Tuesday 26 June 2012

It's good manners to share

Growing up my Mum and Dad always told me that I had to share, to share with my sister, to share with the family and to share with my friends. Not that I'm complaining, it's a great chance to socialise and to also see what your friends may have had in their lunch box's that's better than yours and possibly share that too.

After all this sharing, the cuisine of Tapas came into my life and it was the new found love. It's a great opportunity to gather your friends and or family, and get into multiple dishes and have a relaxing evening or afternoon whilst you graze you time away.

I have recently stumbled across a new unique and quirky Tapas restaurant in South Wharf, Melbourne that is sure to be a hit with you all. The Sharing house has an amazing modern European cuisine and of course their name says it all, Sharing! With a layout that signifies its individuality with its Lego bar, a blocked wooden wall and a semi open kitchen with it's blocked white walls signifying a Lego building look. It's casual but modern with low hanging lights and something quirky around the waiter stations along with great staff, makes for a warm and welcoming environment.


There are two ways where you can graze and share whether you are just a table of two or a gathering at the Sharing House, and your waiters are happy to walk tyou through it all. There are small sharing options averaging about $15.00 a dish and are a great way to start your evening or just a quick graze over a vino or beer in the afternoon.

A dish of steak tartare or as they like to call it "Raw meat " a new spin on the traditional steak tartare where the egg sits on top and you enjoy it straight or spiced and usually served with some bread. Here they place egg yolk on the outside of the meat of which has a beautiful creamy light texture that just melts in your mouth. Not served with bread but with chips, although unusual the golden crispy blocks of potato can be cut into baton sized pieces and goes great with the dish.

Not feeling so adventurous then head for the fun and rather tasty "Rabbit and Cauliflower popcorn". Served with a creamy aioli this bag full of light crispy mixture is a fun way to get into your dishes. Neither of the two are over powering but are a perfect match together and seasoned with goodness. I think this dish was the one I was most excited about. It set a great theme to the restaurant and a great conversation starter on the presentation! Served it a paper bag with a dish of aioli is far different from the norm.

Another couple of small dishes that got us started was their "Surf and Turf" which was interesting with a combination of spanner crab and sweetbreads on a light gnocchi. We would have proffered a touch more surf on the dish but the combination was rather tasty. Advised by our waiter to eat a piece of gnocchi with a bit of surf and a bit of turf all together will really enhance the full experience. It was a well balanced and full flavour combination and if you are a fan of rich tastes this could be the dish for you to try. The marinated olives are always a dish that could either be a yay or a nay and usually I'm the one who says nay. Not a fan on the salty fruit but the Sharing House has turned me. Marinated beautifully and a combination of black and green these were actually small and sweet, and a winner.

Our starters were not forced upon us all in one go which was great, it gave us an opportunity to value each dish on there own and not have our mouths confused in all the flavour combinations.

After a small break we head towards the larger sharing dishes which are enough for two people to share and a main meal or a smaller/ medium size portion for four and averaging about $48.00 (remember it shares for 2). The Beef Wellington was a great choice for a winter warmer served with hearty roasted artichoke and heirloom carrots this perfectly cooked medium rare Wellington was amazing. For those who don't know a Wellington or know it as a gumboot and nothing else, it's a beautiful top cut steak usually an eye fillet with mushroom and spinach then rolled in a pastry and baked, sometimes also a touch of pâté for extra richness.

A bouillabaisse was a dish for Kings, served in a stunning large bowl with warm bread, gruyere cheese and saffron aioli to accompany. Serve and dig in yourselves with an ocean filled bowl of mussels, red mullet, prawns the works. It could have been slightly hotter but this dish is an eye catcher and looks and tastes magnificent.

Another couple of dishes to go for are the 6 inch pizzas and the salads. The porcini mushroom was as my friend puts it was  "one sexy pizza". It's a stunner with all focus on the mushroom having the porcini and some brown mushrooms finished with goats cheese and lemon and thyme, it's delicate and intense. A thin crust that I think was either char grilled or done at least over an open flame gave it a further earthy tone that took you to heaven and back. The Mâché salad was a nice touch too with mâché lettuce and watercress with a simple hazelnut dressing went perfectly with everything. Light and nutty we couldn't believe how something so simple could be so amazing. Paul and I know we are returning for the raw meat, the porcini pizza and the mâché salad for sure.

