Melbourne Dining Review – Kolache Cravings

I now believe that when Sir Mix-A-Lot claimed he ‘don’t want none unless you’ve got buns, hun’ he was clearly talking about the need to satisfy his craving for the soft, semi-sweet buns of dough filled with sweet or savoury fillings, served at ‘Kollache Cravings’.

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

New micro bakery Kolache Cravings serves its star product and namesake, the Czech and Texan fusion baked treat. Originating from the Czech Republic, kollaches later rose to popularity in Texas once the traditional recipe was tweaked to begin introducing both sweet and savoury fillings as well as experimenting with the fillings by using modern flavours.

Open Plan Bakery at Kolache Cravings

Flavours of the Day at Kolache Cravings

Flavours of the Day at Kolache Cravings

After living in Texas, owners Phil and Nona Wallis managed to find a rare void in what the Melbourne food scene was missing. Setting up shop in High Street Preston in January 2016, introducing kolaches to Melbourne alongside freshly baked cakes, danishes, croissants, muffins and tarts partnered with quality specialty coffee by Decoy Roasters. Paying close attention to the popular tastes and well-loved flavours preferred by Melbournians, Kolache Cravings aren’t shy to experiment with their ever-changing selection of fillings, churning out dozens of freshly baked goods from their open plan bakery throughout the day.

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

Kolache Cravings Micro Bakery & Cafe

While the assortment of fillings may keep you guessing, the quality and winning recipe for the softest, freshest buns remains consistent. So whether your passing by for a chorizo and cheese or a strawberry and cream cheese kolache, I would recommend passing by to satisfy your savoury or sweet craving.

 

Kollache Cravings

105 High Street

Preston, 3072

(03) 9495 0706

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Kolache Cravings Cafe & Bakery Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

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Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2014 (MICE 2014)

Image Via Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE 2014)

Image Via Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE 2014)

Melbourne coffee lovers, get excited!

You’ve sipped on lattes, sampled filter brews and downed shots of espresso and now the time has come for a sensory celebration of all the very best in the bean scene with Australia’s largest dedicated coffee event!

The Melbourne International Coffee Expo 2014 (MICE 2014) is being held from 15 – 18 May, 2014. From all your favourite coffee roasters and coffee beans to coffee-brewing equipment along with the chance to learn some of the tricks and techniques to help perfect your coffee making skills, you can find it all at MICE, which has become one of the world’s leading coffee expos. Whether you are looking to perfect your own barista skills or watch the best battle it out at one of the three global competitive events that MICE is proudly hosting this year, the World Cup Tasters Championship, the World Latte Art Championship (because froth never looked so good) and the World Coffee in Good Spirits Championship (coffee and alcohol, need I say more?) join your fellow caffeine addicts at the Melbourne International Coffee Expo open to the public this weekend, 17th – 18th May at the Melbourne Showgrounds on Epsom Road, Ascot Vale.

Head to the internationalcoffeeexpo.com to register your attendance and see what all the caffeinated induced buzz is about!

For more information, take a look at the official event brochure here or plan your day with the official event schedule.

SATURDAY 17TH MAY
10am – 5:30pm (open to public)

SUNDAY 18TH MAY
10am – 4pm (open to public)

Image Via Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE 2014)

Image Via Melbourne International Coffee Expo (MICE 2014)

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Melbourne Dining Review – Third Wave Cafe, Prahran

Nestled in Cato Street, a side street off Commercial Road in Prahran is Third Wave Cafe. Don’t be discouraged by the side street location and the exterior design of this restaurant /cafe. I wasn’t sure what to think as I approached the dark, modern, flush exterior design of the café, until I was pleasantly surprised to step inside a modern yet cosy, warm and inviting space. The rest of my experience at Third Wave Café can basically be summed up by saying it really was one pleasant surprise after the next. The menu is fantastically extensive. Third Wave not only serves an array of your staple breakfast and lunch items, such as egg dishes, focaccias, burgers, pastas and salads, but also specialises in Russian cuisine and American BBQ dishes as well. In addition, there is a page of the menu solely dedicated to Paleo dishes. Usually, I approach a menu that crosses over into too many different cuisines with a bit of caution, a restaurant that tries to do too much. However I am so glad to find that this is most definitely not the case here. It does appear to be quite an odd combination to see such an extensive range of dishes listed side by side on the same menu, but upon tasting the dishes, it became clear that this crazy combination and choice of specialisation works brilliantly at Third Wave Café.

