Bakemono bakers, CBD MELB

I love waking up early in the morning and walking around aimlessly before the city wakes up. Less congestion and lower chances of unpleasant interactions with other individuals. 

Having been to Little Rogue on quite a few occasions, it was only natural for me to visit their sister shop a short distance down the road. We got there 10 minutes before the bakery opens and patiently waited for the doors to fully open.

Hojicha latte - has a good aroma of freshly brewed roasted tea and albeit being slightly sweet, I found it quite refreshing and a good start to the day.

Blueberry crumbled croissant, plain croissant, chocolate croissant and yuzu and almond croissant - Blueberry croissant had a thin layer of jam sandwiched between it's flaky buttery layers and was generously topped with fresh blueberries. 

Plain croissant and chocolate croissant were almost textbook perfect, only downside was the layers were slightly thicker. Yuzu and almond croissant had a good amount of citrus infused into the almond mixture. Overall, very satisfied and am looking forward to being able to dine-in in the future. 

Spicy Flames, Mount Waverley MELB

A little impromptu walk along blackburn road and I came across an Indian eatery that my friend was keen on for their value for money meals. 

At $10 for rice and curry, one would get a good serve of rice with chicken/lamb curry and three small serves of vegetables be it beetroot, kale, potatoes or beans. Slightly a bit more salty for my palate, this portion could feed me for 2 meals.

Chilli squid - priced at $15, I didn’t think I was getting a lot but was surprised when the lady behind the counter was genuinely trying to fit as much as she could into a 500ml takeaway container. Again, a little salty for me but nevertheless, it was delicious and would go well served with rice.
 

Pafu, Melbourne Central MELB

I’ve walked past Pafu a few times whilst commuting around in the CBD and never once did it cross my mind to try it out myself. For those unfamiliar, creamy types of sweets do not appeal to me but rather, receive the opposite reaction. 

I have bought a few for a friend as a treat and after much contemplation, I thought it’ll be nice to bring some home for sharing. Flavours include pineapple, apple, strawberry and a chocolate version; in addition to savoury options for those wanting protein alternatives. 

Priced at $16 for 4 pieces, they weren’t exactly the cheapest snack in my books. I tried the Apple and strawberry flavoured puff pastries that very night after purchasing some a couple of hours prior. 

The verdict? The delicious fruity filling and flaky puff pastry was a winning combination albeit its seemingly ordinary appearance. Despite using jam/preserve as a filling, I was surprised at how fresh and flavourful it was. 

Definitely worth a try and I would recommend getting the ones that came out freshly baked from the oven. 

Axil coffee roasters , MELB

I can be spontaneous on some days and this particular day was no exception. My body refused to let me sleep in even for an extra hour and so, I texted my walking pal to see if he was keen on going for a morning walk.

He replied almost instantly that he was going to the CBD to move a few items into his apartment and asked if I would like to join him. Yes, he threw in the promise of freshly baked croissants from South Melbourne market, a deal almost too good to resist.

So fast forward, we picked up our croissants and he parked near Melbourne central where I intended to plant myself at a cafe and catch up on reading. I passed by Axil on my way to use the lavatory and immediately headed there after using the washroom. 

I was surprised (and secretly pleased) that they have opened a branch in the CBD as this means I have yet another favourite outlet within my vicinity. 

 
Buckwheat and pistachio bircher muesli with rhubarb, strawberry and coconut sorbet - I was not in the mood for savoury options that particular morning and opted to have a fresh and lighter meal to accompany my cup of coffee. 

I rarely do eat muesli at a cafe as it is something that I can easily whip up in the comfort of my own kitchen but I have to admit that Axil does it well. The sorbet was a perfect addition to the muesli and gave it a refreshing boost. Not overly sweet nor bland, I would happily reorder this.

 Croque monsieur - as it name suggests, this dish is basically a pressed sandwich filled with cured meat and topped with melted cheese, fried egg and a small side of salad. As always, Axil did not disappoint. Prepared with utmost care and attention to detail, it was not overly moreish and was cooked to perfection,

Stanley, Mount Waverley MELB

All Melbournians are now entitled to “freedom” which gave most of us an opportunity to finally enjoy a meal outdoors, one that I am guilty of abusing. 

Stanley is located along a quiet street in Mount Waverley and is frequently by residents living in the surrounding quarters. After my first experience outdoors, I’ve learnt the importance of making bookings in advance.

Pork Benny - pulled pork served atop half a (deep fried)waffle and topped with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. Overall dish was well prepared and seasoned. Only qualm I have is it’s small portion size.

Hot cakes - served with strawberry purée, meringue pieces and a small quenelle of mascarpone. Whilst I liked the dish’s concept, the hot cakes felt dry on the palate and could do with some much needed syrup or cream. Sadly, portion size here did not fare any different from the pork Benny.