Bomba Downstairs

"Are you here for the party?"

The resounding silence from Wince and I clearly showed that we were not, as we stepped out of the elevator into a full crowd, merry making on Bomba's rooftop bar. 

"It's an engagement party."

"Oh wonderful! Who's the lucky groom and bride to be?"

"Well, I'm the husband to be…so come in and have a beer."

And with that, I crashed my first engagement party ever. Was far easier than I could ever expect!

Adrian and Chris soon joined us on the rooftop, and following a beverage or two, we excitedly made our way down to Bomba, the restaurant, to fuel up before seeing Les Miserables at the theatre. 

Conveniently located around the corner from the theatre, Bomba ended up being just about the perfect pre-theatre restaurant for us, as we had given them notice of our need to vacate early for the show, and so food and service ran smoothly and efficiently. 

Bomba is a little dark, quite Melbourne (exposed brick etc. etc.) with a mix of tables, bar seating and high tables requiring tall stools. It's all pretty low key and laid back, but with still a nice little buzz going on underneath the surface.

The four of us ooh and ahh over the menu, wanting everything, but at the same time knowing that's entirely impossible. Sigh! Although we were tempted to go for the set menu option, an absolute steal at $45 a head, we decided instead to construct our own menu, as there were a couple of stand out items we had to have!

Nola our waitress introduces herself, realising that we all follow each other on twitter, and gets us all settled in with a gin and tonic and Wapengo Lake organic rock oysters following shortly afterwards. Sweet and refreshing, simply exquisite.

The bread came piled high, with that slightly firmer crust that I like and everything else all fluffy. A perfect companion with the olive oil to get our appetites going. 

The tuna tartare with seaweed crackers was light and refreshing, with a bit of zest, perfect for waking up the palate. I enjoyed having the seaweed crackers there for a contrast in texture as well, although it got a bit messy as we tried to spoon or scoop the tartare onto the crackers! 

At a tapas bar, one simply does not skip out on croqueta's. At Bomba, they were leek and manchego and they were heavenly. Fresh from the fryer, hot, golden and crisp, these were exactly as I remembered having them in Barcelona (except maybe a bit bigger), with a light crumb and a sensually smooth and creamy filling, béchamel done damn well!

We skipped then from tapas to rachiones, some of the bigger dishes and were equally split between our two mains, the Pedro Ximenez braised pork jowl with turnip and the Catalan stew, filled with mussels, clams, prawns, baby calamari and bacalao.

Where do I start?

The pork jowl was probably my favourite (by a small margin), incredibly tender, the meat just fell apart and melted in the mouth, and into the puree below and the slightly sticky and sweetness of the Pedro Ximenez. Swoon, swoon, swoon. This is clearly Spanish comfort food at it's best! I'm honestly amazed to see that this dish is also on the workers lunch menu, which is just $15 at lunch time! Wished I worked on the other side of the city now…

The Catalan stew was gorgeous, so aromatic and abundantly laid with seafood. There was a rusticity to it, if the pork jowl was the Spanish comfort food of the land, the Catalan stew is obviously the oceanic version…so how to compare honestly? We all probably would have liked a little bit more of the soup that all the seafood sat in, cleaning out two bowls of bread (do make sure you ask for extra) to mop up all that was there…but certainly keen for more!

To balance out our protein intake, we got a serve of the brussels sprouts with chorizo, chestnuts and honey, as well as the Valencian salad of baby gem lettuce, honey, shallots and orange. Whilst the brussels sprouts were lovely and tender, with a nice balance of salt and fat with sweetness, the Valencian salad really surprised me. Although it looks quite modest and ordinary, the thick and sticky honey dressing combined with the orange, makes for both a decadent but refreshing salad. Definitely worth trying (and something I'm going to try and replicate in the summer!)

Whilst we gossiped and lapped up the last of our Catalan stew, Nola popped by to help keep us aware of the time and made sure we got our dessert orders in place…as it'd be simply a crime to forget order dessert (as I have done in some restaurants…)

Seeing as there were four of us, we justified that three desserts should be quite doable!

The rhubarb ice cream, with apple jelly and candied walnut, was a recommendation from Nola, that I might not have usually picked for myself. However, we all really ended up enjoying this, as it was such a light and refreshing dessert. The rhubarb ice-cream was almost like air, and so smooth, with a lovely bit of crunch and body from the candied walnuts that it sat on. Definitely the dessert option if you're still in the mood for something sweet, but feeling almost too full…

The churros with chocolate were fried beautifully, with a bit of crunch and a little bit of chew (yum).

