Taste of HWKR Melbourne. HWKR Food Centre.

HWKR Melbourne

HWKR Melbourne

Five culinary legends in one venue plus a DJ and a fabulously kitsch food hall with a roof and plenty of heat. Yes Melbourne, all your Malaysian and Singaporean street food dreams have come true in one place at HWKR Melbourne.

Launched in  February, HWKR Melbourne is a Hawker style food centre where you can order from 4 unique (rotating) kitchens and one not-for-profit Bar. Continue reading

Riddik Cafe Templestowe

Templestowe Lower has a new cafe and boy it’s a good one.

Riddik Cafe Templestowe has opened in what was once the old ANZ Bank building and with tree-lined views of the classic Lower Templestowe street beyond, it is sure to be equally loved by locals and visitors from further afield.

Riddik Cafe Templestowe

Surprisingly they are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have only visited for breakfast so far but I really enjoyed what I tried from the menu and the Code Black coffee was excellent.  The kind of coffee that stays on your mind and demands a revisit. Continue reading

Macelleria Richmond

Macelleria Richmond

The Butcher who cooks for you has arrived in Melbourne.

Macelleria Richmond

Chief Meatologist Peter Zaidon has taken his very successful restaurant from the shores of Bondi beach to the suburbs of Sydney and now all the way to Richmond, Melbourne.Macelleria Richmond

The idea is simple, a butcher store and restaurant where you can turn up, chose from the selection of top shelf, dry aged, Cape Grim Australian beef carefully chosen with Peter’s fine eye and then have it cooked for you on site. You can also take it home if you’d prefer.

You might like to try a beer or cider while you wait.Macelleria Richmond

The fun does not stop with the beautifully chosen beef though, you can also select from a colourful array of salads and vegetables to accompany your meat, thus also making Macelleria a favourite among a health conscious crowd.

Then there are the iconic sweet potato fries. Crunchy, sweet and salty they can be swapped for delicious thick-cut potatoe chips that are equally delicious.

The idea behind the store, owned by five friends from Sydney and Melbourne, is to serve simple, whole foods and burgers to a discerning, health conscious crowd in a simple, casual setting. Ingredients are organic or locally sourced and seasonal vegetables make an appearance throughout the year. The real star of the show, apart from Zaidan himself, is the ethically sourced dry aged Cape Grim beef. Certified grass fed and MSA graded, the beef is grown in the naturally pristine Cape Grim area of Tasmania.

Then there are the burgers. There are 14 different gourmet burgers available and all are made with 100% grass fed Cape Grim Angus beef patties, created on premises from scratch. Following along with the ethos of the whole store, the burger buns are made from 100% organic unbleached flour sweetened only with honey. Melbourne even has its own local version, a nod to the ground on which it resides. Macelleria Richmond

Macelleria is all about excellent ingredients used to make good food in a casual and modern setting. Perfect for locals looking for  a simple, healthy meal it will also be sure to appeal to the sports crowds frequenting the popular venues nearby.

The Bondi store is much loved by locals, some of whom visit multiple times a week, and I expect the Melbourne restaurant will be the same.

The details

Macelleria Richmond

87/89 Swan St

Richmond

www.macelleria.com.au

Macelleria Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Macelleria Richmond

Second Home Eltham

After hearing that a lovely Alistair Knox building was now the setting for a rather excellent cafe in Eltham, I was very keen to visit. Add to this the fact that friends and fellow bloggers had told me that Second Home Eltham was serving rather good food combined with my Autumnal love affair with the very picturesque Eltham, I booked a visit.

Parking was a trifle confusing as this cafe is set in a rather industrial area down a narrow road. If you don’t manage to snaffle one of the parking spots on site, then a leisurely walk will be in order.

I visited on a very busy Saturday morning. The spacious, light filled cafe was bustling and full and we were soon showed to the “lounge area” to wait it out for a table to be available. Luckily for me there was a fire going in their very stylish fireplace (previously spotted at Cannibal Creek Winery and imported from France I believe). Despite the promise of coffee, our orders were not taken and eventually I leaned across to the happy looking cyclists seated opposite me and asked for help. “Order at the counter” is apparently necessary if you are seated en couche. “No food for you” until you make your way to a table.

