tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79387623362341746412024-03-05T20:03:13.719+11:00BirdseyStreetleoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-14665021373935929002015-02-08T14:55:00.001+11:002015-02-08T15:24:53.918+11:00Cabbage Dom<p> Today I thought it would be a good idea to go through my rather tatty recipe card collection. This collection dates from the 1970s and is written on catalogue cards, some of which came from the <a href="http://trove.nla.gov.au/people/636581?c=people">Victorian Railways technical library</a>. So for example on the verso of <em>French Bean Stew</em> we have the entry for the title 'Recommended practice for the prevention of electric sparks that may cause fires in tanks or tank cars containing flammable liquids or flammable compressed gases, due to proximity of wire lines. Rev. ed., 1975. (Association of American Railroads Bureau of Explosives Circular no. 17-E)'.</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/15849445733" target="_blank" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7359/15849445733_852f0ac57b.jpg" id="blogsy-1423369319831.7903" class="alignright" alt="Recipe cards" width="396" height="296"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recipe cards</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The idea is to transfer the recipes to the <a href="http://paprikaapp.com/">Paprika</a> app, or to discard them if I think I will never make them again (if I ever did). But I am finding it difficult to be ruthless with this little piece of history, so it looks as though the collection will remain unweeded for another day.</p><p>However the Cabbage Dom recipe is one that I still make frequently so I will add it to Paprika, even though I may keep the original cards for old time's sake. This recipe has quite a long list of ingredients (luckily I chose a blank card and not one with a railway engineering title on the verso). Its origin is unknown but it has been a great favourite since a friend passed it on all those years ago.</p><h4>Cabbage Dom</h4><h5>Ingredients</h5><p>1 lb cabbage<br>1/2 lb potatoes<br>2 tsp chili powder<br>2 tsp cummin powder<br>1 tsp sugar<br>few bay leaves<br>2 tsp ginger juice<br>1 tsp garam masala<br>1/2 cup oil<br>2 tsp turmeric<br>few cinnamon, cardamon<br>1/2 tsp cumminseed<br>1/2 cup curd<br>2 tsp flour<br>2 tsp butteroil<br>salt to taste<br>fresh chilies</p><h5> Method</h5><p>Cut cabbage in big pieces and potatoes into small. Wash and drain.</p><p>Heat oil and fry potatoes until slightly brown. Remove from oil. To same oil, add cumminseeds, cinnamon, cardamon, chili, cumin powder, turmeric, sugar, ginger juice, bay leaves. Add 1/2 cup water and fry until mixture is dry. Add cabbage and fry for a while then add curd, salt and potatoes and stir well, adding a little water if necessary, and cover pan.</p><p>When cooked and liquid gone, add garam masala, fresh chilies, a little flour and a little butteroil. Stir well and remove from heat.</p><h5> Note</h5><p> I usually use curry leaves instead of bay leaves. I assume that curd is yogurt, and find that mixing the flour (or arrowroot) into the yogurt before adding it to the pan is a great way to stop it from curdling. I assume that butteroil is ghee, but don't necessarily add it. How many fresh chilies? Up to you!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-86952989664592157782014-07-23T22:51:00.002+10:002014-07-24T13:30:57.002+10:00Rare Books Week at the MCC<p>My walk up to Camberwell this morning does not end with the round trip back home, but at Flinders Street station. My destination: Melbourne City Library, for a Libraries Australia User Group meeting. After listening to Nikki Darby talk about recent developments with the seach and document delivery software, I skive off the meeting once it breaks up for morning tea.</p><p>Shortly after midday I am sitting in the <a href="http://www.mcc.org.au/About%20the%20MCC/Heritage/MCC%20Library.aspx">Melbourne Cricket Club Library</a> next to a glass case of Wisdens, starting some time before 1879. Mysteriously the latest one in the cabinet is 2005-06.</p><p>The Rare Books Week panel discussion with Russell Jackson, Gideon Haigh, John Harms and MCC Librarian David Studham will be starting at 12.30. John Harms's Twitter handle <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/ratherbeatlunch">@ratherbeatlunch</a> seems more appropriate than usual. I am sitting next to Cmdr Warren Kemp RFD RANR, President of the Royal United Services Institute of Victoria. I now have a standing invitation to visit the Institute Library, at the Victoria Barracks. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/14538304359" target="_blank"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3839/14538304359_b44f2eddc9_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1406172633619.1863" class="aligncenter" alt="Collecting sport panel discussion" width="396" height="528"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collecting sport panel discussion</td></tr></tbody></table><p>These are some notes from the discussion. John Harms's early favourite cricket books were, appropriately enough, the ABC Cricket Books. The first (now very rare) ABC cricket book was issued in 1934. John showed us the library copy. It is quite small and flimsy and is kept in a protective plastic pocket.</p><p>Gideon Haigh calls himself an accumulator rather than a collector of cricket books. His primary purpose in writing his books is to fill the gaps, such as his book about Warwick Armstrong. Gideon likes the MCC Library because it is accessible, with nearly all its collection on the shelves. He thinks it is the best sporting library in the world.</p><p>Russell finds many sporting books are available online. Decreasing interest in collecting by a younger demographic is assisting collectors. Slower paced, smaller ball sports (cricket, golf, tennis and baseball) lend themselves to literary reflection, according to Russell.</p><p>The panel discussed the so called 'Argus centered view of history', which is an issue because the Argus is on <a href="http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/title/13">Trove</a>, whereas the early editions of the Herald are rotting away at Fishermen's Bend. The State Library of Victoria generally has only one daily edition of the Herald, although three or four would have been issued each day. Thus means that vital information such as the match results may be missing from the library copy.</p><p>The MCC catalogue on Trove is on the way. MCC management attitude is now to share information about its resources, whereas in the past they guarded it jealously because of a fear of theft.</p><p>After the session I catch a tram at the Rod Laver Arena stop. On the way home I visit Hawthorn Library to collect <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414567-talking-to-the-dead?from_search=true">Talking to the Dead </a>by Harry Bingham, as recommended by Ross Harvey, and then the IGA to pick up a few supplies. Back on the tram at Glenferrie Road, then home to make some fried rice for dinner. A rare day out.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-2146308168045661442014-05-03T15:33:00.001+10:002014-05-03T15:33:33.373+10:00Discovery XLV<p> Our first discovery for the not very new year was a <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/discovery-xxxi.html">rediscovery</a> of an old favourite we first visited just over a year ago, <a href="http://m.thequietman.com.au/Home/"></a><a href="http://m.thequietman.com.au/Home/">The Quiet Man</a> in Flemington. The location was chosen for its proximity to The Lodge, but we also had fond memories of the food from our last visit. This time we booked a table for an early start at 6.30, which was a good thing as we found that most of the tables in the dining room were either occupied or reserved for later.</p><p>Our trip to the Quiet Man was via the long slow 57 tram journey, chosen for its convenience to the traditional pre-discovery rendezvous of <a href="https://m.facebook.com/diksteins?refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.au%2F&_rdr">Dikstein's Corner Bar</a> (I have to have Hawthorn amber ale now, as they no longer stock VB or Little Creatures and the NZ export gold tap beer is not the best beer I have ever tasted by a long way). The tram was already packed by the time it arrived at the new Collins Street super stop (stop 2) so we had to settle for separate seats. But in due course after its devious route through North Melbourne the tram arrived at stop 24. After taking our lives in our hands crossing from the safety zone to the footpath through the busy Racecourse Road traffic, we were ready for a drink.</p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">We had a nice big table right near the bar and were given excellent service after a small confusion about our booking. Unfortunately Mr 29 was unable to join us but our group was supplemented by Mr 31's little brother who is staying at The Lodge for a couple of weeks. </span>Once we had all settled at our table with a drink, perused the extensive menu and placed our orders, we had to wait half an hour or so for our food to arrive, which is understandable on a busy public holiday eve.</p><p>This time I had '<span style="line-height: 1.3em;">Mullingar's stuffed mushrooms' which came with a large pile of salad and about three enormous potatoes cut into crispy roasted chunks. The other discoverers </span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">had fish and chips and steak with colcannon and chips respectively. I tasted some of Mr 31's colcannon and it was delicious. I think next time I might have colcannon and veggies instead of a main course. The other 'Out of the soil' option I haven't yet tried is baked potato with coleslaw, which doesn't seem particularly Irish, but there are heaps of delicious looking side dishes on the menu.</span></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/14006172755" target="_self" style=""><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5294/14006172755_6a8a8ca76c.jpg" id="blogsy-1399095180775.7178" class="alignnone" alt="Mullingar's mushrooms" width="419" height="314"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mullingar's mushrooms</td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">When we could eat and drink no more, our</span><span style="line-height: 1.3em;"> youngest discoverer escorted us to Newmarket station on his way back to The Lodge, leaving Mr 31 in contemplation of a Guinness and a jar of Anzac biscuits (some of the three dozen I had made during the afternoon).</span></p><p><span style="line-height: 1.3em;">After a short wait at Newmarket our train obligingly rolled in, taking us the short distance to the city very efficiently compared to the tram, but sadly just in time to miss the 9.09 Belgrave. However a three car Ringwood train appeared not long after, so we caught that back to the dark and quiet city of Boroondara, walking home from East Camberwell in the frosty clear night.