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feedblogspot · 6 years

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Type of Venue: Cafe Cuisine: Modern Australian food Highly Recommended: The Smashed Avo, Big Mac & Cheese, Deep Fried Bau

A cafe whose name is a jumbled acronym of the owners’ names, Mad Ram Cafe is offering locals a taste of the contemporary Melbourne brunch scene in the outer suburbs. Located away from the main roads, the peace and serenity that surrounds Mad Ram Cafe is just one of the enticing reasons to visit. Another reason? The food.

Owners Mark Anderson, Dan McDonald and Alex Roberts joined forces less than a year ago to bring to life their dream of owning their own cafe. Mark and Dan have worked together for years, starting back to when they were apprentice chefs. Both extremely passionate and dedicated to their craft, you will see them hard at work in the open kitchen creating the dishes that soon arrive at the table. If one of them has the day off, then the other one is left to tackle the constant brunch orders on their own. However, as we saw on the day we visited, Dan took it all in his stride and maintained a consistently high quality with every dish that left the pass.

Intrigued by the high price tag of $20.00 attached to their take on the smashed avocado, we decide to order this dish to find out how special this avocado on toast could really be. Immaculately presented on the plate, a single piece of grilled multigrain bread is topped with a lightly smashed avocado, mixed in with solid cuts of this soft-textured fruit to create an exciting inconsistency amongst its smoothness. The amount of avocado is extremely generous, eliminating any questions regarding the avocado-to-toast ratio. Accompanying ingredients of a walnut puree, baby mint, finger lime and lavosh squares elevate this expectingly simple dish to a whole another level. The walnut puree tastes similar to an almond butter or natural peanut butter, delivering an earthy flavour that balances the smashed avocado, and somehow enhances the flavour of the entire dish. A juicy zing of finger lime excites the palate, whilst the inclusion of crispy lavosh squares is initially strange, but makes sense upon discovering that the inspiration for this dish is the smashed avocado served on lavosh at renowned restaurant, Attica; a dining experience from which Dan and Mark walked away inspired and motivated to be more creative with the menu at Mad Ram Cafe.

So, is The Smashed Avo worth its high price tag? That’s not something that I can justify, as there is a myriad of costs involved in creating a dish (and this doesn’t just include the ingredients). However, what I can confirm is that the quality of the locally sourced ingredients on the plate is exceptionally high. Even the grilled multigrain bread is something to rave about, which is no surprise given it is sourced from Burnham Bakery. The addictive quality of this seed-filled bread allows me to forgive them for only serving one piece on the plate, as I would surely devour however many pieces they put on there, which would not bode well for my waistline.

The Smashed Avo ($20.00) + added Hens Egg ($3.00)

For those seeking a heartier type of brunch, you can’t go past the Big Mac & Cheese. Listed under the ‘From The Butcher’ section of the menu, this hangover cure consists of two thick pieces of grilled waffles, filled to the brim with mac and cheese. Crispy on the outside yet richly velvety on the inside, this decadent substitution for toast is generously topped with pressed marble scored beef brisket, two poached hens eggs and hollandaise sauce, with chopped cornichons to break through all of the richness. The intensely flavoured aromas of this dish waft through the air as it is carried through the cafe, with the heavy pairing of tender shredded brisket with mac and cheese waffle an idea that only the brave (and pleasure-seekers) could come up with.

Big Mac & Cheese ($22.00)

To finish on a sweet note, the Deep Fried Bau is perfect for sharing, arriving in a serving of two. Chinese-style bao’s are fried to a golden brown crispness, before becoming a vessel for the vanilla bean ice cream and palm sugar syrup… which don’t take long to melt amongst the warm temperature of the bao’s. The plate is completed with an array of fresh bananas and strawberries, freeze-dried raspberries and a smear of salted peanut caramel, all coming together to produce a satisfyingly sweet dish.

Deep Fried Bau ($18.00)

Coffee is supplied by Toby’s Estate, whilst Emma and Toms juices, Organic Soda, Kombucha, herbal infusion teas and house blended smoothies and milkshakes round out the drinks list. The Black Forest Smoothie is a flavoursome amalgamation of coconut milk, mixed berries, cacao protein powder, banana and LSA, finished with freeze-dried berries for that extra pop of colour and texture.

Black Forest Smoothie ($10.00)

With a menu that appears primarily adult-friendly at first glance, continue scanning to arrive at ‘The Mad Kids’ section. Showcasing their family-friendly concept, the kids section of the menu features not one… not two… but FIVE selections of kid-friendly meals, one of which includes the classic Spaghetti on Toast (which is also available in an adult-version, featured earlier on the menu). The open spacing of the warm, timber-hued cafe also suggests their welcoming nature towards families with young children and/or prams, with a large communal table situated in the middle of the cafe to cater to weekday mum’s groups or families seeking a weekend brunch out together.

With minimal competition in the area, Mad Ram Cafe is paving the way for similarly ambitious cafe’s to follow suit in the outer suburban areas of Melbourne. If located in the inner regions of Melbourne, Mad Ram Cafe may find it difficult to stand apart from the abundance of trendy cafe’s that have established their reputations a stone’s throw away from the city. However, its location in Croydon means that they can offer a niche meal experience on this side of town, eliminating the need for locals to travel too far for a good brunch. The meticulous plating with which the dishes are presented showcases Dan and Mark’s passion for honing their craft and putting the best seasonal produce on display, potentially rivalling some of Melbourne’s best cafe’s further inland. Nevertheless, their humble roots are not forgotten, with the food, cafe layout and friendly ambience all retaining a local rustic style to its character, making customers feel welcome as soon as they walk through the door.

Note: I dined as a guest of Mad Ram Cafe. Thank you to Dan, Mark and their team for the generous hospitality throughout our experience.

Mad Ram Cafe 19 Paul Street Croydon, VIC 3136 Ph: (03) 8719 7946 Email: [email protected] Hours: Daily 6am-4pm.

A local cafe paving the way for trendy, urban coolness in the suburbs: Mad Ram Cafe, Croydon. Type of Venue: Cafe Cuisine: Modern Australian food Highly Recommended: The Smashed Avo, Big Mac & Cheese, Deep Fried Bau

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feedblogspot · 6 years

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Type of Venue: Cafe, Coffee roastery Cuisine: Modern Australian brunch, Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly Highly Recommended: Coffee, Smoothies, Bircher Muesli, Tofu Scramble, Autumn Greens Bowl, Vegan Oreo Peanut Butter Brownie

From little things, big things grow… And it all starts with World Vision Australia’s new hospitality venture, Little Things Coffee. Tucked in between automobile workshops and industrial buildings, this daytime cafe serves healthy and wholesome food and drinks inside its coffee roasting warehouse. Chosen as the flagship store and roastery for Little Things Coffee beans, this Blackburn cafe is paving the way for future hospitality ventures in Australia by the well known charity group. An admirable concept, all of the profits from Little Things Coffee are donated towards the charitable endeavours of World Vision Australia. Potentially one of the first of its kind in Australia, its inspiration is a similar World Vision-owned cafe in New York City, famously endorsed by Hugh Jackman.

Only having been open for 7 weeks, Little Things Coffee continues to be discovered by more locals each day, whether they work on the same street, or live close by. Its industrial setting fits in well with its surroundings, though it still lacks proper signage out the front. A handful of umbrella-covered tables and chairs front the venue, complimented by a strong focus on grey cement surfaces, and an open-vented ceiling. Rows of green pot plants add natural freshness and vibrancy to the otherwise regimented layout, whilst shelves are similarly lined with coffee brewing accessories and take-home packs of the Little Things Coffee blend varieties.

From a customer’s perspective, the cafe runs like a well-oiled machine with staff swapping friendly banter with customers, and food and coffee orders arriving in a timely manner. An air of professionalism and proficiency is sensed, which is no surprise given that Jacinta Price is at the helm. Seasoned within the hospitality industry, Jacinta is an experienced chef and restaurant manager, having worked in various restaurants and cafes throughout Melbourne, the most recent being at Fourth Chapter cafe in Prahran. Her love for learning and being innovative steered her to create the current menu at Little Things Coffee from scratch, whilst her entrepreneurial way of thinking is also a beneficial attribute when it comes to managing and running both the floor and the kitchen alongside her staff.

