crazy food combinations

When you think of Fruit Punch your mind takes you away to the tropics and being showered in mangoes, watermelons and sweet fruit goodness, an array of bright colours and of course white sand beaches. Here at Punchbowl Canteen they certainly deliver in the vibrant tropical colours in a more than uplifting way. Clean white walls with its quirky pastel fruity colours splashed around this spacious dining hall. The menu is tasty and enticing with a great assortment of flavour combinations in not only meals but in beverages as well. The Sunday Peaches Smoothie made with a coconut milk and yoghurt base was mixed with sweet Peaches, mango nectar and banana. A definite rev up for the morning, and also very pleasant to enjoy in the coming hot summer days. Not one to be on the healthy side of the wall and would still like to enjoy something on the milky side other than coffee, then head for the milkshakes. Flavours such as Strawberry cheesecake, Banana Cream pie and Gingerbread are sure to entice...

As a child I would always imagine a world of puffy white marshmallow clouds that I could bounce off and be showered with candy, drink from chocolate rivers and slide down rainbows made out of sour fruit straps. This has never come true to no surprise however today I came pretty close to this dream. Sugar Buns Cafe is pushing the limits to the craze of the Mega Shakes, so much so that you are almost terrified to touch it. A wide selection of choices from the Strawberry shortcake to something that is called Candy Land. As much as Candy Land would have been the closest image to my dream, I saw it go out to another table and I was to scared to take on the challenge.... Chicken! The Strawberry shortcake was a calm strawberry milkshake finished off with a solid mound of strawberry ice cream and then covered with strawberry tarts, white chocolate tim tams, musk sticks, wafers, strawberry coulis covered sponge cake, fresh strawberries and Persian fairy floss. Don't worry my next dentist ap...

I don't know about you, but there is something about a toasted sandwich that makes you feel good. Is it the buttery crisp coating, or is it the gooey melted cheese on the inside? A simple yet fullfilling delight that you would never turn your face to, if it was served to you by even the worst cook you know. Toasta has been something that has been on my radar for some time now, seeing their food trucks out and about, but being a weekend worker I have not been able to get there. Luckily for me Toasta has opened up a small little place nested on the corner of the quiet streets of West Melbourne. A simple offer of toasted sandwiches accompanied with a coffee or for those luxury types a beer or cider. Bringing things back to basics with a modern twist of flavour combinations. Take for example the the 'Greg', thick bread slices filled with a mix of scrambled egg, capers and dill with a touch of mayo. Added as extra sliced bacon and pickles. Rich but an utter flavour bomb to exper...

Winter is putting on it's charm with all this drizzle and gloomy skies. Normally on a day off such as this I would be rugged up on the couch watching TV series back to back, but today there was a need a need for food. Ten One Ate has been on my list for some time now, and one of my work colleagues keeps talking about it so there was no time like the present than to venture out into the streets of Essendon to experience it myself. This all sustainable and organic kitchen using local produce, has designed a rather leisurely menu to make for pure enjoyment. With a menu that offers Buttermilk pancakes with a limoncello curd or Truffle scrambles eggs served with mushrooms, goats curd and caramelized onions is sure to get the apertite thinking. Our choice this morning through was for the Potato waffles served with a hot smoked salmon, pickled heirloom beets, crisp kale, salsa verde and oozy poached eggs. This picture perfect breakfast was a true enjoyment to eat. With a well balanced fla...

A delightful bakery that serves fresh delicious delights and consistently has a line out the door for take away and full tables for most of the morning, is really saying something. It's a good place to be. Rustica is a modern and quaint little bakery that is bustling with local trade. Surprised in our luck we were able to stop in and grab a bite to eat and we were very happy we did. A Croque monsieur was not like the normal. Made with a soft pumpkin brioche and coated in cheese goodness and stuffed with ham was expected to be rich, and with seeing the size passing our table as we waited questioned how we would conquer it. To our surprise it was delicate and light and truly delicious and amazing to eat. So much so we went and brought a loaf of the pumpkin bread so we could make it at home. It's that good! I went for the selection board, filled with a salmon croquette, smashed avo, fritter and a poached egg with an oozey yolk for the hot selection. For the cold a bircher museli j...

Morning sun beams shine through the tall bared windows, which stream across the dark timber tables and shining above the succulents that sit pretty on the window ledge. It is a relaxing and calm beginning to a Sunday morning, and to be frank I wouldn't have it any other way. The Glass Den, positioned on the outskirts of the CBD and worth the extra drive to visit. Its tall windows and casual seating sets the scene of a relaxing and modern environment. It's everything you look for in a cafe, a stylish and hip brings nothing but pleasant moods to the scene. Soaking up the morning sun on my back I begin with a luscious St Ali blend coffee and get excited about the menu. Choosing something off the special board is always fun, it gives you more of what the chefs enjoy creating and lets them expand there minds and test new ideas. The choice of the Spinach open omelette with herded infused fetta, beetroot mousse, kale sesame crumble and red chilli was a hit. I swear it looked just like...

There's a place on Sydney road that sits quietly as busy punters drive past, you could miss it in a blink of an eye, but you would be truly mad not to stop in. Maddox Cafe located almost adjacent to the Aldi or the Retreat, with its large glass window grasping the morning sunshine. Quaint and relaxing this small cafe is truly going to deliver some perfect coffees and delicious meals on your visit. Take for instance my pancakes. Smothered in a delicate chocolate sauce with a good serve of raspberry finished with macadamia, micro herbs and freeze dried berries. A dish for a Queen as it looks so perfect on the plate. Pancakes that are soft and almost the hight of a crumpet. Looking dense but is disguised well as they are pillow like. Although I am one to share, on this occasion it was very difficult for me to part with such a deliciously naughty breakfast. I was on holiday's so I was not to care, in actual fact I'm pretty sure if I wasn't on holiday I still wouldn't wa...

There's nothing to be said when you find a location that is quaint and peaceful, and for those that struggle in the morning it's always a blessing in disguise when you stumble upon it. John Gorilla Cafe is tucked in the back streets of Brunswick west and although a popular choice with the locals, it remains to be a charming and relaxing. I enjoy the places where they are the perfect balance of busy, not over crowded but continues to have full tables inside and out. People aren't sitting of laps of the unknown and you can't hear the conversations of others. Walking through the doors you are greeted by staff from a high counter filled with daily baked goods. Now I say high because I'm a shorty, for others it's probably just regular size. Anyway........ Seating can be chosen from street, to inside or out back in the courtyard (my choice every time). The menu speaks simplistic flavours but each dish is packed of bold flavours making for an astonishing breakfast. On ...

It always starts with a coffee, and as I write this I'm thinking 'man I speak a lot about coffee and must look like a complete idiot in a shop making the perfect picture of what I drink'. But do you know what..... I don't mind looking like one of those people. I love escaping and what could be something that is boring to some can really mean a lot to the other. When I write, I have to say it's like I've eaten the meal twice. I remember the hints of salt and the textures and the smells drift past.  The roasts of the coffee and the sweetness of the desserts. I've recently had the adventure of dining at Fitzroy's Stagger Lee's. A quaint corner cafe that is rich in style with it's deep wooden tables and with eclectic touches of design. A BBQ Beef Brisket toasty would always be a good option here with it's beer onions, cheese fondue,  Luscious golden fried egg and the side of dill pickles and mustard. It's one for a man who loves their meet an...