Absolute Perfection

A spectacular and eye capturing glass display show case sweet perfections of cakes, macaron, chocolates and biscuits. Silky glistening glazes and ganache shine under the lights so perfect that you could see yourself in it's reflection.

Welcome to Bibelot.

It is a wonder why it has taken me this long to finally visit this sensation of dessert experience.

Chocolate that runs on tap should surly be the breaking point to visit to anyone who either is the general chocoholic or has a passion for dessert eating.

To the front of the long counter as you walk through ceiling to floor glass doors is the ice cream area where creamy ice-cream is served and smothered with a chocolate sauce fresh from the flowing tap.

Further down are cabinets upon cabinets of decadent desserts and treats, where you drool over and become indecisive of what you actually came in for.

Bright macarons of traditional and unusual flavours fly out the door packages beautifully for the perfect gift or just for you to enjoy in the comfort of your home where you don't have to hide how many you end up eating by yourself.

Individual cakes are perfectly lined in a row, and makes for even more excitement and becomes hard to choose. The flawless cake creations are unbelievable to look at with each cake consistent to the other. Inspiring to all patisserie students and all master chef lovers.

For me it was too hard to choose so there is nothing better to choose from thank the tasting plate selection that was easy to share between 2 - 4 people. Accompanied with a coffee or other hot drink you can relax and catch up easily with a friend.

Showcasing a selection from the cabinet in smaller sizes again, there was nothing but amazing quality and fantastic combinations of flavours.

The sweetness of the cakes are not over powering where you need to stop eating because you have obtained that sugar/ sweetness overload and our body starts shutting down.

Here is is more the balance of the fruit flavours  on some cases the chocolate flavours where it naturally comes through without the addition of extra sugars.

To go amongst friends is a must especially if you love the catching up over coffee and cake experience. I had a magnificent afternoon in the South Melbourne sun with my sister for a catch up, and then travelled through the Market as an additional touch. You may as well, it's just beside you.

And if you don't like having people envy you for going well then the answer is simple. Take something home with you. You can say you brought them something and then make them share it with you so you don't miss out. It's a double win.

Bibelot

285-287 Conventry street

South Melbourne

9690 2688

Polí nóstimos (It's very Tasty)

It's not what you know, it's who you know and for most diners and foodies the fact you can say you've gone to George Calambaris's restaurant you can tell that these people enjoy to name drop.

Greek cuisine is always an amazing choice when you want to experience natural flavours with a slight char grilled flavour and balanced off with acidity and freshness.

Here at Hellenic Republic it all about the congregation of your family and friends and to enjoy marvellous creations of the traditional cuisine but refined to a delicate and exquisite style.

A choice to design your own evening of shared plates or go for the style of designed sharing plates chosen by the team. I tend to always enjoy someone else choosing my dishes, it's as though they are giving me a surprise for the night that always makes it for an exciting dining experience.

A serve of soft golden croquettes that were a sensation within themselves and smoked mackerel on a bed of beans and tomato was a great starter for the evening.

The croquettes were heavenly and creamy and retained that divine golden crunch coating. The mackerel was fresh and brought a pleasant palate cleanse to what was ahead.

To follow was Saganaki with sweet peppered figs. Away from the traditional way of serving with lemon, this lovely piece of cheese served on a warm grill plate achieved everything that you would expect. Delicate cheese flavours sweetened with the glorious syrup and fig. As the plate cooled you gained a slight toffee addition which added that finger licking experience.

Spit roasted Chicken with oregano and garlic as well as some lamb was succulent and tender. Served with tzatziki and slaw these natural flavours burst with great complexion. It was hard to not devour this quickly. Subtle flavours really helped the meat shine it's natural flavours and a slight smoke from the spit roasting.

 Charred prawns and grilled fish served with a grain and pomegranate salad was fresh and perfect. The prawns sang songs of deliciousness as you ate them and took you away on an ocean cruise (almost). Plump and juicy prawns accompanies with the delicate fish was a great way to complete the mains for the evening.

