Sofia's Pizza House

Sofia's Pizza House

857 Burke Rd, Camberwell

(Ph) 9882 1142

P finally came to get his eyes tested today =D We had wanted to try Sofia's at Camberwell since forever 'cause P's friends used to train all the way to Camberwell just to come to this place - they always went after badminton so they were all starving.. but training 30mins out just for food? We thought it must be fantastic so finally decided to check it out today since P was around =)

There are 2 sides to Sofia's - we walked past the empty side and thought "Shit no one's here!" and then walked further and the other side was PACKED with people. Walked  further inside and found an inside section, packed with people as well. It felt like a fast food place or a food court or something, but yet had a very family warm feel to it all =)

We weren't really starving so we knew we were going to order SMALL/ENTREE size meals - looking around at the massive pizzas (at least 12 inches wide) and the mountains of pasta (seriously like a 10cm mountain!) made us feel a little bit whoosy =P

None of the pastas sounded that good... P let me choose between 2 -
Spaghetti Sofia - chicken fillets, prawns, scallops, capsicum, bacon, mushrooms with napoli sauce
Tagliatelle Sofia - seafood blended in cream, mushrooms and bacon
I'm not a fan of seafood pastas - they always give crappy small pieces of seafood.

Then P suggested we get Lasagne... I didn't choose it this time! =P We also got a small Chicken Hawaiian pizza and we were going to settle for that and then the waiter asked if we wanted any entrees and P blurts out "a small Garlic Bread please"... we were bound to doggy box our food =P

The Lasagne came first - layers of pasta filled with a rich meat sauce, cheese and bechamel $10.70

Lasagne

Oh my god, it was like at least double the size of what I got at the European Bier Cafe. We asked the waiter to make sure this was a small and he said yes. We were full just from looking at it o_Oa I guess I said I was sick of paying bucketloads for the smallest things, after the experience at Esposito haha. The pasta sheets were a bit too soft so it was a but mushy but the meat sauce was so rich and the bechamel sauce was <3 If only the pasta sheets weren't so soft, but I guess they make a massive tray of lasagne and just cut a slice out so it's been sitting there for a long time =( I never thought about that... that it's been sitting in their kitchen for at least a day I'd assume... maybe I'll stop ordering lasagnes from now on =P

The Garlic Bread came second, the waiter asked us if we wanted extra cheese with that, and knowing me, of course I'd say yes =P Little did I know it was extra 80c for it ahh well =P So it was $4.80 all up for it.

Garlic Bread

Entree size? Seriously? It's like a whole pizza on itself. And it was surprisingly very delicious. Super crunchy and garlicy and cheesy =D

The Chicken Hawaiian - tomato, cheese, chicken, herb, pineapple $10.80 came like 10mins after, strange it took so long but we were chomping away at our other foods anyway.

Chicken Hawaiian

This was smaller than we expected actually. But the pizzas we were seeing carried around were all larger and were all like at least 12 inches and cost $16.90 (for the Chicken Hawaiian). We realised this was the same size as our garlic bread (both were entree/small) and they just use the same pan which was why we thought it was small comparatively. There was soo much toppings on the pizza - felt like a Domino's pizza =D So much cheese and chicken it was leaking off the pizza when we cut it up. There were only 4 slices but they were quarter sizes so were massive each - I was stuffed after my 1.5 slices. We were slightly disappointed at the size of it initially but glad we ordered the small - this was the only dish we managed to finish =P We doggy boxed up half the garlic bread and half the lasagne lol.

I had really wanted a piece of cake when we walked into the restaurant - they sold Mark's cakes here! <3 I had been dying for a piece since that day we went to Esposito and it was quite cheap here - $7.50 for a slice. But we were so full that I don't think I would have enjoyed it =( P suggested I take a piece home but what's the point of that it would get dry and not nice... boo! Next time!

