The Green Refectory

The Green Refectory 

115 Sydney Road
Brunswick VIC 3056

Melbourne, Australia

So now I am back in Melbourne, extremely excited and missing all the awesome cafes that I have missed out on over the past year. One of my first few 'must visits' was The Green Refectory along Sydney Road, Brunswick. Tuck away from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne CBD, which sometimes prove to be a challenge to locate cheap and good food, Green boasts an extensive array of food items, and most of which never seem to disappoint. Green has an indie and alternative feel to it, and the hassle free, non pretentious and wholesome items on the menu definitely has something in store suited for every single person's taste buds.

Pasta salad with rocket, black olives and fetta

Orange, pineapple and apple juice A$3.90

Steak & Mushroom Pie with homemade ketchup A$3.80

Verdict

7/10

The Green Refectory prides itself for serving up fresh and tasty food at really affordable prices, and I can definitely vouch for that! The assortment of pies on offer are simply mouthwatering, and for me personally, the steak & mushroom pie is always the winner. The puff pastry enclosing what lies beneath is not only crisp and buttery, its flaky texture made the pie such a delightful treat! Matched with Green's homemade ketchup, which is tangy and sweet, I am always tempted to have a second serving. Green would definitely the place to go if you want your value for money, and I am sure you will a guaranteed a good meal and leaving with the place with a very happy stomach.

Olive & Gourmando

Olive & Gourmando

351 Rue Saint Paul Ouest

Montreal, QC, Canada

http://oliveetgourmando.com/

This post officially marks the end of my time in Montréal, and it is bringing back heaps of gastronomical memories at this very point. One of the notable places that I visited before leaving the city would be Olive & Gourmando, located in Old Montréal, this bakery/café is know to serve up the city's best gourmet sandwiches, and with a price to match. This joint is always packed during lunch hours and on weekends, they even run out of some of their signature sandwiches! So be sure to get there early to avoid any disappointment! 

       

(Translation) *No, the brownie is not a vegetable!

Valhrona Chocolate Brioche C$3.95

Daily Special - Shrimp Burger

The Cubain - Ham, braised pork, homemade mayonnaise (chipotle peppers, pickles, lime & coriander), with gruyère cheese C$9.95

Verdict

8/10

The Valhrona chocolate brioche is to die for! Definitely not for the faint-hearted (highly recommended to be shared among friends). Another one of my favourite sandwiches, which was sadly sold out when I was there, would be the Grain-fed Chicken sandwich - chicken breast with guacamole, cajun spices, tomatoes and fresh mango (C$9.95). I am such a huge fan of avocado, and guacamole of course, and the combination of this and slices of fresh mango just elevates the sandwich to a higher level. Whoever says that sandwiches are boring? Olive & Gourmando shows you how creative one can be when it comes to creating sandwiches, which also one of the reasons customers keep going back for more! If you ever think that one sandwich would be too much for yourself, SHARE! Also, always remember to leave some space for the awesome baked goods that they have on display cause they are simply too hard to resist!

Crema Cafe

Crema Cafe

27 Brattle Street

Cambridge, MA 02138

United States

http://www.cremacambridge.com/

So this post marks the end of my stay in Boston, and I'm keeping the best for the last! My folks and I were visiting Harvard University and we were looking for a lunch spot in Harvard Square when we chanced upon Crema Cafe (there was a huge line extending out of the cafe which caught our attention). Well initially we were put off by the crowd, but the ever curious me decided to find out why this cafe's so popular, and the moment I stepped into the cafe I was invited by this pleasant aroma of coffee beans - there was some serious coffee-making going on here. I was really intrigued by some of the lunch options, and that was when the inner foodie surfaced and I was determined to have a review on Crema.

Just in case some of you guys wonder what crema stands for, here's a little description of the what it means..

" Crèma is the lovely, golden foam of coffee oils that covers a straight shot of espresso. Thick with aroma and flavor, it is the sign of proper coffee extraction. The crèma makes a "cap" which helps the cup retain the aroma and flavor of the espresso. A good crèma will last a couple of minutes before settling."

