Spiga

Cheap eat alert! Cheap eat alert! 

I have been to Spiga on numerous occasions now, and the waiters are lovely and the location is superb, hence why it gives me a good reason to go back. It's probably one of the best cafes in Melbourne Central (Menzies Alley near the Elizabeth Street entrance), offering fairly big portioned meals that leaves you waddling out. The chicken parma was pretty average and plain, so don't order it. The steak (last photo on this post) was really dry as there was no sauce accompanied with it, but smear the tomato chutney on it for more flavour. As for the hot chocolate, I'm a sucker for coffee art so I was reluctant to drink it at first and instead chose to admire it until my food came out. It was delicious.

I love baked beans (coz they are good for your heart and make you fart) but I have this terrible habit of making smiley faces with the food I cannot finish (refer to picture up top). I know, I know, LISA think of the people in the third world countries that could have fed their family with your leftovers, GOSH. But my stomach can only hold so much. Definitely pay Spiga a visit when you can, it's much better than the food at Equinox or anywhere else in MC.

Eggs Verdi

Misty's Diner

American Food. We all know about it. Greasy. Big portioned. Epic Meal Time. Mystical. Why did I use the word 'mystical'? Because today I will be sharing my wonderful experience at Misty's Diner... and this place is nothing short of mystical. The interior is an unquestionable replica of a real American diner. The only thing that was missing was that the waiter girls weren't on rollerskates, boo you whore. This didn't change the fact that this restaurant, hidden away in the streets of Prahan, holds a menu so amazing that I just have to share it! Considering we don't have many diners around Melbourne, this place is a lot better than Soda Rock on Chapel Street. Zooey Deschanel couldn't have said it any better, I love food!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love her as well.

I don't know why the photos are so blue but don't h8.

As you can see from the images, we ordered a burger with chili fries that were fortunately NOT too chili because I cannot tolerate the intensity of spicy food. I did the rookie mistake of ordering a big breakfast, but when you are so overwhelmed by the menu, you do some silly things. The waffles were delicious but I wish there was maple syrup to eat it with. There were other meals I would have preferred to indulge in, but I guess it gives me an excuse to simply go back! Misty's Diner also stocks a vast selection of American beverages and American lollies and pop tarts et cetera. Misty's Diner closes at around 10pm but this place would be the best destination to eat at after a big (read messy) night out. 

Take me back to America! I miss it so much.

My family. The lifestyle. The food. The shopping.

Misty's Diner

Address: 103 High Street, Prahran 3181

Contact: 9510 1959

Longrain Melbourne

My first time at Longrain was in November 2011 and I have not been there since. Why? Because although the interior looked good on the eye, the food was only OKAY. Considering it has a highly regarded reputation of being a fine dining restaurant, the food, in my opinion, didn't have the WOW factor that I was expecting. Longrain is modern Thai cuisine which I guess gives them an interesting side to the restaurant. Our amateur move was that we didn't make a booking and ending up waiting for almost two hours, also because they 'forgot about us'. That goes to show how much they value their patrons. The cocktails were sub par to what I had read about before I went, so fortunately I only ordered one. It had chunky bits of fruit that was rather offputting.

If you do pay Longrain a visit, don't go in with high expectations because they probably won't be met. Bring sufficient funds because the portions are small and you will end up ordering 3/4 dishes, 5 if you're having dessert. You will also be sitting next to strangers on a really long table. Order the egg nest, but be warned, it's mostly filled with bean shoots which I guess gives it a refreshing taste. The pork was pretty good as well but from memory there was a lot of fat on it.

I forgot my camera that day, hence why the photos were taken from my trust iPhone 4. I really need to invest in a better camera.

watermelon cocktails

Trout Fish which had a delicious sauce that wasn't too sweet or sour.

The amazing egg nest.

Pork, Egg Nest, Fish

LuxBite ♥

"Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first."

Ernestine Ulmer 

LuxBite. One word. A hundred thoughts and emotions of happiness and a helluva lotta drool. Located on Toorak Road, it is a small and quaint cafe that is recognised for their amazing macarons and cakes. Although the sweets are beyond amazing, I have tried the savoury food as well, it's different, I quite liked it. You get to choose your own menu, spinach/pumpkins/salmon ... everything you can think of! But stick to the desserts, they are much better. I know, I know, you probably think that macarons and whatnot are overrated but when something is so delectable, you really can't consider it in that aspect.

LuxBite have taken an amazing spin on macarons and created ones as big as NICKI MINAJ'S ASS. Just kidding. But no really, they are so amazing and the filling is the perfect amount of sweetness and there are fresh fruit to suit.

I love places that have a story behind it. People who have create something out of a mere dream. People who did something good with their lives. People who can take to their graves that they've done something for the better, or changed someones life. People who open sweet shops with the most AMAZING desserts... *standing ovation*

Don't order the iced chocolate because as you can see from the image below, it's a mug of milk with a blob of chocolate and it's so hard to mix, and therefore hard to drink. Just stick to water to clean out all the sugar from the sweets :-)

MoVida Aqui

Eating Spanish food was definitely out of my comfort zone, but MoVida Aqui really knows how to make you feel settled in and welcome. The waiters are beyond exceptional, and the food was extraordinario. I rarely say that about places where I fine dine but this place shits on everyone, and I say that in the nicest way possible. They have a paella that is served in A HUGE BAMF WOK. The photo I uploaded does not give justice to how big it actually was. I think it was made for 2-4 people but we managed to finish it between two because it was THAT delectable. I went in December 2011 but haven't been back to MoVida because there are so many other places to explore... but I would DEFINITELY go back again when given the chance. From where we were sitting, we could watch the chefs prepare the foods which made it engaging and gave the restaurant a personal feel. If you guys get a chance to go, or even make plans to eat there, then definitely take up the opportunity! It's a hidden gem in the city, but remember to make a booking, and make sure the booking is at the correct MoVida's because there are two in the city!

