30 November, 2014

Nourished:385

#cleaneating is a hashtag that has taken over social media. But what exactly is it ? Simply put, it is the idea of being more mindful of the food’s pathway between its origin and your plate. 

Found in Prahran, Nourished:385 is Melbourne's newest clean eating cafe and restaurant, and is very much the epitome of a cool, calm and collected cafe. Head Chef Benjamin Hildred (ex Proud Mary) has produced a menu that aims to present foods as close to their natural state as possible - preservative free, locally sourced and using only the freshest free-range ingredients. That means no deep fryers, no excess fats or harmful GMOs will be found in his kitchen.


There’s a creative all-day breakfast menu – featuring the likes of Coconut 5 Seed Bircher with berry compote and toasted shredded coconut; Roasted Root Vegetables over tahini with lentil gremolata and poached egg; Vegan Breakfast Scramble with crispy nori over eggplant kasundi on a vegan seed and nut bread - and an equally appetising lunch and dinner menu. 


Caribbean Calypso / Super Charge 

Finding ourselves a table overlooking the gardens in their courtyard, we kicked back, soaked up summer's warmth and fresh air as we sipped on our smoothies. My Super Charge smoothie was delightfully revitalising - bursting with pineapple, mango, watermelon, apple, banana, blueberries, goji berries, spinach and coconut water. On the other end of the table, my friend escaped to paradise with her Caribbean Calypso loaded with mango, passionfruit, banana, orange, shredded coconut and coconut water.


Smashed Avocado

If you know me well, you would also know that I love avocados. So when I heard that Nourished:385 did a Smashed Avocado with a killer twist, I was thrilled. What isn’t stimulating about smashed avocado served with jalapeño infused strawberry chutney, herbed labneh, and sticky balsamic honey on their home-made Nourished house loaf. Though I would usually opt for more savoury dishes, this sweeter number was a refreshing change.



Huevos Rancheros

My friend went for the Huevos Rancheros - baked eggs braised with beans, charred corn, chipotle yoghurt and crunchy corn chips. Typically a richer and heavier brekkie option, we were impressed how these baked eggs were modified to be much lighter and cleaner. 


Chocolate Beetroot Brownie

We were also treated with a slice of their Chocolate Beetroot Brownie which incorporated all sorts of flavours and textures to tempt the tastebuds. The surprising addition of beetroot enhanced the sweetness and moistness, matching well with a scoop of banana coconut sorbet. Packed with all sorts of goodness, this was a slightly less guilty pleasure – easier on the hips, but still as satisfying on the lips. 

Nourished:385 boasts quality food to nourish the body, welcoming staff and a comfortable atmosphere for all to appreciate. Whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner Nourished:385 could easily become Nourished:365 – a spot to visit all day, every day. 


confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Nourished:385

Nourished:385
385 High Street
Prahran, VIC 3181 

http://nourished385.com.au/

Nourished:385 on Urbanspoon


27 November, 2014

Night Noodle Markets 2014 - Part II

You may have already seen my first trip down to the Birrarung Marr. It. Was. Amazing. So it really shouldn’t be a surprise that my Night Noodle Market cravings got the better of me and had me begging for more. 

Here are some visual highlights of my second trip down to the Night Noodle Markets. Enjoy !


Twice Cooked Pork Belly / White Cut Chicken / Crispy Prawn - Wonderbao

Wonderbao on Urbanspoon


Miyagi Fried Chicken - Mr. Miyagi 



Nori Taco - Mr. Miyagi

Mr. Miyagi on Urbanspoon


Roti Telur - Mamak

Mamak on Urbanspoon


SquidSeafood World


What: Night Noodle Markets
Where: Birrarung Marr (near Federation Square), Melbourne
Cost: Free entry; dishes from $5-$15
When: Friday 14th to Sunday 30th November (From 5pm daily)



25 November, 2014

Night Noodle Markets 2014 - Part I

I must say, November has been rather exciting and it just keeps getting better. Not only does it herald the arrival of warmer weather, it also welcomed Australia’s largest food festival – Good Food Month.

The Night Noodle Markets swept Melbourne off their feet in 2013 and now they are back – bigger and better than ever. Migrating from Alexandra Gardens to Birrarung Marr, this year we greet over 50 food stalls and food trucks representing Asia: with delights from Korea, Malaysia, Taiwan to Burma.

 



Korean Crispy Chicken Ribs

We started with Gogi - Hammer & Tong’s newest food truck, bringing Korean street food to the streets (duh!). It was not an option to try these guys – it was a must. Half a bucket found us 8 pieces of piping hot chicken ribs, amazingly tender on the inside, super crispy on the outside, coated in a sticky honey glaze and studded with roasted sesame seeds.