Following a vegan lifestyle, Jacinta is passionate about creating dishes that are vegan-friendly and health-focused, with her point of difference being that her vegan-inspired creations taste and look like the original, non-vegan varieties, and satisfy your hunger cravings for hours thanks to the use of wholesome, low-GI ingredients. However, non-vegans can rejoice, as the menu still features animal-derived products in the form of eggs, dairy, prosciutto and smoked salmon, available in meals or as add-ons. The decadent Croque Madame is one such example, made with Noisette Bakery brioche bread, bechamel sauce, ham, gruyere and a fried egg. There are some classics that you just can’t alter.

For a non-vegan such as myself, I was excited to brunch a little differently and try some of the menu’s vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free items. A handful of wholesome sweet dishes feature on the menu, with more decadent options (think, pancakes or hotcakes…) to be added in the future. The Bircher Muesli was my sweet pick for the day, made with oats, almond milk and coyo, garnished with a vanilla poached pear, figs, blackberries, a pecan crumble and rose petals. The various textures and use of seasonal fruits decadently compliments the soft-soaked oats, mildly resembling a cold temperature version of porridge that has been expertly cooked with a slight bite.

Bircher Muesli ($15.00)

An exciting salad comes in the form of the Autumn Greens Bowl, showcasing a mixture of quinoa, roasted pumpkin, spinach, kale, dill, avocado, seeds and almonds, tossed in a tahini dressing, and served with a smear of white bean hummus along the side of the bowl. Delicately balanced in terms of seasoning and textural consistency, every ingredient in this salad has a purpose, enhancing the enjoyment of devouring such a nourishing bowl. Special mentions go out to the softness of the roasted pumpkin, enabling the knife to slide right through it without any resistance, and to the intentional roughness of the white bean hummus, promoting a false sense of indulgence in its nutritious conception.

Autumn Greens Bowl ($15.00) + added Poached Egg ($2.00)

A clear example of Jacinta’s imaginative expertise, the Tofu Scramble features tofu as the main ingredient instead of egg, with an addictive crunchiness provided by chopped tomatoes, onions, capsicums and mushrooms, all seasoned with various spices (including soy and turmeric) to give it a fine-tuned balance of salty, sweet, sour and umami flavours. Finished with coriander, Noisette Bakery sourdough bread and a zingy side serving of relish, I would order this dish time and time again, it’s that good.

Tofu Scramble ($17.00) + added Macadamia Fetta ($3.00)

To help quench your thirst, the Little Things Coffee blends are deliciously creamy and smooth, with a rich finish that lingers on the palate. Their range of blends are available to buy on location, with an emphasis on small batch roasted blends to not only produce a concentrated flavour of the coffee bean, but to also respect the sustainable farms on which the beans are grown. The Probat 12kg and 25kg machines in which the beans are roasted can be seen next to the dining area of Little Things Coffee, alongside mesh bags of beans piled high.

Of the non-coffee variety, Pink Rose Latte presents pretty as a picture, exhibiting a light, floral taste from the use of rosewater syrup, with its distinct pink colour a result of beetroot powder, and the use of oat milk following the vegan theme.

Pink Rose Latte ($5.00)

It’s rare to come across a cafe that doesn’t make their own smoothies, and Little Things Coffee is no different from the majority. Banana Espresso is a blend of almond milk, vanilla plant protein, almond butter and granola, whilst the Mango Coconut contains coconut milk, macca, cashew butter and frozen mangoes. These smoothies are perfect to sip on during warmer weather, as they have a cooling effect that keeps you coming back for more.

Banana Espresso Smoothie ($9.00) + Mango Coconut Smoothie ($9.00)

For a little sweet treat, the display of house baked treats such as Vegan Peanut Butter Oreo Brownies, Courgette & Lime Cake, and vegan Hot Cross Buns are accompanied by ACE Cookies and Noisette Bakery croissants and pastries. In house baked treats change daily depending on the demand, whilst a selection of sandwiches and daily-fresh salads entice local workers seeking a quick lunch back at the office.