</span></p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-76670146221038781672014-04-24T15:55:00.001+10:002014-04-24T15:55:56.962+10:00Discovery XLIV<p> This discovery happened a long time ago. It turned out to be the last discovery for many months, and as my usual process is to rustle up the previous discovery's review just before starting on the next one, this has lain idle for a very long time.</p><p>Despite the long time interval I still have some fond memories of this night. Firstly I broke all the rules by driving to Moonee Ponds. However I did this well before peak hour had a chance to get nasty. I found a nice parking spot in a handy side street half way between the Ascot Vale Hotel and <a href="http://www.samanee.com.au/">Samanee Thai</a>.</p><p>I settled into the tram stop bar of the Ascot Vale and put the word out that a pre-dinner drink was on offer. Sadly not everyone got the message in time, so while Mr 31 happily got off the train at Moonee Ponds to collect his Guinness in a jar, the city worker had to backtrack after her long tram ride, and Mr 29 waited it out alone at the restaurant. This experience has taught me that it is not necessarily a good idea to change the rendezvous plans at the last minute.</p><p>Samanee Thai was very quiet and moodily atmospheric. I can recommend it for its beautiful food, presentation and service. This is a picture of a fish curry served in a coconut shell.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/10340701824" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/10340701824_02a9ab0ba0.jpg" id="blogsy-1398318343966.1606" class="aligncenter" alt="Samanee Thai" width="456" height="342"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Samanee Thai</td></tr></tbody></table><p> After dinner we made a quick trip across the road to The Sporting Globe, which is not a defunct pink newspaper but a sports bar. On a quiet weekday night it was very quiet indeed and we had an enormous choice of sports events on the big screens to keep us entertained while we had another beer or two.</p><p>Leaving the boys to continue their sporting experience, we found the car and drove home through the dark quiet streets of the inner north west to the even darker and quieter streets of the inner east, not realising that this would be our last discovery for a long time to come.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-64967057748781100672013-10-12T00:04:00.001+11:002013-10-12T00:08:51.107+11:00Discovery XLIII: the SFD<p>At the end of August, a Special Family Discovery (SFD) was organised to celebrate two birthdays and an impro performance. </p>
<p>A couple of us began the evening with the traditional North Melbourne stopover for coffee and Coopers at <a href="http://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/nightlife/directory/bar/prudence">Prudence</a>, a very nice bar handily situated between the Peel Street tram stop and Errol Street.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9627805284" target="_self" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2815/9627805284_e6e82e7915_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1381496921088.293" class="alignright" alt="Three Crowns" width="233" height="311"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Three Crowns</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Continuing our journey to Errol Street, we received notice of a last minute relocation from the Town Hall to <a href="http://www.threecrownshotel.com.au/">Three Crowns</a>. The family converged from various directions at the corner of Errol and Victoria Streets, ready to cross the great divide into West Melbourne. The glow of late afternoon sunlight reassured us that we were indeed in the right suburb.</p>
<p>We had the spacious dining area to ourselves, with a lovely big square table just the right size to seat everybody comfortably. After gift presentations and birthday greetings to Mr 29 and Ms 83, who share the same birthday, we settled in for our meals.</p>
<p>Although I'd made risotto for dinner the night before, and I'm not usually a fan of ordering risotto in a restaurant as I find it can provide a rather one-dimensional dining experience, I decided to order the risotto, mainly because it was the only vegetarian option on the menu. This one wasn't bad however; it had a good variety of vegetables, albeit rather too much pumpkin, which Mr 31 was happy to finish off for me. The rest of the party seemed happy with their parmas and steaks, particularly as Wednesday is steak special night. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9627806070" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7286/9627806070_66f2398f25.jpg" id="blogsy-1381496921093.8093" class="aligncenter" alt="Steak special" width="396" height="297"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steak special</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>After dinner we crossed back to a lane in North Melbourne and <a href="http://clubvoltaireonline.blogspot.com.au/">Club Voltaire</a>, where we crammed into the tiny upstairs space to watch the very last Impro Box performance of 'The Family', featuring (might I say starring?) Roland Lewis and a bunch of other talented young performers. This was a fun way to end our SFD.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/10206660016" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5442/10206660016_70f8b8e98b.jpg" id="blogsy-1381496921117.1394" class="aligncenter" alt="The family" width="397" height="297"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The trip back to the sedate city of Boroondara was accomplished swiftly by car rather than by the usual more sedate tram/trains combo, thanks to a thoughtful and obliging cousin. She was rewarded with a large bag of kitty litter for her trouble. That's what families are for.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-81454004005505282282013-08-13T11:25:00.001+10:002013-08-13T11:25:42.494+10:00Discovery XLII<p> Our final discovery for July was once again in the newly discovered territory of Flemington - or perhaps Kensington, as the business addresses on the south side of Racecourse Road seem to fluctuate from one to the other. But first there was the traditional stop at the legendary <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2010/07/diksteins-corner-bar.html" target="_self" title="Diksteins">Diksteins</a>. As I slid open the door to the cosy bar and stepped in from the cold of a midwinter Melbourne evening, the barman greeted me with one welcoming word: "VB?" Nothing has changed after all! (other than my choice of beverage).</p>
<p> Once the city worker had escaped from the office and joined me at Diksteins for a quick cider, we walked up to Flagstaff Station, bound for the Crazyburn train to Newmarket. The train arrived promptly but then spoiled the effect by dawdling all the way to North Melbourne. After finally reaching Newmarket we arrived rather late at Boris's table at <a href="http://www.theabyssinian.com.au/">The Abyssinian</a>. Mr 31 and Mr 28 were already sampling the <a href="http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/harar/8840/" target="_self" title="Harar beer">Harar</a>, so we lost no time in joining them.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9355697761" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9355697761_8f9ef7580c.jpg" id="blogsy-1376356813032.4253" class="aligncenter" width="391" height="293" alt="Hara beer at The Abyssinian"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hurrah for Hara!</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>We decided on the easy option with one vegetarian combo and one meat and fish combo to share. While waiting for our meals, we endeared ourselves to the staff by expressing our appreciation of the pleasant selection of Ethiopian music.</p>
<p>Our dishes soon arrived covered with the traditional straw hats, which were removed to display an array of goodies set out on large wheels of injera. The picture below is of the vegetarian combo, some way into its demolition.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9358472632" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/9358472632_0efccc0eec_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1376356813006.9612" class="aligncenter" width="329" height="439" alt="Vegetarian combination"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetarian combination</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> Although each platter looked like an enormous amount of food for two, we managed to get through most of it, helped along with some more Harar. There was a nice combination of flavours and textures in the vegetarian combo, with our favourite being the 'tumtummo' (spicy lentils). The combo also included cabbage and carrots; large cubes of pumpkin; spiced chickpeas and a green salad. The meat combo contained many of the vego favourites with added fish, goat and chicken options.</p>
<p>By the time we had finished our early feast, the restaurant was starting to become busy. The two musicians of our party betook themselves to the Ascot Vale Hotel for open mic night, while the remaining two jumped aboard a handy passing 57 tram, which took us on a scenic tour of North Melbourne before arriving at Melbourne Central. By the magic of Metro trains we were soon back home in the peaceful city of Boroondara, the lights and bustle of Racecourse Road just a distant memory.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760022/restaurant/Melbourne/Flemington/The-Abyssinian-Kensington"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/760022/minilink.gif" id="blogsy-1376356813041.0225" class="" alt="The Abyssinian on Urbanspoon"></a></p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-3150111053555026712013-07-21T23:30:00.001+10:002014-07-11T15:28:19.454+10:00Discovery XLIOn a cold dark July evening I settled into the cosy warmth of Diksteins in Bank Place. This has long been a favourite of mine, and although naturally it has changed over the years, and I lament the loss of my friend the waiter who would hand me a Little Creatures as I walked in the door, it's still a pretty nice place to be. This is a view from the tiny bar, looking out into Bank Place. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9335005340" target="_self"><img alt="Diksteins" class="aligncenter" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2889/9335005340_60474df891.jpg" height="297" id="blogsy-1374412970780.4556" width="396" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diksteins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Soon I was joined by the city and Docklands workers, and we set off up Little Collins to McKillop Street and Hardware Lane, dodging the restaurant spruikers on the way, to our destination near the corner of Lonsdale and Exhibition Streets.<br />
Up the wooden stairs we climbed, to <a href="http://www.seamstress.com.au/" target="_self" title="Seamstress">Seamstress</a>. Although we had opted to dine at the early hour of 6.30, the place was already buzzing. We met our fourth discoverer, were divested of our coats and escorted to a table at the back of the long room. We admired the ceiling swathed in swatches of cloth, which concealed the subdued but not too dim lighting, and the bent wire coat hangers from which bottles of artificial white flowers were suspended.<br />
<br />
