Tag: Melbourne

Categories
Drinks

Happy New Year!

Cheers! Wishing everyone a happy and prosperous new year, from my travels down under in Australia.

I spent a rather nice day between Christmas and New Year with a group of family and frends, wine tasting in the Yarra Valley. This is a major wine production region in the hills north-east of Melbourne. I mentioned this in my previous post and thought I would add a little more.

Our choice of vineyard (there are many) was Yering Farm Wines, who offer what they call guided wine tasting. Some readers may be familiar with this concept, but it was a new experience for me. The idea is that you sample 6 or 7 of their different wines, while a knowledgable member of the vineyard staff talks you through the particular qualities of each.

There is a tasting fee of 10 AUD. However, if you then buy a bottle (or two) of your favourite wine, the tasting fee is deducted from the price.

My favorite was their 2019 Chardonnay (see my main photo). The tasting notes read: Aromas of warm, toasty oak with hints of banana and peach, on the palate peach, citrus and subtle toasty oak with hints of vanilla. Silky, mid-palate balanced with gentle acidity.

To be honest, I’m not sure that I detected all of those particular nuances in the taste, but it was certainly a very pleasant glass of wine! I paired it with a meal of Tasmanian salmon (smoked, infused with chilli and ginger) with roasted veg and savoury rice, eaten al fresco (see below).

First track to be added to the ADK Playlist in 2023 is from an Australian artist I discovered for the first time recently, when he played live on local TV here. This is Morgan Evans with Over For You.



Categories
Blog Desserts

Wish Upon a Cupcake

Have you ever had an issue arise while staying in an Airbnb? I’m pleased to say this one, on our current stay in Australia, had a very happy ending.

Our suspicions were raised about ten minutes after switching on the oven, and finding that it simply wasn’t heating up. Were we doing something wrong? Was there a magical button on the control panel that we were stupidly failing to press? Everything else about the apartment had been perfect, so surely the issue lay with us?

A note to the host followed, seeking help and advice. This led to a visit by her to check it out, only to conclude that, yes, the oven was indeed broken. A technical repair visit would be required and, it being nearly Christmas, the visit could not be arranged before next week, after we have moved on to our next place.

Another first world problem! For a few days we would not be able to warm a pizza, or heat up a quiche. What would we do? Aghhh!

Thankfully, the host made a very prompt and kind gesture by way of apology. She informed us that, as a measure of goodwill, a substantial gift voucher was waiting for us behind the counter at local cake deli, Wish Upon a Cupcake.

We paid a visit there the next day and were impressed. My photos show some of the cakes available in the shop. They are all baked on the premises here in Watsonia, a suburb of Melbourne.

Here is the selection we chose with our gift voucher. We were very satisfied.

You see, despite the best of intentions, things just sometimes go wrong, and it really isn’t worth getting worked up about it. Most things can be resolved through prompt, effective service. Nearly everything can be made better with cake.

Even the little buddha in the apartment’s back garden seemed to approve.

So there you are – for Christmas time, a story to warm the heart. Even if it didn’t warm our kitchen.

This coming week, they’re forecasting temperatures rising to around 29C as we move out by the beach on Mornington Peninsula, where we’ll be joined by a wider group of family and friends in the lead-up to our Australian Christmas. Time for a feelgood song! Here’s Walking on Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves.

Categories
Blog

Keep Calm, Eat Ramen

Where to eat in the early evening before seeing the Melbourne production of the musical Hamilton?

This was today’s first world problem during my travels here in Australia. I’m now back from the wilderness (literally) for a few days to sample the cosmopolitan city life.

Handily, the city’s theatre district is close to Chinatown, which opened up a number of possibilities. A recommendation from my son (who is resident here), supported by a number of very positive online reviews, led us to Mr Ramen San.

I hadn’t really heard of Ramen before, but I now know it is a Japanese dish consisting of wheat noodles in broth, served with various meat or vegetable toppings. I opted for spicy chicken ramen, which came with toppings of spring onion, beansprouts, cabbage, seaweed and half a boiled egg (see my main photo).

I understand this may not sound the most tempting dish you’ve ever encountered, but take it from me – it was actually very tasty.

Given where we are in the world, it’s no surprise that Melbourne has sizable communities originating from all over south-eastern Asia. I believe this began with the discovery of gold in the mid-nineteenth century, when many Chinese in particular came here to join the prospectors. More recently, many others have followed, and Chinatown has grown up as a haven for not just Chinese, but Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and other restaurants.

In a strange juxtaposition of cultures, Chinatown is currently decorated to celebrate Christmas – a giant toy soldier from the Nutcracker guarding the ornamental gates.

And as for Hamilton? I hadn’t seen or heard it before, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it is based around the story of the American War of Independence, interpreted from a black minority ethnic perspective. It’s a very modern musical, featuring soul and hip hop.

Regular followers will know that I cannot claim either of these as my own top musical genre. However, the show rips along at a fast pace, with great music and dynamic choreography. It is definitely worth a visit if you get the chance.

No prizes therefore for guessing the latest addition to the ADK Spotify Playlist. Here is one of the catchiest tracks My Shot.

Categories
Blog

G’day Australia!

Well, I’ve made it. 13 and a half hours in the air with Qatar Airways, crossing 8 time zones, but I’ve made it. All of that on top of 6 and a half hours in the air, crossing 3 time zones, on the initial leg from London to Doha. I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised that I’m feeling a little groggy with jet lag just now.

First impressions of Melbourne are that it’s a very interesting city, with lots of culture, sport, street art and cafes that take serving good food and coffee very seriously. I took a tram to Fed Square and walked down by the Yarra River to take the photo above, looking across to the Central Business District.

Weather was about 21C – it is just coming into the main summer here. Weirdly, this means that, with the UK summer just gone, I will experience two summers this year. Not that I’m complaining, of course.

I’ve been out for an initial walk around the food shops and cafes of trendy Prahran, where we’re staying, and sampled some of the alternative beach culture at coastal St. Kilda. Lots to like, and I’m looking forward to exploring much more of the city and Victoria state over the next couple of months. Plenty more posts to come!

For an initial cafe treat, I couldn’t resist this plate of Australia’s very own delicacy, Vegemite, with butter on thick sourdough toast, served with a cappucino. It tastes like marmite but with the texture of smooth peanut butter. I could be developing a taste for this…

Musical choice is a track from a musician who hails from this city, and who I have admired for many years. This is Jubilee Street by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.