But what is missing to make this the most glorious evening? The dessert of course, I knew you all knew me by now not to go missing on the sweets (I'm sure to be needing a check up at the dentist sometime soon).

A mini cornetto bar selection was my sweet ender to the night, something light and not intense. It is a gentle finisher and palate cleanser of assorted ice creams for you to devour and enjoy, my favourite was the wild strawberry and lemoncello. The other choices by others was the sticky date that was modernised into a style of a Swiss roll, and a very sticky sauce to pour over til your hearts content. It was stunning in presentation and was also a nice light meal ender with its mild caramel flavours. For those who like to intensify the completion of their meals, maybe go for the chocolate delice. A rich chocolate mousse and salty caramel with a hidden surprise of popping candy for you to enjoy. It just adds into the entire experience of this gem of a restaurant.

It was an exciting night out with great dishes and fantastic service. I love the syle and the stand alone quirky design. Who would have known that a restaurant would encorporate Lego as the feature.


The Sharing House
35 Dukes Walk
South Wharf, VIC
9245-9800
The Sharing House on Urbanspoon

Monday 18 June 2012

Not a fast food burger

There are plenty of burger joints throughout Melbourne and everyone will have their own opinions on which one is the best, but one has just made its way onto Chapel street, South Yarra and I would like to welcome Jus Burgers to the city. There lives started off in Perth W.A and was a great hit, along with another 3 places located Subiaco, Nothbridge and Freo, they chose to move and open its doors to start a new challenge.

This trendy little place with its brick graffiti walls and funky back section laid out with fake grass and a feel of sitting at a picnic table is casual and relaxing. Counter service and a menu for all burger lovers to gorge themselves silly with the combinations provided or the ability to make your own monstrosity.

A burger for me has to be outstanding, it has to be something that you struggle to get your mouth around and easy to grasp in 2 hands. It has to be packed with fresh flavours and not to be dripping in fat from the patty. And the most important is the bun, it has to not fall apart on the first bite. It has to stay together and hold the burger in tack for the entire burger experience. None of these cheap buns that you can buy where they crumble from the moisture of the sauce or from the juices of the meat. It has to soak up everything but not get soggy. It may seem impossible as most joints can make an amazing burger but fail it he bun department.

Here at Jus Burgers they have it all down pack. Fresh brioche buns toasted perfectly and able to hold anything that is put into the middle. A juicy meat patty, that is tender and not dripping in oil and then the fresh produce of lettuce tomato and cheese, it's a perfect match.

The main key factor here at Jus Burgers is the No Freezer policy. Everything is made fresh and produce is delivered every day to maintain the ideal perfect flavours that makes a burger amazing. I think this is an amazing idea and wish others would follow in there foot steps. When your looking over the menu lthough you may think the prices are a little higher than others, but you need to remember that it's 100% fresh and it's worth every mouthful. I've said this before 'fresh is best', it's a lot cleaner and healthier for you.

So lets get onto the burgers shall we? I go for the Govnor burger with a perfectly cooked burger patty with crisp lettuce, tomato and Spanish onion, and decided to go crazy and add their suggested truffled chicken parfait along with some good old avocado and mushroom for good measure. Made into a meal with chips and slaw the burger is showcased towering on a plank with a mighty knife jabbed through the centre to hold it together.

The first sight of the burger gives the wow factor in presentation and makes your mouth water with anticipation to sink your teeth straight into it. Fantastic flavours and with the addition of the parfait it becomes quite rich and with the subtle flavours of their house made aioli and relish that's put in every burger it accompanies it perfectly.

Amongst the remaining burgers chosen by friends were the Mullet burger a fantastic choice for the true blue Aussie. Filled with free ranged egg, beetroot, bacon and cheese. The Wagyu burger was on premium choice with hints of wasabi mayo and then we head towards the vegetarian varieties of the Vego with balsamic onions, avocado, mushrooms, beetroot and roast peppers. Cheese is also an option in the Vego dependant if you are vegan. The last burger of the evening was the Temph burger, another vegetarian option which fascinated me. With a combination of marinated papita seeds, cumin, paprika and sunflower seeds made into a patty and finished off with the toppings of lettuce, tomato and onion. The burger looked like it had a muesli bar in replacement of the patty and looked so healthy. All friends agreed that each of their burgers we're superb.

