food / cooking / restaurants
Shandong Mama Mini is the place to go for the amazing vibe and food. Check it out if you are walking the streets of Melbourne.
I had not heard about their original and bigger store, so I was impressed with what I got for the price. Apparently, you can get cheaper elsewhere.
Shandong Mama Mini
5 Centre Place, CBD, Melbourne, VIC
ph. 0419 777 221
Foam in Leederville remains a popular spot in this ever-evolving suburb. It must be doing well as it has expanded into the neighbouring space, and onto the footpath in front. Their website says it is Swedish-inspired. I haven’t been to Sweden so I’m not sure what parts are Swedish-inspired. Maybe it is the deer head on the wall, or maybe they copied a few menu items from Miss Mauds.
I went only for coffee, but the place was busy feeding a big crowd breakfast off the menu or from the selection of baked goods on display. I dropped in on the day of a street festival, and disappointingly they were only serving hot drinks in takeaway cups (I assumed they did not usually do this). It just doesn’t taste the same.
location: 130 Oxford Street,Leederville, Perth, WA phone: (08) 9444 7475
Is it a bookshop or cafe? I pick bookshop. There wasn’t even a menu. That does not mean it is not a good place to go for a drink and catchup, quite the opposite. It is nice to find somewhere a bit different, with a bit of character. I enjoyed the eclectic mix of tables and chairs placed among the bookshelves, and mugs that seem like they were bought from the op shop across the road.
I find it hard to distinguish the very good from the excellent coffee. Any cafe that has return customers must satisfy many of them.
In these places I never know if I can have a look at the books on the shelves while enjoying a coffee, it is very tempting, but may be frowned upon. I went with my four-year-old, who I had to hold back from helping himself to the shelves of books.
Where is it?
Address: Unit 1, 416-418 Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn WA 6016
Phone:(08) 9444 9884
website: www.bodhitree.net.au
The Ichiban Japanese Delight food outlet is located inside the International Eating House in Victoria Park, WA. We were attracted to this place as we love international eating, and the food hall set-up was perfect for our family, offering a large selection of food. Unfortunately, the place has seen better days. More than half of the food outlets were empty, and the whole place had a dodgy feel about it.
A large teriyaki chicken. large serves.
chicken donburi
Location
Ichiban Japanese Delight
International Eating House
Shop 1 1020 Albany Hwy, Saint James, WA
ph: (08) 9355 3688
web: none
MasterChef Australia, based on the British version of the show, was a TV sensation last year. While the winner Julie Goodwin was awarded the prize of publishing her own cookbook, the show itself has produced one first, Masterchef CookBook Volume 1.
The book includes some of the amazing recipes you watched them cook. The Top Twenty contestants share recipes they created on the show, and also recipes from guest chefs such as Adrian Zumbo’s croquembouche, pannacotta, and mousse cake. Other highlights are Chris’s controversial roast pig head and his creamy ‘beeramisu’, and Lucas’s Singapore chilli mud crab. The contestants also share behind-the-scenes stories and culinary tips and tricks, and there are sections on pantry basics, kitchen equipment, knife skills, and plating up like a professional.
The book includes recipes from these top Australian and international chefs: