Hawk & Hunter Small Batch

Glen Eira Avenue, Ripponlea

Tuesday mornings don't often sound like freshly made raspberry slice and mulled wine. Instead, the sounds come from the City bound trains, exhaling colorful crowds into the narrow Melbourne alleyways, cubicles and paper jams.

But when the good things come, even in small batches, they sound like coriander spiced falafels, buoyant poached eggs, warm corn and black bean fritters and apple juice. 

Good things come at Hawk & Hunter Small Batch. Mulled wine in hand, I watch the City trains inhale the crowds,  while my morning sounds like a raspberry slice.

Little Chloe

1810 Malvern Road, Malvern East

Tuesday, 11 am and I find myself looking at the breakfast menu. Live it up, while I can, It's all about the girl.

Little Chloe.  The delicate menu pages tell me about the pork belly, coffee aroma about the seriousness of business here.

This new place quickly gathers a reputation amongst locals, who aren't spoilt for choice.

I go for the pork, no hesitation. After all, I did my research in the Good Food Guide. The black rice porridge with pandan-infused coconut cream chosen by my friend, a cheerful winter warmer.

It was all about the girl, Little Chloe. Character and taste combination, coffee options and reasonable prices, you can count me in.

Julia Snip on Google+

The Grain Store

517 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

It was hard not to notice this handsome newcomer with passion for local, organic produce and impeccable taste.

The Grain Store. Brisk walk up to the very top of Flinders Lane. Barn doors, oversized pumpkins and milk jugs. Hello farm boy, you surely do look like a lot of fun!

Saltbush lamb with sweet potato, bok choy and violet mustard, potato gnocchi and Tomme cheese, mushroom taleggio cream, broccoli, brown butter and nigella seeds.

Does this sound like a music score? I was quick to be smitten. If I need an excuse to meet up again, there is also chocolate chip cookies and milk, baked to order; I am saving this for my next visit.

Thanks for the photo NP :)

A date with the Mexican

Radio Mexico
11-13 Carlisle Street, St Kilda

I had a date with the Mexican; I am not an attached woman when it comes to gastronomy.

It's hard to know what makes it work sometimes. I tried them all, Mediterranean - entertaining, but too self absorbed, Asian - far too exotic, French - definitely some sparks there, but if you've had it once, you will know what its all about.

But with the Mexican, connection was instant.  Complex but very relaxed, never lets you in on its secrets. Always makes me want to come back for more.

I was back at Radio Mexico. Funky, zesty, rough at the edges, street style Mexican, that goes well with a beer. Just how I like it.