tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24574788408681115772024-03-17T03:52:56.744+09:00Big Food Small WorldKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.comBlogger371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-9518531510332049672013-02-22T09:12:00.001+09:002013-02-22T09:12:20.037+09:00Vegemite polenta soldiers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A classic, Aussie breakfast of Vegemite toast soldiers taken to all new heights. Kim had the brilliant idea of setting a layer of vegemite in polenta. He let it set, cut it into soldiers and fried it. Top off the decadence with a fine micro-planing of cheese and dip into free-range soft boiled eggs. </div>
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Heaven! </div>
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Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-91698065356484328032013-02-22T09:11:00.000+09:002013-02-22T09:11:49.375+09:00Relocated to Copenhagen...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So, it's been almost a year since we packed up our belongings into 28 boxes and shipped them from Hokkaido Japan to COPENHAGEN DENMARK! We lived almost 4 years of our lives in the Northern island of Hokkaido, Japan. And what an amazing experience and opportunity that was, the lessons we have learnt, the things we have seen and of course the wonderful people we have met on this journey.<br />
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But we now find ourselves in Copenhagen. I am working at Noma, and Kim has something big that will start this coming Summer. We are loving life in Europe, but we have been so very busy getting settled in and of course with work. We have not forgotten about the blog, and just now uploading and getting on top of our photo situation so posts will sporadically appear again... There is still so much when we look through the photos, Australia, Japan, Denmark and a few places in between. The posts will be completely random, and of course may not reflect our current location. There is just so much we have seen and eaten in the last 12 months. <br />
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This is the little place we are calling home. It's right in the middle of the city, has floor to ceiling windows a great big living area, courtyard and pokey little kitchen that we have been enjoying the abundance of European produce in (oh my, did somebody say cheese!? bread!? small-goods ? .... how we missed you in Japan!). It really is a small world, as this constant journey we are on brings us yet again to the other side of the globe. <br />
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Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-37065751514346878502012-07-31T04:56:00.000+09:002012-07-31T04:56:38.465+09:00Handsome Steve's House of Refreshments<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Another reminder of just how far we are behind with the blog .... This amazing place that we were lucky enough to be shown on our trip to Melbourne which was just over a year ago now, has sadly closed. Hansome Steve and his house of refreshments <a href="http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/nightlife/article/handsome-steves-last-drink">sadly served his last drink this May</a>, and he has departed the building, or the convent as it was.</div>
We caught up with Kim's brother Brent and his partner Alicia while we were back in Melbourne. They have since welcomed a new addition to the family, a little girl named Marita - which we are all very excited about! A big congratulations to them, and we can't wait to get back there and meet her. When we were there back in June last year, afternoon refreshments were still okay, so after a late brunch Brent suggested we head to Handsome Steve's for a beer. We arrived at this beautiful, old stone convent a little way out of the city.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977248089/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img alt="Melbourne" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6023/5977248089_c7e0e8415f.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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This is definitely the kind of place you need to get taken too, because even if you found the right convent I think knowing which door to go in is also key. We enter from the ground floor, take some stairs and find ourselves wandering to the end of a long, narrow corridor. Then, Brent takes the door for us. A small sign that announces "Handsome Steve's House of Refreshments" and of course a red rocket is all that marks this little place.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977811950/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img alt="Melbourne" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6023/5977811950_5b96b9df70.jpg" width="332" /></a><br />
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The menu was small, offering beer, coffee, sandwiches, juice and a few spirits. At the bottom of the menu board he also noted "No skinny, No soy, No tea, No lite beer" nice! We have a few beers, and also a coffee. The beer was cold and the coffee was made well.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977812926/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img alt="Melbourne" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6121/5977812926_564815dc99.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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But this place was really all about the cosy atmosphere. The walls are covered in every piece of Geelong football memorabilia you could imagine, which really add to Steve's kooky personality. He was very happy to smile and pose for a photo, with a couple of trophy cups which just appeared from somewhere....<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977813742/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img alt="Melbourne" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6011/5977813742_b126c3c6d1.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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We are very pleased we made it to this place before it sadly closed, and will keep an eye out for what Handsome Steve gets up to on his next venture.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977814014/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img alt="Melbourne" height="332" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6022/5977814014_f8f9c299aa.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com11 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford VIC 3067, Australia-37.802172 145.003781-37.803740499999996 145.0013135 -37.8006035 145.0062485tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-82967701901403429692012-04-12T02:38:00.007+09:002012-04-12T05:43:13.791+09:00Soup, Cookie and baked beans.We had worked with our friend Stevie in the Caribbean, now he was back and rehoused in Melbourne so a catch up was in order. When you with a local taking the no-questions-asked-tour is the only way - and so it was that we found ourselves walking through Chinatown in the evening rain. The destination turned out to be <a href="http://www.goldenagegroup.com.au/hutong/">Hu Tong dumpling house</a>, where according to the whole world of Melbourne the soup dumplings are "the business". Hu Tong is wickedly popular but the wait for a table was a far better option than facing the rain again. Soon enough we were led to the funky bricked tea house decorated third floor and seated.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977167377/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6022/5977167377_9ba11557b9.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />The xiao long bao obviously were first up (and maybe third and fifth), the little soup bombs requiring a little special eating technique but worth every patient nibble, the gingery soup fragrant and rich within the tender dumpling skins.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977166567/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6126/5977166567_98a1cc04d4.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />Wontons in chilli sauce deliver with a plate of slippery morsels in a puddle of chilli oil flecked with szechwan pepper.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977730042/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6124/5977730042_f2175940d8.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />The steamed pork was something we couldn't go past on the menu, so soft it fell apart as it was lifted from the plate, and smothered with anonymous red sauce. Awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977730448/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6029/5977730448_346bd6bcf1.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />We were a little disappointed by the fried squid. Chewy and thickly battered. We drowned our sorrows in more soup buns.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977166963/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6129/5977166963_32928c90fe.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />After a few too many buns we made our way out into the night and further into the Melbourne night. A little while later Stevie convinced us that the fairly lacklustre bouncer clad entrance to <a href="http://www.cookie.net.au/">Cookie</a> is somewhere we want to go. Upstairs though we were given the "I told you so" with a cavernous bar offering an interesting range of drinks such as Dirty Granny Mature Apple cider. And the bar snacks....well.... who would of thought we'd have so quickly forgotten the soup buns of earlier that night to try as much of the great Thai snacks on offer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977731674/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6142/5977731674_cdc7ce22fb.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br />Little tapioca pearl skin dumpling witha peppery sweet filling.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977731890/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6133/5977731890_40165e0f9e.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br />Sour fermented pork ribs with peanuts, ginger and chilli.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977168389/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6023/5977168389_a96d3a3074.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br />Northern Thai sausage, a little dry but flavour wise bang on.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977732360/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6006/5977732360_58d54eeb58.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br />Roasted nuts with chilli and Kaffir lime. Cookie was a nice surprise, a nice bar with great snackage.