Flower Drum (Melbourne)

Lunch at Flower Drum was my most anticipated meal on the weekend in Melbourne. As I have heard of its legendary Cantonese cuisine, served fine dining style, for many years.

Baked crab shell was the first dish and captured the essence of an entire crab in the shell with a creamy sauce. Watching the humble rice noodle roll served in a fine dining setting was quite an experience (it tastes the same though). Stir fry noodles with angus beef was of high quality – the noodles did not stick and the dish worked nicely with high quality beef.

Details:
Flower Drum
17 Market Lane
Melbourne
http://www.flower-drum.com

Cutler & Co. (Melbourne)

My partner visited me while I was in business in Melbourne (thank you). So on the first night we went to Cutler & Co for dinner, and we went for the degustation without considerations.

Dinner had a great progression of flavours. My top 3 dishes were the chicken soup with abalone (very intense broth), smoked and fried duck (great leg meat in a cube), and the dessert (amazing Earl Grey ice-cream).

I didn’t feel stuffed like I would normally after a sampling menu. Maybe I was just craving for more…

Details:
Cutler & Co.
55–57 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy
VIC 3065
http://www.cutlerandco.com.au

GPO Bendigo (Bendigo)

The project team walked past the GPO at Bendigo almost every day on the way to the client office. I ended up having dinner there on a Wednesday night; coincide with their weekly special of paella. The menu also offered a range of tapas and pizza dishes. The paella had an excellent crust from the rice, a feature of all great paellas – I just wish there was a more generous portion size!

Details:
GPO Bendigo
60-64 Pall Mall
Bendigo
http://www.gpobendigo.com.au/

Bouchon (Bendigo)

I went for a quick bite at Bouchon in Bendigo after a full day of client interviews, thinking a hearty French meal will help me to overcome the very cold weather.

The menu offers a good range of winter dishes. I went for the pickled and oven roasted lamb which was very tender with extra depth in flavour from the pickling process.

Details:
Bouchon Bendigo
61 High Street
Bendigo
http://www.bouchonbendigo.com.au

The Good Loaf (Bendigo Victoria)

Second day at Bendigo on business trip and I had breakfast at The Good Loaf, situated behind the client’s office. There was a wonderful smell of freshly baked bread as soon as I stepped into the café. The toast was excellent and I love how coarse peanut butter was available. The granola bowl was filling and the whole plums were much preferred over the usual fruit compote.

Details:
The Good Loaf
404 Hargreaves Street
Bendigo Victoria
http://www.thegoodloaf.com.au

Braza Darling Harbour (Sydney)

It was the boss’ (from overseas) shout again and he insisted to take us to Braza at Darling Harbour because he walked past there during a family holiday. So off we went.

Braza brings out the Brazilian Churrasco experience – essentially a lot of meat by my definition. And they just kept on coming. I have to say my cuts of beef and lamb were a bit tough. But the roasted pork belly was excellent. Do order the black bean side dish.

Details:
Braza Darling Harbour
1-25 Harbour Street
Darling Quarter
http://braza.com.au/Braza-dh