Tomato Bisque US$5

Canelé

Sweet Potato - With avocado, green apple, sprouts, hummus & caramelized
shallot vinaigrette on toasted wheat. Sweet Potato Chips on the side. US$7.95

Verdict

8/10

Writing this post makes me miss Boston even more! I am pleasantly surprised by the quality of food at those ridiculously affordable prices! Who bothers going to fast-food joints anymore if you have such an awesome variety of meal options at Crema Cafe. This cafe also prouds itself as a bakery, and the baked goods are to die for! I had a hard time deciding what to have before I went for the canelé, which I would very much prefer over the macaron. Plus I'm just so into the idea of having sweet potato chips, mash and fries - bring it on! Definitely one of best cafe experiences during my year in Canada, or North America, where I was missing out heaps in Melbourne. But hey, I can see Crema Cafe doing potentially well in Australia, just cause it is that finger licking good.  

Union Oyster House

Union Oyster House

41 Union Street

Boston, MA 02108

United States

http://www.unionoysterhouse.com/

So the foodscapade adventure in Boston continues, and it just keeps getting better! My folks really wanted some good seafood, so I decided to to bring them to Union Oyster House (it was packed the last time I was there on a Friday). Lucky for us, it was a weeknight and they had a table for us, but the place was still pretty crowded, and that got us a little excited. This historic restaurant, which have been serving the community since 1826, has a old England charm to it, which I think really allow patrons to immerse in the restaurant's vibrant history and reputation. By the time we were greeted by our server and seated, we were all ready for some fresh seafood.

 

Corn Bread

Lobster Ravioli,  in lobster cream with sherry and fresh herbs US$14.95

 

New England Hardshell LARGE lobsters US$49

Lobster Scampi, medium lobster sautéed in garlic butter,
tomatoes, fresh herbs and white wine served on a bed of linguine US$29.95

Verdict

8.5/10

Nevermind that this restaurant is packed with tourists, in fact I think it prouds itself as a tourist destination where everyone needs to visit when they are in Boston. Union Oyster House definitely lives up to its reputation of serving patrons the best seafood. The freshly shucked oysters were delectable, and both the Lobster Ravioli and Scampi were definitely winners. The latter had pasta cooked to perfection and the white wine sauce was just heavenly. For the price that you're paying for, I definitely feel that we were getting our value for money. I would highly recommend this place to anyone who finds themselves in the city, and make sure you put on one of those bibs provided by the restaurant just in case it gets too messy!

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

Trident Booksellers & Cafe
338 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02115,
United States
http://tridentbookscafe.com/

Even though I am not exactly a big fan of Boston as a city (I very much prefer NYC!), I have an exceptional soft spot for the eminent cafe culture  in Boston City. One of my favourite discoveries (I have been there on two separate trips) would have to be Trident. Located amongst the hustle and bustle of Newbury Street, this bookseller and cafe is a relaxing spot for all, especially if you like the novelty of having a meal while being surrounded by books.

Lemon Ricotta French Toast

Thick sliced Challah Bread with lemon cheese filling topped with blueberry sauce US$9.95

Prosciutto & Melted Brie

Prosciutto, fig, mesclun greens and brie on and Iggy's sourdough baguette US$11.95

 Verdict
8.5/10

It was a delightful lunch that I had at Trident. The extensive menu made it real hard to make a decision, and I wish I had the capacity in my stomach to order every single item on the menu! (think Sweet Potato Pancakes / Apple & Brie Omelet). I like how they put together different ingredients and create dishes that we are so used to having on a daily basis. Well I guess it kinda goes to show that Americans do actually take pride in what they eat! The Lemon Ricotta French Toast was probably one of the best that I have ever had - the lemon infused ricotta harmonized perfectly with the blueberry sauce, which is different from the usual french toast soaked in maple syrup. Also, the Prosciutto and Melted Brie sandwich is definitely a must have! Add a side of sweet potato fries ($3.50), and I swear you will not regret adding them on to your meal! (it got me hooked onto sweet potato fries) So if you're looking for a good, cheap, and relaxing place to go in downtown Boston, definitely do check out Trident, and I am definite that you will not leave the place disappointed.

