Hello Fellow Nom Seekers
I freaking love this place so much I had to take the olds there for brunch. Well any excuse would do. I recently lunched at Oasis and absolutely loved their food and more particularly their grocery store.
Continue reading...
Showing posts with label bakery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bakery. Show all posts
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Wednesday, 28 May 2014
Provence Artisan Bakers
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
I feel like I'm about to divulge highly classified information. For Provence Artisan Bakers, in my mind is a little hidden gem tucked up the top of Burke St just away from the hubbub of Camberwell junction. It has a very narrow shop frontage so it is a case of blink and you will miss it.
The sourdough is to die for. It is the right density and chewiness and tanginess. I'll be frank, that is the only thing I have. Sourdough sandwich. I might switch up the fillings on various visits but the order is essentially the same. The service is also excellent. The kitchen was very accommodating when informed of my no sugar diet and they suggested what dressings I could have with my ham and salad sanger.
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| Ham and salad on sourdough |
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| Berry Green tea |
There is also a vast array of French style baked goods as evidenced here.
Do seek this place out, you won't regret it. I wager the bread here will convert any die hard Atkins devotee to the wonder of carbs.
Until next time...
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
Daily Bread Bakery, Wellington NZ
If you ever find yourself in Lower Hutt, Wellington, New Zealand and feeling peckish, do check this place out. It makes one of the best vol au vents I have ever tasted and a substantially sized bread roll.
To even enhance the experience further, opt for take away and enjoy it on the foreshore with spectacular harbour views - windswept but exhilarating! Tummy full of good food. Happy.
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| Chicken on a crusty bread roll |
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| Flaky vol au vent |
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| Meat and mushroom pie |
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| Unbeatable views of the harbour |
Sunday, 6 April 2014
Hill Top Cakes
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
A quick little FYI on Hill Top Cakes in Surrey Hills. It's a Swiss bakery run by the sweetest family. Ma runs the front of shop and Pa and son is at the back baking. There is a constant stream of locals coming in/out for various pastries and cakes.
To give you an idea of the savoury options, we ordered a variety of mini quiches and party pies. The pastry was light and flaky and the filling wasn't too rich as quiches can often get. Most of the baked goods do come cold, so you will need to reheat once home. There is a limited selection of sausage rolls and pies which can be purchased hot.
On a separate occasion, we ordered the family sized vegetarian quiche which had spinach and asparagus throughout. It easily fed six.
The mini quiches and family quiche set us back by about $38. It's quite reasonable priced and they freeze well.
Hill Top Cakes also does mini eclairs and strawberry tartlets which I would love to try on my next visit.
Until next time...
A quick little FYI on Hill Top Cakes in Surrey Hills. It's a Swiss bakery run by the sweetest family. Ma runs the front of shop and Pa and son is at the back baking. There is a constant stream of locals coming in/out for various pastries and cakes.
To give you an idea of the savoury options, we ordered a variety of mini quiches and party pies. The pastry was light and flaky and the filling wasn't too rich as quiches can often get. Most of the baked goods do come cold, so you will need to reheat once home. There is a limited selection of sausage rolls and pies which can be purchased hot.
The mini quiches and family quiche set us back by about $38. It's quite reasonable priced and they freeze well.
Hill Top Cakes also does mini eclairs and strawberry tartlets which I would love to try on my next visit.
Until next time...
Wednesday, 22 January 2014
Breadtop
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
I was worried that blogging about Breadtop would make it appear that I post about every mundane thing I shove into my gob. But I cannot let my love for their custard rolls go unsung. Whilst I'm at it, I might as well wax lyrical about their pork floss products. What on earth is pork floss? I hear you ask. More on this later.
To accompany the custard roll, may I recommend their pork floss and seaweed bun? Pork floss is pork seasoned with a heap of salt and sugar and fried to a frisson. The net result is a wiry substance the texture of insulation but it's a harmony of salty and sweet and meat. The pork floss is attached to the bread roll with mayonnaise. Strange but stick with me, it works. There is also a smattering of seaweed strips.
