ICE CREAM FILLED PROFITEROLES DIPPED IN ICING @ GELATO MESSINA PATISSERIE, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY
Let me introduce you to the holy grail of ice cream parlors. If you get easily excited by sweet things then I'd turn away now because Gelato Messina's creations will most definitely drive you to complete madness.
A cousin of mine recommended Messina to me, after which I couldn't sit still until I had visited it myself. I was so eager that I completely didn't realize there were two different Messina shops next to each other...one patisserie (as seen on masterchef) and the other the actual ice cream shop.
The Patisserie is wonderful but not as great as the one next door in my opinion. The Patisserie has a small but interesting menu to choose from, all with quirky names in tact and incredible presentation.
My mum and sister tried the ice-cream filled profiteroles which weren't to my taste. I'm thankful to have friends and family who reluctantly let me try/eat their orders! The profiteroles were too hard to crack into due to the ice cream inside. It was a difficult process and not one I enjoyed much at all.
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BIGGIE S'MORES: CHOC-COATED PEANUT GELATO, PEANUT NOUGATINE SHARDS AND MARSHMALLOWS ATOP MESSINA'S HOME MADE CHOCOLATE GRAHAM CRACKER @ GELATO MESSINA PATISSERIE, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY
I chose the Biggie Smore option which was miles miles better than the profiteroles. Call me a food guru, I'll answer.
What was most impressive about my choice was the Messina home-made chocolate graham cracker! I found it to be moreish and utterly delicious!
Each dessert at the patisserie comes to around 20-30 dollars which is expensive I agree but alright for the one of treat.
They also do beautiful ice cream cakes for quite a price but if you're looking for something absolutely unique then I'd definitely head there.
ICE CREAM FLAVOURS @ GELATO MESSINA, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY
Okay so please tell me...what other ice cream shop in the world creates flavours based on Game of Thrones?! Based on that fact alone Gelato Messina is #1.
Forget the GOT flavours though...even their 'average' flavours are the most exciting I've seen in a while...pandan & coconut, lychee martini, blood orange...the list goes on.
They let you try the ice cream before you decide on what flavour so that's always a great thing!
If ever I end up in Sydney a little long term I'd definitely make it my mission to try each and every flavour. It's a tough mission but somebody's gotta do it.
CHOCOLATE COATED COVERED STRAWBERRIES @ DARLING HARBOUR SHOPPING MALL, SYDNEY
This really doesn't need much explanation...strawberries covered in chocolate...always a good thing! If you're ever at Darling Harbour Shopping Mall head to the food court and check out the other chocolate dipped wonders they have to offer...everything from pineapple to marshmallows.
BURRITO @ COCO CUBANO, OXFORD STREET, DARLINGHURST SYDNEY
Coco Cubano on Oxford Street is a sweet little restaurant/cafe with a Mexican inspired menu. I can imagine the cocktails would've been really tasty but I was there for breakfast with my parents so drinking at that point wasn't really an option.
The burrito was lovely, not sickly filling...just the right amount of rice and meat!
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NACHOS @ COCO CUBANO, OXFORD STREET, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY
Ma had the nachos which she said were 'average'. I feel like nachos are one of those dishes where wherever you have them they'll always be decent. It's pretty hard to screw up nacho chips, salsa, melted cheese, minced meat and guac.
Ma had the nachos which she said were 'average'. I feel like nachos are one of those dishes where wherever you have them they'll always be decent. It's pretty hard to screw up nacho chips, salsa, melted cheese, minced meat and guac.
BOUNTY HOT CHOCOLATE @ COCO CUBANO, OXFORD STREET, DARLINGHURST, SYDNEY
This a must try! Coconut hot chocolate doesn't beat chai tea latte's but it definitely comes close.
SMASHED AVOCADO WITH POACHED EGGS @ TWOTWOZEROFOUR, MARRICKVILLE, SYDNEY
Twotwozerofour is definitely one of Sydney's best kept secrets! It's a beautiful little cafe in Marrickville with the best breakfast/brunch food I've ever tasted.
The cafe itself is beautiful design wise, simple and completely on trend. The staff are just as lovely as the coffee they make! The only problem is that it's too far away from London.
Sam ordered the smashed avocado with poached eggs which looked delish! It's the perfect meal to keep you going throughout the day.
FRESH JUICE, LATTE, FLAT WHITE & BANANA + HONEY SMOOTHIE @ TWOTWOZEROFOUR, MARRICKVILLE, SYDNEY
One thing I love about Syd coffee shops are the little jars they serve their juice in. Not only do the juices look great they tasted great too.
I wholeheartedly recommend the banana and honey smoothie! So refreshing.