Although the place was so busy the service was really friendly and efficient, and we were soon enjoying our drinks and consulting the menu.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9332218245" target="_self"><img alt="Drinks" class="aligncenter" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/9332218245_a03bfd8b12.jpg" height="294" id="blogsy-1374412970795.193" width="392" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drinks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
First up came a snake bean and sweet potato won ton with green pea and coriander purée, closely followed by the remarkable crispy brussels sprouts with lemon miso and chili. Having done my research I knew we simply had to have these, and we discovered that all the rave reviews were spot on. Next came a lovely dish of eggplant with miso sauce, tofu and sesame seeds. The chunks of eggplant were rich and tender and contrasted very nicely with the crispy tofu. If we had a complaint at all, it would have been that the ratio of tofu to eggplant could have been increased. But that is a small complaint for something so delicious. <br />
Meanwhile some duck rice crêpe money bags and eye fillet with porcini and shiitake pâté and wasabi sweet potato were shared among the carnivores.<br />
Replete after this feast, we had no room for sweets or coffee, although some of us found space for some more of the excellent beer selection. At this stage I will admit that yes, we were encouraged to try Seamstress on account of the special offers from Dimmi and Urbanspoon, but honestly it had been in the back of my mind to try it out some time anyway - it had just taken me a few years to get around to it. We really liked Seamstress and can recommend it any time, special deal or no.<br />
With our coats skilfully retrieved from their perch high above the front window, we were soon on our way to nearby Parliament Station, in good time for the connections to both the east and the inner northwest. The Belgrave train and its attendant shuttle trundled us efficiently back to the dark and gloomy city of Boroondara, where our damp walk from the station was illuminated by this gorgeous flowering wattle.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9304944775" target="_self" title="Wattle"><img alt="Wattle" class="aligncenter" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/9304944775_7f0ac02298.jpg" height="293" id="blogsy-1374412970783.8704" width="391" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761699/restaurant/CBD/Seamstress-Melbourne" target=""><img alt="Seamstress on Urbanspoon" class="" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/761699/minilink.gif" height="36" id="blogsy-1374412970788.4224" width="130" /></a><br />
<br />
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<a href="http://blogsyapp.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" height="20" style="margin-right: 5px; vertical-align: middle;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>
leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-9302717090844039872013-07-05T22:37:00.001+10:002013-07-05T22:43:52.710+10:00Discovery XL<p>For our fortieth discovery the regular discoverers were again reduced by half, but we decided to team up with another two family members for a 'taking it to the people' early discovery and car pickup. Our destination: <a href="http://www.aangan.com.au/" target="_self" title="Aangan">Aangan</a> in West Footscray. Initial contact was made at the Sherlock Holmes, over a <a href="http://www.goodfood.com.au/good-food/food-news/new-beer-takes-the-piss-out-of-carlton-20130404-2h9el.html" target="_self" title="">Thunder Road Collingwood draught</a> and a cider. The next stop was the 220 bus stop on Queen Street.</p>
<p>While in general <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metlink" target="_self" title="">I highly recommend you get on the bus</a>, in retrospect I think that taking the train to West Footscray and then walking to Barkly Street would have been more efficient, and probably more fun. But eventually the bus did clear the city snarl and was happily bowling along Footscray Road. From Footscray station it was only a few minutes to our destination.</p>
<p>Aangan is rather bigger than I expected but at 6.00 pm it was still fairly quiet. We had taken the precaution of booking for five in case Mr 31 was able to join us, which meant that we enjoyed a more generously sized table than the standard offering for four, and two sets of pappadums. This was a nice bonus.</p>
<p>Lamb saag was shared among the carnivores, with tawa paneer and dal tadka to keep me happy. Aangan has so many paneer dishes on the menu that I felt obligated to try one. It arrived sizzling on the hot metal tawa, with onion, capsicum and mushroom. The dal was a good contrast: not too rich, nice and runny and pleasantly spicy. We also shared garlic naan (which is OK but I have to say I prefer plain naan, which doesn't interfere with the other flavours) and a filled naan with potato. Quite delicious for a treat, but the crispier texture of the plain or garlic naan would be preferred by many. Next time we should try a parantha perhaps.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9092805420" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2870/9092805420_7f75feaebc.jpg" id="blogsy-1373028209073.2087" class="aligncenter" alt="Paneer, dal and naan" width="383" height="351"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paneer, dal and naan</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>With the meal we enjoyed a Haywards 5000 or two (or three, in my case) making a grand total of 25,000. The girls were sensible and stuck to lassi. And gulab jamun.</p>
<p>The trip back to the sleeping city of Boroondara via the equally quiet streets of Sunshine was uneventful, and we were soon settled happily on the couch. Mr 31 was somewhat unhappy at missing out, as it was his suggestion to try Aangan after he had tasted their food at a street festival. Nevertheless he rang for an update and seemed pleased with our choices. We'll definitely go back as there is so much to choose from: Aangan has a wonderful array of vegetarian dishes. I'd recommend going with at least four people so you can sample a good range of flavours and textures. And Haywards.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1430731/restaurant/Melbourne/Footscray/Aangan-West-Footscray"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1430731/biglink.gif" id="blogsy-1373028209086.67" class="" alt="Aangan on Urbanspoon" width="200" height="146"></a></p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-38691723767535821122013-07-05T22:20:00.001+10:002013-07-05T22:27:04.599+10:00Discovery XXXIX<p>Discovery was reduced to two on the evening of the first match of the so-called Champions Trophy featuring Australia and New Zealand at Edgbaston. The venue? A familiar couch and comfy chair in front of the Fox sports channel.</p>
<p>Mr 31 arrived bearing the discovery dinner, courtesy of <a href="http://tandooriden.com.au/">Tandoori Den</a>. More an old family favourite than a new discovery, this long established Camberwell restaurant provides consistently good food and service. For my sister's surprise birthday party a 'few' years ago, we simply took the pots and pans down the road and returned with them full of steaming goodies. We haven't had Tandoori Den takeaway for a while, but back in the day we often ordered dal saag. This was always obligingly provided and we didn't discover until much later that it wasn't actually on the takeaway menu.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/9023164199" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7423/9023164199_6f183ee7bc.jpg" id="blogsy-1373027191649.666" class="aligncenter" alt="Tandoori Den takeaway" width="382" height="286"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tandoori Den takeaway</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>But back to discovery. We ate mushroom jal frazi and aloo gobi with rice and naan - plenty for two, with leftovers. We discussed why on Indian restaurant menus, spinach is palak or saag, lentils are dal, potatoes are aloo, cauliflower is gobi, peas are matar but mushrooms are mushrooms. On looking up my favourite <a href="http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/15748398" target="_self" title="Indian vegetarian cookery">Indian vegetarian cookery</a> book by Jack Santa Maria, I discovered that mushrooms are khumbi. So we are no closer to explaining this phenomenon.</p>
<p>New Zealand (especially <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Vettori">Daniel Vettori</a>) were looking good, but Australia recovered with some crucial wickets towards the end of the innings. During the slow passages of play we amused ourselves with the social media reaction to Dave Warner's brain fade in 'an Aussie themed bar' in Birmingham. Mr 31 was able to advise from experience that going into a Walkabout bar in the first place was a bigger mistake than the ill-timed off cut (experience of Walkabout, that is, not of ill-timed off cuts. Mr 31 was a handy batsman in his day, as well as an excellent keeper.)</p>
<p>Unfortunately the match was washed out around 1.00 am. Mr 31 headed home in disgust and I went wearily to bed, happy that I would be having Tandoori Den curry for dinner again in a few hours time.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-73765476344274610372013-06-07T21:59:00.001+10:002013-06-07T22:00:51.277+10:00Discovery XXXVIII<p>"The Laurel Wednesday night for new menu, quiz night (jackpot at $240) and the state of origin on the big screen!"</p>
<p>Such was the suggestion posted on the discovery team's social networking site of choice. Having agreed that the new menu was sufficient qualification for a new discovery, the discoverers were off to <a href="http://www.laurelhotel.com.au/home">The Laurel</a> again. As there is no way I am ever driving across the city in peak hour again (see <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/discovery-xxxvi.html">Discovery XXXVI</a>), the city worker, the Docklands worker and I met in William Street at 5.55 pm, in good time to catch the 5.56 <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/868" target="_self" title="55 tram">55 tram</a> to Flemington Road. The changeover to the <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/897" target="_self" title="">59 tram</a> was accomplished without incident and we arrived at 289 Mount Alexander Road at the appointed hour.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8963810675" target="_self" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8408/8963810675_3792ee11c6_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1370606444241.657" class="alignright" alt="The Woodies @ The Laurel" width="225" height="300"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Woodies @ The Laurel</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>We were greeted by the other half of The Woodies, disappointed to find that there were no tables left in the quiz room. (Boris had obviously forgotten to book.) So we were delighted to discover that a table just outside the doorway, out of the crush but with a good view of the screen, had been reserved for 'Bevan' (not Boris) by pub management (thanks Steve!) for just such a bunch of disorganised discoverers. And so we happily settled in for the quiz and the $15.00 Wednesday special meal.</p>
