Sunday 30 June 2013

The Ox is Slow, but the world is Patient

How do you learn to take it easy and unwind? Do you do what I do and have a music Monday, where all you do is potter around the house with tunes in the back ground and phone off the hook. Or do you go for a drive and find somewhere where you can enjoy a good coffee and read the paper and watch the surrounds. This is something else I love to do.

But finding that quaint little place where the noise pollution is down to a minimum and still have fantastic coffee and food can somewhat be difficult. Today I have taken a cruise around my local area and decided to settle in at the Little Ox located in Brighton but away from the centre.

Let me start by explaining my title to you "The Ox is slow, but the earth is patient". The Ox is a universally known animal for it's slow and plodding nature working in fields and rice paddies dragging the plow and get's its job done. The earth it patient expressing the meaning that time does not matter to nature.

I thought that this is a perfect description of the Little Ox, it's relaxed and cheerful environment allows you to take it easy, unwind and slow down. You are here to enjoy your time peacefully.

It's stylish sharp design of grey with bright yellow seating draws your attention to the cafe that sits happily on the corner. It's interior is fresh, inviting with a home style feel. You know the mood is set perfectly when the staff are welcoming and the music has each diner either bobbing their heads or toe tapping. In actual fact I thought a Flash dance could almost take place with everyone in beat to the music.

Coffee is great at Little Ox, silky crema and soft tones from the bean is always perfection and seeing they use Red star I would expect nothing else. Being a Sustainable and Fair trade coffee roaster they are focussed on delivering premium blends to it's consumers.

Realising that although it was late in the afternoon I had not yet achieved eating lunch, so there was no hesitation to scan the menu for something to devour whilst I enjoyed the serenity.

A lot of things were enticing which made it somewhat difficult to choose. A rich gourmet version of a mac and cheese is always a good comfort winter warming dish, a scrumptious burger and daily specials just caused great confusion in decision making. But alas I went for something homestyle with it's own spin.

A plump coconut and parmesan snitzel sandwich in toasted multigrain bread with fresh slaw is a good winner in my book.  Served with a pickle and vegetable crisps it hit the spot and was simplisticly tasty. You cant say no to a good schnitzel sandwich and sometimes we forget how good they are until to have one after so long.

If you enjoy oozing butter goodness then this is perfect. The multigrain bread toasted perfectly with butter seeping into the nooks and carneys making it more glutenous to each. The chicken schnitzel golden crusted and succulent and finished off with a cream fresh slaw is simple at best. The little treasures of the vegetable crisps are a perfect accompaniment and ever so tasty that you keep going back for them. So much better than a serving of fries.

If you are after a little something sweet to make your time even more pleasurable, a display of small bite sized cakes are the perfect solution  Enjoy it with a second coffee, or take it home (that's if it makes it home).

I did get my afternoon treat home of a peanut butter ganache tart. Although it may scream sugar overload warnings, this small tart was beautiful, smooth and easy to indulge in. The dark chocolate ganache balanced through the peanut butter sweetness. It wasn't intense in sugar or sweetness and went perfectly with my cup of tea.

The team here are great, friendly personality and happy to have a chat to you while you dine by yourself but at the same time courteous to know when to leave you be and just check up on you. It's a pleasant environment to spend your afternoon.

I will take great enjoyment returning to the Little Ox. A place where I can retreat from hectic schedules,  to be able to slow down and mossy an morning or afternoon away.


The Little Ox
452 New Street
Brighton
9596 6577

The Little Ox   on Urbanspoon

Saturday 22 June 2013

Go industrial

As time goes by we seem to be on the search for eateries in the darndest of places. Tucked away deep in a lane way or off the beaten track of where you are headed. But whats a good find are those tucked away in the industrial sections, hidden away from large warehouses on the quiet roads, somewhere where we tend to drive through or avoid because we believe nothing would be down there.

Surprise surprise there are sometimes great finds where you wish you had seen it before if you opened you eyes. In disbelief you have missed out on something so good and are frustrated that you didn't find it sooner. 

Fat Bobs sits down a small alley between 2 warehouses in the Moorabbin Industrial precinct and promotes two great combinations, Hamburgers and Beer. Who wouldn't want these in this location. I have a many a time driven through the area not on the search of somewhere to eat but am glad to have been informed about this local fooderie by one of my Foodie friends Nat Stockley

With a feel that a Semi trailer will at anytime be parking up at the front door the walls are showcased with Neon and vintage signs. The decor is playful and endearing which perks good conversations amongst friends as your eyes gaze around the room. Booth, Bar and table seating accommodates all, grab a beer in hand and have a chin wag at the bar or dine with friends with a good sturdy burger and a bevie. 

If your looking for a good quality jam packed burger that is not too greasy then it wouldn't be a bad idea to come to Fat Bob's. The patty is big and juicy using premium meat and finished with layers of lettuce tomatoes and more dependant on what your feeling like. Go traditional or go extreme - mustard and cheese or jalapenos and more.

