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

Heighten the Senses

Isn't is amazing how our 5 senses are continuously working every minute of every day. I think they work harder than ourselves at work to be honest.

Everyone eats with their eyes, when it's fancy on a plate there is no doubt your mind will tell you its going to be delicious.

When you hear the surrounding people talk about their meal, your mind will believe them.

Smells and aromas that carry though out the restaurant activates the taste buds making you get anxious about where your dish is and changes you to all of a sudden be starving.


I recently went in and stopped at North Melbourne's new addition to the cafe scene "Mork Chocolate". A cafe dedicated to our grand chocolate lovers.

This quaint modern establishment is a place where you can catch up with a friend for an hour over petite cakes and of course chocolate beverages galore. Choose anything from a unique chocolate soda to the usual hot chocolate.

Start your dining experience with coco infused water to cleanse the palate and to get you ready to enjoy the rich chocolate goodness.

I had to go for something different that you wouldn't find in any other chocolate cafe and that was the Chocolate Soda. This lightly sparkling mineral water was infused with a bitter chocolate and a side of in house syrup to heighten the sweetness at your leisure. Unusual to say the least however interesting all the same and it works.

At first I was unsure whether I was meant to expect something like a spider after seeing the fizz the chocolate created when added to the soda, but it was far from that.


You can not compare it to anything from your childhood memories of chocolate and sodas. The flavours are rich and genuinely intense, but pleasantly enjoyable.

A lovely little brûlée tart was the perfect match as suggested by the team. creamy custard centre under a golden brûlée top and shortbread biscuit base.

The other unusual chocolate drink that caught my eye was the smoked chocolate. Smoke caught under the glass and chocolate served on the side was a magical experience. As the glass is turned the smoke awakened your senses but caught enough that when chocolate is added the fusion begins. Add a little salt to the glass and the experience has begun.

You can never say no to the accompaniment of a toasted marshmallow either. It makes you feel like you should be back on your school camps. Smoke of a camp fire and toasting your marshmallows while sitting on the logs. It's a perfect memory to be placed with this drink.

Although the menu is not extensive than a usual cafe, it is not needed. It is an indulgent place where you can not go to the extreme to  have everything on the menu, although you may think you should.

I did 2 chocolate drinks and both were as rich as each other, you can't really go for a third unless you are an extensive chocoholic and are crazy.

The best thing about this is that you would return. I'm already scheduled to go again to take my sister and she is a Chocoholic, so I will be interested to see how she goes.

I think I will be going for the Layered chocolate of chilled dark topped with warm custard or perhaps the A chocolate bar of hot chocolate with hazelnut and caramel. Who knows?

The team are great and can help you with the right selection and matching cake to go with what you choose. So don't be afraid to ask questions. You have to get the pairing right, it will make your experience even more exciting.

Mork Chocolate

150 Errol Street

North Melbourne

9328 1386

Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos

Summer time for all of us is knowing those heat waves are on the way. We prepare for the worst, venture to the pools and beaches, test the air cons and get the BBQ's on.

It's a time where all of us understand each others frustration as we all reach the breaking point of too much heat. The sleepless nights, the mosquitoes, the constant cancelation of trains and trams where you are left under the blazing sun that just becomes the icing on the cake.

So how do you cool down? Is it with an ice cold beer with a fan on your face, is it ice baths and cold showers or is it eating bucket loads of ice cream from the container with a spoon?

On those even light barmy nights around the streets of Fitzroy you will find most of the locals being drawn to one place, Gelato Messina.

An array of cold sorbets and creamy ice creams are before your very eyes. From Pear and rhubarb, Blood Orange, Nought to just plain Chocolate. It's every kids dream and a saviour to all those who are suffering from the heat.

A daily special board of eye opening flavours are on the back wall that will confuse you even more trying to choose the perfect flavour combination.

Cues are out the door and along the street just to get their hands on some of this beautiful ice cream.

I have been there a couple of times now and even taken a pack for home and am impressed with the flavour combinations.

The sorbets are fresh, flavoursome and exactly what you expect. There are no hidden flavour enhancers that would disturb the balance of the bitter fruits or sweetness.


The Ice creams are more playful on the palate, sure you always need to offer your vanillas and your chocolates but things get very extravagant here.

Ice creams that experiment with combinations such as banana, peanut butter and chocolate for example is no where to be found anywhere else, well that I have seen anyway.