Here's a few pics of their other offerings:
The deets:
Location:
Breadtop
QV, QV Level 1, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9654 1628
Costs:
Under $5 for most rolls and buns.
Ambience:
Mainly takeaway but seating available for a quick cuppa.
Nom Again:
Always. Their chiffon cupcake, pineapple bun, BBQ pork bun and naan bread are all worth the empty calories.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
I was worried that blogging about Breadtop would make it appear that I post about every mundane thing I shove into my gob. But I cannot let my love for their custard rolls go unsung. Whilst I'm at it, I might as well wax lyrical about their pork floss products. What on earth is pork floss? I hear you ask. More on this later.
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| Pork Floss and Seaweed Roll in forefront. Smiley Faced Custard Roll at rear. |
I recently noticed a new addition to their custard baked goods repertoire - the smiley face custard roll They already do a custard donut, custard tart and a custard bun. All good. All very very good. But there is something a little twee about a smiley custard face on a roll that just says Eat Me. The bread, like all Breadtop bread is the blindingly white and disturbingly soft. I know that bread should not be this white or this soft but tis so comfortingly squidgy. Sure it might lack any fibre or nutritional content but it sure taste good. The custard is a lovely texture - not too runny or claggy. It flops nicely on the palate. I am a custard connoisseur.
To accompany the custard roll, may I recommend their pork floss and seaweed bun? Pork floss is pork seasoned with a heap of salt and sugar and fried to a frisson. The net result is a wiry substance the texture of insulation but it's a harmony of salty and sweet and meat. The pork floss is attached to the bread roll with mayonnaise. Strange but stick with me, it works. There is also a smattering of seaweed strips.
Here's a few pics of their other offerings:
The deets:
Location:
Breadtop
QV, QV Level 1, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Ph: 03 9654 1628
Costs:
Under $5 for most rolls and buns.
Ambience:
Mainly takeaway but seating available for a quick cuppa.
Nom Again:
Always. Their chiffon cupcake, pineapple bun, BBQ pork bun and naan bread are all worth the empty calories.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
Sunday, 5 January 2014
Jenny's Hot Bread
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
I have been a regular at Jenny's Hot Bread for some time now. They do a Westernised version of Vietnamese baguettes which may sound a bit unauthentic at first but really who cares because they offer a tasty alternative to the usual pork and pate filling.
Jenny's does bbq chicken with satay sauce in a white baguette with coriander, lettuce, carrot and tomato filling. All this for under $4. It is not uncommon to see queues lining up outside at peak times.
Perhaps even better than the satay baguettes are the prawn spring rolls. It is tempting to order a couple of these to go with the baguette.
For Seinfeld fans out there, do your remember the Soup Nazi? Jenny the proprietor of Jenny's Hot Bread remind me of the Soup Nazi. She doesn't really yell at the customers per se, at the most she may come off as abrupt. But she sure lets it rip at the staff. I don't speak Vietnamese so I don't really know the content of her one-way conversations to the timid staff but guessing from the tone, I'm thinking she runs a very tight ship. I don't need to physically describe Jenny to you. I am sure when you visit, you would be able to spot her. Clue: Lady hacking with the big meat cleaver with a somewhat aggressive countenance. Ok, I admit, I'm a teeny bit scared of her.
The deets:
Location:
Jenny's Hot Bread
535 Riversdale Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
ph: 03 9813 9489
Costs:
Baguette for under a fiver.
Ambience:
Take away only
Nom Again:
Definitely.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
I have been a regular at Jenny's Hot Bread for some time now. They do a Westernised version of Vietnamese baguettes which may sound a bit unauthentic at first but really who cares because they offer a tasty alternative to the usual pork and pate filling.
Jenny's does bbq chicken with satay sauce in a white baguette with coriander, lettuce, carrot and tomato filling. All this for under $4. It is not uncommon to see queues lining up outside at peak times.
Perhaps even better than the satay baguettes are the prawn spring rolls. It is tempting to order a couple of these to go with the baguette.