The coffee at twotwozerofour was the best I tasted whilst in Sydney. They really know how to make a good flat white.
One thing I love about Syd coffee shops are the little jars they serve their juice in. Not only do the juices look great they tasted great too.
I wholeheartedly recommend the banana and honey smoothie! So refreshing.
The coffee at twotwozerofour was the best I tasted whilst in Sydney. They really know how to make a good flat white.
12 HOUR BRAISED PORK, RED SLAW & FRIED EGG ON A TOASTED BRIOCHE BUN @ TWOTWOZEROFOUR, MARRICKVILLE, SYDNEY
Out of all the meals I had whilst in Sydney this one comes out right on top. The picture simply does not do it justice.
If you're heading to twotwozerofour do not eat before you go...their meals are designed to fill you up for the whole day. The coffee, smoothie and the meal was all far too much for me to handle...I couldn't walk properly afterwards.
THE KING'S PLATTER @ CAFE SHENKIN, ERSKINVILLE ROAD, NEWTOWN, SYDNEY
Cafe Shenkin was recommended to me by a few of the food guides in Sydney. They serve Iranian food which is not only really tasty but very healthy and affordable too! Their portion sizes are huge so whatever you order is bound to fill you right up.
I tried the King's Platter which included twice toasted eggplant, tahini paste and Persian salad. It wasn't the best thing I've tasted but it was really good for the price and size.
Cafe Shenkin was recommended to me by a few of the food guides in Sydney. They serve Iranian food which is not only really tasty but very healthy and affordable too! Their portion sizes are huge so whatever you order is bound to fill you right up.
I tried the King's Platter which included twice toasted eggplant, tahini paste and Persian salad. It wasn't the best thing I've tasted but it was really good for the price and size.
FAMOUS GRILLED CHICKEN WRAP @ CAFE SHENKIN, ERSKINVILLE ROAD, NEWTOWN, SYDNEY
The grilled wraps at Shenkin are HUGE. One of these bad boys and you'll be in a food coma for days.
DIPPING PLATTER @ CAFE SHENKIN, ERSKINVILLE ROAD, NEWTOWN, SYDNEY
The dipping platter at Shenkin is perhaps one of their best things on the menu! I love how simple the meal is...just bread, falafel, dips and pickle. Beautiful presentation too.
The dipping platter at Shenkin is perhaps one of their best things on the menu! I love how simple the meal is...just bread, falafel, dips and pickle. Beautiful presentation too.
KOREAN BBQ BEEF @ ORIENTAL SPOON, LA TROBE STREET, MELBOURNE
Oriental Spoon was recommended to me by a Korean national...so of course it had to be incredibly good!
The service was friendly, helpful and very fast. I had never tried Korean BBQ before so I was super excited to try everything on the menu...of course that didn't happen...but the waiter gave us a run down of all the best stuff to try.
Go for bbq beef & calamari...to die for.
DESSERT TRIO @ STUDLEY PARK BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT, KEW, MELBOURNE
It's not often we've got the whole family together in Melbourne so we decided to go all out on a big family lunch. Studley Park Boathouse is BEAUTIFUL! So chill and great for picnics and walks. If you're looking for affordable food then there is a smaller, cheaper cafe apart from the main restaurant.
The main restaurant is very fancy so really only good for special occasions. We had the set menu which was lovely but in my opinion not anything THAT special. The desserts were the best overall and even that I couldn't finish by myself.
Forget the restaurant though and definitely head down there on a sunny day, feed the ducks and jump on one of the rowing boats! It'll be a day well spent.
It's not often we've got the whole family together in Melbourne so we decided to go all out on a big family lunch. Studley Park Boathouse is BEAUTIFUL! So chill and great for picnics and walks. If you're looking for affordable food then there is a smaller, cheaper cafe apart from the main restaurant.
The main restaurant is very fancy so really only good for special occasions. We had the set menu which was lovely but in my opinion not anything THAT special. The desserts were the best overall and even that I couldn't finish by myself.
Forget the restaurant though and definitely head down there on a sunny day, feed the ducks and jump on one of the rowing boats! It'll be a day well spent.
BARRAMUNDI @ STUDLEY PARK BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT, KEW, MELBOURNE
Just a photo to show what one of the main courses at the restaurant looked like! Lovely presentation but taste-wise not really my cup of tea.
Just a photo to show what one of the main courses at the restaurant looked like! Lovely presentation but taste-wise not really my cup of tea.
BEEF BURGER WITH ONION RINGS AND FRIED EGG WITH CHIPS @ AVOCA BEACH (1-2 HOUR DRIVE FROM SYDNEY)
If you have access to a car then do the drive to Avoca beach. It's incredible. It's not half as crowded as somewhere like Bondi and its just as (perhaps even more) beautiful.