<br /><br />The night progressed in this fashion until we ended up in a bar unknown drinking savagely blue cocktails and other creations out of baked bean cans and pretty much all the rest of the photos and the night ended up like this.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977734652/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6025/5977734652_70bc92e042.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />Good times.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goldenagegroup.com.au/hutong/">Hu Tong Dumpling House</a><br />14-16 Market Lane <br />Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia<br />T: +81 (0)3 9650 8128<br /><br /><a href="http://www.cookie.net.au">Cookie</a><br />First Floor, 252 Swanston Street <br />Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia<br />T: +81 (0)3 9663 7660Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-20133450137493138532012-04-12T01:11:00.004+09:002012-04-12T01:51:44.866+09:00St Ali, South MelbourneWe head out on foot, in search of the tram stop no. 26 located out front of the Alfred Hospital. We then have to remember to get off at the little South Melbourne street side station. We are not headed out looking for the usual kind of tourist landmark, we are looking for <a href="http://stali.com.au/">St Ali</a> for our morning breakfast... After just a few minutes stroll, we spot Yarra Place. We make a turn and feel we are transported into a little haven in the South of the city - warehouses, graffiti walls, people pedaling their bicycles and even some guys in lab coats?! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977573930/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6012/5977573930_c51a3e6ba2.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />As we expected, they are quite busy. We approach the friendly looking lady with the clipboard, and she scribbles our name on the list and tells us it will be about 20 minutes. We are happy to wander this little alley, and find some cool galleries and a place selling clothes and jewellery. We head back just as our stomachs start rumbling, and our timing is perfect. We are ushered into a cosy little corner table in the front of the Cafe and order our coffees as we are seated. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977010653/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6129/5977010653_90ae5bef08.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />Oh, Melbourne, how I love you and your culture and understanding of great coffee! Our morning Cappuccino hit the spot. Little pots of very raw brown sugar sit on the table, I don't add any to my coffee but cannot resist just trying a small spoonful - great texture, toasted and caramel flavors - yum! I also have a The Winter 3 Juice which is fresh squeezed pear strawberry and mint. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977575592/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6149/5977575592_74b821aaec.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />We also love that the water bottles are up-cycled <a href="http://www.kodawari.cc/?en_home/products/hitachino-nest-beer.html">Hitachino beer</a> bottles, tres cute. The menu here reads so well, with catchy titles like from Chickens with Love, Hook Line & Sinker and the one that I choose for breakfast, My Mexican Cousin. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977576164/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6010/5977576164_c2f3f3fbf4.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />My Cousin is a plate full of Secret Recipe corn fritters, fresh baby spinach, haloumi and kasundi with a poached egg. I also add some bacon, for no reason other than loving bacon! The corn cakes are fluffy and full of flavor, the poached egg cooked to perfection and the spinach and haloumi round out the dish nicely. I find the spiced tomato kasundi way too sweet, and mostly push it to the side. <br /><br />Kim has gone for the Corny Baby; creamed corn with poached eggs, green chilli relish, pinenuts & witloof/witloaf/wotlof whatever salad on light square tin loaf. Always throwing in a bit of character with their menu descriptions, I love that! This was also delicious, but also quite sweet - the little red dressing on the witloof/witloaf whatever was like a sticky syrup, lucky Kim also ordered a side of bacon to balance the dish out with some smoke & salty flavours. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977012035/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6007/5977012035_0be488fdbe.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />We continue this lazy morning with a couple of bloody Mary's before vacating our table for the next waiting customers ....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977014471/" title="Yarra Place by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6024/5977014471_a155bf64f8.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Yarra Place" /></a><br /><br />St Ali<br />12-18 Yarra Place <br />South Melbourne VIC 3205, Australia<br />T +61 (0)3 9686 2990<br /><a href="http://stali.com.au/">stali.com.au</a><br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=-37.831404,144.960265&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17&iwloc=0004bd69e8d5f45d795d9&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=-37.831404,144.960265&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17&iwloc=0004bd69e8d5f45d795d9&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-65829110462846192672012-02-04T10:00:00.002+09:002012-02-04T10:59:38.129+09:00Little Creatures, in MelbourneWe were wandering around Fitzroy, enjoying the midday sun, and were ready for a little .... a little something! And then, just as if it was meant to be, we spot of the <a href="http://www.littlecreatures.com.au">Little Creatures Dining Hall</a>. We perch ourselves by the bar, I am dying to try the Pipsquek Cider on tap and Kim has a Bright Ale. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976849017/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6141/5976849017_84ea4c86cc.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne"></a><br /><br />Little Creatures Pale Ale has always been one of our all-time favorite beers! And the other 2 don't disappoint. The cider is full of fresh fruit flavors. I can't actually remember if I had the pear, or the apple, but I do remember it was delicious! Kim has the Bright Ale, which is smooth and full flavored. <br /><br />We also re-fuel with a plate of fried onions rings. The onion slices are fat, coated with of course a beer batter;) and then sprinkled with paprika salt. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977414180/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6137/5977414180_a681e1024d.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne"></a><br /><br />The Dining Hall is big and industrial, but still manages to feel intimate and warm. Would definitely come back here for a lunch or meal, and of course to try more of the beers, next time we are in the 'hood. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977413092/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6126/5977413092_895ce70a97.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.littlecreatures.com.au">Little Creatures Dining Hall<br /></a>222 Brunswick St <br />Fitzroy <br />Melbourne, Victoria<br /><br />T: +81 (0)3 9417 5500<br /><br />Open: 7 days, 11am till lateKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-59002429726493878292012-01-22T14:05:00.007+09:002012-02-04T10:13:53.710+09:00MoMo Restaurant, Melbourne AustraliaWe know and love all of the Greg Malouf cookbooks, each one taking you on a journey to places as far away as Turkey, Pursia, Marrakech, Lebanon & Syria. When we were making our way down to Melbourne last year, it was one of the first places on our list. We managed to get a booking at 9pm for the second sitting, which of course meant <a href="http://www.bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2011/11/burgin.html">time to try a Rockpool Bar & Grill burger </a>as a little pre-dinner snack. We rush back to the hotel after our burgers, shower & freshen up and then bust a taxi over to Momo. When we made the booking, they explain the restaurant in located within the Grand Hyatt hotel, and that we should enter on the Collins street side, take an escalator up, then the one lift on the right, which will take us to the Restaurant. As soon as we enter the lift it's quite special, nice dim lighting & Arabian music, really setting the mood of what's to come. The elevator door opens, and we are greeted by a friendly staff member at the entrance who escorts us to our table. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976908989/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6022/5976908989_25d9dc357e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /><br />Some delicious cocktails kick off round 2 for the evening. We have chosen the Arabesque sharing menu at $130 pp, which includes 2 entrees, 2 main course, 2 accompanying side dishes, dessert mezze, fresh fruit & sorbet. We then just have to select which items we want for each course from the al a carte menu. This takes only a few minutes, then the menus are whisked away and a little copper coffee pot of fresh vegetables is placed before us, with olive oil & some hot sumac bread. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976908211/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6018/5976908211_ccfd0166c4.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />Our first entree arrives and is a thing of beauty - Kifta Nayee, Middle Eastern style beef tartare with basil, marjoram, smoky chili and garlic bread. The raw beef was hand chopped, with a decent texture and depth of flavors. The smoky chilli was prominent, but the herbs really balanced it all out. Warm garlic bread was the perfect vessel for scooping up all of the flavours. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976909425/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6147/5976909425_1b80370823.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />We really wanted to try the Quail entree, but unfortunately they were already sold out when we ordered. The waiter recommended the Duck, so we just rolled with it ... The Duck breast was roasted on the bone, with creamy lentil burghal pilav and baby beets . The soft baby beets were also highlighted by the crispy beet leaves, which added a really nice dimension to the whole dish. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977472724/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6139/5977472724_bd19b8b06b.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />Our first main to arrive was the Veal shank 'Laban Immor', smoked veal tongue and silverbeet 'manti' dumplings. This was amazing! Soft, succulent veal shank, delicate smoked tongue and plump little silverbeet dumplings sitting in a yoghurt and lemon sauce. Wow! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976910915/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6148/5976910915_b7751ed9e7.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />Our 2nd main was the Kurobuta pork rib eye, spinach gozleme creamy freekeh with pumpkin & pearl onions. The rib eye was cooked beautifully, still a blush of pink in the centre and moist throughout. The little baby gozleme was divine, I could have eaten a whole plate of this, and the freekeh with pumpkin and pearl onions freshened the whole dish up. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976911191/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6131/5976911191_774d98ea7e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /><br />The sides we selected to accompany our mains was also a hard choice, they all sounded divine. We ended up choosing the goats milk haloumi fritters with almonds & leatherwood honey as well as whipped Dutch cream potatoes, French butter, pinenuts. A very good choice, both were quite rich but accompanied our main selection perfectly. <br /><br />We are both getting quite full at this stage, but are presented with a beautiful selection of fruit to cleanse the palate. We grab some of Greg's books, which are all available to purchase, and also available to browse through, and take a little break to enjoy the fresh fruits, and let our dinner settle. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976912097/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6001/5976912097_cdc3bbab21.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />We feel revived, and my eyes beam when I see the Dessert Mezze. It is beautiful, even looks a little magical. The Persian saffron tart is light with a very faint hint of saffron and the beautiful orange color - a little tuille biscuit shaped of Aladin's lantern sticks out the top, with a little gold handle. Then there is a hot chocolate and Kahlua cake with whipped medjool date. The date is a luscious paste in the middle of the tart, a very nice surprise. And then a little Moroccan tea cup of lemon & orange flower ice-cream with rose. A very nicely balanced dessert plate.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976912609/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6004/5976912609_d50efa3c4a.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="500" height="332" /></a><br /><br />Of course we finish the evening with a little pot of Turkish coffee, which comes with a plate of petit fors. As a little digestif, we also choose a Walnut & Date liqueur. Thick & rich, with a nice sweetness, it reminded me of a Pedro Ximenez. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977477634/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img one="" on="" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6123/5977477634_12d1f970a2.jpg" alt="Melbourne" we="" are="" full="" content="" and="" ready="" for="" nab="" ourselves="" a="" signed="" copy="" of="" s="" books="" our="" way="" out="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976916169/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr" width="500" height="332" /><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6126/5976916169_e9828ce12d.jpg" alt="Melbourne" width="332" height="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.momorestaurant.com.au">Momo Restaurant</a><br />Lower Plaza Level<br />Grand Hyatt Hotel<br />123 Collins Street<br />Melbourne, Victoria 3000Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-68089191465199585782011-11-19T14:31:00.015+09:002011-11-28T21:31:48.313+09:00Burgin'<span style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.urbandictionary.com/">Urban Dictionary</a> Burgin'</span> :<br /><div class="definition">Experiencing the intense need for a huge, gnarly burger,<br />passionately consuming a burger, or recovering from burger overindulgence.<br /><br /></div>"Man, I'm burgin"<br />or<br />"Oh yeah, I'm burgin!"<br />or<br />"Goddamn it, help me, I'm burgin!"<br /><br />That was the case as we soon as we had hit Melbourne. But not a general call burgin', there was a specific burger at the center of this crave. We had followed with amusement the posturing and cat calling on twitter over who had the right to call their burger the best in Sydney, when it reached flash point a blind tasting had been organized with Rockpool Bar and Grill coming out on top. Now we were within close proximity of the Rockpool bar and Grill located in the Melbourne Casino complex.<div><br />We arrived at the front door just as they opened and grabbed a seat at the bar rather than the restaurant side as we just wanted the burger. Having the burger cut in half was no problem, we added a side of fat cut chips as the burger came with none, a side of onion rings and one of the small plates of calamari with romesco. A couple of Aperols for the wait and we were all set.<br />The calamari arrived fast, with a generous portion of sweet, nutty romesco. The calamari more a spoon to convey the sauce to our mouths than the star of the plate. With the calamari quickly out of the way we waited eagerly for the burger (burgin).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976853521/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6017/5976853521_3b08d25629.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Arriving cut in half and on two plates showed some consideration from the kitchen. The center showing a nicely cooked medium rare with plenty of juiciness. We took our first bites and began the analysis....nah, we ate it, we ate it good. And a mighty fine burger it was! The fat from the minced wagyu veered towards too-much but Zuni's famous courgette pickles helped to draw it back in. The cheese and bacon seemed almost superfluous, nice but not needed.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5976853813/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6146/5976853813_08707e1795.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The fries were true to their word and cut fat, but they paled beside what were possibly the best onion rings I've ever had. Crispy crunchy with a mild onion center. Not so taken with the home-made ketchup not that it was bad, maybe I just like the amplified artificial umami flavor of the commercial varieties.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5977417706/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6147/5977417706_d10b972510.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />Was it the best burger I've ever had? Maybe. I'll have to add to the list, up there with the <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2010/06/tapac-24-part-2-lost-hours.html">Mcfoie from Tapac 24</a>, Barcalona, the <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2010/08/black-fire.html">Mckobe from Feugo Negro</a>, San Sebastion, and lets not forget the hand minced <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2008/07/brown-sugar-singapore.html">wagyu burger with truffles and foie at Brown Sugar</a> in Singapore... top ten at least.<br /><br />One flaw in the night was the aggressive service with more drinks being offered while our first were still half full and the obvious distain that we were only sharing one burger. Left a slight taint to an amazing burger. (We arrived at 6pm for a little pre-dinner burger, with a booking at MOMO for 9pm).<br /><br />I would like to come back and dine in the restaurant proper. When I peaked though on the way to our seat the room looked amazing, grand and plush like a old timey clubby steakhouse. A glance over the menu and a walk past the meat dry aging re enforced the desire to return.<br /> <a href="http://www.rockpool.com/melbourne/"><br />Rockpool Bar and Grill</a><br /><br />Open; Lunch Sunday to Friday<br /> Dinner 7 Days<div id="post-185" class="post-185 page type-page status-publish hentry melbpost"><br />Reservations<br />+61 3 8648 1900<br /><br />Crown Complex<br />8 Whiteman Street<br />Southbank VIC 3006<br />Australia</div></div><br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&aq=&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=rockpool+bar+and+grill&hnear=Melbourne+Victoria,+Australia&t=m&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&ll=-37.823641,144.960319&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&aq=&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=rockpool+bar+and+grill&hnear=Melbourne+Victoria,+Australia&t=m&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&ll=-37.823641,144.960319&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-43193117180508072412011-11-07T22:24:00.008+09:002011-11-07T23:47:38.443+09:00Easy Tiger!The power of 3. Jarrod Hudson, Suzanne Tyzack & Simon Hall make a magical team at the funky new space <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.easy%20tiger.co">Easy Tiger</a> on Smith Street. We know Jarrod & Suze way back from our years in Sydney where we were introduced to the amazing Giant Steps & Sexton line up from the Yarra as well as the WA Little Creatures Pale Ale. There were many other fun times, doughnuts & laughs along the way. We worked with Jarrod at various large scale catering events, all stinted at Hugos and then I spent time working with him at Dragonfly in Surry Hills. Anyway, back to the beer ..... So, a pint of Little Creatures seemed fitting to kick start our night. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973848205/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5973848205_6d20a05cdb.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />We managed to slip out to the tiny kitchen window to say HI before sitting down for our chefs selection banquet. The kitchen team are humming away, busy before the nights service truly begins, all meticulously checking and stocking up their prep. Oysters are being shucked to order, and I am pleased that they feature on our first plate for the evening - with a little red nam jim that packs a punch and then a watermelon ma hor. Ma hor is a great way to kick the taste buds off on tonights journey, a sweet cube of watermelon topped with a sticky peanut, chicken, pork & prawn paste with fresh coriander and a single slice of red chilli julienne.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973848619/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5973848619_3bb72f2bf4.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The next dish was blow-your-Mr-Sock-off amazing! Jarrod has a phenomenal palate, but also a vivid imagination. This dish showcases everything we love about Jarrod's cooking. Slices of plump kingfish sit on a tarted up white miso paste, with little clouds of crispy rice, slightly pickled cucumber rainbows & wasabi flying fish roe. WOW! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974411090/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5974411090_2deeb11123.