For Seinfeld fans out there, do your remember the Soup Nazi? Jenny the proprietor of Jenny's Hot Bread remind me of the Soup Nazi. She doesn't really yell at the customers per se, at the most she may come off as abrupt. But she sure lets it rip at the staff. I don't speak Vietnamese so I don't really know the content of her one-way conversations to the timid staff but guessing from the tone, I'm thinking she runs a very tight ship. I don't need to physically describe Jenny to you. I am sure when you visit, you would be able to spot her. Clue: Lady hacking with the big meat cleaver with a somewhat aggressive countenance. Ok, I admit, I'm a teeny bit scared of her.
The deets:
Location:
Jenny's Hot Bread
535 Riversdale Road, Camberwell VIC 3124
ph: 03 9813 9489
Costs:
Baguette for under a fiver.
Ambience:
Take away only
Nom Again:
Definitely.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
Friday, 20 December 2013
Northbys Bakery
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
Whenever I'm driving up the idyllic and picturesque Dandenong Ranges my stomach calls out for two things: Devonshire tea and pies because that is what the tea houses and bakeries in this area are renown for.
Whenever I'm driving up the idyllic and picturesque Dandenong Ranges my stomach calls out for two things: Devonshire tea and pies because that is what the tea houses and bakeries in this area are renown for.
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| Dandenong Ranges - is it wrong of me to see this and think pies? |
Image from megan.blandford.com
On a recent trip to the Ranges, we discovered a new pie source, the Northbys Bakery. They do good pies. Good enough to rival the famous Pie In The Sky bakery which every tourist flock to. And the great thing about Northbys is that you don't have the crazy queues in peak tourist season as you would do at the more famous pie shop.
We ordered a few different types to take home to savour. The pastry was light and flaky without being too doughy.
My favourite view of the Dandenong Ranges
Tandoori Chicken. I don't normally like tandoori chicken in pie form but this is a good one. The chicken pieces were breast pieces and it had a good ratio of curry and meat.
Beef Burgundy. This would usually be my pie of choice but I didn't like this particular Beef Burgundy. The beef whilst delightfully chunky was really tough and stringy. I picked most of the beef out.
Beef and Mushroom. Great flavours in the sauce. Good ratio of meat and mushrooms.
Regular Mince Pie. No complaints there. I usually shy away from mince pies as I'm afraid of encountering gristly bits which is off putting. But no gristly bits in this one.
The deets:
Location:
Northbys Bakery
140 Main Road, Monbulk VIC 3793
ph: 03 9756 6536
Cost:
$4.50 per pie.
Ambience:
Takeaway
Nom Again:
Absolutely. Would buy bulk and freeze for another day.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
Saturday, 7 December 2013
Soda Rock Diner
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
Sometimes we all succumb to a bit of kitsch. I'm a particular sucker for Americana kitsch. And the Soda Rock Diner in South Yarra embodies all of 1950s drugstore vibe - the juke box music, the Elvis memorabilia, the burgers and fries. The Soda Rock Diner is an anomaly on the corner of the fashionista heartland of Toorak Road and Chapel Street. Juke box music blasts from the front entrance beckoning you and your blue suede shoes to come on in and stay awhile.
When in Rome or when in a replica of small town America, do as the Romans do. We ordered a fries-focused lunch of:
To channel the soda fountain concept, our soda (or soft drinks) came in tall glasses and the waiter brought out with a grand flourish a canister of straws for us to choose from.
The meal arrived in a timely manner. It wasn't the best burger or chili dog or nuggets we have ever had. But it was ok. The food was hot, the drinks were cold. Decent sized servings. Nothing to write home about and nothing to complain about. If I had to pick which part of the meals I enjoyed the most, I would have to say the curly fries. I think most patrons come here, not so much for the tastiest of the meal but for the whole experience of a by-gone era. It was a bit of fun.
The deets:
Location:
Soda Rock Diner
257 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC
Ph: 03 9827 3500
Cost:
Between $15 - $20 per person including drinks
Ambience:
Casual dining
Nom Again:
I'll probably go for a milkshake for the kitsch factor but forego actually eating there.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt.