A seemingly nondescript venue from its plain black exterior, Little Things Coffee is anything but. Its humble presentation is actually an endearing factor, much like many of Melbourne’s best eateries hidden amongst its many laneways and basements. The kempt condition of this contemporary cafe, along with the impeccable presentation and flavours of its ingestible offerings, make this cafe a must-visit whether you live near or far. Rivalling many of Melbourne’s trendy cafe’s located in the city and inner northern suburbs, Little Things Coffee puts Blackburn on the foodie map. And the fact that all proceeds go towards World Vision Australia makes a visit even more worthwhile.

Note: I dined as a guest of Little Things Coffee. Thank you to World Vision, Jacinta and her team for their generous hospitality throughout our experience.

Little Things Coffee 78 Railway Road Blackburn, VIC 3130 Ph: (03) 9894 1336 Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-3pm, Sat 8am-1pm, Sun Closed.

A health-focused cafe by World Vision Australia: Little Things Coffee, Blackburn. Type of Venue: Cafe, Coffee roastery Cuisine: Modern Australian brunch, Vegetarian and Vegan-friendly Highly Recommended: Coffee, Smoothies, Bircher Muesli, Tofu Scramble, Autumn Greens Bowl, Vegan Oreo Peanut Butter Brownie

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feedblogspot · 6 years

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Type of Venue: Cafe, Restaurant, Bar Cuisine: Mediterranean influenced modern Australian fare Highly Recommended: Cocktails, Pork Tacos, Chorizo Croquettes, Mushroom Benedict, Braised Lamb Shoulder

Two Fat Monks is one of those places that delivers on initial expectations, and potentially exceeds them. Walking into this spacious, high-ceilinged venue, the ambience is a fine-tuned balance between energy and calming serenity. An eye for interior design has successfully combined warm-toned furnishings with sleek black lines and clean white surfaces, resulting in a trendy cafe that offers breakfast and lunch, as well as dinner on select days.

Taking in the layout of this multifunction venue, a central bay serves as an organised work station for floor staff, complete with a coffee machine and roaster, beers on tap and clean glass cabinets showcasing the day’s house made pastries and sweet treats. Whether you sit at a booth or table, most areas of the cafe have prime view of the open-windowed kitchen towards the back, where hearty plates of food are placed on the pass in a timely manner.

With the elegant restraint of their interior design, complimented by the friendly nature of their staff, you can’t help but feel a sense of comfort and down-to-earth simplicity that many cafe’s fail to portray. This positive experience extends to their menu, with a new range of breakfast and lunch offerings that leave customers spoilt for choice.

Starting with drinks, a hot Summer’s day calls for a refreshing cocktail. Carefully made in-house and beautifully presented in large drinking jars, the generous portion size potentially justifies their cocktail prices (which are average for a cocktail these days, but more than what you would expect to pay for a drink at a cafe), though a little more alcohol is needed to remind me that I’m not drinking a delicious mocktail.

Pimm Mister ($18.00) (Pimm’s, lime, orange, strawberries, dry ginger) + Tipsy Lemongrass & Ginger Tea ($16.00) (iced tea, vodka, honey, ginger ale, mint)

Offering a selection of breakfast dishes that are also available throughout the day, brunch is a definite possibility for those who love to sleep in. The Mushroom Benedict is generously hearty and filling, featuring toasted brioche, exotic mushrooms, broad beans, crisp shallots, goat’s cheese, vincotto, poached eggs and truffled hollandaise. Deliciously rich and tasty, it could potentially benefit from a balsamic vinegar or glaze to help to tie the ingredients together, thus further elevating this dish to another level.

Mushroom Benedict ($19.50) + added Haloumi ($4.50)

Arriving at the lunch menu, both small sharing plates and larger mains are available, catering to customers of all tastes and appetites. Round morcels of mashed potato are interspersed with mozzarella and chorizo to produce Chorizo Croquettes, whose outer coating is fried to a crispy crumbed texture, and finished with a subtle truffle mayo.

Chorizo Croquettes ($12.00)

Another appetiser are the Twice-Cooked Pork Tacos – a recommended favourite by the staff. Soft shell tortillas are each topped with a single block of twice-cooked pork, pickled onions, red cabbage, jalapeno peppers and hoisin sauce. The tender yet perfectly chewy texture of the pork goes so well with the hoisin sauce, all balanced out by a fresh salad on the side. My only suggestion relates to the quantity ratio: either, make the tortillas smaller to match the size of the pork, or add more ingredients to fill the edges of the tortillas.

