Snap snap... Touche

HmMmm... Trawling the nets this morning... I came across this article...

I have lived in an oblivious state whereby "apparently" chef's and their staff are unwelcoming when it comes to bloggers.

When I do my food blogging and when I am taking pictures whilst dining (home and out) it has become second nature to me...

I am quite disgusted with restaurants that hold zealously that taking pictures of their food is a negative thing... if you have nothing to hide and you are proud of your food... what's the big deal?

Reading this article today makes me sad and I want to smack the arrogant and silly people in the hospitality industry...

I am not a villain... I love food...

NOTE: Since calming down and speaking to a few other's regarding this issue, I can understand how it is the restaurant's/chef's right to disallow the taking of pictures whilst dining at the establishment. However, how they go about it (rudely screaming at you, or politely telling you) is a different thing.

*sigh*

North East China Family @ Flinders Lane, Melbourne

One Friday afternoon, Funnyman and I decided to go out for lunch...


It was before the weather turned ice cold on us, but we were craving for quick Chinese... dumplings were the best option we could think of, so off we went... in search of the back streets of Flinders Lane...


We had both noticed (on separate occasions) that North East China Family was always busy and crowded during lunch hour, so based on that, we assumed that this was a good sign...


ASS-of-U-an-ME was what became of this visit...we were seated (with a group of 5 strangers), and were told that if we wanted pan fried dumplings, there would be a 30 minute wait... so with that ominous warning, we went with two steamed dumplings...


We decided to order the Chicken and Prawn Dumplings (15 pieces) $ 11 and the Pork and Crab Dumplings (15 pieces) $12... or as Funnyman called it, our Farmyard meets seafood dishes...

We were getting really excited (both very hungry as it was) and the fact that this place was so busy and full must have meant that the food was fantastic! (There was a line forming at the entrance, it was a Friday after all)...


Unfortunately, the excitement stops there... after waiting for 45 minutes and hailing the waitresses (who couldn't seem to communicate very well) and asking them three times (on separate occasions) how much longer it'd take, and with our lunch hour long past gone, we were forced to do the inevitable...

We walked out... on empty stomachs and the feeling of being cheated and unsatisfied...


Unhappy with that result, the following Tuesday (12pm sharp), Funnyman and I made our return...

And boy what a difference the service was on a normal weekday...


We were seated upstairs, and placed our order (we placed our order immediately upon being seated as we didn't want to waste any time)...


Our food arrived in 5 minutes!!!


Now if I had done this food review visit on a normal weekday, I would have given this an entirely different rating...

However, having had a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde experience with this place... I've been given an honest insight to the running of this establishment...

Service aside, the dumplings were nothing to shout about. Sure, they were good dumplings. But were they great dumplings? Dumplings that would make the Emperor of the Qing or Ming dynasty come back for more?

Definitely not. No where near the quality of dumplings from Hutong Dumpling Bar in the city, nor even the dumplings from Auntie's Dumplings in Carnegie... (Which reminds me, that I have to do a review there soon, I keep putting it off, because it doesn't need a review!)

Edible...But that's about it.

Would I come back for more? Maybe.. but definitely not during lunchtime on a Friday... I'm not too sure why the others keep coming back...

*Disclaimer: All food ratings are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality

Food/ Cuisine: Northern Chinese (Specialty: Dumplings)
Dining Style: Restaurant/ Canteen/ Asian Coffee Shop (Share Tables)
Overall Food Rating (Based on the Dining style): 5/10
Restaurant ambiance: 4/10 (I think I'm being too nice)
Service/ Attitude: 4/10
Value for money: 5/10

Address:
302 Flinders Lane
Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel:(03) 9629 9968

North East China Family
is open
Mon-Fri from 12.00pm-3.00pm & 5.00-9.00pm
Saturday 5.00-9.00pm

How to get there:

View Larger Map

Shi Raaz Fine Indian Cuisine @ Flinder's Lane, Melbourne

It's been a week since Ms Peachia left us... for our final meal together, we went to Shi Raaz fine Indian Cuisine on the corner of Flinders Lane and William Street...


I've passed it by many times, but never thought anything about it.. which is odd since I LOVE Indian food (when my mum was pregnant with me, she had Banana Leaf rice (Msian Indian Cuisine) nearly everyday for 3 weeks, or so the story goes)


My first impressions of walking in was... "Gosh, this is a posh restaurant!"