We went to the front to pay - this big Italian man was doing the bill for like 3 tables at once, told us it was $30 and I didn't even think and just paid with my credit card. We walked away thinking it was more than we thought so we lined up again to talk to the man and he said he gave us the bill for Table 6 instead of Table X6 =/ He couldn't be bothered refunding the transaction so just gave us the change in coins. I guess no loss to me but sheesh, so careless!

Probably won't come back here for a while - feel a little bit sick thinking about the mountain of foods. Next time we might brave a large pasta - it seriously is like a 10cm high mound lol =P

C.

xo

European Bier Cafe

European Bier Cafe

120 Exhibition St, Melbourne

(Ph) 9663 1222

J was back in Melbourne! =D Time for our regular brunch/lunch catch ups ^____^ We decided to go for lunch in the city since she had clinic in the morning. I was flipping through the Entertainment Book for a voucher in the city and came across a buy-1-get-1-free for the European Bier Cafe. I had been here back when P used to work around the corner and remembered their food to be pretty decent and cheap.

We got there at about 1pm and got one of the last tables around - it was very busy! Everyone was having lunch and drinking beers - mainly corporate people so we felt a little out of place =P

Since I made fries last night for dinner, I didn't want anything with fries. Everything came with fries except the Lasagne and risotto - I'm not a fan of risotto so decided to get the lasagne. I know I seem to always order lasagne but this time I didn't have much choice =P J ordered the Mushroom Risotto - she was initially going to order the Beef Burger but decided didn't want to eat with her hands =)

We were so busy chatting didn't realise the time but it was 1.45pm already and our food still hadn't arrived! We finally asked the waiter about it and she came back and said "Sorry about the wait but the chef said it'll be a few minutes away".

And really the food came 2 minutes later.

My Lasagne - beef filled lasagne topped with a rich bechamel sauce served with a fresh garden salad $14

Lasagne

We were so hungry that we really didn't care what the food tasted like - but my lasagne was slightly disappointing =( One of the edges were slightly burnt and was quite dry. The salad was quite fresh but they should have given more - looks so out of proportion to the large lasagne slice.

J ordered the Mushroom Risotto - cooked in porcini stock with wild mushrooms, thinly sliced Pecorino Romano cheese and truffle oil $14

Mushroom Risotto

J said it wasn't hot and the risotto was slightly hard - undercooked yet looked so mushy! But we were so hungry by then that we just ate it all.

It was only $7 each 'cause of the voucher but it was quite disappointing overall - so different from my previous experiences!

Not sure if I'll come back here again..

6.5/10

C.
xo

Continue at Lindt Chocolat Cafe..

Miss Marple's Tea Room

Miss Marple's Tea Room

382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras

(Ph) 9755 1610

It was the 24th and it was a Sunday so I told P to organise something since I always organise everything =P He told me we were going for a 4 hour hike at the Dandenongs... I was shocked =O He also told me not to eat too much breakfast 'cause we were gonna eat there... hmmm eating and hiking? I went along with it since he organised it all. It was a dreary raining day... I said we should cancel the hike but he said we should still go and maybe it'll be clear at the Dandenongs? Ugghh.

The GPS said we had to go through Toll Road. Since I was added to my dad's eTag account, we decided to not avoid toll as the trip was going to take 1 hour and we woke up late and left home 40mins after schedule. Turns out only the Burnley Tunnel was the toll bit and that bit cost $6.10 o_Oa now I know for future reference lol.

The trip ended up only taking about 45mins, P thought I'd take 2 hours 'cause he thinks my driving is crap =P and he kept telling me to slow down at the mountainy roads at Dandenong but I was fully in control of the car! Now he's jealous I'm pretty good at driving and he wants to drive now too haha =P

We got there and I recognised the strip of shops! I remember I had been to the Dandenongs with my parents a few years ago =) I had heard about Miss Marple's Tea Room from reading blogs and things, when I saw it I knew P was taking me there for brunch! =D I had never been before so I was very excited - had heard a lot of good things about this place =) P was trying so hard to hide the place from me but I knew already hehe ^____^

They don't take bookings so you have to physically go in and wait for a table. We got there at 11.45am and they said there'd be a table at 12 noon which was not too bad. And lucky we got there then, because a few minutes after us, 5 groups of people came and the wait time was 20-30mins o_Oa We were going to go for a walk in that 15mins but it was so cold an dreary we decided to just sit inside and wait.

