Friday 23 March 2012

A nail biting decision

Has Melbourne finally reached the point of too many choices? Thousands of restaurants, repeatative cusines and nothing new.


Multiple restaurant search sites such as the famous urban spoon allows us to search for restaurants and reduce it down to the location where we want, but how do you single the one from the other? Is it the menu, the look of the restaurants or perhaps the blogger who has recommended it?


It becomes a nail biting decision, especially when their is a group of you going out together. You have to think of each individual research the menu, look at the gallery on the web page (if they have one) and then finally go with your gut instinct and book it.


I like to live on the adventurous side of life and book somewhere I've never been before, to try something new. Sometimes it is a risk and a complete FAIL, but more 8 times out of 10 we find ourselves a winning restaurant, cafe or bar.


So what is it that I look for to find delicious restaurants to drag Paul along side or friends along too? 


It all starts with the search I guess through the urban spoon, true local sites and reading the local newspapers on the current review. Hours of reading reviews from others then finally venturing to the website of one thats caught my eye and then study the menu to see if anything is striking or is just repetitive from another restaurant. 


Unfortunately I get frustrated to see the same menu to another restaurant, as it shows no individuality to make it their own, and to see the exact same decor shows there is no love and thought into the restaurant, they just think it's a simple game and don't understand what lies beneath owning a cafe or restaurant.


So what strikes them out on my list of possibilities is, a non enticing menu, repetitive decor to the similar cuisine restaurants and in this day and age the no web page. The world of technology that we are in today should allow the restaurants to promote more, and with out this there isn't anything to make my mind choose them from the other that has even just a simple page to show you what they offer.


I undertand that cafe's of coffee bars are not as huge as restaurants and that's where word of mouth comes into play, which is also a big thing in my book. When it comes down to a spot of the best coffee, word of mouth is the way to go. It is stronger than any other promotional angle anyone can take, but be careful. 1 bad experience to a customer and you're in trouble. That 1 bad experience with a customer will tell 5 times as many people than if you had a gave them a good experience.


It would good to see Melbourne get back on track with not having so many of the same restaurants in a few block radious. For example Brighton/ Hampton area has an extreme amount of Italian restaurants to choose from, but a surprising lower amount of pub or food bars.


If you were to open up an restaurant I would think that you would research your area where you wish to establish and ensure your competition is not significantly high so your trade would boom. I have never understood this, especially in small suburbs. Melbourne itself is different where you have Lygon street and China town but it works. The smaller suburbs really should make more of a diverse cuisine for more choice and a more booming trade for the area. 


In the end it does make it difficult for the individual to choose and makes it even harder for the restaurants to get people to choose them over there competition and it's stressful times for everyone. But if the restaurants are lucky to get a foodie through there doors and review it on there blog pages it's a bonus for them and even better for you to choose them over another. 


So that nail biting decision is risk taking, but can be worth every penny if you do your research. The choices are now limitless, and their is no way in my life time that I will dine to each individual restaurant, not only would that be expensive but it would be insane but some what tasty for sure.



Thursday 1 March 2012

A taste of the Valley

The 29th of February comes only but once every four years and so does our Wedding Anniversary. This year was our first Anniversary and everything was going to count to make this Anniversary the best it could be.
Healesville Harvest


Although the Victorian weather was up to it's usual antics, we nestled ourselves in the Yarra Velley to dine on some amazing food and of course it's renowned wines.


A stop in at Healesville Harvest for our first taste of what's on offer in the area. Run by the Healesville Hotel we had a choice of the cafe, bar or the bistro. Going for something more substantial than what the cafe had on offer of bruchetta's and salads although looking tantalisingly fresh, but not so substantial as a full sit down meal from the bistro we met in the middle for the bar menu. Choosing a tasty gremolata crumbed squid on a fennel and rocket accompanied by a bur blanc, and Paul going for what was said to be a pretty tasty yeringberg lamb burger  with caramelised onions, fetta and homemade tomato relish with a ice cold cider. Sitting outside in the casual bench seating, it was a nice way to set off our Anniversary celebrations.


