Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Boundary Espresso

For being in d'Preston

107 Plenty Road Preston 

Boundary Espresso on Urbanspoon 

Baked eggs and chorizo
This! This is what I've been waiting for – a decent, friendly cafe north of the Junction (only just but nonetheless). I've been here twice now, once for Sunday brunch and once for a mid-week bite. I relished my baked eggs with chorizo, avocado and rocket so much the first time that I had it again the second (on reflection, a silly thing to do as a budding food blogger). Still, the fervent lip-smacking and murmurs of approval from my fellow brunchers about the Green Eggs and Ham (baked eggs, basil pesto and THICK slice of ham) and halloumi and artichoke omelette instills confidence that this place is more than a one-hit wonder. I also rate the coffee, though my long blacks were more consistent on the Sunday – perhaps the barista's day off is Tuesday? I shall investigate further ...

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Residential Kitchen

For the pizza

499–501 Lygon St, Carlton North

Residential Kitchen on Urbanspoon
In all honesty, I was hoping to receive rude service and endure bad food here, so I could entitle this blog entry 'Residential Evil' (lowest form of humour, whatever – I love a groan-inducing pun). Disappointingly, however, the food and service didn't disappoint. Now, as I feel that photos of pizza, especially those taken on a smartphone, never look that appetising, I've not included one here. But I devoured their gourmet, Moroccan Lamb pizza (Moroccan-spiced lamb, Spanish onion, baby spinach, mint yoghurt and lemon) and also managed a slice of my partner-in-crime's Roasted Pumpkin pizza (pumpkin, ricotta cheese, walnuts, basil pesto and spinach); both were delicious but we agreed that, on this occasion, I won the menu lottery. Will certainly come back to explore the rest of the menu. The coffee was good, too. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Constantia Glen

For imbibing with a view

Constantia Main Rd, Constantia, South Africa


A popular first stop for many visiting the wineries around Cape Town, the stunning Constantia Glen wine estate sure knows how to do 'scenic'. Very easy to sit back and just, well, drink it all in. The wine tasting itself is as free as the gorgeous vistas, and the purchase price of additional bottles (for immediate or later consumption) is extremely reasonable, especially with today's exchange rates. I also recommend the generous meat and cheese platters to go with the 'lekker wyn'. I'm only sorry I'm no photographer.
Even with clouds threatening ... 
... the views are not half bad.




 

Monday, February 18, 2013

e'Mondo

For brekkie

42 Hans Strijdom Ave Cape Town SOUTH AFRICA




In the immediate area around Cape Town's International Convention Centre, hotels abound. Its location – a 10-minute stroll to the V&A Waterfront, and perhaps 15 minutes' walk to the city centre – makes it a popular place to stay, though for my money the proliferation of high-rise hotels and offices (and dearth of eateries not joined to hotels) creates an impersonal Everycity feel, albeit with stupendous views. It's also a concern when one chooses to stay in a self-contained apartment with no on-site restaurant and no inclination to self-cater.
A found gem amidst this wasteland of concrete and steel is e'Mondo Cafe. Warm and inviting decor and staff, great prices, decent coffee (though the chalkboard is overstating things a bit) and tasty brekkies. Thoroughly enjoyed the Spanish omelette with olives and capsicum, the saltiness of the olives complementing the egg beautifully.
Tip: Asking for a long black earns you some strange looks in Cape Town. It's a large espresso.
 

Thursday, February 14, 2013

First Pour


For the coffee

26 Bond St Abbotsford VIC 3067


First Pour on Urbanspoon
If you're a coffee lover, you really can't go past the First Pour, the espresso bar at the HQ of Veneziano Coffee Roasters – you're pretty much guaranteed a quality cup every time. On a recent visit (yes, I go there often), I was happily tapping away on my Mac, having already consumed a deliciously smooth, single-origin long black (bad blogger: should have noted the source), when the barista places a freebie latte in front of me. 'Here you go, I'm practising for the Victorian barista comp,' she says, and goes on to explain the background of this offering – the origin, blend, tasting notes – much like a sommelier would a fine wine. Now, normally I take my coffee black, but who was I to refuse? Superlative stuff. Why yes, I will purchase a kilo bag of competition-blend beans on my way out, thank you Ms Barista!

(Oh, there's food too – an assortment of sandwiches, wraps and pastries, that type of thing. But go for the coffee. Really.)