Jus Burger

Sundays are best spent lazing around, going to the market, or spending quality time with your family. My Sunday was spent at at sneaker freaker meet, hosted and organised by a friend from work. It was located where the South Yarra Sunday market was, that little warehouse in Oaks Place off Chapel Street. The sun was shining, everyone was looking so, so fine, and the day was simply splendid. To top it off, the three work amigos finally ate at Jus Burgers. I didn't take many photos, which is a shame, but there will definitely be another visit! There's a sign outside that says it's the "best burger, as voted by Foxtel", but it seems to me that Foxtel has yet to live. Their point is invalid.

Jus Burgers, however, had already opened several stores in WA. They blessed our Melbourne foodie streets with some delectable burgers. It is very riveting knowing that the food culture is being more embraced this year. It's a great thing for our stomachs and tastebuds, but not so great for the back pocket.

Fi ordered a simple, but delicious 'original beef' burger ($10)

It wasn't messy, and the beef was deliciously fresh.

I ordered 'the mullet' ($14), because I do love business in the front and party in the back. 

Just kidding, I love anything with bacon and egg and beetroot in it, it has seriously got to be my most favourite burger combination. If it has pineapple, EVEN BETTER, because I love pineapple.

I'm not going to lie, I did my enjoy my experience at Huxtaburger a lot better, the bun is a lot softer and more enjoyable to eat. The mullet is extremely difficult to manage, with bits and pieces falling out all over my plate. Surely eating a burger should not be such tedious work...

I don't want to gross you out, but there is also a kangaroo meat burger on the menu! I was a bit skeptical to try it at first, but I know I will one day. Apparently it's a healthy alternative, as it is high in protein and low in fat!!! Win. It almost feels illegal to eat a nationally recognised animal. It's like eating a koala... You just dun do dat.

^ Onion Rings, $5.50

I hate onions but I guess onion rings are okay. I just wished we ordered fries instead. And as you can see from the cow, that's how we were served. There were no table numbers or names, just an animal instead. Creative, hey?

Overall, I would probably rate Jus Burger's an 8/10. There was fast service, limited outdoor seating, and they are open until 4am on Fridays and Saturdays. Yep, you heard correctly. So when you're having a massive night out and you're getting the munchies, forget about McDonald's and tell your cabbie to take you to Jus Burger's.

Jus Burgers

Address: 364 Chapel Street, South Yarra

Contact: 9827 1318

Price Range: $

Belle's Diner, Fitzroy

^ Behind the bar. Image taken by me and edited (like an amateur) with iPhoto.

Hello my sweet pea loyal readers,

Sorry for the blogging hiatus. I seem to be apologising every single time I write a new post. If you were actually curious as to my M.I.A status, exams are right around the corner and the stress is starting to kick in. Despite the stress, I really needed to update this blog before it builds up dust and people forget to read it... (plz dun 4get bout me xoxo)

Ok so I just landed in America, hence why I my experience at this diner. I'm not actually in America (I WISH), but just use your imagination, ok? Whilst browsing on Broadsheet looking for new places to eat at, I stumbled upon Belle's Diner, and I'm seriously glad I did.

It was new, with an old school twist at the same time... major oxymoron, I know. The diner is located behind my uni on Gertrude Street, so I was very pleased. I drove past the diner at approximately 12:45pm and it was EXTREMELY BUSY. The windows are all glass, so there is nothing stopping you from staring from the inside to the outside world. We got there at about 2:15pm and it was rather empty, which I was happy about. Seeing a foodie place that is full can only mean two things, 1. That the food/ambiance/people/music must be really really really really amazing, and 2. be mentally prepared to wait a long time for your food to be served. I have a poor temper when I am hungry (apologies to those who have witnessed this hungry gremlin). 

^ Have you guys seen Looper? Doesn't it remind you of the diner scene?

The clock was of accurate timing also, I want one in my room.

The chairs are so old fashioned and reminded me of church alters.

^ Brunch/Lunch is served.

^ Southern Fried Chicken, $17 

When I asked the waiter how many pieces you get with this option, he said four. PRETTY SURE IT WASN'T FOUR PIECES, it was defs a lot more than that. The meat was extremely tender and so much better than the chicken skin at Pappa Rich. I tried a bit of the coleslaw salad which was rather dry but still had a great tangy flavour. As for the sweet BBQ sauce, it tasted like perfection when dipped with the chicken. This is more of a snack than a meal, unless you order the fries. 

The old style fries were great. $7 for a bowl; they were crispy, fresh and had a salt on it which was comparable to Nando's peri peri salt. But unlike Nando's, the salt was fortunately all over the chips, not just sprinkled on the top.

