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...

When you look for somewhere to gather with friends and have the opportunity to pass time over conversations and laughter then I have found the location for you. Lady Carolina sits on the corner of Lygon and Glenlyon in Brunswick is set for all your social needs. Dine in the front restaurant where it is decked in candlelight and warm interior, long bars and bustling with diners. Out the back is a more casual environment, layed down with grass flooring with a which stripped bar and trees. The perfect place to catch up with friends over some cocktails and a Mexican feast. Start with the simple char grilled corn on a cob smothered with coriander mayo and quesco fresco cheese. These cobs are certainly a crowed pleaser with us all ordering a second round. To follow was a fresh and delicious White fish Ceviche with citrus, chilli and sweet potato crisps. Fresh and vibrant, this beautiful tender fish with citrus bites in the flesh and a slight hint of chilli and coriander. A great starter to g...

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...

Theres never a moment where I don't get excited about going out and finding delicious food combinations where it explodes nothing but flavours and textures. Where chefs have thought about the dish and how they can take it to the next level. Being a home cook, I sometimes wish I had the resources to do what they do, to make my casseroles blow my husbands mind and have people lining up for hours to enjoy my cooking....wait take that back, please don't line up at my door to taste my food. You get the idea though. An evening out at Supernormal was a perfect evening of cocktails and food delights. Staff where on point with service, friendly and efficient and fast. A sometime rarity, when you are in a busy restaurant the upping the ante doesn't always show. Food at Supernormal is inspiring, and showcase some amazing produce with sublime flavour combinations. Nothing with so much power that it hides the main component of the dish. Everything is with restraint and respect. Tuna wit...

There comes a time in your life where all you want to eat are burgers. Delicious juicy meat patties with glorious goodness of fresh lettuce tomato and oozy melting cheese, squished together between a bun. Talent of burger in Melbourne is a big thing right now, and the competitive structure of making the best burger is underway. In recent events one of Melbourne's top 10 burger joints just so happened to open it's doors just only a few blocks away, and this is dangerous. Rude Boy Burger located in Brunswick West and Brother to the siding cafe LoLo & Wren is sure becoming a staple in the local area, with gatherings of burger go getters from 6pm. Believe me the crowds are a good sign when it comes to eating a good burger, I have started eating dinner at 5:30 so I can get in before the others. With Burgers such as the Onion Supreme, Wagyu burger topped with caramelised onion, golden onion rings, rocket, dripping melted cheese all in a soft seeded bun is mouth watering and gorge...