Ice creams with whipped cream and brioche swirled through a strawberry sorbet makes it seem so dainty, and it's as though I should be enjoying this at a ladies high tea.

If you always wanted a birthday cake as an ice cream cake, then here is another option for you. Mind blowing designs with extraordinary flavour combinations are available and I know I will be getting one for this years Birthday Celebrations.

If you are not one for cues then go earlier in the day and not the peak dessert times where those dining on Smith street will leave their restaurants, grab and ice cream and roam the streets with friends.

It's worth venturing there and more than once. People are consistently talking about Gelato Messina and I also will admit that I am too a fan, so much so there Cookbook sits on my coffee table and have already begun my plan to become an at home Messina Ice cream maker.

Gelato Messina

237 Smith Street

Fitzroy

9017 5470

So long, Farewell

Seven years I have been a citizen of the picturesque Black Rock, but it is time to pack my things and bid the farewell.

It is surprising how there are things that you will miss, thing that you remember and things that you know will be better. Black Rock is where I became officially a wife and started me married life, where I raised 2 beautiful cats (one of which I lost) and where I started blogging, nestled in the back room listening to tunes and thinking about my food adventures.

There are places I have made my local rituals and wish I was not leaving them behind, but it's not good bye forever I am sure. It will become my meeting ground, being the 1/2 way point between family and friends on the Peninsula and me returning from my new home grounds in Brunswick.

The places that I will always have in my heart, are those I hope all the locals will continue to support, and for others get to visit and enjoy the exact superb service and food that I did while living in the area.

Breakfast treats are always best at the Parlour Milk Bar & Kitchen, the Ahoy there always being out favourite with large servings of smoked salmon over a potato rosti with egg and hollandaise. Silky smooth mild roast coffee and of course bubbly attentive staff. Enjoy a succulent lunch here with friends or gather round for the afternoon chin wag.

Lunch & Dinner are always amazing, and was lucky to get to know the Masters of Cerberus Beach House. Serving luscious seafood and more, city quality meals at prices that you would have to look twice at. Premium service and efforts are placed into every inch of Cerberus to wow and amaze you. Souffles were always my weakness, along with the seared scollops with crisp kale & pomegranate. Sunday nights enjoy the voluptuous live tunes as dine. Those romantic evenings are a blessing, or great for those family dinners that wont burn a hole in your pocket.

Dessert never fails you when you head to Davey Macs. But who said dessert? I mean you could enjoy this any time of day, breakfast, lunch or dinner. Davey Mac surely puts his heart and soul into every scoop of ice cream. It is the best ice cream in the bayside district and maybe even further. Cherry Yoghurt, Dark Chocolate sorbet and the Christmas Pudding were the loves of my life in ice cream world. There is no wrong flavour served here or even chose here, every flavour is a winner. My fondest part was getting tubs and sitting back on the sofa watching chic flicks, or walking along the cost with my sister cone in hand.

You know your a local and have become a regular when people remember your name or even just your face. You feel welcome every time no matter how busy they are, their is always time to chat. Every one of the above, assisted in making Black Rock my home and it's sad to say good bye. But as I said it earlier, it's not good bye forever I will be returning.

I just want to make sure that these places are not forgotten and are continued to be supported by those who can get there more often than I. 

It's best to support your local shops, it maintains the growth and development of your community.

Watch out Wonka

It may not be a store filled with candy, but Lux bite better start to watch out for their own Slugworth because anyone who's any one would want to be sending in their own spies to try and get there hands on the creations that are showcased.

You can't say no to an offering of cakes or macarons, and if you can then you have a lot of self control. A warm afternoon lead me here with a friend and our eyes were opened and excitement set in, like a child in a lolly shop wondering what they could buy with their 50c. Well it may not be 50c but the cakes and macarons only make you desire all things indulgent.

It was suggested to us to go all out, and sure if someones telling us to do it why not go for it. A tea set for 2 will set you back about $48.00 and believe me, it's worth every penny. Each bite of this delicious deal takes you on a journey to places of decadence.

We start with 2 of their gourmet finger sandwiches, one being a Bamboo charcoal brioche filled their housemade pork jerky, fresh cucumber and kewpie the other a finger sandwich filled with delicate mushrooms in a light sauce.