It was quite busy (Thursday lunchtime)


We gave our orders for various versions of Lemon, Lime and Bitters, which confused the poor waitress and she showed her disdain.. (I wasn't very impressed with her attitude)...


For Lunch, Shi Raaz offers great values and choices...

As a bunch, we ordered the Thali special (sized up) $17.50, they have a smaller option for $14.50


The Thali special comprises of Chicken Tika, Samosa, Chicken Korma and Lamb Rogan Josh (The beef option was changed because of me!)

I was a bit embarassed, but luckily no one complained... *pheww*


Also with it was saffron rice and roti...and a Papaadam... I love Papaadams...

Absolutely great value and the taste was pretty authentic as well.. I shall return another day with a completely empty stomach as I couldn't finish the $17.50 option (much too much food!)



*Disclaimer: All food ratings are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality

Food/ Cuisine: Indian
Overall Food Rating: 7/10
Restaurant ambiance: 7/10
Service/ Attitude: 6/10 (Could have been better in terms of attentiveness)
Value for money: 8/10

Address:
22 William Street (and Flinders Lane)
Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel:(03) 9629 6484

Fax: (03)9620 1928

Email: admin@shiraaz.com.au

Website:http://www.shiraaz.com.au

Shi Raaz is open
for lunch from Mon-Fri from 12-2pm
and
for dinner from Mon-Sat from 5.30pm-10pm

How to get there:

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Oriental Tea House @ Melbourne, Little Collins Street

Before I begin, I would like to apologise for the lack of posts in the last week... I HAVE BEEN feeling the pressure from all round, I can assure you...

It's just that I've been so swamped with work (assignment, work, cbf-ness), that the last thing I wanted to do was blog.. which is funny.. because now... my blogging hobby is becoming more and more like work!

I'd like to say "Hi!" to Funnyman... from work who has been very well trained by me to take pictures and notify me on any good eats he encounters (funny story... which I will go into more some other time)! Thank you!!...

I know... before anyone opens their mouths.. I have taken out my camera to do food reviews with my work colleagues during lunches... I know... I used my iPhone first (Which explains the poor quality of pictures in this post)... and last week, I took out my camera... Amazingly enough, all they did was laugh and shake their heads... and no more was said.. they must think it's a weird Asian culture... WHO CARES??!!!... Hahahah.. I can now do this happily at work, with friends, with relatives comfortably...


It was S's birthday last week, and she suggested that we have yumcha at Oriental Tea House at Little Collins.. I never knew they had an outley there, so happily agreed to go along...


I have not stepped into Oriental Tea House in nearly 2 years (and I've never blogged about it, as it was not anything spectacular...)... so I wasn't expecting much at all in terms of food quality and service...


So when we arrived (with no booking) and were ushered to our seats next to the kitchen, I thought to myself, "Alright... good spot... so far so good..."...

However, being near the kitchen did not necessarily mean we were provided with food first...


The one thing that I DO like about Oriental Tea House, are their selection of teas... I think we ordered Jasmine Green Tea...which came in this huge clay Grandfather-like mug... lols


The first dish we managed to snare was a Chilli Prawn dumpling... which was slightly spicy...(Duh!)


Next was a prawn and pork dumpling


Peking Duck


Scallop and Prawn dumpling


Sesame Prawn


Salt & Pepper Calamari


Chinese Brocolli with Oyster Sauce



Again, I was dissapointed by the lacklustre service and ineptitude of the serving staff... for the price we were charged, the quality of the dim sum could have been much better...

Instead, I feel that this is purely an establishment to lure inexperience yum cha diners into ... a high class yum cha restaurant with a low-mid class service and attitude...

Will I return? Give me another 2 years...Tea? Yes, please...

For good yumcha, you're better off trying your luck with Shark Fin Inn or Shark Fin House in Chinatown

*Disclaimer: All food ratings are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality

Food/ Cuisine: Chinese
Overall Food Rating: 5/10
Restaurant ambiance: 7/10 (I quite like the decor here, very different from the one in Chadstone and the one at South Yarra)
Service/ Attitude: 4/10
Value for money: 5/10 (for the amount of food we had, I missed out on 2 desserts, the custard egg tart and custard buns, we paid $25 each for the 4 of us!)