<p>Our choices were spaghetti with sweet potato, char grilled capsicum and asparagus in creamy garlic sauce; warm Asian inspired beef salad with feta (this from the regular bar menu rather than the specials, but still good value); and porterhouse with salad and chips x 2. Having dined well at The Laurel before (see <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/discovery-xxxvi.html" target="_self" title="Discovery XXXVI">Discovery XXXVI</a>) I had high expectations. The spaghetti was very good: creamy and rich and well supplied with vegetables. It went very well with a Coopers pale ale.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8965008580" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8113/8965008580_80127b9214.jpg" id="blogsy-1370606444236.447" class="aligncenter" alt="Spaghetti" width="381" height="285"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spaghetti</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> This is the warm beef salad, which looked quite nice and was readily devoured by one of the carnivores. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8963812171" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7389/8963812171_a6f61f2da2.jpg" id="blogsy-1370606444274.823" class="aligncenter" alt="Warm beef salad" width="380" height="285"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Warm beef salad</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> While we were eating, the quiz got underway. It took The Woodies team a while to settle into the format as none of us had ever been to an <a href="http://www.laurelhotel.com.au/whats-on/quizzame">electronic quiz</a> before. But we soon got the hang of it and were proud to be actually ahead of the bunch in the third round. We also won a prize of a bottle of bubbles when Mr 'quick fingers' 31 was first to place the correct answer to one of the music questions. We would have been happy to accept a podium finish, but were slightly chagrined to come fourth over all. As Steve behind the bar dryly remarked: "What colour medal do you get for coming fourth?".</p>
<p>Leaving the boys to mingle with the crowd and watch the end of the State of Origin, we jumped aboard a passing 59 tram to Melbourne Central, where we managed to just miss the Alamein connection. So our return to the leafy and dripping city of Boroondara was via a 15 minute wait and a walk down the back lanes of East Camberwell. </p>
<p>And yes, the Bodleian Library is in Oxford. How odd that the only team to know the answer to this question was the one containing two librarians!</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-38266228521819035872013-06-06T20:06:00.001+10:002013-06-07T10:27:33.009+10:00Discovery XXXVII<p>Discovery was rather erratic over April and May, with various discoverers interstate, busy with deadlines or otherwise engaged. After the fractured Cafe Lagenda/Laurel episode (see <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/discovery-xxxvi.html"></a><a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/discovery-xxxvi.html">Discovery XXXVI</a>), it was some weeks before the discoverers (minus 1) were able to reconvene.</p>
<p>The venue this time was <a href="http://www.agraba.com.au/">Agraba</a> in Errol Street North Melbourne. Agraba was chosen somewhat randomly but turned out to be an extremely pleasant place with above average Middle Eastern food, so I can recommend it if you would like to give it a try. You could eat there before (or after) catching a performance of <a href="http://theimprobox.com/" target="_self" title="Impro Box">Impro Box</a> at Club Voltaire, perhaps. It's easy to get to, with <a href="http://ptv.vic.gov.au/route/view/887" target="_self" title="Tram 57">tram 57</a> stopping virtually at the door. This is a good thing as there is no way I am ever attempting to cross the city by car in the evening peak again, after the Anzac eve debacle (see <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/discovery-xxxvi.html">Discovery XXXVI</a>). And it's a relatively easy walk from North Melbourne to Flemington, as Mr 30 can attest.</p>
<p> Errol Street was fairly quiet early on a cool late autumn evening. We were pleased to be seated next to the cosy (imitation) wood fire, with a choice of cushioned benches or chairs. Pavement dining would be a nice option in the warmer months.</p>
<p>Although the menu is small it is easy to put together a varied selection and there are lots of vegetarian options. We chose a few dishes to share: haloumi; baba ghanoush (which came with a basket of both crisp and soft pita bread); lamb with rice; cauliflower and broccoli with taratour; and falafel with pickles. The falafel were excellent - nearly up to the Abbatengelo family standard, which can never be surpassed. The pickles were great, particularly the lovely bright pink turnip pickles, although the green chilies were pretty good too. Just a pity that one of us doesn't like pickles at all. Well maybe not such a pity - all the more for Mr 30 and me!</p>
<p>Sadly I omitted to take any photos on the night. The interior of Agraba is quite dark and mysterious and my photos would probably not have done the food justice. Perhaps you could have a look at this blog post from <a href="http://www.offthespork.com/2011/11/agraba/">off the spork</a> - it's a very fair review of the banquet menu, with lots of excellent pictures.</p>
<p>The trip back to the dark and sleepy city of Boroondara was achieved quite efficiently by way of the 57 tram and a train from Melbourne Central. I found myself wishing that Burke Road could somehow miraculously be transmogrified into Errol Street, but I suspect that this is not going to happen in my lifetime.</p>
<p>The discovery continues.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1567305/restaurant/Melbourne/Agraba-North-Melbourne"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1567305/biglink.gif" id="blogsy-1370564812058.1562" class="" alt="Agraba on Urbanspoon" width="200" height="146"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-11738602845478563062013-06-06T19:54:00.001+10:002013-06-06T19:56:10.705+10:00Discovery XXXVI<p>Discovery XXXVI fell on the eve of Anzac Day. The plan was to have early tea at <a href="http://www.cheflagenda.com.au/">Chef Lagenda</a> in Flemington before heading to the <a href="http://www.laurelhotel.com.au/home">Laurel</a> to watch The Woodies in their special Anzac Day eve performance.</p>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8680934038" target="_self" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8680934038_15ff19c27b_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1370512560746.0234" class="alignright" alt="The Woodies" width="222" height="300"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anzac Day eve special</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>In the late afternoon the discovery of a suspicious object caused trains to cease running between the city and Essendon. No matter: I'd already decided to drive to Flemington by way of the city. The trip into town was as usual fairly congested and just a little slower than I expected, but I was confident that an hour would be ample time to drive the short distance up William Street and Flemington Road to Pinoak Crescent, even on the eve of a public holiday with an unscheduled train stoppage. But alas, traffic in Peel Street and Flemington Road was either stopped or at a slow crawl all the way, and it took an hour and a half to drive about five kilometres. We should have walked, which is what many people were obliged to do, as the trams in Flemington Road were so overcrowded they were impossible to board.</p>
<p>And so it was that we arrived at Pinoak Crescent, in the dark and rain, just as Mr 30 and Mr 28 were leaving Cafe Lagenda after their laksa. We decided it was easier to keep driving directly to the Laurel. After some unpleasant experiences with a roundabout, a car without headlights and the Dan Murphy's car park, we found a nice spot in a quiet side street and at last were embraced by the warmth and conviviality of the Laurel. The horrors of the last two and a half hours were quickly forgotten.</p>
<p>We settled into the bistro and ordered veal scallopine and the roasted vegetable stack. And beer and cider to cheer us after our harrowing journey. This is the vegetable stack. It was elegantly presented on a large rectangular white plate and quite delicious, each vegetable with its own individual flavour and texture blending into a harmonious medley.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8954545156" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3757/8954545156_4c04d28bce.jpg" id="blogsy-1370512560808.2253" class="aligncenter" alt="Roasted vegetable stack" width="429" height="322"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasted vegetable stack</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> In the interest of editorial balance, a picture of the veal scallopine is also included.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8953357191" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2833/8953357191_1df5c73179.jpg" id="blogsy-1370512560729.0085" class="aligncenter" alt="Veal scallopine" width="428" height="321"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Veal scallopine</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> After dinner we repaired to the sports bar. Friends and family mingled with the locals to enjoy a great selection of originals and covers by The Woodies. The crowd favourite was <em>Wonderwall</em>, but for some reason I just love the Johnny Cash classic <em>Ring of fire. </em>The Johnny Cash original is obviously the best, but I also love <a href="http://youtu.be/T5nXxU5p1hs" target="_self" title="Ring of fire">Eric Burdon</a> and The Animals' soulful rendition. But the latest and greatest version has to be the beautiful harmonies of The Woodies. Thank you Woodies! </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8679824971" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8679824971_831aeaa69d_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1370512560758.0999" class="aligncenter" alt="The Woodies" width="319" height="426"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Woodies in the sports bar</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-50844650736478440092013-04-26T20:33:00.001+10:002013-04-26T20:34:00.002+10:00Discovery XXXV<p> Inspired by a '50% off sensational waterside dining' deal, the discovery support vehicle was despatched to Beach Street Port Melbourne via Collins Street, a round trip of over one hour. Our destination: <a href="http://www.boatrestaurant.com.au/" target="_self" title="Boat">Boat</a>.</p>
<p> The other two discoverers who had sensibly approached on foot and by tram were already seated at the bar, sharing a beer (the last available bottle of their chosen variety). Soon we were seated at our table with a nice sparkly view of the Spirit of Tasmania departing from Station Pier. Although there were only a few other diners we were left quite alone for some time and had to call attention to the waiting staff to order our drinks and entrées.</p>
