tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14532810776854523322024-03-16T12:09:28.307+11:00food.loves.my.mouth.foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.comBlogger263125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-24305296321887558082013-08-21T21:29:00.000+10:002013-08-21T21:29:35.470+10:00TGI Fridays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
TGI Fridays</div>
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Level 3, Melbourne Central, Corner La Trobe & Swanston Street, Melbourne</div>
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(Ph) 9650 3322</div>
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N was in Melbourne again! Since we were going to Europe soon and we've had a lot of Asian food lately with my parents being around I wanted something different. I heard TGI Fridays had opened up recently in Melbourne Central so thought we'd go check it out - had been meaning to go to the Jam Factory one a few times but never got around to it. We were hungry and were wanting lots of meaty unhealthy American food =D</div>
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We got there at 6pm on a Saturday night and omg there was already a 30 minute wait =/ since it was still early we decided to wait and starve ourselves a little bit first. They gave us a buzzer but said the buzzer only works right outside the restaurant so what's the point of having a buzzer might as well just call out names but anyway =/ we went for a walk and came back in 20mins and our buzzer went off - yay!</div>
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It's got a very American feel inside but not as much as <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/mistys-diner.html">Misty's Diner</a> =P still has the red booths but also has a bar and large screens for watching sports - so a mix between Aussie bar and American diner? It's not actually that big inside - didn't think so 'cause China Bar wasn't that big beforehand anyway, so no wonder there was a long waiting time.</div>
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P wanted to get a jug of Sangria or something to share but they don't do jugs here =/ so we just got a glass.. <i>Sangria - good news, we spiked the punch! Tropical juices and red wine combine for a fruity flavour that's all grown up </i>$9.25</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW9LHdEgmN5JCVjNlxbBcQILGRDGAQYBgyujzKBY5ior8xTBI_-7EWV6jSFCteY1CyvykCb-eTh21pRMzu0bK29wNdNYf36zJWfx8uIaZ_wXGtOX-mYeNzwFzSOA795_1FTVSTykedCmz/s1600/IMG_1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHW9LHdEgmN5JCVjNlxbBcQILGRDGAQYBgyujzKBY5ior8xTBI_-7EWV6jSFCteY1CyvykCb-eTh21pRMzu0bK29wNdNYf36zJWfx8uIaZ_wXGtOX-mYeNzwFzSOA795_1FTVSTykedCmz/s320/IMG_1575.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thought it'd be bigger than that =/ It was alright, wasn't as fruity as we'd have liked it and they put way too much ice in it.<br />
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I had a buy-1-main-get-1-free voucher so we decided to get an entree and 2 mains to share. For entree we got an appetizer to share. <i>Friday's Three For All - a winning combination of loaded potato skins, juicy pork riblets and tangy buffalo wings. Served with sour cream and spring onions, BBQ sauce, Bleu Cheese dressing and celery sticks </i>$29.95<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd68yIkKadIFQnUWqtCkAsi9S9_6TbOzch1tgTD0wg4uHOL3_S-aDD6gljnmaO_-XX-erMC6HF1ouPdVf2DLolzsFlXuma5HN2lY_0xxyBejEGuQZhyphenhyphene4KgBE4sRzhRyyA7AFnTQV7k_j/s1600/IMG_1577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd68yIkKadIFQnUWqtCkAsi9S9_6TbOzch1tgTD0wg4uHOL3_S-aDD6gljnmaO_-XX-erMC6HF1ouPdVf2DLolzsFlXuma5HN2lY_0xxyBejEGuQZhyphenhyphene4KgBE4sRzhRyyA7AFnTQV7k_j/s320/IMG_1577.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was huge! Their loaded potato skins are their specialty - cheesy and bacony, would be nice if the skins were crispier though 'cause they were a bit soft. The buffalo wings were really good - delicious with the bleu cheese sauce! I love pork ribs, and these were delicious and fall-off-the-bone but there were lots of little bits of bone which you can't really see - I bit right into where I thought was soft meat and really hurt my teeth - happened a few times =(<br />
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P loves his fajitas so when he saw there was a tower he insisted on getting it. <i>Char-grilled Chicken & Beef Sizzlin' Fajita Tower - one-and-a-half feet of Sizzlin' Fajita fun. Char-grilled chicken and beef served on a platter of grilled onions and peppers. Wrap the meat and vegetables in warm flour tortillas, then topped with cheese, sour cream, pico de gallo and guacamole </i>$28.95<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnuOIg4OdZLC0rzKyeHtGUGmzw1K6D-tbkNu9xH5IejshE7vsxirDLDqxvin_56GQFRjbQortGMQMf_VCQAo6a25Q4EaO7RU6l5ZjEbZTiZkkJkAJNh13CasJ34KKQBVgY-33xLKN2XAM/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnnuOIg4OdZLC0rzKyeHtGUGmzw1K6D-tbkNu9xH5IejshE7vsxirDLDqxvin_56GQFRjbQortGMQMf_VCQAo6a25Q4EaO7RU6l5ZjEbZTiZkkJkAJNh13CasJ34KKQBVgY-33xLKN2XAM/s320/IMG_1579.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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After the massive entree platter we were slightly disappointed at the size of the tower. Yes it was 3 levels, but there wasn't that much meat on the sizzling plate and it definitely wasn't sizzling when it came to our table unlike at other restaurants (<a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/taco-bill.html">Taco Bill</a>, <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/fiesta-mexican.html">Fiesta Mexican</a>). Flavours were good though, not spicy at all which we liked =) Though they were very generous with the soft tortillas (about 6 or so?) compared to <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/fiesta-mexican.html">Fiesta Mexican</a>'s measly 3!<br />
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For the second main we got <i>Jack Daniels Half Rack Ribs & Shrimp - a half-rack of Cajun-spiced baby back pork ribs, char-grilled and glazed with our Jack Daniel's sauce, with a handful of our Cajun shrimp, battered and fried, served with crispy fries </i>$34.95<br />
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P and N wanted prawns and I wanted ribs so we got both! But we were a bit disappointed at the size of the dish - I know it says half rack of ribs but it was a very small half =( This rack also had little bits of bone in it so hurt our teeth again =/ The prawns looked a bit tacky with bits of the batter falling off the meat so they weren't not properly battered - still it was quite tasty with the Jack Daniel's BBQ sauce. Chips were good though - nicely seasoned and crispy.</div>
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P was a bit disappointed with the main dishes so didn't want dessert here =( I had wanted to try the <i>Brownie Obsession - a warm brownie covered in hot chocolate fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and chopped pecans </i>$12.95 - picture looked so tasty but we decided to go elsewhere for dessert. </div>
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<b>Food~</b></div>
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4/10 - quite overrated and expensive for what you get, we still spent like $30 each even though we had a voucher, what if we didn't?! would have recommended the ribs if not for the many little bones in it =/</div>
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<b>Atmosphere~</b></div>
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3/5 - the waiters here are very in the mood, they sing this TGI's birthday song for birthday guests (3 times in the one night!) and they're all into it so was quite entertaining. There wasn't any big sports match on tonight or I'd imagine the bar would be very loud. You can sit inside or outdoors on the balcony - would be nice on a summer's night but not right now in this cold =P</div>
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<b>Service~</b></div>
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3/5 - service was alright on this night, read other ppl had to wait ages for their food but ours came relatively quickly</div>
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C.</div>
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1759256/restaurant/CBD/TGI-Fridays-Melbourne"><img alt="TGI Fridays on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1759256/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-5141187638547566492013-08-19T19:35:00.000+10:002013-08-19T19:35:49.249+10:00Taco Bill (Windsor)Taco Bill<br />
69 Chapel St, Windsor<br />
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Catching up with J - I didn't want European food 'cause I'm going there soon and I'd had too much Asian food lately so wanted something else... Mexican! I know the Taco Bill at Camberwell gives 40% off mains on Mondays and Tuesdays so thought we'd go there, but then I looked on the Taco Bill website and the Windsor store actually gives 50% off mains on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays!<br />
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Not too busy on this Tuesday night - didn't expect it to be or they wouldn't give so much discount on these nights, I wonder how they still survive with giving so much discount? I guess they expect you to order entree/dessert and drinks.<br />
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J got the <i>Quesadilla suprema - large flour tortilla filled with frijole con queso, cheese, tomato, onion, our house-made salsa fresc and your choice of filling. Baked then topped with guacamole and pico de gallo and served with rice - frijole con queso </i>$19.50<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphiBi-X-JBZeVFSskxlLN24soaB8w5Lvy2PirQCBAqdKL_e-2givZLjnFtSKGElrB09nxfo6EcUklzKiSqRkWgBV8CK-2V2tfCYJKoF7bWU45eaIizNIrsVMs-5YOf2JVXo2e6k09F9ti/s1600/IMG_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjphiBi-X-JBZeVFSskxlLN24soaB8w5Lvy2PirQCBAqdKL_e-2givZLjnFtSKGElrB09nxfo6EcUklzKiSqRkWgBV8CK-2V2tfCYJKoF7bWU45eaIizNIrsVMs-5YOf2JVXo2e6k09F9ti/s320/IMG_1564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Quite a huge quesadilla! I thought they usually toast it on the outside for you?<br />
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I was hungry so wanted to try the <i>Enchilada nuevo Mexico - you have to be hungry! Three high stack of corn tortillas, "New Mexico style", filled with your choice of beef or chicken, onions and cheese.. covered with mild chile sauce, topped with an egg and melting cheese. Served with frijoles and rice and a taco </i>$23.95<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq_scvg4sqUK2r3C7hDySW_pRtuEHHZUN2dWJrgszyRHFa6yVx6MYbnQdwP3T5k4oU0thOgbo0w4B93oZffr-HTInvJ1M3pfUqe0Yh_Rxa_HiwcKO2cTqBeKCW7jbnZ0l3ubW-0nojMNF/s1600/IMG_1565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYq_scvg4sqUK2r3C7hDySW_pRtuEHHZUN2dWJrgszyRHFa6yVx6MYbnQdwP3T5k4oU0thOgbo0w4B93oZffr-HTInvJ1M3pfUqe0Yh_Rxa_HiwcKO2cTqBeKCW7jbnZ0l3ubW-0nojMNF/s320/IMG_1565.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And omg it was HUGE! It's like the Combination platter (see my visit at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/taco-bill.html">Collins Street</a>) but even bigger! I like how they give you a fried egg on top of the enchiladas with lots of melted cheese =D The chicken meat was braised and very soft and tender - the same meat was served in the enchiladas and the taco... they should let you choose what meat you want in what wrap so you're not eating all just one flavour 'cause by the end of the meal it all tastes the same =P<br />
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<b>Food~</b></div>
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6/10 - quite good Mexican food... for $12 definitely well worth it!</div>
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<b>Service~</b></div>
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1/5 - I read on the Taco Bill Facebook site that all customers should receive complimentary chips and salsa every visit (like we did on our last visit to <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/taco-bill.html">Collins Street</a>) but we didn't get any, and neither did other tables at this store. So I told them on Facebook and now they're giving me a gift voucher to compensate so yay =)</div>
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<b>Atmosphere~</b></div>
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3/5 - very ambient lighting inside, can sit indoors or outdoors but it was too cold on this night to sit outside =P</div>
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C.</div>
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1487875/restaurant/Melbourne/Prahran/Taco-Bill-Windsor-Windsor"><img alt="Taco Bill Windsor on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1487875/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a><br />
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Click here for the CBD (<a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/taco-bill.html">Collins Street</a>) store review..foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-26448493099491573152013-08-17T20:25:00.000+10:002013-08-17T20:25:34.312+10:00Red Spice Road QV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Red Spice Road QV</div>
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31-37 Artemis Lane, Melbourne</div>
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(Ph) 8660 6300</div>
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I had come here ages ago but for some reason never blogged about it! So back-blogging now =)</div>
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After a very pleasant experience at the McKillop Road store, we decided to take some Brisbane friends here to try out some fusion food - they had initially wanted Chin Chin but we didn't want to wait like 2hrs for dinner. Came here on a Saturday night and surprisingly it was quite empty though we were pretty early like 6ish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4OGmwsfG41dyImouAZ9u1lhl2wFGwdh45lWrzqvPhIDtFli9tp8oSGb64oWbllSeckbuzieV7wvDTyKuD-VWwhznyG_Dy9hbWrTEJ8gfHW1nUdpuF6bPaOE36qZiSTjshzyhPvgBgIY0/s1600/DSCN3267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4OGmwsfG41dyImouAZ9u1lhl2wFGwdh45lWrzqvPhIDtFli9tp8oSGb64oWbllSeckbuzieV7wvDTyKuD-VWwhznyG_Dy9hbWrTEJ8gfHW1nUdpuF6bPaOE36qZiSTjshzyhPvgBgIY0/s320/DSCN3267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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They have the paintings of three naked Asian ladies like at the McKillop store - different paintings but add to the Asian fusion atmosphere.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Ej9Nlu5hIDDww8jSOeIvqudyhOHyXWUMK7nmMOciOHhkgi-n72rLDejIqVCTnTQfhqFfqDuqtc_zK8gsIOaMDnd2fzk2tKGWj6Od77Xp1HCgiXMxKySTP5qFlCx2JEnVxhu1RyMqF3h/s1600/DSCN3265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Ej9Nlu5hIDDww8jSOeIvqudyhOHyXWUMK7nmMOciOHhkgi-n72rLDejIqVCTnTQfhqFfqDuqtc_zK8gsIOaMDnd2fzk2tKGWj6Od77Xp1HCgiXMxKySTP5qFlCx2JEnVxhu1RyMqF3h/s320/DSCN3265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Quite a nice big bar area up the front...<br />
