trish eats...

M Yogo

2011-07-31T10:52:00.001+10:00

We were in Cairns over the Queen's Birthday weekend & made sure to check out some of the local hatted restaurants... including this french jap fusion restaurant, M Yogo.

M Yogo, Cairns QLD
www.matureyogo.com

Metropolis Eating House

2011-07-31T10:45:00.001+10:00

Chef Gabriel Martin at Metropolis Eating House, Brunswick.

Metropolis Eating House
314 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
www.metropolis-eating-house.com.au

Embrasse

2011-03-19T16:58:00.001+11:00

Was keen to check out Nicolas Poelaert's fare amidst all his Chef of the Year publicity...

The Grand Hotel, Richmond

2010-09-18T18:42:00.001+10:00

Currently Melbourne's only pub with a Chef's Hat...

www.grandrichmond.com.au

Attica again - Chef's Table

2010-09-18T08:19:00.007+10:00

This is still one of my favourite, low key, unpretentious restaurants in Melbourne - Attica.

Gold finger potato, olive oil, pickled onion

WA marron tail, egg yolk, chorizo, wild cabbage leaves

Blue eye, shitake, quinoa, radish

Berkshire suckling pig, broccoli rape, beetroot pickle, watermelon

Strawberries, candied almonds, lemon balm

Excerpt from August 24, 2010 Chef's Table:
"None of these dishes have been produced before..." ~Ben Shewry

Chez Olivier

2010-09-18T07:53:00.009+10:00

The agency that I work at had previously done some work with Olivier in the past and it made me curious about the self named 'Frozzie' (French-Aussie) Chef.

Bread starter

Les Escargots

Steak Frites

Cassoulet A La Jacky

(Traditional dish from the region of Toulouse with Olivier's duck confit - definitely the highlight!)

Ile Flottante
(First time I've ever had meringue that was poached - served on creme anglais - SO YUMMY!)

- T

"Escargot - Nobody is sure how this got started. Probably a couple of French master chefs were standing around one day, and they found a snail, and one of them said: 'I bet that if we called this something like "escargot," tourists would eat it.' They had a hearty laugh, because 'escargot' is the French word for 'fat crawling bag of phlegm.'" ~Dave Berry

Vanilla Cakes & Lounge

2010-09-04T12:05:00.006+10:00

My brother currently lives in Oakleigh so we decided to take the family to a local (and very busy) greek-style restaurant for dinner. The food was average, and although they offered a very wide selection of desserts, I don't think it would be a place I would recommend if you are looking for more than a coffee & catch up with friends.

Steak, chips, salad

Seafood linguine

Moussaka

Fish, chips, salad, tartare

The place does get busy, so dinner bookings (especially during the weekends) are recommended.

Vanilla Cakes & Lounge
17-21, Eaton Mall
Oakleigh

-T

"The Greeks' fierce pride in their heritage has kept the basic culture intact. Whether a slave under Roman rule, a captive under Turkish domination, or a newly arrived immigrant, the Greek is always aware that he is the direct descendant of men like Plato, Homer, Aristotle, Demosthenes, Aristophanes. The Greek who begins life in a new land on the bottom step of society as a dishwasher needs only to remember how Aesop left a legacy of poetry while cooking as a slave." ~Theresa Yianilos

Las Chicas... again

2010-09-04T11:46:00.001+10:00

I'm going to stop blogging about Las Chicas because I go there so often and always end up eating the same few things!

What I posted in May and June.

-T

Nobu

2010-08-28T10:21:00.003+10:00

For coffee & dessert...

Green tea trifle mousse, vanilla brulee, almond & coconut meringue, milk chocolate ice cream, lime & vanilla foam

Tofu cheesecake, green tea crumble, berry compote

Mochi - Japanese handmade rice cakes - in green tea, strawberry & azuki bean flavours

- T

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first." ~Ernestine Ulmer

Maze by Gordon Ramsay

2010-08-05T20:32:00.000+10:00

The foul-mouthed chef's first Australian restaurant...

We had the 7 course degustation menu

I am obsessed with good bread. Served here with sea salt and seaweed butter.