For all the vegetarians out there you will also be pleased to know that at Jus burgers they cook all your burgers etc on a separate fryer.

Now let's talk about the sides, I know they are the small accompaniments to your dish but they need mentioning. Golden crispy chips are hand cut never frozen of course and were served with a chutney, the slaws were good but was slightly disappointed with the slight dirty cabbage texture, but could tell the freshness. And then there are the onion rings, my new favourite. So sweet and golden coated these little gems were addictive. Served with the aioli they were soon to be vanish quicker than your eyes could blink. Here I can say 1 serve is not enough, if your with a friend make sure you have a bowl just to your self to indulge with.

It's great to see such fresh produce making its way it to the world of fast food places, but here I would say its more casual dining than fast food. Great to catch up before the movies down at the jam factory or somewhere relaxing and a cheap eat. Not taking reservations be mindful on the night you choose cause once the word gets out about Jus burgers you'll have to get in early to get a table.



Jus Burgers
364 Chapel st,
South Yarra, VIC
9827-1318
Jus Burgers (South Yarra) on Urbanspoon

Sunday 17 June 2012

Gazuntite


Well it's that time of year again where the cold and flu comes out to play and takes over our lives for either a couple of days for those mild cases or up to a week if not more.

It's never fun that's for sure, breaking down our immune systems and leaving us lifeless. So for all you readers out there I thought I'd look up some remedies for us to get through the winter months and fight the enemy of cold and flu.

We can enjoy the taste of some Popsicles to sooth our sore throats that are prickly, swollen and dry. This will also help us keep hydrated which is crucial so that we can keep the mucus build up to a minimum and feel less congested. Aim for 100% fruit juice with low sugar and we can get more of our vital nutrience that we require.

If your wanting to eat something substantial go towards eating turkey. It's a great lean protein which is an essential to solid nutrition. Although you may think that this is not what you want it can help you give the required body energy to help fight illness.

The vegetable juice is never something to screw your nose up at when your feeling under the weather. Choose low sodium based and it's a fantastic way to boost your immune system boosted wi antioxidants and keep you hydrated. You may also go for a fruit juice too but make sure it's 100%.

Now the good old chicken soup is a long lasting remedy and there is scientific evidence that this is a great choice to have when your sick. Chicken soup has shown that it helps healing and has mild anti-inflammatory effects. It can improve the ability of cilia which are tiny hair like parts of the nasal passage to protect from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic has anti microbial and immune stimulating properties and will provide you with relief from congestion.

Fresh ginger will relieve you from stomachache and nausea. It will also help you with any inflammation. Combine it into your juices or your teas to add extra fight to the flu.

We all know that piping hot teas do us wonders, inhaling the steam is great for our sinuses and herbal teas like green and oolong as well as just black teas offer disease fighting antioxidants. Mix it with some honey and lemon and it can assist sooth your sore throat as well.

Bananas are easy on the stomach and is recommended by doctors to eat when you are suffering from stomach bugs or flu. Eat is plain, mashed up or in slices what ever takes your fancy but is an easy and a suitable solid to eat when your throat doesn't want to swallow anything rough.

The well known oranges and lemons enrich our lives with vitamin c which is important as it protects or cells and boosts our immune system. Now I have to say I can not eat oranges or citrus fruits, but will always have orange juice when I'm at my worst with the flu and proves to work with out fail. I know this is not the ideal way to protect myself from the viruses, but it's the only way I can build myself into consuming citrus. There are many other sources of vitamin c like kiwi fruit which I love. So now we have bundles on kiwi fruit ready to take on the battle.

We all need to boost our immune systems and brace ourselves for the flu that hits you like a mac truck. So what do we need to focus on? What will make us get through this winter and the many winters to come? Well here are some focus foods to enjoy over the next few months to make sure we are well vitamised.

Beta carotene - found in peppers, hot chillies, kale, mustard, carrots, lettuce, spinach, Chinese cabbage, pumpkin and sweet potato. All these assist in the healing of the flu.

Vitamin B - found in bananas, potatoes, lentils, whole grain, oatmeal, soy beans, peanut, peas and luscious green vegetables

Vitamin C - found amongst papaya, cantaloupe, grapefruit, all peppers, brussels sprouts, tomatoes, orange, lemon, limes and kiwi. These fruit and veg are natural remedies to fight against the cold and flu.