Latte at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

Latte at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

The coffee was great, very smooth and each cup was served with a delicious biscuit too (yes, that’s right, a free biscuit that was actually worth eating!) I highly recommend the Russian Sampler Plate for those who are up for trying some new and a little different. The Russian Sampler Plate came with a Russian salad (a cold potato, roast chicken, boiled egg and vegetable salad with a creamy Dijonaise dressing, which I wasn’t sold on by the menu description, but the tastes came together wonderfully), two varieties of blintzes (Russian filled crepes), which I got to try the Mushroom blintze and a Meat blintze, a small bowl of Pelmeni (Russian meat dumplings) and Syrniki (savoury pancakes). I found the standout was the Mushroom blintze which was very full and rich. I also really enjoyed the dumplings that had a thick texture that was chewy but not rubbery. I found the savoury pancakes were a bit of an acquired taste. The small, thick and very dense pancakes of ricotta, cinnamon and nutmeg were not as sweet as pancakes in Australia are traditionally served, but it was wonderful to sample all the different textures and flavours, and I think The Russian Sampler Plate worked really well on the menu, even in comparison to ordering one of the Russian dishes alone, and I would very likely order it again.

Russian Sampler Plate at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

Russian Sampler Plate at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

The Zucchini fritters were fantastic. Made from Zucchini and Buckwheat flour and fried in coconut oil, served with house made smoked bacon and a cherry tomato confit, a poached egg and dukkah, the elements of this meal just worked so well together. The bacon was incredible, laced with a delicious smokey flavour, the bacon was thick and meaty so you could really sink your teeth into it, whilst also being very lean with just enough fat for added flavour. Based on the taste of their house made bacon, I look forward to tasting their American BBQ dishes next! The tomatoes were extremely flavoursome and I am happy to say the egg was poached to perfection which is something I am always on the lookout for! This dish is also available on the Paleo menu, and I highly recommend this dish on your visit. Overall, Third Wave Cafe was a fantastic dining experience and I cannot wait to return!

Zucchini Fritters at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

Zucchini Fritters at Third Wave Cafe Prahran

I dined as a guest of Third Wave Café, but I honestly am already planning my next visit, as I would happily pay for their reasonably priced meals and look forward to bringing my friends here too. I highly recommend Third Wave Cafe, a brilliant venue for breakfast, lunch or dinner, that would also serve a group of diners well, as the wide menu selection is bound to cater for everybody. Third Wave Café shows a lot of pride and a lot of heart in their menu and their carefully prepared, delightful dishes do not disappoint! For the daring, or super hungry, follow the link to check out their American BBQ Ribs Eating Challenge!

Third-Wave-Cafe

Check out their menu online

Third Wave on Urbanspoon

Disclosure: Melbourne Darling was invited to dine as a guest of Third Wave Cafe. This in no way influenced my review and as always, I maintain a promise to provide my readers with content that is my 100% honest opinion.

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Dining Review – Syrup Cafe Watsonia

Syrup is what I believe to be the gem of Watsonia.  Syrup is run by sister duo Denise and Kathy and for what this small café lacks in size, amongst the surrounding mediocre offerings in the area, Syrup certainly makes up for by serving up high quality food and beverages. To walk in and spot the Allpress coffee cups stacked up in a high tower alongside the coffee machine is always a good sign, but to taste the well prepared, good coffee was even more comforting!

(On a side note, I recently downloaded the Allpress Espresso Coffee Roasters smart phone app! You can use the ‘café finder’ app to locate your closest stockist or café using Allpress coffee no matter where you are! Now available free in the Go Store and iTunes store.)

Breakfast options included variations of eggs, as well as a selection of melts and toasted sandwiches. The menu appears a little limited, but don’t forget to take a look at the baked goods including freshly baked , house-made muffins, scones, cakes and slices.

I was drawn towards the description of the Avocado Smash, ‘fresh avocado, feta, parsley, mint and chilli flakes topped with a poached egg on quinoa and soya sourdough. This dish was really enjoyable; a winning combination of ingredients and the egg was cooked to perfection. Eggs may seem easy to cook, but as someone who gets squeamish at the site of an unappetising string of translucent raw egg white amongst an otherwise presumably ‘cooked’ egg, I was so happily surprised at the perfectly poached egg that was served as well as the use of high quality ingredients.