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Some little crispy bean curd parcels filled with something which I don't quite remember were a delight. Whatever was inside I can asure you was delicious which was complimented by the black vinegar dipping sauce. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974411970/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6121/5974411970_327aff6784.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I added a cup of dtom kha gai, 'cause I just love my soups ... This was a fine example of the chicken, coconut & galangal version although I had just one problem with it ... there wasn't enough! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974412808/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5974412808_49f1129572.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />The smoked trout salad is another of my favorites, juicy flakes of smokey ocean trout are delicately resting on a roasted coconut, herb & peanut salad with a sticky palm sugar dressing and a little surprise of popping pomegranate seeds. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973852395/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5973852395_834abe930e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Yellow curry of duck is rich yet still remains vibrant with the fresh chilli, baby corn & Thai basil. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974414712/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/5974414712_d98208d303.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />A bowl of rice with a son in law egg is just what the curry needs... Son in law eggs fried to a crispy coating with a gooey yolk busting out through to mix with the tamarind & palm sugar dressing & crispy fried shallots is heavenly. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974415614/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5974415614_fdf49378c6.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Another little gem appears from the Yarra in the form of a pink moscato. The Innocent Bystander pink bubbles make for 2 very nice glasses of pre-dessert wine. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973855973/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5973855973_669a7cdacc.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Dessert comes in the form of monsieur truffe chocolate & pandanus leaf dumplings with melon & salted coconut cream. These are one of my favorite Thai street snacks, but they have certainly been pimped up here at Easy Tiger. The beautiful green dumplings pop with the rich chocolate center and are disguised amongst some perfectly spherical melon balls. The salted coconut cream is elevated by the addition of little basil seeds and some baby leaf basil. We also get a slice of ice-cream slice which has a very tropical feel to it with the passion, coconut & vanilla. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974420916/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5974420916_6415b026d8.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />Espresso to finish is served in a beautiful double-walled glass with cubes of pure cane sugar in another little double-walled glass, just so pretty. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973860279/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/5973860279_cba877170b.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />A fantastic meal on a beautiful night in Melbourne ... It was all a bit of a blur by the end of the night considering our earlier tipple at Madam Brussels but delightful. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974422546/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5974422546_8595616c98.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=jp&hq=easy+tiger&hnear=0x6ad642af0f11fd81:0x5045675218ce7e0,%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AB%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AB%E3%83%B3+%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2,+%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2&cid=0,0,5381963581160754722&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&brcurrent=3,0x0:0x0,0&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=-37.805885,144.983321&spn=0.001483,0.00228&z=18&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&fb=1&gl=jp&hq=easy+tiger&hnear=0x6ad642af0f11fd81:0x5045675218ce7e0,%E3%83%A1%E3%83%AB%E3%83%9C%E3%83%AB%E3%83%B3+%E3%83%93%E3%82%AF%E3%83%88%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2,+%E3%82%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9%E3%83%88%E3%83%A9%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2&cid=0,0,5381963581160754722&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&brcurrent=3,0x0:0x0,0&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=-37.805885,144.983321&spn=0.001483,0.00228&z=18&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small><br /><br />Easy Tiger<br />96 Smith St.<br />Collingwood<br />VIC Australia 3066<br />+61 (0)3 9417 2373 <br /><br />Tuesday–Sunday 6pm-late<br />Sunday night is banquet nightKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-75529278204429505992011-10-24T20:44:00.007+09:002011-11-07T23:48:04.809+09:00A tipple with the MadameAfter a long day of walking Melbourne's streets we both felt we needed a little break. Being conveniently close to Madame Brussels we find the fairly anonymous little lift and three floors up spill out into the surreal surroundings of the the Madams abode. A brick paved path leads you along between AstroTurf lawns highlighted by pink walls and picket fences.. its Alice in Wonderland meets Wimbledon. We follow the brick path to a table on the outside terrace, looking out over east Melbourne and in the last of the afternoon sun we titter our way through the suggestive menu.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973814111/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/5973814111_5601c53161.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />Cocktails come standard sizes as well as jugs for two or four players - we decide on a jug o Gin Garden, with elderflower, apple cucumber and gin.. lots and lots o gin! It's refreshing relaxing and really really good.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974366316/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5974366316_27780af6c9.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />As with as tea in the afternoon there should be snacks, and snacks there were. With the arrival of the tea plate it really drove home the feeling one should be holding a croquet mallet, I mean it had a doily and all. Little toasted triangles filled with poached chicken mayo and watercress and baby sausage rolls with accompaniments of Tabasco, tomato sauce, cornichons and a wedge of lemon it was perfect, the world outside of the terrace completely melted away.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974371082/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5974371082_e4602a4609.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />The jug o gin went down a little to easily, topped up with a stellar Negroni and possibly the best Bloody Mary ever consumed qued the arrival of the Double smoked ham and Tilsit cheese sandwiches which sent us over the edge and once again a tad tardy for our next appointment.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973813295/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/5973813295_28c3bd7ee7.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Melbourne" /></a><br /><br />It seemed quite appropriate to be running down the garden path muttering we're late we're late.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Madame Brussels </span><br /><br />Level 3,<br />59-63 Bourke St,<br />Melbourne,<br />Victoria<br />(03) 9662 2775<br /><br />OPENING HOURS: 12 noon to 1am every day of the wonderful week!Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-25167031390821348722011-10-16T11:58:00.006+09:002011-10-16T16:26:29.233+09:00Bumping into Burch & Purchase, Chapel St MelbourneAfter we were fueled with a morning stop at <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2011/10/lb-pound-cafe-chapel-st-melbourne.html">Lb Cafe</a> we continued our walk up and down Chapel St. Something catches my eye - it wasn't a display window with the latest season skirt on display, it wasn't even a belt or new season accessory ... a window full of delicious looking sweet creations, that's what I'm talking about! We wander on in ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973771267/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5973771267_a72d2aa3f3.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The shelves are lined with all sorts of little packets, and jars, with the pretty pink labels. You can then walk out the back to the epic wall of spice. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973773311/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/5973773311_a6de89dac0.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />... and even get a glimpse into the kitchen where all the magic happens. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973772751/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/5973772751_68f1cdf91e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />Now, you will be forgiven if you haven't heard of this dynamic team before (as honestly, this was our first encounter with the brand) but since our chance bumping into them we have seen them appear on Masterchef and just generally heard fantastic things about their boundary-pushing sweet style. On any given day you will see the showcase full of delights like lego blocks, clouds & chocolate bars as well as little jars of jams, curds and caramel and of course their celebration cakes and my favorite, their sprinkles. We took a bag of the puffed quinoa and malted orange crumble for our flight later in the week to Royal Mail Hotel and it was divine! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974335578/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5974335578_02b835ea8d.