Wednesday 28 September 2011

Wooly Bully


Finally a day off on Sunday for me! and what better things to do then to catch up with friends over awesome food on a glorious sunny day! Bex have always wanted to try Wooly Bully which is situated on Errol Street, just right opposite Auction Rooms. It's a tiny yet quirky cafe with an 80's twist. One side of the cafe was just filled with old records and a record player, a tiny black and white tv could also be seen in the corner and just heaps of old comics hanging around the cafe, and they are all for sale!





We started of our brunch with some drinks. I had a mocha whilst Bex tried their hot chocolate. Their coffee was alright and Bex claimed that their hot chocolate tasted abit diluted. Moving on to zee food, oh man they have THE BEST MAC AND CHEESE I'VE EVER TASTED!!! A serve of macaroni and wholegrain mustard cheese sauce with spinich and herbs. The spinich and mustard just brings a simple classic dish up to another level which is just simply orgasmic indeed. Bex and I just couldn't stop digging into their mac 'n' cheese! We also ordered toasted sesame bagel with cured tasmanian salmon, capers and peppers with cream cheese. Their bagels was good but not as good as the one I had Manchester Press but for the price of $7.50 it was worth it.





It was great spending the day with Bex, we havent done that for a very long time, and the awesome food was just another huge bonus. Can't wait to go back for more mac 'n' cheese! om nom nomz!

Wooly Bully on Urbanspoon

Monday 26 September 2011

Manchester Press

A catch up session was very much needed hence Adrienne decided to bring me, Nic and Iz to Manchester Press. The place is very much hidden away in an alley on little Bourke street but the interior of the place is very nice. The atmosphere had an urban chic feel to it, the smell of coffees were delightful and oh man, if you are a bagel fan, you HAVE to go to Manchester Press because their bagels are TO.DIE.FOR!



Me and Adrienne started of with some coffees. Manchester Press is very famous for their coffee art as well. We both ordered lattes and when Iz and Nic joined us, they both had a go at their chai lattes. We started of with one of their breakfast bagels, which was bagels with peanut butter, caramelised bananas and fresh strawberries. They were...Y.U.M.Z. Adrienne claimed that ANYTHING with melted peanut butter would be a hit in anyones' book, I sooo agree!




Moving on to some mains! Well their open bagel sandwiches are 12 dollars each. Iz decided to get their Soft egg bagel with smoked salmon whereas I got their bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, dill and capers. Adrienne ordered their avocado and feta bagels whilst I've forgotten what Nic had but it has slices of ham on it. All our bagels has salad on the side and it has a sweet glaze to is. DELICIOUS! They were very generous with their toppings of salmon, ham and avocado.





Thanks Adrienne for introducing me to Manchester Press! I can't wait to bring my mum here, I know she would just love the bagels :)

Manchester Press on Urbanspoon

Sunday 18 September 2011

Chef Lagenda

From time to time, I would have some guest stars to share their love for food with me. For this post, my sister Yin has decided to share her thoughts on Chef Lagenda. Hope you guys enjoy!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAYYY PIGGIETATS!

For the very special occassion of my little sister turning 14, we decided to take re-visit the flavours of our hometown by going to Chef Legenda, a cosy little restaurant tucked away in Flemington.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is quite homey while the intererior design manages the incoporate rustic and contemporary art. When we arrived, the restaurant was quite packed so its good to make a reservation beforehand.

We were led to a quiet little table in the corner which was quite good because we had some privacy. However, I noticed a charming little balcony where there some tables for you to dine out in the fresh air. If you'd like to dine al fresco, you could ask for a table out on the balcony.


The menu is quite authentic and boasted almost all of the delicious Malaysian dishes. My sisters and I decided on ordering the Hainanese Chicken Rice, Fried Hokkien Noodle, Hokkien Noodles in Laksa Soup with BBQ Pork and Soya Duck, Pan-friend Pork Dumplings as well as  the Sago pudding and Passion Fruit Milk Tea for dessert.








The laksa soup was absolutely to die for. I felt like I could get high from the creaminess of the soup. I definitely recommend that. The meat in the dumplings was really smooth and tasty. However there was just too much skin and not enough meat. The fried hokkien noodles was a little bit too much and can be overpowering for those with weak stomachs. The chicken rice was average but I think the rice can be more flavoursome. The sago pudding was too sweet and we had to pour some water into to dilute the Malacca sugar but otherwise it was okay.

The service was pretty good and we manage to meet the owner himself on our way out who shared his thoughts on hayfever and the medical bills that come with it. It was an interesting conversation.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience and I'd definitely choose Chef Lagenda over Laksa King. Thanks to Matthew Tran for recommending me this place. Its always nice and comforting to have some Malaysian food from time to time.

~Yin

Chef Lagenda on Urbanspoon

Wednesday 14 September 2011

Lunch at Fandango

More lunch dates with my girls! I really wanted to try Fandango hence we decided to head off to Errol Street for lunch. I didn't know that they stop serving breakfast at 11am so I was really really disappointed that I didn't get to try their beetroot eggs or their egg pesto. Ah well, all the more reason to re-visit Fandango! I won't rest till I try their beetroot eggs!



