Pendolino Restaurant, The Strand Arcade, Sydney

One of the best part of starting a food blog is having the opportunity to meet new friends. A few weeks ago, I was rushing to Pendolino after work en route to meeting two lovely ladies Trissa from Trissalicious and Kath from A Cupcake or Two.

This was the first time I met Kath and Trissa, but being a happy and talkative group - there was no need for first date nerves! The venue for our dinner tonight was Penolino - the exquisite and classic Italian restaurant at Sydney's Strand Arcade. What happens at Pendolino stays at Pendolino - but what I can share was the array of delicious dishes we had. Oh and a little fun fact that came about that evening - My Parents actually had one of their first dates and frequented Trissa's parents restaurant in the Philippines, small world - brought together by the love for good food!

Carbs were not the enemy that evening and we polish off the initial serve of Italian bread. There is a selection of Pendolino's specialty olive oil blends for us to try - the Frutatto, Limone (Olive and Lemon) and the Sanguinella (Blood Orange). I have an addiction to olive oil - but I have to say I was more drawn to the fruttato blend, the more traditional variety - rather than the flavoured oil.

For our Entrees, I start with the Burrata. For those who are not familiar with this italian piece of heaven, it is made from mozarella and cream - with a soft and almost watery texture in the inside. Burrata does not have a very strong flavour at all, and I love drizzling olive or truffle oil over it. My Buratta is serve with marinated tomatoes breadcrums for that added saltiness and crunch.

Rockpool Bar and Grill, Sydney CBD

Did we just stumble onto a piece of Gotham City in Sydney? On the eve of my Birthday my very own partner in crime took me out to dinner to Neil Perry's Rockpool Bar and Grill. This is a restaurant that has forever been on my hit list and standing in front of the colossal art deco building on 66 Hunter St we were both in awe. Keeping with the Gotham theme I will be referring to myself as Batman - it's my birthday so I can do whatever I want. Gianna is just Gianna. Im Batman. Ha. Actually Gianna, you can be Penguin. 

Here at the Empty Fridge, we consider birthdays a perfect excuse to go all out on our dining escapades. I think the evil Penguin had extended celebrations this year, and not to be outdone - this was the first of several birthday outings. Lucky me. I am Batman.  

From the minute you step into Rockpool you can't help but feel amazed by the space inside. It is the very picture of opulence. My alter ego Bruce Wayne felt at ease in the dark and opulent surrounds. I am a sucker for all things marble with the exception of lions - I may be Greek but seeing as though I am Batman I much prefer Gargoyles. 

What I loved was that from the minute we were seated I felt so comfortable for a change. I mean as simple as it may sound I really think that having a comfortable chair with the right height and cushyness makes the world of difference when dining anywhere - especially after wearing a Batsuit all day - and boy does Rockpool deliver on that front.  After fighting crime all day and numerous encounters with the evil Penguin the appetite was bordering on voracious. Out comes the menu and immediately we are drawn to a few standouts. Kurobuta being the keyword. We start with the Kurobuta prosciutto and Capocollo, Rodriguez Chorizo, Blackmores Wagyu Bresola with pickles -$25. 

Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley, Victoria

There is a saying that "The Apple does not fall far from the tree" and such is the case with myself and my lovely parents, Mr and Mrs Fridgemagnet. Like Demos and I, they love to travel and search for memorable meals. Here is Mrs Fridgemagnet's third guest post - Viva Victoria (Part Three) 

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant (Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino (Part Two)

Bella Vedere

We had been touring the wineries around Yarra Valley all morning when we stopped by Badger's Brook Estate to sample their produce. Beside the cellar door  was Bella Verdere Cucina, a restaurant and cooking school.

Walking past the narrow corridor, we were greeted with a tempting array of cakes, cheeses and bread. The bread is baked on the premises and all the vegetables and herbs are grown at the back of the restaurant.

The dining area was sunny and painted in avocado to complement the greenery that surrounded the restaurant. We had no reservations but were graciously accommodated. Our very cheerful Italian waiter greeted us with a large paper menu and explained the Sunday specials. I espied at the end of the menu that this restaurant was recently awarded a coveted hat by the Age Good Food Guide, so I knew it was going to be a memorable lunch.

The special of the day was The Latin Duck which sounded so intriguing, I just had to order this as my main. This dish and the Sunday menu was inspired by the Chef Gary Cooper's stint at  Marchetti's Latin in Melbourne. It was a deboned, halved duck served in sour cherry sauce with champagne braised cabbage.