Vitamin E - enjoy avocados, sunflower seeds, almonds, vegetable oil, wheat germ, whole grain, olives, hazelnuts, Peanuts and pine nuts.

Zinc - fortified cereals, pumpkin seeds, beans, cashews, chickpeas, peas, kidney beans, yeast, whole wheat bread are all great foods that heal flu and colds.

So now we all know what foods to focus on to prepare ourselves for the winter. Make sure that you all stay warm and rug up. Don't run yourself down at work and make sure you have time to rest. It's when you start to get tired when the flu attacks so we all need to stay rejuvenated and ready to take on the flu head on.

Stay well readers.



Saturday 16 June 2012

Giving back to the farmers & the community

Farmers markets have become a new beginning to capturing flavours of home or organic produce to enrich our lives and take us back to the beginning of where we didn't have to compete with hormone induced meats or chemically grown vegetables. To respect the natural flavours of food and each of its individual simplistic produce.

Recently the Rotary club of Hampton have been working alongside Bayside City Council to run the Bayside Farmers Market which is nestled in the Trey Bit Reserve in Sandringham. This market holds approximately 50 stalls Of some outstanding local produce, held on the third Saturday of each month with some stall holders being regular participants and others changing from time to time.

It's pleasing to see that Rotary is putting themselves out in the community focusing on making a difference. By organising the Farmers Market, Hampton Rotary Club is focusing on raising funds to supply The Sandringham football club with a defibrillator and they will continue giving back to the community as the markets continue.

I've been to a few farmers markets and have often found it to be somewhat repetitive. Although I love fresh produce and enjoy admiring the fruit and veg in its natural vibrant colours of luscious green spinach, red radishes and the eye catching limes and lemons, I want more. I want to see more organic produce made from these home grown vegetables and fruit. I want too see people involving themselves more in showing others what they can make with such good produce. I want people to not only see but to taste the difference against organic produce v's store bought and realise that store bought may be easier to get but the quality is not always best.

Grabbing an egg and bacon sandwich from the Rotary sausage sizzle, drizzled with a touch of green tomato chutney, I begin my walk around the market. The market is quite busy, but not so busy you can't move or see the produce. A combination of gluten free stores, organic meats, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and more fill the reserve.

The produce that's on offer is amazing. Huge perfectly coloured scones sit in baskets with a crowd to only tell you they are as good as they look. A selection of spices and peppers with olive oils are abundant and gluten free cookie doughs and cakes provide tastings to show you how much gluten free products have developed over the years. These days in most products you don't even know you are eating gluten free. There are stores that provide treats for our best four legged friends, and yes these too are all organic. The selection is extraordinary.

But while I was walking the stores there was something that drew me away from these stores. It was the chutney I put into my egg and bacon sandwich. You can make an egg and bacon sandwich and it's just an egg and bacon sandwich. This chutney took it to the next level. I soon found out that this chutney was provided by a store holder, that had more than just green tomato chutney.

'New leaf preserves and sauces' show cased some amazing full flavoured produce from tomato chutney to there new eggplant kusundi. I'm a chutney lover and always choose chutneys over sauces, so it was heavens treat when there was a selection to taste. A try of the pear and cardamom was the first, filled with sweet delicate pears and a spice that stays on your palate. Perfect to go with perhaps some soft cheeses or your roast pork, it was great to see such a diverse variety from other chutneys.

I move to a more powerful chutney of tomato and ginger and wow what an amazing blast of flavour. I was amazed at how powerful this combination was. It was mind blowing with ginger and chilli flavours, 2 of my favourites to combine and then the acidity from the red tomatoes just made it so perfect. Fantastic for perhaps an Asian beef salad or a dash onto your BBQ prawns, this would just take your dish to a new level. New leaf preserves and sauces (www.newleafkitchen.com.au) are at the market every month and is worth some time to try and buy. There's produce is sourced locally and are gluten free. Sold to markets around the out skirts of Melbourne you can easily check there market schedule so in case you run out of the good stuff, you can grab some at there next market.

It was a great farmers market and for all you locals in the area I highly suggest to give back to the community and support the Hampton Rotary club Farmers market. It's a fantastic morning out and a great opportunity to get your hands on some amazing produce.


