A tipple with the Madame

After 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.



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.



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.



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.



It seemed quite appropriate to be running down the garden path muttering we're late we're late.

Madame Brussels

Level 3,
59-63 Bourke St,
Melbourne,
Victoria
(03) 9662 2775

OPENING HOURS: 12 noon to 1am every day of the wonderful week!

90 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.



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 !!



Oma, Happy 90th Birthday !! You are an inspiration & aspiration to us all.

Taberna de Jam, Grenada Spain - our first taste ...

After almost 2 weeks in Morocco, we found ourself back in Spain. We flew into Madrid and then took a bus ride several hours through the hills of olive trees and arrived in Grenada. It was warm, we were tired & hungry. We drop our bags at the wonderful Carlos V hotel, which was a recommendation from Io & H, and take a shower. All refreshed, we venture outside to see what's on offer. We step out of the hotel and there is a small park lined with orange trees, all blossoming. We both stop and take in the incredible smell ........ Then like a gleaming light in the not-so-distance we see Taberna de Jam. It's already bustling with people so we head on over.



Now we had heard about Grenada being one of the few places that still offer a free tapa with every drink purchase, but for our first taste of this was pleasantly surprised. We ordered 2 of the Andalucian Tinto de Verano which are a refreshing mix of red wine and a sparkling lemon soda. The accompanying complimentary tapa is a little sandwich, on a little olive oil bread with slices of Jamón and a handful of potato crisps.



We then order a few little dishes from the menu, the first up, an Andalucian cold soup, salmorejo. It is thick & rich, with boiled egg & Jamón and a slice of toasted bread.



Then is a little brioche bun, with sliced Jamón, fried potatoes and a little quails egg. If I could have that sort of brioche bun each day for breakfast I would be one happy girl .... well, anytime of day in-fact.



Well, it was time to move on and discover some more of this little town, but we were very happy to have this as our local.




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Beach lunch, Barbate, Spain

The Southern coastline of Spain is breathtaking. Crystal clear water, pure white sand and rocky foreshores with some interesting flora. Wandering along the beach in Barbate is so peaceful. We pass one couple on their push bikes in the whole time we are there - as we are navigating over to a small area of asphalt before climbing up to the lighthouse.



On our walk back along the beach, we see a little side road which looks promising to find a quick lunch. We find a little stone house, which looks promising.



We make our way in, it's quite dark and beautifully cool under the clay roof. There's a small menu in chalk scribbled behind the bar. They have a few little tapas and then a small selection of daily sandwiches. Manchego is ordered along with our drinks at the bar counter and we take a seat. Our ice cold beers and a little plate of Manchego arrives moments later. Several slices of the rich cheese are on a little plate with a good handful of little bread sticks. Yum!



A little plate of pork lomo also arrives with the cheese. Cured, salty pork with a deep red spice coating also with a good handful of the little bread sticks.



After a perfect little start to our beachside lunch, we both have ordered the pork with paprika butter roll. Crunchy bread roll filled with a shredded pork mixture that is bound with an intense paprika butter. mmmmm



Now we certainly have energy to walk all the way back to the other side of the beach and get back in the car to rush home and enjoy our siesta.

bidebide and Brunch Tapa's

We were up early one morning ... we would have been happy with a coffee & a pastry, but stumble across bidebide. It's bustling inside, the crowd enjoying everything from coffee to cava and everything in between.



2 x coffee & 2 x orange juice are ordered as we settle in at the bar. It's then we notice with amazement that the counter is lined with an array of different tapas. All themed around the morning brunch, most of them including eggs in some form. A potato tortilla sandwich between a crunchy little bread roll certainly whets the appetite.



A thinner omelet is next, two slices are sandwiching roasted peppers and crispy bacon and is sitting upon a grilled slice of bread.



The last breakfast tapas we enjoy is a very creative tomato-on-toast idea. Slices of ripe tomato, goats cheese, toasted walnuts and a drizzle of thick sherry vinegar sit on toasted white bread.



We enjoyed brunch so much that we do return later in the week for a quick lunch .... also very good, our lunch included a tapa of champignon mushrooms & foie



and grilled beef with roast peppers and potatoes.



Kim then chooses a boccadillo with Lomo, bacon, cheese, tomato, lettuce & aioli. 2 pork on 1 sandwich is already so much win !! The aioli packs a garlic punch and has specks of fresh herbs that lightens it up.