Dessert was a combination of donuts and rice pudding. Golden honey soaked donuts with a light centre, chocolate and hazelnuts was a sweet and joyous experience. To join was the delightful creamy pudding finished with pistachios, almond shortbread and salted caramel
Both were pretty tasty and made for a pleasant end to the night.

Tonights experience lead to be a rather generous and tasting experience of which would make us dine again.

Hellenic Republic

434 Lygon Street

Brunswick

9381 1222

Corn Bread

Ingretients:
1 cup Self raising flour
1 cup Polenta
1 cup Milk
250g Cheese, grated
2 Cayenne peppers, yellow
3 Jalapeño peppers, some seeds removed (dependant on personal heat)
1 Zucchini, grated
1 Creamed corn (regular can)
2 eggs, beated
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Combine all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl. Add milk and eggs, mix until combined.

Stir through cheese, creamed corn and zucchini

Finley chop chillies removing seeds to your acquired taste. 

The more seeds the more bite of heat you will have.

Stir through into mix.

Grease a loaf pan or muffin tin dependant on how you would enjoy eating.

Spoon mix into your prepared pan.

Bake in a 200c oven for 30 minutes until golden and firm.

Remove and allow to cool or enjoy warm.

To serve spread with butter or a slight smear of honey.

The Modern Appertite

Down the hidden path ways of Carlton on a frosty morning was a delightful sensation of what is to be an expansion of the Modern breakfasts that are hitting the Melbourne scene.

Grand wooden doors await ahead of you as you walk down a slate grey cobble path, with a smaller door opened it is almost like you are walking into a scene from Alice in Wonderland.

In the entrance is a grand stand of pastries and bench seating for those who just come for a quick coffee, continue through and you are welcome to a sunlit dining experience with hanging plants, coffee roasting equipment and an overall organic theme.

Welcome to The Vertue of the Coffee Drink.

Warm greetings from staff and coffees on the go as soon as you sit down, you are welcomed like family to dine. The menu speaks Modern and will be hard to beat from it's competitors.

The Morning breakfast selection of Smoked ocean trout served with curried aranchini, soft duck egg and accompanied by a mango chilli chutney had bold flavours which exploded on the tastebuds.

The trout flakes way with a simple scrape of the fork and together with the rick duck egg that has a golden oozy yolk intensified the flavours. Sweeten it up with the side of chutney and balance it with the crisp gems of the aranchini. It is hard to compare it to other breakfasts around Melbourne.

If you love your eggs and bacon but want to adventure to something away from those 2 eggs and short cut bacon strips then perhaps try the Scotch egg. These Smoke Pork belly covered eggs that once again have a rich golden yolk centre shone on the plate accompanied with pig skin crackling, piccalilli mayo, toasted brioche and the most delicate black pudding I have tasted in months.

This glamorous breakfast is far from the traditional and is a sensation of textual elements that lead to a very happy dining experience.

Sides for your breakfast are fairly basic apart from the unusual Avocado with ricotta, popcorn and lemon. Fairly mild and fresh in flavours with the popcorn just adding a very mild corn flavour to the avocado. Diners around were ordering this and smearing it on slices of toast. It's just the next step away from the smashed avocado which gives it the individuality menu choice.

Coffee is medium bodied with a slight acidic flavour from the daily blend. Single Origin and always changing, be sure to ask what blend they are using if you have a specific palate to your morning grind.

A pleasure to dine here and one you will talk about to family and friends. Of course with that pastry display at the pay station you can not say no to taking that something naughty home with you. Donuts filled with raspberry and rose custard..... a very good choice.

With it's doors only being open for the past 4 months, this gorgeous eatery is one you should visit and experience.

The Vertue of the Coffee Drink

8 Raffa Place

Carlton

8060 6987