Avocado Smash at Syrup Watsonia

Avocado Smash at Syrup Watsonia

The owners shared their preference to use locally sourced, organic produce and use bread from South Melbourne bakery Brasserie, and jam from Yarra Valley. The Devonshire scones deal was fantastic value. For $10 you get two lovely home-made scones with jam and cream and one great coffee.

Devonshire Tea Scones at Syrup Watsonia

Devonshire Tea Scones at Syrup Watsonia

If I had to stress a point of improvement, it is this. I understand this cute little café is a casual eatery and the owners are quite approachable and friendly, but I found it a bit uncomfortable to be told to have to call one of the workers when we were ready to order, and then asked to call out our order across the café as our order was taken by the lady who continued to remain behind the counter. However, that being said, I think Syrup has set itself up wonderfully in a great location, close to Watsonia station if you need to grab a quick coffee before heading to work and it is a stand out addition to the area.

Allpress Coffee at Syrup Watsonia

Allpress Coffee at Syrup Watsonia

Syrup Watsonia Menu

Syrup Watsonia Menu

 

Syrup Watsonia Menu

Syrup Watsonia Menu

 

Syrup Cafe on Urbanspoon

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Dining Review – Hammer and Tong 412

I had been particularly looking forward to dining at Hammer and Tong 412 after reading and hearing about the multitude of glowing reviews it has received from many happy diners. Some even claimed it was the best brunch they had ever had! The result of a partnership between two prominent chefs who created a partnership after working at Vue de Monde together, Hammer and Tong is located just off Brunswick Street, at the rear of 412 Brunswick Street to be precise, which is across the road from Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew and just behind Karton, the cardboard furniture store. The main entrance and seating areas overlook Westgarth Street, so unless you know specifically where Hammer and Tong is, you would most likely miss it as if you were just strolling down Brunswick street.

Hammer and Tong 412 is open from 7am til late Tuesday to Saturday and 8am til 5pm Sunday, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. When I arrived the café was already bustling for an early morning. You may recognise the bright, white interior which previously housed the restaurant ‘The Brix’ in a bright, very long and narrow setting where each square centimetre was used to fit in as many tables and chairs as possible (probably more of an issue for staff having to walk through the tight walkways all day than for patrons). We were seated quickly on a share table, luckily we didn’t have to move but I did feel sorry for the other party next to us that were made to do a couple of reshuffles each time the staff tried to fit a few more diners onto our share table. If I were to eat here again, I would recommend sitting by the windows if you don’t mind sitting adjacent to your fellow diners, as the bar seating that ran across on one side of the café was directly under open windows, which was lovely on a sunny day.

Our waiter provided us with menus and proceeded by immediately asking us if we would like to order coffees. Now, is it just me or do other people also get annoyed when they are asked for their coffee order as your backside barely hits the chair, let alone having been able to possibly even sneak a quick glance at the menu? I like to take a look at the beverage menu first and see what coffee blends they have on offer in addition to other drinks. Yes, I may be a caffenatic, but I can still function for two whole minutes to read the menu before I crash without a morning coffee. I was happy to find out that Hammer and Tong use Duke’s Coffee, but found it odd that they charge a small but never the less, additional charge of 50 cents to choose the single origin blend as usually there is no additional charge for this option.

Hammer and Tong feature two menus, a daytime menu and dinner menu. We were offered the daytime menu which featured some really interesting items including the ‘yabbie tail omelette’, ‘duck egg’, ‘pork belly’, ‘lamb ribs’ and their take on the ‘french toast’ all sounded like interesting choices but we couldn’t go past the Soft shell crab burger and corn & zucchini fritters, both which had a been majorly talked up by diners before me. I don’t think I have ever eaten a burger pre-noon before, but having heard the praise for this soft shell crab burger, I had to give it a go.

The food was served extremely fast, especially considering how busy the café was. I will admit that plated up, the soft shell crab burger appeared a little underwhelming, small and sloppy. I know it’s a burger, but in comparison to the delightfully presented fritters, maybe the presentation of the burger could’ve been helped with a small side or at least a skewer to help hold it upright and look a little more appealing. Luckily however, all hope was not lost as the taste test considerably saved the appeal of the coveted Soft Shell Crab burger. The crab meat was delicious and substantial and the brioche buns were extremely soft and buttery. In all, the burger featured a fantastic combination of flavours that tasted succulent and juicy. I’ve had beef and pork burgers but this is definitely the best seafood burger I have ever had (and actually a worthy competitor to my favourite beef and pork burgers also).