Gogi on Urbanspoon








Inihaw Na Manok / Inihaw Na Baboy

A stone’s throw away from Gogi, Hoy Pinoy pleased the masses with their Filipino BBQ & street food. It seemed like everyone had a skewer (or four). Joining the hype, we grabbed two of their Inihaw Na Manok (BBQ chicken in a traditional marinade) and two of their Inihaw Na Baboy (BBQ pork belly with banana ketchup glaze). Unluckily for us, it seemed we may have gotten a bad batch though. Our skewers barely luke-warm, pork belly was tough. chewy rather bland.


Hoy Pinoy on Urbanspoon


Spicy Pork Belly Bun / Peanut Butter Salt & Pepper Tofu Bun

Kong BBQ served up their buns – a mouth-watering Peanut Butter Salt & Pepper Tofu Bun with pickled mustard, crushed peanuts, coriander and a scorching lathering of burnt chilli mayo; and their Spicy Pork Belly Bun with pickled cucumber and crazy horse sauce. Both absolutely bun-derful !

Kong BBQ on Urbanspoon


Street Hawker

A few stalls down from Kong BBQ, Gelato Messina charmed the crowds with their phuc-king tasty Asian-inspired treats. My friend could not look past the Street Hawker, a dazzling combination of a lime and chocolate brownie, peanut gelato, coconut and caramel jam, fortune cookie clusters topped with a peanut cookie.

Gelato Messina Fitzroy on Urbanspoon


So what are you waiting for? Go on, head on down to Birrarung Marr with tastebuds ready to be tantalised and soak up the authentic Asian hawker market atmosphere.


What: Night Noodle Markets
Where: Birrarung Marr (near Federation Square), Melbourne
Cost: Free entry; dishes from $5-$15
When: Friday 14th to Sunday 30th November (From 5pm daily)

21 November, 2014

La Svolta

To celebrate the arrival of balmy summer nights, an exciting new menu and outdoor dining terrace, I was invited to the exclusive unveiling of La Svolta’s estate Italiana all’aperto. Complete with a live Italian band playing into the evening, it was a night that excited the senses to indulge in a traditional Italian affair.




 Arancini Balls



Baby Snapper Skewers


Prosciutto with Deep Fried Pizza Dough


Pizza Porcini e Speck


Pizza Margherita


Pizza Campania

Food is genuine - their menu based on old family recipes that have been passed down through generations. The menu delights us with a mouth-watering Seared Tuna with a sesame seed crust, Baby Snapper Skewers to lip smacking Beef Carpaccio involtini with rocket, parmagiano & balsamic reduction.

The pizza ? Bellissimo. La Svolta is one of the nine places in Australia accredited by the Naples official pizza body, Associazione Versace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN). This ensures their pizzas are the best of the best, made using traditional techniques with love.

Soft, chewy and fragrant, the pizzas were the highlights of the night. The outer puffed edges are beautifully charred and the centre, molten with sauce and cheese – reminiscent of those in Naples. Toppings are minimally topped with the finest and freshest ingredients, striking a careful balance among crust, sauce, and cheese resulting in gorgeous flavours and texture to the pizza.

La Svolta's outdoor dining terrace will be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday evening from 6.00pm, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy good food in the sun. Go say ciao today !


confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of ID Collective and La Svolta

La Svolta
3-5 Cecil Place  
Prahran, VIC 3181

La Svolta Pizzeria e Trattoria on Urbanspoon

15 November, 2014

Taste of Melbourne 2014 - Part II

Yup, thats right - I went back for more ! 

The launch of Taste of Melbourne on Thursday night was amazing - so amazing, and as much of a piggy I am, there is just so much one can fit in. So what did I do ? Head back on Saturday with an empty stomach of course. 

Food coma and all, this post will be primarily photos - happy salivating !




Elote Callejero & Taco Al Pastor - Mamasita

Mamasita on Urbanspoon


Pinchitos Morunos - MoVida

MoVida Aqui on Urbanspoon


Crispy Pigs Ear Banh Mi - Uncle

Uncle on Urbanspoon



Lobster Roll (Spicy) - Mr Claws

Mr Claws on Urbanspoon


Claire Jr - Huxtaburger

Huxtaburger on Urbanspoon


Pork Trotter Nuggets & Pimiento Cheese Fritters - Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam on Urbanspoon



Sher Wagyu F1 Rib - Brooks

Brooks on Urbanspoon


Raspberry and Pistachio Frangpane Tart - Dish'd


What: Taste of Melbourne 2014
Where: Pelican Lawn, Albert Park Lake
When: Thursday November 13 - Sunday November 16, 2014


http://www.tasteofmelbourne.com.au