BirdseyStreet: Discovery VIII

Back to the Boroondara restaurant scene with a visit to Saigon Vietnamese in Toorak Road for Discovery VIII (or post-Olympic Discovery I). This restaurant is an old favourite of Mr 27's, dating from the old Through Road days. It proved to be a really nice place with pleasant food and service. The proprietor amused us immensely by proffering an array of beer varieties from our BYO selection when we asked for more drinks.

The beer selection turned out to be more extensive than originally planned. Mr 30 was somewhat delayed as he had had the honour of attending the funeral service of Nathi Singh Rawat, a kind and generous friend who had unfortunately died a sudden and most untimely death only two days previously. In celebration of so many happy times with Rawat and the family at Taj Palace, Mr 30 had spent the afternoon with a few Haywards 5000s, and had kindly brought some back for us to drink to Rawat's memory.

Back to the food of Saigon! While waiting for the traveller who was making his way from Ascot Vale by train, we had soup - 'vegetable' for me and asparagus, crab meat and egg flowers, followed by a pan-fried pancake with pork, mushrooms, prawns and beanshoots, for them.

We managed to synchronise the arrival of the main courses and Mr 30, who was starving after his harrowing day and his long train trip back from Fawkner via Ascot Vale. Bean curd, meat, vegetables and rice disappeared in a trice and were followed by a vegetarian version of the pancake.

In memory of Rawat and all the happy times and beautiful food at Taj Palace, and in particular of a wonderful 30th birthday celebration just a few months ago, here is a picture of 'Stu's bar' at the Taj Palace.