Pumpkin

Feast of Merit

Jerusalem artichoke and chips, Iraqi spices, dill

I love jerusalem artichoke and devoured this in no time!

★★★★☆

White BBQ fish, yogurt, sesame, lemon, herbs

Moist succulent fish.

★★★☆☆

Pumpkin, baharat, almonds, moghrabieh, barberries, garlic aioli

Great combination of ingredients. Plus I am now a big fan of moghrabieh (Lebanese couscous).

★★★★☆

Overall:

Delicious Middle Eastern influenced food, efficient staff, cosy rustic atmosphere. Portions were small considering the prices however I didn’t mind too much as 100% of the profits directly support YGAP (a movement of entrepreneurs who launch ventures to improve the lives of people living in poverty). Kudos to Feast of Merit for supporting a great cause.

Feast of Merit

117 Swan St, Richmond, VIC

(03) 9428 8480

http://www.feastofmerit.com

Aunt Billies Cafe

Backyard Brekkie

(eggs anyway, garlic and thyme mushrooms, pumpkin, haloumi, kale, bean ragout)

Hearty and satisfying.

★★★★☆

Billie’s Bowl

(cauliflower, freekah, kale, avocado, seeds, almonds, grains, currants, poached egg)

A substantial salad that could have been improved with a wider variety of textures.

★★☆☆☆

Roasted Mushrooms

(mushrooms, kale, toasted hazelnuts, goats fetta, lemon, and a poached egg on grain toast)

★★★☆☆

Overall:

Solid dishes, down to earth staff, welcoming and cheery atmosphere. No wonder this little suburban cafe was packed when we went. Note that this place takes bookings.

Aunt Billies Cafe

184 Surrey Rd, Blackburn, VIC

(03) 9894 7774

Stokehouse City Restaurant

7 Alfred Pl, Melbourne 9525 5555

Spiced zucchini fritters, fetta, dukkah yoghurt

= Not bad

Twice cooked half duckling, cucumber, orange and chilli

= Not bad

Jerusalem artichoke & goats curd tortelloni, burnt butter, rosemary and sunflower seeds

= Not bad

Roasted pumpkin, goats cheese, olive & hazelnut crostata, cavolo nero puree and watercress

= Not bad

Overall:

We went to the downstairs “casual bar and eatery” and found the food, service and ambience all to be so-so. There is also an upstairs “fine dining restaurant” where the menu seems much more enticing than the menu offered downstairs (which isn’t surprising as the menu upstairs is crafted by The Age Good Food Guide’s 2014 Young Chef of the Year, Ollie Gould). So if I ever do come back, I’ll be sure to dine upstairs as opposed to downstairs.

Ten Minutes By Tractor

1333 Mornington-Flinders Rd, Main Ridge 5989 6455

Olive and multigrain bread served with caramelised Myrtleford butter, pink salt and olive oil

Yellow beetroot, quinoa, goats curd

Grilled pear, quince, brioche

Red Hill Somers Soft goats cheese, roast pumpkin, chickpea, green beans, hazelnut vinaigrette

Roasted Whiting fillet, fried mussel, confit tomatoes, fennel, olive oil pomme purée

Mustard glazed quail, onion & pearl barley risotto, peppered pancetta and mulled wine apples,

served with freshly baked brioche

Roasted wallaby loin, beetroot, parsnip, chestnut cream, quinoa, fig jus

Tamarillo sorbet

Michel Cluizel chocolate & hazelnut pavé, honey ice cream, poached pears

Brie and crackers

Overall:

We opted for the five course degustation menu which turned out to be the right choice as we were already quite sated by the fourth course. The food was beautifully presented and each dish comprised of fresh, well complemented ingredients. However the standout item for me was without a doubt the EXTRAORDINARY caramelised Myrtleford butter! Served warm, it was exquisitely creamy yet light and had a delicious hint of sweetness to it. The cheese served here was also divine and is well worth trying. The decor was polished, and the service was professional yet slightly stand-offish. The dining room offers splendid views of the winery but only seats around 50 people so reservations are recommended as this place does get busy. It was a lovely experience but the only reason why I would come back would be for the butter.

Pumpkin and Broccoli Ricotta Pasta Bake

Recipe from: Taste.com.au

Overall:

This vegetarian bake was very tasty and easy to make.

Pumpkin Bread

Recipe from: Simply Recipes

Overall:

Soft, fluffy, moist and delicious! An easy way to use up leftover roasted pumpkin. (Note that I omitted the walnuts and allspice from the recipe as I didn’t have any in the house).

The Foodrinkery

22 Banksia St, Burwood 9808 2468

Chermoula Eggs

Pumpkin Toastie

Thoughts:

Chermoula Eggs – grilled zucchini, smashed pumpkin, poached eggs and chermoula on toasted Turkish bread = Not bad

Pumpkin Toastie – smashed pumpkin, roasted cashew, kale and basil pesto and marinated feta in toasted ciabatta = Not bad

Overall:

Unexceptional food and service, charming country-like atmosphere, a great place to take the kids to as there is a park right next door.

Montalto Restaurant and Winery

33 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South 5989 8412

Ricotta dumplings, roasted pumpkin, oyster mushroom, kale & pinenuts

Beef eye fillet, celeriac puree, asparagus, glazed shallots

Three pepper duck breast, whitlof tart

Overall:

The views that can be seen of the vineyard are simply stunning, and there are plenty of interesting sculptures scattered around the estate. Service was a bit slow even though they weren’t particularly busy at the time (weekday lunchtime). The food was beautifully presented although portions were smaller than what I would have liked. The dishes we ordered used fresh ingredients and were good but nothing spectacular. Would I come back just for the food? Probably not. But would I come back for the amazing views, unique sculptures and the wine? Perhaps.