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And a long area of tables up the back, much nicer lit compared to the McKillop Road one where you get a lot of natural sunlight here =)<br />
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We wanted to try an entree as we hadn't tried one before. <i>Watermelon with Sticky Duck and Cashew Relish </i>$7.50</div>
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Quite an interesting combination of flavours - braised sweet duck meat with some cashew crunch on the outside and a sweet refreshing piece of watermelon, seems all a bit random together but is quite interesting.<br />
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<i>Soft Shell Crab fried with Snake Beans, Wild Ginger, Basil and Black Pepper Sauce </i>$34.00<br />
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Omg look at the proportion of snake beans to crab compared to the one we ordered at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/red-spice-road.html">McKillop Road</a>?! So even though it's the same menu item they make it very differently at the 2 stores - I think I like the McKillop Road one where they were more generous with the crab =P Also this felt like it was more deep fried than stir fried, though the other one was kinda like that too.<br />
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The famous <i>Pork Belly with Apple Slaw, Chilli Caramel and Black Vinegar </i>$35.00<br />
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Just as we remembered it from last time - pork belly was crunchy on the outside and soft and braised inside to perfection =) The only downside was they were way too generous with the coriander on the salad for my liking - more apple would be better!<br />
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We tried something new this time - <i>Twice Cooked Lamb Ribs with Mint, Lychee and Avocado Salad </i>$35.00<br />
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Lots of mint (and coriander ugh) in the salad. Had to really search through the pile of salad to find the lamb ribs =P They weren't very meaty and because of that the meat was a little dry, but I think lamb ribs are just like that, unlike pork ribs (my fave) <3 Still the flavours were good, and they tried to crunch up the outside and be soft inside but there's just not that much meat on them to achieve optimal results =/</div>
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Another visit to Red Spice Road QV a few months later wasn't as pleasant as the first one =( We had made a booking for 8pm but when we got there the waiters said there was still a bit of wait for a table and asked us to take a seat at the bar. 20 minutes later we were still not seated and we asked the waiters again and she said unfortunately the table hadn't left yet - well if the table is booked for 8pm then they just gotta tell them they have to leave! Can't be nice to them but not to us! o_Oa finally at 8.40pm we were finally seated - we were soo hungry that we really weren't in the mood for much anymore =/ We of course had to order the Pork Belly and the Soft Shell Crab again, but also ordered the <i>Crocodile Jungle Curry with Baby Corn and Apple Eggplant </i>$35.00<br />
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I don't remember if I've had crocodile meat before - it tastes like a cross between chicken and fish! Actually quite interesting I thought it'd be quite tough. Though this curry was very spicy so beware!<br />
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<b>Food~</b></div>
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8/10 - just as good as the McKillop Road one, pretty much the same menu, and again would definitely recommend the Pork Belly and Soft Shell Crab =)</div>
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<b>Service~</b></div>
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1/5 - the first visit was good but the second time was appalling, they really need to work on their booking management =/</div>
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<b>Atmosphere~</b></div>
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4/5 - much nicer and newer than the main store, better lighting too</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1709853/restaurant/CBD/Red-Spice-Road-QV-Melbourne"><img alt="Red Spice Road QV on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1709853/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a><br />
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Click here for a review of the <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/red-spice-road.html">McKillop Road</a> store..</div>
foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-36317766368321174402013-08-15T21:19:00.001+10:002013-08-15T21:19:33.086+10:00Beans & Bagels<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Beans & Bagels</div>
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121 Johnston St, Fitzroy</div>
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(Ph) 9417 0006</div>
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Bagels with E! =) Entertainment book had a voucher for this place so thought we'd check it out. We were going to walk there but it was pouring so no exercise for the day =P</div>
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We both wanted the <i>Salmon Benedict - poached eggs, smoked salmon and hollandaise sauce on a bagel</i> from the dine in only menu, which the waiter said came with a coffee. On the menu it said it was ~$13 and didn't say anything about a coffee, maybe because we were using the voucher we had to get a coffee too? Then he said the voucher was only up to $10 value o_Oa so in the end we paid ~$17 even though it was meant to be buy-1-get-1-free hmm..</div>
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My <i>Chai Latte </i>was pretty good though I'm not a pro coffee drinker =)</div>
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Yum! Looked delicious =) They didn't ask us what flavour bagel we wanted so we both got plain not that I would have minded. One of my poached eggs was perfectly soft yolk but the other one was overdone and wasn't runny enough =(<br />
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This was the good egg =)<br />
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Would have been nicer if they were more generous with the hollandaise sauce but overall was a very tasty dish. Bagel was quite dense so was difficult to cut but all bagels are like that so can't complain there.</div>
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<b>Food~</b></div>
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5/10 - pretty good benedict, though all the breakfast dishes were the typical, would be nice if they had something special/unique like at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/manchester-press.html">Manchester Press</a> with more choices.</div>
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<b>Service~</b></div>
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3/5 - food came quite promptly</div>
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<b>Atmosphere~</b></div>
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3/5 - quite a nice chilled cafe on Johnston Street =)</div>
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C.</div>
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1533905/restaurant/Melbourne/Beans-Bagels-Fitzroy"><img alt="Beans & Bagels on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1533905/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a><br />
<br />foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-82070277586564362472013-08-12T20:39:00.000+10:002013-08-12T20:40:50.461+10:00Cafe de KIKAKU<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cafe de KIKAKU</div>
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20 Waterview Walk, Docklands</div>
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(Ph) 9670 6828</div>
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Catch up with the dancing crew =D No one had any restaurants in mind so of course I consulted my Entertainment book - this cafe seemed to have quite good reviews on Urbanspoon so thought we'd check it out.</div>
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Cute little cafe, very high ceilings like it's an old warehouse, no central heating so they have those outdoor heaters inside! How funny though much appreciated on this super cold rainy night =)</div>
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Random Mexican looking candles on our table?<br />
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We decided to share some entrees and mains. The waitress also suggested we order this so we got it as well. <i>Salmon Croquettes - Japanese Seven Spices Salmon Croquettes w Kimchi Aioli </i>$10<br />
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Looked a bit small and lousy - 7 spices salmon? Really? Couldn't taste much spice at all, and the kimchi aioli didn't have much kimchi flavour either =/ Was quite nicely fried but nothing too special here at all - not sure why the waitress said this was super popular..<br />
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I wanted the <i>Jalapeno Soft Shell Crab - Tempura soft shell crab w/ sour creme & housemade jalapeno jam </i>$15<br />
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Quite generous with their crab but you'd expect that for a $15 entree. Perfectly fried but not too oily either, the sour creme and jalapeno jam was kinda separate, and the jalapeno was quite bitsy so kinda hard to dip it - in the end can't really taste it but I didn't mind don't like jalapeno much anyway =P The cured cucumber salad was quite a nice sweet yet tangy side dish which they gave on a few dishes.<br />
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T wanted the <i>Salmon Belly Misozuke (very limited availability) - oven roasted 8 days white miso-aged salmon belly w/ aromatic grilled bamboo rice </i>$16. We were kinda expecting it to not be available as I had read many reviews about them not having half their menu items available but everything we wanted on this night was available =)<br />
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Really it's been roasted for 8 days?! Plus minus a day or 2 maybe? The salmon was very soft and<br />
nicely cured with miso - quite a unique way of cooking it, like it's been sous-vide =) The rice ball in the bamboo leave was a bit random though - didn't taste grilled at all, just tasted like sushi rice =/ Side of cucumber and kimchi again which was nice - so a mix of Japanese and Korean?!<br />
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For mains we got the <i>N.Y. Galbi - Korean Style BBQ flame-grilled slowly braised beef short rib (please Google search our cafe what we are famous for or ask our loyal regular) </i>$20<br />
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We were tossing between this or the <i>Many hours roasted spices slow cooked BBQ Lamb Ribs, Balinese King Style (our specialty dish that requires you using hands to eat and lick as you finish)</i> but the waitress said the beef ribs was more popular. Both of these seem to be popular dishes but they really don't need to put that in the brackets (for both the dishes!) - seems really lame and desperate =/ Though, this beef rib was so tender and soft and full of flavour - sweet yet tangy. There was no bones in it at all so I don't know how they can call it ribs but anyway - definitely a recommended dish! Cucumber and kimchi again here =P<br />
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C wanted the <i>Bon-bon Chicken - our famous Korean version of sticky sweet and sour chicken glazed with Kochujang Red Pepper & juiced up with chunky Green Apple </i>$19<br />
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Fried chicken! Cute presentation on a little steam basket (it's actually upside down so there wasn't as much chicken as we thought there'd be =P) not sure where the chunky green apple was but it was delicious without it. Though this wasn't fried as well as the other fried dishes - the crumb came off the chicken very easily =/ The sweet and sour sauce was quite flavoursome but was a bit too thick for my liking.<br />
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Thought we'd get some carbs dishes too to fill us up. <i>GYUTAN Fried Rice - garlic chilli marinated OX Tongue, Egg, Negi Onion, smoked Japanese Bonito shavings </i>$18.8<br />
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We were really looking forward to the ox tongue in the fried rice but they were cut into such small pieces could barely taste it's ox tongue =/ If you forget it's ox tongue fried rice this was quite flavoursome - I like the bonito shavings on top.<br />
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Last came the <i>Bangkok Pad Thai - noodle, chicken, egg, smoked chilli roasted peanut toasted dried baby shrimp floss </i>$17<br />
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Bit of Japanese, bit of Korean, why not a bit of Thai too? Served on an Indian curry metal bowl lol. Thought there was only meant to be chicken in it but there was some sort of red meat in it too - so they chuck whatever leftover meat they have into the pad thai as well? Flavours were quite good, there was surprisingly more meat than noodles for my liking, and there wasn't any bean shoots =( random 2 prawn crackers? =P</div>
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We were pretty full by the end of it, but T had bought a Brunetti's cake for dessert for us to celebrate 3 birthdays (belated and early =P) The waitress asked if if we wanted the dessert menu, we said no 'cause we had cake, but she sees that we had finished eating but didn't bother to clear our table =/ We kept chatting 'cause we were pretty full and she doesn't come to clear the table until we ask her again and to bring out the cake. She finally clears our table and brings the cake out... still in its box and it's bag?! O_O we stared at her then she asks if we want some small plates... we stare at her some more and then she asks if we wanted the cake on a plate... and if we wanted candles O_O omg why else would we bring a cake to a restaurant if we didn't want to eat it there?! The thing is, the table next to us were also celebrating a birthday and the waitress had brought the cake out with candles and everything just before we asked for ours... what the?! She takes about 10mins before bringing out the cake with some candles and some small spoons for us... we sang "Happy Birthday" and blew the candles before we realised she hadn't given us a knife O_O did she expect us to cut the cake with tiny spoons?! We asked her for a knife and she looked at us like we were asking something unusual, goes into the kitchen and asks the chef for a knife... who gives her a HUGE knife (like a 40cm knife)... omg we were cutting the cake like it was a sword =/</div>
