Jackson Dodds

My brother's an odd character. He's handy, got great hand eye co-ordination, excessively tall for an Asian, creative, into sewing costumes for his cosplays, loyal to the death for his friends and exceptionally stubborn. He also has aspergers syndrome (which technically no longer exists, but it's the easiest way to refer to it), hence many of his traits (good and bad). I love him to the death, but as an older sister, I naturally also wield an iron fist and always make sure he's in his place. Teehee.

There was one morning where he insisted I take him to a fabric store in Resevoir (which had me asking, where?!), which he had visited once upon a time to buy fabric. When I asked him why he couldn't just go to Lincraft or Clegs or something else close by....this place was cheaper.

So after much whining and groaning I finally gave in and drove 40 minutes there to find...well...it wasn't sale to public anymore. I wasn't very impressed, but fortunately, since I don't normally come up this way, I had the opportunity to sniff out somewhere different for lunch and after driving by the location about 4 times, being unable to find it, I did manage to spot it, find a park and get my grandma, brother and I settled in.

The location was Jackson Dodds, very quietly located on Gilbert Street, somewhere right in the middle of West Preston and Resevoir, or something of the sort. I'm terrible with my suburbs up this way. There's really not much else around it, but for some reason, I found it exceptionally hard to find since I guess I didn't know what I was looking for!

Inside it's quite quirky and cute, it feels like an open plan dining room meets kitchen, there's barely any wall or separation between the eating area, coffee machine, dishwasher and kitchen! It gives an airy and honest feel to the place, with little knick knacks dotted around, an airplane hanging from there, a mini shelf of toys over here and the cutest little mini table and chairs for kids to draw and play with toys on. Definitely children friendly.

Staff were bright, laid back and friendly. It wasn't long before I got my chai latte. Mmmmm.

We all ended up deciding on breakfast really and my brother ordered the eggs benedict on a bagel with spinach and smoked salmon. Could you really ask for a prettier looking plate of eggs? I loved how tidily the benedict sauce blanketed the eggs, so that you couldn't even see an edge of white. They just look like eggs that are yellow all through instead!

The eggs bled magnificently, the bagel was perfectly crisp, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful tanned colour for a toasted bagel. I also don't think I've ever ordered an eggs benedict (I know, as a massive breakfast goer is a shocker), as I usually foresee it being heavy and extremely unhealthy, but I would easily love to come back for this fresh and healthier looking version!

I went with the pea and haloumi (I think) fritters, with bacon, chutney and beetroot leaves (or something like that?). A little bit of a twist from the ever so popular corn fritters. I used to hate peas as a kid. Fortunately I grew older (although I certainly haven't grown up yet!).

Everything went so well together on this plate, the fritters were bursting with flavour (and peas) and was hardly doughy, the bacon I found surprisingly comforting, I loved that the slices were thick and hearty and not oily and fried to a crisp. The beetroot leaves were also a surprising touch, I don't think I've ever consciously had them and I really enjoyed the natural sweetness they parted.

For my grandma, she never orders anything on her own these days, always gets me to pick for her, we got a simple order of eggs, ham and mushrooms.

The yolks of the eggs were again beautifully runny, but my grandma seemed to enjoy two things the most.

Her long black and her bread! She sat, quite contently, quietly taking her thick and crunchy toasted sourdough, dipping it into her coffee and happily chewing away on it afterwards! I honestly found it quite amusing watch her splash her coffee about a bit as she dunked her bread in, and then eating every inch of her bread, when she normally eats quite light!

So uh, I guess that's good bread?

At the end of the day, I guess it's good Tim's stubbornness bought me all the way up north, as I otherwise would never have come across this little gem of a cafe. Food is just so honest, fresh, flavoursome and good, space is comfortable with a good vibe and it's just pretty relaxed in general. It's nice to see a little twist and variation in the breakfast options. It's just a shame it's so far away from home!

Jackson Dodds

611 Gilbert Rd, West Preston

Melbourne 3073

Italy - Figline Valdarno - Osteria de' Giusti

My mother and father had visited Bordeaux followed by a driving trip around Tuscany with some friends back in 2009, which believe me, was a trip to be envied.

My parents have these randomly amazing memories and my mum was adamant that she was going to take Tim and I to two of the places that they ate at in Tuscany. Even if she couldn't remember the names of either places, which meant we had absolutely no address, just vague location memories to base off from.

The first of these places, was fortunately very easy to find. My mum recalled it being right next to the motorway.

We turned off the A1 at the Incisa exit, and straight away my parents saw the restaurant. Mum freaked out, dad got excited and we all excitedly trundled on in.

It was called Osteria de' Giusti, an osteria originally being a place that would serve wine and simple food, although now the emphasis has shifted to the focus being on food, although in true Italian style, the menus are usual local and short.

I loved that even right off the motorway, the Osteria had a gorgeous little garden. Removes you from the fact that you've just been on the road for four hours...

