26 June, 2014

MELT Pizza

When pizza was first invented in Naples over 200 years ago, it was fast and nutritious. Today, with MELT Pizzas’ fresh take on the old classics, it still is.

With MELT as Chapel Street’s latest pizzeria, Windsor residents can now be really picky about their pizza. And I must say, MELT is perfect for the health-conscious. Light dough (no oil, fat or sugar), fresh local produce, all wood-fired in a 400 degree stone oven for 2 minutes – that’s faster than a cup of 2-minute noodles ! No doubt, your taste buds and body will be thanking you after a meal here.










Customised Pizza


For pizzas, we had the choice to pick from their ‘Classics’ or to ‘Customise’ our own. I love playing around with flavours, so when given the opportunity, DIY is the way to go. Starting with a basil pine nut pesto, we complemented our pizza-baby with spinach, roasted pumpkin, Meredith goats cheese, fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. In the oven it went, and literally 2 minutes later, out popped our freshly wood-fired pizza. We adored this wholesome pizza with its crispy chewy base.



Superfood


We also nourished our bodies with a salad of spinach, oven roasted sweet potato, beetroot, broccoli, red quinoa, white quinoa, red rice, pepitas, sunflower seeds, almond flakes dolloped with a yoghurt and a nutty tahini dressing. This pleasantly crunchy super salad offered a wholesome earthy flavour and savoury appeal. What I would have loved for though, was a little more seasoning and perhaps a larger bowl to contain all the goodness this salad offers together.





Meatballs


The more carnivorous side of us enjoyed the Meatballs. Piping hot out of the oven, the grass fed free range beef meatballs sizzled in a spicy tomato sauce and melty cheese. They were exactly what we had hoped for – soaking up the richness of the sauce, the balls were juicy and flavoursome.

The guys here at MELT Pizza take their food very seriously, and it is easy to see they are passionate about what they do. Service is warm and friendly, with staff more than happy to stop by for a chat and laugh. What stood out to me the most was the philosophy of the food, which just adds that extra touch to feel a little more connected with the food on your plate.


confessions of a little piggy was invited to dine as a guest of MELT Pizza

MELT Pizza
171 Chapel Street
Windsor, VIC

Melt Pizza on Urbanspoon

20 June, 2014

The Age Good Cafe Guide 2014

Another year, another round of applause to Melbourne's amazing cafes ! 



A huge congratulations to the cafes who topped the The Age Good Cafe Guide 2014. Best eggs ? Best coffee ? Look no further.

eftpos Best Cafe 
Top Paddock - Richmond

Best New Cafe 
Stagger Lee's - Fitzroy.

Best Coffee
Seven Seeds - Carlton

Best Boutique Roaster
Industry Beans - Fitzroy

Best Brew Bar
Everyday Coffee - Collingwood

Best Barista
James Kilby - Brunswick East Project - Brunswick East

Best Small Cafe
Guerilla Espresso - Footscray

Best Food Cafe
Ora - Kew

Local Hero
Dakdak Cafe - Moorabbin

Hall of Fame
Pellegrini's - Melbourne


Want to get your hands on your very own copy ? The Age Good Cafe Guide 2014 can be purchased for $5 with The Age on Saturday June 21st from participating newsagents, while stocks last. It will also be available in selected bookshops and online at theageshop.com.au for $9.99.

18 June, 2014

Workshop Specialty Coffee

Situated on the quieter end of Glenhuntly Road, the Brothers at Workshop Specialty Coffee have been pleasing coffee-lovers for just over a year now. The cafe features a rustic brick feature wall, washed timber tables, industrial light fixtures and huge windows, bathing the space in sunshine. Touches of nature brings colour and life to the space, with bright yellow chrysanthemums bringing instant happiness.

The menu is loaded with goodies - think Five Spice Soft Shell Crab Salad, Spiced Ricotta Croquettes to The Full Catastrophe. For those that crave sugar for breakfast, be tempted by Ricotta Hotcakes with saffron poached pears, sour cherry coulis, candy and range blossom mascarpone.



Skinny Flat White

Full bodied and creamy, my coffee went down an absolute treat. Can I mention again just how much I am in love with those Chrysanthemum flowers ? Flowers and coffee are a lethal combination.


Soy Latte



Quinoa & Parmesan Fritters

As soon as I had laid eyes on the Quinoa & Parmesan Fritters, I was sold.  When bitten into, the  generously sized fritters delivered the unique crunch of the quinoa, the sharp distinctive flavours of parmesan, and the burst of sweetness of onions. Together with silky folds of avocado, beautiful thin slices of house made salmon gravlax and a duo of perfectly runny poached eggs doused in a creamy and light dill hollandaise, I was all smiles. Two big thumbs up from this little piggy.

All in all, Workshop Specialty Coffee is a well-rounded cafe that is churning out what I believe to be the best coffee in Glen Huntly. Hand in hand with top notch food and warm, friendly service, there is no reason not to visit. 


Workshop Specialty Coffee
1146 Glenhuntly Road 
Glen Huntly, VIC

Workshop Brothers Specialty Coffee on Urbanspoon