Popcorn & Toast.

Builders Arms Hotel; Collingwood.

Builders Arms Hotel

211 Gertrude Street

Collingwood

whipped cod roe

No stranger to the elevated pub food at Builders Arms Hotel, the whipped cod is one of my favourites. It’s the hot toasted focaccia soldiers that really seduces you to go in for one more bite, as well as those bright bursts of cod roe.

prawn omelette, aioli & smoked paprika // fish pie, smoked trout, prawns, rockling & sorrel // marinated tuna, celery, fennel & white anchovy 

The prawn omelette was light and fluffy with fresh prawn hidden within. The tuna fresh & the puff pastry on that fish pie was to die for. The side of green peppers was amazing and brought me back to the padron peppers in Barcelona.

chocolate terrine & brandied cherries

And the chocolate terrine was spectacular, thick & intense yet light enough to have you going back for more. With vanilla bean ice cream.

Tomorrow, our prix fixe encounter at Moon Under Water, followed by Cumulus Up.

Wonderbao; Melbourne CBD.

Wonderbao

Shop 4, 19-37 A’Beckett Street

Melbourne

We had one of everything except the egg custard & taro. Don’t overthink it, it’s steaming hot buns filled with messy goodness within and hot sweet soya bean on a cold wintry day. With endless hot sauce. My personal favourites are the gua bao.

 Especially that roast pork, we went back for seconds. Fatty and luscious.

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio; South Yarra

Burch & Purchese Sweet Studio

647 Chapel Street

South Yarra

explosive raspberry milk chocolate // coconut, passionfruit, ginger & mint // smoked white chocolate, aniseed & coffee

Always making for such a gorgeous treat, that popcorn honeycomb chocolate rubble is the wicked little tack on to my purchases. Those cakes, each one always an absolute pleasure.

Vegie Bar; Fitzroy.

Vegie Bar

380 Brunswick Street 

Fitzroy

I have been visiting Vegie Bar a fair bit of late, and let me tell you, vegetarian vegan dairy free gluten free you name it they have it, and baby it has never been this good. I had the mushroom stir fry here, packed with greens & mushrooms.

The salads are bright and vibrant, and I adore the lassis (something I had a fair bit growing up). The menu changes quite frequently.

That raw spaghetti looked gorgeous. I had the mushroom stir fry again, this time with vermicelli. Loving it.

Top Paddock; Richmond.

Top Paddock

658 Church Street

Richmond

kingfish w chilli fried egg, corn tortilla // pork belly & fried egg roll 

I am loving Top Paddock. Incorporating elements from Three Bags Full and Two Birds One Stone, it’s a bigger space & the interior is gorgeous.

The pork belly was fantastic - get it. Gelatinous, fatty, juicy with crisp crackling, I daresay neck and neck for my affections with the BLT at Dead Man Espresso. Those brioche buns were divine. They do good hot chocolates if you love the Cumulus ones.