Hunger pains and quite a lot of noise (the cafe is one very large open space) culminated in a moment where I considered just walking out and heading somewhere else, but I am glad I did not as the food at Second Home Eltham was very, very good.

Eventually we were seated and we ordered the Eggs Benedict and the Ploughmans Lunch- an old family favourite and a bit of a private joke at my house. If a ploughmans is on the menu, it must be tasted!

They were both very good. Housemade pickle with a delicately sweet acidity took the ploughmans to new, very good places.Second home Eltham

Everyone drooled over my Eggs Benedict though and with good reason. Slow cooked ham hock, apple cider hollandaise and a parmesan, thyme potato stack all topped with two perfectly cooked eggs. One of the best eggs benedict I have ever tried.

A mix up with our bill was graciously handled and the beauty of the cafe itself made our brunch very enjoyable.

Visit for excellent food in a beautiful location.

Happy Eating.

Dani xx

Second Home Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The details

21 Brougham St, Eltham VIC 3095
Hours:  8am–4pm 7 days

Phone: (03) 9439 5362

www.secondhomeeltham.com.au

 

Bistro Guillaume Melbourne

Bistro Guillaume MelbourneBistro Guillaume Melbourne is a classic French restaurant modelled on France’s popular neighbourhood bistros but sitting swankily alongside the Yarra here in our very own Melbourne.Bistro Guillaume Melbourne

The lime green colour scheme is the first thing you will notice when you approach Bistro Guillaume and it sets the scene for a dining experience that does not follow along with the trends, rather walks its own jaunty journey par excellence.

If you are not already in love with the riverside view and on point brisk but embracing service, then  the decor will capture your heart like a dashing French mademoiselle looking sweetly at you from under her thick long lashes.

Then the food will sweep you away.

The Roquefort soufflé is a cheese lovers delight. Light, fluffy and intensely creamy all at once with a perfect side serve of cress, apple and walnuts as an accompaniment. I am often trying to find an equal to my favourite ever dish of Goats Cheese Soufflé from Donovans in St Kilda which I ate a decade or so ago and Bistro Guillaume’s souffle comes daringly close.

A beetroot tart with goats cheese feta and horseradish demonstrates a similar philosophy in the kitchen of beautiful ingredients perfectly paired with lavish restraint and skill I can only dream of. The thin, buttery tart shell was uniquely memorable and I am sure, very hard to replicate.Bistro Guillaume Melbourne

Roast chicken with Paris mash was an outstanding dish and easily the most delicious roast chicken I have ever eaten (sorry Mum). I have since discovered that the recipe for Paris Mash includes a whole lot of butter and only a modicum of potato, but no bother, it was the chicken that really shone in this dish anyway.   Succulent, crispy-skin perfection with an outstanding jus drizzled all around.

There was little room for dessert but we ordered it anyway because who can resist a profiterole with vanilla bean ice cream and chocolate sauce?

Our waitress was helpful and of my favourite waitstaff breed. There, but not there if you know what I mean. Never intrusive and yet when I went to reach for the wrong knife during entrée there she suddenly was under my right arm proffering me the correct utensil. She also added a sprinkling of authenticity by way of a lovely French accent but I don’t think it would have mattered either way. She recommended the right wine and kept a rather rowdy table of business men in order and facilitated our dining experience with dry humour and helpfulness.

Visit for the perfect riverside Melbourne dining experience and food that you will remember long after you leave.

 

The details

8 Whiteman St

Southbank

Open 12 midday to 10pm 7 days

03 8582 2014

http://bistroguillaumemelbourne.com.au

Bistro Guillaume Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk Opens in Melbourne

decor at Middle Eastern Restaurant SoukThis week saw the opening of an exciting new restaurant in Bligh Place, just off Flinders Lane, serving fresh, modern flavours from North Africa, Anatolia and the Middle East. Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

Eat My Street was invited along on behalf of the Australian Good Food and Travel Guide, for the opening night. On arrival we were greeted with the “Omar Sharif” cocktail. Pink fairy floss and rose petals atop an elixir of gin, citrus mastic. orgeat and rose water. This delicious and gorgeous drink set the tone for the dinner ahead. There are four other Arabian style cocktails to chose from, including “Aladdin’s Mistress” with Moroccan green iced tea, crushed cardamom pods, rum and mint.fairy floss cocktail at Middle Eastern Restaurant Soukcocktails at Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

The venue was recently redeveloped by Ergun Elmas (of Elsternwick’s Arabesque) and business partner Vlad Kovacevic and it spans two levels of neon pink and grey gorgeousness offset with striking artwork. Head Chef Rogelio Almanza, comes to Souk via Mexico, America and Japan and seems to have a deft hand when it comes to bringing a little extra kick and sizzle to the flavours on the plate.

