BlendCo

Concealed in a secluded carpark, you can find BlendCo blending away in the backstreets of Richmond. Blenders by definition and alchemists by trade, the guys behind BlendCo churn out epic blends of smoothies, juices and superfoods. 

The Acai Cup Blend

I grabbed myself an Acai bowl - a refreshing and healthy blend of acai berries, blueberries, dates, coconut water, banana, apple and a generous sprinkling of their superfood blend - a combination of 7 organic superfoods to support healthier skin they say. The perfect pick-me-up I say.

BlendCo, I could use more of you in my life.

BlendCo

3 Newton Street

Richmond, VIC

http://blendco.com.au

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Fifty Acres

Fifty Acres is what I like to call suave - charming, confident, and elegant. Designed by Sue Palmer from Liquid Creativity and Georgia Nowak and Dhiren Das from Tone and Co, the fit out is simple, sleek and sophisticated. Found on the far end of Bridge road, Fifty Acres is the perfect spot to hit up after shopping up a storm.

Myself, I skip the shopping and kept my eyes on the prize. I head straight to Fifty Acres to meet up with the lovely Eve from Evelovelle for brunch.

  

Chorizo Scotch Eggs

I must say, cutting into a perfectly cooked egg must be one of life’s simple pleasures. But to bundle all that joy with the king of sausages, chorizo ? That my friend is a game-changer. The end result is a golden orb of beauty - gorgeously soft, velvety and meaty. Finished with avocado wedges, fresh spinach leaves, creamy seeded mustard mayo and a generous dose of sharp manchego cheese, I can say confidently that with no hesitation would I happily go through fifty acres for this, again and again.

Yoghurt Panna Cotta

Eve chose to go for a much lighter dish with her Yoghurt Panna Cotta. Surrounded by a forest of fresh fruits and toasted muesli, the panna cotta was velvety smooth, creamy and delightfully wobbly. Wobble wobble.

Simply put, Fifty Acres ticked all the right boxes and only furthers my love for Richmond. Joining the likes of Top Paddock, Kong BBQ, Pillar of Salt, Jinda Thai, and Three Bags Full... the list is never-ending. 3121 is where it’s at.

 

Fifty Acres
65 Bridge Road
Richmond, VIC 3121
http://www.fiftyacres.net.au/

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Mamame' Eatery & Bar

My love for soft shell crab and steamed buns continue, this time at Mamame Eatery and Bar. Pronounced similarly to edamame, Mamame (mur-mah-may) is a bright and friendly addition to Church Street. And all that was required was a quick perusal of their menu and I was sold. Not to mention, it would only be rude not to go and welcome them to Richmond. I mean come on, it’s Japanese/Korean fusion, how could we not ?

Steamed Buns

As the food arrived, there was a moment of silent appreciation. However, this was not the case for long. We tackled the steamed buns fist. The fluffy buns were a lovely canvas for the fatty grilled pork, soft yet slightly crisp on the edges, crunchy cucumber slices and kimchi coordinated with lashings of fiery red ssam sauce. Flavours match made in heaven. Roughly the size of my fist, the sizing of these buns were substantial, but had still left me wanting for more. Seriously though, can you blame me ?

Soft Shell Crab Sliders

Our tastebuds were next treated by their Soft Shell Crab Sliders. Crispy morsels of soft shell crab, Asian cabbage slaw and spicy mayo sandwiched by a buttery sweet brioche bun. The soft shell crab was satisfyingly crunchy yet sufficiently meaty and juicy, pairing well with a refreshing cabbage slaw. If I had to be picky, I’d say the spicy mayo did not have enough of a kick to it. But that’s just me being the chilli lover I am. 

In review, though my friend and I were quite strapped for time, we thoroughly enjoyed each and every second at Mamame. The food was brilliantly executed, and the service was smooth and speedy in accommodating for our hurried meal. Simply put, our experience at Mamame was just lovely all round.

Mamame' Eatery & Bar

460 Church Street  

Richmond, VIC 3121

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Kong BBQ

From the brains behind the ever so popular Chin Chin and Baby, now comes Kong BBQ. Positioned comfortably on Church Street, Kong joins a bustling street of crowd pleasers - Top Paddock and Pillar of Salt. Fitted out by designers Eades and Bergman, the 60-seat restaurant is casual - simple yet bold. The menu, inspired by Korean and Japanese flavours focuses strongly slow cooking, the oriental BBQ way. 

Teriyaki Roast Ora King Salmon Ssam Roti Roll

The flavour and texture of Ora King Salmon was full, rich and buttery together with lashings of teriyaki  sauce mingled with the sweet crunch of wok fried Chinese broccoli and tomato. The roti was tender on the inside, soaking up all the sauces, yet the outer layer still crisp and nicely charred. Not exactly a Korean or Japanese inspired dish, but no one’s complaining here. My friend and I fell in love with this dish and had us singing praises for the entire meal.