What was different was the Bamboo charcoal brioche, I've loved the traditional french sweet bread but this is a brand new level of enjoyment. Smokey hints and of course the black colour entices you to just get into it and enjoy it. A great artistic invention to make Lux bite stand out from the rest of the cafe's or cake shops in the Melbourne precinct.

From here we move onto our selection of macarons, a selection of any 4. My choice was the Peanut butter and Jelly and Pineapple, lemon and ginger. My friends Jaffa and Coffee.

These Macarons have the WOW factor! Even Adriano Zumbo (one of my inspirations in the culinary world) say these Macarons are good, and he's a master. A light crisp shell is filled with gorgeous silky and mind blowing centres. They are fresh and each mouthful makes  you close your eyes in enjoyment.

My Peanut butter and jelly was exquisite, not too sweat but so buttery and laid with a jelly piece. The Pineapple, lemon and ginger is a like a summers day or a ray of sunshine. Light beautiful flavours showcased and balanced perfectly. All 3 flavours are strong on their own but they have found their tri pod of a marriage and brought them perfectly together.

The selection of flavours are extraordinary. Sour strawberry, oreo, toast, bamboo and more. If you don't like cake well I think you should at least go in and get a macaron.

To finish off our tea set we got to indulge in 2 cakes of our choice. A Banoffee Opera was my top choice and a Meringue Madness was the next to follow.

The Banoffee Opera..... what can I say? Actually I will bring you insight from what my friend said after she watched me take that first mouthful. "Did your mouth just have an orgasm?" Well maybe it did, but I never kiss and tell.

Layers of silky shimmering banana ganache, salted caramel and hazelnut sponge with hints of cayenne pepper. The classic Opera cake has been re-created to bring something tremendous. On first bite their is light flavours of banana which is taken over by the salty caramel and perfectly finished with the chocolate and the cayenne pepper places hints of spice on the back of your throat.

The Meringue madness was light and delicate. To recall this I believe it to be a green tea base with a sour raspberry mousse in cased with light meringue. A fine choice for a summers day.

This was also accompanied by a choice of beverage of which the Orchid Vanilla is a very fine choice to set everything together perfectly. When did tea get so fancy? Large cups are bought to you with the bag on the side, and although you may think well it's just tea. Open your eyes and see the difference in this presentation to the cafe next door where they just plunk the bag in a pot and serve it. It's cute and sets the mood.

It's a place to go, perfect for that girls day afternoon or a tranquil bite. And as Lux bite mention....... Life's too short. Eat Dessert first. I hold them to that.

Lux Bite

38 Toorak Road

South Yarra

9867 5888

My Happiness

It's amazing how subliminal messages can cause you to think and react and make you want something although you don't really need it. Well I walked past a Gelati van and although not subliminal I wanted ice cream, but not just any ice cream..... Davey Mac's ice cream. I found it a perfect match when I entered and Powderfinger's My Happiness was on in the back ground as this truly is My Happiness.

Black rock has always needed an ice creamery as my husband and I have said after living here for 5-6 years and am glad to see that us locals have scored a good one. The Artisan ice creamery makes all delectable flavours on the premises and although it may be a little chilli at the moment you should go down and indulge in these delicious creamy tasteful ice creams.

For summer Davey Mac's is open every day til about 10pm, and winter trading makes them close earlier and closed Mondays, but their is still a every chance for you to get down and to indulge in there delights. You don't have to get a cone or a bowl and eat it their and then, what we love doing is getting the take home packs and indulge on the couch back at home watching a movie especially at the moment. During summer grab a cone and go for a walk on the foreshore, it's perfect.

With about 20 flavours to choose from every day there is sure to be something that interests you. But don't expect it to always be there. With such a high demand in multiple flavours the are not always going to be there and as they make on premises they choose to bring in new exciting flavours to give you something new.

My top three flavours are the Dark Chocolate Sorbet, The Mandarin Sorbet and the Cherry yoghurt. Let's start with the Dark chocolate shall we, one that is very popular since coming out and we always ensure if it's on display that we grab it. Very chocolatey but as it's a sorbet it's not as heavy and you could eat so much of this it's unbelievable. What we love about it is that you can't see it in any other ice cream parlor which makes it so much more exciting. It matches perfectly with either a fruit based or creamy flavour ice cream.

The Mandarin sorbet is just like your eating the actual fruit. So vibrant in colour and intense in flavour it's truly a summers treat. It's just like your having a frosty fruit as it's just so refreshing. In actual fact all their fruit based sorbets are just like this, passionfruit, mango even the banana. The flavours are powerful you would never think you were having an ice cream.