anchovies with a sweet tomato paste

Cold Wagyu (my fav)

scallops (another fav)

Celebratory Dinner

It is always nice to give a reason as to why you would dine out (considering I eat at restaurants often, this is devalued) but on Thursday night, the giraffe and I went to Crown for dinner. We do not dine at Crown often, so being stuck in traffic after a hard day of training really made this moment more special. The reason for this occasion is because I recently got a jab at NAB! It is very exciting business and makes me feel like I am more focused towards future goals and finally getting good at life. My phone was on low batteries so we only managed to take one photo, but if you LOVE SEAFOOD, THEN YOU MUST GO TO CROWN TO EAT THIS OUTRAGEOUS OFFER. They have a 'seafood festival' on at the moment, where selected restaurants offer this amazing platter for a mere FITTY DORRARS. Yes. $50 for two people. Oysters, scallops, calamari... everything from the sea you can think of! There are even two side dishes of chips and salad included. You can only eat it at selected restaurants such as Margo's, The Pub At Crown etc... (for more details about the special offers, follow the link http://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/special-offers/offer/2597).

Until next time,

stay classy san diego.

Hopetoun Tea Room

Stanley (from the office) couldn't have said it any better. If I don't have some cake soon, I might die. I obviously don't eat cake everyday (but if I could, I would). Blah blah health issues blah blah the fat goes straight to your thighs yadda yadda yadda.
No.
To me, it releases so many endorphins that make me so happy beyond belief. So when my amazin friend Vivi took me to Hopetoun Tea Rooms two Fridays ago, it was heaven on earth. It is a little quaint place located in the arcade off Collins Street..... this is the shop window:

We ordered a CHOCOLATE PECAN cake and a BERRY cheesecake which both tasted amazing and gave justice to the wonderful reviews that I had read about the tea room. It's probably a good idea to order  some tea with your cakes and scones because it helps to wash it down and cleanse your stomach. I ordered a chocolate milkshake and it was an overload of sugar (if there was such thing). High tea is such an amazing experience and a really creative way to eat - we didn't order sandwiches or macarons but fortunately we didn't because we were totes stuffed afterwards. Pretty much had to waddle out of the tea room and we came in with an empty stomach mind you!!!

I'm looking forward to exploring what Melbourne cafes have to offer. Starbucks, Gloria Jeans, San Churros etc are conventional and boring places to be. Instead of going to those typical places, you should definitely wander around and support small businesses!

And eat cake, no matter how many calories it has! Just work it off afterward. Duh.

P.S the two last photos were taken with instagram: badasiandriver ;)

Seoul House

Two words: Korean BBQ.

If you have not tried kbbq, I'm prettttty sure that you have not lived. If you love all things meat then I would recommend an all you can eat place, because places like Hwaro or Dae Jang Geum are rather expensive. The photos below were taken at Seoul House (Russell Street, CBD). 

The Korean BBQ experience is much better if you go with someone who actually does speak Korean, but you're safe choosing beef bulgogi (marinated meat) and chicken! There are many small side dishes which includes potatoes, picked vegetables, lettuce and kimchi - I hate spicy food but kimchi is the perfect kind of spicy so you must definitely try it (kimchi is fermented veggies)!!!

The KOREAN BBQ experience is like teppanyaki but better. Teppanyaki is Japan's way of saying 'come in and let us cook expensive meat in front of you and splash oil on your face by accident'. Korean BBQ is Korea's way of saying 'come in and let us fill your stomach with flavoursome meat but grill it yourself because it's more fun that way'.  For those who have eaten this will most definitely agree that it is a fun, fulfilling and absolutely DELICIOUS way of eating lunch or dinner. 

Best served with white rice and wear clothes that you're not afraid will smell because although fuming meat smells amazing, it isn't when you walk out. Seoul House was okay - you eat your moneys worth and they even gave us zucchini soup which I larve! 

Seoulia in Box Hill, Hwaro, Viking 92 in Chadstone and this little place we discovered near Melbourne Central (I don't remember the name) are fantastic places to treat your taste buds to!! I'll blog about them sometime soon but I don't want to bombard you with Korean BBQ places when there are so many other restaurants to share :)

My favourite fellow foodies: Thao and Lynne ♥♥

Stay classy.

Lisa xox

Touche Hombre

Despite the sudden outburst of all these EL MEXICANO restaurants in Melbourne... I was very excited to try out the new Touche Hombre (located on the corner of Lonsdale Street and Tattersalls Lane).

If Mexican food was among other options to eat, I probably wouldn't pick it first. But why am I blogging about it?
Because the atmosphere was dark yet inviting and the food was like a delicious explosion of Mexican in your mouth. It would be considered as 'tapas' more so than a meal, so you're probably more than likely to order more than one taco (but be careful because they will add up). The menus are on the back of cardboard pieces, the beverages are served in glass jars (except for the strawberry and apple juice that I ordered which I was very upset about) and the cutlery and napkins are organic? Yeah I'd say so... they are made out of wood and brown and trees so it's environmentally friendly, something to look out for when you're at a restaurant!

After eating all of the refreshing 'snack sized' food, we were way too full for dessert but Touche Hombre has a selection of ice cream sandwiches that I heard are quite the bombdiggity! I will probably post another post about this restaurant in the future because I definitely will go back!

strawberry and apple juice

Fish Taco and Refreshing salad with bean shoots and lettuce.

Mussel dip and nachoz

Grilled chicken taco.