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Cake was good though =P some lemon white chocolate cake from Brunetti's =) the chocolate pieces surrounding the cake were so deceiving, they were yellow but tasted just of white chocolate - we were expecting it to have some lemon flavour or something! A bit too much cream on the top for my liking but the cake was very moist with some lemon mousse-like layers between too =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - foods not quite fusion, actually, they call themselves "pan asian" whatever that means =P the beef ribs and the soft shell crab are definite musts =)<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - quite a casual chilled restaurant to hang out, more heaters around us would be even better it was freezing on this night!<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
1/5 - omg unbelievable service by the waitress.. dunno what was going through her mind =/<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1559853/restaurant/Melbourne/Cafe-de-KIKAKU-Docklands"><img alt="Cafe de KIKAKU on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1559853/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760271/restaurant/Melbourne/Brunetti-Carlton"><img alt="Brunetti on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760271/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-85923661374701385412013-08-08T20:12:00.001+10:002013-08-08T20:12:43.349+10:00Poynton's Nursery Cafe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Poynton's Nursery Cafe</div>
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Corner Vida & The Boulevard, Essendon</div>
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(Ph) 9337 8111</div>
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Had to pick up parents from the airport but only had about 2 hours to get some quite afternoon tea so went somewhere close to the airport. I never eat around north/west side of Melbourne so had absolutely no idea - went to search the Entertainment book again =P</div>
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Came across this cafe inside a nursery along the Maribyrnong River - the nursery was huge! All sorts of plants and herbs and fruits and flowers and everything! I think I might come back again to get some stuff to grow - though I'm not very good at it, I've killed multiple herb plants and even a cactus before! =/</div>
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The cafe would havee been really nice with the river view though on this afternoon they were painting the cafe walls so everything was covered up and the tables were stacked up and didn't feel very inviting at all =( </div>
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We had to get some food here so sat down anyway. I got a <i>Iced Mocha </i>$5.20</div>
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While dad got a <i>Strawberry Milkshake </i>$6.50. Bit expensive for a milkshake hmm<br />
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The only savoury dishes they had now were some open toasted sandwiches. <i>Braised lamb with house made eggplant dip and yoghurt dressing </i>$16.00 - a bit expensive? This wasn't quite what I expected for the open toasted sandwich - more like a toasted turkish bread. The braised lamb was quite flavoursome though was a bit dry from being baked in the oven and couldn't really taste the eggplant dip.</div>
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<i>Scones - these delicious light and moist scones are served with jam and freshly whipped cream </i>$7.30. Scones were indeed light and fluffy - delicious with the jam and cream =)<br />
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<i>Chef's Speciality.. Tiramisu - this simply irresistible treat is house made, with sponge finger biscuits soaked in coffee and Frangelico liqueur, layered with whipped mascapone cream and chocolate powder </i>$8.30</div>
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Mum and I both love tiramisu but this looked a bit sad - a mush of cream with some chocolate powder on top. There was more cream than cake/sponge fingers - way too much cream for our liking =/ We saw later when they uncovered the cake cabinet (after they finished painting over that part of the restaurant) that the tiramisu was actually a big tub of mushy cream - doesn't look very appetizing at all, how is this chef's speciality?!<br />
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Probably wouldn't come back just for the cafe but maybe if I come back for the nursery!<br />
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C.<br />
xofoodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-31506194339460913032013-08-05T22:34:00.000+10:002013-08-05T22:34:18.988+10:00Zen Japanese RestaurantZen Japanese Restaurant<br />
388 Burwood Rd, Hawthorn<br />
(Ph) 9818 0116<br />
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My parents were in town! Dad loves a good Japanese meal so I searched the Entertainment book for a place - found something local! I've actually driven past this restaurant multiple times before =)<br />
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A little cosy restaurant - must be a gem as there were lots of Japanese people dining there on this night! They're actually a group with another Zen restaurant and also a Jap/Korean restaurant in the city?!<br />
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We were seated in the corner where the lighting was terrible! There were 2 little candles on the table but that was about it - poor dad couldn't read the menu he forgot his reading glasses! =P So apologies for the flash in the photos ><<br />
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We were started off with some par-boiled broccoli with some miso paste - random much? =P<br />
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Our favourite Jap entree! <i>Edamame - boiled green soy bean </i>$7 so much fun eating these, so tasty and addictive =)<br />
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We always get <i>Agedashi Tofu </i>at Japanese restaurants so we decided to get this instead. <i>Tofu Dengaku - deep fried tofu coated w potato starch, served w Homemade sweet MISO paste </i>$9. So much tastier than Agedashi tofu as agedashi is always swimming in the broth so the crumb is always soggy, but this was deliciously crunchy with the miso paste =)<br />
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Another tasty entree! <i>Nasu Dengaku - deep fried egg plant w homemade sweet MISO paste </i>$10. The eggplant is not usually deep fried so it was much tastier with a crunchy skin on the outside - again was delicious with the miso paste =)<br />
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Next came the <i>Seafood Tempura - 2 pcs of Tiger Prawns, 3 pcs of each Prawn, Fish, Calamari & Vegetable </i>$27 What a big plate of tempura - perfectly deep fried and delicious with the dipping sauce. The prawns and fish were quite fresh though the calamari wasn't as nice though - wasn't chewy and was kinda soft =/<br />
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We saw the table next to us had ordered a sizzling plate which looked quite appealing so we got the <i>Yakiniku - thinly sliced premium scotch fillet marinated in YAKINIKU sauce & cooked w mixed vegetables </i>$22<br />
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Wasn't the one the other table had ordered which was actually the steak (they were still thinly sliced compared to a slab of Western steak though!) - this was more like a stir fry though was still quite good.</div>
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P got a <i>Steamed Rice </i>$2 to go with it - how is this steamed rice?! Well it was steamed, though was 5 grain rice which P wasn't a fan of.</div>
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Last came the <i>Sushi & Sashimi Combo - MAIN 8 pcs of nigiri, 16 pcs of sashimi </i>$35</div>
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Love <3 very fresh sashimi, sushi was good too my favourite was the eel - a super thick tasty slice =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
7/10 - good fresh food here, very genuine Japanese food as can be seen by all the Japanese people there!<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - very attentive service by the waiters<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - a bit too dark for our liking, we could barely see what we were eating!<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1535799/restaurant/Melbourne/Zen-Japanese-Restaurant-Hawthorn"><img alt="Zen Japanese Restaurant on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1535799/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-43248621635981666112013-08-02T23:06:00.003+10:002013-08-02T23:09:53.852+10:00L'Apres Midi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
L'Apres Midi</div>
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167-169 Russell St, Melbourne</div>
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(Ph) 9663 8258</div>
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Bought a Groupon voucher for a cake here - I had walked past this place a few times in the city but had never got around to trying it out.There had been some not so good reviews on Urbanspoon but thought we'd give it a try anyway.</div>
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Mum loves Strawberry Cheesecake (and so do I - good excuse to order this cake as P doesn't like it =P)</div>
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It came in such a massive box! The cake was quite small inside the huge box =P</div>
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This was a 6 inch cake - yay it was bigger than 6 inches =P</div>
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Quite a light fluffy cheesecake - the cheese layer was surprisingly not too cheesy so even P liked it! The layer of strawberry coulis was sweet yet sour. The base layer was quite different to the normal cheesecake - kinda wet with syrup so was quite sweet but complimented the sourness of the strawberry coulis =)<br />
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Yum! Happy birthday Mum! <3<br />
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8/10<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1728664/restaurant/CBD/LApres-Midi-Melbourne"><img alt="L'Apres Midi on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1728664/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-37561288720180521992013-07-24T17:00:00.000+10:002013-07-24T17:00:02.777+10:00Fiesta Mexican<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fiesta Mexican</div>
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175 Toorak Rd, South Yarra</div>
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(Ph) 9827 4593</div>
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P felt like Mexican food so I looked in my Entertainment book and came across Fiesta Mexican - quite good ratings on Urbanspoon so thought we'd check it out. It's actually very close to the South Yarra train station and I think I've walked past it numerous times before.</div>
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Cosy restaurant with some interesting decor - sun on the roof? :P<br />
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I wanted a nachos with meat so got the <i>Macho Nachos (with all the extras - cheese, guacamole, frijole, died jalapenos, salsa, chicken, sour cream, beef) </i>$23.90<br />
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It was huge! Way more than the size of a main! Was my favourite dish of the meal - had everything on it! Chicken with guacamole on one side, and on the other pulled beef with salsa, plus lots of cheese - yum! I couldn't really taste the jalapenos (which was a good thing =P) I like how the beef was pulled beef and not sliced beef or minced beef - reminds me of American food =)<br />
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P wanted the <i>Fajita - your choice of meat or vegetables, marinated then cooked with salsa, onions & peppers. Served with guacamole, lettuce, cheese, frijole & three soft flour tortillas. Beef & Chicken </i>$24.90<br />
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How strange one of the options was "Beef and chicken" or you can have each meat by itself too - but I've never seen restaurants combine meats like that before?! Was actually a bit spicy but quite a nice marinade, I like how it comes in a sizzling plate (like how they served it at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/07/taco-bill.html">Taco Bill</a>) except this comes with a lot more sides =) I like how you make your own tortillas except they could have been a bit more generous than just 3 tortillas though =/<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabrQzk6x1ehnOvmkP5xEFzQkVLMXsiDAbuW-2SdEFxGGka-Hpcm2V0yJGxVv0Y3Ye1FgGT5aIoom5SrVHqDhbUtfyjD-eSv-SGZeFv1GvVqZSxZVva_whhzjCZS5kL9viHN9qy8qLdcof/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabrQzk6x1ehnOvmkP5xEFzQkVLMXsiDAbuW-2SdEFxGGka-Hpcm2V0yJGxVv0Y3Ye1FgGT5aIoom5SrVHqDhbUtfyjD-eSv-SGZeFv1GvVqZSxZVva_whhzjCZS5kL9viHN9qy8qLdcof/s320/IMG_1385.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This restaurant prides itself in its famous customers, in particular tennis players - they have photos on the wall and even named 2 burrito dishes after tennis players! S got the <i>Hewitt Burrito - Lleyton's favourite! A large flour tortilla rolled with sliced chicken breast, lettuce, sour cream and cheddar cheese. Served with brown rice and fresh guacamole </i>$23.90<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7foH5tWvLLNCvCw-vKVxg7j7ybb8zC_mNmjTLgI5EHSsyPL-cup_ohpSWIzhTnnhgbUeR2Ng2BFBZmWjW7Iuqg7S-aoB-6z2nSGlLkv_mamqxoM90t9jXIkAPxwIGY1nurAE0GLoF_fp/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP7foH5tWvLLNCvCw-vKVxg7j7ybb8zC_mNmjTLgI5EHSsyPL-cup_ohpSWIzhTnnhgbUeR2Ng2BFBZmWjW7Iuqg7S-aoB-6z2nSGlLkv_mamqxoM90t9jXIkAPxwIGY1nurAE0GLoF_fp/s320/IMG_1386.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Big burrito - nothing too special but nothing to complain about either. Was very filling. Lucky we shared the dishes - we nearly passed out by the end of the meal! Soo wanted something from the dessert menu but we were seriously stuffed! =(<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - pretty good here, get the Macho Nachos for sure! or if you're dining alone (or 2) I think the <i>Combination - beef enchilada, beef taco, mushrooom flauta served with mango salsa & brown rice </i>would be a good dish to try.<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - food came quite promptly, waiters very polite, asked us multiple times during our meal how the food was and was very prompt in clearing the table<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - cosy little restaurant<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760688/restaurant/Melbourne/South-Yarra-Toorak/Fiesta-Mexican-South-Yarra"><img alt="Fiesta Mexican on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760688/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-31868352244661800812013-07-15T22:10:00.000+10:002013-07-15T22:12:49.845+10:00Movenpick<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Movenpick</div>
