Grain Store

C invited me to an impromptu lunch at Grain Store...which is literally around the corner from my house. It's newly opened, rustic, organic, and locally sourced etc. Chi Chi to the nth degree!

I had the beef cheeks with winter vegetables, red russian kale and vanilla parsnip puree. Hm...it was buttery and savoury. The soy chai was watery and pretty tasteless. The service was non-existent. Or else, we were invisible for the first fifteen minutes of entering the restaurant.

I see myself returning here for the sheer convenience of location. Certainly their breakfast menu looks quite delicious.

Super Sunny Sydney

The novelty of being able to hop over to Sydney for just a weekend still tickles me. I spent my weekend with my old law school buddy U and her bf F, soaking up the Sydney Sun and indulging in my every gastronomic whim. As we all know, the calories don't count when on holiday.

Literally, the best soy chai latte I've ever had in my life at Jones the Grocer. It tasted like gingerbread warmed up and whizzed up with frothy milk. Chai-gasm.

 

A traditional big breakfast made with deliciously fresh and organic ingredients!

I had a massive craving for bulgogi hotpot for dinner that night. 

Behold! And yes, I finished the whole goddamn thing.

And a strawberry tart. Because I'm a strawberry tart. With Jackson Pollock chocolate splatters.

 

I made an attempt to shop. I failed miserably, only picking a few unexciting items - but I did find this wrap around bracelet. Hardware-tastic?

Madame Brussels

I haven't had a proper girls night out since I came to Melbourne. Mostly because I haven't had girls to have a night out with. But sure enough, life happens to you regardless of whether you want it to or not, which is how I found myself having my first actual drink in about 6 years.

Madam Brussels is another one of those cute hidden away Melbourne bars, decked out with astroturf, lawn furniture, bowers of fake velvet flowers and quietly hipster wait staff in tennis shorts (no doubt hired for their looks). The cocktail menu is decidedly girly, and made to share. We sampled amongst other Punches, the provocatively named Love Juice and Pop Your Cherry.

It's full of cute boys to scam on if you're in the mood, but it's wonderfully relaxed and not overcrowded with drunk 18 years old grinding up against each other. The perfect place to have a sweet cocktail and a girly gossip with your gal pals after a long week!

Madam Brussels Facebook

Blind Date and Meow Meow

I did something a bit brave the other night. 

I went on a blind date.

With 5 other girls. 


My friend mentioned a website called 'Meetup' to me, which I immediately dismissed as some desperate singles website. But curiosity got the better of me, and google showed me that the reality is more like a social club scenario with everything from photography enthusiasts to walking groups. 

I joined a group for girls around my age who are new to Melbourne. I never thought I would actually attend an event, but I made a new year's resolution to have a blog worthy life and
when I saw that a bunch of ladies were going to see Meow Meow at the Spiegltent's Famous Supper Club I thought, WHY NOT?

I rocked up to the meeting place on an icy Melbourne evening outside the Melbourne Arts Centre and decided to just wait it out and see what would happen. Sure enough, a young lady made a shy approach and asked very quietly if I was here for the meet up. 

We got talking immediately and soon enough were joined by the rest of the group. A more socially secure and friendly bunch of people I have never met in my life. I have never felt more comfortable or stress free in a social situation ever. The advantage I suppose of going to an event with people who would go somewhere with people that they don't know - chances are, they're not awkward socially.

The inside of the spiegltent was decorated like a 30s nightclub. A grand piano, low lighting, and lots of velvet. The performance itself was a musical trip around Europe (with a very short stop off in China) - with Meow Meow belting out classics from Piaf and the like in twenty different languages.

Meow Meow herself looks like a slightly unhinged drag version of Liza Minelli.(But in a good way) She's a stella performer with a truly fascinating vocal range.

Unfortunately my camera phone wasn't up to photos in such a hostile lighting environment but you can youtube her if you're really interested. She's really bloody brilliant so you should check her out if you ever get the chance!

Special Delivery!

So I came home today, to find myself the recipient of a super exciting special delivery, courtesy of my friend Mrs E. It has slowly been occuring to me that I have reached the age where all my friends have mated for life like Penguins and looking to make it official. And in Mrs E's case - Vegas Style.

Am I bitter? Absolutely. But I will not grudge Mrs E a moment of happiness because she's really rather wonderful and deserves all the joy in life that comes to her.

Easter

I had a visit from the rather fabulous duo Miss A and Miss E (soon to be Mrs) over the long weekend. There’s nothing like talking utter nonsense - that makes complete sense - with friends who know you.

We scampered around Melbourne, enjoying sweet Harajuku crepes and laughs at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. 

The below photo is slightly spookier than it should be. This is obviously at the beginning of the horror film, because I'm still smiling.

Not to mention, a (slightly skin-crawling) visit to the Melbourne Aquarium. It's all very pretty, but I can't help the fact that, fish that isn't battered or grilled and served with lemon gives me the willies. I'm a flawed human being.

Can you spot the seahorses?

Miss A being fabulous, like usual.

Again, and again I'm reminded of what I left behind in Perth. Nostalgia is a terrible thing. I've been suffering from a chronic case of insomnia, and possibly a mild return of my anxiety, which is why I've lost the will to emote through blogging (god help us). I do have a few adventures upcoming so I hope to share these with you! (whether you're interested or not). 

Ta ta for now!

Welcome to Mexico, Mamasita!

If I had it my way, this would be a post about how I ran away to Mexico and met a hot latino lover named Juan. I'd tell you about how we'd bask naked in the sun (without the fear of skin cancer ever occurring to us) and make passionate love all over our private villa in between sipping margaritas. 

Ha. Sif. 

The fear of contracting an STI from sex with indiscriminate men, having my digestive system implode after contracting stomach bug in quesadilla form, not to mention my genetic pre-disposition to turning into a tomato-faced crying mess when I drink means that such a story is about as unlikely as me...well...running off to Mexico with my hot latino lover...well you get my point. 

In retaliation to the Monday Maudlin's, my fellow desk monkeys and I decided to treat ourselves to a Feast at what is allegedly Melbourne's best Mexican restaurant - Mamasita. 

Housed in a non-descript two story building Mamasita serves fresh sharing plates filled with authentic flavours from 'the other side of the border'. The decor is subdued, which is vaguely disappointing because I expect Mexican fare to be accompanied with a good serving of TACK. However it was quick and friendly service, delicious food and a buzzing atmosphere - not to mention a good gossip about office scandals and politics - one could not ask for more. Juan can go suck it frankly.

This is the street style corn. Salty, spicy, sweet - it's a treat for the tastebuds. 

Tostaditas with chicken and pork. And yes, that is a piece of crackling on the top. O-LE! 

The pork belly is tender and stringy  (in the best way) and smothered with smoky sweet saucy.

I don't even like goats cheese, but this enchilada was absolutely delicious - drowned in a curry like chickpea sauce and deep fried.

And Tonka Bean Flan - because I can never resist a caramel dessert. It's dense and creamy and pillowy smooth. Heavenly...

And SWEETCORN icecream and chocolate served by the cone. Too cute. (The price, not so much)

 

Keep your head up, Princess.

Otherwise your crown will fall off.