Twice-Cooked Pork Tacos ($15.50)

Slow cooked for 12 hours to produce delicately tender, pull-apart meat, the Braised Lamb Shoulder is a surefire hit. Served on the plate with a smearing of beetroot hummus and a salad of spinach, roasted capsicum, pumpkin, pinenuts, goat’s cheese and balsamic dressing, this dish is ideal for a healthy lunch that will undoubtedly fill your stomach. Each component is enjoyable whether eaten individually, or altogether.

Braised Lamb Shoulder ($19.50)

Thinking our meal experience was over and getting up to leave, our main waitress, Siena, surprised us with a dessert to finish. A popular breakfast dish, Espresso Panna Cotta arrives in all its wobbly glory, surrounded by fresh strawberries, blueberries, cream and two types of coulis gracefully dolloped around the plate. The various textures and sweet flavours of the tropical Summer fruits compliment the well balanced espresso flavour of the panna cotta, proving to be an impressive dessert for those who don’t need much to fill the appetite.

Espresso Panna Cotta ($16.00)

Seemingly lurking behind the scenes of Melbourne’s cafe scene, Two Fat Monks deserves to move to the front of the crowd. A contemporary venue is backed up by a stellar menu, whose skilful balance of flavours, textures and excitement provide just a few reasons for why they are a popular local venue. Passionate about the fresh quality of produce that Australia offers, combined with the multiculturalism of the surrounding neighbourhood, Two Fat Monks provides a casually enjoyable dining experience.

Note: I dined as a guest of Two Fat Monks. Thank you to the management and staff for their generous hospitality throughout our experience.

Two Fat Monks 254-256 Wingrove St Fairfield, VIC 3078 Ph: (03) 9489 6272 Email: [email protected] Hours: Breakfast – Mon-Fri 7:30am-12pm, Weekends & Public Holidays 8am-12pm. Lunch – Daily 12-3pm. Dinner Fri-Sat 5:30-9pm.

A cafe that exceeds expectations: Two Fat Monks, Fairfield. Type of Venue: Cafe, Restaurant, Bar Cuisine: Mediterranean influenced modern Australian fare Highly Recommended: Cocktails, Pork Tacos, Chorizo Croquettes, Mushroom Benedict, Braised Lamb Shoulder

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feedblogspot · 6 years

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Well, we’re nearing the end of 2017, and I now know what my parents meant when they would say the years are passing by quicker and quicker. Potentially a telltale sign of getting older… 😬 I just wanted to take this time to say thank you to each and every one of you who has followed me on this journey of food discoveries and experiences, whether you have been here from the start, or have only had a sneak peek to read my thoughts on a particular cafe. Either way, I am extremely appreciative if you have taken any interest at all in what I write.

I have realised that trying different cafes, restaurants and cuisines is a deep-rooted passion of mine, and I hope to continue sharing this love for food with everyone for years to come.

To round out the year, here is a list of my most memorable “Best Of’s” of 2017.

BEST DISHES OF 2017 (In no particular order)

Street Talk Espresso, Armadale Owner Dean (with wife, Korina) is one of the coolest cats around, successfully immersing a trendy streetz vibe into the cafe’s relaxed and fun ambience. Greek-Cypriot flavours are finely balanced throughout their classic brunch dishes with a twist, igniting an appreciation for the quality Australian produce we are exposed to, and the innovative talents of young chef’s today. Must Order: The Boss of All Challah For more info: Click here

Humble Rays, Carlton Bringing a sense of adult-friendly childhood fun and eccentricity to the city’s north, this is one of my favourite cafe’s in Melbourne thanks to their consistently awe-inspiring food and friendly service. Offering a mixture of health-conscious and not-so-health conscious breakfast, brunch and lunch items, they have something here for everyone. Be prepared to wait for a table in peak times! Must order dish: Classic Skookie For more info: Click here

Le Clec, Hawthorn French-Asian fusion is the name of the game at this extremely underrated cafe. Don’t be deterred by the seemingly small seating area at the front, as they also have two more dining areas at the back, one of which is a comfortably peaceful indoor-outdoor courtyard. Staff are enjoyably friendly and accommodating, whilst their daily house-made pastries will make you question the need for that New Year diet. Must order dish: Blackberry Buttermilk Hotcake For more info: Click here

