice ($6). They serve Tea 2 teas.

I may have scoffed the donut prior to bringing out the camera. Oops! Rookie mistake….

The seating areas were generous with the added addition of sprawling couches and coffee tables inside the building.

I may have seen Troy Cassar-Daley eating lasagne and Richard Wilkins with his BF’sF (fake tan and blonde highlights) looking better-in-the-flesh-than-on-TV while I was there too.

Special day.

Anyway, if you are in the area, then pop in for a cup of tea and enjoy the “vibe of the place”. If you are a long way out of the area and intend to come and stay, then book a room at the Hotel. They are small but beautifully equipped and the service is fantastic.

The Pantry does the local cafe bit really well.

Enjoy!! And if you see a celeb of note, take a selfie! Go on, be brave.

Dani xx

The Pantry at The Schaller Studio

Corner Luca and Bayne St

Bendigo

Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates, Bendigo

March 18, 2015February 3, 2016 ~ eatmystreet

Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates, Bendigo

“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” Forrest Gump

It all started when my lovely father-in-law bought me a box of chocolates from Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates, for Christmas. They were so delicious and so much smoother and finer than other chocolate I had previously tasted.

I had previously had a small infatuation with Hillier’s Caramel Chocolate squares. These chocolates had seen me through a tough time where my nightly routine of sitting quietly on my own and indulging in one sweet mouthful, brought me sweetness and peace. Well now I was addicted to Indulge Belgian Chocolates also, but this time without a good excuse. Except that these chocolates were smooth and fine and exceptional.

Finally I found myself with the opportunity to visit Indulge Fine Chocolates in Bendigo to buy some for myself. I also ordered a hot chocolate while I was there. (They also serve ice-cream, cakes and muffin’s, and of course coffee.) The shop was small and filled with Chocolate of every shape and size. The front counter was adorned with Chocolate Easter bunnies, Chocolate lolly pops and a counter full of handcrafted individual chocolates that can be bought individually or by the gift box!

Favourite flavours (of the moment) are Champagne Truffle, Dark Chocolate with a hint of Chilli and Peanut Butter with Raspberry Jelly.

Stop by there Facebook page if you would like to keep up to date. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indulge-Fine-Belgian-Chocolates/118961494787866

Or visit their website. www.indulgechocolates.com.au

They are located near the Bendigo Bank building (the one that cannot be missed).

If you would like to read about more of my favourite places to visit in beautiful Bendigo then look here. Or sign up to my mailing list to keep up to date.

Thanks for stopping by. I would love to hear your suggestions of other great cafes in Bendigo on my Facebook page. There are so many to chose from.

Happy eating!

Dani B xx

Indulge Fine Belgian Chocolates Bendigo

Shop 26 Fountain Court Bendigo

Mr Beebes Bendigo.

January 13, 2015October 9, 2015 ~ eatmystreet

Where: 17 View Point

Bendigo

(03)5441 5557

So Mr Beebes stands proudly where The Whirakee Restaurant once was, right in the heart of downtown Bendigo. I love Bendigo and find her tres elegant with her fountains and beautiful old buildings. The Whirakee used to epitomise all that was good about Bendigo and I loved to sit in the restaurant and look out at the fountain, Rosalind Park and city beyond. The restaurant building itself was also quite stunning, having been built within the walls of an old bank.

Anyway, apparently the people have spoken, and what the people want now is hip, casual dining with share plates. So au revoir lovely Whirakee, and bienvenue Mr Beebes (I will stop with the faux French now. Oops! Now). I am sad to see you go, but I guess I will just deal (I am trying to use the modern lingo there, like Mr Beebes).

So, same view, same Chef (apparently) and even same owner (apparently).

A friend recently celebrated his birthday here. I made like Cinderella and stayed home to do the chores. This is where the Cinderella parallel takes a dramatic nosedive though as I did not emerge as a ball gowned beauty. I literally just stayed at home.

But, my handsome Prince sent me photo’s of the meal and tells me that the food was delicious and the service was quite good. I share them here for your viewing pleasure.

It is casual-y, it is share-y and I am told it is delicious (y). I think it looks fantastic. Head over to the Mr Beebe’s website to check out their current menu.

http://mrbeebes.com.au

Or maybe even stop in and check it out and let me know what you think.

More importantly, if you know a Fairy Godmother, send her my way so that next time there is a party I might complete the fairytale and transform from a fragile housewife to a Charming Princess.

These stories are realistic, yes?

Happy Eating Travellers!

Dani xx

Cafe Roubaix Bendigo

June 11, 2014 ~ eatmystreet

I have been thinking a lot about this place lately.

Cafe Roubbaix @ Hardings Cycles, Bendigo.

I visited here last Summer. That seems so long ago and indeed it was a long time. But I never forget good cake!

Cafe Roubaix is a small little cafe/ coffee shop in downtown Bendigo. The fit out of the cafe is pretty ordinary and the fact that it is kind of attached to a bicycle store is obviously not fantastic but the food. Oh, the food. It is sublime.

Let me dazzle you with an obviously impressive fact.

Cafe Roubaix has a chocolate fountain.

I think you are basically all convinced now that this is a great place to visit but for those remaining sceptics (or for my friend Jarrod who must be the only person in Australia who does not like chocolate) there is actually also delicious home made cakes, pastries and eclairs. When I visited they were also doing catering for a local event of some sort and had a delicious array of savoury bits and pieces going on also.

I have tried quite a few of the cakes from Cafe Roubaix and it was all good. I am looking forward to my next visit so I can try some more.

A word of warning. When I visited on a Saturday morning there were a lot of lycra clad bums clip clopping around the cafe and creating long lines. If you want to see “group think” in action then watch a gaggle of middle aged middle income bicyclists at play. They seem to lose all manners and common courtesies because they are GETTING FIT. Right, GETTING FIT by RIDING A BIKE. How impressive. No body seems to have bothered to tell them that people have been sitting atop a sturdy frame on two wheels for a very very long time and with a lot less fanfare. If you think teenage girls are obsessed with image then you will be truly impressed with the stylings of the lycra lot.

So, they will probably park their bikes where you can’t get passed and they will not bother to book a table ahead or go somewhere where they will not block the footpath (like a comparable group of say, Mum’s with prams) because they are GETTING FIT and thus exempt from all else. But if you can bear this, then visit Cafe Roubaix. It is delicious. The cakes will haunt your dreams.

And maybe you could even buy a bike from next door and get so fit, that you can eat cake all day.

Happy Eating,

Dani xx

The details:

Cafe Roubaix

66 Queen St

Bendigo