Kong  Bossam BBQ Tray

I'm a big fan of bossam, mixing and matching bold flavours that you create in your own individual morsel. The gochujang BBQ chicken was delightful, pulled pork a little lifeless, pork belly and crackling absolutely lip-smacking and the beef brisket slightly dry but saved by the coffee infused tomato relish. Together with the fresh lettuce, tangy pickles, wombok kimchi & walnut ssamjang, we had lots of fun playing with your food - in an acceptable way of course. 

At Kong, atmosphere is loud and lively, service fun and friendly, and food marvously mouth-watering. Would I come back you ask ? Puh-lease, that’s not even a question - I’ve already been back for seconds. Kong is King.

Kong BBQ

599 Church Street  

Richmond, VIC 3121

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Top Paddock

Top Paddock, you never cease to amaze me.

Today, I must simply rave about their Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcakes. We all know, I’m not one to order sweets, but these hotcakes - they're something different. They have been on my mind for as long as I can remember. Be it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Urbanspoon or fellow bloggers’ posts, these hotcakes have been calling my name.

Blueberry and Ricotta Hotcake

The pillowy hotcake was light, soft and incredibly fluffy, whilst it’s edges had a nice crisp to it. Smothered in their delicious  organic maple, a dollop of mascarpone and spotted with crunchy pepitas, mixed berries and petals – it was almost too gorgeous to eat. What I loved most about this dish was that it wasn’t too sweet, with surprise pockets of ricotta that balanced out both flavour and texture.

How lucky I am, to work just around the corner from work.

Top Paddock

658 Church Street

Richmond, VIC

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Jinda Thai

Jinda Thai, located just off Victoria Street has made itself home in a beautifully furnished heritage-listed building - high ceilings, exposed brick walls and eye catching light fittings. The restaurant has a great vibe and is very hip and happening. 

The menu here is quite substantial - there are appetisers to nibble on, soups, rice, noodles, stir-fries, curries, salads, and a whole page dedicated to soft shell crabs (win). The menu is never-ending.

Cha Yen & Ka-Fe Yen

With our tongues feeling like sandpaper, we ordered drinks to help beat the heat. Both the Cha Yen (iced Thai milk tea) and Ka-Fe Yen (iced coffee), enhanced with condensed milk were refreshing, aromatic and pleasantly sweet.

Upon request, we were also brought a tray of condiments and sauces to play with - just like in Thailand. 

Moo Ping Sticky Rice

The first dish of the night were 3 succulent skewers of marinated bite sized pieces of grilled pork.  The pork was tender, bouncy and had a great char on the outside. Dipped in nam jim, we gobbled these down with sticky rice. This dish was extremely well received by my brothers - setting the bar high as this was only the first dish.

Som Tum Soft Shell Crab

A harmony of sweet, sour and spice arrived next - with the freshness of green papaya, carrots, snake beans and cherry tomatoes, the kick from the chillies, the sweetness and crunch of candied nuts and cashews, and tang from the dressing. The soft shell crab was satisfyingly crisp, and the overall favour was bold and tasty.

Pad Thai 

We also ordered a serving of Pad Thai - chewy, translucent noodles which were accompanied with a wedge of lemon and a handful of fresh bean shoots.

Grilled Beef Salad

Medium rare grilled beef on a bed of salad leaves, bright red cherry tomatoes, red onion and herbs that added a bit of zest and acid - all dressed in a lemongrass and chilli dressing that left our tongues tingling. This was gingerly scraped up to the last spot of chilli.

Green Curry Chicken

Chicken, bamboo, Thai eggplant, and baby corn all smothered in a thick and flavourful sauce. It was rich in coconut milk with just a mild hint of lurking heat. 

Boat Noodles

Also known as Kuai Tiao Ruea, these noodles were originally served from the floating boats at the market, hence the name. We opted for the traditional beef broth with glass noodles. The soup was dark in colour, complex and rich in flavour, and highly aromatic. The slippery glass noodles had a good bite to them and swam among tender beef slices, beef balls and golden curls of pork crackling. 

My mum absolutely adored this dish and said that they were just as she remembered having them in Thailand. Again and again, as she was slurping these noodles down did she mention how authentic and delicious they were. 

Jinda Thai promises good food. It's a comfortable space, where you can sit back, relax and enjoy authentic food that sure packs a punch - they're certainly not shy with chillies. Though it might take you a while to flag down a waitress for menus or your order to be taken, your patience will be well rewarded. 

Jinda Thai

1-7 Ferguson Street

Abbotsford, VIC 3067

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Frozen by A Thousand Blessings

There are a lot of things to like about Frozen. Both the frozen yogurt shop Frozen by A Thousand Blessings, and the Disney movie Frozen. Yes, I may just be slightly obsessed. Let it go.

At first glance, the movie Frozen seems to be just another Disney princess film. However, look a little deeper and you realise just how different it actually is - stepping away from the clichés of love at first sight and damsels in distress. And how can I not mention Olaf. 

Like the movie Frozen, frozen yogurt shop Frozen by A Thousand Blessings may look like just another froyo joint (cough - Yo-Chi). But, take a step inside and you'll see that it is much more. 