Bentwood, Fitzroy A latecomer on the Melbourne cafe scene for 2017, this cafe is the perfect example of the phrase, ‘slow and steady wins the race‘. Their inspiringly intriguing interior design and fit out contributes to the warm and relaxed ambience, with twists on brunch classics that will leave you hankering for more. Must order dish: Golden Gaytime Pannacotta For more info: Click here

Temperance Society, Hughesdale Nothing groundbreaking in the variety of their breakfast-and-lunch offerings, yet the food is executed with a level of skill and fine-tuned balance that can be hard to come by in today’s saturated cafe industry. Dishes are aesthetically pleasing, and taste super delicious too. A renovation of their venue, however, may benefit their aesthetics. Must order dish: Brulee Bircher For more info: Click here

48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar, Elsternwick or South Yarra One of the more recent places I have visited, these guys are authentically Italian in everything they do. Now with two locations in Melbourne (South Yarra and Elsternwick), there is double the opportunity to visit them. Specialising in wood fired pizzas and gnocchi, the focused menu and high quality of their products (some of which are imported directly from Italy) demonstrate the genuine nature of their concept. Must order dish: Mare Nostrum For more info: Click here

Medah Kitchen, Knox O-Zone Contemporary Mediterranean cuisine in a casual outdoor dining precinct, it can be easy to pass this ordinary-looking restaurant with so many other choices at Westfield Knox. However, their breakfast dishes are hearty and plated beautifully, whilst their slow-cooked meats unwittingly steal the show. Must order dish: Meat Tray For more info: Click here

Rockwell & Sons, Collingwood Encompassing a rustic American diner and bar theme, their American-influenced fare draws in couples and groups of friends alike. Their fried chicken dinners on Wednesday nights (only) are something worth booking ahead for, with the standard of food and drinks on offer significantly higher than what you would find in an actual American diner. Must order dish: Double Patty Smash Burger with added bacon For more info: Click here

Pane e Pizzico, Essendon Primarily an Italian bakery, secondarily a cafe. Serving barista-made coffee, freshly prepared foccacias and to-die-for pastries, this is a bakery worth driving across town for. The staff are extremely friendly, greeting both regulars and non-regulars with an energetic “Hello” or “Ciao”. Sit down and order a croissant, or take home loaves of their house made bread (Panettone and Pandoro available at Christmas time). Must order dish: Jam or Nutella Tarts, any of their breads or foccacia’s For more info: Click here

Addict Food & Coffee, Fitzroy Instagram-pleasing plates of food consistently emerge from the kitchen, decorated with edible flowers and loads of vibrancy. Although within walking distance of competitor cafe’s, this place holds their own thanks to their innovative brunch fare, whether ordering a simple granola, or more complex beetroot cured ocean trout. Must order dish: Chocolate Brownie Waffle For more info: Click here

Penta, Elsternwick Sleek and modern in design, it’s rare to find this cafe without a queue going out the front door on weekends. The numerous owners of this cafe are extremely wealthy when it comes to experience and knowledge in the cafe industry, with an abundance of popular venues under their belt, and a menu that unfalteringly draws the crowds in. Must order dishes: Okonomiyaki with added bacon For more info: Click here

BEST SMOOTHIE OF 2017

Fourth Chapter, Prahran This light-filled cafe embodies healthy living through both their menu and their plant-drive interior. Catering to the gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan populations where possible, there’s a reason why queues form out the door, and people buy their house made granola to take home. Their Peanut Butter Cup is a decadently sinful smoothie whose thick, nutty and chocolatey textures are attributed to the blend of almond milk, Skippy’s peanut butter, vanilla plant protein, chia, banana and maple syrup. Dessert or drink… who cares, just order it. For more info: Click here

BEST FREAKSHAKE OF 2017

The Fish & Burger Co., Doncaster 2017 has to be the year of the freakshakes. At this local crowd favourite, their offering of both regular milkshakes and freakshakes are hugely popular, with the latter attracting the attention of all those it passes. Think, whipped cream, cakes, chocolate bars, syrup, lollies, and plenty of it. Not only do they look amazing, but the milkshake itself also tastes amazing, accurately depicting the flavour that it is described as on the menu, and deliciously textural, proving that it’s not just made of milk. For more info: Click here

