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/

Read More

Royal Croquet Club

The Royal Croquet Club has transformed the banks of the Yarra below Fed Square. Complete with a giant croquet pitch, DJs, bars with plenty of Pimms, tennis on the big screen and food curated by Broadsheet, there is everything to like about this place.

Food wise, we're talking Meatmother, MissChu, Mr Claws and DOC, serving up an innovative range of tantalising dishes, with St ALi and Gelato Messina sweetening the deal. 

Crispy Hanoi Vegetarian Net Spring Rolls

Light and crispy, Miss Chu's spring rolls were an excellent starter to the night.

Chunky Spicy Lobster Roll

Chunky Buttermilk Lobster Roll

Reunited with Mr Claws, we devoured not just one, but three of these succulent lobster rolls. Toasted soft brioche buns filled with sustainably fished lobster meat with a a choice of three dressings: miso wasabi, Sriracha-spiced mayonnaise or buttermilk ranch. 

Panino Porchetta

Polpette Della Nonna

From the Italians, we tried the Panino Porchetta - roast pork roll with wild fennel and tarragon and Polpette Della Nonna - think Grandma's meatballs with tomato sumo and a healthy having of parmigiano reggiano.

BBQ Lamb Cutlets

Burnt Ends

The guys at Meatmother won my heart with their smoky American BBQ flavours. True to the classic Aussie BBQ, we enjoyed lamb cutlets dressed with mint over a bed of caper and cornichon potato salad. 

The show stopper for me was definitely their buns though. Firing things up with their 10-hour oak smoked brisket, cubed and crisped burnt ends, and jalapeño slaw slathered in Meatmother's BBQ sauce, this was my favourite dish of the night.

American Chow Down

Black Forest Bisque

Gelato Messina never fails to please. Every aspect, they just seem to take above and beyond. This time around, we were graced with Messina's International Soup Kitchen - a soup kitchen concept serving up dessert in a Campbell Soup’s iconic tin cans. 

Choose from Black Forest Bisque – chocolate-fondant gelato, cherry jam, kirsch cream with kirsch-soaked sponge or the Vietnamese inspired Faux Pho – salted-coconut sorbet, kaffir-lime marshmallow, lychee coconut cream with chilli-cashew crunch.  Or perhaps the Zuppa Duppa – hazelnut gelato, wild-strawberry preserve with an addictive pistachio crunch and Amaretti biscotti or the American Chow Down – peanut gelato, Oreo custard, cream-cheese mousse and pretzel crunch.  You can't really go wrong either way.

Still sorting out plans for Australia Day ? No worries, the Royal Croquet Club has got you covered with their Truck-A-Palooza festival. For Australia Day only, the food trucks joining the Royal Croquet Club line-up are Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck, Cornucopia, Hammer & Tong, The Little Mushroom Co, Nuoc Mama, Toasta, Trailer Made, Round The Way Bagels and The Brulee Cart. Get excited.

Go on. Head on over for a hit of the croquet mallet, a spot of barbeque and a few drinks. It's the place to be seen this summer.

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of ID Collective and Royal Croquet Club

What: Royal Croquet Club

Where: Birrarung Marr (near Federation Square), Melbourne 

Cost: Free entry event from Sunday through to Thursday. Friday and Saturdays are $5 after 7pm.

When: Friday 16th January to Sunday 1st February

http://www.royalcroquetclub.com.au/

Read More

Middle Fish

Middle Fish - A little piece of Thailand to put a smile on your face.

Tea with Condensed Milk

Breakfast Roti - Avocado, Barley, Herbs, Tahini Yogurt and Crispy Fried Egg

Kao Tom Salmon - Salmon, Ginger, Celery and Poached Egg

Som Tum Fruit Salad - Seasonal Fruits with Palm Sugar, Fish Sauce, Garlic, Chilli Flakes, Quinoa and Toasted Almond Flakes

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Middle Fish

Middle Fish
122-128 Berkeley Street
Carlton VIC 3053

http://middlefish.com.au

Read More

Lune Croissanterie

It’s 5.00am on a Saturday morning and Melbourne is snoring away. And no, not that light sleep that you’re thinking about, I’m talking deep slumber to the point where they seem to be dead to the world. I take a peep out of my window and it’s pretty much pitch black. Why am I awake ?

It’s because I’m loon. Loon for Lune that is.

Let me take you through my morning.

5.00am - Wake up. 

5.30am - Pick up friend-just-as-crazy-as-me.

6.00am - Arrive at Lune Croissanterie to queue up.

8.30am - Sing hallelujah as we get out hands on our croissants.

8.35am - Brag all about it on Instagram (this one is mandatory).

Kouign Amann

Croissant

 Jam & Cream Cruffin

Almond Twice Baked

Choc-almond

Kate pleases the morning crowd with traditional plain croissants, pain au chocolat, choc-almonds, kouign amanns, ham and gruyere croissants, and weekly changing flavours in the shape of cruffins and twice baked croissants. This week we saw Jam & Cream and Tiramisu filled cruffins, and Almond, Coconut Pandan and Snickers (to really satisfy) for the twice baked croissants.