Monday 11 June 2012

Taste of the ocean

If you weren't already aware of the Melbourne Seafood festival and you are a seafood lover, well your missing out. Melbourne is showcasing the tastes of the ocean for us and you are missing out!
It happens every year and this time I finally got to enjoy it and must admit that it's a pretty good advantage to take part in and theres only a few more days left (ends June 30th).

Based at Crown Casino there are several participants in the festival. Restaurants such as Margo's, Riverside Restaurant, The Pub at Crown, East2West and a few more you can select what you want to spoil yourself with.

We head to Margo's to take on the Festival, located inside the Casino itself on a Friday lunch of which were not taking reservations whilst the festival was on, so it was pot luck to get in. A small wait was required but nothing to get uptight about. This busy restaurant was filled with seafood lovers like ourselves taking the opportunity to gorge themselves in the festival.

Who could complain really? Why wouldn't you go for a 1/2 kilo of prawns for $14.90, or a 1/2 cray for $24.90, oh and I shouldn't forget to mention the Seafood platter for 2 people for $49.90. These are the Western styles you can choose from and there is also a choice of Asian styles too which are priced at the same but influenced by Asian flavours. Bargains within themselves and it's prime time to take part.

As we were going to be eating like the riches we decided to make it even more worth while with champagne and oysters to start (oysters not apart of the festival). It's Friday and we may as well celebrate the end of the week shouldn't we?

We don't get to enjoy Cray very much so we decided to go with the 1/2 Cray and remind ourselves how sweet and succulent this crustacean is. Choosing from either Mornay or Garlic Butter at Margo's we choose the Garlic butter.

Although the flavour of our cray was sweet, I do have to make mention that I possibly would not have baked my cray then put the garlic butter on top. I would have cooked the cray with the garlic butter to enrich it even more. But never the less it was still pretty awesome to be enjoying Cray, oysters and Champagne.

If this wasn't going to be enough for you and wanted more of a seafood feast then go for the Seafood plate with a 2 tired hot and cold platter. Filled with mussels, prawns, fish, salmon, bugs and more it looked mighty tasty and enticing, but prepare to get your hands dirty with this platter too.

If you were looking for a quiet place to dine and indulge in, I would have to say side step Margo's. With the poker machines behind you, and the chaos of the amount of people in the restaurant it can become very noisy. Unfortunately waiters couldn't keep up although the meals were coming out fast, the tables weren't clearing fast enough. This unfortunately was the let down as we were surrounded by dirty tables the entire time, I felt like I was in a seafood mess hall. But this would be my only complaint I would have really. You have to remember also that you are in the the centre of the casino too, so there is no day light so track of time could slip away, and it may also make you a little drowsy with out any sun light coming through windows like restaurants usually provide.


I must say though Margo's do have a very appetising standard menu too and have a great showcase of fresh fish, meats and coruscation's for you to admire when you walk through to your table. Reasonably priced and good servings were seen coming from the kitchen, so it could be worth a shot for me to go back and see what they really have to offer from there menu.

If I've enticed you to check out the remainder duration of the festival I've added the link for you to give you details and venues. Remember though they may not take bookings too, so make sure you get in early so your not going in at peak times of service like 1:00pm or 7:00pm. It's a great thing to check out and enjoy fresh seafood and I'll do it all over again too. Take this as an opportunity to check out some of the venue's you'd never see yourself going to at Crown or have been on the 'one day' list that you may have. It's good to adventure into the unknown sometimes, and you never know..... you  may find your new favourite place at the same time.


For more details on the Seafood Festival venture too:
http://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/special-offers/2259/special-offers

Margo's
Crown Entertainment Complex
9292-7046
Margo's on Urbanspoon

Friday 8 June 2012

4 Venues in just 1 night

To wash our blues away with the depressing Melbourne winter weather, Agenda City put together a Progressive dinner where you travel through the city to 4 different venues (2 new comers in the city and 2 of Melbourne top recognised venues).

Agenda city (www.agenda.com/) is an email magazine that searches for the the newest recommended restaurants in either Melbourne, Sydney or Perth. From small cafes to top dollar venues they always provide you with the latest of the culinary world and searches for the best deals and exclusive offers available. Not only are they able to give you great insight to these bustling places but they guarantee that they've tested it out first before they announce that you should check out the deals or venues.

