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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Hello Sam

Puns. I love puns. Even better ? Buns with puns. Enter Hello Sam.

You may remember my last post on Hello Sam earlier this year, and so I was delighted when the owner, Katherine made contact to let me know that they just introduced a new menu ! After spotting numerous mouth-watering posts on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, I was sold.

Sam the Man

Wow, just wow. Where do I even begin ? The thick 100% Angus beef patty was cooked just right, to a wonderful shade of pink in the middle, topped off with the perfect melted hit of cheddar ale oozing into every nook and cranny. Add to that bacon, egg, lettuce, tomato, red onion, beetroot relish, tomato relish and not just one mustard, but two mustard mayo. I did feel however, a pinch of salt or a punch of herbs would have really taken the patty in the burger to the next level. On the other hand, the sweetness of the relishes added an extra oomph of flavour, but not to the extent of overshadowing the burger. Post Sam the Man, I looked like an absolute mess. Real lady-like, I know. Oh, a great job on the onion rings too.

Davo - Sam's Big Brother

Whilst I was making my way through Sam the Man, Burger King wrapped his hands (hardly) around Davo – Sam’s big brother, beefing it up to three patties. The whole thing was glorious really – barely contained between a toasted brioche bun was beef, bacon, egg, beef, hash brown, red onion, tomato relish, BBQ sauce and even more beef. And he demolished it. Asked for his thoughts on the burger, he mentioned that he would have loved to see some fresh elements in there and would have preferred less BBQ sauce.

BBQ n’ Bacon Chips

Between mouthfuls of our burgers, we also spoiled ourselves with BBQ n’ Bacon Chips. Think crispy, thicky and fluffy beer-battered chips loaded with bacon, slathered in BBQ sauce and tasty cheese.

The lovely Katherine appreciatively took on board all our feedback, and will be working closely with their head chef to continously improve their new menu. Talk about customer service !

confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of Hello Sam

Hello Sam
760 Chapel Street
South Yarra, VIC 3141

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