^ Latte $3.50 from memory

It was very strong, but a good type of strong. They don't have chai (boooooo) but it was still good nonetheless. I loved the colour of the teacup as well.

^ Instagram: badasiandriver for more images

The waiters were relaxed, dressed well and were very helpful. 

The bathroom was rather annoying, as the toilet is facing a massive mirror on the wall. I don't want to stare at myself while I'm doing the business, and I didn't want to look down on the floor either.

The ambiance was very 1950's ancient American. I really liked the plain feel of the place.

The menu was very limited, but amazing nonetheless. I am coming back for the mussels.

The music was relaxing and very alternative, as you would expect for a funky place on Gertrude Street.

Don't be fooled by the name though. It is nothing compared to Misty's Diner which is greasy (but still DELICIOUS), colourful and more Americanised with sweets and soft drink sodas.

Overall I would recommend this place to anyone who are looking for a place to catch up with friends, or to experience the history of America, as Belle's really hit the spot with it. Keep in mind that they don't open on Mondays, because let's be serious, we all hate Monday.

Belle's Diner

150-156 Gertrude Street Fitzroy

(03) 9077 0788

Three Bags Full

Having a blood test requires starving yourself of food and certain beverages to allow the blood to be pure and unaffected in accuracy. Breakfast is THE most important meal of the day and I pity anyone who does not eat breakfast (unless there is a time constraint). Even then, you should be able to pick up a piece of fruit or a yoghurt before you go. So, waiting in the doctor's room for a dreaded blood test (that I have been avoiding for years) made my stomach grumble and my taste buds salivate at the thought of eating any food. I drove to uni on an empty stomach after my test, only to find that my classes had been cancelled! Hooray!

Fortunately for me, my uni and my second GP are located close by (in Richmond), and it is also where Three Bags Full is fortunately situated. I have driven past this place on numerous occasions, but never had the chance to dine in. The building is actually separated into two, the boisterous side with many more tables and an exquisite cake selection, the other was quiet and tame. But don't fret about which sides to choose! Both sides of the cafe have baristas to fulfil your coffee desires.

^ the extensive TBF menu

I definitely would have opted for something other than the big breakfast, but being in my hungry state, I  had to order it. However, my eyes were hungrier than my stomach. I could not finish it all on my own.

^ The big breakfast included: Sourdough toast, poached eggs (without hollandaise sauce), bacon (because I freaking love bacon), cheese kransky, tomato, massive sized mushrooms, spinach and tomato chutney (which I love eating with fried chippes). At a mere price of $18.50, you can't go wrong. It is a big expensive for what you getting (you can definitely make it at home), but compared to other places, the food was extremely fresh and juicccccccy. Out of all the big breakfasts that I have ever eaten in my life, and I have eaten many... I would rate this a 6.5/10. It could have gotten an 8.5 but I would grade it down due to price and presentation.

^ Chai Latte $4.0

This photo was taken on my iPhone 4s. 

Sitting by the window gave me excellent lighting.

^ Reading The Age on my iPad.

I don't realise how much we take WIFI for granted. Three Bags Full does not have wifi, so I had to use my personal hotspot for internet. We are so capable to do anything with the use of technology. I hope we don't get taken over by robots.

^ Reflection of my breakfast / lunch / brunch in the mirror.

^ Image from http://smallwerld.com/food/three-bags-full/ visit it for more information and gorgeous photos! Wish I had that type of artistic mindframe.

Three Bags Full

60 Nicholson Street 

(Near the Bardot Factory)

(03) 9421 2732

Malaysian Festival, 2012

Asia is the WORLD'S LARGEST CONTINENT, yet I have only been grateful enough to visit Vietnam on several occasions, and a stopover at Taipei on our trip to America. There are so many things in this world that I am yet to discover, to see, to breathe, to eat... I can only dream and suffer from wanderlust. Today my dream came true at the Malaysian Festival, held at the Queen Victoria Market. Thank you C and N for letting me know of the event, or else I would have spent my Sunday at home, doing nothing. 

The festival consisted of two long rows of back to back FOOD AND BEVERAGES, it was Asian heaven for me. There was the popular Korean potato stick stand, a coconut and lemonade stand, a Chilli Padi stand and various other small businesses. The satay skewers stand had the longest line throughout the day, with people waiting for hoursssssss to see what the fuss was about. I drove into the city (silly me), and it was horrendous trying to find parking at QVM. It was worth the travel, because I had such a marvellous time. The weather was hot like a sunrise, and it felt as though my face was about to burn off. Everyone was in such a pleasant mood, a sight I was happy to see. This was my first time at a Malaysian Festival, and it only made me want to visit the beautiful country even more.

