[Melbourne 2008] Food & Drink @ Ye Shanghai

Ye Shanghai
269 Swanston Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Date visited: 9/2/2008 (Day 1 in Melbourne) for dinner.


Shopfront


Yummy pictures adorned the window


Spareribs with tea-tree mushrooms

This dish looked unappetizing thus uninviting thus it sat on the table for a while before I finally found the courage to dig in. Not a wow dish but taste better than it looked, more importantly, the taste really suited our palette.

Sweet & sour Baramundi

The magnificent looking fish 松鼠魚, arrived at the table after 20 minutes. The sight and smell of this very well executed fish attracted glances from ALL the diners in the hall. A flutter of murmur around followed.

The fish was so delicious we polished the whole plate! Big King does not even like fish! We were still thinking and craving about/for the fish when we went back to the hotel later. When we wanted to satisfy our cravings just before going home, to our horror, the place is closed for renovation! Aiyo, so soi.

Pan-fried bun

As you can see from the pic, very lousy skin but filling was OK. This was only ordered when told the Nanxiang Xiaolong was sold out.

Total bill A$51.40. I think the fish cost A$28.40. I do think all dishes are reasonably priced.

This is seriously a must check out restaurant if you are in Melbourne, do not be fooled by the fact that the restaurant is located on a very busy section of Swanston St hence its reason of survival.

There is also the A$8.80 lunch deal worth checking out. Well, if it was still on when they reopen.

Mini Expo Sale January 2008

大事不妙! Even Mini Garage is having Expo Sale in January 2008! It's not good, it's not good........


Gifts from the Garage:- Sigg bottle, a bottle of bubbly, suction clock, an unbrella and a keychain. Quality bay bai oh.

Shlix Gelato

Shlix Gelato
364 Brunswick Street
Fortitude Valley

QLD 4006


They all look yum!


Our favourite flavours, from left to right:- pistachio (my pick), premium dark chocolate (Princess pick) and black sesame (Big King pick)

Best gelato we have tasted so far. The award winning gelato shop in Melbourne can't even compare (in my opinion, ha), needless to mention other gelato shops we have tried (countless, we are gelato freaks!)

The gelati at Shlix scream intense flavour with the smoothest ever texture. Slide down the throat like a dream while the flavour lingers in the mouth for quite a while. So if you want to eat several flavours at once, choose carefully. I made the mistake of having pistachio and blood orange sorbet at the same time, urghhhh, a no no. But indivudually, they taste like heaven.

Shlix is located at the Chinatown end of Brunswick St so it's quite accesible to tourists. The clusters of standalone boutiques on this side of Brunswick St (including nearby TCB) and round the corner Ann St give Melbourne's Flinders Lane a run for their money.

Back from Melbourne

I was back from Melbourne yesterday. Very tired and aching all over with blistered and blue-black feet. How my feet got blue-black I have simply no idea! It's not like I knock against anything.

Princess and I combed almost every inch of Melboune CBD till she was able to recognise and say the name of the place if we were there the second or third or the Nth time. We were even in Queen Vic market twice, orz.......Travel posts coming soon......

On the way from our hotel to Queen Vic market, we came across this

First Quanjude in Australia. Quanjude is a famous roast duck purveyor in Beijing. I had a peek inside, the decor is 'flashy' traditional Chinese and very opulent.

The restaurant is only opening tomorrow on the 19th Feb 2008. I had been hoping to be one of the first customers, alas it's not fated to be.

Visit the website for phone number and opening times.

Bling Bling Cocktail Ring

Purchased from Hollywoodstyle (shipping internationally).

From right to left: pink zirconia ring (A$10, on sale), multi-coloured stones ring (A$20, on sale), vintage hearts topaz (A$89) and clear zirconia earrings (free gift)

The main target for this time purchase is the yellow topaz ring, the other two rings were just sun-pian because they were so cheap! All three rings are very pretty and the multi-coloured one wears especially well.

All rings and the earring are set to the very high standards with no gluey and dangly bits.

Let's all get glam!

Gong Xi Fa Cai 2008

Happy(?) Chinese New Year Reunion dinner on 6 Feb 2008.


Cold plate consists of deep fried scallops, spring roll and 炒桂花翅 (stir fried mock sharks fin)

年年有餘 (Sweet and sour fish)


Braised sea cucumber, fish maw and shiitake.


Fish maw and mock sharks fin soup.


Pineapple tarts

I am so knackered. The cleaning, preparation, cooking, washing up, normal household chores, shopping (food) and jaga Princess...... I think it's all too much.

All the food turned out good (I think) but Princess say restaurant food better -_-''' orz......... Despite saying that she sure ate a lot especially the scallops.