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53A, 1A Main St, Boxhill</div>
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(Ph) 9890 6392</div>
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I had bought a Groupon voucher - $12.95 for 2 desserts so pretty much half price. Even though it's been a freezing Winter, I love icecream in the cold =D</div>
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I had been to the Movenpick at Doncaster multiple times before but was the first time to the Boxhill one - it's much nicer and newer as a separate restaurant instead of the open space in the Doncaster shopping centre.</div>
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You can choose between pancakes, waffles, a 6 flavour sampler, sundaes and banana split. We thought we'd get pancakes and waffles =) Then you get to choose 2 ice cream flavours and sauce flavour.</div>
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Pancakes with Tiramisu and Creme Brulee with Strawberry Sauce and White chocolate flakes</div>
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Waffles with Macadamia and some berry ice cream can't remember the name of it with Chocolate Sauce and Dark chocolate flakes<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsKeZt27HbnMRw-Jq5Gw2fUAHSa2GVwwoywCWVBNHtx_6cC68x1l2CTJKUi5MYY-p-ljIVGhaoC9ubUhYA-F_6GEWDy6xC943dkKfq8AXViYgtEGVf4ZnAV-d0nwK8P-ffG2FuVkIP2G8/s1600/IMG_1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWsKeZt27HbnMRw-Jq5Gw2fUAHSa2GVwwoywCWVBNHtx_6cC68x1l2CTJKUi5MYY-p-ljIVGhaoC9ubUhYA-F_6GEWDy6xC943dkKfq8AXViYgtEGVf4ZnAV-d0nwK8P-ffG2FuVkIP2G8/s320/IMG_1376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The waffles were delicious - Belgium waffles <3 Crunchy yet not too battery - the chocolate sauce was a very dark chocolate sauce so went very well with the tangy berry ice cream. The pancakes were alright, nothing too special, I could probably make better pancakes myself - we should have got 2 serves of waffles instead =P<br />
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The ice cream is really to die for here - rich creamy and full of flavour, my favourite is the Maple Walnut (which I didn't get this time 'cause I've had it numerous times before) and definitely the Tiramisu =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
5/10 - a little pricey if not for the voucher, go for the waffles and Maple Walnut if you come! =)<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - food came very promptly, made me wonder whether the pancakes were premade, pretty sure the waffles are and they just heat them up<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - quite a nice place to hang out =)<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1686157/restaurant/Melbourne/Movenpick-Boxhill-Box-Hill"><img alt="Movenpick Boxhill on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1686157/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-24608521693115950162013-07-11T19:50:00.000+10:002013-07-11T19:50:13.684+10:00Georges<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Georges</div>
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819 Burke Rd, Camberwell</div>
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(Ph) 9882 0777</div>
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I had walked past Georges everyday on the way to work but had never ventured inside. We were farewelling a work colleague so decided to eat somewhere close to work. Georges is a big spacious casual restaurant - not many restaurants on Burke Road would cater for so many of us =P</div>
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S got a serve of chips to start off with as we waited for the others to arrive. It came with tomato sauce and aioli - yum!</div>
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Their menu is not that extensive, mainly pastas actually. So of course I had to go for the <i>Classic baked lasagne w rich beef, stringy mozzarella </i>$22</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lScahVU5hvq0k7dx3Yw09eoF5F0OdSCxXNqXdunHCbelTYI0nvIzxJeursBkm4Wffg7teFf8bfyzRJRd2_oAmPCm_ul0ET6g0UF-RjMZu3B3XXMfwX_64LqEqBbqTE8GeVdNW-kZ7KJ8/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-lScahVU5hvq0k7dx3Yw09eoF5F0OdSCxXNqXdunHCbelTYI0nvIzxJeursBkm4Wffg7teFf8bfyzRJRd2_oAmPCm_ul0ET6g0UF-RjMZu3B3XXMfwX_64LqEqBbqTE8GeVdNW-kZ7KJ8/s320/IMG_1374.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Wahh so much bechamel <3 So creamy and stringy and delicious - just how I like my lasagnes =) The serving was quite big (can't complain here) but I managed to finish it all! Would have been nice if they had a small side of salad or vegetables or something though.<br />
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No room for dessert though I tried P's stickdate pudding which was delicious with the vanilla bean icecream as well =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - not too bad overall, would be back if I wanted a meal after work.<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - quite quite and efficient<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
4/5 - very large spacious restaurant, kinda had a canteen feel actually!<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1445043/restaurant/Melbourne/Georges-Camberwell"><img alt="Georges on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1445043/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-15700265310391092752013-07-04T12:03:00.000+10:002013-07-04T12:46:23.410+10:00Rama Thai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Rama Thai</div>
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495 Burke Rd, Hawthorn East</div>
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(Ph) 9822 7322</div>
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Catch up with J and S! I was looking in my Entertainment Book for something and came across Rama Thai - seemed quite good ratings on Urbanspoon so thought we'd check it out - oh how wrong I was =(</div>
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S got there quite early so I dunno if it was 'cause of that that the waitress started the night off badly with us =/ We ordered our food and waited ages before any dishes came out, while the table next to us who ordered AFTER us got their food before us =(</div>
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We got one entree to share - <i>Golden Bags - deep fried pastry filled with minced chicken or prawns - spicy prawns (4) </i>$9.50</div>
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The waitress had accidentally given us some chicken golden bags (pictured above), and just as we were about to start eating she comes back and tells us they were chicken and not prawn. So we waited a few minutes before she came back out with some prawn golden bags (pictured below) - which don't look as regular as the chicken ones and look smaller =(<br />
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I started biting into mine when I came across something cold and mushy - the prawns were raw! There was only the one waitress so I waited ages for her attention before she came and I complained - she apologized and took the dish away and gave us a new dish. FINALLY we got a plate of cooked (very hot inside this time!) golden bags - was alright, kinda like a spring roll actually.<br />
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We waited ages before our mains came. <i>Crystal Pad Thai - stir-fried vermicelli, egg, tofu, bean shoot, garlic chive, and peanut with tamarind sauce - chicken </i>$14.90<br />
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For a change thought we'd try pad thai with vermicelli instead of rice noodles! Actually quite nice - love the blend of sweet, salty and sour flavours =) Would be nicer if the chicken breast pieces were smaller so they're not so tough though - like at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/one-thai.html">One Thai</a> =)<br />
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Thought we should get a vegetarian curry so it'd be our greens for the night =) <i>Gang Keaw Warn (Green Curry) - green curry with coconut milk, bean, basil, bamboo shoot - mixed vegetables </i>$14.90<br />
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Damn I forgot green curry is actually quite spicy - though I like how they used coconut milk in it, I thought red curry is the one usually with coconut milk and green curry doesn't?<br />
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We got 2 serves of <i>Coconut Rice (steamed rice in coconut milk and lime leaves) </i>$3.50 per head and one <i>Roti Bread - pan-fried Indian style bread - with peanut sauce </i>$5.00<br />
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They gave us one silver bowl of coconut rice - which was delicious by itself and with the green curry sauce. After a while we ran out and I thought it was $3.50 per serve and they just gave us the 2 serves in one bowl but it was actually per head! So we could have gotten more ah well =P I forgot Indian roti is not as fluffy as Malaysian roti so this tasted more like a crepe/pancake but I liked the peanut sauce that came with it - ended up eating the roti with the peanut sauce instead of with the curry =)<br />
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We were pretty full by this stage and it was actually getting quite late 'cause they were quite slow taking orders and bringing dishes out - I guess can't expect much given there was only one waitress working =/<br />
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But there is always room for dessert! We decided to share 2 desserts - we ordered the desserts then a few minutes later the waitress comes out and tells us there is only one serve of vanilla icecream left and we can pick a different flavour of icecream for the other one - how can there only be one serve of icecream left?! We said we'd get coconut icecream for the other one.<br />
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<i>Kao Tom Mud Taro or Banana - steamed sweet sticky rice stuffed with taro or banana served with Vanilla icecream</i> $7.00<br />
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Taro sweet sticky rice with coconut icecream! The taro was just in the middle of the sticky rice and in a big lump - would have been nicer if it was spread out a bit more but it was quite tasty - actually went very well with the coconut icecream =) The taro flavour was actually quite mild - might have been better if we got banana instead actually ah well.<br />
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<i>Coconut Pudding - steamed rice flour and palm sugar topped with coconut milk served with vanilla icecream </i>$7.00<br />
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This reminds me of the Thai coconut pancakes (like at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/i-spicy-2.html">I Spicy 2</a>) or the savoury Vietnamese mini pancakes (like at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/09/thanh-nga-nine.html">Thanh Nga Nine</a>) but without the crunchy bottom. Still this was quite tasty, I like the palm sugar flavour mixed with the coconut milk. You can see the icecream starting to melt here already - so this was their last serve of vanilla icecream hmm...<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
3/10 - raw prawns in the golden bags is definitely a no go, and half melted icecream is not cool either, but apart from that the rest was alright<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
1/5 - they really should have more than one waitress working on a night, it ended being quite busy and she was running around constantly, at one stage the manager(?) came out as well - I wonder why he couldn't have helped out the whole time?<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - quite a nice cosy restaurant<br />
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The Entertainment voucher gave us 25% off but I only realised after we left that they charged us $2 extra like they rounded it up, I don't mind giving it as tips but I don't like how they try to jip us like that!<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1469367/restaurant/Melbourne/Hawthorn/Rama-Thai-Hawthorn-East"><img alt="Rama Thai on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1469367/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-40006307057364574692013-06-29T18:52:00.000+10:002013-06-29T18:52:08.062+10:00Tao's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Tao's</div>
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201 Bulleen Rd, Bulleen</div>
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(Ph) 9852 0777</div>
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E was having her engagement dinner! =) at a restaurant called Tao's - I was expecting a Chinese restaurant but it's actually a fusion restaurant serving a set banquet menu! I had actually been here a few years ago with my parents and remembered it to be a very good experience - however this time the food seems to have dropped a little in standard =(</div>
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The restaurant looks like a Chinese restaurant on the outside, with some Chinese decor inside, but the tables are all rectangular like Western restaurants. E had booked out a room out the back which was actually right next to the kitchen so we could see the waiters coming in and out =/</div>
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You pick your own entree, soup, main and dessert, and there are a few set small dishes between them.</div>
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<i>Starter - Chef's Assorted Seasonal Platter</i></div>
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Looks pretty fancy but the 3 dishes don't really go together - my favourite was the slices of marinated squid. The oyster was quite tasty - I thought the pink fluff underneath the oyster was Japanese sugar - how wrong I was it was pure salt! The last one is a slice of tomato in balsamic vinegar with a mint leaf - odd combination with the seafood but anyway.<br />
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For entree I got <i>Tempura Tiger Prawn w Spicy Coconut Sauce</i><br />