Inside was just gorgeous, absolutely rustic, nary a white wall in sight. It was just warm and cosy, kind of like what you think a tavern might feel like, if dressed up a little anyway. I fell in love with the yellow tablecloth. It just adds a punch of colour and warmth doesn't it?

My father meant to order the Carpineto Chianti Classica Reserva, but we accidentally got this instead. For 12 euros, who was complaining too much? It was nice, but definitely not as good as the Reserva (which we had at a later date) Carpineto is a Tuscan wine, quite well known in the states and was only a 20 minute drive from where we stayed. We actually passed by the winery one day, but it was closed as it was close to dinner time. Oh well.

We were given complimentary bread to start off with, warm and fluffy, generously seasoned with olive oil, it was definitely a very comforting way to start the evening.

I can't remember exactly what this all is, I know that this was our entree, with different toppings on fried polenta (which was so yummy!). I think one was tomatoes, one eggplant and one meat based one. Whilst tasty, not the thing that stood out to me the most that night.

Mum and dad's pasta with truffles. You could smell this guy a mile away. Creamy, yet not drowning in it, the pasta was also cooked to absolute perfection. It was indeed quite creamy, but so simple and straight forward, it didn't feel gluggy at all. This is how the Italians do it!

Now.

This.

Whilst it looks like a pile of purple mush, which is the strangest colour for a risotto, well, it's pretty much the best risotto I've ever had in my life.

I don't say these things lightly.

I remember being even slightly apprehensive even when it was first placed in front of us, as mum and dad's pasta smelt and looked more enticing initially. But oh my goodness, one bite changed all that. This was a raddichio risotto, although I've forgotten what cheese it was served with.

The raddichio was torn through it and with the absolutely perfectly cooked rice, the crunch of the raddichio (yes it was still crunchy!) gave it almost a wild rice texture, which I absolutely love. It had a bit of nuttiness to it that I liked as well and the cheese gave it that rich edge as it melted through the rice, which was also, incredibly comforting and made it exceptionally moreish. I severely lack words to describe how much I love this. I keep saying I'm going to try and replicate it but I haven't gotten around to it yet...

Serious knives for serious meat....What my mum had wanted to bring Tim and I here for, was the steak Florentine, that she keeps raving about. I'm so bummed I forgot to take a picture of the raw steak that was shown to us, because it was a behemoth in raw form, bone and all!

Oh hi there meat! Lots...of meat....1.6 kilograms of meat to be exact. After a pasta, risotto and entrees, I was at a loss on how we were going to finish this.

And then I remembered my brother was with us. Haha.

When we were actually ordering, after reviewing our order, our waitress kept gesturing to us and looking at us funny, thinking that we hadn't ordered enough food. We assured her we would be fine for the time being. Can you imagine if we had ordered more?!

The steak Florentine was cooked a lovely medium rare, deliciously pink in there! The meat was also tender and oh so succulent. I personally quite liked the more charred edges and juicy insides. Although I pity that I couldn't enjoy this more as I was so full, I may have managed two or three slices of meat before admitting defeat. A poor effort I know, but I had filled up on risotto already!

All up, Italy was already delivering amazing things. Our meal was also amazingly priced, for 4 people, our bill came to around 88 euro. EIGHTY EIGHT EURO. For 4 people, bread, entree, 2 carbohydrate dishes and 1.6 kilograms of meat. I am absolutely flabbergasted at how they manage to do it. To not only provide such reasonable prices, but for such amazing produce that has been fabulously cooked. Whilst Melbourne may be one of the best cities to live in...Tuscany was shaping up to be one of the best places to eat in.

After our fabulous meal, we then proceeded to drive into the Tuscan hills and get perfectly lost in the dark as we tried to locate our hotel. At least we had warm full tummies.

Osteria de' Giusti

Piazza Amendola, 2

Loc. I Ciliegi (exit A1 INCISA)

Regello (FI)

055 8635753

Speakeasy Kitchen Bar

In the 1920s in the US, when the manufacture and transport of alcohol was made illegal, during the Prohibition, the term "speakeasy" arose from the manner that patrons would order alcohol. The bartenders would tell them to be quiet and "speak easy". Or so is one of the theories.

Essentially? A "speakeasy" is (or was) an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages.

In more modern times, New York, in particular, went through a phase (whether they're still in to it or not is another question) where they tried to replicate this concept, albeit more so to be exclusive and only spread by word of mouth, than to stay secret from the law, with unmarked, unlit doors and nary a trace of marketing or visual presence anywhere.

In essence really Melbourne's bars are a lot like this already, usually through a random little door, unmarked by anything, yet Melbournians just somehow seem to stay in the know…I have a great story of Ben and myself wandering around Little Lonsdale for about half an hour trying to find Troika one night...

I veer off course from why I got on the topic though.

Speakeasy Kitchen Bar just opened on Chapel Street. I had passed by it a few weeks ago when it was still under construction and excitedly gestured at it to Brad and got into a flush of excitement. It left my mind after though, but fortunately, Teegz, who lives in the area came across it and tweeted about it excitedly, which led me to being excited, which led to brunch the next day. I'm that easy to persuade. And also that easily excitable (Brad loves to remind me).