To the food. Prawn falafel with smoked black tahini and chipotle hummus with burnt butter and paprika were the opening gambits. Both dishes delivered a fresh take on classic, much loved dishes. I enjoyed the extra dimension that the chipotle and burnt butter brought to the hummus and the prawn falafel had a great depth and intricacy of flavour.chefs at Middle Eastern Restaurant Soukfalafel at Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

The Kuwaiti Fried Chicken (KFC) was another highlight that packed a big punch of flavour. These little crunchy chicken ribs were fried in harissa and paprika breadcrumbs and I  could have eaten a lot more.Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

The Turkish Tabouleh with sumac, mint cucumber, mild chillies and roasted pine nuts provided a fresh and zesty interlude for our palates and demonstrates a thoughtful approach to menu design.Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

Next up was the perfectly tender charcoal octopus which was served with muhammara sauce and roasted potato.

The Chicken and Apricot Kofta continued the theme of giant flavours in small sizes, and it was served on a roasted lemongrass stick that permeated the juicy meatball perfectly.

Dessert was a slow cooked black tapioca pearls in sweet turkish coffee cream.  This dish offered a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, crunch and cream. The  slippery luxuriousness of the tapioca balls were brought to life with the clean, crispness of the coffee. The crowning jewell of berries added the perfect burst of fresh sweetness and deep friend tapioca added crunch. I liked this dessert very much.

Middle Eastern Restaurant SoukVisit Souk for the excellent food that is full of exciting flavours , the modish setting, great service and of course, cocktails to remember.

Happy Eating.

Dani xx

Middle Eastern Restaurant Souk

Goje Frozen Yogurt Yarraville

Goje Frozen Yogurt Yarraville

It’s the middle of winter. It snowed in the suburbs last week. I wore leggings underneath my skinny jeans last night and I may have even been hiding bed socks inside my knee high boots.

Wheat packs and instant hand warmers are basically my life right now.

But winter does blow in some perks with its windy days. My tea consumptions goes up dramatically, the house always smells amazing thanks to the slow cooker churning out delicious soups and stews, and I’m not sure if there are many things more satisfying than the feeling of walking out of a hot sweaty session at the gym into a cold night air. Actually, I can think of one- walking straight from that hot, sweaty gym session into a hot, soothing bath- complete with bubble, hot chocolate (or mulled wine… who’s judging?!) and a really quality book.

But as much as I love the braises, boils and brews of winter a girl cannot live off winter food alone and despite the weather, I often find myself craving something just as cold as the wind.

Frozen Yoghurt. Continue reading

Coal Cellar and Grill Adelaide

Coal Cellar and Grill Adelaide

I was invited to dine at Coal Cellar and Grill in Adelaide as part of the Tasting Australia 2016 Festival. It was the closing dinner for what had been an excellent food bloggers conference and the jinks were high, with so many enthusiastic foodies all joining together for dinner. The gorgeous Coal Cellar and Grill in Adelaide delivered on our high expectations with an impressive tasting menu that showcased the best of what South Australia has to offer.

Coal Cellar and Grill AdelaideCoal Cellar and Grill in Adelaide is set within the Hilton hotel in the heart of Adelaide. Chef Daniel Fleming, who trained under former Hilton Adelaide chefs Cheong Liew and Simon Bryant (of “The Cook and The Chef” fame- we are not worthy) has designed his menu around great local produce cooked on the grill, and an amazing 3000plus bottles wine list. We were able to chat with him at the end of the night and he shared his enthusiasm and love of hospitality and good food.