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This was very tasty - the spicy coconut sauce was not too spicy and quite creamy, a nice alternative to the normal tempura sauce.<br />
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M got the <i>Spicy Tasmania Salmon Tartare</i><br />
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Salmon hidden underneath spinach leaves? The marinade was quite tasty but was actually very spicy!<br />
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Next came the <i>Special of the Day</i><br />
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How cute 2 dumplings in a mini bamboo basket! I'm pretty sure they don't steam them in these tiny things =P Nothing too special about the dumplings though.<br />
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Next was the soup - I got the <i>Seafood Dobinmushi</i><br />
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Drinking soup out of a teapot with the tiny teacup? You're meant to squeeze some of the lemon into the soup which was quite a flavoursome broth with some seafood marinara mix inside.<br />
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M got the <i>Cream of Mushroom</i><br />
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So creamy and delicious, rich in mushroom flavour - I'm glad I didn't order it though it was so filling! By this stage we were starting to get full and there was still main and dessert to come!<br />
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Mains came next - I got the <i>Marinated Cumin Spiced Rack of Lamb</i><br />
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I was expecting a rack of lamb? This was really a Western dish - nothing Asian about it. The lamb was quite juicy, but would have been nicer if they were more generous with the vegetables instead of just 2 mushroom buttons and 2 half cherry tomatoes?!<br />
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M got the <i>Beef Short Ribs w Chilli Tomato Sauce</i><br />
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Sorry the picture is a bit dark - meat is dark and so is the plate =P This was very delicious - the ribs fell of the bone, so tender and soft, and the sauce was sweet yet chilli, this was more like a fusion flavour =)<br />
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We all got served <i>Tao's Rice</i><br />
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How cute being served in a little bowl - the spoon was a bit small and silly though =P The rice was quite dry - like a Western fried rice, nothing too special here.<br />
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Finally it was dessert time! I got the <i>Tao's Style Tiramisu</i><br />
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Delicious tiramisu in a double glass cup! I like how the layers are all very separate and you kinda combine it in your mouth. My favourite course of the night <3 Next to it is the engagement cake that J's mum made =)<br />
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M got the <i>Cream Brulee</i><br />
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They mean creme brulee right? =P I'm glad they didn't try to fusion the desserts coz this was quite good the way it was.</div>
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<b>Food~</b></div>
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7/10 - quite aesthetically pleasing dishes, though I don't think they've really mastered the fusion concept. Dishes are from around the world but each dish is pretty much one cuisine.</div>
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<b>Service~</b></div>
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3/5 - food came very promptly, maybe a bit too quick for a fine dining experience actually, they were taking plates away from the other table when we were still eating that course</div>
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<b>Atmosphere~</b></div>
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2/5 - didn't like how our function room was right next to the kitchen and waiters walking in and out constantly (one even accidentally dropped some dishes and made a scene =/) </div>
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Not too bad for a fine dining experience, but I don't think they can call themselves a fusion restaurant - will be back though given the decent price!</div>
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C.</div>
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761869/restaurant/Melbourne/Doncaster-Templestowe/Taos-Bulleen"><img alt="Tao's on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/761869/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-8869287622688688692013-06-26T16:11:00.001+10:002013-06-29T19:00:45.785+10:00One Thai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One Thai</div>
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346 Belmore Rd, East Balwyn</div>
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(Ph) 9857 9186</div>
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Catch up with E! We both felt like Thai food so I searched my Entertainment Book for something - this place seems to have good ratings on Urbanspoon so decided to check it out =)</div>
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We got here at 6pm - restaurant was empty but there were lots of "Reserved" signs on the table, and soon enough, the restaurant was packed - mainly with Caucasian people though =P</div>
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Of course we had to go for <i>Pad Thai - stir fried rice stick noodles with eggs, ground peanuts, bean shoots and spring onion - chicken </i>$14.50</div>
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<3 pad thai. The rice noodles were quite thin so absorbed alot of flavour. I like how the chicken bits are small and aren't chicken breast so not tough at all. Would have liked if they gave us more peanut bits though. What's with the random salad on the side? Our greens for the night lol =P<br />
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We also got a <i>Masmun Curry - a milder red Thai curry paste cooked with potatoes, onions, coconut cream, topped with roasted cashew nuts - beef </i>$18.50<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDkZt9pwhlVCuhVziAMoPIR8Phq2vvDRSTags26hoBZJ3fu8fGlRwZ3GBICuO0Zcxf8p4hdeOB5ITKgaziyimLCUFe8XDGJf7L69hu1asJDt4WbJuKQUEdr7yeT3l2mx-YjO-4SoHYMeG/s1600/IMG_1337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMDkZt9pwhlVCuhVziAMoPIR8Phq2vvDRSTags26hoBZJ3fu8fGlRwZ3GBICuO0Zcxf8p4hdeOB5ITKgaziyimLCUFe8XDGJf7L69hu1asJDt4WbJuKQUEdr7yeT3l2mx-YjO-4SoHYMeG/s320/IMG_1337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This was quite tasty, coconutty and not too spicy - just how I like my curries =) I like the cashews on top which gave the curry some texture. Would have preferred if they gave us other vegetables instead of potatoes though but can't complain here it says so in the menu name.<br />
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E and I can't help our sweet tooth even though we were pretty full! Decided to share a dessert - can't remember what this was called exactly... something like <i>Taro Balls in Coconut Cream</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBg8nCVp5oQlXHLhEmeO1eLVuAGGOVM5Uvjegq5SiziGPAzi8V_I4R-J9HLi_8PdBWkfs0WrgbkB8Ufzg32qaDJrEicVdQMHBZ-Hd-ZH-uU0vwGej57R7tmpmHcpJ_GAjA0MQvUE_bShz/s1600/IMG_1338.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheBg8nCVp5oQlXHLhEmeO1eLVuAGGOVM5Uvjegq5SiziGPAzi8V_I4R-J9HLi_8PdBWkfs0WrgbkB8Ufzg32qaDJrEicVdQMHBZ-Hd-ZH-uU0vwGej57R7tmpmHcpJ_GAjA0MQvUE_bShz/s320/IMG_1338.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fully wasn't expecting this! It was more like taro flavoured glutinous balls in a coconut cream soup which was hot - so why did they give us a scoop of icecream?! Was not too bad though =P<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - not too bad overall, decent Thai food at reasonable price<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - very quick and good service<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - got quite busy and loud as the night went on<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761409/restaurant/Melbourne/Balwyn/One-Thai-East-Balwyn"><img alt="One Thai on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/761409/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-31665307823904309462013-06-01T19:15:00.002+10:002013-06-12T18:53:45.510+10:00Food Republik<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Food Republik</div>
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1 Main St, Boxhill</div>
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(Ph) 9898 6669</div>
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Food Republik had been open at Boxhill for a while now but everytime I come on the weekend it's packed so hadn't had a chance to try it out. For once we came on a weekday for lunch and there was no line at all =)</div>
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It's a Taiwanese style food court in a food court! How ingenious =) There are a few hawker style stores - Crystal Jade Xiao Long Bao, Shihlin Cafe Taiwan Street Snacks, Old Tong Beef Noodles, Taiwan Cafe, Yong He Soya King, Shin Yeh Restaurant, and Toast Box. Plus Dessert Story which is on a separate menu. Food Republik is owned by the same person who manages Taiwan Cafe and Dessert Story at the various other Melbourne locations.</div>
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Check out the chefs making dumplings by the window!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJQgXYt2FZjx8EFow5_6tCvacYfP8d3epA55flsG18B245TD9c9BB2kN8llqPdNgFVC5KCJ-gEYOw628ou88gauoMn67sipyBBIashsjH8FSAoVhrWfmNQLMhf2DkCFxWipGpjzoXS6M8/s1600/IMG_1298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJQgXYt2FZjx8EFow5_6tCvacYfP8d3epA55flsG18B245TD9c9BB2kN8llqPdNgFVC5KCJ-gEYOw628ou88gauoMn67sipyBBIashsjH8FSAoVhrWfmNQLMhf2DkCFxWipGpjzoXS6M8/s320/IMG_1298.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You get seated in the middle of the food court and get given the 2 menus, and you write your own orders on a piece of paper on the pad - saves waiter time and saves them taking down the wrong orders. It's got quite a traditional atmosphere with a hawker cart there too (obviously not in use)!</div>
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There is also an upstairs area too but it wasn't too busy on this weekday to need to go upstairs.</div>
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I wanted to get my usual <i>Xiao Long Bao </i>but it was $10.8 for 8 pieces which I thought was a bit expensive for this type of casual restaurant, and since I wasn't feeling too well, I let P order the food (for once=P). But as we ate we saw lots of other tables had ordered it - ah well I guess next time I will try it!</div>
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Since I wasn't feeling too well I got a hot <i>Yong He Soya Milk </i>$2.8</div>
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Ahh soothed my tummy, not too sweet =)<br />
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P for some reason loves Taiwanese fried chicken so he got the <i>Chicken Drum - fried chicken drumlettes with pepper seasoning, lightly coated in bread crumbs, Our Specialty! (4pcs) </i>$6.0<br />
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Exactly like the <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/taiwan-cafe.html">Taiwan Cafe</a> ones - lots of flavour and crunch, though not as meaty as the <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/05/booth.html">The Booth</a> ones.<br />
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P never craves dumplings but he did on this day - <i>Pan-fried pork dumplings (12pcs) </i><br />
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This wasn't as good as I remembered the ones at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/taiwan-cafe.html">Taiwan Cafe</a> to be - I liked the crunchy bits around the dumplings but it was like it had been fried for a while so the skin was a bit soft. And they had a lot of chives in the meat which I didn't like =(<br />
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P wanted something substantial so wanted the <i>Taiwanese savoury glutinous rice </i>but then realised it's only available before 11am. So he settled for the <i>Beef Wrap - spring onion wrap with soya marinated beef slices garnished with spring onion and plum sauce </i>$9.0<br />
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Asian kebab, just like the one at <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/taiwan-cafe.html">Taiwan Cafe</a>. The wrap pancake was cooked a bit too much so was really crunchy (which I liked!) but the beef bits and cucumber fell out really easily. Surprisingly ridiculously filling!<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
5/10 - not too bad, typical Taiwanese food. Will definitely come back for the xiao long bao next time!<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - I like how it feels like Asian hawker food, like we're really on the streets!<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
1/5 - most of the waiters were quite prompt but there was one who seemed like she felt she was too good to be there =/ and the food took a while for Asian restaurant standards.<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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So merely a week later I find myself here again! This time I knew I had to order the Xiao Long Bao =)<br />
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Met my high expectations! Thin dumpling skin, lots of delicious broth inside and juicy meat <3<br />
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Also got some Fried Pork Buns - was a recommended dish.<br />
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But this was a bit disappointing - thick bun and small meat, and it wasn't fried enough so didn't have a crunchy base at all =(<br />
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P got the <i>Popcorn Chicken Bento Box </i>- the popcorn chicken was so crunchy! Better than KFC popcorn chicken and more flavoursome =) I like how they give you mince meat on top of the rice - Taiwanese style. The "greens" was a bit lousy though - wombok and frozen peas and corn?!<br />
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P also got a HK Style Milk Tea - not too bad but wasn't as strong as I'd like it to be.<br />
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foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-52099280928212635602013-05-30T12:38:00.002+10:002013-05-30T12:38:59.406+10:00Cupcake Central<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cupcake Central</div>