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.burchandpurchese.com/">Burch & Purchase Sweet Studio</a><br />647 Chapel Street, South Yarra<br />Melbourne, Australia<br />Open: 10am~6:30pm Tuesday through Sunday<br />Closed Monday<br /><br />T: +61 (0)3 9827 7060<br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&aq=&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=647+Chapel+St,+South+Yarra+Victoria+3141,+Australia&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&sll=-37.837705,144.995869&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&ll=-37.837683,144.995896&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&aq=&vpsrc=6&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=647+Chapel+St,+South+Yarra+Victoria+3141,+Australia&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&sll=-37.837705,144.995869&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&ll=-37.837683,144.995896&spn=0.002966,0.00456&z=17" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-82943235712394794192011-10-16T00:05:00.004+09:002011-10-16T00:29:25.028+09:00lb (pound) Cafe, Chapel St MelbourneMany many years ago we were those people who got a booking at Flower Drum, and flew from Sydney to Melbourne for a brief 2 night stay with the sole purpose of eating there in its prime. It was amazing. We still to this day talk about the peking duck, quail san choi bow, caramel apples, waiters in their bow ties and of course being lucky enough to tour the kitchen - all those wok burners, oh my! and the smell of the peking ovens in action, just amazing and unforgettable. That was of course many years before our blogging started, so you'll just have to take our word for it!;)<br /><br />After that amazing dinner, we woke up a little late. We had plans of having breakfast at Pearl, so hitched a tram over that side of town worked out what station to get off and we were there. The place was full of staff, but not a single customer in site. Oh no, was it that awkward in-between-breakfast-and-lunch-time?! We poke our head in the door and a very nice staff member came to greet us. They were booked out for a private function, so there went out brunch plans! He must have seen our dismay, and instructed us the little staff favorite just up the road for awesome coffee and a great breakfast selection. We followed his directions, make a slight detour down Oxford lane and find ourselves at Pound, or Lb as you will see on the widow. All these years back we had a great experience, and on this trip our first morning was to be spent wandering down Chapel St. so Lb for breakfast was a given. <br /><br />As we are staying at the gorgeous Cullen hotel in Prahan, Lb is closer than we think. Before we can decide whether it's Chap-pel or Sha-pel St we see the familiar glass windows.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973768903/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/5973768903_59b5783c12.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />We were so in need of our caffeine kick that it was absorbed within seconds of hitting the table. Now, just think of this place as the sort of awesome breakfasts you would like to make at home everyday, but likely won't. The produce is fresh & the combinations classic. Smashed avocado, fresh tomato & goats cheese on toast - yup, that's me!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973768121/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/5973768121_be33127b99.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Kim has a heartier option of chorizo panini with rocket. Oh, the little touches like adding the greens AFTER the panini is toasted - that S*+# is always appreciated! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974327712/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/5974327712_f5e73d6538.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />If you are in Melbourne, or more importantly down the Chapel St end of town, Lb is a perfect morning start or midday break. <br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&source=embed&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=-37.840614,144.995799&spn=0.002965,0.00456&z=17&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&source=embed&t=m&vpsrc=6&ll=-37.840614,144.995799&spn=0.002965,0.00456&z=17" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small><br /><br />Lb<br />Shop 5, 566 Chapel Street<br />South Yarra Melbourne 3141<br />T: +61 (0)3 9826 1114<br /><br />Open: Monday to Saturday 7:00am~3:00pm, Sunday 8:00am~3:00 pmKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-52422015626238690362011-10-02T14:53:00.006+09:002011-10-15T23:54:40.923+09:00Chasing up lunch at Cumulus Inc. with Degustation at Cutler & Co. - first day in MelbourneAfter our flying visit to <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2011/09/melbourne-into-excess.html">Cumulus Inc.</a> and a quick taxi across town we found ourselves standing in front of <a href="http://www.cutlerandco.com.au/">Cutler & Co.</a> in Fitzroy. I had booked us a table, but upon entering they can't seem to find our reservation. We are asked to take a seat at the bar, and of course oblige. A quick scan of the Aperitif menu and we have a Campari with fresh pink grapefruit juice and an Aperol with fresh blood orange juice on our table.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973548119/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/5973548119_22054b6fa3.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />We are quite happy at the bar while they appear to be sorting out the little mishap with our booking. They are all super-friendly, and in just minutes we are ushered away to a lovely table in the main dining room, a staff member following with a tray and the components of our drinks. We are given menus and the wine list upon sitting ... even though we are still quite full from our very late visit to Cumulus Inc we still decide on the Degustation. Fresh baked, warm bread rolls arrive at the table along with a couple of fresh shucked oysters to kick off the dinner.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973548639/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5973548639_6e47d593eb.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />Little appetizers just keep on coming, including little toasts with smoked trout & pickled onions, soy roasted pumpkin seeds, marinated olives & a little pot of 'just-like-Mum's' French onion dip with baby radishes. The palate is certainly awakened, and we are ready to eat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974107856/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5974107856_34cae3767a.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Cured Kingfish with avocado, octopus & pickled cucumber is very clean. The sprinkling of the Japanese-esque furikake seasoning really elevate the subtle flavors.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973552171/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/5973552171_c6be45d4cc.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The Heirloom carrots with shanklish, pistachio & radish is a vibrant & exciting vegetable dish. The creamy shanklish curd cheese is hidden in nice little surprise pockets under the carrots. The pistachios are crushed with some other seasons, like a very mild dukkah spice. The carrots are raw shaves, braised and roasted.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974111508/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5974111508_ec3f977195.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We swap our soup course for the wood grilled lambs tongue, sweetbreads, smoked egg, celeriac & anchovy - and are very glad we did! Very nice combination ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973552717/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6124/5973552717_3bfddc98a7.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />I was very excited by the sound of this dish. Poached chicken, foie gras parfait, sprouts, quinoa & prune - but was a little disappointed when it arrived. The chicken was fine, but really needed something like a rich foie gras to elevate it - we both found the parfait tasted like a chicken liver pate, and had none of that foie gras richness we were yearning .... the crisp quinoa was the star of that plate for me.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973553069/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5973553069_ca6283334e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />There are several words that will always excite me on a menu... and two of them happen to be Sucking & Pig. Unfortunately, after this dinner, I lost a bit of that excitement:( I don't know if it's the fact that we were one of the last tables eating and the food was a bit rushed, but we have had better suckling pig on the street side in Vietnam and even at yum cha. The meat was dry and the skin lacked any sort of crackle. Which makes me forget anything else about the dish .....<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974112854/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/5974112854_6a72108a15.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Perhaps the pastry chef wasn't in such a rush to get home, as the next few courses start to make up for it. The first little pre-dessert, crisp tuille cones with a creamy piped apple sorbet nicely washes out the dry pork remains in my mouth.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973554403/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5973554403_180a665f2e.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The dessert of violet ice-cream, chocolate ganache and sour cherry is sophisticated and full of surprises. The sponge cake, the crumbles, the honeycomb like crack and just a really pleasant combination of flavors. A glass of sauternes is the perfect night cap.<br /><br />It's been a big first day in Melbourne, we've seen & eaten a lot starting off with a Cumulus Inc. and Cutler & Co. double up starts this trip off on a roll.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5974115468/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/5974115468_99c0237238.jpg" alt="Melbourne" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&fb=1&hq=cutler+and+co&cid=0,0,5533987088383012143&hnear=&msa=0&sll=-37.80555,144.975892&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&vpsrc=6&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&ll=-37.806173,144.975264&spn=0.005934,0.00912&z=16&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&fb=1&hq=cutler+and+co&cid=0,0,5533987088383012143&hnear=&msa=0&sll=-37.80555,144.975892&sspn=0.006295,0.006295&t=m&vpsrc=6&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&ll=-37.806173,144.975264&spn=0.005934,0.00912&z=16&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small><br /><br /><a href="http://www.cutlerandco.com.au/">Cutler & Co. </a><br />55-57 Gertrude Street<br />Fitzroy Melbourne 3065<br />T: +61 (0)3 9419 4888Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-7168357978803222882011-09-07T22:09:00.009+09:002011-10-02T14:53:11.963+09:00Melbourne; into the excess.The best part of a plan-less holiday is the ability to do things on a whim, like jump on a plane head to Melbourne and spend a week or two eating at all the places we had been watching from a far over the last seven years of absence. In keeping with the theme of the trip we decided on a little snack before our fast approaching dinner booking. A quick tram ride across town (trams people, always cool) a few blocks of superb street art and we're out the front of Cumulus inc.