Two hands are required while eating this monstrosity and am glad that it comes with assistant wrapping of foil to keep it all together. Unlike your McDonald's burgers where mysteriously you always end up eating more of the bottom of the bun than the top and your left with slop in your hands (what's with that) the foil wrapping will prevent such thing.
Now I apologise for the colour of my photos as we chose to sit under the bright pink Jackie O neon sign that used to once be located in St Kilda on Barkley street, so my images are slightly red tinged.

Seeing as the Jackie O sign was so bold and bright it was like subliminal messages for me to get the Jackie o burger, A soft golden seeded bun surrounds the filling of a 190g beef pattie, tomato, spanish onion, cos lettuce, fontina cheese and finished off with glorious mustard, tomato sauce and a dash of Fat's bob's special sauce. Nourishing and filling it hit's every spot for a burger lover.

The Spartun was also on the table in the same styled bun and filled with a 180g pattie, tomato relish, cos lettuce, bacon, onion 2 ways and vintage cheese finished with some good old BBQ sauce. Wash it all down with some good ale and accompany it with some sides and you are set.

Sides are always a good choice if your are looking for some grazing food too if your just popping in for a beer. Onion rings and beer battered chips are clearly the ones people would head to first but I do recommend the Zucchini chips. Bar snacks such as the Popcorn chicken and Corn chips with guacamole are also available.
Service was friendly and relaxed and they are more than happy to fill you up with there burgers. It's a great casual hang out for workers around the area and somewhat an interesting place to check out if your looking for something new.

I enjoyed the vibe of Fat Bob's and am greatful that a friend told me about this place. If I wasn't I would have gone month's if not years not knowing about this funky place. 

My return will be on the cards with fiends in tow. 


Fat Bobs Bar & Grill
80 Cochranes rd,
Moorabbin
9555 0909

Fat Bob's Bar & Grill on Urbanspoon

Sunday 16 June 2013

Keep it simple, keep it real

Some things are supposed to be simple in life and food tends to become one of those things that people think should be complicated. But it's not true. How often have you gone out recently and seen things on the menu you don't know or words that you read and think that someone just tried to be fancy and make up a word to make them look extravagant.

I understand that we are venturing onto new ground, sampling the new beginnings of things all things tasty but seriously, can't we enjoy the simple things in life? Not everything has to be so fancied up that the meal gets lost in translation.

I've located a quaint little place in Windsor where it's laid out with old school bar stools and styled up with vintage quirks that makes your eyes wonder the room. Chilled out tones suited to fit in with the local crowd of opp shoppers.

Parlour Diner provides humble service with a cheerful welcome that is always enticing in any establishment and made a dreary wet day seem less miserable.

Choose from the selection of burgers and rolls and down it with a cold beer or go old school with a choc malt milkshake. Simple and effective to enjoy some down time away from the desk or catch up with a friend.

My choice today was the Lobster and shrimp Po Boy a top of an Asian slaw in a sesame seeded soft golden roll. Fresh and tasty and simple flavours encouraged the taste buds to enjoy each mouthful. Although slightly difficult to eat with the jaw breaking tower of lobster and shrimp pieces atop of the overflowing slaw, but hey I am not complaining. It's a nice surprise to see such a tower.

I'm generally just a big kid at heart and although winter surrounds the outside world there was no passing up the choc malt milkshake option to wash it all down with.

Together with my Po Boy and milkshake (which only bought the husband to the yard), a selection of tasty sides were central to the table to enjoy. Jalapeno poppers were eye watering as the light batter encased the heat of the jalapeno juices which exploded on first bite. Pleasant to not have it stuffed with cooling agents as most places do, leaving for nothing but intense heat with the option to cool it down with some smashed avo if need be.

A good serve of curly fries is a given to anyone really. It's surprising how much curly fries taste compared to just your ordinary chip. I know it's all in the coating but it's still the same base isn't it? If I had to be a chooser between a chip, a wedge, a fry or curly it would have to be the curly. Although I am partial to a good mash but that's another story.

Although slightly more on the modern side of things, corn on the cob with lime and herbed butter was sweet and fresh flavoured.

Lastly on our table was the the Dog, a long wiener nestled in a golden soft roll finished traditionally with mustard and topped with fresh tomato salsa. This long snag was needing to be cut off each of the ends of the dog so that it didn't come back and hit you in the eye on first bite, it was full flavoured and hit the sides perfectly.

Everything was tasty and simple, perfect to meet anyones needs and a pleasant stop off that's for sure. A slight opp shop feel but contained a modern hit still matching to what we are now expressing our needs towards. But in saying that it downs't go over the top and maintains it's humbleness.

I am not trying to be hypercritical on the change of the world and where food is taking us. I just want people to still be aware of the simplicity food once was. I'm all for change and experimenting but food such as this, is something we need to remember.

Try out the Parlour Diner, it's sure not to disappoint.


