crazy food combinations

Someone said that "Chilli is not so much of a food as it is a state of mind. It's addictions to it are formed early in our lived and the Victims never recover". Chilli, spice, heat and some fire perhaps comes in different shapes and sizes and I have to say the mind of the individual will find one spice or chilli hotter than their friends. A scale that each of us hold to our own minds inception which will allow us to begin but also will determine the stopping point. An acceptance of a kind invitation has lead me with some fine chilli eating companions to Sichuan House Seafood, located in Richmond. Sister restaurant to that of Sichuan House, Melbourne. Owner Peter Lin Hu, a true lover of not only food but takes great pride in what his restaurants deliver. It was with great warmth we were welcomed into his restaurant as if it was like his home, combined with large gatherings of family it was as though we had been adopted. Peter explains to us that Sichuan cuisine has been th...

Our evening was a little strange I have to say as we enter an evening of uncertainty and dabble in a world of fingers crossed and hope for the best. Sure this could end up to be an amazing night filled with new flavours, but on the other hand we may be reminiscing a complete disaster. Our evening at Dainty Sichuan did not start off gracefully and I sigh that I have to say that. I have walked past and smelt the amazing aromas as I walk to the South Yarra station heading home from work and always filled with diners. The service this evening was the downer, as it was non existant. Not being able to catch a waiter who could explain how the menu worked was frustrating. More embarrassing is that we had to ask a siding table how it worked and what they suggested as it was difficult to even get another waiters attention. So we used recommendations and just went with it. The evening was going to be a hope for the best kind of night and wing it. Once a waiter was fla...

By day the natural light shines strongly through the tall glass windows, by night it's delicately lit by lanterns and fairy lights. Either way you choose wonder through the doors of David's you walk into a modern, soothing atmosphere. Smiles from welcoming staff nothing but a pleasant beginning to anyones dining experience. Tables set with the traditional painted China with chopsticks at the ready and tea on the way. There's a great feel tonight as I sip my delicate green tea and scour the menu. Suggestions are handed out left right and centre as the attentive staff explain the menu and tell us their favourite dishes. Don't think we are going to be going hungry........ Spiced Oolong tea quail eggs served with bean curd and wolf berries. What seems to look like a green olive is truly not. Soft boiled quail eggs are coated with the fragrance of the oolong tea, and served with delicate flavours to accompany with the bean curd and berries. Served at room temperature, it is ...

It's always the way when selecting a restaurant, that we choose to always travel furthest first rather than travel around the corner our local. It's strange how we think that although we pass it everyday and think to ourselves that, I should go there we never get there. We believe that it will be there tomorrow. But my question to you is What if it's not? What if everyone has had the same train of thought and your local has had to shut it's doors. It's not because they have served bad food, in fact it's one of the best local restaurants, but because everyone chooses to travel to the city, they have had to close due to the expanding restaurants and the diverse competition that a small local restaurant can no longer compete with. A local restaurant that I have finally made my way too is Bok Choy in Brighton. This quite large restaurant sits on the busy corner of Bay and New Street where many by passes travel along, dropping their children off at school and trying ...

Everyone knows Sundays are for either eating a Roast dinner or heading out for Yum Cha. Well I didn't feel like cooking and a night out with the hubby and a good friend sounded far better, so Yum Cha it was. Hidden off busy Chapel street Red door is like no other Yum Cha. Decked out in Asian Antiques where you find yourself dining amongst with cages and lanterns hanging above, and rich wood work surrounding you makes for a fascinating evening. You of course are able to purchase your table at the end of your night too if you wish, but lets see how you go with the Yum Cha first shall we? Our evening starts with a pre dinner drink and catch up, of which I splurge and go for the Alcoholic tea pot "Apple pie". Cider, bourbon, star anise and cinnamon served in the china tea pot. Served on ice this was a delicate and refreshing pre dinner starter, it could be an option though too to offer it heated as the spices would be more present but nun the less, when it comes to cider you ...

It wasn't without debate today whether to venture into a suggested dumpling restaurant in Glenhuntly when all the city dumpling places were booked out or didn't feel like eating at 10pm, but it proved to be better than we anticipated. It has been a long time since we had ventured into such a low budget interiored Chinese restaurant and did seem a little out of place, but the menu spoke dumplings and that's what I wanted. Hand painted walls bought some atmosphere but unfortunately not much more, with no music and a madiocre service made us left with not to much else to embrace with the scene of which we were taking in. An extensive menu allows you to select from dumplings, yum cha, large meals or noodles and vegetables so choices are not limited, but as you already know I was after dumplings. The first that caught my eye were the chilli oil dumplings, these heat smacking dumplings were cooked delicately and soaked up beautiful chilli heat from the oil. Defiantly one to clear...