It was Christmas in July so there was Christmas decorations everywhere - felt like we were transformed to a magical place ^____^

The waiters are all dressed in little maids uniforms here! And most of the waiters are old ladies - so very adorable!

We got our table at 12 noon, and we got a window table! =D

The menu is separated into sections -
- The First Chapter... to whet your appetite!
- Miss Marple's Famous Fingers... an open grill
- The Second Chapter... something to really get your teeth into!
- Devonshire Scones
- The Final Chapter... your just dessert!

There was so much to choose from! We decided to order one Famous Fingers and one item from the Second Chapter to start off with, then order desserts afterwards.

I got the Miss Marple's Famous Fingers - smoked salmon, egg, cheese & caper fingers $14

Smoked salmon fingers

It wasn't really what I expected. Looked so small and plain on normal sandwich bread - we were expecting foccacia or rye bread or something. But it was surprisingly very tasty! It's very easy to make but it's a very delicious combination! And I don't normally like capers but the saltiness went well with the egg and cheese. Shall try making this at home one day =)

P ordered the Beef cottage pie - this Country England specialty is a delicious potato topped pie accompanied by Miss Marple's own sauce $14

Cottage pie

He was choosing between the Cottage pie and the Quiche Lorraine but ended up with the Cottage pie 'cause it sounded more special. We thought there'd be a crust on the pie so that was a bit disappointing. There was 80% potato and 20% mince beef and vegetables - we thought there'd be chunks of beef not mince =( Miss Marple's own sauce was very delicious though - like a tomato relish sauce. P said he should have got the Quiche Lorraine instead - next time just to go for what he really wants =P

We finished our mains and still had lots of room for dessert =D We decided to get one serve of the Devonshire Scones and to get 2 more desserts and drinks. I said that was too much but P said the scones are small and like an "entree" to the dessert lol. The waiter thought we were crazy ordering so much food! She wanted to take the menus away but P was like "and also one of this... and this" HAHA

We decided to get Vicar's Folly - a delicious congregation of butterscotch ice-cream, honeycomb pieces, chocolate, whipped cream and caramel fudge. A sundae that is definitely "heaven sent!" $12.50

Vicar's Folly

Oh my gosh it was massive! And was DELICIOUS! We were going to have the scones first but since this was icecream and was melting, had to dig into it first =D Butterscotch icecream and honeycomb pieces... my favourite! <3 Definitely heavenly sent ^_____^ Too bad they put so much whipped cream on the top - hate cream =(

Since it was Christmas in July, we decided to try the Christmas Pudding - a time honoured recipe served with hot brandy sauce $14

Christmas Pudding

Wow the sauce was SOO alcoholicy! o_Oa The Christmas puddings I'm used to doesn't have this much alcohol in it so I was very shocked. And I didn't realise the actual pudding is so rich and dense! I thought it'd be like a sticky date pudding =( The sauce had so much alcohol in it that it sort of ruined the pudding =( well I guess that's 'cause I really don't like alcohol... oh well it was worth a try!