Sometimes we all succumb to a bit of kitsch. I'm a particular sucker for Americana kitsch. And the Soda Rock Diner in South Yarra embodies all of 1950s drugstore vibe - the juke box music, the Elvis memorabilia, the burgers and fries. The Soda Rock Diner is an anomaly on the corner of the fashionista heartland of Toorak Road and Chapel Street. Juke box music blasts from the front entrance beckoning you and your blue suede shoes to come on in and stay awhile.
When in Rome or when in a replica of small town America, do as the Romans do. We ordered a fries-focused lunch of:
The hubcap burger with standard fries
Nuggets and curly fries
Chili-dog with cheesy fries
To channel the soda fountain concept, our soda (or soft drinks) came in tall glasses and the waiter brought out with a grand flourish a canister of straws for us to choose from.
The meal arrived in a timely manner. It wasn't the best burger or chili dog or nuggets we have ever had. But it was ok. The food was hot, the drinks were cold. Decent sized servings. Nothing to write home about and nothing to complain about. If I had to pick which part of the meals I enjoyed the most, I would have to say the curly fries. I think most patrons come here, not so much for the tastiest of the meal but for the whole experience of a by-gone era. It was a bit of fun.
The deets:
Location:
Soda Rock Diner
257 Toorak Road, South Yarra, VIC
Ph: 03 9827 3500
Cost:
Between $15 - $20 per person including drinks
Ambience:
Casual dining
Nom Again:
I'll probably go for a milkshake for the kitsch factor but forego actually eating there.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt.
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Lo Banh Mi
Greetings Fellow Nom Seekers!
After reading Glutt's experience at N Lee bakery, I have decided to do my own research on where I could find a good Vietnamese roll at an affordable price. This led me to a little bakery in Springvale in the middle of a food court. This place could scare many fellow nom seekers but if you have travelled through Asia before, this is exactly the place you will be eating at.
Unlike Glutt, I say bring on the white bread, the pate, the mayonnaise and the fatty bit of pork. So for $3.50, I was able to get myself a tasty Vietnamese roll I thoroughly enjoyed. I don't know many places in Australia where you could get a sandwich or a roll that would fill you up for such price.
The deets:
Location:
Shop 32A, 46-58 Buckingham Ave, Springvale, VIC 3171
Ph: (03) 9548 4500
Cost:
$3.50 for a roll
Ambience:
Take away only
Nom again
Yes, Obelix will definitely return to nom.
Cheers
Obelix
After reading Glutt's experience at N Lee bakery, I have decided to do my own research on where I could find a good Vietnamese roll at an affordable price. This led me to a little bakery in Springvale in the middle of a food court. This place could scare many fellow nom seekers but if you have travelled through Asia before, this is exactly the place you will be eating at.
The deets:
Location:
Shop 32A, 46-58 Buckingham Ave, Springvale, VIC 3171
Ph: (03) 9548 4500
Cost:
$3.50 for a roll
Ambience:
Take away only
Nom again
Yes, Obelix will definitely return to nom.
Cheers
Obelix
Sunday, 1 December 2013
Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
Few will disagree that the cakes at Burch & Purchese are nothing short of an artform. I'm torn between wanting to visually admire them and shoving them into my gob as fast as possible. We had a selection of cakes today to celebrate Bubbachuck's first tooth fairy visit. I find myself creating all sorts of excuses to celebrate with one or five of these beauties.
Allow me to walk you through:
First up, Pineapple, Mango, Chocolate. This is gluten free and consist of: coconut sponge, mango mousse, spicy pineapple jam, pineapple cream, chocolate mousse, bounty mix, velvet spray, pineapple jelly and mango curd. Everyone at our afternoon tea voted this as their favourite. It is tropical without the tooth-aching sweetness. Interesting dimension with the spicy pineapple jam.
Next, green tea, pistachio, cassis, white chocolate. This consist of: pistachio frangipane, cassis jelly, green tea meringue, pistachio cream, vanilla and white chocolate mousse, cassis curd, chocolate velvet spray, green tea sponge. Whilst this may not look as pretty as the one above, I liked the delicate mousiness of the outer shell of the cake. Very fresh tasting with the green tea element. It is the more elegant one of the bunch.