I can't resist another meat double-up, beef sirloin & crispy bacon with roasted peppers.



Open daily from 8am-1:30am, bidebide is perfect anytime of day whether for a coffee & breakfast tapas, a hearty lunch or a late night tipple ....

bidebide
Usabal Auzoa, 25 - 20400 Tolosa
Guipúzcoa, San Sebastian, Spain
T: 943577573

Tapaç24, Barcelona

On our first visit to Tapaç24 (yes, there will be more posts to come) it was our first realization that Easter weekend in Barcelona means not to many places will be open ... We headed over the the L'Example district with our maps marked of coffee shops, providores and lunch spots. It was early, but upon wandering around it looked as though the whole town had closed up shop for the entire weekend ... After about half a dozen failed attempts at finding anything, we decide to try our luck over by Paseo de Gracia. As we turned the corner, the big glass doors plastered in the words "TAPAS 24" were open, and lights were beaming through onto the street.



It's here my walk turned more into a skip, the excitement to much for me to handle ... I know we were probably only wandering around for an hour and a half, but the prospect of not finding somewhere to eat, let alone have a coffee was frightening. We run in and perch at the counter and order 2 cafe solo before you can even say Beunas.



It's not even lunch time yet, so this is just a mere mid-morning snack. I pick a flauta with chorizo from the counter.



and we also order the Bikini24. This is perhaps one of the finest examples of a toasted ham & cheese sandwich. Spanish jamon, cheese & a hint of truffle sandwiched in slices of crustless white bread that has been lathered with butter - cut in little bikini triangles. Yum!



We're still going on our cafe solo's, which have to be a whopping 60-70ml, so choose a pastry from the counter as well. Not to sure what it was, but am certain it was delicious. Crispy sweet pastry with a custard cream in the centre doused in icing sugar.



At least if nothing else opens over the Easter Weekend we know we can come back here ...

TapaÇ24
Open 8am-Midnight
Diputacio 269, Barcelona 08007
(near Paseo de Gracia)
Tel: +34 934 880 977

Best sandwich in the world ??

... Well, that's what Mark Bittman from the NY Times said back on October 15th, 2006.

He was talking about the Iberica Flauta at Cafe Viena. We wanted to find out for ourselves of course, so upon arrival in Barcelona we barely threw our bags in our apartment, which was conviniently located on Las Rambla, had ourselves a hot shower (so good after a long flight!) and hit the streets in search of this said sandwich.

We headed off down Las Rambla, pausing for a moment when we reached La Boqueria, in awe. All those jamons hanging in the grand entrance, and fresh fruits & vegetables for miles, but we resist the distraction (until the walk home, anyway) and continue on in search of Cafe Viena.

It's actually closer than we thought, and we've reached it in no time. They're obviously quite proud of the praise they received, as posters are plastered everywhere advertising "the Best Sandwich in the World". Menu's are even available in in several languages ... We perch at the bar and order 2 Iberica Flauta's. They arrive extremely fast, I'm sure they're pre-made and waiting out the back.



Now, is it the best sandwich in the world? Well, I think it could be one of the best concepts for best sandwich in the world ... Freshly baked, crunchy flauta (baguette) that has a nice crisp and taste of olive oil as you bite it, rubbed with plump, ripe tomato, and piled with sliced Iberian ham.



Was it the best executed sandwich in the world? Sadly not ... I think they have gotten so busy, and lost the soul that may have been there 4 years ago when Mark Bittman was.





Café Viena
La Rambla del Estudis, 115
Barcelona, Spain
T: 93/349-9800

Firenze; A tale of four breakfasts: part 3

After a pleasant encounter with Max and the crew at the little bar we stumbled across for our not-planned second breakfast, we make our way to the Mercado Centrale (Central Market). We find the butchery section over to one side of the market. Their are cases filled with all types of fresh meat including chickens and calves head & feet.



We know the infamous sandwich must be close .... We turn a corner and see the Nerbone counter deep with people. Old Italian men ordering their lampradotto, the tripe version, but just as many in the que for the bollito, the boiled beef version. We jump on in and place our order at the counter.



We are then handed our tickets and proceed to the opposite end of the stall, where the heavenly morsels are being made.



Firstly, the lamprodotto. The crusty bun is cut in half, with the cut side being dipped into the delicious cooking juices. Chunks of tripe are then removed and roughly chopped before being stacked on the bun. A precise ladel of fire-red chilli sauce and then another of vibrant green salsa verde are draped over the top.