We ended the meal with Mixed Devonshire Scones served with 'Miss Marple's Own' delicious home-made raspberry jam and lashings of freshly whipped cream $8.50

Devonshire Scones

And it was delicious! Glad we saved the best till last! =D The scones don't look like traditional scones, they look more like teacakes. But boy they were delicious - not too dense but not too fluffy, just scone like =) Their home-made raspberry jam was delicious! We finished that bowl and asked for more jam =D And I don't normally like cream but this cream went very well with the scones =D

P ordered a Teapot of Taylors - house blend of "Yorkshire Gold", traditional brew with a rich satisfying flavour, not only Miss Marple's favourite, but voted "best cup of tea in England" by the British Tea $3.50

He was going to get English Breakfast tea but thought should try their specialty. He said it doesn't taste that much different to English Breakfast but I think it tastes like a mix of English Breakfast and Earl Grey =)

I got a Hot chocolate with marshmallow $3.50

Hot Chocolate

I was initially going to order a mug instead of a cup 'cause it was only 70c extra, and lucky I didn't... I was STUFFED after it all =D At first I thought the hot chocolate wasn't very tasty but then I realised a lot of the chocolate was at the bottom! Mmmm what a great way to end a fantastic meal <3

Thanks P for organising everything! =)

8.5/10

C.
xo

Esposito

Esposito

162 Elgin St, Carlton

(Ph) 9347 9838

E and I are finally catching up! After so many cancellations and getting sick etc etc. It was a Friday night so E said she didn't want to go to the city and wanted to go to Lygon Street 'cause there'd be easier parking there. We decided on Esposito 'cause there's a buy-1-get-1-free in the Entertainment book even though we knew it'd be a little pricey.

There was one table of people when we got there at 6.30pm. The waiter wanted to take our coats but we said no and they left us alone =P (See Bistro Vue)

We ordered our mains and decided to go elsewhere for dessert afterwards =P

Complimentary French sourdough with olive oil (there were 4 pieces - E was too hungry for bread =P)

And complimentary Fish Crackling - tastes like what we used to eat in Hong Kong at congee shops! Deep fried fish skin =D So crunchy but not too oily so doesn't taste that unhealthy =P Wish they gave us more than one piece each!

Fish crackling

Look how cute the olive oil bottle is! ^_____^

Condiments

I ordered the Open lasagne of Mud Crab polenta and nasturtium scented pasta, creamed corn, saffron & crustacean sauce - $23 for entree or $38 for main.

Open Lasagne

Thought I should get the main size since it's buy-1-get-1-free anyway - and glad I did! Look how small it is =( This is the problem with French/Italian fine dining, everything is always so small =( There was lots of crab meat between like 3 sheets of pasta - couldn't really taste the "nasturtium scent" on the pasta sheets though. I'm pretty sure the orange pile was Flying Fish Roe, even though it wasn't listed on the menu, but whatever it was, went very well with the crab meat and the crustacean sauce (must have cooked it for hours - full of flavours!). I cleared the plate - even the saffron leaves =)

E got the Seared salmon - pumpkin puree, prawn and carrot crumbs with mandarin jus $38. She was tossing between the Seared Salmon, the Wagyu porterhouse steak or the Wild Barramundi Fillet - in the end she decided to go safe and get the salmon, even though she knew they wouldn't be very generous =P

Seared salmon

It was cooked perfectly - still slightly raw on the inside. The pumpkin puree sounds very strange with salmon but actually goes very well - adds to the creaminess of it all. How cute are the 2 pieces of mandarins on the plate? =)

I guess French food wouldn't taste so high class and exotic if they gave generous amounts =P and I guess what can you expect for $19 each =)

8/10

C.
xo

Continue at Koko Black..

Il Pomodoro

Il Pomodoro

Federation Square, Melbourne

(Ph) 9662 2282

N was in Melbourne again and said he felt like having pizza. I looked in my Entertainment Book for pizza restaurants in the city open on a Sunday night - I could have driven to the suburbs but since it was raining didn't think it was that smart. I was choosing between Il Pomodoro or a restaurant in a hotel that sells pub food and pizza since I had a 25% off voucher for both of them. I told P to choose because I saw Il Pomodoro was only liked by 20% of people on Urbanspoon - didn't sound that good even though it's at Federation Square, but the other restaurant is like a pub which didn't sound that fab either. P decided to go to Il Pomodoro since Federation Square is closer to us - we didn't want to travel that far in the rain.