Marinated beetroot with goats curd, Cabernet Sauvignon vinaigrette, toasted pine nuts

Seared yellow fin tuna, white radish, yuzu, enoki mushrooms, black garlic

Applewood smoked kingfish, fennel purée, pickled celery, globe artichoke, finger limes

Pan seared scallop, caramelised kelp, samphire, mussels, Champagne foam

Roasted quail, black olive caramel

Pan roasted barramundi, butternut squash, compressed cucumber, pumpkin seeds

Lamb cannon and shoulder, cauliflower purée, anchovy, stinging nettles

Exotic fruit vacherin, passion fruit and banana sorbet

Maze “lamington”, rosella jam

Petit fours - Bite-sized balls of strawberry ice cream dipped in creamy white chocolate!

Complimentary Maze after-dinner sweets to take home

Love,

T x

"Great restaurants are, of course, nothing but mouth-brothels. There is no point in going to them if one intends to keep one's belt buckled." ~Frederic Raphael

Dainty Sichuan

2010-07-24T09:22:00.000+10:00

Known for extremely spicy (and yummy) food...

Left: Spicy, sour salad Right: Cucumber in sesame oil and garlic (served cold)

Clear glass noodles stir fried with minced beef, chilli, spring onions - my fave!

Spicy fish paste egg plant

The only other dish with no chilli - stir fried chicken with mushroom, onions & veg

Spicy crab

Spicy lamb

Hutong Dumpling Bar

2010-06-27T08:45:00.013+10:00

I've been wanting to blog about this fabulous dumpling place for awhile now.

I admit, when I first entered what looked like a clean, upmarket restaurant and was promptly greeted by a friendly smile, I immediately regretted making a booking.

A real, authentic dumpling place should be dirty, run-down and have atrocious service...

...or so I thought.

The customary fresh ginger in soy.

Vegetarian dumplings.

Xiu Long Bao (soup dumpling) is what the restaurant is most famous for. SO YUMMY!

I originally thought that soup was somehow delicately piped into a pre-made Xiu Long Bao, but I have actually been told that solid meat gelatin is instead wrapped inside the dumpling and melts into soup during the steaming process.

Pork dumplings.

Mapo Tofu - A chinese dish from the Szechuan province. Tofu cooked in a spicy chilli and bean sauce with minced pork and spring onions.

Claypot style eggplant and scallops.

Fried long beans with salted pork bits - my second favourite to the Xiu Long Bao!

Spicy salt and pepper chicken ribs.

We are already making plans to return for their Peking Duck - a dish we couldn't help noticing other tables order. Oh, and despite what I've read online - service was polite and efficient. I had no complaints whatsoever.

Hutong Dumpling Bar is part of the boutique Cullen Hotel on 162 Commercial Road, Prahran. The venue is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and bookings are recommended.

Cheers x

"When it comes to Chinese food, I have always operated under the policy that the less known about the preparation the better." ~Calvin Trillin

A weekend in Malaysia...

2010-06-26T12:31:00.010+10:00

As I am about to write this post, I think about the moments just before the plane lands in Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the standard inflight video that Malaysia Airlines plays for first-time visitors to the country.

In the video, TV presenter Asha Gill gives viewers a snapshot of what to expect of their time in Malaysia, and proclaims that "food is the centre of our universe."

She wasn't kidding.

This is not even half of the local delicacies I had the opportunity to eat and photograph during my short visit home.

Oyster omelette topped with coriander, served with a chilli dipping sauce.

Pork ribs cooked in a Marmite marinade.

Pippies cooked in soy, garlic and curry leaf, served on a bed of lettuce.

Stir fried baby kai-lan (chinese broccoli) with garlic.

Deep fried fish with a light soy sauce, topped with ginger and coriander. My favourite!

Spinach tofu and chinese mushrooms.

Bak Kut Teh (literally translates to meat bone tea) - pork ribs simmered in a complex broth of herbs for hours, served with a variety of mushrooms and tofu puffs. Also eaten with the chinese version of savoury doughnuts - yummy!