My favourite pick goes to Kate’s renowned Kouign Amann (pronounced ‘Queen Aman’), a traditional pastry from the Bretagne region of France. Think caramelised swirls of flaky, buttery layers upon layer of delicate pastry. It tasted exactly what 2.5 hours of lining up should taste like. Absolute bliss.

No doubt Lune Croissants are good, like damn good. Will I line up at ungodly hours for them again though ? Honestly, no I don't think so - I love my sleep too much. But, persuading a friend to deliver a few of these goodies to my door ? Yeah, I'm working on that one.  

Lune Croissanterie

29-31 Scott Street  

Elwood, VIC 3184
http://lunecroissanterie.com

Read More

Stagger Lee's

Stagger Lee was a pimp from St. Louis, Missouri. He notoriously shot Billy Lyons, a cell mate in the 1900s for pinching his red Stetson hat and since then over 400 musicians and artists have retold the story of Stagger Lee; the ultimate bad-ass.

My favourite interpretation would have to be from the people behind Proud Mary in the form of their latest cafe, Stagger Lee’s.

You will, as you would expect find your staples of toasts, mueslis, and eggs your way. But look a little further and feast your eyes on the likes of Coco Pop and Salted Caramel French Toast or Golden Buttermilk Fried Chicken, cauliflower rice, kimchi and jalapeño lime mayo. Seriously bad-ass comfort food at its best. 

Roasted Lamb

The Roasted Lamb had my name all over it. A bed of velvety smooth hummus paired with the most succulent pieces of lamb oh so beautifully charred with the perfect ratio of meat and fatty goodness. The toasted nuts and rich tangy pomegranate molasses added depth and complexity, whilst the tissue thin slices of radish, winter herbs and pomegranate seeds added bursts of freshness the dish. Really, how could I say no?  

Stack & Billy Burger

A lover of burgers, my friend naturally opted for the Stack and Billy Burger. Featuring a Black Angus shin pattie, juicy bacon, radioactive yellow mustard, catsup, creamy aioli, tangy pickles and cheddar melt served with bacon croquettes and fresh greens, my friend absolutely inhaled this with  a grin plastered to his face.

Food is mouth-watering coupled with service friendly and geared up to please. Oh, and the gorgeous tiffany blue crockery... what’s not to like ? Stagger Lee’s has unquestionably won me over and I am already considering what to order on my next visit.

Stagger Lee’s
276 Brunswick Street
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
http://staggerlees.com.au/
 

Read More

Grand Trailer Park Taverna

Melbourne’s burger scene just keeps on giving. Seriously Melbourne, you are really too kind.  

Of late, it seems that Melburnians have been hopelessly infatuated with Grand Trailer Park Taverna - brain child of Dani Zeini (the man behind the acclaimed Pavilion) and Joshua Lefers (design mastermind behind Pawn & Co. and Big Dog Creative). Located on the site of what was once Happy Palace, the space has now transformed into an east coast trailer park inspired wonderland. So of course I had to see what the fuss was all about.  

Atomic

First of all, I'd have to say Grand Trailer Park's burgers would have to be one of the sexiest burgers out there at the moment, inside and out. Because you know, it's not just all looks, the inside counts too.

My my my, boy was my burger loaded. The 100% Aussie beef pattie matched insanely well with each element of the Atomic: the molten chilli cheese of the kransky, the intensity of saltiness of the crispy bacon, the creaminess of the American cheddar cheese, the smokiness of the BBQ sauce to the gourmet touch of truffle and cayenne. The lightly toasted brioche bun didn't hold back either, it was all butter. The Atomic ? Explosive. 

The Chunk - Double Double 

On the end of the table, BK tucked into The Chunk - Double Double, a monstrous burger made of 2 premium Aussie beef patties, double oozy American cheddar cheese, smoky caramelised onion, hot jalapenos, thinly sliced gherkins, American mustard and tomato sauce on a light toasted brioche bun. Oh, and of course he took it to the next level with an added potato mac and cheese croquette and crispy bacon. All smashed in a matter of seconds. His chips on the other hand were just meh.

Kinder Surprise / Surprise Milkshake

And to wash everything down ? Spiked milkshakes of course. I'm usually one to eat my calories rather than drink them, but these babies, I could not pass up. Each and every one sounded amazing.  

BK went straight for the Kinder Surprise, a frothy concoction of pure chocolate spiked with Frangelico and Baileys. And so I thought, heck, I want a surprise too.  The result ? A thick, velvety creamy fusion of chocolatey goodness and peanut butter. Nothing to dislike about that ! 

If you’ve been hunting for a spot to sink your teeth into some serious burgers, Grand Trailer Park is the place to be. Heart stopping burgers (heh) and wickedly devine milkshakes. What more can one ask for ?

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Grand Trailer Park Taverna

Grand Trailer Park Taverna
87 Bourke Street  

Melbourne, VIC 3000
http://www.grandtrailerpark.com.au/

Read More