Big King had to work late so no happy reunion :(

Brisbane on Sale! - Myer Loot

Cardigan from Tokito A$59.95 (not on sale but they are toooo pretty with bling bling buttons ohhhhhh)

Skirt from Regatta A$45 (reduced from A$90). This skirt is sooooo sui and luxurious to the touch, bought on behalf of a friend.

Metallic silver tights from Voodoo A$10 (reduced from A$30). Must have, trend still going strong this season.

Blue tights from unknown brand A$4.55 (original price unknown). Scouted from clearance bin. Goes very well with my super short Sass mini denim skirt A$35 (not pictured, original price unknown) and Sass long empire line sleeveless tee A$12.95 (not pictured, reduced from A$29.95).

Brisbane on sale! - Giallo Loot

Giallo
Shop 40-41 Queens Plaza
226 Queens St Mall
Brisbane 4000


Got 2 pairs of shoes at 50% off.


Left: Monroe (very light grey patent) A$94.50
Right: Beau (gold) A$84.50

This gold sandal look soooo pretty on the feet and most important, these 2 pairs are super comfy because the sole is flexible rubber.

PS. Giallo normally only offer 25% discount but towards the end of sale period they will do a 50% for a week only.

I maybe ugly but I taste good

The weird looking crustacean is called Moreton Bay bug, I am not sure if they can be found somewhere else. But boy they sure taste good! Sweet, succulent and springy, they are better than the mantis prawn!

If you come across them, eat them. Loads! But they don't come cheap, about $60/kilo. You'll get about 6 to 10 for a kilo depending on the size. I like them simply grilled!

Coffee Cheesecake (recipe included)

Quite a few people had approached me to request for the recipe of Alex Goh's coffee cheesecake I posted eons ago. Sadly I don't have the book with me anymore so I was unable to share.

I never stop trawling the net for cheesecake recipe. After a lot of trials and adjustments made to recipes sourced from the internet. I finally settled on the following recipe which suited my family's palate.

Coffee cheesecake

Light Cheesecake Recipe

Ingredients:

A Cream Cheese 250g
Unsalted butter 45g
Milk 112g

B Cake flour 37g
Corn flour 23g

C Egg yolks 6 (large size egg with shell on @50-55g)

D Egg whites 6
Sugar 115g

9 in round mould or 21cmx21cm square cake pan, base and sides lined with parchment paper

Method:

1. Put A into a double boiler or a heavy base saucepan. With a low flame, heat A until mixture is smooth, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat when there is no lumps. Set aside and let the mixture cool slightly. Caution: do not overheat or mixture will split.
2. Sift B and add to 1.
3. Add C, the egg yolks, to batter mixture and stir until well combined. Set aside.
4. Start to beat the egg whites on low speed. When it reaches foamy stage, increase speed to medium high and add the sugar tablespoon by tablespoon. Whip egg whites to soft peak (see below). Make sure sugar is completely dissolved.
5. Fold egg whites into batter. Make sure mixture is completely incorporated before pouring into mould.
6. Preheat oven to 170 degree Celsius. Bake in a bain marie (water bath) using boiling water with water reaching up halfway to the cake tin. If using loose bottom or spring form pan, double wrap the bottom and sides with aluminium foil to prevent water seeping into the pan.
7. Bake at 170 degree Celsius for 15 minutes, reduce heat to 140 degree Celsius and bake for a further 1 hour or until cooked (test with a skewer, it should come out clean).
8. Remove from oven when cooked. Let the cake cool slightly in the tin before removing and cooling it on the wire rack. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours) before serving when cooled completely.

Note:
1. Cake should not shrink but slightly is fine.
2. Every oven behave differently, several trial and error is needed to find the optimal temperature with your oven. The above recipe is baked in a fan oven.
3. SOFT PEAK STAGE - The soft peak stage is reached when the peaks of the whites droop slightly, when the beater is turned off and lifted. Do not continue beating past this stage as the whites will become dry.

4. If making coffee cheesecake add 3 tbsp instant coffee granules (I use Alta Rica) to 1 and mix well until completely dissolved. If making Irish coffee cheesecake, add the coffee granules and replace 65g of the milk with Baileys.

Irish Coffee Cheesecake


New York style caramel cheesecake

Hokkaido Scallops

At $33 a kilo, it's a bargain!! (Buy fresh at $5x.xx a kilo)

Grab one at Welcome Supermarket (Chinese supermarket) at Sunnybank Plaza.

Haven & Croft Free Range Chicken

Corn fed, free range and hormone free chicken is the way to go.