Rice noodles in a coconut broth, fried fish head, ginger, spring onions and salted vegetables.

Rice noodles in a clear pork broth with pork balls, kai lan, and garnished with fried garlic.

A traditional Malay spread - taken from the wedding reception dinner I attended. All dishes served with Biryani rice.

These are the things that dreams are made of!

-Trish

"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." ~Fran Lebowitz

Las Chicas... again

2010-06-14T16:01:00.003+10:00

I realise I only blogged about my local breakfast joint Las Chicas four weeks ago, but I still clearly can't get enough as evidenced below...

Yes, it's a bagel... again. The infamous BBB (Bikini Blowout Benedict) - two poached eggs on a sesame seed bagel with grilled bacon, avocado and hollandaise sauce.

This was a slightly different take to the regular omelette where all the ingredients are mixed in together. Instead, it arrived as a fried egg with cheese, served with roasted tomato, ham and rocket lettuce. This was very average - would not order again.

More details about Las Chicas can be found in my original blog post.

Cheers x

"All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast." ~John Gunther

Important Message

2010-06-13T19:15:00.001+10:00

I know that I am not alone in my love for animals.

Please sign a petition to help stop plans to build an animal testing laboratory in Malaysia and pass on to your friends.

Thank you.

"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual Kant

Jungle Juice

2010-06-13T18:56:00.003+10:00

I think it is starting to become apparent how much I love bagels.

My favourite local bagel place was and still is Jungle Juice down Melbourne's quirky Centre Place.

I love the vibe in Jungle Juice and the little menus stapled inside old copies of Little Golden Books - a children's series first published in 1942. I remember these books fondly as a kid.

Jungle Juice is located at 20 Centre Place in Melbourne city. I would recommend the McBagel (bacon, egg & Jungle Juice's own special mayo). I also hear the coffee is great.

Until next time,
Eat well and happy x

"No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut." ~Channing Pollock

Mekong

2010-06-06T19:08:00.005+10:00

One of the many things I love about living in Melbourne is the access to great Vietnamese food. I have a number of favourite places, but whenever I'm in the city, I can't go past Mekong for something cheap, quick and so good.

I always order the exact same thing - pho and spring rolls.

Rice noodles, clear beef broth (beef bones, cinnamon, star anise, ginger, coriander seed, fennel, clove) with beef balls, tripe, spring onions and coriander.

As above with chicken breast.

Prawn and chicken spring rolls with lettuce wrap and sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Mekong is hard to miss as it sits right in the middle of the city - 241 Swanston Street - and is open daily until 10pm.

Good night x

P.S. The restaurant is named after one of the world's major rivers (12th longest in the world & 7th longest in Asia) - the Mekong River - which runs through the south of Vietnam in an area known as the Mekong Delta.

"Ask your child what he wants for dinner only if he's buying." ~Fran Lebowitz

Pacific BBQ Cafe

2010-06-05T12:12:00.009+10:00

During my uni days, Pacific Seafood BBQ House was usually the place we went to for special occasions - graduation, birthdays, family visits. It was normally an indulgent meal which almost always consisted of whole roast duck (their specialty), lobster, abalone, etc.

In early 2008, they opened sister restaurant Pacific BBQ Cafe. As the name suggests, this was to be a more 'cafe' style establishment, with tables set up for no more than 4 diners and a substantially smaller menu.

The crowd is mostly made up of students and city workers, most of whom order without consulting the menu (which is made up predominantly of Hong Kong style cuisine). If you are stopping by, you must order their famous roast duck.

Don't even think about sitting to chat after your meal. The manager will promptly put the bill down on your table just as you're about to finish your last bite - that's chinese service for you!

To savour their yummy roast duck and more, visit Pacific BBQ Cafe at 213 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Happy eating!

"When I'm at a Chinese restaurant having a hard time with chopsticks, I always hope that there's a Chinese kid at an American restaurant somewhere who's struggling mightily with a fork." ~Rick Budinich

Monkey Business

2010-05-30T15:13:00.003+10:00

The Monkey Cafe on Chapel Street supports the very serious plight of the orangutans in Borneo. In addition to monkey memorabilia (soft toys, trinkets, etc.) littered around the cafe, you will also notice framed photos of the 17 orangutans Monkey is currently sponsoring.