<p>After another quite long wait we were served our wine and Peroni, and then after another decent interval our starters arrived. We were quite impressed with the generous serves of crunchy zucchini chips, saganaki and calamari.</p>
<p>We had made the decision to delay ordering the main course until we had sampled the entrées. This proved to be a mistake because by the time we were able to attract attention again, not only the seafood platter but the fish and chips were no longer available. The waitress obligingly provided the lunch menu to extend our choices, and we settled on chips, 'classic' Greek salad, a bowl of vegetables and prawn risotto.</p>
<p>The chips (actually a rather meagre bowl of shoestring fries) arrived before too long, but there was another lengthy interval before the salad, the vegetables (a small serve of nicely cooked zucchini and broccoli) and finally the risotto arrived. The salad and vegetables were both very good, if not generously sized portions, but the risotto was just that little bit underdone, although tasty and well supplied with prawns, according to those who sampled it. Meanwhile we polished off another bottle of wine and Peroni.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8643576315" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8643576315_debe5b08ec.jpg" id="blogsy-1366972432008.0054" class="aligncenter" alt="Boat" width="500" height="373"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the boat</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> Really it should not have taken almost three hours for this dinner to be served and consumed. We were very pleased that the discovery vehicle was on hand to transport us quickly back to the city of Boroondara via the dropoff at Southern Cross station. Mr 30 opted to walk home, which he expected to take an hour and a half - a long walk, but not as long as this discovery dinner.</p>
<p> <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1696768/restaurant/Melbourne/Boat-Restaurant-Port-Melbourne"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1696768/biglogo.gif" id="blogsy-1366972431972.482" class="" alt="Boat Restaurant on Urbanspoon" width="104" height="34"></a></p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-58509073206103415352013-04-21T23:22:00.001+10:002013-04-21T23:22:23.299+10:00Discovery XXXIV<p> Discovery XXXIV broke with tradition for the first time since the 2012 Olympics, with the event being held at home to celebrate the new kitchen.</p>
<p>As with all discoveries, no mobile devices were permitted; however we were allowed to watch the footy channel while eating our dessert of strawberry cake and Easter eggs. The <a href="http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-food/food-features/a-meal-to-make-friends-with-20130220-2er14.html" target="_self" title="Strawberry yogurt cake">strawberry and yoghurt cake</a> is a recipe of Neil Perry's published in The Age. While mixing the ingredients I thought it must have been a mistake that there were no eggs; however I pressed on and the cake turned out very well, with a nice grainy texture from the polenta. But I certainly didn't believe it would take two hours to cook. In fact it was ready in about an hour, but maybe that's just thanks to our lovely new efficient oven.</p>
<p>The previous course was served at the dining table. Nothing too adventurous: dal (my favourite Anna Thomas recipe from her first book, <a href="http://www.vegetarianepicure.com/newveg3.htm" target="_self" title="">The Vegetarian Epicure</a>, 1972); cabbage dom (another 1970s favourite, copied onto catalogue cards from an unknown source); pilau rice from Jack Santamaria's <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7828531-indian-vegetarian-cookery" target="_self" title="">Indian Vegetarian Cookery</a>; and pappadams with brinjal pickle (Ferns, of course) with a few other condiments.</p>
<p> This is a picture of the preparation area near the new kitchen sink. This was taken before the tiling and painting were completed, but may give you an idea of the space and light that have been opened up by the renovation.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8538854118" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8538854118_686bf55fbd_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1366549960144.3396" class="aligncenter" alt="Kitchen sink" width="379" height="506"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen sink</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>With the ban on mobile devices no photographs were permitted in the dining room, but here is a picture of the much splattered cabbage dom recipe. Don't be afraid to use too much chili. And if you can't be bothered with the 'curd', ie yoghurt, which in my experience needs mixing with a little arrowroot to prevent its curdling when you mix it with the curry, and may make the dish a little too sour, use coconut milk instead, which adds a nice creamy richness to the simplicity of the potato and cabbage.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8668527576" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8545/8668527576_48f6ac680a_z.jpg" id="blogsy-1366549960146.9333" class="aligncenter" alt="Cabbage Dom recipe" width="383" height="462"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage Dom recipe</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> You may notice that the cards are of different stock and written with different pens. The recipe was originally written on both sides of the first card (the recto and the verso?) but over the years I got so annoyed with having to turn the card over to check the ingredients that I finally had the bright idea of rewriting the second segment of the recipe onto a separate card. As a new librarian at the time of writing out the original recipe perhaps I should have known better, but my initiation into cataloguing was at St Kilda Library which boasted one of the earliest automated catalogues in Victoria, so I knew little of the technology of catalogue cards. My next job at the Victorian Railways technical library was to remedy this deficiency, but that's a whole 'nother' story, as they say.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-15595786487634294842013-04-16T23:27:00.001+10:002013-04-16T23:27:39.036+10:00Discovery XXXIII<p>On Wednesday 27 March 2013, the day of the Easter full moon, Discovery resumed its 'taking it to the people' concept, with a trip to Blackburn South to visit two friends who had recently announced their engagement and moved into the area. It was also a homecoming of sorts for me, as I had spent my teenage years just up the road in a 1960s Jennings brick veneer in Holland Road.</p>
<p>The preferred method of travel to the eastern outpost of <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1533273/restaurant/Melbourne/Sawasdee-Blackburn" target="_self" title="Sawasdee">Sawasdee</a> was by car. Although it is apparently not impossible to get to Canterbury Road by public transport, it involves buses, which are generally best avoided.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8596598537" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8238/8596598537_be021d3c14_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1366118814200.1917" class="aligncenter" alt="Sawasdee" width="500" height="667"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawasdee</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Sawasdee proved to be an attractive place with a menu better than your usual local Thai takeaway joint (assuming your usual local Thai takeaway joint is in Camberwell). With a group of six we were able to choose a good variety of dishes, including deep fried tofu triangles, 'money bags' of pork and sweet corn, fish cakes, curry puffs, Singha and sauvignon blanc, and that was just for starters. We followed up with vegetarian green curry and pad thai, cashew chicken and beef pandang. </p>
<p>The restaurant seemed fairly quiet, although we were so busy chatting and catching up that we didn't really notice much beyond the pleasant food and company. The service was good and the Singha was replenished as required - always a good thing when you are dining out and the 'while you're up' rule doesn't apply.</p>
<p>After our meal Mr 28 and Mr 30 went back to their friends' new home, while the remaining two discoverers drove the short distance up Canterbury Road to the dark and sleepy city of Boroondara.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-62216032936826501402013-04-16T22:30:00.001+10:002013-04-16T22:30:10.485+10:00Discovery XXXII<p> <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1656104/restaurant/Melbourne/West-Melbourne/Little-Africa-North-Melbourne" target="_self" title="Little Africa">Little Africa</a> was chosen as the venue for Discovery XXXII, mostly because of a mixup of dates and commitments. Only three discoverers were able to make the not-so-long journey to North Melbourne, arriving by bicycle from Docklands and trams from Flinders Street and South Yarra.</p>
<p>I arrived early and settled down happily with a nice St George beer in the late evening light filtering through the shopfront window on Victoria Street. Little Africa is quite a small space but very welcoming and comfortable. I learned from Urbanspoon that you can choose to settle into nearby Prudence bar instead, and have food from Little Africa delivered to your table. Sounds like the best of both worlds.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8655175124" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8248/8655175124_9e17c41e83_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1366115135923.4417" class="aligncenter" alt="St George" width="500" height="667"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St George</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> Once the usual suspects (minus one) were assembled at Boris's table, we ordered the vegetarian combo plate for two and the derek tibs, a pan fried lamb dish as compensation for our unreconstructed carnivore.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8553430573" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8521/8553430573_7a4bf09d67.jpg" id="blogsy-1366115135941.8503" class="aligncenter" alt="Vegetarian combo" width="500" height="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vegetarian combo</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The vegetarian combo arrived on an enormous pink rimmed plate, wearing a fetching straw hat. As you can see, a chunk was already torn off the delicious injera bread before I had a chance to take a photo. It seemed like far too much for two, but the combination of lentils, cabbage, carrots, pumpkin and spicy, salty, lemony flavours, with a little refreshing greenery, was so delicious that we managed to get through nearly all of it. </p>