Starting our evening off at a rustic French inspired restaurant 'Mr Mason', decked with a roaring brick fire place, low hanging copper lights and luscious black leather and wooden chairs and nestled in the 530 Collins building, CBD.  With it's produce driven cuisine we were served with a King Fish Ceviche to get out palate going and served with a perfectly matching Nepenthe Sav Blanc.

This Caviche was luscious in flavours and so delicately cured in lime that it melted away. Served with an avocado puree, seaweed jelly, heirloom carrots and sliced radish, this dish was a perfect started for the evening.  The sweetness of the dish was well balanced with the French oak barrelled 2011 Nepenthe Sav Blanc which had the aromas of gooseberries and grass and subtle flavours of citrus and crisp acidity. A perfect beginning to this culinary evening that's for sure.

Only a stone throw away or a brisk walk two doors up we head to the new and fabulous 'Henry and the Fox'.  With it's slightly more relaxed environment and laid out in cooler toning, open kitchen and long bench seating this is a modern tasteful venue. Nothing is over the top, simplistic is always the key. An alternate main or Mulloway and Pork belly was served with a 2010 Nepenthe Shiraz.

Let me talk about the Pork belly first I think, the one sure to have won my heart over. A very slow 12 hour roasted Pork belly that just tore away when cutting on a bed of Fennel pure, fresh fennel, orange, dill and artichoke. The crackling melted away after your teeth sink into it's crisp coat perfectly salted to add the final touches.

The Mulloway was a sweat and fleshy fish and served succulently with chorizo and chick pea salsa which was combined with an avocado pure and a red pepper dressing. Mulloway is not a fish I have had to often but after tasting this I want more. It's not a common dish you sea at seafood restaurants either and i have to ask why? It was flavoursome and fresh, perfectly cooked where the flesh just melted away and with the combination it was served with it is not one to pass up.

The deep crimson coloured Shiraz served with these dishes expanded the flavours with its full bodied spice and vanilla tones with winter berries such as raspberry, back berry and plums. A perfect match to enjoy both these dishes which are currently on there menu at the moment if you wish to venture and try.

A wintry walk to fed square and time to chat with others about what we've already experienced we make our way to Taxi Dining room with it's and take in the breathless views of the lite up city. A perfect place to enjoy dessert and take in the views and meet a new round of people. I've been to Taxi a couple of times before and it always delivers, and it wasn't without fail that they delivered again.

A tasteful white chocolate mousse with salted peanut caramel and meringue, was the perfect size and not over indulgent to ruin what we had already enjoyed. The meringue was silky like Italian meringue and just toasted once put on the plate and surrounded by basil seeds which cut into the sweetness of the dish. The salty caramel was outstanding and a perfect accompaniment to the sweat white chocolate. Served with a 2008 Tempus Two Botrytis Semillon it was a rich opponent with it's essence of apricots and honey and citrus toning.

To complete our evening we head to Longrain a well established restaurant in both Melbourne and Sydney and it is of course the Melbourne venue where we enjoy cocktails as the finishing touch to the night. Some of the cocktails enjoyed this evening have been on the menu since it opened it's doors and will remain there for years to come. Bar tenders infuse there own vodkas such as the one used in the Chilli coconut martini. Infused for 36 hours with birds eye chilli's then finished of with a long chilli it's sure to be a heart started in this winters weather. It's a clear fresh Martini but if you are not the chilli fan, and don't like your hear go to another choice.

The Ping Pong with an explosion of passionfruit and lychee, is a little bit difficult to drink with the seeds getting stuck in the straw but all the same it was a pleasant finish to the evening. The long life cocktail on the venue it is one of there more famous sellers from the bar.

The third and final choice we had was the Soho la. Now this is a winner if you want something light and refreshing. Served in a tall glass and flavours of watermelon and lychee with a splash of apple juice for even more sweetness it was enjoyable and the perfect finisher for my night.

What a grand night and well organised for it's first Progressive dinner by Agenda. Price wise too it was fantastic at only $105.00 pp it was amazing that you were topped up with drinks through out the night and had actual meals and not samples of the menu. It was fantastic that chef's came out to speak about there dishes or like Longrain there head bar tender came out and spoke about the creations of there drinks. It's great to see others taking pride in there produce and representing the restaurants and supporting the industry.

