Exceeding the Normal

Well Christmas is over and the new year has begun and I've been off the radar for a good 6 weeks, but never fear I've been eating lots and have plenty of reads coming your way.

The only thing I have to really put my mind to is where should I start? Should I start talking about the many burgers I have devoured, the brunches that were relaxing, the ice creams that are so heavenly or just about my Christmas feast in my new home.

Let me think....... Maybe I should just start at the beginning of my many weeks of my food comas and adventures.

Super Normal Canteen (Test Kitchen) is a delicious source of a pop up eatery and opened through till the 1st of March. A  sample of what will be an amazing restaurant serving us scrumptious modern Asian dishes.

Succulent prawns drowning in a miso sauce tantalises your testbeds and although I dislike the word that I use next to describe it, but it's true. The flavours make you salivate and is a soft way to begin your evening.

Some Peppers are ordered but saddened to find out that the seeds have been gutted and don't stimulate heat. However add some lovely chilli condiments that sit in front of you to flavour it up a notch .

The soft Bao never goes astray especially when you fill it with some wild boar meat to add more adventure to your evening. Not over powering in flavours and easy to enjoy. The bao's are fluffy like a new pillow and the meat a little richer than a simple pork, and very delicious.

Speaking of rich flavours the lobster rolls are a given choice for any seafood lover. Sweet milk buns becomes the home of sliced lobster in a creamy mayo dressing and rice. Simple but yet pretty scrumptious. When I read Lobster rolls my mind does tend to think American, but for some reason it works on this menu.

Of course when their are dumplings are on offer you have to have them. If your not a dumpling fan, then clearly you wouldn't but I'm just putting it out there that you would be missing out on something here.

Soaked in chilli oil these little dumplings are divine. Full flavoured gems that heat up the taste buds. I just wish the servings were bigger, or perhaps next time I devour a serve on my own....

Would you believe that we had to keep ordering dishes due to the fact that every time a dish came out and was presented on our communal table we wanted it.

I don't think strangers could fall for that what's that over there trick and steal their food. Could cause a rather abrupt argument.... but I do sometimes wonder what if I did that on a communal table. Food envy is a real thing and could potentially come to stealing other people food at a restaurant.

Dishes such as Tempura crab  served Vietnamese style with fresh lettuce and mint, cured octopus on a spiced capsicum and then Carpaccio of Waygu beef were all magnificent and hard to fault.

Everything was so tempting and there is still so much more that I wanted, so will only mean one thing.... I need to go back.

We of course though enjoyed some rather outstanding desserts though I have to admit. Some of the best desserts we have enjoyed for a while to tell you the truth.

A Lychee and sago dessert with freeze dried raspberries was sweet and textually amazing. Bursts of sago with the tartness of raspberries and sweet from the lychee was an adventure on its own.

The other hit and almost very hard to get a taste of due to Paul loving it so much was the Pink Lady soft serve ice cream. Luscious creamy soft serve exploding with sweet apple flavour and drizzled with a thick caramel and crushed nuts. It's as though you were eating a candy apple.

Service was a delight and food exceptional. As a test kitchen I don't think these guys will have to much trouble opening their real doors when the time comes.

Limited dining area of course being a pop up, however it still seats a good 60 or so. Get in early and their will be no problem getting a seat quickly and if you go at the usual peak eating time of 7:00 you will clearly be battling the many other hungry diners like any restaurant around that time. It's worth a visit and a trial, there isn't much you can choose wrong here.

Supernormal Canteen (Test Kitchen)

53 Gurtrude Street

Fitzroy

9419 4888

Pom Rak coon nan lowel (I Love you long time)

If you may recall my adventures in my last post showing up to the wrong restaurant. Well I am pleased to say I finely ventured my way for a date night to the right restaurant and was glad I got there.

Nestled on the corner of a small block of local shops this white stone restaurant with it's warm interior is not only reminding you of a little country house, but it is welcoming like one too. Entering the doors we are greeted with open arms and big smiles. Shown to our table, right beside the small fire, the atmosphere is pleasent and design is simple. Nothing over the top, but keeps to it's Thai herratige. I have to say I do love the iron chandelears that highten the class from other Thai restaurants.

To beginin out feast this evening I wanted to compare the Roti and satay against the restaurant from last week, but try some new delicasies that Thai and Rani Have to offer us. On order we start with Prawn rolls, served in a golden crisp pastry these light and succulent marinated King prawns are served with their own sweet and sour sauce of which was honey like and with a hint of sesame were divine. Of course some Roti bread with satay was in the first course, although yummy, I found this Roti bread and satay a lot more oily that the one from the previous week. However this satay was more authentic with slight lumps of peanuts and also a lot thicker. It did pack flavour and was devoured by the both of us rather quickly. The final touch on our first course was to bring in some freshness and decided to try the Nam Zod. A spicy minced pork packed with flavours of finger, roasted peanuts and lemon juice. Similar to a warm salad, this dish blended amazingly together as well as each individual flavour bursting in your mouth.  They also have a beef and a chicken dish similar to the pork but each have there own combinations of flavours, so please yourself here, the Zam zod, Nur Num Tok or Larp Gai you have to try at least one. It was a great refreshing starter.