<p>Ths is the derek tibs: less spectacular, but equally well appreciated.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8553431163" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8246/8553431163_fd15dd03d1.jpg" id="blogsy-1366115135937.4993" class="aligncenter" alt="Derek tibs" width="500" height="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Derek tibs</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>When we could eat and drink no more, we saw Mr 30 off on his bike, and then walked through the Victoria Market on our way back to Melbourne Central. The market was buzzing with its regular Wednesday night hawkers market and we made a note to go back some time when we weren't already utterly sated and longing to get home to the peaceful city of Boroondara, way out east, to collapse on the couch.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-56447906892353336282013-04-13T13:26:00.001+10:002013-04-13T13:26:47.394+10:00Discovery XXX<p> Consideration was given to holding Discovery XXX in the MCC Dining Room on the occasion of the Victoria vs Queensland one day cricket final; however rain, work obligations and the lack of a jacket and tie saw the four discoverers assembling at <a href="http://www.curryvault.com.au/" target="_self" title="Curry Vault">Curry Vault</a> in Bank Place instead.</p>
<p>Curry Vault was not exactly a discovery as two of us had been there before for a business lunch, but it won out as a convenient and well regarded Indian restaurant handy to the city and Docklands office workers.</p>
<p> I was early and ordered a Kingfisher, whereupon I discovered that Haywards 5000 was also available! I made haste to finish the Kingfisher (not that there's anything wrong with it at all) so I could get back on track.</p>
<p>The other discoverers gradually trickled in. We ordered onion bhaji, just to see if it would come close to the late lamented Rawat's, which of course it didn't. Again, nothing wrong with it, but Rawat's onion bhaji was definitely the Haywards 5000 of onion bhaji. It's about time we re-visited the <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/761857/restaurant/Melbourne/Taj-Palace-Footscray">Taj Palace</a> in Footscray to see if Rawat's famous dish lives on after his untimely passing.</p>
<p>But back to Curry Vault. Along with the bhaji we had aloo gobi, baingan masala, lamb saagwala and the usual rice and naan.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8643598899" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8643598899_34ff2aeb69.jpg" id="blogsy-1365822294574.4321" class="aligncenter" alt="Onion bhaji" width="500" height="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onion bhaji and friends</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Undoubtedly you can get more exciting and cheaper Indian food in the suburbs, but Curry Vault is a good option if you are in the city and want a pleasant meal and great beer in one of Melbourne's traditional laneways. The food, service and ambience at Curry Vault can't really be faulted. And before and/or after the meal you can have a beer at the <a href="http://www.mitretavern.com.au/">Mitre Tavern</a>, as long as it's not too overcrowded with the noisy and thirsty legal fraternity. And while you are there you can lament the loss of the charming Edward Lear tiles from the unfortunately renovated bathroom facilities.</p>
<p> One great thing about discovery in the city is the easy ride home on the train to the dark and quiet city of Boroondara. From Bank Place it is a short walk to either Southern Cross or Flagstaff. Thanks Metro trains for running the service to East Camberwell every 15 minutes in the evenings.</p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-55426763952147677022013-04-11T09:48:00.001+10:002013-04-13T13:35:00.534+10:00Discovery XXXI<p>Our thir[s]ty-first Discovery was <a href="http://www.thequietman.com.au/index.html">The Quiet Man</a> in Racecourse Road Flemington, on Wednesday 6 March 2013. Two discoverers rendezvoused at Southern Cross station, transferring to the Crazyburn line at Flagstaff for the short trip to Newmarket.</p>
<p>As it was a hot evening we started with a pint or two at one of the outdoor tables in Rankins Road. The pub's menu and website tell us its history - apparently 'opening its doors to the public' in 1998 with the shipment of the Irish prefab components from Dublin. I was so pleased when <a href="http://www.facebook.com/flemingtonheritage" target="_self" title="Flemington Heritage">Flemington Heritage</a> posted a picture to their Facebook page just a few days later, showing that the pub was formerly known as The Palace, and was built on the site shortly after it was purchased in 1879.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8534756533" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/8534756533_d5d374da50.jpg" id="blogsy-1365824073756.7593" class="aligncenter" alt="Quiet Man" width="500" height="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Quiet Man</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> We moved inside for the culinary stage of the evening, into a cosy booth in the front bar which Mr 28 had been holding for us, pending the arrival of our fourth discoverer from a day trip to Ballarat. I chose 'Paddy's pancake' from the <em>Out of the soil</em> section of the menu, accurately described as 'Potato and spinach pancake in a cheese Mornay sauce, served with chunky chips and salad garnish'. Very tasty and hearty food.</p>
<p>As I am writing this some time after the event, I don't have an exact recollection of what the others ate, but I suspect that steak may have figured in at least one of the choices. You can check out the <a href="http://www.thequietman.com.au/food.htm" target="_self" title="Quiet Man food">menu</a> on the Quiet Man website and make your own choice - it's fun and there is a marvellous array of potato dishes from which to choose, if by any chance you are tired of chips.</p>
<p>Wednesday is acoustic night in the front bar so after dinner we were treated to some live music. We enjoyed the entertainment for a while before finding the discovery tour car and heading over the Bolte back to our south of the city refuge (driving over or under the river three times in the process). Meanwhile Mr 28 and Mr 30 stayed a while to enjoy the music before walking home to their new abode just a few quiet and leafy blocks away in the beautiful suburb of Flemington. </p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-66410092201935274352013-02-26T23:40:00.001+11:002013-02-27T00:00:23.347+11:00Discovery XXIX<p>'Taking it to the people' saw three discoverers taking the 112 tram (popularly known as the one one twelve) to the <a href="http://www.lordnewryhotel.com.au"> Lord Newry</a> hotel in North Fitzroy for Discovery XXIX. Meanwhile I drove the discovery taxi to the site and was happy to score a spot in the middle of Newry Street just over the road from the pub.</p>
<p>First a shout out to Max, the Newry's resident handyperson who has done a marvellous job of decoration with flower boxes and planters and even an octopus on the chimney. Yes really. Just look up next time you're passing, if you don't believe me.</p>
<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8511/8432090858_ff44afd8e3.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612260.4658" class="aligncenter" alt="Octopus" width="462" height="282"></p>
<p> Soon the tram travellers and the special local guest arrived and we perused the menu over our drinks (Coopers Pale, sparkling wine and water). Sadly the Newry's famous eggplant chips are no longer available. We made do with Scotch fillet, grilled haloumi, the Lord Newry burger, a rocket and pear salad and pizza.</p>
<table align=" center" =""="" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" ><a="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8432090858" target="_self"></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8449531907" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8212/8449531907_a5129318f8.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612281.206" class="aligncenter" alt="Scotch fillet" width="463" height="347"></a> </td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scotch fillet</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8449531497" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8233/8449531497_5f4cedda71.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612236.367" class="aligncenter" alt="Haloumi" width="465" height="349"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Haloumi</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> The haloumi was probably the star dish of the evening. It was served with lovely crunchy rösti baskets and a rather weedy salad. One of the 'thin & crispy' pizzas was found to be too crunchy and blackened around the edges. The staff were very obliging about this and more than happy to remove the item from the bill. </p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8450617822" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8050/8450617822_2b140da7c4_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612260.0334" class="aligncenter" alt="Pizza" width="347" height="463"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza with fenugreek</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> I already had plenty of salad with my haloumi so I didn't need to sample the separate pear and rocket salad. In my opinion this world was a better place before rocket became a ubiquitous salad ingredient, but some people seem to like it. It's OK as long as its bitter mustardy taste is ameliorated by other ingredients. Pear, balsamic vinegar and parmesan generally do the trick.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8449532261" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8089/8449532261_5a2e7ec96f_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612262.0867" class="aligncenter" alt="Rocket" width="347" height="463"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ubiquitous rocket</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> The front bar of the Lord Newry is the new dining room, with the former dining room transmogrified into the pool area. I'm not too sure if this has been a successful move as there was no one playing pool on this warm Wednesday evening, nor were there very many people eating in the front bar. Most people like to sit outside at the footpath tables, and a very pleasant area it is too, with the lovely old green tiles and Max's plantings.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8431014305" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8494/8431014305_908a5c202b_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1361883612307.7168" class="aligncenter" alt="Green tiles" width="347" height="463"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green tiles</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> The return trip over the river to the to the quiet and leafy city of Boroondara was accomplished without incident as the dropoff was on the way home. Future dropoffs may be different. Stay tuned for the next exciting episode of Disovery 2013.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-12826510542698176032013-02-04T00:21:00.001+11:002013-02-04T00:24:26.018+11:00Discovery XXVIII<p> I like taking public transport to discovery. But sometimes it is easier to drive home in the later hours when the public transport system starts settling into its off-peak snooze and timely connections are a figment of the imagination. And so Discovery XXVIII saw me driving into the city for the first pickup; to Docklands for the second; then across the Moonee Ponds Creek by way of North Melbourne. Our destination: <a href="http://www.philhellene.com.au/">Philhellene</a>.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdsey7/8440231537/" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8217/8440231537_1fff598374.jpg" id="blogsy-1359897849001.3513" class="aligncenter" alt="Philhellene" width="414" height="381"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philhellene</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>Philhellene is not a new restaurant to most of the party but one we were eager to try again. In particular I had fond memories of the cauliflower salad. The three car travellers were joined by two other discoverers (including an Ascot Vale local) who arrived by tram and bus respectively. We were soon enjoying our first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fix_(beer)">Fix</a> of Greek beer. Sadly Mythos was out of stock, but the Fix was a reasonable substitute.</p>