We got there and found the place quite empty - only 2 tables of people. The one and only waiter took us to our table and we turned straight to the pizza section of the menu =)

After looking at the pizza menu, I decided I wanted a lasagne instead - I usually LOVE pizza but I really felt like lasagne today, I'm such a sucker for lasagne too =) P and N both got pizzas and we decided to get some fries to share.

Patatine fritte

The Patatine fritte - shoe string fries served with aioli $8.90 was just what I felt like. I've been wanting Maccas fries in soo long! I've always tried to make some at home but we can never cut it thin and equal enough and they never stay crunchy =( And aioli with chips is the perfect combination =D

I ordered the Lasagna al forno - layers of fresh pasta w peas, egg, parmigiano, pancetta & bolognese sauce for $22.90

Lasagna al forno

T'was delicious! Very surprising - I wasn't having high expectation given the Urbanspoon response. It was very different with pea and boiled egg within the lasagne layers. And the bechamel layer on the top was so thick and creamy and cheesy and delicious =D I don't know how this stack managed to stay upright 'cause whenever I make it at home it becomes a mush =( Definitely a thumbs up!

P ordered the Picante - tomato, mozzarella, calabrese salami, basil & rocket pesto, finished w goats cheese $20.90

Picante

The crust was done perfectly - thin but not too thin and very crunchy! Lots of mozarella YUMMM =D P spread the goats cheese and the rocket & basil pesto out on each slice of pizza - very interesting combination of flavours =)

N ordered the Gamberi - tiger prawns, spinach, garlic, chili & fiore di latte $24.90

Gamberi

Wow that was not what we expected! Didn't expect whole large prawns to be on the pizza. The fiore di latte was so cheesy and delicious mmmm =D I'm so sick of pizzas that don't come with enough cheese - what's a pizza without cheese?! (See Terra Rossa) They added strands of orange peel (?) on the pizza which gave the whole pizza some freshness - was very different and refreshing!

The whole dining experience was surprisingly good - I had read about slow service, rude waiters and bad food, but I disagree with all that. Maybe it's because we went on a Sunday night, but the single waiter served us whenever we wanted to order, give us more water etc; food was reasonable, would not say it's the best but definitely not terrible; and they accepted the Entertainment Card willingly. She did take all our plates, ask us if we wanted tea/coffee or dessert and when we said no, brought the bill out to all the tables straight away - don't really see a problem with that given it was getting late on a Sunday night =)

7.5/10

C.
xo

Choix Creperie Cafe

Choix Creperie Cafe

Shop G22, Liberty Lane, 620 Collins St, Melbourne

(Ph) 9629 1883

P and I were finally going to try the crepe cafe at the laneway next to our building - I had wanted to try it after I went to City Blue Fish last time. This cafe was always packed with a line of people waiting outside during lunch times. We went at 1pm on a Thursday and sure enough, there was a line of people waiting. We decided to take away our crepes back home so we wouldn't need to wait for a table.

The menu is not super extensive, but I saw the couple at the table outside had both ordered something that looked like bolognaise and decided I had to order that too. It was The Luca - bolognaise and mozarella for $9.90. P got The Parma - almond crusted chicken breast, napoli sauce, ham and mozzarella $11.50

Crepes look so easy to make! If only I had the crepe pan and the crepe stick... lol =P

The Luca

After taking it home, it had gone a bit soft so not as crunchy as it would have been if we ate it there. But it was very delicious - the crepe was so thin and crispy on the edges.

