Hakata Gensuke Hawthorn - Signature Tonkatsu Ramen

Signature Tonkatsu Ramen with flavoured egg #hakatagensuke #hawthorn #ramen

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Aug 22, 2015 at 10:26pm PDT

Yes, I have a love affair with ramen! I think the weather in Melbourne makes it perfect for enjoying ramen all year round, maybe apart from those 40 degree hot days! For me it's one of those comfort foods which you just crave from time to time and you just feel so satisfied after having it!

The broth is thick and rich with a distinct pork essence packed with flavour which is just so warming and comforting to the taste. Noodles are cooked to the choice of texture accompanied by tasty condiments! I do feel that one slice of chashu is rather stingy but it's seems to be the trend here. The flavoured egg was nicely cooked with runny yolk - I added additional minced garlic and it was oh so yum!

The best part is that the seating is not as cramped as the city outlet and I've been here on two occasions without having to queue unlike the city outlet which is at least a 20-minute wait!

Address: 860 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
http://www.gensuke.com.au/

Mart 130 - Corn Fritters and Pancakes

Corn fritters with grilled bacon, homemade tomato relish & sour cream #mart130 #middlepark #cornfritters

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Aug 7, 2015 at 7:31pm PDT

I love corn fritters! These corn fritters were pretty satisfying together with the grilled bacon. The sour cream kept them moist and the tomato relish was really delicious, every bite was packed with flavour and such a delight to eat!

Pancakes with mixed berry compote and lemon curd #mart130 #middlepark #pancakes

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Aug 7, 2015 at 9:20pm PDT

These pancakes unfortunately looked nicer than they tasted. They were just weird, they felt under cooked and the texture was just doughy and very unpleasant to eat. Overall, the pancakes on their own were quite tasteless. The lemon curd and berry compote were really sour and we had to douse the pancakes with a lot of maple syrup to try to balance the flavours.


Address:
107A Canterbury Rd
Middle Park VIC 3206
http://www.mart130cafe.com.au/

Hard Pressed Coffee - Chilaquil Cassoulet

Chilaquil cassoulet with beans, Chilean chicken, machego, tomatillo salsa, crisp tortillas, jalapeño sour cream and egg! #hardpressedcoffee #eastmelbourne #cassoulet

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Aug 3, 2015 at 7:39pm PDT

I sneaked out during lunch break to check out this cafe which I felt it was close enough to the city to make a trip during work as it wasn't really in an area that I would frequent or make my way out there during the weekends.

This dish felt very hearty, it's especially ideal during the recent weather and the spice really helps to warm you up! The chicken was tasty and moist, I usually don't like beans but these were really well-flavoured. I also really loved the baked egg in the dish which together with the machego, tomatillo salsa and jalapeño sour cream, tied the whole dish together! The crisp tortillas gave great texture to this Latin American flavours infused dish.

Don't forget to order your coffee here as well!

Left my lunch at home today, good excuse to treat myself to coffee & brunch! ☺️

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Aug 3, 2015 at 6:58pm PDT

Lights in the Attic

I came all the way here for the Birds Nest - scotch eggs but they were sold out. Very disappointed as they could have said so when they sat us down and not wait till after our drinks have been ordered... 😞

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 31, 2015 at 9:05pm PDT

I am not going to any reviews on this place because I feel that the incident above has marred my ability to provide an impartial review. I know it's just brunch, it's not a big deal - but the truth is I was really disappointed. I go through great lengths to decide on the places I choose to blog about, which dishes to pick and review and the main objective of them all is to make every calorie count and not waste any calories. This was considered to me a wasted trip because I didn't get to eat what I had intended to.

You could also say that I can always make a trip there again another day, unfortunately, I work on a pretty long list of cafes and I don't think time and money will allow for a double take on a cafe after a marred experience.

So anyway here are the other pretty pictures of the dishes that we ended up eating...

French Toast with fresh berries & honeycomb.

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 31, 2015 at 10:58pm PDT

Meat breakfast

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 31, 2015 at 11:06pm PDT

Hash Specialty Coffee - Grilled Banana & Pecan Loaf

Grilled banana and pecan loaf, with macadamia milk crumb, blueberries, burnt honey mascarpone & white chocolate custard. Died and went to dessert heaven! #hashspecialtycoffee #bananapecanloaf #melbourne

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 29, 2015 at 9:44pm PDT

I've found the cure for depression! Well, not really, perhaps just a temporary cure.