Now the Cherry Yoghurt is separate to the ice cream or sorbet, it's sour cherry and vanilla creamy yoghurt is amazing. Perfect to go with a fruit pudding or on top of some fresh berries or even a chocolate tart perhaps. It's smooth creamy and not to rich or heavy. Not like your old school frozen yoghurts it's a lot softer and easier to consume.

Each time we visit there is always something new to try such as there malt flavour which is out at the moment, mix it with some chocolate and you've got yourself a choc malt milkshake almost. If you aren't a fan of that dark black licorice ice cream you get in other ice creameries then I suggest you try it here, it's unbelievable and the best I've ever had. Not so intense in aniseed flavouring, it's natural in colour not black and just has hints of licorice pieces. Coconut has actual coconut through it too. Going here makes it almost feel like it's Willy Wonka but in ice cream "raspberries taste like raspberries and the snozeberries taste like snozeberries".

You get the exact natural flavours that you expect to get when eating ice cream and isn't filled with fake colourings so it's good for the kids too. So glad it's located only a few blocks away cause in summer time those late walks are going to be rewarding with an ice cream in hand.

Davey Mac's

602 Balcombe rd,

Black Rock, VIC

9589-0636

I scream, You scream, We all scream Ice-Cream

I was recently invited by my sister to join her on the adventures to find the BEST ice-creameries in Melbourne, who would say no to that? Well perhaps someone who doesn't enjoy the frozen cream or ice based product because it's too cold or they get freeze head-aches....... but not I.

Gelatissimo

Guns blazing, list in hand we set out on our expedition for a day of ice- cream eating. First stop Gelatissimo, located on busy Lygon street, this small gelati shop is jam packed with amazing flavours of ice-cream or sorbets. When arriving the store was bare, but something must have enticed everyone to come in within moments of arriving...... maybe it was us??? A packed container of 3 scoops of Biscottini, toffee malt and creme brule I figure why not just over indulge myself and get a scoop of Hot Nutella to complete the experience. This ice-creamery had a fantastic variety and each one sure to be as delicious as each other, I do remember going there in 2011 and trying vegemite flavours ice-cream, although bizarre it was an experience to even just say you've had it.

Shortly to follow we chose to go to a store that was recommended for a visit. Located in Brunswick east, we would not have considered to venture to this part of Lygon street for Gelati, but a quick stop into Gelobar was on the list. Slightly disheartened on our experience we were still pleased with our choice of apple pie and Zabiglione flavours. We found this to be slightly more softer and less creamy than that at Gelatissimo, and still had pleasure sitting out side and devouring it all. We think that perhaps with a little bit more clearer signs and some more atmosphere this parlour could become a great place to visit. And if your not into ice-cream well they have mini cakes and slices too, so you don't have to miss out.

Passionflower

Starting to feel the hit of sugar and feeling engorged in ice- cream heaven our trip took us through to Passionflower located on Bourke street. Amazed with there different flavours such as black sesame, sticky rice or milk tea, we thought it was going to be an adventure on its own.

This ice-creamery has it's own originality that you can not beat. Living on the edge we chose to get something that was daring and intriguing. A scoop of sticky rice and black sesame ice-cream served with gluteus balls and crushed nuts was surely daring enough for Kylie. The ice-cream was perfect, not too sweet and contained enough flavour to dive in for more. Not entirely sure what the black balls were and am still trying to work on finding that out, but overall the texture was bizarre, a chewy texture like taffy covered in black sesame was definitely something I've never experienced.

Passionflower has an amazing dessert menu and is highly recommended for a visit. If you are not one to live on the edge, there are plenty of other dessert options for you to indulge in, which they call the Western flavours - pancakes, crepes, waffles galore. And if you enjoy your sugar rushes and just feel that you need to quench your thirst why not try there drinks? We had a watermelon and lychee drink on ice served with a scoop of lime sorbet and hybiscus flower. Amazing flavour once again but is very extreme in sweetness.

Now although 3 stops for ice-cream is not too many, neither of us could eat too much more after Passionflower, so our list is still in hand and will continue again in a few weeks, so keep your eyes out for our updates on our adventures to find the best ice-cream in Melbourne. So far we say go to Passionflower, out of all the ice-cream today that is currently rated at number 1 on our list.