So. I’m so behind this whole year - my backlog of photos is atrocious. This is is me doing a quick sift through the hundreds of photos I’ve taken this year to share some of my favourite things
Gluten free acai Super Bowl at Shanklin cafe, with puppies at the table next door who are so hopeful we might give them something. And delicious scrambled eggs - Brad’s been backing off the baked eggs more recently and getting more into a chilli scramble and I feel like everyone’s been lifting their golden scramble game. It’s great!
Moscato granita and sumptuous charcuterie boards at Innocent Bystander. Perfect for when that summer weather starts sneaking back in! I adore the new space, it’s so spacious and chilled out. I imagine even when it’s full it’s not going to feel anywhere near as claustrophobic as it had a tendency to before!
We are just so terribly spoilt in Melbourne to have so many great gelaterias. I was chatting with someone from Sydney who said their only option was Messina, whilst we’ve got Pidapipo, Piccolina, Spring Street Grocer and a bit newer on to the scene Lavezzi Gelato. Oh my goodness guys, get your lips all over this stuff, the nutty flavours in particular are so strong and rich, and I’m so into it.
Considering my office moved from South Melbourne to Hardware Lane in March - it took me way too long to get into Miznon and discover just how good simple vegetables can be. Miznon’s whole roasted cauliflower is magic, and just the way I love it. A light coating of oil, falling apart tender and sweet. The golden bag of brisket isn’t bad either!
I really need to do a full post on this meal still! I was thinking we should save Vue de Monde for our 10 year anniversary, but was really keen to go, so Brad said we could go for our eight year dating anniversary, as in the year’s coming we would then be celebrating our wedding anniversary instead. The meal of course, was exceptional, and not like anything we’d had before but man, if I could just go up and order the chocolate souffle alone? Once a month at least - so rich, so chocolatey, with that dollop of espresso ice-cream to cut through the richness. It was perfection even on a 30 degree day.
In Capi’s gorgeous headquarters, joining Sophie Cookes on one of her 10 dinners to celebrate 10 years in the catering gig, has to be one of my favourite invitations this year. Each of the dinners she featured a different ingredient, and I was there on fish night. The crumbed King George whiting sandwich with anchovy mayo is forever etched in my mind as a perfect sandwich. Sophie is also just one of the most lovely hosts, who just exudes warmth, laughter and rich conversation, making for such a gorgeous evening.
I’ve recently been finding myself heading back to cafes I’ve visited before, rather than seeking out new places to go. Loved Northcote STN’s broadbean falafel with pomegranate tabbouleh, red cabbage spiced cauliflower, red cabbage, rainbow beets, almonds and a blood orange and coriander dressing. So much flavour. So much veggie. So much happy.
Bomba’s new rooftop is fabulous, bigger than ever, but also covered, so it’s good for all seasons - but what’s really exciting are their bikini sandwiches. In particular the Joselito 35 month Iberico jamon, with black truffle and mahon. Oh lord have mercy.
I’m loving the low key Italian resurgence Melbourne seems to be experiencing at the moment. I was fortunate enough to be invited to Pentolina, where my mum and I sat at the bar, with a direct view into the flambe action in the kitchen, and ate our body weight in homemade pasta. Although I thoroughly enjoyed the bolognese, my favourite of the night was the conchiglie salsiccia - pork and fennel sausage with crispy cauliflower and rosemary. All the flavours! Also reckon the prosciutto melone is going to be just the thing to start off many a summery night soon too.
I love it when friend’s make recommendations. It really doesn’t happen that often. Brothers Keeper is a cosy little cafe in Kooyong that’s never been on my radar, but once it was introduced to Brad and I by one of his friends, we’ve been back twice since (which hardly ever happens)! Delicious cauliflower tempura, with white quinoa, baby beetroot, pickled shallots, tomato, radish and generous smear of hummus around the bowl is one of the most delicious vegetable brunch dishes I’ve had recently.
500 Toronga Road
Hawthorn East VIC
316-334 Maroondah Hwy
Healesville 3777
334 Lygon Street
Carlton 3053
59 Hardware Lane
Melbourne 3000
Rialto Towers, 525 Collins St
Melbourne 3000
382 High St
Northcote 3070
103 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne 3000
2/377 Little Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
481 Glenferrie Rd
Kooyong 3144
Posts