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973906998/" title="Melbourne by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5973906998_5087a97555.jpg" alt="Melbourne " height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />We duck in the door and are surprised to see the place quite full, maybe this is the place for the meal between meals (later on in the week we found out its also the place for real meals as well). A seat is found and we dive into the menu. First sardines, seared and served with caramelized fennel and a sprinkle of orange powder resting on a crispy crispy wafer of toasted bread. I'm a sucker for sardines (for a lot of things when I think about it) and these babies will keep me being a sucker for them.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973348641/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5973348641_b0739481ce.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The next dish of slow cooked octopus with aioli and dehydrated olives is one of the highlights of whole trip. The octopus meltingly soft, the rich aioli just a dab to add a little vroom and the neato trick, the dehydrated olive sits in a puddle of olive oil at first giving the impression of the far more familiar balsamic/oil combo.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973908146/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/5973908146_33b5df6956.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The terrine of jellied pork hock and head flecked with herbs and it's mustardy English cream dressing goes superbly with the house bread and is devoured in moments.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973908368/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/5973908368_55aaf243d4.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />The duck, ahhh the duck, ummm yup sorry have a total blank on the duck. Anyone a little help??<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973908648/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/5973908648_9013033e72.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We couldn't go past the smoked wagyu tongue (another sucker moment) on it's little toasts with the caper raisin vinaigrette it was every thing it should be. A hint of smoke, soft luxurious meat and a sharp little hit of caper to clean it all up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973349653/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5973349653_7547777524.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />By this time we were starting to clock watch, calculating the cross town trip time against further potential dishes. The answer turned out to be just one more. And what a doozy it was!<br /><br />The rum baba, is it retro, iconic, cool again, ironic, never out of fashion? I don't know but I love a rum baba (I had one one the menu this year with persimmon, yuzu and Okinawan rum). This example arrived one large baba sitting in a pool of anglaise with a bottle of Havana on the side to add as little or as much as we desired. We desired a well soaked baba and soon there was naught but a few crumbs and a faint rummy air as we gathered our things and dashed for the door, our next meal only minutes away.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973350353/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/5973350353_272f65664e.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://cumulusinc.com.au/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Cumulus Inc.</span></a><br />45 Flinders Lane<br />Melbourne<br /><br />Mon- Fri 7am-11pm<br />Sat-Sun 8am-11pm<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973910590/" title="Cumulus Inc. by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/5973910590_7d3b734dc0.jpg" alt="Cumulus Inc." height="500" width="332" /></a>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-12752065674601055502011-08-27T21:48:00.008+09:002011-08-27T22:08:51.940+09:00Australian Farmers Market LoveWe were back in Australia this Spring for 8 weeks; the first time since we left nearly 6 years ago that we have spent that amount of time back home. There were so many things we loved about being home, but one of them would have to be the abundance of Farmers Markets. We would go to at least one a week, switching between the Jan Power markets in the City on Wednesdays and the Davies Park markets at West End. The West End markets had a little stall selling a range of cheese & even fresh churned butter. We pick up a log of goat's cheese, and just happen to have some pickled walnuts at home that we picked up on one of our continental food shop missions, and have the making of a wonderful afternoon snack ...
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973278793/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6127/5973278793_e6a703bd99.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Brisbane"></a>
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<br />The goat's cheese was divine, crumbly, salty and with robust flavors ... paired perfectly with the pickled walnuts.
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<br />What are you doing this weekend? Get on down to your local farmers market and as well as supporting local producers you will be bound to find a trove of seasonal treasures!
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<br />the West End Markets
<br />Held every Saturday
<br />6am - 2pm
<br />Davies Park
<br />QLD Australia
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<br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.478426,153.005047&spn=0.013326,0.018239&z=15&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.478426,153.005047&spn=0.013326,0.018239&z=15&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>
<br />Montague Road West EndKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-38145367888753326152011-08-27T21:04:00.004+09:002011-08-27T21:42:29.475+09:00Cupcakes with a chaser of chocolate - Max Brenner on the Gold CoastSo, <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2011/08/happy-20th-birthday-ally-now-lets-eat.html">my darling sister turns 20</a>... one thing that has not changed over the years is her love for chocolate. After a huge dinner the night before, with some delicious cupcakes what better way to follow up the next morning than with <a href="http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/">chocolate by the bald man</a>. Max Brenner is all about chocolate - the shops walls are lined with all sorts of chocolate mixes, drinks, cups, glassware & sweets with cabinets of hand-made chocolates and then the front counter home to a whole range of chocolate goodies, a warm pot of chocolate for drizzling and a coffee machine used mainly for foaming milk for the various chocolate drinks. The drink menu is a tad daunting, you look above the back wall and the boards are filled with each & every hot or iced chocolate concoction you could imagine - dark chocolate, spiced Mexican chocolate, Danish toffee, marshmallow, coconut chocolate, mint chocolate, hot chocolate with waffle bites & peanut butter iced chockie .... just to name a few! The little sis' goes for a suckao, milk chocolate.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973836800/" title="Happy 20th Birthday! by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/5973836800_acd930ca87.jpg" width="332" height="500" alt="Happy 20th Birthday! "></a>
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<br />As you can see, one very happy camper! A jug of warm milk and fine milk chocolate buttons sit on a little wooden tray and are added to a little suckao pot, with a tea light candle flickering below. The metal straw has a little spoon on the end, for stirring and collecting all of the melting chocolate. I have the hot chocolate with waffle bites and Mum the Danish toffee chocolate, both divine!
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<br />We share a chocolate souffle cake, with chocolate drizzle and vanilla ice cream.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5973836540/" title="Max Brenner by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/5973836540_1bd24f5ea3.jpg" width="500" height="332" alt="Max Brenner"></a>
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<br />That's definitely our chocolate quota for the day .... now time for a stroll along the coast.
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<br />Max Brenner
<br />Gold Coast - Main Beach
<br />Shop 24 Ground Floor, Marina Mirage
<br />74 Seaworld Drive Main Beach QLD 4217
<br />T: +61 7 5591 1588
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<br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.968858,153.422613&spn=0.026532,0.036478&z=14&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.968858,153.422613&spn=0.026532,0.036478&z=14&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-91972310915294035002011-08-27T20:55:00.005+09:002011-08-27T21:04:45.271+09:00Happy 20th Birthday Ally, now let's eat cupcakes...While we were home recently my little baby sister turned 20... No longer a teenager! Happy Birthday Ally, so glad that we could be there to celebrate your special day.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5946380594/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/5946380594_f5fde11565.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="332" width="500"></a>
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<br />We made a feast of a dinner, just what the birthday girl requested; Dad's corned beef with mustard sauce, potato rösti & buttered beans. Yum! We'd arranged some gorgeous cupcakes from <a href="http://www.thecupcakeparlour.com.au/">The Cupcake Parlor</a> in West End. Gooey chocolate fudge, toblerone topper & fairy floss varieties.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5945822879/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/5945822879_7c16ed39b0.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="500" width="332"></a>
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<br />Great evening, great company & delicious cupcakes! Here's to many more happy years ahead....Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-19992928071868094062011-08-16T22:17:00.003+09:002011-08-16T22:26:52.942+09:00Adapting to life as an Australian Housewife ..... ah, Risa!A shout out to our friends Ross & Risa, who we met in Hokkaido and <a href="http://japanroadtrip.wordpress.com/">who did the most awesome trip of Japan</a> in their Delica with a Honda Mini Cub & bed in the back .... got married, and then took off to Australia. We caught up with them while we were back in Oz a few times, but were lucky enough to be invited around for a BBQ at their place. They have a pretty sweet pad in the Valley, with a nice outdoor space that opens up into the eating area. Ross cranked up the BBQ, and Risa had knocked up some true blue Aussie rissoles & even a potato bake.