Parlour Diner
64 Chapel Street
Windsor
9533 2006

Parlour Diner on Urbanspoon

Sunday 2 June 2013

Picture Perfect

Close your eyes and picture a wintery day with a nip in the air, sun light glistening on the icy waters while waves lap on the golden shores. You are relaxing in warmth as you gaze across the coast towards the city with a glass of vino in hand and good company beside you.

Now open your eyes and look around, are you now wishing you could be somewhere else rather than where you are? Perfect.

Well here I am once again telling you their is only one place you can get everything I just described and more and that's down on Half Moon Bay and inside the tranquil and elegant Cerberus Beach House.

With winter on the way, it's nothing but a perfect possie to settle in for an afternoon or on a chilli eve watching storms race towards the coast line, seeing the fog lifting or just gaze across the shores on a cool day knowing that you're a lot more warmer that the outside world.

A gorgeous Winter menu does nothing but entice you towards their delicate sharing dishes for a lunch time feed whilst enjoying a glass of wine and relax. Each dish is prepared with respect to ensure each element is highlighted naturally with out over powering one from the other.

Pan fried Saffron Paprika Calamari nests on a bed of greens with a smear of chive aioli, tenderly cooked and just has the slightest  flavours of paprika and sprigs of golden saffron. An invigorating beginning to our lunch, one to get your palate tingling for more.

Shortly to follow we moved towards some richer more wintery dishes such as the Crispy skin Pork Belly perfectly laid across a bed of warmed braided wombok (cabbage), peas and speck finished off with a delicious sticky quince jus.

If you love your Pork Belly and love crackling even more then this dish is for you. The belly is tender and melts in your mouth whilst the skin golden and crisp does nothing but shatter and crunch as you eat. The warm vegetable bedding highlights the richness of the pork and adds subtleness to the dish. A great  hearty dish for winter.

Something not to shy away from are the Wild Mushroom, Black Truffle and toasted Pine nut Croquettes. It's nothing but an element of surprise as you cut through the soft crisp coating and the essence of truffle escapes and heightens your senses. Delicious mouth watering flavours hidden away in these small gems were one of my favourite dishes of the day. Accompanied with some soft whipped goats cheese only adds to the depth of flavours. If your sharing you will need to get out that measuring tape to ensure that someone isn't getting a bigger half than you when you get the the third one.

A special of Saganaki is on the board today and led to being torn between the baked Camembert dish or the Saganaki. It has been quiet a long time since my last serve of Saganaki and I tend to go for something else as I find a lot of kitchens tend to just undercook it ever so slightly, but means for a less enjoyable experience. But we have out full belief in the kitchen at Cerberus and they have never failed us yet.

Saganaki needs to have a slightly golden crisp coating after it's been pan fried, warm through to the center, soft upon eating with burst of salt and no squeak against your teeth. Majority of the time we get that squeak  and everyone who's had Saganaki knows what I'm talking about, and if you don't well rub your finger across your teeth vigorously until they squeak and that's exactly what I am talking about.

Did you just try it????? Don't be ashamed I did it myself to make sure it did. But I'm at least here at my desk where you could be on a train or sitting next to someone who is now weirded out that you did what you just did.

Cerberus does deliver all the expectations of perfectly cooked Saganaki and was so greatful to have enjoyed it after such a long time. Served with Heirloom tomatoes, pickled onion and fresh lemon.

Now I always leave the best to last (well before I get in to the desserts), and I am not telling you fibs when I say this dish is magical.

Seared Scollops with herb farro salad, honey roasted pumpkin puree and crisp kale. I have died and gone to Heaven. There are bursts of flavour from fresh pomegranate, sweetness from the most smoothest pumpkin puree I have ever had, bitterness from the gorgeous crisp kale and texture from the farro. And that's just the base. The scollops are divine! Sweet and fresh with glistening sear tenderly melts away as you take your mouthful. The most impressive dish I have had in a long time. Remarkable! Hats off to the chefs at Cerberus, truly a breath taking dish.

Dessert and coffee is always a good wind down to any afternoon as you ponder away watching yachts go out and wind surfers in the distance.

An order of Double chocolate Bavarois served with caramelised banana and honey comb was my choice of decadence. Silky smooth bavarois and not too intense in richness was the perfect ending and those touches of honeycomb and banana were truly perfect. But if your looking something more Wintery to finish off your meal then I'd suggest to go for the oven baked Quince, Pear and Apple crumble served with gingerbread ice cream. That ice cream alone could even be better than that of Movenpick.

I can't ever fault Cerberus with it's attention to detail both Front and Back of house. It's always delivering the best whether it's a quiet or jam packed day. Sunday night sessions are still going strong and is my favourite time to get down there. Who wouldn't say no to some acoustic music while enjoying the serenity of Cerberus and Half Moon Bay.



Cerberus Beach House
Boat Shed 212
Half Moon Bay (off Beach Rd)

9533 4028