Now I am not one to go out for soup based dishes in Thai restaurants as I am not much of a fan of the Tom Yum combinations, but I wanted to go for something new so I head towards the claypots. Originally I was ordering the prawn claypot cooked with ginger, onions and bean thread noodles but our waiter suggested for me to try their special of the night, the mixed seafood claypot. Based with the same mixture but served with cellophane noodles, so I figure why not. At least someone suggested it too me and explained it, unlike other restaurants where they expect you to have seen the specials board. So congratulations to her for her service and her ability to up sell.


As it is put down in front of me this soup bubbles away in it's hot claypot, and the aromatic flavours of ginger floats through the air and makes your mouth water. Exploding with seafood and noodles I can not wait to get into it. The seafood has soaked up the ginger flavour as well as the hints of lemongrass, coriander and chilli. Paul steals my mussel and was amazed at the flavour this single mussel holds. I couldn't wipe the smile of my face it was delicious and also if your feeling a little gloomy with a cold and flu this could be your cure.

Paul went for the Musman Curry which you could choose either chicken of beef and is then cooked in coconut milk and a beautiful sweet curry served with potatoes, onions and peanuts. A safe option for those who don't like the heat of curries.  This vibrant dish was filled with juicy succulent chicken which just pulled apart and the sauce was just so smooth and creamy, you drifted away to paradise.

Now the one thing I have not mentioned yet as it was the one thing that made us Fall in Love, and almost made us have affairs was the coconut rice. There is nothing on this earth that could separate either of us from the rice. Now I know people serve coconut rice all the time, but NOT like this. It was so moist and powered with coconut milk, not gluggy nor dry. It was similar to a sticky rice I guess you could say but oh my goodness it was heaven in a bowl. Hints of dried lemon grass also mixed through it truly made the moment of our night, and we are still talking about it. We wanted more and neither of us wanted to share.

Still on the high of coconut, we finished out night with some bananas served in a warm coconut milk finished with sesames. Unusual at first but delicious, the sesames added that texture and flavour and broke up the sweetness of the banana and milk, Paul could only think of it being made into a breakfast smoothy or a pudding, but it was a good authentic finish to our night.

Thai and Rani set with it's all matching ceramic green plates, and it's warmth from it's interior is a good place to stop, or if you don't have time call in for take away. The staff are lovely, welcoming and take interest in serving you which these days has become somewhat rare. A pleasurable evening and huge smiles when leaving, and what's best is that we are still talking about it. As much as I speak about my adventures, it is seldom that we continue telling people about where we've been after a couple of days, but Thai and Rani has entered our hearts and will be I think one of our top 10.

She put the lime in the coconut

My evening begins on a rainy Friday night and after our initial restaurant is fully booked we lead ourselves to one of the Thai restaurants that I have had on my list, since moving to Black Rock.  Driving home from work I ask the hubby to make the reservation for me and everything is set. A quick speed home, hot shower and get myself gizzied up we head out.


Convinced I know where I am going I take to the wheel. When arriving I am welcomed but am somewhat confused that the name of the Restaurant is not the same anymore,  but we where shown to our table and offered drinks straight away so I push my confusion aside and get into the menu.


One Eleven Bluff is filled with traditional Thai cuisine that burst with flavours. A large variety of curry, stir fries and noodle dishes there is bound to be something for even the fussiest of eaters. To begin I go with the the crispy Golden Bags that are stuffed with flavoursome chicken & prawn mince and corn. These little treasures are delectable to enjoy and was a great start to the evening and went perfectly with my glass of Pinot.


I also chose to try something a little different which was the Taro bat. Not having has taro before I must say it is a texture and flavour of its own. With it's overpowering flavour of starch and not much more, this kind of like potato texture comes through it's golden crisp coating, filled with minced chicken on the inside. It was a dish that left you wondering and trying to dignify what you were eating. Unfortunately this may be the first and last time I try Taro, but at least I can say I have tried it.


Main course was headed our way and I selected the house special "One Elevens Curry" a combination of red curry with succulent king prawns infused with lime and coconut and served in it's own coconut shell. Who wouldn't get excited about this dish and who else have you seen put a curry in the coconut shell??? In one word to describe AMAZING! In more words this red curry had a fantastic balance of flavours, filled with authentic Thai spices and the essence of lime which cut through making it enjoyable and diving in for more. Each bite took you on a journey to Thailand. The prawns were cooked to perfection and were fresh and juicy it was great to see that they gave you a large portion of prawns inside the coconut. I must say that this dish has been successful in reaching my top 5 in curries and can not stress this enough to you that you have to go and try it. Unfortunately this one is not available on there take away menu, so you are going to have to go and enjoy a night out in the restaurant for this one.



Now I just have to bring up the Roti bread with satay sauce. Another weakness of mine is Satay, there is something about this sauce that makes me weak at the knees. And I have to say this was mouth watering. Not like your Chinese satay, this smooth creamy sauce was perfectly combined and left me wanting to lick the bowl.


Slightly disappointed that no desserts were available or offered, as both my friend and I would have dived into that option, but who's to say you really need it. With a great entree and a perfect main I felt satisfied and didn't want to over indulge.


The service through out was attentive, but at times a little dominant than expected. Meals were quick and our waters always topped up. This quaint corner restaurant could be under appreciated for what it has to offer. So if you are local or even if you are on the out skirts of the area come on down and give them a go.


In the end I am glad I got confused as I found out once I got home, that I went to the wrong restaurant, falling a block short of my initial destination. Because if I hadn't I wouldn't have been able to take such delight in trying One Eleven Bluff.