However, my absolute favourite dessert, because I'm that chocolate dessert fiend person naturally, were the chocolate croquetas with custard and hazelnuts. Oh. Oh my. Served warm, I think I described them as warm Ferrero Rocher's, nutty, chocolatey, the filling is simply decadent, like a self saucing cake, and the custard it sits in is surprisingly quite light, but a good complement to the richness. Would easily return just for these. Easily.

We were surprised how reasonably priced our meal was, although we weren't completely about to burst, we were certainly full, having spent $50 a head (including our gin and tonic!). I had an absolutely amazing time at Bomba, with friendly staff and efficient service and simply brilliant food that's easy to share and just so moreish. The casual, but buzzing atmosphere also lends itself to a great dining experience. 

Pretty sure I'm now going to be dreaming of chocolate croquetas tonight…

P.S Keep an eye out on my Instagram today, I'm giving away a double pass to the Time Out Food Awards this year on the 18th of August and Bomba's been nominated for quite a few awards…!

Bomba Downstairs

103 Lonsdale Street

Melbourne 3000

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Stagger Lee's

I'll admit it.

I've never been a huge fan of Proud Mary. 

One of Melbourne's crown jewels in the brunching scene, that has stood tall and strong for such a long time now (by cafe standards), and for many of my interstate friends a must-visit despite the half an hour or longer wait; it's just never grabbed my attention as being outstanding. Guess it helps I don't drink coffee, so I've never gotten to see that side of it, but for brunch? Many more options that are just as good in my opinion, and most of the time, better.

Which is why when I heard that Stagger Lee's was opening, I was massively 'meh', which was reinforced by some of the mixed reviews I was hearing. So whilst I knew it was about, it was quite low on my brunching priority list. 

However recently, one of my colleagues, who I've recommended to many places since I've been working at BrandWorks asked if I had been, and was telling me how clever and fun the menu was, as we had been discussing how Melbourne brunch menus can go a bit stale every now again.

A quick google, a menu ogle (that left me salivating) and that weekend I found myself there with Brad.

I was most pleased that there weren't half an hour waits, instead we were promptly seated on a communal table. 

Stagger Lees felt spacious, with much more light than Proud Mary, but was classically Melbourne hipster chic with distressed brick walls, coloured weatherboards down the back, cold drip contraptions on the table and naked light bulbs hanging from the ceiling. 

I love the comic book style art on the menus, and the hints of teal that are consistent through the cafe. There's a little bit of attitude in general, but the cool bad-ass attitude that makes you wish that you were them (or a bit more like them).

Seeing that almond milk was available, scrawled on one of the chalkboards, I couldn't resist getting my usual chai with it, and enjoyed it. Not as creamy as milk or soy milk might be, but good flavour. 

Brad's coffee looked exceptional (but I guess with Proud Mary heritage, it better be looking damn good!)

Preditable as ever, Brad ordered the Frank n' Beans, saffron baked beans with smoked ham hock, chorizo, soft poached egg, herb and garlic crumbs and topped with a long sliver of toast. Wholesome, hearty, comforting, Stagger Lee's did this very well. Loved that it was more stewy, and not too wet, the beans were lovely and meaty and it all just came together very nicely. Perfect comfort food. Especially in this weather!

However…I think I found brunch heaven with my Shrooms 'n' Truffles dish. Pan roasted local pine mushrooms, truffled polenta, a confit egg yolk, pecorino pepato and farmhouse toast. 

Wow, wow, wow. I could hardly pick my jaw off the floor as the truffle aroma hits in me in the face. The polenta is creamy and rich, the pine mushrooms buttery and beautiful and the confit egg yolk just lazily fuses itself into the polenta, a comforting orange stream of delicious. Add a couple of crunchy croutons for texture, and pecorino to just tip one over from earth to heaven. 

I just could not shut up. With each mouthful I cooed, swooned and sighed happily, audibly. The only sad thing is that the plate eventually is empty, and I was perhaps not quite as full as I could have been, however I did not eat all the bread (as I forgot to request for gluten free bread), so I suppose that might have helped! 

Despite my initial reservations, I was absolutely exhilarated to be bowled over and fall in love with Stagger Lees. I'm already considering what to have next visit, and will definitely plan to try out one of the 'Gangsta Milkshakes', the salted caramel one with chocolate chunks has my name all over it...

Stagger Lee's

276 Brunswick Street

Fitzroy

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Isabella's at Rochford Winery

Disclosure: I dined as a guest of Isabella's at Rochford Winery

It's truly a blessing to live in Melbourne. Great food, vibrant food scene, something always happening in town and fantastic wineries, simply an hour out of town. 