Address:
378 Little Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel:(03) 9600 4230

Fax:(03) 9642 8861

Email: ltcollins@orientalteahouse.com.au

Website:http://www.orientalteahouse.com.au

Oriental Tea House is open
Mon - Sat 10am till late and on
Sun - 10am till late afternoon

How to get there:

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So Long and Thanks for the Fish...

(Waking up on Saturday morning with a special delivery!)

Friday... my work with the Mercy ended... it had been a short 5 week stint temping with them...

(This bouquet set cost $109!!!)

But the friendships forged in the tough times will last for a long time...

(I said it was too expensive, my manager said, "NO! I want to do this, you've been invaluable to us! GO FOR IT!")

As of Monday this week, I have started a new role...

(And so we did, also thanks again for the cards... Cousin R and Fab... thank you for my pressie!)

It's been a long time coming, and I'd like to thank everyone in my life for being so patient and supportive...

(Saturday morning brekkie with beautiful flowers)

I'm back where I belong and I've never been happier...

Things I want at the moment!!!

I WANTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How cool is an edible gold/silver spray for boring foods??!!!!!!!!!!!

And you can get it here...at The Deli Garage

But it's sold out!! Grrrrrrr....

Can you imagine the things one could do with such a spray can???!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I WANTTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On a slightly less insane note.. I got a job offer yesterday at a utilities company... I'm stoked.. it's a permanent full-time position and I start on the 12th of April!!

Although I keep waiting for them to call me back and shout, "April Fools!!, we gotcha!... Unfortunately you really suck..."

I also want this, now that I can afford it...from Nespresso



I was in my cousin's house for dinner the other night, (she had one, and now I MUST HAVE IT TOO!)... for $500AUD...

I WANTSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!

Les Boucheries PART II

I JUST GOT A JOB!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!

I went for an interview today for something else, and something else came up and now I've got something!



I also went to Les Boucheries for lunch with Ms Tinymouse and Melbourne Munchkin!

Read about my first time at Les Boucheries here!

I love this place and can't get enough of it.. and getting the new job, justifies the money spent on lunch today... so YIPPEE!!!



I was the first to arrive as I finished my interview early.. and was sitting alone for about 30 mins...

I think the French waiter thought that I made up my "friends", and I had imaginery friends... I kept assuring him, "But... zey iz comingz... I swearz my soulz upon it!"... Okay, I didn't but it'd be fun, if I did!

Tentalizing olive bread with fresh butter, cracked pepper and sea salt... *I burnt my fingers on the bun*

It was the first time meeting up with Melbourne Munchkin.. which I find really surprising since I've been friends with her sister since the age of 6!

Duck liver parfait, toasted brioche, dried fig & pear chutney

We went for the 2 course lunch again, and I discovered that the prices have increased!... by... hold it... wait for it... wait for it...

*drumroll*

$0.50!.. yup... fiddy cents...

Atlantic hot smoked salmon, potato chive pancake, beetroot puree

The menu remained much the same (as in choices, i.e. fish, chicken, beef), but the preparation had changed of course... and it was still just as good *droolz*

Chicken breast, parsnip cream, chorizo sausage, salsa verde

Service was slow as usual (as is the French way)... so even though I got there at 12.20pm and gave our orders (I ordered for everyone first, because we were aware of the wait), the food arrived at 1.10pm along with the girls =)

Chocolate fondant, caramelised banana, banana wafer

Munchkin shared the meal with Ms Tinymouse, and ordered a separate dessert (pictured above), so don't go expecting to come here and getting extra food...

Baileys creme brulee, sugar crust, home made madeleine’s

Ms Tinymouse had to run back to work, and once again (like the first time), missed out on her coffee...

My not so much flat white, but rather a latte...

Overall Food Rating: 9/10
Restaurant ambiance: 8/10
Value for money: 8/10 (we went with their Lunch special, and not Express Lunch menu, which is cheaper... but it was good value...$29 for a two courser and a choice of drink)

Address:
268 Toorak Rd
SOUTH YARRA
VIC 3141

Tel: 03 8256 1636

Fax: 8256 1635