Soft Shell Crab Burger at Hammer and Tong 412

Soft Shell Crab Burger at Hammer and Tong 412

On the other hand, the fritters ended up having the opposite effect to the burger. While they was presented very well, the fritters themselves were a little bland and dry. They possibly could have done with a more corn, less zucchini ratio, as I felt the zucchini didn’t translate too well in the fritter. It just ended up tasting like a dense, bland and dry stuffing. The fried coating was also a little too thick, oily and hard for my liking. However, that being said, the dish did taste good, but I believe this all came down to the winning accompaniments of the manchego cheese, avocado and chilli tomato relish that really created that delicious pop of flavours.

Zucchini and Corn Fritters at Hammer and Tong 412

Zucchini and Corn Fritters  (without egg) at Hammer and Tong 412

Prices were average for what you’d expect for the increasingly popular breed of oxymoron dining variety, what I like to refer to as the ‘fancy casual ‘ eateries, or hipster eateries if you will. Service was quick and to the point (although maybe some better planning would have prevented the case of musical chairs I spoke about earlier). The coffee was good, although not as good as Story in Docklands who also use the same, Dukes coffee. The Soft Shell Crab burger was definitely the highlight for me, but I also enjoyed the interesting ingredients that starred on the menu, the bright sun room and the buzzing atmosphere.

Coffee at Hammer and Tong 412

Coffee at Hammer and Tong 412

Hammer and Tong 412

03 9041 6033

Tuesday – Saturday 7am – late

Sunday 8am – 5pm

Rear 412 Brunswick St.
Fitzroy, Vic 3065

View menu online

Hammer and Tong on Urbanspoon

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Proud Mary – Dining Review

Proud Mary keep on burning!

Porridge at Proud Mary

Porridge at Proud Mary

 

I was happily impressed with my visit to Proud Mary as I was a bit weary given the high level of hype which for some places can set high expectations but under deliver. However, I can confidently say that it was not the case here.

 

I will admit the first time I attempted to dine here I didn’t even end up setting foot inside. Driving towards Proud Mary on a late Sunday morning, the bustling group of people pouring out of the doors waiting to be seated did not agree with my overly eager and hungry stomach. So treat that as a lesson to anyone else planning to go at a busy time, or at any time for that matter, this is a very busy place (similar to hustle and bustle of Manchester Press) so prepare to wait especially if you plan to dine here on a weekend or at brunch.

 

Latte at Proud Mary

Latte at Proud Mary

When I did return it was a Friday morning, it was still full but we only waited a couple of minutes to be seated and the employees that served us and who we spoke to were very knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. The coffee was absolutely wonderful, very smooth. Proud Mary is not only a cafe but a coffee roasting company too and in my experience,  buying a coffee at a café that uses Proud Mary coffee is usually a tell-tale sign that you’re in good hands. That being said, if you feel like being a little adventurous with  your coffee then I suggest not sticking to their standard coffee blend but trying one of their single origin coffee blends, or their blend of the day. I tried their blend of the day which on my visit was the Honeysuckle blend, described as ‘big buttery body, sweet caramels and a crisp red apple acidity’ and it was amazing! I also got to try their cold drip coffee, and for a coffee lover, watching the barista carefully prepare the cold drip coffee was like watching a scientist concoct a winning formula. When I used to think of cold drip coffee, I would immediately think of the uninviting filter coffee served in dodgy diners in American movies. If you make the same association then make sure you do try a cold drip coffee from a quality coffee roaster like Proud Mary and I guarantee you will change your mind set.

 

The wait for food was honestly a little longer than expected but once the large serving of ricotta hotcakes arrived it was definitely worth the extra wait and the extra hungry appetite that ensued as the portion sizes were very generous. The hot cakes were equally as fluffy as they were delicious so what happened next was a very rare occurrence for me. Despite the hotcakes tasting absolutely delicious, I struggled to finish my meal because I was getting so full! Not complaining about though, I just wish I invited another friend to help me finish eating it! The Potato Hash was an interesting and delightful take on a big breakfast and the banana and toffee porridge was delicious, very filling and sweet without being sickly. The café interior had an industrial and funky design, reminiscent of what you would find in the meat packing district of New York, complete with old school Hip Hop music playing in the background which the staff were clearly enjoying as the the barista danced while making the coffees! Well you know what, their awesome coffee makes me want to dance too! So far my visits here have been really enjoyable and I can do recommend this place to coffee lovers and those with big appetites!