What does this mean for 17 lucky ones? Protection, food, and the freedom to live in its own environment amongst its family and friends.

Monkey promotes palm oil free products, and both their coffee and tea are organic and free trade. Palm oil is currently the biggest threat to the habitat of orangutans. Find out what I learned here.

Whilst I was impressed with their work with great apes, the food was less than impressive. I don't think I would ever return for a bite, perhaps just a tea/coffee. The service was very good and the host seemed to know most patrons by name.

Monkey is located at 157 Chapel Street, St Kilda and is open daily until 6:30pm. They are happy to provide you with as much information as possible to help support their cause or to become a sponsor yourself.

For more on what you can do to help or to donate now, visit The Australian Orangutan Project.

Happy Sunday x

"Always eat grapes downward - that is eat the best grapes first; in this way there will be none better left on the bunch, and each grape will seem good down to the last. If you eat the other way, you will not have a good grape in the lot." ~Samuel Butler

Match not made in heaven

2010-05-27T08:42:00.006+10:00

I had been to Match a few years ago for drinks and quite enjoyed it. Good service, comfy couches and music just loud enough to fill the spaces between our chatter.

Unable to decide where to go for dinner, we decided to stay and have something there instead.

Linguine in mushroom ragoût

David Blackmore wagyu beef, pancetta, brioche bun, truffle mayonaise

Slow cooked lamb, Merguez sausage, harissa chickpeas, smoked eggplant

Wild barramundi, roast prawns, waxy potatoes, anchovies, watercress

Slow roasted onions, parmesan, cream

I won't bother going into detail about each dish, but I will say it was all very average and lacked flavour. I will be happy to continue to head there for drinks, but I wouldn't ever stay for a meal.

Match is located at 249 Lt Lonsdale Street, Melbourne and offers free WiFi, table service and a great balcony with views of the city. To find out more, visit www.matchbar.com.au

Eat, drink & be merry x

"What is patriotism but the love of the food one ate as a child?" ~Lin Yutang

Pearl

2010-05-25T09:09:00.004+10:00

In 2010, Pearl moved up eight spots to place at number 18 of the Australian Gourmet Restaurant Traveller Guide's Top 100 Best Restaurants in Australia list and again received Two Chefs Hat status from The Age Good Food Guide Awards. Thanks to Australian-born head chef and co-owner Geoff Lindsay, these are just two of of the many awards Pearl has reaped since opening its doors in 2000.

Lindsay grew up in Warrnambool, south west of Victoria and is "a fifth generation Aussie boy who is seduced by ginger, chilli and palm sugar, turkish delight, chocolate and pomegranate."

The chef believes his food is intrinsically Australian. "It is multicultural and layered with influences from all over the world, and spiced with a new frontier enthusiasm."

Complimentary eggplant starter

My tartare of hopkins river beef, beetroot shoots & quail egg yolk with soldiers

Slow braised beef cheek with hot & sour salad, hand rolled rice noodles

Roast red duck curry, crispy fried egg, shallots, mint, lime, sweet fish sauce & coconut rice

Having read rave reviews about their duck curry, I was excited to finally taste it. This was definitely the star of the night. We were instructed to mix the curries with the sauces as we went along to create as much flavour/heat/spice as we liked. And to finish with raw white cabbage to cleanse our palates.

Pearl is located at 631-633 Church Street, Richmond. If you are after something a bit more casual, the Pearl Cafe is situated a few doors down (599 Church Street) and is open daily for breakfast and lunch. For more, please see www.pearlrestaurant.com.au

Dinner Menu

Entrées - From $22

Mains - From $36

Sides - From $11

Desserts - From $17

Cheers x

"Hunger is the best sauce in the world." ~Cervantes

Attica: The World's 73rd Best Restaurant 2010

2010-05-24T11:25:00.008+10:00

In April of this year, Attica was one of three Australian restaurants - and the only Melbourne restaurant - to make it on to the San Pellegrino World's Top 100 Best Restaurants list. Coming in at number 73, this is Attica's first appearance on what many consider to be "The Oscars" of the food industry.

