Well we've had a long weekend, done a days work, picked up my mum for her visit and a special unexpected additional guest in the form of my beloved sis (I call her Shmui) and they've had their first day in Melbourne. Currently jet lag has taken over their weary souls and they are fast asleep and Steve had a long lunch so he came home early and had a nap too!
But for this post I need to go back further to the weekend. Friday saw a frantic finish to the end of the working day (system issues meant last minute panic) and I rushed out at 18:30 to meet Steve at the station to head to Box Hill to meet Ling and Noah for dinner. We had planned to steamboat but the warm weather meant we opted for dumplings. Food was quick, filling, tasty and cheap although service was lukewarm to say the least. We also went to Monga Dessert Lounge afterwards and I am still not a fan of Chinese sweet soup and desserts although I'm happy to carry on testing out this preference! The busy working day caught up with me so had to call it in a night after dessert and head home. A temp of mine once warned me not to hang around Box Hill Station and her words were: "Oh no Minda, bad things happen after 9pm at Box Hill Station." So I didn't really want to tempt fate...
Saturday we originally had brunch plans with Andrew and Stacey with whom we went wine tasting with last weekend (Steve works with Andrew) and another of Steve's colleagues. However, illness and the like meant we had to change plans and the revised plan meant meeting Andrew and Stacey at lunchtime to go to Hu Tong for dumplings. Hu Tong was great as usual in spite of a mix up between pork and prawn. Two bottles of wine later and a stop at Madame Brussels was inevitable where we shared a jug of cocktail before embarking on a spontaneous mini pub crawl that saw us stop off at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow, James Squires (pool playing occurred), Beer Deluxe, Riverland and finally BearBrass where we stayed until it got dark and we needed sustenance in the form of pizza and chips!
Sunday morning saw us chase those hangover cobwebs away with a trip to Greasy Joe's in St Kilda where we met up with Karly and Cam over burgers...very delicious burgers. Karly opted for the Caesar Salad (wedding dress rations) but did steal the odd chip. One drink became a bottle of wine and a few beers and then the rain came down! The day had started off bright and sunny but in the space of 30 minutes the grey clouds had rolled in and the rain poured! A sign for us to head home for the next engagement of the evening...
But for this post I need to go back further to the weekend. Friday saw a frantic finish to the end of the working day (system issues meant last minute panic) and I rushed out at 18:30 to meet Steve at the station to head to Box Hill to meet Ling and Noah for dinner. We had planned to steamboat but the warm weather meant we opted for dumplings. Food was quick, filling, tasty and cheap although service was lukewarm to say the least. We also went to Monga Dessert Lounge afterwards and I am still not a fan of Chinese sweet soup and desserts although I'm happy to carry on testing out this preference! The busy working day caught up with me so had to call it in a night after dessert and head home. A temp of mine once warned me not to hang around Box Hill Station and her words were: "Oh no Minda, bad things happen after 9pm at Box Hill Station." So I didn't really want to tempt fate...
Saturday we originally had brunch plans with Andrew and Stacey with whom we went wine tasting with last weekend (Steve works with Andrew) and another of Steve's colleagues. However, illness and the like meant we had to change plans and the revised plan meant meeting Andrew and Stacey at lunchtime to go to Hu Tong for dumplings. Hu Tong was great as usual in spite of a mix up between pork and prawn. Two bottles of wine later and a stop at Madame Brussels was inevitable where we shared a jug of cocktail before embarking on a spontaneous mini pub crawl that saw us stop off at the Elephant and Wheelbarrow, James Squires (pool playing occurred), Beer Deluxe, Riverland and finally BearBrass where we stayed until it got dark and we needed sustenance in the form of pizza and chips!
Sunday morning saw us chase those hangover cobwebs away with a trip to Greasy Joe's in St Kilda where we met up with Karly and Cam over burgers...very delicious burgers. Karly opted for the Caesar Salad (wedding dress rations) but did steal the odd chip. One drink became a bottle of wine and a few beers and then the rain came down! The day had started off bright and sunny but in the space of 30 minutes the grey clouds had rolled in and the rain poured! A sign for us to head home for the next engagement of the evening...
As part of Melbourne Food and Wine Week, Steve and I had bought tickets to an event at Koko Black which is a gourmet chocolate shop for a Morroccan banquet with matched wines. Upon arrival we were greeted with Turkish Delight Martinis which were pretty and potent before settling down to some soft cheese, flat bread and herb salad. The courses were brough out on sharing platters. The couple opposite us were very friendly and were in the city celebrating a wedding anniversary. Good dinner companions who gave us lots of wine tips and places to visit.
Next up was Melting Fragrant Salmon with Soused Eggplant and Chervil. Not sure what soused means but the eggplant was very thinly sliced so that each slice was transparent and it had a a sweet, sticky flavour. The salmon was done very rare and was certainly melting. The Rare Seared Yellowtail with Iranian Spice and Baby Beet Salad was also delicious having a tongue tingling effect. Honey and Cardamom Duck Breast with Figs and Shaved Bolivian 60% Wild Cocoa came next. Tasty, spicy duck done rare as I like it with a sour sweet marinade. The courses started off good and progressively got better.
Next main courses arrived - Veiled Quail in Vine Leaves with Lebanese Style White Cabbage Salad served with Hazelnut Tabbouleh and Double Lamb Cutlets, Creamy Freekah with Sujuk, Pumpkin, Pearl Onions and Bitter Chocolate-Orange Blossom Jus with King Mushrooms with Crunchy Cocoa Nib Wafers, Shankleese and Sesame. All very tasty and accompanied by big glasses of wine!
Dessert time - Four Orbs on a Bed of Chocolate Soil
Chilli Chocolate Sorbet
Toasted Sesame Chocolate Ice Cream
Pomegranate Doughnut
Chai Chocolate Choux
Followed by Chocolate Cardamom Mousse with Sesame and Pistachio Brittle, Candied Pistachios and Salted Caramel Sauce which by this time I had to pass as too full.
And the last plate were some Koko Black chocolates...
It was fun evening and the food was certainly good. Looking forward to next year's food and wine festival.
Sunday's activites were followed by brunch with Charlotte and Vida on the Monday and a day of household chores in preparation for Momma Chan's visit!
Chilli Chocolate Sorbet
Toasted Sesame Chocolate Ice Cream
Pomegranate Doughnut
Chai Chocolate Choux
Followed by Chocolate Cardamom Mousse with Sesame and Pistachio Brittle, Candied Pistachios and Salted Caramel Sauce which by this time I had to pass as too full.
And the last plate were some Koko Black chocolates...
It was fun evening and the food was certainly good. Looking forward to next year's food and wine festival.
Sunday's activites were followed by brunch with Charlotte and Vida on the Monday and a day of household chores in preparation for Momma Chan's visit!
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