Few will disagree that the cakes at Burch & Purchese are nothing short of an artform. I'm torn between wanting to visually admire them and shoving them into my gob as fast as possible. We had a selection of cakes today to celebrate Bubbachuck's first tooth fairy visit. I find myself creating all sorts of excuses to celebrate with one or five of these beauties.
Allow me to walk you through:
Next, green tea, pistachio, cassis, white chocolate. This consist of: pistachio frangipane, cassis jelly, green tea meringue, pistachio cream, vanilla and white chocolate mousse, cassis curd, chocolate velvet spray, green tea sponge. Whilst this may not look as pretty as the one above, I liked the delicate mousiness of the outer shell of the cake. Very fresh tasting with the green tea element. It is the more elegant one of the bunch.
Then, we have the rather unusual, smoked white choc, coffee, aniseed lemon. This consist of: smoked white choc cream, crunchy almond meringue, coffee buttercream, coffee sponge, aniseed syrup, brownie sponge, lemon curd, dehydrated choc rock. You either love this one or hate it. The very prominent aniseed flavour would be the divider. I loved some elements of it such as the smoky saltiness of the chocolate. However I found the crunchy almond meringue a bit too chewy. Some of my guests hated the aniseed flavour.
Moving onto the strawberry, peach, lemon, vanilla. This consist of: lemon shortbread, peach, lemon & vanilla mousse, lemon curd, strawberry and white peach cream, vanilla sponge, white peach jelly, strawberry compote, pink velvet spray. This was so prettily presented in a tube. It had a zesty flavour. Probably bordering on a bit too sweet for my palate but Bubbachuck declared this her favourite.
Last but not least, the lamington eclair. This consist of: chocolate choux pastry, soaked sponge finger, raspberry jam, milk chocolate cream, raspberry jelly, coconut raspberry marshmellow, chocolate sprayed crunchy, coconut cream. The choux pastry was very dry but the chocolate sprayed crunchy more than compensated for that. They were like little explosions of chocolate and crunchy in your mouth. The overall flavour was reminiscent of a black forest gateau.
The deets:
Location:
Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio
647 Chapel St, South Yarra, VIC
Ph: 9827 4060
Cost:
$9 average for each petit four
Ambience:
Takeaway. There is a drive through service for cake pick up on prepaid orders.
Nom again:
Well of course.
Until next time,
Nom Seeker, Glutt
Sunday, 24 November 2013
N Lee Bakery
Hello Fellow Nom Seekers!
I have found THE Vietnamese baguette place. I generally chow down on a Vietnamese roll with a few misgivings. First it's the white bread. I've had it drummed into my head that white bread = no no. Then it's the oh-so-yummy fatty bits of pork within. One look at the strata of fat on the slices of pork makes me mentally calculate how many minutes I have to jog to negate that. Continue reading...
I have found THE Vietnamese baguette place. I generally chow down on a Vietnamese roll with a few misgivings. First it's the white bread. I've had it drummed into my head that white bread = no no. Then it's the oh-so-yummy fatty bits of pork within. One look at the strata of fat on the slices of pork makes me mentally calculate how many minutes I have to jog to negate that. Continue reading...
Friday, 8 November 2013
Le Croissant
Greetings Fellow Nom Seekers!
Today is Glutt's birthday. We won't dwell on her age but she felt the urge to 'celebrate' aka mourn the loss of her youth, by sinking her maw into some serious carbs. As Glutt could not decide on what cake to have...(will it be a Victoria sponge or a dozen custard donuts stacked in pyramidal formation?), she finally opted for a selection of petit fours from the bakery, Le Croissant in Camberwell. Continue reading...
Today is Glutt's birthday. We won't dwell on her age but she felt the urge to 'celebrate' aka mourn the loss of her youth, by sinking her maw into some serious carbs. As Glutt could not decide on what cake to have...(will it be a Victoria sponge or a dozen custard donuts stacked in pyramidal formation?), she finally opted for a selection of petit fours from the bakery, Le Croissant in Camberwell. Continue reading...
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