I normally get a 13 to 15 at Powerhouse market (@$10) but they are available at good butcher shop. Boy am I glad they are being stocked (chilled) at Superior Meats, Holland Park. After tasting sausages from various butchers, I find the Irish sausages at Superior Meats best suited my palate, Bangalow pork sausages are also very good.

Superior Meats

959 Logan Rd

Holland Park

The butcher shop has recently expanded and now include a seafood counter.

Breakfast at Powerhouse

Nothing beats carb for breakfast! Especially in the form of pancakes and waffles, yum!

The cake like waffle (pictured) was good but the traditional Belgian doughy/yeasty version is even better (round shape as seen on the stall banner)! Strongly recommend, must try!

The French Flan stall is always popular with people tapau (take-away) 4 or 5 at one go. Hmmm.....curious.....we ordered one with mushroom and bacon and cheese. It tasted like paper thin crust pizza. Nice but not die die must try.

Princess looking gloomy, she can't wait to tuck in!!

Princess @New Farm Park

Before moving to our current house, we would normally bring Princess to New Farm Park for her 'Happy Hour' time.

Princess is very clumsy XD, needed a lot of help to 'climb up mountain climb down sea' in the park's wooden playhouse.

Brisbane on sale! - Peter's of Kensington, the sale worth waiting for!

Peter's of Kensington
57 Anzac Parade
Kensington NSW 2033

Website: http://www.petersofkensington.com.au/Home/


My first ever Le Creuset, welcome to the family!

I bought (selling price/sale price/internet price):-
Le Creuset - Cherry Red French Oven Round 24 cm (349/251/225)
Laguiole - Bread Knife Red (39/??/35)
Global - Utility Knife 11 cm (70/44/39)
Global - Santoku Knife 18 cm (135/91/81)
Zyliss - 4 in 1 Slicer & Grater (30/21/18)
OXO - Good Grips Flexible Pancake Turner (18/10/9)

A whopping saving! Even cheaper than Everten online! Save even more by shopping online! Hurrah! Go go go shop now!!

Quan Thanh @West End

Quan Thanh
5/75 Hardgrave Road
West End
Queensland 4101

If you are on the lookout for cheap, tasty and reasonably fast service near Brisbane City, look no further than Hardgrave Road in West End.

This stretch of Hardgrave Road offers dining choices like Tibetan, Indonesian, Cafe and Vietnamese/Chinese.

We chose Quan Thanh on our first ever visit.

Inside the restaurant is air-conditioned and some al-fresco dining option too.

From left 3 (or is it 4?) coloured rice, grilled pork vermicelli salad and spring roll

There are some bad reviews on those restaurant guide sites, but our experience has been a pleasant one. From food to service to overall cleanliness, they're passable. If you expect every-sec attention to be on you and the wait staff practically answer your call at the oh just half-lift finger and constantly refilling your glasses once it's half-empty. For gawd's sake just go somewhere else, maybe the nearby posh Southbank.

I think the food was delish! Definitely one of the better Vietnamese establishments around.

After a hearty meal (did I mention the portion was generous?), talk a walk and have a browse at the nearby Shibui Homewares which sells homewares from Japan or pick up a loaf of organic sourdough bread from Sol Bread.

Jocelyn's Provision @ James Street

Jocelyn’s Provisions
Shop 8 Centro on James
James Street
Fortitude Valley
Phone: 07 3852 3799


Flourless chocolate cake, melting moments and mocha biscuits


Flourless chocolate cake with raspberries


Ricotta fruit cup

Jocelyn's Provision is touted to be a Brisbane institution. It is so famous and popular with the locals so much so that it is very much reflected in the price of their products. Oh don't get me wrong that I am dissatisfied with the quality for the moolah I parted with. The products are very good quality but to be honest they're actually achievable at home (at least in my kitchen). But I have to say they do a mean lamb pie and it's the only thing I'll go back to the shop for.

Oh, it's A$15 for the six-ish inch slice of the legendary flourless chocolake cake and $3.50 for ONE piece of melting moment (you know, just regular size, they are not humongous or special in any way). That kind of money will buy me gateau and almond croissants and macarons and eclairs in the nearby patisserie I am infatuated with hehe.........

To buy or not, to visit or not, you decide lor.....

Princess @ Edamame and Pacific Centre (again)

Mum and sis complained there's too few Princess' pics on the blog *guilty*

Princess checked out (aka running and climbing up and down everywhere -_-''') the place when there is only one other patron in the res enjoying his karaage set meal *yum*

Another pic taken at Pacific Centre before makan at Yahoo Seafood Restaurant.