Potato Hash at Proud Mary

Potato Hash at Proud Mary

Ricotta Hotcakes at Proud Mary

Ricotta Hotcakes at Proud Mary

 

Proud Mary on Urbanspoon

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Short Round – Dining Review

The name of the café Short Round may have you recalling the pint-sized sidekick character of Indiana Jones, as an employee informs me this character is the café’s namesake. Alternatively, the location of this café may have you recalling visits to the pet and animal supply store that previously occupied the same site, as one former Thornbury resident informs me. Before stepping inside Short Round, I was told of the memories of a former Thornbury resident, visiting the same address with her father in the seventies to purchase chicken manure for their veggie garden. Well, that definitely was hard to picture once I stepped inside, as this place has been completely transformed into a bright, spacious and modern café. The space itself is open and fresh, with tables inside as well as a lovely outside balcony area. I particularly liked that table areas were quite spacious, and chairs and tables were not crammed in together, which is pleasantly appreciated considering this is becoming an increasingly common feature at popular cafes that try to cram in as many patrons as they can.

Short Round Coffee

Short Round Coffee

Between our group of four, I tried the Vanilla Bean Oat Porridge, the Butterscotch house made waffles, the Potato, Chorizo and Manchego Omelette and the Bacon and Cheese Scramble on Brioche Sliders. Honestly, my group shared the same opinion, the food was nice, but there was no real standout. While each dish was cooked well, the dishes just tasted a little blander than expected. The service was attentive and the wait for food was reasonable, but while the food ultimately was true to its menu described, it managed to deliver just a little short. Considering this café is quite new, the potential and quality is definitely there, I would have preferred bolder flavours to make the dishes a little more memorable. The relatively small serving sizes didn’t help either, especially given the price, which is not to say the menu was more expensive than other great cafés around town, but for the simplicity of some of the dishes and smaller serving size, the meals did seem a little overpriced. However, that being said, with meat from local butcher Velimirovic, and Proud Mary coffee, Short Round knows good quality, and the coffee was hands-down fantastic. Many great baristas make good coffee, but tend to prepare it a little on the milkier side, but I loved that the coffee from Short Round was refreshingly stronger than usual, and it was marvelous!

Although I didn’t get to try it, the Bloody Mary’s breakie looked like a standout, and sounded like a more exotic and interesting dish that would be worth a try! The menu is available online, which is always helpful, and I can imagine this would be a new favourite for locals, I know I would come again, just based on the coffee… and maybe to try that Bloody Mary’s breakie!

Butterscotch house made waffles

Butterscotch house made waffles

Vanilla Bean Oat Porridge

Vanilla Bean Oat Porridge

Potato, Chorizo and Manchego Omelette

Potato, Chorizo and Manchego Omelette

Short Round Cafe Interior

Short Round Cafe Interior

 

Short Round

731 High Street,

Thornbury, 3071

Tel: 03 9484 3904

Hours:

7am -4pm Tuesday – Friday
8am – 4pm Saturday -Sunday

Short Round on Urbanspoon

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Story Coffee and Foodstore – Docklands

Dockland workers rejoice!

The Docklands is an area of fairly slim pickings when it comes to the amazingly good coffee many Melbournites are now spoiled for choice with.  Thankfully, Dockland workers and residents alike no longer need to venture too far to enjoy their heavenly cup of caffeine, with Dukes Coffee unveiling their fancy new digs, Story Coffee and Foodstore.

I only had time to pop in for a takeaway latte, and the coffee was great, a little towards the milky side but fruity and smooth.  I had a quick peek at the fresh sandwiches being made on site and the sweet treats available such as brownies, baked goods and pastries, which I am keen to try on my next visit!

The venue itself is a sweet little escape from the corporate area and construction sites just a step outside this store. The café’s interior takes advantage of warm lighting and soft music that creates a very cosy and inviting ambience, so much that you may find yourself wanting to stay long after your takeaway coffee is ready! I look forward to returning.

story coffee and foodstore

 ps. Please excuse my very amateur photos at the moment as I am I am currently shopping to buy a new camera!

 

Story Coffee and Foodstore

NAB building (concourse level)

700 Bourke Street, Docklands

9600 0558

http://www.dukescoffee.com.au/

story• on Urbanspoon

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