It's funny they should call themselves 'Speakeasy' when they clearly have a liquor license and look very legal, but I suppose to be fair, I haven't heard much in ways on twitter or other sources of this place opening up...

From the cosy and chic wooden and glass entrance, where there is a very fun little outdoor area which I think will be a hoot with smoking coffee drinkers, Brad and I were led through. The front is very deceptive, as there is quite a lot of seating space out back! Several tables for two dotted along the walls, a communal table, then a further outdoor but fenced-off-from-the-elements outdoor area and then, clearly in anticipation for summer, yet even more outdoor seating, which was unoccupied and quite wet on this rainy Sunday.

Speakeasy has an easy going, chic vibe to it, it was very clean and very tidy, but avoided being clinical with lovely woods, pretty light fixtures, dark table tops and gorgeous little flower arrangements on the table.

And oh my god. At the back, natural light from skylights (is that what they're called?) in the roof. Loved. Loved so much. I wanted to take pictures all day there. Although we had the option of a table for two on the wall, I immediately migrated over to the communal table, to our waiter's surprise.

Have to wonder what the girls were talking about over there...

The container the sugar was kept in is so cute, it's a little faux cast iron pot!

We were asked if we wanted drinks straight away when we sat down, I went for a chai latte with soy milk. I don't tend to stick to soy or regular milk, it just depends on my mood on the day and what comes out of my mouth first (this is funnily how I often make my decisions when I go out for meals if I'm tossing up between options...). The flavour was lovely, I should find out what soy milk they use as it was particularly tasty with the chai and not too sweet. I did find however, the milk was surprisingly hotter than most places I've come across, and due to this, the milk was not quite as velvety as it could be. I only complain about the hotness really, because I tend to be the type of person who gulps their hot drinks down and don't tend to delicate sip them like I know my mum likes to do. I've never understood how people make one coffee last for an hour...

Besides this though, I really enjoyed the flavour and ended up having two (although my second one they used regular milk, oh well!).

Brad got a latte, obviously, they use Dukes coffee here, which is quite exciting as I haven't seen many other places that carry it. I think Brad's latte milk looked better than mine, so I suppose the issue with my chai latte milk might have just been...the chai!

The breakfast menu is very straight forward and limited. It's quite refreshing. I like seeing a place that picks things they can do well and not try and please absolutely everyone. I did get a squiz at the lunch menu though and it is quite a bit more extensive....definitely plan to come back and check it out!

Brad essentially ordered the big breakfast, with your choice of poached or fried eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, sausage and bacon it was quite a comforting looking pile. Surprisingly neat too. Look at how fresh and lovely it is, steam still rising!

The eggs were poached perfectly, with oozy yolky centres, just the way I personally like them. I nibbled on the mushrooms which were insanely delicious, a bit of rosemary or something, but they were so well seasoned. The sausage was surprisingly light, which I really liked, not too oily and didn't taste too heavily of meat, there was some nice spices in it instead that came through a lot more predominantly.

Honestly, I think it's one of the better big breakfast type dishes I've come across, at least aesthetically, as I mentioned, and also not too oily and quite wholesome. I'm not even put off by the fact there's no greens or other colours at all! (I generally like a little more colour palette variation)

I went with the pumpkin and feta frittata served with tomato chutney. I usually expect my frittata's to come to me as a wedge, this was almost more like a baked omelette, but you know what? I ain't complaining in the slightest. What my dish lacked in size and presence that Brad's had, mine was absolutely freaking delicious.

The eggs were creamy and fluffy, filled with little diced pieces of pumpkin, which still had some firmness to them, they weren't cooked to mush. The feta was perfect with the egg, enhancing the creaminess and I loved how it matched with the sweet tomato chutney. Savoury but sweet all together. This was absolutely my kind of breakfast and I would come back for this dish if it's served like this anytime of the day.

Brad approves as well! So much perfect light, I was getting all caught up in how his eyes caught the light. Was quite funny as I was snapping away at Brad and getting him to look this way and that, he commented on how it should feel more awkward for him, but he's so used to me sticking my camera in his face it doesn't really bother him at all these days. Terrible girlfriend aren't I?

I'm honestly very reluctant to share this post (and I'm probably breaking some Speakeasy rule), but at the same time, quite excited to. I'm not looking forward to this place getting better known and to have it potentially be very busy and hard to get a table at! But alas, as I have mentioned, Melbournians seem to be notoriously good at finding out and getting on to new things quite quickly, so regardless, it will probably happen.

So my first impressions are, great fit out, moving away from the industrial look of most of Melbourne cafes and reminding me more of Huxtable or something similar, the aesthetics just speak to me. And oh my gosh, that natural light in the back room. I die for it! They have food that is presented gorgeously, is well cooked and fresh. Coffees came out a tiny bit slow, but it's a Sunday, what would I be in a rush for?

I'm sure we'll be back soon....

Speakeasy Kitchen Bar

359 Chapel Street, South Yarra
South Yarra, 3141