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Shop 7, 672 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn</div>
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(Ph) 9077 4542</div>
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I had an Entertainment voucher for Cupcake Central so had been meaning to try it out for ages! <3 Cupcakes!</div>
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They have standard cupcakaes at $4 each, or babycakes at $2.20 each. Or gift boxes - starting at 4 for $15 =)</div>
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They have a Cupcake flavour calender, rotating more than 20 flavours everyday - some popular flavours are baked everyday, while there are other daily specials. And they rotate the calender every season or so =) They're apparently the only cupcake bakery that bakes all their cupcakes daily from scratch each morning (but i'm not sure about that =/)<br />
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They only had one <i>Salted Caramel </i>left which is one of their daily flavours, and given we came at midday on Sunday, I fail to believe it was baked fresh that morning. So it was a little disappointing it was a little dry =( the cupcake was just a chocolate cupcake, the icing was mainly vanilla with some salted caramel on top - would have liked it better if the salted caramel was more within the cupcake too!<br />
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<i>Cookies and Cream</i> <3 I like how they put half an oreo on there - we ate this one the day after so the oreo was a bit soft =( But the cupcake was still very moist - vanilla and chocolate flavours - the beauty of cookies and cream =)</div>
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<i>Vanilla Vanilla </i>- vanilla vanilla and more vanilla! Nothing more to say but it was, like the others, super moist cupcake with a creamy icing.<br />
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So far all of them have been everyday baked flavours but <i>Banoffee Pie </i>was one of the flavours of the day - banana cupcake with toffee inside, caramel flavoured icing and crumb bits on top <3 this was my favourite - super moist cupcake with a light creamy icing =)</div>
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - not sure if I would pay full price for their cupcakes but I gotta say they're one of the best in Melbourne - compared to <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/01/cupcake-bakery.html">Cupcake Bakery</a>'s cupcakes which were sometimes dry these were much tastier!<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - very friendly smiling waiter =)<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - small cafe where you can sit and enjoy your cupcakes too, but we took ours away to enjoy at home<br />
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C.<br />
xo
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1551384/restaurant/Melbourne/Cupcake-Central-Hawthorn"><img alt="Cupcake Central on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1551384/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-46631263341147238502013-05-26T18:56:00.001+10:002013-05-26T18:56:11.661+10:00Cafe de Taite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cafe de Taite</div>
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639 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn</div>
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(Ph) 9819 5671</div>
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We found a Honky style cafe in Hawthorn - what a pleasant surprise! Thought we should check it out since P was craving some pork chop bun =P</div>
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Small cafe with booths! Quite an authentic atmosphere with pictures of Hong Kong on the walls =)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HvprlCibciHo_qtGJbRFONRQpNqThWRLsHEyS4rl_yKGsKGGvqdihlKGxYxEHR4USS7PBRItq_apQHlD1BgqyQZSTNjYO90iyPzGDaqz1WGdoI5Idwcr0LK4ItUqCp1oScJHvCn1M485/s1600/DSCN3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-HvprlCibciHo_qtGJbRFONRQpNqThWRLsHEyS4rl_yKGsKGGvqdihlKGxYxEHR4USS7PBRItq_apQHlD1BgqyQZSTNjYO90iyPzGDaqz1WGdoI5Idwcr0LK4ItUqCp1oScJHvCn1M485/s320/DSCN3906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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They have some set menus - from $12.90 for a dish, a soup, garlic bread and a drink! Quite a good deal but I wanted to try the <i>Cheese Pork Chop Rice </i>$11.80 from the Specials Menu. P went for a <i>Grilled Pork Chop Bun </i>$6.80 and a <i>Seafood Chowder </i>$6.00<br />
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The <i>Seafood Chowder</i> was quite thick and flavoursome - bits of fish and crab sticks as per usual. Quite interesting how it was served with garlic bread instead of a bread roll. </div>
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The <i>Grilled Pork Chop Bun </i>was more like a Western burger instead of the tasty sweet buns like you get in Hong Kong but wasn't too bad. <3 pork chop!<br />
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My <i>Cheese Pork Chop Rice</i> was the highlight of the meal! It was like an inside out Parma as S said! Cheesy goodness leaking out from the inside, deep fried with panko crumbs =) The cheese was quite a mature flavour, nearly like a blue which I enjoyed very much. You'd think it'd be a bit weird with tomato rice and mayonnaise but it all went went together - perfect Honky fusion <3<br />
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We found a little gem so close to home! I'd say it's on par to my other favourite Honky cafes <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/pacific-house.html">Pacific House</a> in the city and <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/new-age-cafe.html">New Age Cafe</a> in Boxhill =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
7.5/10 - would love to come back for their baked rice dishes or their set menus next time<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - wasn't too busy on this Sunday night but that didn't deter us from going in at all<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - food came quite promptly and they kept filling our hot teas up =)<br />
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Will definitely be back!<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1592193/restaurant/Melbourne/Cafe-de-Taite-Hawthorn"><img alt="Cafe de Taite on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1592193/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-72908588051381034292013-05-24T21:43:00.000+10:002013-05-24T21:57:36.442+10:00Lindt Chocolat Cafe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Lindt Chocolat Cafe</div>
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Chadstone Shopping Centre, Dandenong Rd, Chadstone</div>
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(Ph) 9563 3355</div>
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I had bought a voucher - $19 for Lindt Favourites Sharing Platter for two with chocolate brownies, macarons, waffles & more PLUS two hot chocolates</div>
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When I bought the voucher I had to choose which store to redeem it at so I thought we'd go to Chadstone. I had been to the city store before but never been to the Chadstone store. We already decided to go the week after Mother's day, thinking that would be a very busy weekend but wow it was still super packed! When we got there at 2pm it was packed and there were many groups of people waiting for tables and most of the people there were having the sharing platter, probably with the voucher too! Finally we were seated, but it took ages for them to come and clean our table =/</div>
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Lindt Favourites Sharing Platter (value $25.50) - Fresh chocolate brownies, A selection of salted caramel and hazelnut macarons "delice", Two pieces of warm waffle served with Lindt's signature ice cream, Two freshly dipped connoisseur chocolates and luscious strawberries served with Chantilly cream, A pot of Lindt chocolate.</div>
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Massive platter of goodness! The only downside was the icecream (think it was vanilla bean) was melting very quickly =/ maybe they had scooped it out in preparation already?! The waffles were deliciously crunchy - too bad they're not Belgium waffles =P The brownie was super crazily chocolatey with some nuts inside - if we didn't have such a big platter to eat I think we would have enjoyed it more - or if they gave us another scoop of icecream to go with it! The coupon said we would get a salted caramel and a Hazelnut delice but we got passionfruit and cookies and cream (I think?) instead which were still very good but I would have preferred salted caramel instead - they shouldn't promise us flavours if they weren't gonna give them to us! Lindt macarons are definitely one of the best around - crunchy outsides with the soft airy meringue inside and the delicious ganache between <3 By this stage we were fully chocolated out so couldn't enjoy the connoisseur chocolates as much - one had caramel insides and the other one was all chocolate haha =/<br />
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Swirls of Lindt’s finest flowing milk or dark chocolate are combined with freshly frothed milk and topped with a chocolate shard for the ultimate Lindt hot chocolate experience (value $14)<br />
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What a cool hot chocolate experience! First I poured in the frothed milk<br />
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Then went some chocolate - super smooth and silky</div>
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Tryout out my chocolate art? What a fail haha =P<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv34xA_yBoszYdHI6lzzm81BJfKcajAxkzxNhNbNwlsLckp4_FC3QSKDg3Gp0EdSTnihqtDzFV4mSwHwfcEiLhhElj5OtyjuaE-UJ9pPlfSZ0HTTXIu41a3_JCf5dgZabdrP2Atz8kEuQN/s1600/DSCN3901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: black;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv34xA_yBoszYdHI6lzzm81BJfKcajAxkzxNhNbNwlsLckp4_FC3QSKDg3Gp0EdSTnihqtDzFV4mSwHwfcEiLhhElj5OtyjuaE-UJ9pPlfSZ0HTTXIu41a3_JCf5dgZabdrP2Atz8kEuQN/s320/DSCN3901.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Tada! =) This was one of the best hot chocolates I've had - I like how you get to make it yourself =) We took the Lindor's home 'cause we were seriously chocolated out - didn't think that was possible for me haha<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vUQW_azadKAZKEVLlh2MvecmGw9biKZxKfzTdbxJbDlUEE2jeNKrqAaM8xpdzpqUzOSPW_K2lk_cbwpj0GtI6j3fRDCJg2mt8ALOkNYjFfOpig4-V4Hpue0T9MFRw_iULepU0vApvsYf/s1600/DSCN3900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vUQW_azadKAZKEVLlh2MvecmGw9biKZxKfzTdbxJbDlUEE2jeNKrqAaM8xpdzpqUzOSPW_K2lk_cbwpj0GtI6j3fRDCJg2mt8ALOkNYjFfOpig4-V4Hpue0T9MFRw_iULepU0vApvsYf/s320/DSCN3900.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - If not for the voucher I'd recommend sharing this platter between 3 people, 'cause we felt quite sick of chocolate by the end of it! Or just come for the hot chocolate and the delice <3<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
1/5 - took ages to get our tables cleared and cleaned, but I guess they can't help being so busy!<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - very loud and and busy on this Sunday afternoon<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1471709/restaurant/Melbourne/Clayton/Lindt-Chocolat-Cafe-Chadstone"><span style="color: black;"><img alt="Lindt Chocolat Café on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1471709/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></span></a></span>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-85455813707292974462013-05-22T17:40:00.000+10:002013-05-22T17:40:28.843+10:00Pacific Seafood BBQ House<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pacific Seafood BBQ House</div>
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240 Victoria St, Richmond</div>
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(Ph) 9427 8225</div>
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P had been craving roast duck for a while so instead of getting our usual Viet food on Victoria Street, we decided to come in Pacific Seafood BBQ House. This is the original Pacific House of the 3, specializing in roast meats unlike the <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/10/pacific-house.html">Lonsdale Street</a> one which is more of a HK style cafe. I have been here before with my parents for dinner but not for lunch - their roast meats and their seafood are their specialty.</div>
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We got served a bowl of complimentary soup when we were seated - was very flavoursome =)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuT7dBlgY0wRtFN3t1Bh37ZXlhKFitxdJOweQ6InD6QjUX3kzl8cZGCuwcI0umiojQIFgsUg4-3k-g2H5tNtz44TnzevIhYytji0TofWW5wgJBYZayd1Wi7OC7dlQ6I7WQ0EP6Nzb769/s1600/IMG-20130512-00383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAuT7dBlgY0wRtFN3t1Bh37ZXlhKFitxdJOweQ6InD6QjUX3kzl8cZGCuwcI0umiojQIFgsUg4-3k-g2H5tNtz44TnzevIhYytji0TofWW5wgJBYZayd1Wi7OC7dlQ6I7WQ0EP6Nzb769/s320/IMG-20130512-00383.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The menu is full of proper dishes and entrees but we wanted rice dishes which we couldn't find anywhere =/ There are also dishes written on paper stuck on the walls, mainly in Chinese but some in English as well. On the table there was a short list of Lunch Specials which were rice dishes but not roast meats. In the end we decided to share a Roast Platter - 3 meats for $28. <i>Roast duck, roast pork and BBQ pork.</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfEGPUrEZ92EfQNE6NFdodbiAZvXkE4MZFLleQc04QFPxwGnv-cYjCel784ynol7SaOX_5bl0Bzr4VI2x0Z8qh36wyD30lfMpdkR32__9UehZs9akEZI7Wr1GwRxgSWX1sTgqTO77vvxI/s1600/IMG-20130512-00385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQfEGPUrEZ92EfQNE6NFdodbiAZvXkE4MZFLleQc04QFPxwGnv-cYjCel784ynol7SaOX_5bl0Bzr4VI2x0Z8qh36wyD30lfMpdkR32__9UehZs9akEZI7Wr1GwRxgSWX1sTgqTO77vvxI/s320/IMG-20130512-00385.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The roast duck was delicious - crispy skin and succulent meat. The only down side is when you order part of a duck it all depends on luck whether you get a meaty portion or a bony portion, as opposed to when you order half a duck or a whole duck - ah well. The roast pork skin was crispy but there was more fat than meat on it =( The BBQ pork was a bit disappointing though - was quite dry like it had been hanging by the window for ages =/<br />
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After we ordered our dishes we saw the man at the next table had ordered a roast pork rice dish! Plus it had some bokchoy on it! =( Why was it not on the menu?! We should have ordered 2 rice dishes instead of this big main plus a bowl of rice..<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