The toppings go very well as a crepe - I've always had sweet crepes so I thought savoury ones were a little strange but the bolognaise sauce goes very well with the crepe, with the melted mozzarella sticking the crepe together.. mmm! Reminds me of lasagne... my favourite! <3

The Parma

Don't know why he folded my Luca into a triangle but the Parma like a burrito. The crepe was more crunchy here 'cause there's not as much sauce. But I think I liked my Luca better - the chicken bits were cut up already but you have to cut it smaller into bite size pieces to fit a bit of everything in a bite. And I like mine better with more sauce and cheese - but that's 'cause I'm a sucker for lasagne =P

They gave a lot of toppings surprisingly! If only they put more napoli sauce on it... but I guess that would make the chicken parma soft... ah well!

Can't wait to go back to try the other crepes - maybe a sweet one next time!

9/10

C.

xo

Bistro Vue

Bistro Vue

430 Little Collins St, Melbourne

(Ph) 9691 3838

T, C and I were going to catch up after like 6 months - we used to see each other every week for dance classes but now that we're all so busy with work and studies, that doesn't happen anymore =( C brought her bf along too - since we all did dancing together we didn't mind =)

T said she wanted French food and I immediately thought of Vue de Monde. I knew it was super expensive and I had been going out a lot lately, so thought maybe we should try Bistro Vue first. T booked a table for 4 for 6pm, they said they were going to kick us out at 7.45pm =/

T and I got there at 6pm on the dot - we walked along the street twice before we realised the grey bank-like building was the one. You have to walk past Cafe Vue (which was empty and dark) before walking to the back to Bistro Vue. When we got in the waiter asked to take our coats, but we said no, then 5mins after sitting another waiter asked again and we refused again, and then ANOTHER one asked and by then we just had to say yes or they wouldn't stop =P

C and C got there at 6.15pm and it took them like 5mins to walk inside 'cause of the bad signage.

The menu is this little piece of paper - hmmm doesn't look very professional to be honest.

Everything was in French - we didn't know what was what, ended up asking the waiter what basically every dish was =P

The butter dish was on the table from the second we sat down - I didn't realise there was a pile of salt along one edge and pepper along the other  and accidentally knocked some off when I reached for the butter - oops.

The bread was sooo hard! I know French breads are normally very hard but WOW it was soo crunchy and hard =/ 


We decided to order our own mains and share an entree - a dozen Garlic Snails with Parsley Crust $30

Garlic Snails with Parsley Crust

Very tasty! The snails were very chewy yet soft - and the parsley complimented it super well! We were going to order half a dozen to share but we were glad we got the dozen =D 3 each really satisfied us!

C got the Slow cooked secondary cut Wagyu from 9+ marble score, 600 days grain fed $35

Slow cooked secondary cut Wagyu from 9+ marble score, 600 days grain fed

I couldn't really hear what the waiter said it was exactly but something like "the meat between the ribs"? Whatever it was, C said it was delicious with the red jus on the mash.


C got the Braise of the week - lamb shank $30

Braise of the week - lamb shank

I was going to the the lamb shank too - saw waiters carrying it around and it looked very soft and tender - indeed it was =D too bad they only give one little shank =(

T and I asked the waiter to explain every single fish dish on the menu - in the end she decided to get the Pan-fried baby snapper with poached crayfish and fennel salad $32

Pan-fried baby snapper with poached crayfish and fennel salad

Those little bits on top of the piece of snapper are the poached crayfish - lol so small! T said it was a delicious combination of flavours =)


I decided to get the Trout 'en papillot' $36. It sounded so interesting - trout slow cooked in a bag.

Trout 'en papillot'

It came to me with the aluminum foil still intact, but the waiter cut it open for me.

Side salad

The side salad that came with my trout was surprisingly tasty. I'm not usually a fan of salad but it was so fresh - especially liked the fennel and the croutons!

The trout was cooked perfectly

Still slightly raw on the inside! Just how I like it =D

And the lemon piece came in a stocking-like thing! T and I think it's so when you squeeze it, the seeds don't fall onto your food =) so smart!


Too bad French food is always so expensive and just a small amount of food on a big plate! Otherwise I'd love to come back hear every other day to try out the rest of the menu! Ah well, that's how they make their food so superior!


8.5/10


C.
xo