This 'lil one is always making faces and very bising. She attracts a lot of attention everywhere she goes -_-'''

The Korean lady boss from the Korean minimart a few doors away from Yahoo was charmed by her and offered her a big juicy strawberry (washed). Princess was so happy. Most tam-chia she is, eat until the juices drop and stained the skirt >_<

Edamame @ St Lucia

Edamame

Shop2/224 Hawken Drv, St Lucia
Ph 3876 0060

A no-frill, self-service Japanese eatery in St Lucia, Edamame is anything but a plain neighbourhood Jap place (think Sushi Station, Sushi Train, Sushi whatever........).


Nondescript interior and communal long tables with stools.


Today's specials written on blackboard.


From the blackboard special, I chose softshell crab and seaweed salad set.


From the uniquely scruffy but comprehensive menu, Big King went for spicy ramen with char siew.


Our default order in Japanese eatery, karaage (fried chicken).

We arrived a little after 12pm, the place is deserted while nearby chippy and restaurants were doing a roaring business. Being our first visit, we hesitated going in. Big King was eyeing Song (Malaysian) next door, but I need my Jap food dose so we sit down upon my insistence.

We were bemused first time looking at Edamame's menu. Several pieces of coloured printed papers were clip onto a file rather impromptu-ly.

Big King was annoyed, flipping through the pages over and over again.

'Why nothing to eat one?' barked the King. The eyes hovering over the ramen page but scared to make the decision. It's a gamble ordering ramen in a place not specialising in it.

After an eternity, Big King finally decided to gamble, 'there's just nothing else I could eat from the menu'. Duh. (Big King shun sashimi, seafood, beef, chicken leg and not particularly excited with lamb)

After we placed our orders, patrons started trickling in. Within 15 minutes, the whole place is FULL @_@ Good thing we came early.

After another eternity, the food came. People who came at 1pm could be getting their food only at 3pm, closing time.

Food came, all is well. Everything was delicious and Big King was happy (proud) with his choice. I must agree with him. The soup stock was so tasty, I keep digging into his bowl.......

Karaage was the best we have eaten so far in Brissie. The side dishes for the soft-shell crab was exquisite and well executed, something I'll never expect from a canteen-style eatery.

Like Lizzy Loel wrote in Courier-mail, 'IF I were an urban planner I would make it compulsory to have an Edamame-type establishment in every suburb.' (September 17, 2007)

I couldn't agree more.

Mi Cafe - Wanton Noodles and Roast Duck Rice

Mi Cafe at Sunnybank Plaza, Mains Road


Roast duck rice (about $13.90)

Portion is generous with a side serving of greens.


Wanton and char siew noodle soup (about $10.90)

Prawns/shrimp in wanton is fresh and springy. Char siew is tasty as usual. Noodles retained its springiness even after soaking in the soup for a while. Result of fair bit of alkaline water added to noodles is suspected.

Myer Sale! - Plus Size Department

Ni, these are from Myer Plus Size Department.




This white blouse not on sale, around AUD60

Tetsuya's Black Truffle Salsa

Truffle is not for the cheapskates, like me.

There is so much rave about truffle so I decided to have a try myself. Recent visit to Black Pearl Epicure in the valley, I scored the much raved about Tetsuya's black truffle salsa. I have read how someone rushed to the counter and bought a jar after tasting it in the acclaimed Tetsuya's restaurant in Sydney. So my mind scream, die die must try!

The black dots in the scrambled eggs are the famed truffle. I was apprehensive putting it in my mouth cause, phwoarrrr, the smell! gila man it's like having the gas station right in your kitchen/living room/entire house!

Carefully coaxing Princess to try a small bite. 'Nah, eat lah, your favourite bah, eggs, ho chia bah'.

Princess took one bite and immediately spit out the precious 'black dots'. Covering her mouth with both her hands; almost inaudible mai liao, mai liao, still managed to escape through the heavily guarded mouth.

OMG, that bad??

Die lah, no choice, I have to eat ALL of it. *Sob*Sob* First time eating an expensive stuff so susah.

So I shove a BIG heap tablespoon into my reluctantly open mouth. It seemed the smell and taste hit the brain at the same time. TMD, it's like swallowing 2 or 3 gas stations in one go.

I think I'll just stick to my faithful smoked salmon.

*Sob* money wasted.

Krispy Creme

When is Krispy Creme coming to Brisbane?



My favourite is original glazed, heated, in microwave for 8-10 sec, hurrah, prepare for a taste of heaven, well, my heaven.

Green Tea Panna Cotta with Adzuki Bean

It was unlikely I would bake myself a birthday cake(haha I know so long ago my birthday, it was september last year!). Don't know why, just no mood......

So I made one of my favourite desserts, green tea panna cotta and served with honeyed adzuki beans because green tea and adzuki beans are 'good friends'.

Can't have it too often, gotta watch the waistline >.<

Princess @ Pacific Centre