The bollito version see's the bun cut and dipped in the same way. It is then piled high with sliced of the boiled beef, which are sitting in the juice, and come apart with pull of a fork. The same bright green & red sauces are ladeled over.



There is a reasonable sized seated area off to one side, which we noticed was home to many tourists, who also knew about the wonders of Norbone ...



but what had our interest, was the counter at the end. All the locals perched here enjoying their breakfast, most of them with a glass of wine in hand. We jump right in and join them. 1Euro each sees a small tumbler placed in front of us, with bottles of house wine, mineral water and some soft drink there for enjoying. It's customary to do a "Salute" with whoever is close by, so there is "ching ching" all around.



While sitting there savouring our delightful breakfast, we even see an Italian gentlemen a little ways from us, look to Salute with someone, but no one was in reach, so he just "ching ching's" the wine bottle.

Nerbone
Piazza Mercato Centrale
47/R, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Phone:055 219949

Porchetta Sandwich #2

At the morning markets in Greve one of the first things we spotted was the Porchetta van. The van had an impressive rotisserie set-up, spinning around in the background piled full of chickens, meat & all sorts of sticks.



But we have our eye on the crisp pig, perched up on the counter. This variety is available by the kg at 24Euro or on a panino for 3.5Euro. We take 2 panino. Chunks of the delicious porchetta are sliced away, and piled on a crisp Tuscan bread roll.



We also spot something in the counter that is a tradional Tuscan spiedini. We need one of these !!



We first un-wrap our sandwiches, and they were even more delicious than they looked! The pork was still warm, the stuffing packed with fennel seeds, fresh rosemary, lots's of salt and pepper.



As you can see, I was very content .... my eye's glazing over with glee.



Then we were onto the spiedini ... wow! There was chunks of sausage, chicken, and pork all layered between slices of bread. It has been cooked in the rotisserie and all the fat from the meats have fried the bread to a golden crunch. An absolutely amazing concept, fried bread and tasty meat, all this goodness packed onto a stick ...



Oh, Italy ....

En-route ~ Rome 2 Tuscany

Road tripping ... across the Italian countryside. Dinah (Kim's mum), Don (her husband) Kim and myself met in Rome earlier this month. We pile our stuff in a little turbo VW golf and head off bound for Tuscany .... our first stop, and a taste of what was to come, was a little town called Montalto di Castro. We squeeze the car through miniscule little cobbled streets and stumble across some beautiful sights, including this particularly pretty blue door:



But we did pull into this little town with the hope of food, but weren't so blessed with that. We get back on the road, and to our horror and dismay pass a Salumi & Fromagi van on the side of the highway .... oh my?! But it's on the wrong side of the road and it's way to hard for us to turn around, so the mission continues.

We are taking the beautiful coastal drive up to Grosetto, before heading inland towards Greve in Chianti. It between Grosetto and Siena Kim and I simultaneously spot a sign proclaiming "PORCHETTA" - an Italian culinary wonder of boned pork, that is heavily salted with herbs or fennel seed and then roasted over charcoal. A crisp, crackling skin and super moist meat, we know if that's to be had at this roadside stall we'd be good for the last stretch of the drive.



The place was pumping with Italians, loads of construction workers happened to be stopped for the lunch and coffee fix as we arrive.



Then we walk in and are greeted by a delicious pork head, crackling skin covering his face, with those come hither eyes. So it's prochetta x 2, piled between delicious Tuscan salt-less bread. But the pork, oh the pork, this one packed with crystals of salt and loads of fresh rosemary.



2 massive sandwiches and 1.5l of mineral water, for 5.5euro. Awesome!

We then see that all the locals seem to then head into the bar and drink a coffee at the counter before moving on. Well, you know what they say "When in Rome ...." So we perch at the bar and order duo caffe. Watching the precise and efficient use of the coffee machine makes me weak at the knees.

Then we are overwhelmed with the choice of panforte, sweets and pastries on offer. We both decide on the spiced panforte - which is taken from the showcase ... a animated indication with our hands of how much we would like, and a little buffalo horn knife (yes, we found one in Tuscany and Kim bought one back with us, tres cool!) cut's a chunk for us. It's placed on the scales - so many things are just sold by weight, so cool - and we scoff it down.



And all this was had at a little service centre / road side food stall. You can only imagine what lies ahead on our 14 day adventure in Italy .........