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<br />All was enjoyed in the sunshine, with bread rolls, salad, white wine & even a bit of roo steak! Ross, & Risa <span style="font-style:italic;">adapting to life as an Australian really well</span>, we will be back again next time we're home for another BBQ feast!;) Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-88882483204590277062011-08-16T21:01:00.003+09:002011-08-16T21:35:27.536+09:00Yatala Pies, on the Highway, Brisbane, AustraliaBest Pie in Australia ... now that is a huge claim! Growing up in NSW, Robertson Pie Shop was my go-to pie fix growing up. In the last couple of years, on the visits home to family, I have learned of <a href="http://www.yatalapies.com.au/">Yatala pies</a>. Yatala pies seems to be known QLD wide, and beyond, as producing some of the best pies in Australia. Yatala pies is over 130 years old, and has grown from a humble little roadside pie shop to a store just off the Gold Coast highway in beautiful landscaped surronds with inside & outside seating areas and a drive through! selling over 3,500 pies a-day. We certainly help boost that number whenever we are home!
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<br />It is conveniently located between where Dad's place, and where the rest of the relatives live on the Gold Coast. Pie, chips, gravy & a Bundaberg ginger beer and I am all set.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5946316918/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5946316918_2e32307566.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="500" width="332" /></a>
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<br />The pastry at Yatala is hands down some of the best pie pastry in the galaxy. Crumbly, short crust base and a super flaky puff top. The fillings can be a bit hit-and-miss, but on this occasion I try the lamb, mint & peas. Definitely my favorite pie from Yatala to date! It's like a roast dinner, in a pie. There are decent chunks of the roast lamb and plump peas sitting in a minted gravy.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5946317956/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/5946317956_38b2fc04e9.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="332" width="500" /></a>
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<br />It's also impossible to leave Yatala Pies without some sort of sweet treat for later. When the sister is present, that is guaranteed to be a caramel tart! Today, apricot pie with cream, glistening under a layer of sugar crystals.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5946318480/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/5946318480_b74bb8cbe5.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="332" width="500" /></a>
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<br />Yatala Pies
<br />Exit 38, Yatala North
<br />48 Old Pacific Hwy, Yatala QLD 4207, Australia
<br />T: +61 (0) 7 3287 2468
<br />Open 7 Days a week, 7.30am~8.30pm
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<br /><iframe marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.7352,153.22649&spn=0.053179,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" frameborder="0" height="350" scrolling="no" width="425"></iframe>
<br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.7352,153.22649&spn=0.053179,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-44223476019211770312011-08-13T22:17:00.009+09:002011-08-16T14:06:54.677+09:00Fish & Chips at the Fishery, Milton, BrisbaneI have an issue with cooked fish ... I didn't even eat battered & fried fish as a kid. I ate lots of chips, and pluto pups, and bacon egg rolls, and pineapple fritters. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy eating fish! Mainly raw fish though. It's the texture of cooked fish I generally don't like. Living in Hokkaido for close to 3 years though, I have developed a whole new appreciation for fish .. tsubodai is my favorite thing to get at an Izakaya now - a rich, fatty fish from the Northern seas of Japan that is salted and hung to dry for a day or two before being grilled over charcoal. I even somewhere along the way, in my last couple of visits developed a real liking to battered fish - even when it tastes of more than oil & salt.
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<br />Now, we eat a fair bit of fish in Japan, as you would ... but it's the same with beef. We are blessed with some of the most premium beef & seafood products in the world. The quality is gob-smacking, and that's just the stuff in the supermarket! But, like we still often crave for a nice, grilled steak as everything you get in the stores is small portions, usually sliced very thin, and so rich I don't even think eating a 300g steak would be possible without some serious stomach cramps!
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<br />Fish is the same, the quality and variety of fish we get at the supermarket exceeds anything I could have dreamed of. But again, because of the quality & just their culture of how they eat, fish is eaten in small amounts, often raw, or grilled bone in, used to flavor stocks or salted & dried. A huge chunk of meaty, white fish coated in a thick batter and fried until golden .... nuh uh, not around here. Even if we are lucky to find seafood other than shrimp tempura'd, the batter is much lighter and the pieces of seafood would be tiny bite sized bits. Which brings me back to Fish & Chips. Something I now crave when heading back home. Sitting outside, by the water, a whole spread of deep-fried goodness with wedges of lemon & a Bundaberg Ginger Beer, bliss!!
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<br />The world of twitter introduced me to <a href="http://www.thefishery.net.au/">The Fishery</a> at Milton. This was on our must-eat list. The address is punched into the Tom Tom and before we know it we are headed towards the GBB? "Take the GBB?!" WTF is the GBB? ahhhhhhhhhhh, the Go-Between-Bridge. We put our faith in Tom Toms hands and arrive at a little community shopping village. I imagined it would be by the water? We head inside and place our order.
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<br />There's a large menu on the wall, some daily specials, and showcases filled with all sorts of fresh seafood delights. We settle on some fried cod, crumbed whiting & sea scallops, home-made potato scallops & of course chips.
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<br />The chips are golden & crunchy, the perfect nest for all of the fresh, delicate seafood on top. The sea scallops were sweet, still translucent in the centre with a golden crumb coating. The whiting was salty & delicious, and the huge battered piece of cod was divine. We had home-made tartare & aioli to dip everything into and both stopped in our tracks with the first bite of potato scallop... Thick cut chunks of potato were coated in a dreamy batter and fried until the color of the sun on a clear Summers day.... Yeah, those little fried potatoes messed with my head.. hot, crispy, salty overload!
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<br />This was the first of several fish & chip meals on our visit home, and something I am already missing now we are back in Japan...
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<br />The Fishery
<br />6A / 16 Baroona Rd
<br />Milton QLD, Australia 4064
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<br />T: +61 (07) 3369 4707
<br />Open Daily, 10am-8pm
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<br /><iframe width="425" height="350" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.467917,153.003159&spn=0.026654,0.036478&z=14&output=embed"></iframe><br /><small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=200829711801726217096.00046af8ee3963a22a168&hl=en&ie=UTF8&vpsrc=6&ll=-27.467917,153.003159&spn=0.026654,0.036478&z=14&source=embed" style="color:#0000FF;text-align:left">Big Food Big World </a> in a larger map</small>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-7505364485597149572011-08-12T22:16:00.005+09:002011-08-12T22:36:45.930+09:0090 years strong ....After a brief stopover in Seoul, we find ourselves back in Brisbane on the morning of my Oma's 90th Birthday. A quick freshen up, and we are on the Gold Coast before lunch time. Way back on May 14th, 2011 (was that really nearly 3 months ago??!) my one and only grandparent, Klara Cornelia, or Oma, turned 90. To be there with her to celebrate this milestone, truly a blessing. She has been there for me throughout the years on countless occasions, and spending time with her while we were home and seeing that she still has her sense of humor & cheekiness was extremely refreshing! Lunch is had, and little things that day will stick with me forever. As we all sit down, a casual "What would you like to drink, Oma?" and we are quickly put in our place with a "Well... I haven't even seen the drinks menu yet .." *smile* We all help her navigate her way around the menu a little, as of course the font is quite small. The words Iced .. Coffee .. Ice-cream pass through my lips and her eyes light up. 1 iced-coffee, with ice-cream, for the Birthday girl. She was truly glowing throughout the day, I think a very rare occasion having the family together like this, as well as iced coffee with ice-cream, was probably why.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5945732569/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/5945732569_9028f32d94.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="500" width="332" /></a>
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<br />To be honest, I can't even really remember what we ate, as it certainly was not the thing on my mind this particular day. But, looking over the photos I see the one that we have from lunch was a steak sandwich - toasted white bread, steak, caramelized onions, tomato sauce & even some bacon speared with a toothpick and with a mountain of hot chips. Oh yeah, we are back in Australia !!