With dinner being the moment where we can have a romantic candle lit dinner celebrating this time as husband and wife we choose to dine in at the Innocent Bystander. There is a casual yet elegant touch to this restaurant/ winery which made it perfect to dine. Candles were lit on a spacious table with modern house music in the back ground. Their new menu has just started of which our waiter was more than excited to suggest multiple items from the tapas section to start off our meals.


So we start our celebrations with an array of tapas dishes: 
Innocent Bystander
1. Sashimi of ocean trout served with black bean and lime dressing topped with wakame & toasted sesame (one word DEVINE) 
2. Rabbit port and pistachio terrine accompanied with pickled watermelon rind and sour dough baguette (the watermelon rind was outstanding and highlighted the dish)
3. Piquillo peppers filled with goats cheese & basil (the soft goats cheese was mouth watering - you can not compare the brilliance to these to the standard stuffed bell peppers from your local deli)
4. Truffle & parmesan frites (TO DIE FOR)


We float away with mouths bursting with so much flavour, unable to speak to each other. It's like we have just had an affair with out food, if heaven is out there we have found it. How could we possibly stop now..... so off to mains.


Innocent Bystander
Pizza seems the way to go at Innocent Bystander with their sourdough bases, lighter than an average pizza base. Nice thin crusts crisp edges it's just to decide on the perfect topping. Paul chooses Dobsons nicola potato with taleggio cheese, walnut, rosemary and Mt zero olive oil. I go for the Pumpkin pizza with caramelised onion, pine nut, barrel aged fetta and rocket. Both amazingly tasty but are our eyes bigger than our stomaches? 


Almost bursting at the seams we decided to take our remainder of our pizza home so we can fit in the dessert, as you can't go out for dinner and not have dessert.


The choice should have been a dessert to share but nope we couldn't resist the temptations of such amazing food, so tiramisu ordered by Paul which was one of the best we have tasted, an intense hit of their own blend of espresso soaked into the sponge and mild mascarpone was a delight. I myself chose the trifle of which was intense after eating so much already. Although delicious it was HUGE. not able to eat it this berry filled dessert with pastry and cream became my everest I could not finish.


Innocent Bystander became our place of heaven in just one night and was re-adventured for breakfast, with a tasty believe it or not breakfast pizza and huevos rancheros - baked eggs with spinach, chorizo, fetta and white beans. A very relaxed rainy morning was acheived as this once candle lit restaurant transformed into a bright day lit venue with casual dining. Filled with house made breads and pastries with a selection of their wines, coffee and much more to purchase.


Yering Station
To end our journey we settle for lunch after a days travel through the hills to Yering station. Set in a remarkable location with views of the mountains. High ceilings with glass windows circulating the restaurant allowing you to take in the breath taking views.


Once again we have given our taste buds a party. Rare seared tuna with eel nori roll served with aioli, daikon, cucumber and ginger. Seared to perfection that this tuna just melts away ans the bursting flavours from the eel nori rolls were just the perfect. Paul drifted away with his juicy tender eye fillet steak with tarragon jus, asparagus and horseradish remoulade and gribich croquettes. With the views and such divine food there is no other way to enjoy the Yarra valley..... or is there.


How about dessert and the views? Of course that's how to do it. For me to finish of this amazing food journey was to be the hazelnut and caramel marshmellow bar topped with salted popcorn and popcorn ice cream, Paul goes for the richer choice of smoked chocolate tart and sour cherry sorbet.


Both amazing and unexplainable. The flavours in both dishes were outstanding and a must try when you travel to the Yarra valley.


Yering Station
I know there are so many more venues out there in the Valley that can take me away to another place, to make my mouth burst with flavour and I know I'll be finding those places in the future, but until I find them all I can say is if you want to have your own heavenly experience try these placed. You will not regret it. Our Anniversary will be one to remember for many years.







Giant Steps / Innocent Bystander Winery on Urbanspoon
Yering Station on Urbanspoon