Now to the food. We were having a tasting menu which meant we were able to sample a a lot of small dish from the Coal Cellar and Grill menu.  There were 5 starters, 5 main, 3 side dishes and 5 desserts to taste, all of it delicious.Coal Cellar and Grill AdelaideCoal Cellar and Grill AdelaideSome of the highlights of them menu for me would be the Sangria marinated watermelon, feta, apple and pistachio crumble for entree.

The whole baby barramundi with fennel and lemon myrtle as a main.Coal Cellar and Grill Adelaide The very creamy and I assume, very naughty Confit garlic mash, truffle butter and chives as a side dish. Although as a veggie lover I also adored the perfectly cooked asparagus with hollandaise.

The “Bombe Australiana”  and the liquorice ice cream for dessert. Coal Cellar and Grill AdelaideCoal Cellar and Grill AdelaideFullSizeRenderThe menu had an interesting focus on native Australian ingredients and SA produce brought together under the watchful eye of a creative team in the kitchen. I enjoyed every mouthful.

I have travelled to a lot of different places and Hotel dining is not always successful. Here at Coal Cellar and Grill a lot of energy and investment has gone into creating a great restaurant that will lure local Adelaidians in search of well priced, excellent food, as well as feeding their many hotel guests. With an interesting menu, extensive wine list and beautiful fit-out I think they have succeeded on both these fronts.

Coal Cellar and Grill Adelaide

Happy Eating.

Dani xx


Coal Cellar and Grill Adelaide

Address: 233 Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Phone:(08) 8237 0697
Hours:  6:30am–10pm Monday to Sunday

coalcellarandgrill.com.au

Coal Cellar + Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


You can read more about the Tasting Australia Words to Go Festival.

Brunch with Poh at Jam Face cafe in Adelaide. 

The faces of Adelaide Central Market.

Words to Go 2016 food bloggers conference summary. 


Looking for inspiration in the kitchen?

FullSizeRenderSimple and fast Chicken San Choi Bao Recipe

FullSizeRenderChicken and Porcini soup recipe.

Weekend Wanderings. Cannibal Creek Winery

Cannibal Creek Winery

I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order.

John Burroughs

We are on a mission to get out of the city, to see green horizons and windswept places, to embed some white space into our lives through connection with the green, and to find somewhere delicious to eat while we are there.

So far this has not been difficult.

This week we stopped at Cannibal Creek Winery and Vineyard in Tynong. 

Cannibal Creek Winery

The vines at Cannibal Creek Winery were first planted in 1997 and the Cannibal Creek wine has been receiving accolades since 2009.  But the restaurant housed in the newly built cellar door is a more recent venture.

Philipe Desrettes is the well renown chef behind the French inspired cuisine on offer 7 days a week from 11am to 5pm. He is ably assisted by his partner Karine Saille on front of house duty. The talented pair has moved to the area from Ballarat where Phillipe was Executive Chef at the legendary Craig’s Royal Hotel.

We had the pleasure of chatting with Karine over a wine tasting and I am told that she is enjoying the beautiful Gippsland countryside and also the slightly more temperate(!!) climate of Tynong North.

Local Gippsland cheese features on the menu (Gippsland cheese plate $27) as does Cannibal Creek bread (Charcuterie plate $32). There are a number of “share” options and also more substantial dishes designed to be eaten alone. The dessert menu has a tempting array of choices from Citrus panna cotta with rhubarb and pineapple syrup, to the eponymously named Far Breton sultan and prunes, flan style ($14).

We arrived early in the day and so ordered the  house-made pork and chicken terrine with brioche.

Cannibal Creek Winery

And the Charcuterie plate.

Cannibal Creek Winery

The food was perfectly delicious but it was the overall combination of ambiance, geniality, decor (an open wood fire ticks a lot of boxes at this time of year), view,  food and wine that was really the winning combination.

Cannibal Creek Winery

There is also a beautifully curated selection of gift ware and imported and local honey, condiments, chocolate and produce available.

FullSizeRender

Visit for wine tastings and beautiful prepared French food in a stunning setting. Stay for the roaring fire, the ambiance and the excellent service.

I cannot wait to visit again and I cannot wait to take some friends along with me.

Happy Eating.