Le Garde Manger

Le Garde Manger

408, rue Saint-François-Xavier
Montréal, QC H2Y 2S9, Canada

http://chuckhughes.ca/

I'm back! My apologies to my readers about the non-activity over the past few months. In short, I left my heart in Montréal, and now I am back in Melbourne (yay to brekkie and coffee!) There are still a couple of place in Montréal that I visited before I left, so hang in there while my final gastronomical adventures in Melbourne will begin in no time!

This dinner at Le Garde Manger was a bittersweet one - it was a goodbye dinner with A, a dear friend of my that I met on exchange in Montréal. We managed to secure a booking at the bar on a Tuesday evening (lucky for us!), and we were all excited to find out what is all this hype about the amazing Lobster Poutine that everyone have been raving about (and of course in hope of catching a glimpse of chef Chuck Hughes). Just in case some of you have never heard of, or had poutine before, here's a little background. Located in the old port of Montréal, LGM's compact and cosy interior, matched with minimal lighting with the use of candles, brings a whole new lot of meaning to the intimate dining experience.

Blackberry and Grape Cocktail

Salmon Tartare

Lobster Poutine

Lobster Risotto

Grilled Chicken with Popcorn Shrimps on Mash

Verdict

7/10

Well sad to say, A and I were not blown away by the food at LGM. The highlights of our meal were the cocktail (a must have!), lobster poutine, and the salmon tartare. The main courses, on the other hand, seems to fall short of our expectations. Especially with the lobster risotto that I had - the risotto were not well cooked, and had a little crunch to the arborio rice, even though the lobster claw meat was cooked to perfection. I have no qualms that LGM has a bunch of friendly and dedicated servers/bartenders, which A and I had a little bit of help from. Overall, definitely not one of the best that Montréal has to offer, but if you happen to find yourself in the old port of the city, and a spare bit of cash to spend, then Le Garde Manger would probably be one of the options that you would consider.

Au Pied De Cochon Cabane À Sucre (Deux)

Well I decided to split this post into two different parts, because there's just so many photos to share! So here's part two of the sugar shack experience at Au Pied De Cochon Cabane À Sucre. The dish below all also marks the start of the decrease of my stomach's capacity to ingest anymore food. However, I persisted and fought on, and I am SO glad I did. Read on to find out why...

Lobster Egg Souflée with Potatoes and Crisped Pork Lard

This was definitely the best dish hands down for both J and I. The egg souflée was cooked to perfection, and the chunks of lobster meat completed the dish in an almost high fashion, haute couture way, like how I would describe it. The crisped pork lard added a nice flavour and texture to the dish, and it was simply delectable to savour the dish in every single way.

Roast Chicken in Beer & Maple Sauce with Gnocchi and Foie Gras

Tire D'Erable (Maple Taffy on Snow)

Panfried Sweet Pancakes in Duck Fat

Apple Tarte Tatin with Vanilla Bean Ice-cream

Serving one of my favourite dessert of all time when I am almost stuffed to the brim was definitely not a very smart move. However, like I always say, we all have a separate stomach for desserts, and that was just what I did. The tarte tatin was SO delicious I was almost jumping in joy. The perfectly cooked caramelised apples on a bed of buttery puff pastry made my day. I first learnt of this dessert on Masterchef Australia, and have since been on a mission to hunt down the best, and frankly speaking, this was the BEST I have tasted.

Nougat Ice-Cream Dome with Dark Chocolate Sauce and Maple Fairy Floss

Nougat Ice-Cream Dome with Dark Chocolate Sauce and Maple Fairy Floss

Maple Macarons $4.50

Verdict

8.5/10

I could have easily given them a 10/10, but I think there are many different aspects that APC can improve on to make it a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all. I would definitely help if they haven't made us wait for our tables (close to 45 minutes), and if there was a better system in place for making payments. But really, there is hardly anything for me to pick on in terms of food, and now that I can only dream of my experience at APC, I also can't wait for the next time that I will be back, ready for a day of calorie-loaded-maple-goodness.