2013

We live in circles. All our lives in cycle; Am to pm, Monday to Friday, January to December, year after year. Some of us consciously, most of us unconsciously.

It’s been an ebb and flow kinda year, fabulous none the less.

Peanut butter parfait, Golden Fields.

Highlights: Seeing mum for the first time in six years; Seeing my whole family, together, after ten years; Visiting thirteen new cities over ten countries; A tiramisu I had in Rome; The legendary peanut butter parfait and sorbet ice cream from Golden Fields; Photography sessions with Zina; and pedro ximenez – you are all sorts of yumness!

The Fam Bam in Amritsar.

Most memorable meal: A pork shoulder roast with Yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings at Pig & the Butcher, London. Although the buffalo wings at Cassette 9, Auckland, was pretty A-mazing!!

Pork shoulder, Pig & the Butcher

Most memorable dessert: The corn ice cream with caramelized pop corn from Mamasita.

Corn ice cream, Mamasita.

Most memorable moment: Laughing until we cried on a bus to Wellington. I may have peed, just a little, in my pants.

The best Tiramisu, ever – Rome.

Shoreditch, London.

Venice.

Berlin, I’ll be back just for this – curry wurst. So YUM.

Prawn, caviar, roast peppers – Quimet y Quimet, Barcelona. I seriously recommended this place. Sangria’s for 2.50 Euros, ah what a night!

Henna at my brother’s wedding, Amritsar.

Florence.

Dubai.

Darren Purchase at Taste of Melbourne 2013.

Zumbo opens shop in Melbourne.

Paella at the Night Market at QVM.

Paris is always a good idea. I’d like to go back.

Brunswick.

My god, these were good too. Huxtaburger, Fitzroy.

This is some good pastry, Prague.

Good coffee, Wellington.

Rosetta, Melbourne.

Jacob’s Creak Winery, Barossa Valley.

A special thank you to my ex boss man for sharing his experiences – I’m going to miss you x

Hope you’ve enjoyed my moments with me. Thank you and happy 2014.

Live laugh love eat x

Mamasita

I get asked, on many occasions, if I have eaten at Mamasita..

‘Not yet,’ is my usual response.

Naturally, ‘why?’

‘I waited in hunger, and gave up.’

You see, I have waited to be fed at Mamasita, twice, and on both occasions I gave up and walked away.

One of this was on my birthday, last June. It was a cold and wintry Thursday evening. We have been waiting 20 minutes when the maitre d’ announced that ‘it will be 40 minutes from the door to the bar, and another 15 to 20 minutes to a table.’ We had just made it pass the door.

In November last year, during Taste of Melbourne 2012, I sampled a Yacutan Ceviche from their food stand, and I must say it was absolutely yum. This gave hope of another attempt at dining at Mamasita.

Last Saturday, I decided that it was time. With a plan, brilliantly executed, I finally made pass the door, up the stairs, and onto a table with a 30 second wait time. I ordered the jug of Sangria straight away.

We started our mid afternoon feast with the Elotes callejeros – chargrilled corn with chipotle mayo and lime.

The best I’ve had, ever!

Next I ordered four out of the six variety of tacos on offer – Beef, Prawn, Fish and Ox tongue. The prawn and Ox tongue were my ‘I’d definitely eat that again’ favorites.

Then it was that beautiful Yacutan Ceviche that gave this place its third attempt.

Fish in coconut milk with green tomato, chili, mint and lime.

The pulled pork tostaditas lacked seasoning, but a few drops of the green habenero and a bit of pico de gallo (that green salsa you see) solved that easily.

My favorite moment was when the dessert came out. Not only did it make me smile like a cheshire cat, it also brought back childhood memories of eating caramel popcorn at the cinemas (which was a very rare occasion for us) and eating ais cream potong (cut ice cream) after school. Saving every penny from our pocket money, my bbf and I would buy this once or twice a week. For me it was always the corn ice cream, as I loath red bean anything.

Corn ice cream topped with caramel popcorn.

Overall, I must say I enjoyed my afternoon at Mamasita. The food is simple, and tasty. The service lacked, but I’d definitely go back to try their Quesadillas and something from the ‘Comida para la familia’ section of the menu.

At present, it sits second on my list of good taquerias in Melbourne.

Hey are you hungry?

I found this cute little eatery in the city, thought l’d share.

Koko Yee, located on Lonsdale St, just next to Melbourne Central, serves a mixture of Indonesian and Malaysian street food. The ambiance is a little cold, and the seating, not the comfiest, but it gives you that ‘kopitiam feel.’

This was my favorite moment – my drink, the ‘Soda Gembira.’ Literal translation, happy soda. It’s a raspberry soda mixed with condense milk drink. Yum!

Deep Fried Chicken Wontons with sweet chili sauce

Wonton Noodle Soup

Nasi penyet with Koko’s Bebek – bebek is duck in Indonesian. Nasi is rice. So, its a fried duck with rice served with various condiments. The duck was nice.