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5945733139/" title="Brisbane by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/5945733139_aa207b714f.jpg" alt="Brisbane" height="332" width="500" /></a>
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<br />Oma, Happy 90th Birthday !! You are an inspiration & aspiration to us all. Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-23020865807917109542011-08-12T22:08:00.005+09:002011-08-12T22:21:16.919+09:00Tornado Potato!Deep fried & things on a stick... 2 of my favorite food groups! While wandering through Insadong I spotted a Tornado Potato cart. It was a one-man show, taking a raw potato and feeding it through some fancy contraption where he was left with a spiral of starchy potato. One at a time, the whole thing was then carefully threaded onto a wooden stick. And then, the whole thing, stick and all, was placed in a vat of hot oil.
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<br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848771522/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/5848771522_144df7a884.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="500" width="332" /></a>
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<br />When the golden tornado emerged from the oil, it was left to rest a moment on the tray, before I was faced with the grueling decision of choosing a flavored salt. There was several flavors, but the Chilli and the Cheese flavors were what interested me. A quick dip of one half into the chilli salt, and the other into the cheese salt.
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<br />And there we have one stick full of deep fried, salty, crispy goodness from the streets of Seoul.Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-29281291735756279552011-07-29T21:12:00.001+09:002011-09-13T21:57:28.925+09:00Bbopgi, honeycomb on a stick! Street food in SeoulAfter a huge <a href="http://bigfoodsmallworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/walking-walk-insadong.html">bibimbap for lunch</a>, we make our way back to wander the walking street ... and I spot something from a distance. Sugar, on a stick - perfect! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848049324/" title="Bbobgi by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5223/5848049324_168409417a.jpg" alt="Bbobgi" height="500" width="332"></a><br /><br />Kids and adults alike are walking around with these things, each etched with a different hand drawn artwork. We make our way over to one of the bustling little street side stalls. They are making giant clumps of honeycomb, and then pressing them flat, piercing them with a stick for convenient eating-while-walking, and then etching the picture into the hot candy. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848047688/" title="Bbobgi by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3222/5848047688_3d5b1d43da.jpg" alt="Bbobgi" height="332" width="500"></a><br /><br />Apparently the idea is to eat around the shape without it breaking/cracking? I just ate the heck out of that sugar in one swift motion it was so good ... Will give the whole eating around the shape thing a go next time.Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-60820987869846285622011-07-29T20:19:00.005+09:002011-07-29T23:08:28.075+09:00Walking the walk, Insadong.Insadong is the cultured heart of Seoul with art and antique stores a plenty. On week ends the main street is closed to vehicular traffic and the streets turn into a bit of a flea market. We had all intentions of checking this out, but first off to more important matters such as our breakfast (which was taking place about lunch time (holidays people)) About half way up Insadong gil our rumbling tummies led us down a flight of stairs to the biggest bibimbap we've ever seen, it was just a plastic sample model but at that stage if they had been selling them that size we would have considered.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5847992952/" title="Gogung Bibimbap by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5221/5847992952_985d5a5b13.jpg" alt="Gogung Bibimbap" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />As the menus arrive so does the banchan, a half a dozen small plates of pickles and salads as well as to thimbles of ginseng rice wine, full of the earthy flavor of the root.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5847445427/" title="Gogung Bibimbap by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/5847445427_50bf25afcc.jpg" alt="Gogung Bibimbap" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Our bibimbaps arrive not long after, a raw beef one for myself. Served in a huge brass bowl the textural additions of the nuts and seeds is great. I never really had idea about how much they were used in Korean cuisine.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5847452411/" title="Gogung Bibimbap by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5847452411_5abdc10bdd.jpg" alt="Gogung Bibimbap" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Kat has the house signature, it arrived sizzling away in it's stone bowl, the verdict.... also awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5847454621/" title="Gogung Bibimbap by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3236/5847454621_09aea511c6.jpg" alt="Gogung Bibimbap" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />let the mixing begin</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848014244/" title="Gogung Bibimbap by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/5848014244_f7144a3667.jpg" alt="Gogung Bibimbap" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The restaurant is located in the basement of a funky building called the Ssamzie building, housing dozens of small arty shops with a long walk way spiraling around each floor until you reach the rooftop gardens where we stopped to snap a few pics of the grazing giraffes a peak down onto the market street below.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848041630/" title="Ssamzie by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5848041630_93c3434f75.jpg" alt="Ssamzie" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5848044538/" title="Giraffes at Ssamzie by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5080/5848044538_2fa4b9f87e.jpg" alt="Giraffes at Ssamzie" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />The building is full of all sorts of art installations, mobiles of picture frames, art on the walls, giraffes on the roof, funky maps of the area...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5847488377/" title="Map by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2749/5847488377_80ba5e4ab3.jpg" alt="Map" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Next up sugar madness.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Gogung</span><br />Ssamzie building<br />Insadong gil<br /><br />Open from 11am - 10pmKat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457478840868111577.post-20623351983073575142011-07-24T22:19:00.004+09:002011-07-25T12:28:11.258+09:00So much porky goodness.Hong dae, I hadn't thought much about the area at first but this is because we had be visiting in the wrong time zone. Hong dae is most definitely a night time show. As we walked back around the formerly empty streets it was had to remember how it was pre-midday. Crowds of people thronged the streets and alleys delicious smells were every where, music pounded out of clubs, it was fantastic. We stopped for a little appetizer at a busy bbq place picked at random. A plate of meat, wraps, accompaniments and a couple of Cass beers and we're good to go.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5841797507/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5154/5841797507_686bf31a89.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5842341052/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3157/5842341052_fd4f57a96f.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />We knew we wanted more and traveled a good few feet to get it. As we stepped out of the bbq joint we saw a lot of people enjoying Bossam right next door, with this way up on our must do dishes we took a few steps and sat down again.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5842354722/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5110/5842354722_8e92f30b4e.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="500" width="332" /></a><br /><br />A towering plate of pork arrives along with chillies, garlic, kimchi, wraps, saeujeot (pickled fermented shrimp) and a Haejangguk, a murky bowl soup made from ox bones and blood jelly.<br />the first moments are spent thinking, wow glad we ordered the small size, but then first taste and we know there's no way we won't finish this bad boy.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5842349634/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2428/5842349634_a7d8974baf.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5841806127/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/5841806127_ece69c4915.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />Grab a little pork add some sweet sweet Korean garlic, chili and a splash of baby pickled shrimp, wrap it all up in a sesame or lettuce leaf and chow down, have a little kimchi to cleanse the palate, totally awesome.<br /><br />The Haejangguk is a traditional hangover cure so this was a preemptive strike on the following morning. The soup was of the Seoul variety made with a soy bean soup base, cabbage, green onions, bean sprouts and plenty of the blood jelly. This sort hangover cure I could get used to.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5841800789/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/5841800789_10685b35ea.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="332" width="500" /></a><br /><br />We sat for a good while, every time a banchan bowl was emptied a refill was quick in coming, and magically the plate of pork disappeared, amazing.<br /><br />With bellies filled with awesomeness and doing the happy dance of satisfaction we took once more to the streets to watch and join the spectacle that is Hong dae by night. <br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><br />Parting gratuitous pork shot</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/katnkim/5841804249/" title="Seoul by Kat n Kim, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5103/5841804249_64f5ab3996.jpg" alt="Seoul" height="332" width="500" /></a>Kat and Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00579143909165055451noreply@blogger.com0