Mr Fridgemagnet needed his meat and proceeded to order the Cotoletta di Vitello al Porcini (Veal cutlet with porcini mushroom sauce). We skipped the side veggies and opted for the artery-clogging Duck Fat Fried Chips topped with Egg.

  Our meals came in large serving platters --- hearty and unpretentious. Savouring my last piece of duck, I thought to myself what a great ending to unplanned diversion!

Part of Mrs Fridgemagnets guest posts on Viva Victoria!

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne(Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne (Part Two)

-Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

Bella Veredere Cucina

874 Maroondah Hwy, Coldstream, VIC 3770

03 5962 4130

MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne

There is a saying that "The Apple does not fall far from the tree" and such is the case with myself and my lovely parents, Mr and Mrs Fridgemagnet. Like Demos and I, they love to travel and search for memorable meals. Here is Mrs Fridgemagnet's second guest post - Viva Victoria (Part Two of Three) 

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne(Part One)

-Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino and MoVida Aqui

Por favor, someone please bring Chef Frank Camorra over to Sydney!

MoVida's tapas y raciones brings you to the heart of Spain with its authentic flavours served with a very modern  twist. Food critics have christened their tapas as the best in Australia. Prior to our trip, I read all of MoVida's menus and knew exactly what I wanted to order….problem was, I could not find it! After a long walk around the CBD, opened my Iphone map apps and found MoVida Aqui on Bourke St. They were still closed and asked us to come back around 6pm. More walking ensued and my tummy was angry and grumbling. We must have walked to the other side of town and stumbled into a graffiti covered cobblestone lane when we saw the sign MOVIDA.

The Fridgemagnets sat by the bar and were welcomed with warm bread and olive oil. We ordered Alhambra cerveza for the Mr and a Mornington Pinot Gris for the Mrs then decided to start with a plate of  anchoas -- thick piece of hand filleted anchovy on a crouton topped with a smoked tomato sorbet. Sadly, they never lasted long enough on a plate to be photographed!

Mr Fridgemagnet looking bad-ass outside Movida Next Door

WOW! It was sensational taste explosion ---salty, crunchy, smokey, cold and warm at the same time…needless to say, I was salivating for more! We sampled the jamon croquettas which, like the anchoas, they did not very last long on the plate.

Homemade Chorizo

Back at MoVida Aqui, I was pleased that the menu had more options, but just had to have another serving of the anchoa. We also tried roasted capsicum stuffed with morcillas (blood sausage) and a plate of legua (lamb tongue), both of which we consumed with gusto. MoVida had quite a lasting effect on my husband who also wanted to go MoVida Next Door and try the fresh seafood on ice. So a few hours before our flight, we walked back to Hosier Lane, Next Door was closed, but the original bar was open, so we went to our usual bar seats and started with the anchoa. 

Baked Scallops

This time we also tried the viera --- baked scallops with jjamon and creamy potato foam,  gambas con romesco and the homemade chorizo which is by far, the best-tasting Spanish sausage I have had! There were two young women who sat near us and wondered aloud what they should try…the anchoa we all chorused!

Gambas con Romesco

Knowing how much Gianna loves her Churros, we took a photo of her favourite dessert..

Part of Mrs Fridgemagnets guest posts on Viva Victoria!

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne(Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne (Part Two)

-Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

MoVida Bar de Tapas y Vino

1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000 03-9663 3038 www.movida.com.au

Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne

There is a saying that "The Apple does not fall far from the tree" and such is the case with myself and my lovely parents, Mr and Mrs Fridgemagnet. Like Demos and I, they love to travel and search for memorable meals. Here is Mrs Fridgemagnet's first guest post - Viva Victoria (Part One of Three) 

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne (Part Two)

-Bella Vedere, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

On our last overnight trip to Melbourne, Mr Fridgemagnet and I ventured into Victoria Markets and bought a couple of savoury treats from the specialty stalls which dotted the market Deli Hall. The stuffed mushrooms, smoked salmon and assorted cheeses would have filled a lush afternoon tea mezze plate. But in my excitement, I left the bag of goodies at one of the shops! The rest of the trip was limited to hotel food and the usual business smorgasbord.