Dani

FullSizeRender

 


The details

Address: 260 Tynong North Road, Tynong VIC 3813
Phone:(03) 5942 8380
Hours:
11am–5pm 7 days a week

Full menu available Thursday to Monday and a limited menu Tuesday and Wednesday. Wine tasting is available 7 days a week.

Bookings are strongly recommended.

www.cannibalcreek.com.au


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The French Saloon Melbourne

The French Saloon

The French SaloonIt is a long and complicated story that will probably never be told but I was this close to moving to Paris last year.

That dream has now been postponed and instead I find myself on a Friday night, eating in a gorgeous little French restaurant in the worlds most liveable city, Melbourne.

The French Saloon is the latest restaurant to open under the direction of Ian Curley: Chef extraordinaire and food empire building Godfather of the Melbourne dining scene.

Chef Todd Moses has come across from Supernormal to cook perfect, simple, French bistro style meals under the direction of executive Chef Ian Curley. When I say simple, I mean French simple, meaning excellent, well-chosen ingredients and dishes made with skill and precision in a classic way. Simple,  but definitely not simple, if you know what I mean.

The A La Carte menu is divided into “to begin” “to continue” “steak” “mains” “sides” “cheese” and “dessert.” With all that choice what is a girl to do but agree to receive direction from her charming and helpful French waiter. I was very keen to save myself for cheese and dessert courses so we went straight to the mains.

John Dory with cauliflower puree was perfection on a plate with great balance between beautiful flavours; creamy cauliflower puree, soft subtle fish with a gently seared crust, and a gently acidic sauce to drown it all in.

 

My partner ordered the Steak Frites with Roquefort butter and he was equally smitten with the flavours on his plate.

The French Saloon

We shared a side of the specials menu which was slippery jack mushrooms with artichoke two ways. This was a very decadent, creamy and delicious dish that we both enjoyed.

Then we moved onto the cheese course which was served with a little jar of honey and its honeycomb from a local rooftop beekeeper. This honey carried a lot of flavour and was a delicious accompaniment to the three styles of cheese we chose of the menu.

The French Saloon

For dessert we were moved to the beautiful zinc bar that stretches its way down one side of the room. I am told that this fabulous bar was imported directly from France and it was certainly a great juxtaposition to the red timber pitched room and simplicity of the rustic timber floors and white painted window frames of the rest of the room. Tres chic.

The French Saloon

Creme brûlée with chocolate Madeleine.

The John Dory and Artichoke side dish both take equal honours as my favourite dish of the year so far.

Service was excellent and did not really miss a beat  with our gorgeous and knowledgeable waiter charming us from the moment we arrived.

Visit the French Saloon for intimate, old-school dining in a gorgeous setting with food that will make you forget you are not far from home.

Happy Eating.

Dani xx


 

The French Saloon

First Floor 380-384 Little Bourke Street (Via, Hardware Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone:(03) 9600 2142

French Saloon Bar & Bistro Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


 

 

Hey Mikey Espresso Wantirna South

Hey Mikey Espresso

Hey Mikey Espresso 

Hey Mikey Espresso

I have been searching for a cafe to love in the Wantirna South area for many, many moons. This week I found one. Yippee! Hey Mikey Espresso has

  • an awesome assortment of delicious jaffles. They were good, very good.
  • spacious cafe with a stylish industrial-esqe fit-out
  • tunes turning on a record player
  • Back to the Future on the TV
  • I hear rumours of doughnuts
  • park side location

Importantly there was also great Axil coffee roasters coffee and friendly service.

Hey Mikey Espresso

The apple pie jaffle was so good. Better than I thought it would be. We’re talking custard and apple and cinnamon and icing sugar.

Hey Mikey Espresso

Alana (co-owner, and barista) designed the menu herself and there is a very enticing selection of waffles available. Maybe try the Reuben, the Lamington, or the Mac (it’s a cheeseburger in a jaffle-genius)!

Take a look at the menu here.

Worth visiting for the great coffee, friendly service and sweet surrounds.

Happy Eating!

Dani xx

Hey Mikey Espresso


Hey Mikey Espresso Bar

Address: 2/82 Lewis Rd, Wantirna South VIC 3152
Phone:0400 014 852