Khanom Chan

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cans coconut milk (800mL)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup rice flour
2 cups tapioca starch
1/2 tsp jasmine extract
1/2 tsp pandan extract

Method:

Place sugar, coconut milk and water into a saucepan. Stir on medium heat until the sugar completely dissolves. Set aside to cool.
Prepare your steamer. Place an oiled tray into your steamer so that the tray heats up.
Combine rice flour and tapioca starch in a bowl.
Gradually add in the cooled coconut milk mixture (approximately half a cup at a time) and mix thoroughly with a wooden spoon or by hand (I prefer using my hand as I am able to feel for lumps a lot better).
Once the mixture is smooth, pour the mixture through a strainer.
Stir the mixture and divide into two portions. Place jasmine extract into one portion and pandan extract into the other portion. Mix each portion well.
Place a layer of jasmine mixture onto the tray in the steamer (The amount you place onto the tray will depend on your tray size, but you are aiming for a thickness of 2-3mm). Steam for 5 minutes.
Place a layer of pandan mixture onto tray. Steam for 5 minutes. Repeat this process using alternating mixtures until there is no mixture left. (Remember to give each mixture a good stir before pouring it onto the tray). Steam the final top layer for 8 minutes.
Allow the contents of the tray to cool.
Remove from tray and cut into small portions.

Overall:

This sweet, sticky, chewy dessert is one of my all time favourites and I am thrilled to have a perfect recipe for it.

Mammoth

Lobster donut burger, green mango and papaya slaw, cucumber jam, siracha kimpi mayo, salt and pepper

Talk about popular! Everywhere I turned, someone had a lobster burger sitting in front of them. And for good reason. The lobster was sweet and light, while the slaw and the sauces were perfect accompaniments. The only thing that spoiled this burger for me though was the donut bun. There was a lot of sugar on the already sweet bun, and each bite kind of confused my taste buds. I have nothing against mixing sweet and savoury but this burger just didn’t do it for me. Give me brioche any day!

★★★☆☆

Potato and goats cheese gnocchi, tomato and mint sauce, black cumin yogurt

Soggy gnocchi, sharp-tasting sauce, small portion size.

★★☆☆☆

Golden Gaytime panna cotta, honey comb, sablé biscuit, chocolate covered popping candy

The panna cotta had set a little bit too firm however it still tasted terrific.

★★★☆☆

Chai latte

★★☆☆☆

Soy latte

★★★☆☆

Overall:

This bright friendly place attracts quite a crowd with their inventive menu, attentive service and good coffee. So avoid peak times or expect a bit of a wait.

Mammoth

736 Malvern Rd, Armadale, VIC

(03) 9824 5239

http://www.eatmammoth.com/

Oree Korean Duck Restaurant

Duck and Beef Set

Bean paste, Salt and Pepper in Oil, Bean Powder, Chili Paste

200g Fresh Duck

As soon as the duck cools it becomes tough and chewy, so it’s best eaten straight off the grill.

★★★☆☆

100g Angus Beef Rib

★★★☆☆

Beef gal-bi

★★☆☆☆

Overall:

One of the most unique Korean barbecue experiences I’ve had due to their specialisation in duck. (In fact this is Australia’s first Korean duck barbecue restaurant) The set menus were reasonably priced while service was very attentive. A good option for those who feel like Korean barbecue, but don’t feel like red meat.

Oree Korean Duck Restaurant

179 Queen St, Melbourne, VIC

(03) 9642 1270

http://www.oree.com.au/

Dip In Cafe

Dip In The Atlantic

(scrambled eggs with dill and chilli, served with smoked salmon and a cherry tomato, pine nut and basil salad)

★★★☆☆

Mushroom Madness

(spinach and cream cheese dip with poached eggs, halloumi cheese and a medley of marinated mushrooms)

★★★☆☆

Overall:

Bread bowls are such a simple and delightful concept. It’s a shame that very few places offer bread bowls these days. Perhaps it’s to do with wastage seeing as the soft fluffy interior is taken out and not used. But that is definitely not the case at Dip It Cafe where we discovered that the bread interiors were all donated to charity. We also discovered the bread bowls to be surprisingly very filling. Service was friendly and the décor charming with lots of quirky ornaments and a superb wall mural.

Dip In Cafe

20-22 McKillop St, Melbourne, VIC

(03) 9670 5379

http://dipin.com.au/

Jalisco Mexican

Mexican Street Salad

(aloe vera cactus, feta, corn, pico, lime)

This was my first time eating cactus so I had no idea what to expect. The cactus itself was fresh and juicy, but its taste was subdued by the pico and the lime. In any case I really enjoyed this refreshing well balanced salad.

★★★★☆

Chicken Quesadilla

(pulled chicken grilled with cheese, served with salsa)

Simple cheesy filling encased in a crisp tortilla.

★★★☆☆

Street Corn

(grilled corn on the cob with paprika, parmesan, chipotle mayo and lime)

This juicy charred corn needed more chipotle aioli to take it to the next level.

★★☆☆☆

Tiger prawn, cabbage, pico and chili-lime mayo taco

★★★★☆

Chili con carne, pico, feta and rocket taco

★★★☆☆

Fish, cabbage, pico and chili-lime mayo taco

★★★☆☆

Sangria

(red wine, brandy, triple sec, fresh fruit)

★★★☆☆

Overall:

Not only does this place offer authentic Mexican food, they also offer an impressive selection of tequilas (90 so far)! There is no doubt that the team behind Jalisco Mexican love their tequila, so much so that they named this place after the most popular tequila producing state in Mexico. According to Mexican law, only Jalisco and limited regions in surrounding states are able to produce tequila.