I guess one of the perks in working in the CBD area of Melbourne, Australia is that you are spoiled for choices when it comes to food and what's better than having a dessert for a late lunch?

This grilled banana and pecan loaf is honestly one of the best brunch desserts in quite a while. It was decadent yet refreshing, sweet but not overly sweet and tasted just as delicious as it looks.

There's something about grilling the banana and pecan loaf that gives it a crisp texture on the outer layer and an added dimension of flavour. It goes so well with the white chocolate custard and the burnt honey mascarpone! The white chocolate custard was just the right sweetness and richness. The burnt honey mascarpone has to be one of the creamiest and rich that I've ever had. The fresh blueberries were refreshing and the slight tartness helps to cut through all the sugar. I was a little embarrassed that I had been so hungry that I practically wolfed down this dish and ate all the edible flowers as well.

I didn't expect to dine at Hash Specialty Coffee again so soon but it's hearty and warming menu just makes me want to keep going back!

Address: 113 Hardware St Melbourne VIC 3000

Liar Liar - Ricotta Hotcakes

Ricotta hotcakes with berry coulis, maple & almond cream #liarliar #hawthorn #hotcakes

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 25, 2015 at 11:07pm PDT

I've been craving for hotcakes/pancakes/waffles all week and decided to satisfy my cravings today at Liar Liar cafe in Hawthorn. 

It was so rainy and cold today and these hotcakes were really just what I needed! These hotcakes were steaming hot and fluffy, the maple & almond cream was really sweet & nutty and nicely matched against the tart berry coulis.

Big Fat Liar with scrambled eggs, bacon, pork chipolatas, roasted mushrooms, spinach, thyme roasted tomatoes and house made relish. #liarliar #hawthorn #bigbreakfast

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 25, 2015 at 11:24pm PDT

The big breakfast was honestly average at best. The pork chipolatas were pretty tough, the eggs and spinach lacked seasoning. I do find that it's really hard to find good big breakfasts at most cafes, not sure if it is due to the number of elements of the plate? Or maybe in a busy kitchen, more time & effort is usually spent on the more complex dishes.

Latte on a Sunday goes a long way! #latte #liarliar #hawthorn

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 25, 2015 at 11:39pm PDT

The coffee was great though, love the Proud Mary house blend, smooth and nice aftertaste! 

Overall, the cafe was really busy, limited seating apart from shared common tables. I will definitely be back to try the potato hash which look really great and the pea and haloumi fritters on special.

Address: 90 Kinkora Road, Hawthorn, VIC 3122

Hash Specialty Coffee & Roasters - Leek and Cheddar Croquettes

Leek and cheddar croquettes with ham hock, cauliflower puree, cavolo nero and turmeric poached egg! #croquettes #melbourne #hashcoffee

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 17, 2015 at 8:27pm PDT

I finally got tired of having a bad hair day (month!!) so I decided to get my hair coloured and dyed over this weekend. My hair salon is just around the corner from Hardware Street in the city, a stone's throw away from the renowned Hardware Societe and popular Korean diner - CJ Lunch Bar.

I was tempted to visit Hardware Societe since I was alone and it would possibly be easier to get a seat. I turned the corner and saw the queue for Hardware Societe spilling over on the cobblestone pathway on Hardware Street and I was like nah forget it, I marched on to the other end for Hash Specialty Coffee & Roasters which I've been wanting to try.

Hash was packed with people but surprisingly there wasn't a queue. I was delighted to get a seat immediately. The menu was really aligned to my food preferences, very hearty brunch food - I was torn between the bacon with smashed avo and peas and the leek and cheddar croquettes and ham hock. Both sounded awesome but I decided on the latter and the croquettes were really tasty, crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The cavolo nero added a nice earthiness and the ham hock worked well with the delightfully smooth and creamy cauliflower puree. I didn't know what to expect from the turmeric egg but it turned out to be surprisingly flavoursome. Overall, a well composed dish!

Hash hot chocolate #hotchocolate

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 17, 2015 at 8:31pm PDT

I realised that as there are so many cafes in Melbourne that it is impossible to stand out without a so-called signature dish. It's like how everyone goes to Top Paddock for its Ricotta Hotcakes and Fifty Acres for its Scotch Eggs. Here at Hash - it would be the Hash Hot Chocolate served with fairy floss. Check out the Instagram videos - you just can't help watching how the fairy floss dissolves into the hot chocolate. Almost every table orders this novelty Hash hot chocolate, it's a must try at least once!

