Koko black

Finally managed to go to Koko black and try out their chocolate dishes. We ended up going to the one in royal arcade and sat upstairs. Being a Saturday afternoon there happened to be lots of people but since it was close to about 4pm we didn't really have to wait long.

We ordered straight away as we knew what we wanted and I would say the staff there were very efficient and treated us really nicely. We had a chocolate spoil (which is a chocolate selection platter), an iced chocolate (the BEST in Melbourne) and a hot choc. All up was $22.75 which considering was quite reasonable if a bit on the expensive side. But it was definitely worth it!

I am now in love with the iced chocolates there and will be going back many more times. Imagine big glass filled with chocolate milk made from the finest chocolates, filled with a scoop of vanilla and a scoop of chocolate ice cream, drizzled with chocolate sauce and finished off with choc shavings...MMM yum!!!

Sandwich catering

Had to do a bit of sandwich catering...about 80 slices all up...I think it was a good effort!

Random food makings 2

More food experiences!
Chocolate Éclair

Didn't make this one, haven't had one in ages so I decided to buy one...Mmm cream. Was quite happy with the since it wasn't too sweet. Went down well with a nice long black on a coldish wintery day.

Apple Breakfast!

Bought a huge box of Fuji apples for $6 so not eating through it as we speak. This breakfast consisted of muesli, apple slices, yoghurt, a giant swirl of honey and some cinnamon sprinkles.

Mmm awesome way to start the day!

Quick apple snacks!

More Fuji apple in cooking. Peel and slice apple and place on top of puff pastry. Brush over with honey/sugar/lemon syrup and bake till golden brown. Could not be simpler. But do turn on the oven...lol

I didn't actually have no-salt puff pastry so they were a tad saltish but added to the aromas anyway. Also a sprinkle of icing sugar on top solved that problem. :D

Friendship bracelet

Made this for a friend...so out of practice but I tried... :D

Croissants

Random thought

Croissants taste best when lightly toasted....mmmm

Random food makings

Mmm yum!

During the week made lots of random things including breakfast and lots of dessert.

Breakfast cereal yoghurt, apple, muesli crunch...
Tasted sensational. Ohh and I added a dollop of honey and some cinnamon on top which made it really nice and tasty :

Major choc-chip cookies baking session...so easy and so yummy!

Tim tam crushed with ice cream! What more can I say...

Food galore

Long week no post
Haven't had a chance to write anything recently. So today decided to comment on some of the things that has been happening.

Below are cupcakes from a friend's 21st. They were very very pretty but the photos I took were bad since mobile phone equals no flash... :(

On the topic of birthdays. I also went to another 21st at The Cinnamon club in Cheltenham (Nepean Highway). It was an awesome all you can eat Indian Buffet. Very nice food and being Friday night there was a live band playing really really old music although we did have a laugh and a dance as well. So it was well worth it...:D

Random Friday 1

Once again another day and another beautiful but slightly windy day....

This afternoon decided to pick up my sister from school and from there we headed to union square. Decided to try one of the cannolis which looked quite nice from the bakery that was within the square. For a typical bakery I was really really surprised at how good it tasted....mmm and for only $1.70 it was a bargain. Chocolate cream on one end and vanilla (plain) on the other....quite an experience...mmmm

From there we headed across the road to another bakery. I am not sure of the name...but I was surprised... Just had a look on Google maps...it is called The Village Bakery. Inside the range of things they had was nowhere near what I expected including pies, pastries, croissants, cakes, Greek sweets, biscuits, bread etc...wow need to come back again. I ended up purchasing a Kourabiethes...had to Google to find out what it is called. I actually didn't know how to say it properly so it was a bit of a point and choose...lol...It was quite rich for a dessert of such a small size. Also I got a choc truffle for my sis which she seemed to enjoy and I had half of it...mmm moist and rich...

Finally, have been for a while needing to check out a gourmet food supplier near there called Melba's food hall. Today I went in and was in instant heaven. So many packaged and fresh gourmet foods. The pricing wasn't too steep and I was quite happy to pay for extra. As I wasn't running low on food at home I only bought some shelled walnuts (will post photos later) and a sourdough baguette....Began eating the bread on my way out and could not stop as it was so fresh and nice...Mmmm...they also stock Phillipa's breads so I might go back next time and try it to see what all the fuss is about and how special this bread actually is.

