The Best of 2013

Can you guys believe it’s the end of the year already ? With 2013 coming to a close, I want to say a big thank you to all of my loyal blog readers – it's been so fun to share little bits of my day with all of you.

So here it is, a handful of the meals or dishes I had in 2013 that I found the most memorable. I really do hate playing the favourites game. But without further ado, here they are, in no particular order...

Wagyu Beef Burger @ Coin Laundry

One of the things I love about Melbourne is that we are absolutely spoilt for choice when it comes to good coffees, breakfasts & brunches. Tucked away in Armadale, Coin Laundry is one of these. From the soft bun, juicy pattie to the crispy bacon, the Wagyu Beef burger was a champion of a burger. Especially when the burger comes with fries like that.

Brunch @ NSHRY

Coupled with beautiful weather, this beachouse restaurant was an excellent location for good food, good coffee and good lookers. With impeccable presentation, it was easy to see that food is prepared with love. What more could you ask for?

Smashed Avocado Bagel @ Manchester Press

This year, I found myself falling head over heels with smashed avocados, and Manchester Press' was the one that captured my heart. A earthy concoction avocado, feta, chilli and mint made it a standout dish. Coffees here were also big thumbs up.

Braised Pork Belly Gua Bao @ Wonderbao

I honestly think I could live off these. Each bite tasted like a unicorn jumping over a double rainbow. Their Silken Tofu Gua Baos were clear winners too. Quick, delicious and easy on the wallet.

Spicy Pork Burrito @ Koba K-BBQ

In November, Koba K-BBQ swept me off my with their Korexican fusion foods - taking Korean BBQ to the next level. This is a place I would love to frequent a little more!

  House Suckling Pig Burger @ Operator25

This burger was remarkable - everything from its Balinese flavours, size to texture. The sweet potato fries and crackling topped it off for me. If Operator25 has a signature dish, this burger is it, and it’s not very hard to see why. Well done to Operator25 for such an amazing burger fueled by attention to detail.  

Chopped Beef Burrito @ Fonda Mexican

Healthy and hearty.  The burrito was jammed with chopped beef, smokey black beans, crisp salad of cabbage and bursting with quinoa. The whole lot then ladled in salsa roja and chipotle aioli.  Sounds mouth watering, doesn't it ?

Korean BBQ @ Mrs Kim's Grill

 Situated among  other outstanding restaurants on Koornang Road is new kid on the block, Mrs Kim's Grill. The menu is short and sweet, and they stick to what they do best - high quality meats coupled with modern side dishes. Not to mention that service was absolutely amazing here.

The Bonegilla @ Jimmy Grants

Hands down, Jimmy Grants was the best souvlaki I had all year. One of the many things to look forward to in 2014 is the launch of their Ormond branch in May !

Muum Maam @ Gelato Gelato Messina

You may or may not know - I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but I really could not get enough of the Muum Maam. Gelato Messina, I blame you for pulling me closer to the dark side.

And that's it ! 2013 has been the most amazing year - food and non-food related, and I cannot even begin to imagine what adventures 2014 will bring. 

Happy New Year everyone ! :)

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Brighton Schoolhouse

Partly owned by Hawthorn footballer Josh Gibson, Brighton Schoolhouse is all I hear about from T, and so it was about time I paid them a visit. An actual schoolhouse in its former life, Brighton Schoolhouse's name pays homage to the good old days where we spent 6 long years studying day in day out.

Once you start ordering, it becomes quickly apparent that this café brings a simple and concise concept - healthy, wholesome foods and drinks without making sacrifices on taste. Armed with cheeky names and Instagram worthy presentation, think Thor 2 Burgers, Miranda Kerr Waffles and Principal Skinner Large Breakfasts. I was very excited.

Skinny Flat White

Alongside their church theme, coffee is done magnificently by the two Saints here - a Schoolhouse Bayside Blend roasted by St Ali, with premium milk sourced from St David Dairy.

Heirloom Tomatoes

A cheer squad full of heirloom tomatoes adorned two thick slices of olive sourdough toast, full of juiciness and tanginess that danced on my tastebuds. The dish was balanced out with a zesty avocado puree, creamy ricotta cheese and finished with popped grains.

#hashtag YOLO

T went for the #hashtag YOLO - sheets of house cured salmon that draped carelessly over pieces of potato and leek hash, kale, avocado puree and a perfectly poached egg topped with popped grains. The dish originally featured a slow cooked egg, however we were advised that they had run out for the day.

Completed with bashed-up lockers, test tube light fixtures and a detention room, it was surprisingly fun to be back at school. The café offered a nostalgic blast from the past with good food that left us smiling as we walked out the door. Brighton Schoolhouse was top of the class, and have earnt a big fat A+ from me.

Brighton Schoolhouse
15 St Andrews Street
Brighton, VIC

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Paradai Thai 2

Paradai Thai 1, Paradai Thai 2 and Paradai Thai 3. Clearly, Paradai Thai know that they've gotten it very right. Three successful restaurants serves as good proof. So, with 3 siblings to choose from, who did we decide to visit? Middle child, Paradai Thai 2 of course. See, the middle child is not always neglected.

 

Yum Neau

This was a zesty and spicy salad that was a feast of flavours and textures. Wonderfully fresh, the majority of the grilled beef strips were tender and full of flavour and heat with each bite - ramped up by a lashing of fish sauce, lime juice and chilli. 

Penang Curry Beef

While I was enjoying the Yum Neau salad, C tucked into the Penang Curry. While this red coconut curry was very sweet, it also maintained a subtle and pleasant warmth of spiciness. A swirl around found us cashew nuts, capsicum strips, springs of lime leaves and basil among the strips of beef. This was great great for drowning our rice in.

Gang Keow Warn Chicken

The other curry we had ordered was the green curry with chicken. Again, we found this dish to be on the sweeter side, which may have been due to the addition of pumpkin that was included, and did not have enough spice to counter it. I tend to like my curries more on the savoury and spicy side, but it was still a tasty curry.

Pad Thai Chicken

The last dish was our Pad Thai. It really isn't Thai without Pad Thai. The noodles were perfectly chewy, bouncy and had a satisfying lick of fire from the wok. Tossed with tender chunks of chicken, fried tofu cubes, egg, bean shoots, spring onions and finished with roasted peanuts, these noodles were finished in a flash. 

For a long time, Paradai Thai 2 has seemed to have captures the hearts of the locals. Dishes are extremely generous in size, priced very reasonably and is sure to satisfy your appeTHAIte. Your wallet won't know what hit it.

Paradai Thai 2

62 Koornang Road 
Carnegie, VIC

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