5/10 - maybe it was our unlucky day but the roast meats weren't as good as I remembered it to be<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - quite cramped tables but the usual for Victoria Street restaurants<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
2/5 - quick efficient service<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761443/restaurant/Melbourne/Pacific-Seafood-BBQ-House-Richmond"><img alt="Pacific Seafood BBQ House on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/761443/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-173505466859332882013-05-15T11:46:00.000+10:002013-05-15T11:46:35.441+10:00Blossom Thai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Blossom Thai</div>
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278 Toorak Rd, South Yarra</div>
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(Ph) 9827 8599</div>
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Catch up with J and T =) Thought we should go somewhere near their place 'cause we can easily drive there. Flipping through the Entertainment Book I found a 25% off for Blossom Thai - seems to have quite good ratings on Urbanspoon so we decided to check it out. It's actually right next to <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/miss-chu.html">Miss Chu</a> which on this Friday night was packed with people lining up on the street, while Blossom Thai was still quite empty at 7pm. People starting coming soon after though and it ended up very busy too.</div>
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I like how they give us lemon water =) and 2 serviettes?! One white and one red - do they expect us to get quite messy? =P I guess it makes it look nice lol.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV0rdskbGtekAygRfG3gZ_HdiTaYFJhD4Z7gPRTG38aBlQVzCIyrCxLL2-o8xCso6XrtaPwpp2OBuf4pLVEirXGvRMOWwo3KJKAdTyX6BLcghewZsu2cQG1zPznCEUpi3N5CH_qeE1W30/s1600/DSCN3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeV0rdskbGtekAygRfG3gZ_HdiTaYFJhD4Z7gPRTG38aBlQVzCIyrCxLL2-o8xCso6XrtaPwpp2OBuf4pLVEirXGvRMOWwo3KJKAdTyX6BLcghewZsu2cQG1zPznCEUpi3N5CH_qeE1W30/s320/DSCN3877.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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P wanted an entree which all seemed a little expensive but this sounded interesting. <i>Golden Bags (4pcs) - chicken mince, corn and water chestnut wrapped in pastry lightly fried, served with tasty dipping sauce</i> $9.90<br />
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Very delicate little packages - how do they wrap it up with more pastry like that?! Interesting presentation but nothing too special here. Should have gone for a <i>Roti & Peanut Sauce </i>entree instead!<br />
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They're quite vegetarian friendly here - most dishes you can get vegetarian, chicken or beef or prawn (in increasing order of price). Since T and I don't really like prawns we just went for chicken or beef which was the same price. I love red curry so we got <i>Gaeng Dang (Red Curry) - Thailand's favourite red curry, Thai spices coconut milk and sesasonal vegetables </i>- beef for $19.90</div>
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A very flavoursome non-spicy curry with lots of coconut cream <3<br />
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Also got a <i>Pad Takai (lemon grass stir fry) - stir fried with chopped lemon grass, chilli and seasonal vegetables (on sizzling plate) </i>- beef for $21.90<br />
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Came on a sizzling plate =D I always wonder why restaurants serve food on sizzling plates - it's not like the food is cooked on the plate, and the hot plate would just overcook the food? Not too bad as a stir fry dish but thought the lemon grass flavour didn't shine through as much as I would have liked.</div>
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We got 2 Jasmine rice ($3.90 per serve) and 2 Coconut rice ($4.90 per serve) to share - coconut rice is the only rice I actually love to eat <3 Full of flavour but not too wet - was delicious by itself or went very well with the curry and the stir fry =)</div>
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Last came our favourite <i>Pad Thai - Thai style thin rice noodles with red onion, tofu, egg, chives, bean sprouts with home made Pad Thai Sauce </i>- chicken for $17.90</div>
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Damn they gave us chicken breast =( The chicken was a bit tough and they gave us massive pieces instead of more bite size pieces which I would have preferred. The home made pad thai sauce was full of flavour - love the peanut and the raw bean sprouts on top =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6.5/10 - after the 25% off was well worth the meal, but normal price is a little on the pricier side for Thai food but then again it is South Yarra =P definitely come get the coconut rice!<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - friendly service here, very prompt in topping up our water =)<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - nothing to complain about here<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760213/restaurant/Melbourne/South-Yarra-Toorak/Blossom-Thai-South-Yarra"><img alt="Blossom Thai on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760213/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-38829008310565150712013-05-12T20:04:00.002+10:002013-05-12T20:04:17.948+10:00Mamasita<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mamasita</div>
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Level 1, 11 Collins St, Melbourne</div>
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(Ph) 9650 3821</div>
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A was back in Melbourne and wanted to try Mamasita - a few years after it's opened it is still overly popular and if you come anytime near peak time be prepared to wait along the famous stairs and down onto Collins Street for up to a few hours! We decided to come at 5.30pm on a Sunday night an luckily it was only about 90% full haha. It's entrance is very small and not very visible next to the 7-Eleven but I guess if you come near peak times you would see the line of people waiting outside =P</div>
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Inside is actually not that big so no wonder the wait is so long!<br />
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We were seated at the end of the bar on high stools - not particularly comfortable but not that we really had a choice!<br />
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Sorry for the blinding flash but it's pretty dark in here =/<br />
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We started off with the famous <i>Elote callejero - "Street style" chargrilled corn, queso, chipotle mayo & lime </i>$5.4<br />
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Quite expensive for one cob of corn but was awesomely delicious - so cheesy with spicy seasoning on top, complimented by the lime juice.<br />
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Next we got a <i>Tostaditas (4 per board) - 2.5inch fried tortilla chips with toppings</i><br />
<i>de Pollo - chargrilled chicken, avocado, chipotle mayo & queso fresco </i>$15.4<br />
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The home made tortilla was crisp and crunchy - the mountain of toppings seemed a bit too much for a single tortilla chip, maybe they could have given us another one for the top so it would be more like a sandwich? Would love to try some of their other toppings like pork belly with crackling =D<br />
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The <i>Ceviche - raw fish cured in citrus </i>sounded pretty interesting so we got one to share<br />
<i>Ceviche de Veracruz - snapper, tomato, olive, green chilli, lime & coriander </i>$7.7 single serve, $16.5 share<br />
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Came served with some corn chips =D Not sure what it was meant to be like but there was a lot of liquid in it, it was more like a soup? The raw snapper was a bit fishy but was quite nice cured by the tanginess of the lime.<br />
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So many small dishes so we decided to get one main to share. <i>Pancita de cerdo - Guajillo- braised pork belly, habanero cream, fried parsley & lime </i>$27.5<br />
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This actually tasted like Asian pork belly - like a sweet soy flavour. I quite liked the habanero cream though - just a touch of spiciness which contrasted with the sweetness of the pork.<br />
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The waiter suggested us to get either some rice or some other carbs to go with the pork. She recommended the <i>Platanos Machos - fried plantains, pico verde & queso fresco </i>$7.7<br />
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Plantain is a starchy banana commonly used for cooking - deep fried here so tasted like chips =D Delicious as a dish by itself with the verde and the cheese anyway!<br />
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Luckily most of the dishes weren't too spicy (none of us really eat chilli!) but if you find it's not spicy enough for you, you can always add some of either green or red chilli into your dishes - we were not game enough to try though! =P<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
7/10 - quite tasty authentic Mexican food, would definitely want to try their tacos next time and maybe not their main dishes though<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - quite a nice chilled restaurant, if only they had more tables - bar stools aren't particularly comfortable =P<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - friendly but brisk service, I guess they want you in and out quickly so they can serve the massive line of customers waiting!<br />
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Would definitely be back!<br />
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C.<br />
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1507775/restaurant/CBD/Mamasita-Melbourne"><img alt="Mamasita on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1507775/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-61669202882071734082013-05-08T18:07:00.001+10:002013-05-08T22:01:26.886+10:00I Love Pho 264<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I Love Pho 264</div>
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264 Victoria St, Richmond</div>
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(Ph) 9427 7749</div>
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P had been wanting to come try I Love Pho for a long time, after I got him a "I Love Pho" T-shirt from Vietnam he said he'd come here wearing the shirt =P On this day we weren't planning on having lunch at Richmond so he unfortunately didn't wear the shirt - ah well another time!</div>
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It's very Westernised compared to the many other Vietnamese restaurants on Victoria Street - I mean, it actually has an English name!<br />
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We came here for a late lunch so we got seated immediately, but I know if you come at peak lunch times it can be quite packed here. The waitress asked us immediately whether we knew what we wanted to order =/ They don't provide menus here unless you ask for it but it's just what's on the menu on the walls - they pretty much only sell Pho here with spring rolls and rice paper rolls, and just a few other Special dishes. One annoying thing about this restaurant is they don't have their prices on the menu and don't tell you there are different sizes for the Pho (small/medium/large) so if you don't tell them what size you want they just give you the default medium, which I don't think is very customer friendly.<br />
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We started off with some <i>Pork Spring Rolls</i><br />
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P loves ordering spring rolls at Vietnamese restuarants even though we can make them just as deliciously at home! Their home made fish sauce is very good though - super crunchy and fresh wrapped in some lettuce.<br />
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P always goes for the <i>Special Beef Pho</i><br />
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This was a medium size - pretty big! Lots of rare beef, beef balls, tripe, tendon, brisket etc. Also came with some raw onion which is not the norm for Pho? The broth was quite flavoursome but was a bit too salty for my liking. They gave us the Pho but the plate of bean sprouts and herbs didn't come until like 5mins later hmm =/<br />
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I went for one of their 2 special dishes. <i>Bo Kho - Vietnamese beef stew served with your choice of rice noodles/egg noodles or a bread roll</i><br />
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This was more like a soup but was very flavoursome and the beef brisket was super soft and tender. The bread roll was very fresh, crunchy crust and super soft inside - delicious soaked in the soup =) But what the?! They gave me a bad bit of carrot?? =(<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
6/10 - P says the Pho here is not too bad but probably not worth the hype. Would be nice if they served more non-Pho dishes here too for people like me who get dragged to Pho places =P<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
3/5 - service was quite quick (except the plate of bean sprouts!) but don't expect too much!<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
2/5 - typical Vietnamese restaurant on Victoria Street<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1640956/restaurant/Melbourne/I-Love-Pho-264-Richmond"><img alt="I Love Pho 264 on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1640956/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-85463595319363643262013-05-04T20:42:00.000+10:002013-05-04T20:42:08.401+10:00The Blue Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Blue Room</div>
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279 Clarendon St, South Melbourne</div>
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(Ph) 9699 4036</div>
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I bought a Groupon Voucher - $59 for Three Course Modern Australian Dinner for Two People with a Glass of Wine Each. The entree is set but we get to choose our mains and dessert from the menu, all except the Eye Fillet.</div>
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I had read their service was a bit slow but we came quite early on a weekday so service was actually not too bad. They're famous for the wood-fired pizzas here (can see the oven in the picture below) but we'd had too much pizza recently so decided to try something else.<br />