I'll definitely come back to Hash to try the other yummy menu items - anyone care to join me?! :P

Address: 113 Hardware St Melbourne VIC 3000

Fifty Acres - Scotch Eggs & Pumpkin Buttermilk Pancakes

Chorizo Scotch Eggs with machego, avocado, spinach and seeded mustard mayo #scotcheggs #fiftyacres #richmond

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 11, 2015 at 11:33pm PDT

I am finally better from my terrible cold last week. It was so miserable, I watched the entire Twilight series - it was a movie marathon, but I felt much better after, LOL.

I've always been wanting to go to Fifty Acres for so long after hearing all the good things about it but I just never had the time or opportunity to plan for this. Finally had the chance today, it was freezing and wet but we braved the weather for brunch!

The cafe was packed as expected - 30 minutes wait, we left our number but the call came much sooner, maybe only about 15 minutes.

The chorizo scotch eggs were really tasty, the baby spinach and avocado added an refreshing element but it was the seeded mustard mayo that brought the whole dish together, one word - yum!

Pumpkin pancakes with orange segments, citrus mascarpon, candied walnuts & Canadian maple #buttermilkpancakes #fiftyacres #richmond

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 11, 2015 at 11:42pm PDT

Of course we had to share a sweet dish for dessert and these pancakes were AMAZING! It's only fault was that it was kinda small and there wasn't enough! The pancakes were moist and fluffy, the candied walnuts worked well with offsetting the citrus from the orange segments and mascarpon was creamy and decadent!

The service here was impeccable and friendly and minimum wait time for food. I will definitely like to come back here to try out the other menu items but it would be so hard to not order the scotch eggs again!

My friend Penny ordered the quinoa salad below - I had a tiny bite and it was pretty good though I'm not a big fan of quinoa, I just wanted to post it because it looks so pretty!

Quinoa salad with avocado, pomegranate, sumac corn and citrus dressing #fiftyacres #richmond #quinoasalad

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jul 12, 2015 at 5:34am PDT

Address: 65 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121

Legacy Camberwell - Sweet Potato Fritters & Southern Fried Chicken

Sweet potato, kale and amaranth fritters with creamy goats cheese, Kaiser bacon, cherry vine tomato chutney and a poached egg. #legacycamberwell #sweetpotatofritters #camberwell

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jun 27, 2015 at 10:18pm PDT

I'm a big fan of corn fritters for brunch, my favourite is still the one by St Ali - My Mexican Cousin. I think the sight issue with most fritters is that they tend to pile loads of sauce on the top, resulting in a soggy fritter.

This sweet potato, kale and amaranth fritter kinda suffers the same fate, it's practically drowned in chutney and goats cheese that all the crispness is lost.

I thought the chutney was a little too tart for my liking - for me overall it was just an okay dish. The only highlight was the Kaiser bacon because of its savouriness.

My partner had the Southern Fried Chicken Burger below - it was kinda hard to eat, so he had it deconstructed.

Buttermilk fried chicken, brioche bun, coleslaw #legacycamberwell #buttermilkchicken #burger

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jun 28, 2015 at 4:17am PDT

As this is a relatively new cafe, I attribute some of this lowlights to the teething issues within the kitchen. Not sure if I will be back again, but if I do I'll try to come back when it's not so busy to see if the food improves.


Address: 347 Camberwell Rd, Camberwell VIC 3124

Thai Culinary - Spicy Chicken Ribs

Spicy Fried Chicken Ribs #thaiculinary #chickenribs #melbournecbd #thaifood

A photo posted by saccha (@sacchaeats) on Jun 26, 2015 at 2:30am PDT

Chicken ribs? Anyone outside of Australia would be foreign to this cut of chicken, but over in Australia they are sold everywhere. You can get them at the butchers's, you can get them as ribs & chips with gravy, or at Asian restaurants and at Aussie BBQs! It is a such a delicacy that everyone else is missing out! Chicken ribs are so tender and easy to eat - they are a great alternative to chicken wings!

These Thai styled chicken ribs are really crunchy, the batter is really fragrant and spicy! As I'm not really a spicy person, I really prefer the salted egg yolk version of the chicken ribs, but these work really well too - just I can't eat as much as the other.

Address: 433 Elizabeth St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Website: http://www.thaiculinarymelbourne.com.au/