<p>The restaurant was pretty busy and we had to wait quite a while before being supplied with menus and placing our orders. We chose most of our dishes from the specials board, including the zucchini flowers stuffed with rice, the roast kid, the sardines and the <em>loukoumades</em> (Greek donuts with honey). The fava dip (a lovely creamy concoction of puréed yellow split peas topped with oil and chopped red onion, served with delicious chunky bread), the lamb souvlaki with couscous and roast potatoes and the cauliflower salad with pomegranate seeds were chosen from the printed menu. Apart from the donuts everything came together and was happily shared among the discoverers. The carnivores were especially enamoured with the goat, which came with an intriguingly dark and mysterious mass of broad beans and peas.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdsey7/8440232431/" target="_self" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8224/8440232431_84b67f0ef9_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1359897849055.8118" class="aligncenter" alt="Philhellene" width="336" height="448"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Philhellene - taking it to the people</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> Another long wait ensued before we ordered the donuts and coffee. Philhellene is a family run business and the service is charming and friendly as long as you are not very hungry or in a hurry. The food is delicious and I can't wait to try some of the other items on the menu; on the other hand it's hard to avoid choosing the same favourites (cauliflower salad and fava dip, anyone?) on return visits. It's the sort of place that you wish could be your local so that you could just eat your way through the menu.</p>
<p>In keeping with discovery tradition we took the scenic route home, passing through Brunswick, Carlton, Fitzroy and Richmond and stopping briefly to survey the possible reincarnation of the club near Victoria Gardens. A short rediscovery of North Richmond and a trip down a dark and narrow laneway took us to the drop off point. Finally we crossed the Yarra (not having even noticed our second crossing of the Moonee Ponds Creek) and were once more back in the tranquil city of Boroondara.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-49225534548060521792013-02-03T22:42:00.000+11:002013-02-04T00:36:20.469+11:00Discovery XXVII<p>Discovery 2013 will focus on 'taking it to the people' rather than investigating the narrow confines of our own local area (actually we rarely did that in 2012, but it was the original intention). Another change is the shift from Tuesdays, necessitated by the new timetable of the Monash University fine arts class which uses the Ancora Press as an artists' book studio.</p>
<p>This opened up an opportunity to try <a href="http://www.koyrestaurant.com.au/">Köy</a> restaurant at South Melbourne market (Köy is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) and for a long-time Albert Park resident and friend to join the discoverers.</p>
<p>A hot Thursday evening saw me happily settled in a sunny corner of the <a href="http://www.tgsm.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=27">George Hotel</a> diagonally opposite the market with a $7.50 Heineken pint and The Age giant summer crossword. Little by little the others trickled in to the rendezvous point to fortify themselves for the trip across the road to Köy.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8411255510" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8411255510_e71917a35d_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1359898549562.3013" class="aligncenter" alt="South Melbourne market" width="390" height="520"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">South Melbourne market</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>This is a picture of a South Melbourne market stall on Cecil Street, very close to Köy. The Cecil Street market frontage is now home to several restaurants which are open in the evenings when the market is closed. It was pretty quiet in Cecil Street this Thursday evening, probably because it was such a hot night. We were pleased to be seated indoors at Köy - in fact it was so cool we had to ask for the air conditioning to be turned off.</p>
<p> We shared a range of meze dishes including <em>Imam bayildi</em> (eggplant with onion, capsicum and tomato served with yogurt), baked mushrooms, pan-fried lamb liver, marinated chargrilled octopus and an excellent <em>Kizartma</em> (selection of fried vegetables). These all went very nicely with some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efes_Beverage_Group">Efes</a> beer. The boys were served some special <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rak%C4%B1">raki</a></em> in little silver pots - and the Turkish delight also came in dear little silver pots with lids.</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/birdsey7/8441114004/" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8441114004_eac1feeb54.jpg" id="blogsy-1359898549582.0684" class="aligncenter" alt="Turkish delight at Köy" width="384" height="287"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkish delight</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>We were very pleased to have have had the opportunity to try Köy.</p>
<p>As the evening was still balmy when we had finished our meal we walked over to the <a href="http://www.railwaypub.com/">Railway Hotel</a> for Vale Ale and Coopers nightcaps. The Railway has an excellent beer garden and a great range of beers and is a perfect spot on a warm evening - and probably any other time.</p>
<p>We drove home via the scenic route, encompassing the drop off at Albert Park, the slow drive past the tennis centre abuzz with the early finish of the men's semi-final, the 40k Swan Street zone and the detour to Bridge Road. Then it was over the river (again) and back to the quiet leafy city of Boroondara, still basking in the warm summer night.</p>
<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-61089493545002073702013-01-19T22:38:00.001+11:002013-01-19T22:38:33.997+11:00Discovery XXV-XXVI<p> Our first discovery for the new year was the <a href="http://www.thesicilian.com.au/" target="_self" title="">Sicilian</a> restaurant in Swan Street Richmond. There is nothing wrong with the Sicilian as such - the food is perfectly fine, but the place lacked that <em>je ne sais quoi</em> quality. It was very quiet, which is only to be expected for an early meal (we started at 6.30), but it was still very quiet by the time we left. Yes it was Tuesday; yes it was early in the new year; but even so.</p>
<p>So after some discussion about what to do next we repaired to the <a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/760050/restaurant/Melbourne/All-Nations-Hotel-Richmond" target="_self" title="">All Nations</a> in nearby Lennox Street for a quiet ale. It is still a mystery to me why I've never been here before. Although this favourite of the <a href="http://www.footyalmanac.com.au/" target="_self" title="">Footy Almanac</a> crew has been on my radar for years I'd somehow never made the short trip across Richmond to discover it. But now my life has changed. There is no going back. Except to the All Nations.<br>
</p>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8393791919" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8393791919_24e1dde04d.jpg" id="blogsy-1358595485184.6074" class="aligncenter" alt="All Nations" width="500" height="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Nations</td></tr></tbody></table>
<p> And so it came to pass that the following week's discovery was arranged to celebrate T-bone Tuesday at the All Nations. Unfortunately one of our number was unable to join us due to a rehearsal commitment, but the remaining three discoverers converged on the beer garden by foot (from Melbourne Park by way of Yarra Park and the back streets of East Melbourne and North Richmond, in my case) and by tram.</p>
<p>The tram traveller had already secured a prime position in the beer garden by the time I arrived, somewhat hot, thirsty and breathless. Mr 30 appeared shortly afterwards. My expectations of a vegetarian meal on T-bone Tuesday were not great so I was pleasantly surprised to see a few nice looking vegetarian options on the menu. I opted for goats cheese fritters served with a garnish of vegetables including green beans, beetroot and asparagus - and chips of course. The others chose T-bones with wedges, veggies and pepper sauce.</p>
<p>One of the lovely things about this pub is that once you're settled in the beer garden, you are served by a charming Irish waiter and you don't have to get up to go to the bar and get yourself a drink, unless the waiter forgets your order. Well yes that did happen, but whatever. Mr 30 just poured some of his pint into my glass to tide me over and all was well.</p>
<p>The meals are so reasonably priced and the service and surroundings are so delightful that you could not possibly find fault with this place. My only reservation is that it looks as though every discovery from now on will be T-bone Tuesday at the All Nations.</p>
<p>In the immortal words of Toby Keith, <a href="http://m.vevo.com/watch/toby-keith/i-love-this-bar/USDWV0400050" target="_self" title="I love this bar videoclip">I love this bar</a>.</p>