Welcome to Festival Malaysia:

^ Amazing artists. 

They sang "Someone Like You" by Adele with a reggae spin to it. Eargasm!

^ The satay skewer owners/workers working hard. 

Chris and Nhat were waiting in this line for what seemed like hours. This was the first of our eating adventures of the day, and it was well worth the wait. The poor girl who took our order at 2pm said she had been working since 9am and hadn't been on her break or gotten a chance to even eat! Hope the day was worth it for her :)

$10 for a set of 10 halal satay skewers. 

It came with a semi-chili dipping sauce, cucumber and rice cakes

Beef > Chicken

^ loco for coconuts. $6 each.

If you took it back to the place where we bought them, the owners would chop the top off so you can eat the coconut inside :) summer is coming!!!

^ BABY OCTOPUS, three skewers for $15 

There were five octopi? Octopus? (Is there a plural for Octopus?) on a stick, but I only managed to eat three. I usually love seafood, but they prepared it in a way that was too strong for me. The carrots were a good way to reduce the smell and taste. It's pretty obviously that I love seafood! There was even a MUSSEL VAN that had the roof that was the shape of a MUSSEL. It was a pretty big bowl for $10. I had some last night at my sister's house, so I didn't really want to eat it. Another stall had squid or octopus fish balls for $5 a stick, but considering I had so much food in my stomach already, I had to pass. If the festival went into the night time, I would have eaten it for dinner for sure!!! Unfortunately it was 9am-4pm, today only :(

^ KOREAN POTATO STICKS - $5 each

We ordered a chicken salt, plain salt and pepper stick. I could feel my arteries clogging up with every bite I took. It's pretty much a potato, thinly sliced, fried with seasoning salt on top. It's very popular with the tourists at the Suzuki Night Market.

Potato sticks and TEA IN A BAG.

YES. IN. A. BAG.

Teh Peng (iced milk tea in a bag) $3.50 each

ICE KACANG was pretty much a bowl of ice with three syrups on it for $5 each

I didn't get the kacang but a lot of people seemed to order it.

^ So many OH&S breaches with this stand (Chilli Padi) but it had an authentic street hawker food feel to it. The lady poured our tea from a plastic box to a bag and I felt like I was in Vietnam all over again. In VN they sell sugar cane drinks in a big bags for less than a dollar. God bless the Asians. I wish I was an event planner. My first major action would be to organise a permanent night market for entrepreneurs in the food / fashion / design / music department.
Melbourne can be so boring sometimes, I do not know how we were voted the most liveable city...

^ Three milk tea bags and three bags of PANDAN CHIFFON CAKE

^ Pandan Chiffon Cake we bought as they were closing up.

It was $2 down to $1 so we bought two, and they guy gave me one for freeeeeeee :)

thank you kind stranger.

^ Last but not least, dessert. THERE IS ALWAYS ROOM FOR DESSERT.

Dutch pancakes, Poffertjes. $9 with jam and ice-cream.

The tram stop is always at Vic Market every weekend. It was just a bonus that it was at the Malaysian Festival because we were running around looking for dessert that didn't consist of jelly or jelly cake or jelly drink... We were about to order two plates for the three of us, but luckily we didn't because we could barely finish this one!

 ^ Great turn out. Great company. Great weather. Great food.

Pink Ribbon Day Dinner

Pretty In Pink xoxo

October is known as Breast Cancer awareness month. 

I am extremely blessed to not know anyone who has suffered with the c word, and I am praying that I never have to. It's really sad knowing that our surroundings increase the chances of having the c word, whether it is from smoking, radiation through our phones or even from microwaving food. Donations and volunteering are what charities thrive from, and they really do need our help. Last year, I volunteered with my good friends Joanne and Fiffy. It was a rainy day, but it gave me a good conscious knowing that I had taken part in raising funds for such a good cause. Sometimes you owe it to yourself to step back from our selfish lives, and focus on what's really important around us. Sign you and your best mates up to volunteer for a few hours, it's really good karma!!!!!!!!!! I pity anyone who hasn't taken the time and initiative to donate money to charities, volunteer at stalls at event days or even stop to buy a badge for Daffodil Day etc. It's never too late to start this month.