Special Mention: Three One 2 One, Richmond

BEST DONUTS OF 2017

Shortstop Coffee & Donuts, CBD With a single store in most Australian states, these guys focus on maintaining the quality of their donuts day-in, day-out. Rotating specials and holiday-themed flavours are on display, as are a select few staples that keep regulars happy. Expect the donuts to be light, fluffy and incredibly flavoursome. If choosing one donut, you will never be led astray with the Maple Walnut Brown Butter.

Special Mention: Bistro Morgan, Windsor

BEST CROISSANT OF 2017

Lune Croissanterie, Fitzroy You will often see owner, Kate, hand-making Lune’s famous croissants and pastries throughout the day in the central windowed kitchen, proving the freshness of their products. Whether ordering a simple croissant, cream-filled cruffin or specialty themed pastry, it’s hard not to appreciate the amount of love and care put into these sweet treats. Focused on a constant level of refinement, improvement and innovation, they are worth lining up for first thing in the morning.

Special Mention: Faraday’s Cage, Fitzroy

BEST TIRAMISU OF 2017

48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar, Elsternwick If you still have room after eating their amazingly delicious wood fired pizzas or freshly hand-made gnocchi, their Tiramisu is something to rave about. Simply served in a cylindrical glass jar, the ratio of sponge-to-mascarpone cream, and the balance of coffee and chocolate flavours rank this Italian pick-me-up pretty highly on my list.

Special Mention: Caterina’s: Cucina e Bar, CBD

BEST HIDDEN GEM OF 2017

Juliet Melbourne, CBD A hidden basement bar located along Flinders Lane, this newcomer is fast becoming known for their impressive raclette cheese (a giant cheese wheel, melted, then scraped onto pickles and potatoes, or in a reuben sandwich). Their venue comes alive later in the evening, when wine conoisseurs and fun-loving groups of friends taste their way through the mostly Australian, female-championing wine list. For more info: Click here

BEST NEW CAFE OF 2017

Bentwood, Fitzroy Named after the Bentwood factory that previously occupied its location, this cafe pays respectful tribute to this particular design of furniture through their warm-hued interior design, gold-plated flooring and bentwood chairs throughout their indoor seating area. When you manage to take your eyes off of the stunning decor and ceiling, you can then appreciate the level of finesse and detail that is put into their food and drinks (namely, smoothies), bursting with flavour, texture and well-plated beauty. For more info: Click here

BEST INTERNATIONAL CUISINES OF 2017

Bhang, Brunswick – Contemporary Indian cuisine Hawker Boys, CBD – Vietnamese Street Food MOMO Dumpling + Tea, Prahran – Authentic Chinese cuisine New Shanghai, Emporium or Chadstone – Authentic Shanghainese cuisine Sabai, Richmond – Fusion Thai cuisine Shukah, Windsor – Modern Armenian cuisine

BEST OVERALL DINING EXPERIENCE OF 2017

Attica, Ripponlea Ranked No.32 in the world, and No.1 in Australia, this restaurant should go on every food-lovers bucket list. Their concept is simple: source produce locally, and use it to show off the beauty of Australian nature. A set menu is compulsory, and necessary to take the diner on a culinary journey unlike any other. Despite their reputation, the atmosphere within the restaurant is quite relaxed and down-to-earth, promoting an enjoyably honest and unpretentious experience. For more info: Click here

Happy New Year everyone!

The best eating experiences from the year: Best Of, 2017. Well, we're nearing the end of 2017, and I now know what my parents meant when they would say the years are passing by quicker and quicker.

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feedblogspot · 7 years

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Type of Venue: Cafe, Bar Cuisine: Modern Australian food Highly Recommended: Boozy Shakes, Morning Glory, Pork Benny, Spring Lamb Salad, Tokyo Rose

All about health, fresh vibes and damn tasty food, Holla Food & Drink is an exciting daytime venue in which to while away the hours on a lazy weekend. Their white exterior adds to the open and welcoming ambience encouraged by their interiors and by the friendly staff, all of which emit cool-kid vibes that would make other cafe’s jealous.