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Neither P or I particularly drink wine so we asked the waiter if we could change it to a non-alcoholic drink but she said no =/ how weird is that isn't a juice or Coke cheaper than a glass of wine?!<br />
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We were started with a shared entree tasting plate which we didn't get to choose.<br />
<i>Saganaki - pan fried kefalograviera cheese with charred lemon and tomato salsa</i><br />
<i>Salt and pepper calamari - served with lemon aioli</i><br />
<i>Pork and veal meatballs - roast pepper and tomato sauce with salsa verde</i><br />
<i>Tempura prawns - tiger prawns in tempurra batter served with wasabi mayonnaise</i><br />
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They didn't really give us all the side sauces mentioned in the menu, instead just gave us a lemon aioli which was delicious and went well with it all. The saganaki was a little salty eaten by itself but the rest was all very delicious - a nice tasting of a few entrees =)<br />
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P went for the <i>Porterhouse Steak 350g - char-grilled to your liking with crispy chips, salad and red wine jus </i>$29.90<br />
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The steak was cooked perfectly to medium rare, a little more jus would have been nice though. Chips were deliciously crunchy but slightly soft inside =)<br />
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I got the <i>Pork Belly Clay pot - pork served with canellini beans, chorizo sausages and vegetables served with char grilled Turkish bread </i>$25.50<br />
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Pretty impressive looking, but they were not very generous with the pork belly, and with the few pieces there were, they were mainly fat and not much meat or crackling =( Few slices of chorizos which was good, "vegetables" was not really existent - it was mainly a pot of canellini beans =/ I should have gone for the <i>Lamb Shank Clay pot </i>instead!<br />
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We were pretty full after our mains (the beans and the bread and the chips were all carbs!) but our dessert came. I got the <i>Soft Centred Chocolate Pudding - with house made honeycomb and vanilla ice-cream </i>$12<br />
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This was delicious - though the chocolate inside wasn't as runny as I thought it'd be. The home made honeycomb was delicious - love honeycomb!<br />
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P got the <i>Chocolate Fudge Brownie - served with berry coulis and vanilla mascapone </i>$10<br />
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I had read good reviews about this but it wasn't that special, a very rich brownie, P thought there'd be more berry and sourness to cut the sweetness a bit, Should have gone for the <i>Vanilla Creme Brulee</i> instead of 2 chocolate desserts - was way too rich!<br />
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Food~</div>
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7/10 - not too bad given we were on a voucher, will come back for their pizzas another time!</div>
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Service~</div>
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3/5 - not bad, but why can't they change our wines to a non-alcoholic drink?!</div>
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Atmosphere~</div>
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3/5 - quite a nice restaurant in South Melbourne</div>
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C.</div>
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xo</div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760220/restaurant/Melbourne/The-Blue-Room-Restaurant-Bar-Cafe-South-Melbourne"><img alt="The Blue Room Restaurant Bar Cafe on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760220/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-84548729421339226952013-05-01T18:24:00.001+10:002013-05-01T18:25:53.954+10:00Vapiano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Vapiano</div>
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Flinders Lane, Melbourne </div>
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(Ph) 9620 3335</div>
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I had been to Vapiano in Brisbane a few times before and remembered how awesome it was, so was super excited when they opened one in Melbourne! They were doing 2 days of free lunches while the chefs and waitresses were in training but I unfortunately missed out on it. They gave buy-1-get-1-free pizza/pastas vouchers for those who missed out to be used before end of April, so P and I came to try it out on a Sunday lunch.</div>
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So new and nice inside! Downstairs is just the entrance counter, the restaurant and kitchen is all upstairs.<br />
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They gave us each a Chip Card at the counter - you swipe your card to record all your food and beverage purchases so there's no problem of split bills at the end, smart =)<br />
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It was pretty empty when we were there so we got awesome service =) There's a pizza area, a salad area and a long pasta area. Plus a dessert area which wasn't really open yet.<br />
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Most of the tables are high tables with stools - not particularly comfortable if you want to hang and chill. But there are some lower tables up the back too - it's quite a big restaurant =)<br />
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At each table there were bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and herb pot plants! Mainly basil which you add to your own pasta or pizza =)<br />
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At the salad bar there's bread for you to try the salad dressings - the dressings were really flavoursome but we weren't hungry enough for a salad as well. Would have liked it if there was parmesan cheese for us to help ourselves to though!</div>
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At the pizza bar they give you a buzzer so you don't have to stand around to wait. The screen on the bottom is where you swipe your Chip Card to record your purchase.<br />
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Big clean oven which on this day had some issues and the pizza took forever to come out. After apologizing to us, the manager was kind enough to say they'll give us the pizza for free for our inconvenience.<br />
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There were quite a few pasta counters 'cause the chefs cook it right in front of you =)<br />
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You choose your pasta type and the pasta sauce, and you pick whether you want garlic, cheese etc.<br />
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The packets behind them are the many different types of pasta they have on offer =)<br />
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Complimentary ciabatta bread =)<br />
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Tada! Our <i>Pollo e Spinaci - chicken breast, onion, pesto, baby spinach in a cream sauce </i>with <i>pappardelle </i>$20.90<br />
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It was deliciously fresh and cooked al dente - the sauce was delicious and even though they weren't that generous with the chicken it was a perfect ratio - less is more =)<br />
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Yay the pizza buzzer finally went off!<br />
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<i>Barbecue Pollo - chicken breast, barbecue sauce, onion, smoked cheese, tomato base, mozzarella </i>$20.90</div>
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This was one of the best pizzas we've ever had, maybe 'cause we waited forever for it =P Super thin crispy crust, super cheesy and not much chicken - less is more again!</div>
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So because they gave us the pizza for free, we didn't get to use our buy-1-get-1-free voucher, and since it was such an awesome meal, we came back again a few days later for dinner. We still ordered one pasta and one pizza.<br />
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<i>Filleto di Manzo e Rucola - fillet of beef, mushrooms, rocket, carrots, zucchini, spring onion and white wine </i>with <i>campanelle </i>$20.90<br />
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This was more like a dry pasta and was quite different to what we expected, kinda like a stir fry with pasta. Was still quite tasty but I guess I would have preferred a pasta with a sauce.<br />
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<i>Gamberi e Rucola - prawns, olives, rocket, tomato base, mozzarella </i>$20.90<br />
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This was super awesome too - they were surprisingly very generous with the prawns, and they were big and juicy too! Like the other one, super thin and crispy base =)<br />
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Vapiano is one of the new gems of Melbourne, it will get very busy very soon here! Bonus is when you pay, you can help yourself to a handful of gummy bears! =)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
8/10 - super awesome and fresh, love how they cook your food straight in front of you =)<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
4/5 - very attentive and polite here<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
4/5 - cool place to hang out, imagine it will get very busy here when more people know about it!<br />
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Will definitely be back =)<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1743951/restaurant/CBD/Vapiano-Flinders-Lane-Melbourne"><img alt="Vapiano Flinders Lane on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1743951/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1453281077685452332.post-84987411316107058782013-04-15T22:35:00.000+10:002013-04-15T22:35:48.206+10:00Kimchi Lunchbox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kimchi Lunchbox</div>
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650-652 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn</div>
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(Ph) 9818 1233</div>
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We've just moved into Hawthorn and were catching up with fellow Hawthorn buddies - I can finally go look in the "East" section in the Cheap Eats guide =) Thought we'd go locally - Kimchi Lunchbox was given ☆☆ by the Cheap Eats guide</div>
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We had walked past it a few nights ago and it was packed but on this weeknight it wasn't too full. It's quite casual here, you order and pay at the counter and help yourself to water here. We decided to share some starters <i>Takoyaki - octopus ball</i></div>
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Even though I can make this at home myself with my own takoyaki pan, bonito flakes, Japanese mayo and takoyaki sauce =P The balls were quite crispy on the outside but the inside was 90% flour and only had the tiniest piece of octopus each - so stingy =(<br />
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We also got some <i>Goon-man-doo - homemade pan-fried dumpling </i><br />
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Interesting Korean dumplings - I asked for some dumpling sauce and the waiter pointed to the Soy sauce on our table hmm =/ it's quite different to Chinese dumplings or Japanese gyoza - the skin is different but was quite tasty and crispy =)<br />
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P decided to go for a <i>Rice Hot Plate - Eating instructions </i><br />
<i>a) Rice is pressed and cooked on the high temperature hot-plate. </i><br />
<i>b) Mix well together with the meat of your choice. </i><br />
<i>c) Flattened the mixed rice evenly on the hotplate</i><br />
(their English is not great =P)<br />
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He went for the <i>Spicy Chicken BBQ </i>$9.50 and requested less chilli =P<br />
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He was starving when it came out so quickly mixed the meat with the rice and I don't know if it's because it was a cold night or whatever, but the hot-plate didn't crisp up the rice at all =( The chicken was alright, nothing too special, but they did manage to give us less chilli which most places say no to =)<br />
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I always get this at Korean restaurants - <i>Bibimbap - means "mixed meat". A bowl of rice topped with seasoned vegetables, meat and mixed with korean chilli paste (gochujang). The ingredients are stirred together thoroughly</i><br />
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I got the <i>Beef BBQ</i> for $9.50<br />
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This didn't come topped with a fried egg like it normally does, but instead shreds of fried egg? lol. The stone bowl wasn't hot at all - the rice didn't crisp up at all - disappointment compared to the delicious Bibimbab's I've had elsewhere (see <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2011/06/oriental-spoon.html">Oriental Spoon</a> and <a href="http://foodlovesmymouth.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/by-korea.html">By Korea</a>)<br />
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<b>Food~</b><br />
4/10 - was disappointing neither our dishes crisped up the rice like they're meant to =( and don't call them takoyaki balls if they barely have any octopus in it! The dumplings are good though =)<br />
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<b>Service~</b><br />
1/5 - didn't really have much to comment on initially, but come 5mins to 9pm, the waiters come and take our cups of water away and really try to get you out of the restaurant =/ we were finishing up anyway but I don't enjoy being kicked out =(<br />
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<b>Atmosphere~</b><br />
3/5 - quite a big spacious restaurant, very casual atmosphere<br />
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C.<br />
xo<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1494633/restaurant/Melbourne/KimChi-lunchbox-Hawthorn"><img alt="KimChi lunchbox on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1494633/minilink.gif" style="border: none; height: 36px; padding: 0px; width: 130px;" /></a>foodlovesmymouthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02746900412099712498noreply@blogger.com2