As I was being extra nice today I decided to make pancakes as well (need to post some photos...done)

So what did I learn at the end of the day? Well union square actually has a lot to offer and I will definitely come back to the above places and try more stuff....Mmmmm :D

Pantheon cakes!

Panthenon Cakes
483 Sydney Road Brunswick

I did say once that I was going to visit most of the sweet shops along Sydney Road. So yesterday I decided I was really carving cake so I headed to this wonderful Greek pastry/cake shop. Sitting in the displays were gorgeous cakes and desserts to die for...

I ended up just buying some of the basics staples including mudcake, nougat, baklava like pastries (not to good on the Greek here so not sure how to say it properly).

Everything here was very very yummy. My sister simply loved the mudcake. The price was very very reasonable but I guess it being Sydney Road means that they have to compete with everyone else that is around selling cheap. What you see here was all obtained for a cool $15...ohh did I mention that also included a small bag of cristollis which isn't pictured here. :D

Mediterranean Wholesalers Pty Ltd

482 Sydney Road Brunswick

After getting the delicious cakes and pastries decided to go and pay this place a visit. As I was a bit rushed for time, I didn't even up purchasing any groceries, but the range at this place is incredible. Just imagine a normal sized Coles/Safeway filled with European grocery items to delight all senses. Also there is a nice cellar in the middle stocking many imported wines. Ohh and forgot to mention there is a cafe/bakery section which has some of the best bread and cakes.

As I was a bit famished (at this stage I didn't actually eat any of the cakes bought from across the road), I decided to purchase a pastry from here. I bought a nut log which was only $2.20...great price! It was like nuts/sultana/filling stuffed between 2 layers of pastry and twisted then smothered in dusting sugar. Unfortunately I was too hungry to take any photos. It was really filling.

Next time I think I will be back to purchase a nice looking fresh ciabatta and some cannolis (the ricotta one sounds nice).

So at the end of the day, another two great places discovered on Sydney Road! And again not so good for my waistline but at least my taste buds are happy... :D

Vanilla Slice!

Euro Lounge Cafe
974 High St Armadale

On my way to uni decided to walk around High St Armadale for a bit and was on the way to the train station cutting across king's arcade when I saw this Cafe.

I am not sure if they made they own pastries but I think they do. There was a great range of things to try there but somehow on that day I felt like the plainest of everything...Just a VANILLA SLICE!!!

It was quite pricey for such an offering at $5.50 but it was worth it...The pastry was crispy but not too dry and the custard was smooth. The layer of strawberry jam on the bottom was just right. Oh forgot to mention the swirled icing on the top taste sweet and delicate and the patterns made this slice very enticing...Mmmm...May go back to try other things there if I am ever in the area again.

Although went home that night and Google and found out there are many similar bakeries (including the famous Phillipa's breads) just down the road. I guess I just didn't have a good enough look around on Tuesday as I was a bit short for time...

Definitely a next time!

Cherry blossom like plants!

Cherry Blossoms!

Was walking down a random street in Toorak on Tuesday and came across this beautiful tree full of new season flowers.

How pretty and really cheery and happy to know that spring is just around the corner! :D

Snow weekend!

At Falls Creek

Over the weekend before went snowboarding for the first time at Falls Creek. OUCH OUCH OUCH!!! Fell about 100 times the first day and I am not exaggerating... and currently about 5 days later, I am still in some pain...and still have much bruising...oww

We stayed at Halley's Lodge and see below some of the food that was served:



Sorry for the shaky photos. But after spending all day running around in the snow the hearty meals tasted so good!

Filou's Patisserie

Visited: 28/7/9 ... around 11am on this lovely Tuesday!

Cnr Lygon & Fenwick Streets
Carlton North, VIC 3054

Image from http://elsewhere.typepad.com/photos/orange_melbourne/057_57.html

After walking past this place many times and reading many good things about it, I decided to pay a visit to it. Sitting right across from the Melbourne Cemetery this pretty little orange corner shop really stands out.

As I wasn't really really hungry I decided to try something simple. But they had so many delectable items sitting there making me drool almost. Think next time I will need to try the apple turnover, fruit tart and also some of the savouries they had as well.

I ended up with a chocolate croissant. The chocolate inside was quite average although you could tell that it was decent quality due to its texture. But the pastry on the outside was so nice and crispy...mmmm!