I realised it's so easy to forget though and I definitely don't get out to the Yarra Valley as often as I should, as I sat in the car as mum drove us out to Rochford Winery, soaking in the open fields and lush greens, showered in rain on this particularly overcast day. 

Upon arriving at Rochford, my mum comments that as a kid I used to come here a lot with the family, as my parents used to entertain guests here, when it was still Eyton on the Yarra. I have a terrible memory and don't remember a trace of it, but that's almost refreshing as we are seated in Isabella's for lunch, and I take in the beautiful views from the restaurant for the first time (kind of) which are filled with natural light. 

I love taking my mum out, as she's dead honest about anything she eats (so can be a good counterweight to me who's a little happy-go-lucky about everything) and because, she's my mum. What else is there to say? (And yes, I get that we look like each other alllll the time...)

Isabella's is offering a two or three course lunch, $55 and $65 respectfully, with a carefully curated collection of dishes to choose from head chef Ciaran Butler. 

We start off with some bubbles, as it's the only appropriate thing to do at a winery on a Saturday surely!

The bread came warm, a delight in winter, with a crunchy and flaky crust, meaning breadcrumbs all over the table is inevitable. The butter came light, sweet and creamy. 

Mum opted to start with the blue swimmer crab and potato cakes with a lemon aioli and watercress. Elegant in plating and in flavour. The crab cake was soft, sweet and delicate in flavour, the salty seaweed adding a nice punch of flavour that complemented the crab cake well. The lemon aioli provided a nice citrus hit too. 

Whilst I was initially excited for the Rochford classic chicken pate, a chicken liver pate with piccalilli, local walnuts and lavish, especially when it was first popped down in front of me, looking absolutely glorious, I was left a bit underwhelmed at the flavour. Perhaps lacking more alcohol, it wasn't particularly strong in flavour, and looked to be a bit aged and not as fresh as it could be. The piccalilli was very good though!

Rochford was busy that afternoon, with large groups moving in and out and the kitchen pumping out rather beautiful looking set meals. This meant it occasionally took a while to get drink top ups or the attention of the staff, but whenever they did tend to us, they were so delightful and friendly and never left us waiting for too long…I could only imagine the short temper I would get from having to deal with so many tourists and visitors on a weekend! 

For the second course, mum opted for the ricotta gnocchi with Coldstream brussel sprout leaves, heirloom beetroot, sage butter and aged parmesan. We both marvelled at the bright pink of the gnocchi (which almost matched mum's nail polish colour), not expecting it to have picked up the colour of the beetroot. We did find though that the gnocchi was a bit dense and heavy, not as light and fluffy as we would have liked, so mum ended up picking off all the vegetables, which were delicious in the sage butter, and left quite a bit of the gnocchi. 

My dish on the other hand, absolutely blew me away. The wild barramundi with winter clam chowder, smoked haddock, leeks and sweetcorn is an absolute stunner for flavour. The barrumundi was so sweet, and perfectly cooked, the thick and creamy clam chowder it sat in was rich with deliciously sweet clams, the flavour of the ocean permeating through. It was one of those dishes that I couldn't stop audibly commenting about, through oohs, aahs, mmhmms, and overall crooning comments. Mum was quick to get in her with her spoon to lap up the chowder as well. Possibly one of the best fish dishes I've had in recent memory and if I was ever in the area again, I would only be more than happy to pop in for this beautiful, beautiful dish. 

Although I had been eyeing off the tiramisu, which looked like it was being served in garden pots, mum and I opted instead to share the Royal Delice, a cherry and chocolate delice with freeze dried raspberries, frozen chocolate and vanilla sphere with griottine cherries. Wow. Simply gorgeous. The delice was smooth and surprisingly light, the richness of the chocolate counterbalanced with the tart cherries. Mum loved that this was sweet, but not particularly sugary and I was quite surprised to see her go for more than a couple of bites. 

Mum finished up with a latte, which she commented was very good (and believe me…she's very picky). 

So although there were a couple of things that didn't quite hit the mark at Rochford, on the whole I was pleased with the experience we had. I provided my feedback earlier to Rochford, so hopefully the pate's looking fresher whenever you happen to visit! If you're here to get in and out quickly, I might not recommend it, but if you're keen for a lazy afternoon, to sit around and chat or lazily gaze out the window and take in the scenery, Rochford might be a good spot for you. There's also the cafe with simpler fare, but really, I know you want that Royal Delice… 

Isabella's at Rochford

878 - 880 Maroondah Highway

Coldstream 3770

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Fringe Food Festival - Truffle DInner 2014

Although the Fringe Food Festival isn't as active these days as it was when it initially started, every year without fail there's one event (or two most years) that's not to be missed. 