This was on special, dry chicken wontons in dark sauce. My all time favorite, except its usually served with BBQ pork on the noodles, with the wontons in the soup. Koko Yee is halal, so no pork for me!

So, you hungry?

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KoKo Yee has been taken over by someone else. They don’t serve the food posted on this post anymore. Sadness (updated April 2013).

Dandelion

If you love all things French, you may fall in love with this french inspired Vietnamese restaurant, in Elwood.

When I first heard of Dandelion, I thought why would anyone pay $21 for a bowl of pho when it’s only $9 in Springvale, Richmond and Hanoi Hannah (my usual place for pho). Rippoff was my first impressions. But being the curious cat that I am, I couldn’t help but wonder “What is in that pho? Like seriously!” So I figured I’ll go check it out for my self.

The verdict: I LOVE it.

For a Sunday night, they were buzzing with patrons. Without a reservation, we got a table within 15 minutes. The vibe was spectacular. Friendly staff, contemporary layout, but earthy at the same time, and quirky deco – which I love.

Food was more than amazing. The Green Rice Tiger Prawns were YUM, the Duck Pho was money well spent and the flavours of the Creme brule rice pudding and pandan cake for dessert reminded me of home. Definitely have had better peaking duck hand roll, but never the less, everything tasted good.

I’d recommend you make reservations before showing up, after we sat at our table, there was a long line at the door!

Dandelion I ♥ You.

Melbourne Food & Wine festival 2012

20 Days of Eating

YUP, It’s over!

Alas, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2012 has come to and end. It has been a marvelous 20 days of eating and drinking, catching up with friends and date nights!

Yesterday’s Epicure sums up the festival brilliantly, so be sure to check it out.

As for me, I’m kinda glad it’s over! Got off the scales this morning, and I wasn’t impress – I’ve gained two kilos!! All that eating and talking about food got me. Never the less, it was all worth it.

Highlights:

The Broadsheet Bar – after work pop-up bar in the heart of Melbourne. Service and drinks were no more than average but atmosphere was energetic. Was a good meeting point.

The Green House by Joost – $14 for eggs on toast, Joost must be crazy! but coffee in flower pots, simply amazing!

Food Trucks Unite – 45minute wait at the Taco Truck was worth ever minute. The burger and chips at Beatbox, scrumptious as always, Dhaba at the Mill rolling out decent Indian meals with mango lassi to go, and to the boys at the Massive Wieners, loved your bow ties.

Foodie Movie at Fed Square – Perfect date night, or two!

Masterclass with Mangia! Mangia! – simply bellissimo! Making passata with the Italians was simply amazing.

Jamie Oliver – technically not part of the MFWF but it was a fabulous night out with the girls. Seeing him talk about obesity in Australia next to Matt Preston was a sight!

Express Lunch at Cecconi’s – it was superb! the dessert could have been better but the experience was amazing. I’ll be back.

Sweets Exhibition – I was hoping to taste some of these sweets, but walked out learning more about the culture and significance of them. A must go! the exhibition will be on for a while.

Overall, I had a great time and I look forward to it again, next year!

Where I should be eating

Every Foodie has a list. Here's mine. New additions are towards the bottom. 
Last updated: 7th September 2013. 


Attica
Flower Drum
Spice Temple
Vu de monde
Atlantic 
Maha
Seamstress
Mr Wolf 
Radio Mexico 
Borsch Vodka & Tears
Byblos 
Fonda Mexican 
Satsuki Japanese Cafe 
The Aylesbury
Kummo Izakaya
Izakaya Den
Mr. Hive
Golden Fields 
Miss Chu
Ladro
Ladro on Greville 
Pellegrini's
Claypots
Lentil as Anything
Ramen Ya
High Tech Burrito 
Maedaya Sake and Grill 
New Market Hotel
Rosetta 
Chez Olivier
Crystal Jade
Bar Lourinha
Jack's Satay bar
Lake House
Touche Hombre 
Red Spice Road
Sarti
The Mess Hall
Laksa Me
Longrain
Laksa King
The European
Coda
Terra Rossa
Cumulus Inc
Mama Ganoush
MoVida
Movida Aqui
Pacos tacos
Fonda Mexican
Bistro Vue
+ 39 pizza
Mamasita
Melbourne Supper Club
Bistro Guillaume
Ezard
PM 24
Wonderbao
Huxtaburger
Masak Masak 
Dandelion
Red Spice Road 
Hanoi Hannah
City Wine Shop

Fonda Mexican

 

There is nothing Caliente about Jane Fonda, but damn she’s muy sabrosa

Mexican joint serving mexican street food and beverages. With a dessert-less, but amazing food and drink selection, Fonda Mexican has a lot to offer. The atmosphere is perfect for a summery evening – and after a couple frozen lychee and elderflower margaritas + fish tacos, you may start to feel homely.

Lychee and elderflower frozen Margarita

Jane Fonda

Fish Taco

Vegitarian Burrito

Charred Corn

 

They don’t take reservations, so be prepared to wait – ordering Pacifico and Charred Corn (to go) while you wait, is an excellent idea.

They also do Phone orders amigos!!