What stood out to me the most was that all frozen yogurts are made with Biodynamic unhomogonised full cream milk, and sweetened with Stevia - rather than sugar. On top of this, the calorie conscience can really appreciate the nutrition cards that specify what and how much of Frozen goodness that is scoffed down. And for toppings ? Help yourself to over 30 assortments and fill to your heart's content! Think Hello Pandas, mini meringues and green tea mochis. 

With so many goodies to choose from, this was our result. 

How do you like your froyo ? 

Frozen by A Thousand Blessings
670 Chapel Street

South Yarra, VIC

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The Beer & Burger Bar

Residing on the boozier end of Swan St in Richmond, The Beer and Burger Bar is a go to drinking hole for many. As the name would suggest, they do burgers too. Duh.

Slow Cooked Lamb Burger

The pleasantly soft seeded bun held thin slices of slow cooked lamb, smokey bacon strips, fresh tomato, and leafy greens, all topped with a luscious mint jelly and smidgen of harissa. I must say, I was a little saddened as I had expected a fiesta of flavours here. However, the harissa was a let down as it did not hold any heat. On the other hand, the lamb and bacon combo were great. I mean bacon. It's hard to go wrong when you have bacon.

Veg Out Burger

For something a little less carnivorous, we vegged out on the Veg Out Burger - starting with a warm bun, the high-fibre veggie patty was spruced up with squeaky haloumi, thin slices of cucumber, wild rocket leaves, caramelised onion and a sweet tomato jam. We also had a serve of their chips with each burger, which were exactly what we were after - golden and crunchy, while soft and fluffy on the inside. 

I don't think there is all too much to tell about The Beer & Burger Bar - the burgers were good, just nothing memorable. However, if you are around Richmond station and in need of a quick bite, I’d happily point you in TBBB's direction.

The Beer and Burger Bar

112 Swan St 

Richmond, VIC 

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Maedaya

Furnished with black walls, wooden features and thick ropes stretching across the ceiling, Maedaya brings a modern spin to izakaya style dining. Known for their touch screen menu ordering system and affordably priced bite-sized dishes - this has got to be one of my favourite ways of eating as you can taste more dishes in one sitting. 

Edamame 

We start the night with Edamame, popping out the little suckers straight into our mouths, repeating this endlessly until the whole bowl was finished.

Maedaya Tsukune Set

Piping hot off the grill came our Maedaya Tsukune Set - 5 skewers, 15 chicken balls for 4 hungry mouths. Drizzled in 5 different sauces (garlic crumbs, black pepper, nanami chilli pepper, spicy miso mayo and wasabi mayo), one was not enough as it was devoured far too quickly. Luckily there was enough of these flame-licked skewers to go around. 

Avocado Roll

A long plate held plump pillows of rice, rolled inside out with a cream cheese and lobster salad, topped with delicate slices of avocado. Immensely fond of sushi, this was right up my alley. 

Cold Soba Salad

Nestled on a bed of fresh greens, the seductively slippery soba splashed with plum soy provided a healthy bite and was perfect to pass around and share with everyone. 

Veggie Chips

We also ordered a mixed platter of Veggie Chips to nibble on, consisting of renkon lotus root chips, burdock root chips and carrot chips with a creamy avocado dip. Simple, yet full of crunch and flavour. The renkon chips were the clear winner, followed closely by the crispy carrot chips.

Yaki Buta

The Yaki Buta, more commonly known as Char Sui was magical - slow cooked and incredibly soft. The tender and fatty pork literally melted as it touched my tongue, just like magic. 

Agedashi Tofu

Agedashi Tofu is a dish I order without fail, and is a dish that is usually done well. Decorated with grated daikon and spring onion, I had to admit I didn't enjoy Maedaya's version as much as I had hoped - with the broth lacking in depth, and the tofu on the firmer side. 

Takoyaki

Lavished with kewpie mayo and takoyaki sauce, these Takoyaki balls remained crispy on the outside and plump on the inside till demolished. With a little more octopus, these could possibly be renamed amaze balls. 

Gyu-Don

The last dish of the night was my favourite of the night. A bed of fluffy rice topped with thin slices of tender beef and onions simmered in a sweet dashi based broth. The rice thirstily soaked up the rich broth, juicing up the rice with flavour. Decorated with pickled ginger and sliced spring onion, this donburi was filling, comforting and most importantly, extremely tasty.

Japanese is slowly creeping up on me, becoming one of my favourite cuisines and seeming to be always at the top of mind now. There is just something so enchanting about their style of cooking, where quality ingredients are crafted and showcased in such a humble yet exciting manner. 

Maedaya completely charmed my pants off. The flavours, presentation and food itself ticked all the right boxes, and was further highlighted with attentive service and lively atmosphere. It would be safe to say that I would highly recommend Maedaya in a heartbeat. Run, don't walk.


Maedaya
400 Bridge Road 
Richmond, VIC 

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