Take a board down there for surfing or even take a quick class and spend the day building up your appetite before hammering the onion ring/lentil burgers. Best!
If you have time...follow the bay around to the right hand side of the beach and check out the sweet rock pools. If you're wearing flip flops be careful cause its super slippery...Emma learnt the hard way.
The cafe has a really great selection of food...not very healthy...mostly burgers but hey you're on holiday, go nuts. That's the excuse I kept using anyway.
BARRAMUNDI SPECIAL WITH ASPARAGUS & SALAD @ AVOCA BEACH (1-2 HOUR DRIVE FROM SYDNEY)
This was one of the specials...definitely the healthiest thing on the menu! Barramundi seems to be a much loved favourite in Aussie...they have it everywhere!
LENTIL BURGER WITH FRIES & GREENS @ AVOCA BEACH (1-2 HOUR DRIVE FROM SYDNEY)
I had never tried a lentil burger prior to this one. I have to say this one wasn't particularly great...the patty was far too thick and sloppy and I'm not sure I'd try one again...although I'm sure there are cafes/restaurants where they do it really well.
CAFE C, 281 KING STREET, NEWTOWN, NSW 2042, AUSTRALIA
If you like pina colada's and getting caught in the rain then you'll probably enjoy Cafe C's atmosphere and choice of food & drink. Its right on the corner of Erskinville and King St...easy to stumble across. On a completely unplanned visit we decided to check it out and see what their menu had to offer.
I was pleasantly surprised to find some really cool concoctions in the form of juices, smoothies and milkshakes. The one pictured here is called the Coco Chanel and it was indeed as fabulous as the name. The food was decent...we only tried their sandwiches but I can conclude that they were pretty satisfying and good value for money.
The place itself is light and airy with large windows opening out onto the street. It's got a Parisian air about it but more of the Aus flair.
PRESHAFRUIT APPLE & RASPBERRY @ COLES SUPERMARKET
Once again, I gave into the pretty packaging ploy. I tried preshafruit for the first time at my friends house in Melbourne...the non sparkly version. This one tasted miles better to me though! It reminded me of an Appletiser just with the added raspberry.
It also seems like it wasn't too bad for me considering no concentrates, no preservatives, no sweeteners, no colourings...just REAL fruit. I should've checked the back of the pack to be sure.
Once again, I gave into the pretty packaging ploy. I tried preshafruit for the first time at my friends house in Melbourne...the non sparkly version. This one tasted miles better to me though! It reminded me of an Appletiser just with the added raspberry.
It also seems like it wasn't too bad for me considering no concentrates, no preservatives, no sweeteners, no colourings...just REAL fruit. I should've checked the back of the pack to be sure.
VITAMIN FIX @ CONVENIENT STORES (I GOT MINE IN THE DOMESTIC AIRPORT)
I got my wee vit fix on the way back from Melbourne to Sydney. I have to be honest it tasted like shit but your supposed to knock it back whilst preferably holding your nose.
I never really know how to test these drinks...do they work?! Do they give you that little boost you need?! It doesn't matter...the bottle was sweet & that's really all that matters.
OLIO CUCINA, 30 BLOCK PLACE, MELBOURNE VIC 3000, AUSTRALIA
On my first morning in Melbourne my cousin decided to take me down this little alley way for breakfast. Block place is bustling with little cafes and chocolate shops...you really must go!
There are a number of places to choose from but I was easily swayed by the decor of Olio Cucina! The place itself is cosy and simple but very very elegant. I honestly didn't feel like I was in Melbourne...and I always find it so wonderful when a cafe/restaurant can set the atmosphere of somewhere so very different to it's immediate surroundings. If that makes sense?
Anyway the food and drink at Olio was superb! Simple, fresh and good value for money (although perhaps slightly on the expensive side when it comes to breakfast). My cousin ordered the pancakes with poached apples which looked too delicious...something to try next time!
Also note that the service is excellent! The waiters are wonderfully sarcastic and attentive. I'll be going back.
VEGGE BAR, 380 BRUNSWICK ST, FITZROY, VICTORIA 3065, AUSTRALIA
No way Jose will I ever forget about this place. It's always nice to eat somewhere that exceeds your expectations...it reminds you what good food is all about. Not only did the food amaze me, so did the location and interior of the place. Vegge Bar was super on trend with loads of space and a really compelling menu. I can honestly say it was one of the best and cheapest meals I had whilst in Melbourne.
I ordered the Moroccan stew (top right) which was perfect. Light and completely guilt free. Nana had the salad which looked great and she said it was also pretty delicious! The juices were fresh and real yummy.
Vegge Bar is definitely a place to be adventurous with your order...guaranteed whatever you try will be good.