My sister and her friend Nhat organised a dinner, consisting of their friends, BBH and a lot of desserts. It's 1:52am and I am still full from all the food, having to run to the toilet every now and then to flush out all the water I consumed. Everyone was required to wear pink and donate $15 towards the National Breast Cancer Foundation. One of their friends donated $50 due to plain goodwill (Giao, you saint!!!). You do not know how far your contribution will go when put together with others. The food was delicious of course, because my mother made the broth for the BBH. There were pink cupcakes, pink donuts, pink banh bo (also known as beef cake, even though there's no beef in it, Xôi (Vietnamese sweet sticky rice), strawberry jelly and choc chip brownies.

^ Majority of the desserts, courtesy of Nhat. 

^ Decorations on the walls, including balloons and pink paper on the front door which looked like a sacrilegious offering haha................

1.2.

3.4.

1. Masterchef Kimmy in her hilarious apron. Looking good Chi Hai lmao love my sister!

2. Detailed cupcakes, the rose detailing was simply amazing.

3 + 4. My cheeky and precious nephew. Love you baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^ Choc Chip brownies with the baker in the background. Thanks J.

5.6.

5. Dinner is served. BBH and Chicken Skewers. Thank you to S+C for brining the mussels and DELICIOUSLY SOFT COLES BREAD. I'm pretty snobby about my bread, and I will vouch for Coles brand when I say the roll is aaaaaamazing. 

6. So I got pretty bored and wrote everyones name on cups, drawing an image that signifies their individual personality. In return, H drew me a Pikachu because that has been my nickname since I was really young :)

^ pink cups with pink drinks and the pink donation box

^ My bowl of non-spicy BBH and pikachu cup :)

^ Strawberry Japanese jelly. Not like your ordinary aeroplane jelly.

HOMGGGGMAAAAGAAWWDDDDD

^ Oreo getting bored of life and creating new things. Tasted ok.

Sorry for spamming everyone on Facebook, Twitter and ESPECIALLY MY INSTAGRAM. I am grateful for all my 500+ followers. I've finally hit the five hunned mark. Thank you all for following and commenting and showing support. I really do appreciate everything in my endeavour to become instafamous haha joking but not really joking xoxo

Mamasita

Donde esta la biblioteca?

Mexican food has got to be an all time favourite of mine. Tacos. Nachos. Tequila. Quesadillas. Horchatas. Easy to make. Easy to eat. Tonight my work mamasitas and I were running around the city looking for something to eat. The Bottoms End was where we initially wanted to go, but they had a function on that night and didn't serve any food until 10pm. It would have been a 45 minute wait and was not worth it. So we traveled along to Paco's Tacos where the kitchen was closed for the night. I've yet to go there, but it's right across from MoVida Aqui so I should probably pay them a visit soon. However, despite driving around with hungry stomachs, we were third time lucky where Mamasita greeted us with open arms and seated us right where the staircase would flow up cold wind whenever someone opened the door. Please ignore the horrible iPhone photos, I didn't have my camera with me (which seems to happen a lot) and the lighting in the restaurant is very dim. 

1.2.

 1. Le famous chargrilled corn $4.90 each

This street-style corn was sweet and sour at the same time, although there is a cheesey smell that was really offputting. It was the same smell you inhale when you walk into an IGA, if you have ever smelt that disgusting odour (If you haven't, consider yourself lucky). Despite the cheeseyness, the corn was a healthy and scrumptious entrée. 

2. Tacos Tacos Tacos (Price varies from $5 to $7 each)

Eating out with the work girls have allowed me to slowly build my tolerance to chili. Slow progress, but gradual. I ordered a prawn taco "de Camarones" which was $7, and worth every cent. There were only three prawns inside, which I would have been really anal and sooky about. But the other ingredients made up for the flavours. The other two were chicken and ox tongue, which I will be sure to try the next time I visit.

^ Tostaditas (prices range from $12 to $16)

There are four pieces on one board. I didn't get to try this one, but I think you get more value for money  with a taco or a quesadilla. 

^ Didn't get a good photo of the Horchata. It is 560mL for $6.50. There was too much ice which I was really annoyed about. It's like when you order a three colour bean drink and it's full of shaved ice. At Fonda Mexican it is $4.50 but it's not as big as the one at Mamasita. 

^ Three corn icecreams - Helado de maíz ($6 each)

All in all, I really did enjoy my time at Mamasita. Good luck trying to get a table during dinner peak hour, as they don't take reservations. The service was pretty good, although the waiter did forget one taco order and then the bill when we asked for it. The toilet was a bit scary too, there are images of old Mexican women on the doors in black and white. Really creeped me out when I was washing my hands and looking into the mirror reflection.

Mamasita

Level 1, 11 Collins Street

(Right next to the 7/11 near Parliament side of Collins Street)

03 9650 3821