Goldilocks - Hawthorn East

Goldilocks cafe - Hawthorn East

Those of you that follow Instagram will appreciate how addictive it can be.  Thus, the blog has again suffered with me trying to channel my inner creative side!  You know, and all those words you need to write when a picture can tell a pretty good story.  What the picture can't describe though is how good the coffee is, how delicious that meal was and whether the service was good or not.  So would you like to know what the pictures cannot tell about this new addition to the cafe scene in Hawthorn East?

The cafe is a bit hard to find, and really, if I hadn't been told about it, Goldilocks could still be just a fairytale about a girl and three bears.  But that's what we love about Melbourne isn't it?  Those hard to find places and hidden gems.

Goldilocks is in Stanley place, an alley way running off Camberwell rd alongside Dan Murphy's in Hawthorn East.  It forms part of the Firechief restaurant which fronts the main road but each place has a distinct menu.  So it's woodfired pizza and main fare at the front in Firechief, and breakfast/lunch at Goldilocks cafe right the way to the back (entry via side alley advised).  The interior is urban industrial, with wooden tables and an open, breezy communal feel. The coffee is standout, full and rich in flavour.  Their takeaway cups are on the smaller size, just the way I like it (not too much milk!) but I thought a little pricey at $4.  

There is a nice selection of sandwiches of which I ordered the chicken with mayonnaise, lettuce and dill cucumbers.  The bread has a crisp crust and soft doughy centre.  The sandwich also came with rocket lightly tossed in olive oil.  There is a nice selection of Italian sodas as well as your standard list of drinks.  I noticed there was a daily specials board too with a couple of soups on offer.

Contrary to some other reviews I have read about Goldilocks, I found the service to be good.  I don't really know why people bother posting a bad review.  Rest assured, if you make it to my blog, it must be good!


www.goldilockscafe.com.au

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Leo's fine food - Hartwell

As Melbourne delves further and further into winter, so too have I delved further and further into the warm comforts of home.  Although we have seen the shortest day, and really we are on the way up to Spring, the winter weather still has a long way to go.  As the rain falls and the temperature barely gets to double figures, my mind turns to the favourite winter warmers we love to cook in our home.

A recent trip to Leo's fine foods in Hartwell (near Glen Iris)  saw us stock up on many "essentials" including a favourite Rick Stein ingredient, Spanish pimenton.  Unlike the sweet Hungarian paprika and the heat of the hot chilli paprika, Spanish pimenton has a smoky quality and not a lot of heat.  It is added to almost all Spanish dishes, the most famous being paella.  Rick Stein talks of it being reminiscent of the red in the Spanish flag, the yellow coming from saffron which is also added to most Spanish dishes.

With it's smoky richness this authentic Spanish paprika was well worth the $7 price tag.  It has been utilised several times this week including a successful first attempt seafood paella and a wonderful chorizo pasta.  Having not used this type of paprika in our cooking before, we have been quite impressed with the richness and depth it adds to both Spanish and Italian style dishes.  And I think Rick would have been proud of our efforts too.






Leo's is a foodies heaven.  From the regular to the hard to find ingredients, Leo's is the type of place that could really hurt your hip pocket if you're not careful.  So many yummy things at every turn!  The fromagerie is a highlight, with the ever present expert on hand to offer advice on cheese selections for your next special dinner, or any night of the week really! There is also a liquor department which completes the one stop foodie shop.  A must visit for any dedicated foodie who loves to cook.


Check out their website for location and opening hours (there are also 2 other stores at Kew and Heidelberg).

www.lemaxgroup.com.au

Winter time south of the Yarra - Mr.Burch - again!

I know it has been an extremely long time since my last post, but a lot of water has passed under the bridge in the last 12 months.  I used to laugh when my mum would say "time goes faster as you get older" but now I get it!
So, before any more fast moving time goes by, it's back to the blog.  And what better time to restart than during the deep of winter.  With the Ugg boots on, the heater cranked and the footy on the TV (we are in Melbourne remember) here's what's been happening South of the Yarra this week...........

As the last of the autumn leaves fall and the sky turns grey my mind turns to the warm comfort food of winter.  And for consistently good food and coffee in a cosy environment it comes no better than at  Mr.Burch in McKinnon.  I know, I know, I have reviewed this cafe in McKinnon road before but I just can't go past its ever changing specials board and awesome coffee.  They source their ingredients locally, cook on premises and endeavour to be a sustainable business by recycling and composting.  And for these reasons, I drive across suburbs to reach this cafe.   This week I sampled the baked potato, served with home made baked beans, sour cream and bacon and partnered perfectly with a glass of El Nino Shiraz from the Victorian Pyrenees.  Warming to the soul.
Since my last posting on Mr.Burch they have converted the upstairs area to another dinning room with a fireplace which is great as this cafe continues to become more and more popular.  And be sure to check our their website as they often exhibit artworks by local artists.  All details, including opening hours, menus and current events can be found at (www.mrburch.com.au).