Hardware Societe
Where? Hardware Societe (Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia) Map
When? Saturday February 13, 2016
Who? Darius
Food Style? Rustic Chic-Cafe with some French Flair
As with many Melbourne eateries, the Hardware Societe is immensely popular and often has long queues of people trying to get a piece of the action. I'm here with Darius before church and we've managed to get a tiny little table for two just outside.
Lobster Benedict
Lemon and Saffron Hollandaise, Picked Zucchini, Soft Herbs, Brioche Bun, Poached Eggs
This sounded too delicious to pass up, so I ordered it. No regrets. The lobster is beautifully cooked and the flavours are respected and not overshadowed. The hollandaise isn't traditional hollandaise, but with the strong lemon flavour, it compliments the seafood perfectly. The herbs and greens are crisp and fresh, and the plate is just a well thought out, wonderfully crafted meal.
Fried Brioche
With Blueberry and Lemon Curd
The brioche is surprisingly light and fluffy, but crispy on the outside. The lemon curd isn't too sweet but the blueberries really lift this dessert with its freshness. I like the crumb on the top, it adds some more crunchiness to the brioche. After the lobster benedict, I'm struggling to stuff this all into my face, even with Darius's help, but it's so good that I just have to persevere.
Posted by Jeremy at 12:45pm on Tuesday January 24, 2017 :: 0 comments :: 
Chin Chin
Where? Chin Chin (Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia) Map
When? Thursday February 11, 2016
Who? Me, Again
Food Style? Contemporary Hawker-Style Southeast Asian
I'm back at Chin Chin all by myself, because the current wait for any table is two hours. I actually wanted some steak from Lygon Street today, but I was feeling a bit self conscious because all those places looked too fancy and I wasn't dressed for that kind of atmosphere. And I was by myself too, sweaty from walking everywhere, and given it was Valentine's weekend, it didn't feel appropriate to ruin the night for all the cutesy couples. #foreveralone
Kafir Lime Cocktail
Syrup, Yamahai Sake, Blackberry Liqueur, Pressed Lemon
I've ordered a kafir lime cocktail to start with, because I'm a bit parched from the day's walk. It is insanely busy here, as usual, and very much reminiscent of a busy hawker stall in South East Asia. The cocktail is refreshing and has a very prominent fresh lime flavour. I'm having a very good time. The more I drink, the less self conscious I feel about eating alone. There are couples everywhere and I'm on the corner of the bar, but the important thing is that I'm going to get food and I know it will be excellent.
Crispy Skinned Roast Duck
Cucumber, Spring Onion and Orange Nam Jim Jaew
The duck arrives within a few minutes and I'm impressed with the efficiency. First bite: sensational. So much flavour and the texture is spot on - crispiness is perfect. It's more deep fried than that roasted texture you get with Peking Duck. The cucumber and orange pieces balance the intense saltiness, and I'm way too busy stuffing my face with all of this food that there's no time to write notes. I'm savagely tearing the meat off the bone and I'm having such a good time. It's salty and spicy and sour and sweet, all the the same time, and there's so much going on. The alcohol is also starting to kick in, so I'm caring less about what others think of me. Woohoo!
Crunchy School Prawns
Nam Prik Pla Gapi, Herbs and Crudites
I'm still hungry. I want prawns. I place my order and seven minutes later, it's in front of me and smelling delicious. Crunchy, full of flavour, and "designed for sharing" but please, this is me we're talking about and it is going to be so easy for me to eat this by myself. The stuff in the middle is exceptionally spicy and gives the seafood a brilliant kick. There's shallots, chilli and garlic, and all sorts of amazing spices that I can't discern. The dish is so full of life and excitement, and within mere minutes, it's all gone.
I've technically already had dessert (I was just at Brunetti's having something sweet before dinner, because I'm a responsible adult) so I'm going to stop here. Another fantastic and memorable experience at Chin Chin!
Posted by Jeremy at 12:35pm on Tuesday January 24, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
Shortstop Donuts
Where? Shortstop Donuts (Melbourne CBD, Melbourne, Australia) Map Menu
When? Thursday February 11, 2016
Who? Me
Food Style? Glorious Donuts
It's not even 9am but this little donut shop is packed, which is testament to how amazing this place is. One look at the menu set me into panic mode - there are so many delicious-sounding flavours, how do I choose?! I want to try them all!
The lady at the counter was very helpful, pointing out the specials for the day and the newly released flavours. I went for the coconut cream and pineapple, and the peanut butter caramel. The coconut pineapple one is quite pleasant, very much like a pina colada. It's not sickeningly sweet like many of the American glazes are. The seagulls I'm sitting next to are squawking like there's no tomorrow because even they can tell how delicious these donuts are. I open the bag to get the peanut butter one (yes, I'm eating two donuts in one sitting and I do not care) and it's immediately clear from the aroma that they've made the peanut butter themselves. Lovely and soft with rich flavours, this is a definite crowd pleaser that gets the thumbs up from me.
Posted by Jeremy at 12:18pm on Tuesday January 24, 2017 :: 0 comments ::
Floriditas
Where? Floriditas (Wellington CBD, Wellington, New Zealand) Map Menu
When? Saturday January 23, 2016
Who? My parents
Food Style? Contemporary New Zealand
Following dinner at Matterhorn, we relocated to Floriditas just up Cuba Street for dessert.
Dessert
Tangelo, raspberry and and raspicello trifle
I loooove trifle. There's always a lot going on in this dessert, and a good trifle will expose all the deliciousness in a single vertical slice. Again, great to see their menu taking advantage of the best produce in season - the fresh fruit and custard give that wonderful summer vibe. Even the dash of raspicello (raspberry-cello, much like limoncello) did not go unnoticed, and had even added a slight effervescence that the sponge base had soaked up. Yum!
Posted by Jeremy at 10:07am on Monday November 28, 2016 :: 0 comments ::
Matterhorn
Where? Matterhorn (Wellington CBD, Wellington, New Zealand) Map Menu
When? Saturday January 23, 2016
Who? My parents
Food Style? Contemporary European
We're back at Matterhorn for dad's birthday. I'm constantly impressed by their rotating menu, capturing seasonal, local produce.
Entree
Trevally, Israeli couscous, tamarind, coconut, citrus, chilli
An interesting combination of flavours. Really summery with lots of fresh fruit flavours on the plate - blood orange, apricot, mandarin, strawberry and coconut. The trevally doesn't taste fishy at all, and it's smooth and appetising. Great way to start the meal.
Mains
Wagyu Beef flank, sweet corn, corn brioche, picked onion
Really good. The beef is well respected and definitely the hero of the dish, with the accompaniments highlighting the savoury and sweetness elements on the plate. Again, great summer feel with the corn and picked onions. Everything has been thought about carefully and works well together. The meat is perhaps a smidgen dry, but the juiciness of the corn and the excellent wine match, a pinot noir, more than makes up for this.
Posted by Jeremy at 10:00am on Monday November 28, 2016 :: 0 comments ::