Providence

Located in Carlton, Providence is a town village kitchen inspired cafe which focuses on embracing and sharing the beautiful produce that Victoria’s local farmers have to offer. Providence is the latest addition to Eleena and Michael’s family (Hero Subs, Reading Room Cafe and The Grain Store) and together with Head Chef Cate Hardman’s ‘gate-to-plate’ philosophy, you can just imagine how thrilled I was to attend the breakfast launch.

Blood Orange Breakfast Spritzer

Skinny Flat White

Upon our arrival, we were instantly greeted with an assortment of drinks - Breakfast Smoothies, Blood Orange Breakfast Spritzers and coffee roasted by Code Black Coffee. Oh yes, yes please.

Smoked Trout

The first dish of the day set the bar high, and was definitely my top pick for the day. Patties of fluffy, creamy bubble and squeak potatoes intertwined with rich, hot smoked trout. Topped with drool-worthy runny eggs and herbs, each bite was gratifying. You know you’re in for a treat when each and every element dances in your mouth.

Breakfast Salad

Oh avocado, how I love thee. But to grill the avocado ? Genius ! Paired with sticky ham hock, lovely leaves, sweet peas and goats curd, this was no ordinary salad, this was salad at a whole new level.

Egg and Bacon Pie

A spin on an old favourite, these pies boasted an incredibly buttery rich, flaky crust encasing a hardboiled egg and adorned with crispy bacon bits, chunky tomato chutney and peppery rocket. Though I found these pies a little too rich for my palette, they were well-received all round.

Pumpkin and Lentil Fritters

This last savoury dish particularly highlighted the quality of the ingredients with its aromatic spiced pumpkin and lentil fritters, chilli tomato pickle, fragrant coconut yoghurt and salad leaves. Though the fritters were not the same light, fluffy mouthfuls I had imagined, they were packed with flavour and dense with nutrients. 

 

 Breakfast Berry Clafoutis

We ended with these cute little samples of Breakfast Berry Clafoutis - a baked pancake studded with fresh berries, crunchy almond flakes and rhubarb ice cream. It was evident that these were too good to resist as they were demolished in a flash.

Though not every dish had me at the edge of my seat to the extent that the Smoked Trout did (that's pretty hard to top though), I had an amazing time at Providence. What really gave each dish extra points is that all produce are locally sourced and their focus on seasonality. Those who are fortunate enough to work or live in Carlton now have a great new spot for superb coffee and good food. Lucky you.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Providence

Providence

497 Rathdowne Street  

Carlton, VIC 3053

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New Shanghai

Finding a home at Emporium’s Cafe Court, New Shanghai has got Melbourne in a state of infatuation. Decorated with ornate oriental furniture, New Shanghai offers an extensive range of mouth-watering Shanghainese dishes and dumplings. With so much to choose from, it’s not hard to see why there is a permanent line outside.

New Shanghai Xiao Long Bao

We started off with the humble staple dish, Xiao Long Bao - plump parcels of goodness filled with flavoursome soup and pork mince. Though I cannot say these were the best XLB I’ve ever had, each mouthful was still enjoyed.

New Shanghai Sheng Jian Bao (Pan Fried Pork Bun)

The Sheng Jian Bao on the other hand were astounding, and were just as satisfying as the ones I inhaled on the cold winter days in Shanghai. Whilst the top of the bun remained a soft spring-like texture, the bottom contrasted well with a crispy golden base which nestled the hot and juicy filling.

Shepherd’s Purse & Pork Wonton Tossed with Peanut Butter, Red Chilli Oil & Spice

Did someone say peanut butter? Of course I had to have these. The velvety skin encased an appetizing filling of pork and shepherds purse, dressed oh so sexy in luscious peanut butter, fragrant chilli oil served with refreshing strips of cucumber – working wonderfully to offset the heat. Hands down, these babies were my favourite of all the dishes.

Deep Fried Tofu with Salted Egg Yolk

I love salted egg yolk anything so it was inevitable that this dish impressed me. The tofu was smooth and silken on the inside, yet crisp on the outside and liberally coated in a golden hue of creamy salted egg yolk. A very rich and sinful dish but definitely worth it.

Rainbow Beef

We were also encouraged to try the Manager’s favourite dish, the Rainbow Beef. Thin strips of deep fried beef enveloped in a sweet and sour sauce. To my friend’s surprise, as someone who does not usually enjoy beef, she found herself magnetised to this dish.

Crispy Salted and Spiced Duck served with Steamed Plain Bread

This last dish was probably one of the most anticipated. The split open buns, much like a fluffy clam were moist and slightly sweet. These acted as a beautiful canvas for the crispy pieces of duck coated in moreish spices, cucumber, spring onion and a trickle of plum sauce.

New Shanghai, what can I say ? I left feeling like a happy dumpling– plump, warm and extremely satisfied.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Spice & Soul and New Shanghai

New Shanghai

Emporium Melbourne

287 Lonsdale St

Melbourne, VIC 3000

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Vapiano - Awaken your Tastebuds Giveaway

In celebration of Vapiano’s New Spring Specials, Confessions of a Little Piggy have partnered with Vapiano to AWAKEN YOUR TASTEBUDS ! We are hosting a giveaway to reward 4 little piggies to a scrumptious meal at Vapiano Melbourne.

Each voucher gives the right to the winner and a friend to one free main each (from their new Spring menu) and a White Choc Cheesecake each.

So what’s on their Spring Menu ?

Take a leap into these flavours of spring with their specials: 

Pizza Poporano featuring Bresaola - a premium Aussie air-dried salted beef garnished with parmesan and a drizzle of truffle olive oil. There’s Pasta Gamberi Con Rosso with juicy prawns and homemade sun-dried tomato pesto and creamy Risotto Pollo Levanto with chicken and bacon. Their spring soup is a Classic Pumpkin, and rounding out the specials is a decadent White Chocolate Cheesecake with gooey salted caramel sauce and bites of crunchy honeycomb !


So how do I win ?

1. Like Confessions of a Little Piggy on Facebook

2. Tag a friend you would like to visit Vapiano with (Comment on Facebook).
It’s too easy ! Please make sure you've done both of these things before Wednesday midnight October 8th 2014 for your chance to win one of these amazing prizes !

Giveaway Terms and Conditions:

• This competition is open to Melbournians only and is only valid at Vapiano Melbourne before October 31st. (the voucher is not valid at any other Vapiano restaurants).
• Entries are open until Wednesday, October 8th at midnight AEST. 
• Winners will be notified through Facebook on Thursday October 9th, and winners’ postal address will need to be provided to confessionsofalittlepiggy@gmail.com within 48 hours. 
• Each winner will receive a Vapiano voucher which entitles them and a friend a main dish from Vapiano’s New Spring menu and a White Choc Cheesecake each. 
• The prize is valid until October 31st 2014.

Vapiano Melbourne

347 Flinders Lane  

Melbourne, VIC 3000

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