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<p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-27268566740265244212013-01-01T21:09:00.001+11:002013-01-01T21:13:31.736+11:00Discovery XXIV Discovery XXIV proved to be our last for the year, with Christmas and New Year usurping the final two Tuesdays of the month.<br/><br/>The <a href="http://thecarringbush.com.au/" target="_self" title="Carringbush Hotel">Carringbush Hotel</a> in Abbotsford was the destination of choice. I arrived hot and thirsty after a little bit of circling to find a parking spot. Driving to discovery is not my usual or preferred mode of travel, but seemed easier than chancing a possible connection between the tram and the 246 bus.<br/><br/>The hotel was cool and welcoming and I found two discoverers already seated in the quiet bistro area, which is nicely appointed with white tablecloths. A trip to the bar to check out the drink offerings was also rewarding, as among all the Collingwood paraphernalia was a photograph of Gary Ablett senior taking one of his fabulous marks. I already loved this place.<br/><br/>An attentive waiter attended to the table service and I was soon tucking into a pint of Fat Yak. Mr 30 arrived soon afterwards.<br/><br/>The menu is fairly small but has some more interesting food than the usual pub fare. Although there is a parma on the menu, it is disguised with an obscure title.<br/><br/>Our choices were the fish of the day (gummy shark); Madras beef curry; grilled ocean trout with tahini; and semolina gnocchi. This is the gnocchi. The semolina cakes were very soft and delicate, draped with a lovely pile of slivered asparagus, <a href="http://www.vegetables.co.nz/select_a_vegetable/witloof.php">witloof</a> and other greens. The richness of the gnocchi was nicely balanced with all the green stuff.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8288816183/in/set-72157630220991716" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8499/8288816183_78b92864f6.jpg" id="blogsy-1357035195239.7798" class="aligncenter" alt="Semolina gnocchi" width="387" height="290"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Semolina gnocchi</td></tr></tbody></table>
The other dishes were also nicely presented. This is the curry.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8289876660" target="_self" style=" " title=""><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8358/8289876660_ef76f32d31.jpg" id="blogsy-1357035195261.9778" class="aligncenter" alt="Madras beef curry" width="387" height="290"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madras beef curry</td></tr></tbody></table>
And the ocean trout.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8289875330" target="_blank" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8081/8289875330_e2194075e7.jpg" id="blogsy-1357035195252.3923" class="aligncenter" alt="Ocean trout" width="387" height="290"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ocean trout</td></tr></tbody></table>
The serving was so efficient and the food so delicious that soon we were ready to leave, after a final trip to the bar to pay tribute to Gary Ablett. The boys set off on foot as we drove home through the quiet back streets of Abbotsford, past the famous brewery, then over the river and through the cutting into the city of Boroondara.<br/><br/> I wonder what Discovery 2013 will bring?<br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-64522660337006111012012-12-16T22:05:00.001+11:002012-12-16T22:11:01.429+11:00Discovery XXIII Late on a hot December afternoon my train left Huntingdale station. We arrived at the mysterious platform 13 at Flinders Street about 25 minutes later. After a short tram ride and a short walk up Little Bourke Street, I was at Curry Corner. But alas there was no Fern's brinjal pickle in stock so my detour was in vain. <br/><br/>Sadly I walked up Russell Street, past Jane Bell Lane, the old Magistrates Court, the old Melbourne gaol and the former Emily MacPherson College. Much of this precinct is owned by RMIT University, so there is an odd mix of old bluestone, modern courtyard and 1920s elegance, with the QV apartments presiding over the whole.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8263102089" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8263102089_fddae52fb4.jpg" id="blogsy-1355656153735.8313" class="aligncenter" alt="QV apartments from Old Melbounne Gaol" width="344" height="258"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind bars</td></tr></tbody></table>
Crossing Victoria Street into Carlton, I continued up Cardigan and Queensberry Streets until I finally arrived at the venue for Discovery XXIII: <a href="http://thelastjar.com.au/">The Last Jar</a>, which being situated on the corner of Elizabeth and Queensberry Streets is somehow back in the city of Melbourne.<br/><br/> Hot and thirsty after my travels I settled into the snug with a Coopers. My first impression was of a very pleasant and friendly hotel. As it is built on a sharp angled corner it is rather oddly shaped inside but very cosy.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8264171368" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8355/8264171368_b7615b9e1b_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1355656153786.4146" class="aligncenter" alt="Snug" width="259" height="345"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snug at The Last Jar</td></tr></tbody></table>
Little by little the other discoverers arrived - one on bicycle and two on foot - and we repaired to our laminex topped table in the dining room. <br/><br/> The only drawback of our meal was the noise - the dining room is small and wooden-floored and there was a large table of revellers nearby, so we found it hard to hear each other over the din. But the food was delicious and the waiting staff were very attentive and quite charming with their lovely Irish voices. <br/><br/>Here is a picture of the remains of the soda bread.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8264172152" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8072/8264172152_890777573a.jpg" id="blogsy-1355656153739.6648" class="aligncenter" alt="Soda bread" width="344" height="258"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soda bread</td></tr></tbody></table>
And here is my dish of zucchini flowers (my favourite!) with salad and goats cheese.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8264171742" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8500/8264171742_7f13bf4f39.jpg" id="blogsy-1355656153754.3738" class="aligncenter" alt="Zucchini flowers" width="348" height="261"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zucchini flowers</td></tr></tbody></table>
The chips (not pictured, sorry) were amazing - enormous and very crispy, rather more like roast potatoes than chips and so plentiful that we couldn't finish them all. The other discoverers enjoyed Irish stew, scotch fillet and porterhouse with green pepper sauce, served in its own dear little jug. And The Last Jar has a wonderful beer list. Between us we sampled the Coopers pale, Hawthorn pale, Mountain Goat and Hargreaves Hill.<br/><br/>The Last Jar is definitely worth the trip, however you decide to make your way there.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1654510/restaurant/North-Melbourne/The-Last-Jar-Melbourne"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1654510/biglogo.gif" id="blogsy-1355656153742.506" class="" alt="The Last Jar on Urbanspoon" width="104" height="34"></a><br/><br/> <br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7938762336234174641.post-56534998558510723582012-12-07T07:44:00.001+11:002012-12-07T07:44:17.520+11:00Discovery XXII Russia is definitely southeast of somewhere, so this week's discovery could claim to continue in the tradition of some of our recent excursions to Oakleigh and Carnegie.<br/><br/>On Tuesday evening the discovery team made their separate ways from the city, Richmond and Camberwell to meet in new territory at <a href="http://www.nevsky.com.au/" target="_self" title="Nevsky">Nevsky</a> in Elsternwick. They came by car, train, bicycle and on foot. For once nobody blinked an eye at the booking in the name of Boris.<br/><br/><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8243369713" target="_self" style="clear: right; float: right; "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8243369713_4dba7ef888_c.jpg" id="blogsy-1354791905229.6133" class="alignright" width="250" height="335" alt="Fireplace at Nevsky"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fireplace at Nevsky</td></tr></tbody></table>
On an unseasonably cold and windy evening we were very happy to be seated right next to the fireplace which effectively divides the restaurant into two self contained quiet spaces. Although there were not many people in the restaurant we had to wait a while to be served with a jug of kvass (a soft drink made of fermented rye bread) and a Nevskoe classic ale. The kvass smelt very much like stout, but tasted sweeter. Apparently it is usually consumed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kvass" target="_self" title="Wikipedia entry for kvass">peasants and monks</a>. The Nevskoe tasted just like beer.<br/><br/> We decided to have a main course each rather than trying to share dishes on a rather small table. Except I decided to have three side dishes instead of one main: Euro frites (Russian for chips in beer batter), piroshki and red cabbage. The other discoverers had golubsti (stuffed cabbage leaves); veal stroganoff with buckwheat kasha; and sosiski (sausages and mashed potatoes with caramelised onions and port wine sauce).<br/><br/>This is how it all looked in the dimly lit room near the fire. I forgot to mention that the candles aren't real candles - they are battery operated tea light thingies. But very effective.<br/><br/><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/57841116@N03/8243371085" target="_self" style=" "><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8243371085_0df9d3e3e2.jpg" id="blogsy-1354791905265.9346" class="aligncenter" width="382" height="286" alt="Russian feast at Nevsky"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russian feast</td></tr></tbody></table>
I know Euro frites are probably not authentic Russian cuisine, but I loved them. They were hot and crispy and plentiful, unlike some of the offerings we have suffered in the name of discovery. (Are you listening, <a href="http://birdsey.blogspot.com.au/2012/10/discovery-xviii.html">Bridge Hotel</a>?) The red cabbage was spicy and sour and delicious. The piroshki was not remarkable but very pleasant - just like I could have made at home using one of <a href="http://www.vegetarianepicure.com/">Anna Thomas</a>'s recipes.<br/><br/>The other discoverers were extremely enthusiastic about their meals too. I can highly recommend that you make the trip to Elsternwick for a special eastern European treat. If it is your local, I envy you.<br/><br/>After some coffee, sour cherry blini and more Nevskoe the end of the evening was upon us. Once again we took the traditional drive down Orrong Road (the entire span of it, this time), made the drop-off in Richmond and drove back over the river to the dark and quiet city of Boroondara. Meanwhile Mr 28 proved that a bicycle can beat a car any time.<br/><br/><a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1625266/restaurant/Melbourne/Elsternwick-Elwood/Nevsky-Russian-Restaurant-Elsternwick"><img src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1625266/biglink.gif" id="blogsy-1354791905220.95" class="" alt="Nevsky Russian Restaurant on Urbanspoon"></a><p> </p>
<br/><br/><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" alt="Posted with Blogsy" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" height="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>leoniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07526564999438623261noreply@blogger.com0