Feeling deprived, I promised to have a more comprehensive taste of the flavours of Melbourne and it's surrounds on my next visit. After Gianna and Demos blogged about their recent gastronomic getaway, I thought of spending our annual spring break by eating our way around Victoria. I consulted with the Empty Fridge couple, friends who generously offered directions to their favourite cafe as well as posh nosh addresses.  Finally, we cross referenced all the suggestions against the The Age Good Food Guide, and came up with a weeklong food safari in Melbourne, the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and the Great Ocean Road. Here are some of our favourites:

Shoya Nouvelle Wafu Cuisine

Outside view of Shoya

Shoya is Japanese for "rising house", and named after the multi-level structure which includes a yakiniku room, traditional Horigotatsu-style seating and fine dining rooms, the Tearose bar and a karaoke lounge.

Instead of the usual noisy welcome, there was soft jazz music in the background as we were quietly ushered to Chef Shigeo Nonaka executive floor and Sushi Bar on the second level. It was just a little after 12nn, so the restaurant was just starting to buzz, just like my head from the excitement of what was in store. You must understand, dear readers, that we are a family in love with Japanese food so much--my husband used to stay overnight in Tokyo just to eat! Thus a lunch degustation was quite a delightful option!

Beautiful Interior

The Shoya Chef Omakase 12-course degustation menu started with a plate which seemed like an ode to Spring. The Shoya Salmon Carpaccio is sea salted cured salmon, thinly sliced and served with salmon roe, truffles, sour plum sauce and wasabi mousse to tickle the palate.

Salmon Carpaccio

Next came Petit Tempura Lobster tail topped with cream cheese, Hokkaido clam and spiced miso wrapped with witloff….Mmmm cream cheese and lobster in the same sentence! The waiter had not yet finished explaining the dish, when I popped it in my mouth….oishi!

Petit Tempura Lobster

It seemed Chef Nonaka was on a roll, for it did not take long for the third dish to arrive. Shoya Crustacians is a delightful seafood menage-a-trios of baby abalone, Hokkaido scallop and clam in a miso vinaigrette with sea urchin paste.

Shoya Crustraceans

Just as quickly as our table was cleared, the waiter arrived and presented us with a wooden box. Curiously, I peeked inside the box which contained 2 eggs for the fourth dish which the chef calls Hatching Ocean Egg. It had a tasty play on texture and flavour --- like an egg and spinach chawanmushi  with tempura scampi tail and really delicious.

Hatching Ocean Egg

From wood to ice --- our fifth course, an assortment of Sashimi, was presented inside an ice ball --- cold and fresh, it quite a feast for the senses. By this time Mr Fridgemagnet's giant can of Sapporo needed a refill, meanwhile I was experiencing a gastronomic overload, something that Tony Bourdain fondly calls, food porn.

Assorted Sashimi in an Ice Bowl

Thankfully we were served 2 simple dishes next, hearty miso soup and robatayaki fried rice with chicken, veggies and mushroom. The brief timeout gave us a chance to breath and prepare for the next set of dishes which, then again, simply took our breath away!

I didn't understand the name of the next dish, but I thought the meat tasted familiar. Later I learnt it was stewed Ox Tongue Spinach Roll served with lemon-basil yoghurt. The meat is tender and almost melts in your mouth the second you dig into it.

Ox Tounge Spinach Roll

My eyes lit up when I saw the waiter coming with the next dish, Taraba Crab Tempura. Everyone knows I love crab and the fleshy bits on the legs are my favourite ---- I got a pair of long crispy legs. Yummy! It came with a side of green tea salt which I must say was a terrific.

Taraba Crab Tempura

Tai Somen was served shortly. The petite grilled snapper with somen noodles and dashi served as a palate cleanser. It had the tiniest and most perfectly formed mushrooms!

Tai Somen

Finally came the piece de resistance, Wagyu Beef with Black Truffle. The tender wagyu eye fillet is dressed in black truffle, enoki, shitake and miso sauce. My husband and I quickly exchanged glances after our first taste. It was simply divine!

Wagyu Beef with Black Truffle

Our meal ended on a happy note with The Chef's Dessert trio of chocolate slice, creme brulee and mochi balls.

Dessert Trio

It was almost mid-afternoon when we finished our meal. We were completely satisfied, but not overwhelmingly full. We  thanked the team of waiters for their unparalleled service and knowledge of the menu.

Chef Nonaka is an artist and his degustation menu is a masterpiece!

Part of Mrs Fridgemagnets guest posts on Viva Victoria!

-Shoya Japanese Restaurant, Melbourne(Part One)

-Movida Bar de Tapas y Vino, Melbourne (Part Two)

-Bella Verde, Yarra Valley (Part Three)

Shoya

25 Market Lane, Melbourne 03 9650 0950 www.shoya.com.au