What I really liked about this place was the atmosphere and the decor. The bar was colourful and vibrant, while the beer garden looked like an awesome place to kick back and relax with friends.

The bar

The beer garden

The beer garden is perfect for large groups and can accommodate 50-70 people.

There is also a private function room upstairs which can seat up to 35 people.

What’s even more fantastic about this place is that they offer FREE home delivery service 7 nights a week from 5pm! If only I lived closer.

Jalisco Mexican

69 Chapel St, Windsor, VIC

(03) 8899 6636

Home

*Disclaimer: I dined as a guest of Jalisco Mexican.

Store Fifteen

Beetroot Latte

(fresh pressed beetroot, ginger juice, steamed house made almond mylk)

Golden Latte

(house made almond mylk, freshly pressed ginger and turmeric, topped with cinnamon and cracked black pepper)

Overall:

There was a strong emphasis on health and nutrition at Store Fifteen. The menu had even been developed with the advice from a highly trained nutritionist! The drinks we ordered were not your typical lattes but were fresh and interesting. The Beetroot Latte had a delicate sweetness with underlying spiciness, while the Golden Latte was extremely pungent and is not something I would want to drink on a regular basis. Service was friendly, atmosphere was casual, and the decor funky although the hessian sack seats were a bit scratchy and uncomfortable at times. An ideal place for the health-conscious.

Store Fifteen

15 Main St, Mornington, VIC

(03) 5975 5015

Oscar Cooper

Spiced napoli baked eggs, grilled zucchini, spanish onion, corn, chorizo and manchego cheese served with ciabatta

A bit on the watery side but very flavoursome with a brilliantly spicy kick.

★★★☆☆

Crispy truffle polenta slice, confit field mushrooms, poached eggs, shaved manchego and jamon

The polenta slice was delicious with a distinctive truffle aroma while the eggs were perfectly poached.

★★★★☆

Oscar’s benedict on potato roesti, smashed avo, poached eggs and tangy hollandaise with house cured salmon

The potato roesti had been overly fried so was incredibly crispy. Eggs were perfectly poached and the hollandaise quite tasty.

★★★☆☆

Overall:

This popular corner cafe draws in the crowds with their enjoyable food, easy-going service and the all day booze they have on offer. So remember this place for the next time you have an early morning hankering for some wine or a cocktail.

Oscar Cooper

160 Greville St, Prahran, VIC

(03) 9529 5670

http://www.oscarcooper.com.au/

Bomba Downstairs

Natural Oysters

★★☆☆☆

Sourdough and Olive Oil

★★★☆☆

Charcuterie

★★☆☆☆

Smoked Eel Croqueta

★★★★☆

Pumpkin Soup with Candied Pistachio

★★★★☆

Moorish Spiced Lamb Cutlet

★★☆☆☆

Charcoal Grilled Corn with Dried Maize

★★★★☆

Quail with Pistachio and Buckwheat

★★★☆☆

Pedro Ximenez Braised Pork Jowl with Celeriac

★★★☆☆

Freekah Salad with Cauliflower, Almonds, Barberries, Sumac and Mint

★★☆☆☆

Chargrilled Bay Bug with Lime Pil Pil

★★★★☆

Overall:

The 9 course set menu was amazing! The courses came out at a perfect pace, the food was delicious and it was also great value for money. Service was friendly and efficient, and the atmosphere lively. I look forward to returning to this place.

Bomba Downstairs

103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, VIC

(03) 9077 0451

http://bombabar.com.au/

Famous Hotpot

When the weather gets cold, I get hotpot cravings. I absolutely love hotpot! It’s fun, it’s social (as everyone cooks their food in the same pot), and it’s something that even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy as the ingredients are so flexible.

We decided to go with the mixed mushroom soup base. The other options available were clear soup and hot & spicy soup.

Assortment of meats, noodles, seafood and sauces

This was the first of MANY orders. Throughout the night we had thinly sliced beef, drunken chicken, chicken liver, fish balls, lobster balls, hand-made beef balls, prawn, fish fillet, Chinese white cabbage, garland chrysanthemum, black fungus, green bean vermicelli, fried tofu, and udon noodles. In terms of sauces, each person was able to select two so we chose to sample the special sauce, sesame paste, satay sauce and the mince garlic with sesame oil.

Nothing beats hotpot on a cold windy night.

Overall:

We initially had a bit of trouble finding this place as the name was written on the window and all of their windows had majorly fogged up. Famous Hotpot offered a decent variety of hotpot menu items, while the service was surprisingly great as the staff were really friendly and attentive. I totally recommend the $29 pp all you can eat option. Just be prepared to waddle out the door once you finish.

Famous Hotpot

150 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC

(03) 9654 6668

Royal Custard Puff

If you are after a cheap and tasty dessert snack, then this is for you!

These custard puffs are freshly made on order so expect a waiting time.

But once you bite into the light crispy pastry and encounter the silky smooth custard, you’ll know that the wait was worth it. Plus these are a bargain at $1 for 3 or $5 for 18 custard puffs. These morsels were quite addictive and definitely worth a try!

Royal Custard Puff

Midcity Arcade, 208-210 Little Bourke St, Melbourne, VIC