Head Chef Ben Shewry believes in making nearly everything from scratch, and heads out daily with his team to pick ingredients. "We have up to ten wild ingredients on our menu each day... We will cook things to order that most chefs or restaurants wouldn’t do. But that’s what we decide, when we look at a product or ingredient, and determine it needs to be cooked fresh."

To accompany the bread starter, salmon cream dip (left) and butter (right)

Prior to our first course, we received a complimentary starter of carrots, radish and potatoes.

This dish was simply titled "Snow crab". Inspired by Mount Taranaki in Shewry's native hometown of New Zealand, this dish is made up of snow crab, salmon roe, horse radish powder and coconut. The combination is like nothing I have ever tasted. I heard the diner on the next table describe it as "astonishing".

"Potato cooked in the earth it is grown in." A perfectly carved creamy potato cooked in earth for about 8-10 hours served with white cabbage, goat cheese, dried saltbush, smoked trout pieces, sprinkled coffee grounds & ashes from charred coconut husk.

Bass groper sitting on a candied lemon, cooked in chorizo stock & served with garlic, almonds & rosemary flowers

Beef served with sesame paste, black potato, chinese veg & miso sauce

Shewry's take on the simple apple crumble - cooked apple topped with warm shredded wheat. I thought it was a lovely touch when the chef himself came out to introduce & serve the dessert.

Dark chocolate fudge with black sea salt. I'm not a dark chocolate person, but I would gladly have this anytime.

Attica is located at 74 Glen Eira Road, Ripponlea and is open for dinner Tuesday - Saturday.

Chef's Table (Tuesday) - $125 with matching wines or $80 without
5 Course Tasting Menu (Wednesday - Thursday) -$155 with matching wines or $95 without
8 Course Tasting Menu (Wednesday - Saturday) -$235 with matching wines or $140 without

For further details, see www.attica.com.au
Happy eating x

"An empty belly is the best cook." ~Estonian Proverb

Las Chicas

2010-05-23T14:09:00.006+10:00

I woke up this morning craving warm, toasted bagels so we decided to get up and take the 5 minute walk to our local breakfast joint - Las Chicas.

Once inside, I am instantly warmed by the smell of fresh coffee and grilled bacon. The noise level is high today and the friendly buzz of music and chatter is contagious.

English Breakfast Tea - My Sunday morning staple

Salmon Benedict - Two poached eggs with smoked salmon & hollandaise on a poppy seed bagel

I can't seem to break a habit of ordering anything with salmon for breakfast. I think it could be because I grew up with having bacon/ham all the time.

Traditional - Ham, cheese & tomato on a toasted sesame bagel

I left Las Chicas very satisfied, although I thought the portion of salmon was much smaller than what I was used to.

Las Chicas have an extensive breakfast menu with highlights that include the popular Breakfast Burrito and Bikini Blowout Benedict made with free range eggs.

You will find them at 203 Carlisle Street, Balaclava. There almost always is a line on weekends, but the wait is generally short and service is quick once you are seated. Open daily from breakfast through to lunch.

Cheers x

P.S. The hole in the middle of every bagel is a design that is a hundred of years old and has many practical advantages: more even cooking/baking, and if you thread a string through the hole, the bagels can be transported easily or strung together for more of an appealing window display.

"The bagel, an unsweetened doughnut with rigor mortis." ~Beatrice & Ira Freeman

Jacques Reymond

2010-05-20T12:40:00.024+10:00

Housed in an old Victorian mansion (circa 1880), Jacques Reymond's self named restaurant features three beautifully adorned dining rooms complete with open fireplace, and surrounded by lush landscaped gardens.

Earlier this year, Jacques Reymond was awarded Restaurant of the Year and Three-Hat Restaurant Status (for the fourth consecutive year) at The Age Good Food Guide 2010 Awards.

Born in Burgundy, France, the chef and published authour believes in taking a new approach to fine dining... and the result is a menu consisting of only entrée sized dishes. "The idea is to allow the guest to sample a wider variety of dishes in a more dynamic and accessible way."

This was the best bread starter I've ever had at a restaurant. I would liken it to the texture of the pastry used for cream puffs, but so much better. Airy and light with a mild taste of cheese.

Lemongrass, spinach & rock lobster soup, fragrant Tiger prawn,
sweet potato & turmeric ice cream.

Sandwich of spanner crab, mirin & fresh wasabi jelly,
lacquered Petuna ocean trout, black bean and sweetcorn dressing.

Wild barramundi, almond & bush mountain pepper caramel,
yoghurt & black garlic, kaffir lime & lemongrass espuma.

Pekin duck & Hervey bay scallops, peking juices, spiced marshmallow like a crêpe, crispy rice, ginger sesame & pandan oil.

Highland venison like a warm carpaccio, horseradish mustard dressing, butternut pumpkin with honey & bitter chocolate beignet.

Western plains suckling pig & tamarind, celeriac & bitter almond,
dashi apple veil, dancing bonito flakes & rosella chutney salad, cavalo nero.

Pacific Rim martini of pineapple, passionfruit & banana,
liquorice ice cream & honeycomb.

Millefeuilles of chocolate: white chocolate mousse, pure Caribbean chilli ice cream, dark chocolate mousse & praline ice cream.

Petits fours

Reymond's team were so attentive our glasses were never less than half full, and our bread baskets always filled. The chef himself made many floor appearances throughout the night, always with a smile or a friendly word to his guests.

Jacques Reymond is open for dinner from Tuesday-Saturday, and lunch from Thursday-Friday. You will find them at 78 William Road, Prahran.

Degustation Menu - $265 with matching wines or $170 without

Degustation Menu (Vegetarian) - $225 with matching wines or $130 without
À la carte Menu - $98 for 3 courses/$125 for 4 courses/$150 for 5 courses

The restaurant offers an extensive wine list selected by restaurant sommelier, Nathalie Reymond, who also happens to be Jacques' daughter. For further details, visit www.jacquesreymond.com.au

Bon appétit.

"Sleep 'til you're hungry, eat 'til you're sleepy." ~Author Unknown

Mad Mex: My new fave fast food joint

2010-05-17T11:46:00.014+10:00

I LOVE MEXICAN FOOD.

After hearing rave reviews about Mad Mex in Sydney, I was excited to finally head to their first Melbourne store on Chapel St...

And to see in person their much-talked about Corona Chandelier - a chandelier made up of empty Corona bottles...

Mad Mex allows you to build your meal as you go along. You start by picking a burrito or taco, then you choose the meat, veggies, sauces and other extras.

Above is a terrible photo of three very yummy crispy tacos:

1) Chicken seasoned with their very own Chipotle Adobo Marinade

2) Slow roasted shredded pork traditional style, with garlic, onion, lime & cumin

3) Freshly grilled to medium steak marinated in citrus, garlic & spices

All topped with fresh lettuce, Chilli Corn Salsa (fresh corn, pineapple onion, coriander & jalapeños) and cheese.

Rest assured, Mad Mex makes tacos better than I take photos.

A burrito made up of spicy slow roasted beef with robust Chipotle, garlic, cumin & tomatillo, Mexican rice, cheese, lettuce & sour cream.

If you are in Melbourne, visit Mad Mex at 131 Chapel Street, Prahran. Open daily from 11am. Sydneysiders will find their local Mad Mex in Blacktown, Castle-Hill, Macquarie Centre, Tuggerah, Circular Quay and Darlinghurst.

Burritos - From $7.90
Tacos (Soft) - From $8.90 for 2
Tacos (Crispy) - From $9.90 for 3
Nachos - From $10.90
Quesadilla - From $8.90
Kids meals - From $3.90
Desserts - From $4.50

For more information, visit www.madmex.com.au

Hasta Luego!

"In Mexico we have a word for sushi: bait." ~José Simons