Fringe Food Festival's truffle dinners during the truffle season. 

This year, I only just managed to squeeze myself in on a table, as tickets went fast and furious, after Rob convinced me to go with him. I hadn't been going for the last couple of years, as I had been a bit of a tightwad with cash…but with a new job this year, it was kind of hard not to go!

Held at the Estelle in Northcote, Scott Pickett puts together an absolute stunner of a 4 course meal with his head chef, a young English guy I've promptly forgotten the name of, for an absolute steal of $130…wine included. Yes, yes, yes.

At our tables, which fill quickly, we're presented with the best bread I've ever had in my life. Damn you Estelle for now ruining me completely. Hot and crusty foccacia, straight out of the oven, dark and golden with a fluffy and mildly savoury body. Dipped in oil, lightly sprinkled with truffle, I could have quite comfortably made a meal of just that!

We then really start our night with a teaser, Isle of mull and black truffle cheese soldier, modest in volume, but a braggart of flavour and aroma, wafting up to tease the olfactory system and have us all salivating away. Light, and delicate, it was a lovely way to begin the night. We were also introduced to Custard & Co's Scrumpy cider, which is simply just one of the best ciders I've had the joy of drinking, hardly any carbonation, low on the sugariness and full of flavour. Hello!

I swoon over our first course of Jerusalem artichoke soup with pine mushrooms, and 63 degree poached egg, absolutely showered in truffles from Pemberton, Western Australia. 

You simply cannot just eat this sort of thing straight away. You absolutely must sit and admire, swoon, sigh, tingle all over with excitement and absolutely breathe in the dish before you can take the first bite. And what a bite it is! Silky smooth all over, earthy, warming, comforting. Oh, I could have had so many more serves, just so many more…

Apologies for the terrible picture (I assume the wine had been comfortably snaking it's way up into the brain)! Our second course was a serve of Western Australian marron, sitting on a bed of hand rolled macaroni and topped with salmon roe and basil with shavings of truffles from Manjimup, Western Australia. 

I was amazed at how different this dish was to the first, but how well the truffle worked with it still. The hand rolled macaroni was sublime, and the marron perfectly cooked and oh so sweet, given a richness by the truffle. 

The third course reminded me how much I love Scott Pickett's beef dishes, having first tried it a few years back at the Stroke Foundation: Food for Thought dinner. It's not only delicious, but visually stunning. Tonight we dined on a beautiful wagyu shin, miso, oyster, truffles from Braidwood in New South Wales, a couple of other things on the dish that I can't remember, and…a bone marrow croquette. Honestly, that last component, genius. Intensely crunchy texture, leading to a fatty and rich filling. Swoon. Scott's meat was on point too, melting in the mouth, complemented with the rich and creamy dollops of miso and oyster (I think…). 

Having tried both the Western Australia truffles and New South Wales truffles, shaved over savoury dishes, I was actually quite surprised how different they were. The Western Australian truffles I found to be hypnotising in aroma, but not as prominent on the palate, and the reverse for the New South Wales truffles, which a little more subtle overall, but crept in with a little more flavour. 

We were spoiled with door prizes, I happened to win a box of 5 truffle macarons from Madame Truffles…and let me say, if you've seen them and considered them and haven't picked them up…you've made a huge mistake. Although they didn't smell too strong, or much of truffle at all, in flavour, the truffle was all there, sneaking in at the back and providing a long lasting lingering flavour. It's worth it. Do it.

To wrap up the night, we were sent to cloud 9 with dessert, a truffle sponge, with charred pear and honeycomb, with truffle ice-cream to top. Although the truffle didn't really impart itself to the sponge so much, it was rich and completely present in the ice-cream, whacking us in the face (in the best way possible) with all it's flavour, wrapped up in the cold creaminess of the ice-cream. Oh man. I ate this real slow to savour it. I didn't want it to end. The richness of the truffle complemented with the freshness of the pear. Happy sighs. 

Although Fringe Food Festival has finished up it's truffle dinners for the year, be sure to sign up for the newsletter on the website, or follow them on twitter, to see when it's coming around again (or don't, as you're now all competition for seats in 2015. Hmmmm.) 

Fringe Food Festival

Estelle Bar & Kitchen

243 High Street

Northcote