Restaurants in order of visits

Mr Mason on Urbanspoon Henry and the Fox on Urbanspoon Taxi Dining Room on Urbanspoon Longrain Melbourne on Urbanspoon






A little bit Cooky

Take a moment and picture a small room painted in bold pastel colours like a rainbow, with an octopus a fish and you surrounded by single vased flowers even brighter than the walls. Have you got that image? Well I experienced this in reality and it's what to expect when you enter Heavenly Delish.


This Japanese creperie is decked out with things your mind would not think of putting together, things that will blow your mind and things that you have never heard of and just want to try.


First to begin you need to decide sweet or savoury. If you just thought savoury well you enter onto the path of perhaps a Hot Dog crepe -frankfurters with Jap tako sauce, mayo, tomato, cucumber and lettuce or maybe you like to play it safe and have the same type of crepe but without the hot dog you choose from chicken, tuna or cheesy omelette & ham (all priced at $6.80)


Do you feel like going a little bit stranger? Well how about you try an Original Jumbo Takoyaki, Japanese savoury pancake balls filled with your decision of octopus, bacon & cheese, prawn or hot dog.  Each serve accompanied with a free condiment of bonito, bacon bits, dried seaweed or shallots, but feel free to add more onto your creation (The most you pay is $8.80 plus your extras).


But we don't stop here ladies and gentlemen in the savoury selection, why not adventure into the Deluxe Takoyaki and we hit flavours inspired by countries. You can go extreme with A Japanese hot curry Takoyaki, A Taiwan floss chicken Takoyaki or how about a USA Sour cream and Bacon Takoyaki? There are 5 styles to choose from (max price $10.20 plus extras).


Now what was my choice you may ponder, and I answer with none as yet as I dived into the world of sweet. My ultimate weakness as we should all know by now. So where can I start you, the selections are almost endless.


Lets begin at the dessert crepes, you can either choose from a selection of delights or create your own. I wanted to experience their creations and went for the Exotic green tea - a combination of adzuki (red bean), premium green tea ice cream and vanilla custard all finished off like all their crepes with whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles and a wafer stick. These crepes are not served on a plate for you but in a cone. Unusual but exciting. Slightly difficult to eat as the crepe explodes with it's fillings which are top to bottom. The thing is with these crepes you have to get down and dirty, indulge and devour.


The crepes are light and the flavour combination true to Japanese flavours but the  green tea is very strong and if you are a green tea lover this one is for you. If your not then whisk yourselves to the other 8 choices they give you such as Heaven by chocolate - dark & white chocolate bits, with a Hershey's chocolate sauce, vanilla custard and of course chocolate ice cream. Or maybe the Bananatella is for you - the great combination of banana, nutella and vanilla custard (max charge is $7.30 plus extras). The only real issue I had was the whipped cream, I'm a little fussy with cream as fresh is always best. If you are believer of the same thing you may wish to ask for no cream. Although sweet, it's more of a fake whipped cream texture and flavour and was a little let down on the crepe, but everything else was great.


If you want to design your own, the choices are almost endless. Choose your ice cream flavour from classic vanilla or chocolate to the premium selection of coconut, taro, mango and more. Then choose your toppings that are displayed for you or on there menu (a page full of selection, a total of 36 choices). You can choose from anything from popping candy, raspberry jam, butter balls, little boys (biscuit sticks with a chocolate tip) or a coconut and egg jam. Add as many or as little as you like, it's your creation. If you want it finished off like their creations with the whipped cream and wafer you can at $3.50 extra.


With your mouths all watering away, don't go just yet as there are waffles too. Not just your ordinary waffles, waffles in the shape of a fish, it's way cooler than your standard waffles. Filled with my choice of dark chocolate and banana but are available in many other tasty combinations. They are cooked to crisp golden brown and filled top to tail and fin to fin with gooey melted chocolate that ooze out when you bite through the light buttery shell. It's how waffles should be and even more fun when they are in a shape of a fish (max charge $3.90 each plus extras).


It's an enjoyable quick stop for a snack, not a place where you could spend a full dining time (2hrs) in due to the size, but with it's bright coloured environment it's a great place for a catch up with a friend when neither of you are in the mood for coffee, but want something sweat and also a great adventure for your kids.

Heavenly Delish - Japanese Snacks & Creperie
Shop 6, Don Arcade
672 Glenferrie rd
Hawthorn, VIC
0408-561-663
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