The interior of Fandango might be small but it is very cosy place to dine in. There is a courtyard at the back of the cafe which was just adorable. Its nice to just chill there over a nice cup of coffee or tea when the weather is warm and sunny. I was really craving for chai latte on the day but I found out that their house specialty is actually their chai tea. I was curious so I decided to try it, and man was the chai tea deeeeeelicious. It even came with honey and a teapot with those little teapot warmers on. Adorable indeed!



Lunch menus were mainly sandwiches or wraps. I ordered their chicken toasted sandwich with avocado, swiss cheese, spinach and mayo. Dari had their ham, cheese & tomato toasted sandwich with homemade relish. Jiamin ordered their egg and bacon sandwich which consists of fried egg and bacon with spinach, cheese and tomato relish on toasted sourdough whilst Sharon ordered their B.L.A.T sandwich which has bacon, lettuce, avocado and tomato and mayo. They were really good sandwiches, great bread and fresh ingredients.


Egg & bacon sandwich

Ham, Cheese & Tomato toasted sandwich

B.L.A.T Sandwich

Chicken avocado sandwich
Will definitely come back to Fandango, I am determined to try their eggs! Probably next week when spring break starts. Till then , stay tune for Fandango part 2!

Fandango on Urbanspoon

Sunday 11 September 2011

Lemon Panna Cotta

My first attempt of making panna cotta and it was a success!! yay me!! The hardest part I find about making panna cotta is getting the consistency right because working with gelatin can be a pain, but I guess if first you don't succeed, try and try again, its not as hard as it seems to be.

Lemon is one of my favourite ingredients to cook with plus I didn't want my panna cotta to be too sweet hence I wanted to add abit of acidity to it. I also attempt to make a brittle which was actually a success as well, but I think I might have overcooked my sugar abit so the brittle was a tad bit bitter. Other than that I was very very happy with my first attempt and would definitely like to experience with different flavours that can cooperate well with panna cotta.

Prep time: 10 mins | cook time: 25 mins plus 25 mins resting and 3-4 hours cooling | serves 8

Ingredients
For the panna cotta
1 1/4 cups of full cream milk, divided
3 cups thickened cream
1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped (can be substitute with vanilla essence)
zest of 8 lemon ( I recommend cutting it down to 7 to decrease the bitterness)
1/2 cup of white sugar
2 1/2 tsp gelatin

For the brittle
1 cup white sugar
1/4 cup water
3 tbsp nuts of your choice


Methods
1) In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of milk with the cream, vanilla and lemon zests over medium heat. Bring to low simmer which will take about 5 minutes, and continue to simmer gently for 5 minutes stirring often. Remove from heat and allow flavours to meld for 25 mins.

2) Strain cream mixture through a fine-mesh strainer, rinse the saucepan clean and return cream to the saucepan. Add sugar to the liquid and bring to a low boil over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for a further 2 mins stirring constantly, then remove from heat.

3) In a small saucepan, add remaining 1/4 cup of milk and sprinkle gelatin on top. Let sit for 2 mins the heat over medium heat, stirring constantly for about 2 mins or until gelatin dissolve, then remove from heat.

4) Pour gelatine mix into hot cream and stir thoroughly. Place saucepan in bowl of ice water to cool, stirring to evenly distribute gelatin.

5) Prepare 8 remekins or any mould of your choice and carefully pour cream mixture into each cup. Place the remekins in refrigarator to chill uncovered for 3-4 hours or until firm.

6) To make the brittle, line a large baking tray with baking paper or wax paper.

7) In a small saucepan, comimbine sugar and 1/2 cup of water over low-medium heat and cook until sugar dissolves, increase heatb to a boil and let cook without stirring for about 7 minutes or until syrup turns amber, occasionally brushing down sides of pan with a pastry brush dipped into water and swirling pan.

8) Immediately pour out mixture onto prepared baking sheet and sprinkle nut over sugar. Working quickly and carefully, tip tray in all directions to allow the caramel to run into a thin and transparent layer. Let cool completely.

9) To serve, break brittle into large uneven pieces and garnish each panna cotta with some of the brittle to serve.


 and sooooo
<< The finishing dish >>


Thursday 8 September 2011

Image Superstore Cafe

As my coffee hunting adventure continues, I stumble across this picture perfect little cafe located just a few minutes walk from Melbourne University. Being a photographic themed cafe, the interior of the cafe is just spectacular, with different furnitures being displayed in every corner of the cafe, pictures of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe hanging on the wall plus the music played has a totally different feel and elegance, giving the customers a little 60's experience.









Oh yes, time to talk about the food and drinks shall we? They don't serve any main meals in the cafe, just the usual muffins and pies and sandwiches. I don't think the prices are worth it but the drinks are alright. I had their vanilla chai smoothie which was absolutely delicious! This is the first time I had a cold version of chai latte and I am absolutely loving it! There's always room for something new in one's life :) I also tried their caramel latte. No complains there from me. Anne tried their oh so vanilla chai latte and their soy latte. She gave the thumbs up as well! Oh! she also tried their banana and nuts muffin and let me tell you she was a very happy Anne ;)





Yeap, this post is full of pictures and hey, a picture says more than a thousand words. :) You know where to find me during my breaks now! Sipping vanilla chai smoothie at the Image Superstore Cafe.


Image Superstore Cafe on Urbanspoon