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Designed with the intention to make customers feel at ease and relaxed, potted green plants hang from the walls and rooftop throughout this natural light-filled space, whilst an open kitchen puts everything on display. Venture towards the back to admire their gold-and-black Probat coffee roaster, which roasts Colombian and other-imported coffee beans in-house, classifying Holla Food & Drink as one of the select few Melbourne cafe’s that roasts their own beans.

With a new Spring/Summer menu just released, there is now even more reason to visit this awesome cafe. For something with which to cool down in the warmer weather, choose from their selection of alcoholic beverages, light smoothies or boozy shakes! I would highly recommend the Nutella + Frangelico boozy shake, if you love Nutella, and if you enjoy deliciously nutty textures in your milkshake.

Boozy Shake – Nutella + Frangelico ($12.50)

For something a bit more refreshing, the vegan-friendly Berry & Acai smoothie is a blend of acai, blueberry, raspberry, blackberry, passionfruit and coconut water; whilst the slightly more decadent Bulletproof Smoothie contains raw cacao, medjool dates, MCT oil, whey protein, peanut butter, almond milk and a double espresso.

Berry & Acai Smoothie ($10.50)

Bulletproof Smoothie ($10.50)

Uniquely arriving in a tall drink jar, the Morning Glory is a bircher muesli of a different kind, featuring layers of apple and pear bircher muesli, crunchy granola, strawberry compote, whipped vanilla yoghurt and dried fruits. Filled with textural bites of crunchiness interspersed between layers of healthy goodness, this is the perfect subtly sweet breakfast with which to start the day, or light dessert with which to end a meal.

Morning Glory ($13.50)

The ideal hangover cure, Pork Benny is an insanely impressive burger, served between soft and buttery toasted brioche buns. Bourbon-brined pork collar is cooked to a delicious consistency of moist strands of pulled meat, topped with perfectly gooey poached eggs, hollandaise, Beerios and a bacon crumb. Although everything in this dish is amazing, the standout has to be the Beerios – cheerios tossed through a beer-infused sugar syrup, giving this benedict-burger a crunch and hint of sweetness that delicately balances out the meat.

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Pork Benny ($19.50)

Spring Lamb Salad is refreshingly beautiful in presentation and flavour, containing tenderly slow roasted lamb shoulder, zucchini noodles, watercress, red onion, fresh mint, snow peas, flaked almonds, feta and a pea puree. The pairing of lamb and mint is a classic combination that will never get old, superbly complimented by the sharp crumbled feta and textural pea puree.

Spring Lamb Salad ($20.50)

A touch of Japanese influence is shown in the Tokyo Rose, with miso sous vide salmon, soba noodles, pickled veg, cucumber, snow peas, red cabbage, candied ginger, chilli and a wasabi yuzu dressing producing an incredibly light and tasty dish. Generously served, the creaminess from the wasabi yuzu dressing contrasts yet, simultaneously, compliments the salty-sweet flavours of the pickled vegetables.

Tokyo Rose ($21.00)

Situated along Vietnamese-centred Victoria Street in Richmond, this cafe incorporates subtle odes to this diverse cross-cultural cuisine through menu items such as the Holla Banh Mi, Seoul Food (Korean BBQ pork tacos) and Saigon Scrambled Eggs. With clever innovation that breaks the mould of most Melbourne cafe’s, Holla Food & Drink is a must-visit for anyone seeking hearty and delicious all-day brunch fare set within a succinctly modern hipster venue.

Note: I dined as a guest of Holla Food & Drink. Thank you to the owners, managers and staff for their generous hospitality throughout our experience.

Holla Food & Drink 284 Victoria Street Richmond, VIC 3121 Ph: (03) 8394 3487 Email: for contact, [email protected]; for reservations, [email protected] Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-3:30pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm.

A must-visit cafe for modern hipster vibes and delicious food and drinks: Holla Food & Drink, Richmond. Type of Venue: Cafe, Bar Cuisine: Modern Australian food Highly Recommended: Boozy Shakes, Morning Glory, Pork Benny, Spring Lamb Salad, Tokyo Rose

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