Hamsley and I decided to take a break from all the moving stress and took a Sunday morning trip down to the Flemington craft market on Sunday. We were hoping to go back to the Healesville market or even the Mornington market, but they weren't on; thus us ending up checking out the Flemington market instead.

Wondering around it was pretty obvious this was a popular market for the parents with prams. Lots of kid based stalls, trying to walk around, weaving around prams became a little annoying after a while. We bumped into Katie and her boy who also couldn't help but notice the abundunce of prams!

We didn't have breakfast before we headed down so I found it rather hard to be enthused by craft stalls on an empty stomach. We found the Crabapple Cupcake Bakery had a stall, and I nearly bought some as I've got their cookbook (never made a think out of it yet), and I wanted to see if they were dry like I've heard alot of people say. But the line was too long and they cupcakes looked like a candy tree had vomited on them. At $4 a pop, for something I wasn't too sure on, I didn't bother joining the queue.

So after wondering around for a while, finally feeding ourselves with delicious pies, we stumbled onto a store that had FAR more impressive looking cupcakes on offer; Cupcakes by Paolo. With a special offer of buy 6 get 1 free, I couldn't resist this offer to try the many tempting favours before my very eyes.


The lemon meringue looked amazing, which then led my eyes to the pineapple flavour. I love pineapple but never thought to have it as a cupcake flavour. I couldn't resist red velvet, whilst Hamsley helped me pick the remaining flavours; orange, cookies and cream, choc malt teaser and mocha. There were a few berry flavours I would have gotten; alas, there is always next time.

The main thing about Cupcakes by Paolo is how incredibly light and fluffy they all are. Not dry at all, even after keeping them for 3 days in an air tight container. Usually the red velvet I make can be quite heavy, but Paolo's version was so light. So light infact I didn't feel it go to my thighs!


Uh-maze-ing! Lovely lemon flavour with such a light Italian meringue to top it off. My favorite of all 7 cupcakes eaten.


Nice chocolately coffee flavour; not overpowering, but nice and subtle.


Looks like a work of art, tastes as good as it looks! ..... how can you go wrong when chocolate is involved?


The flavour I wanted to try most! I would have liked a bit more of a pineapple punch in the face flavour with this one, but it did not disappoint. It was still heaven in a cupcake wrapper.


... excuse the orange cupcake smeared into the red velvet... transportation played a part in that.
LOVELY light and fluffy red velvet. I'm quite fussy with my red velvet, and this one had a perfect amount of cocoa for my liking.


Chocolate + Malteasers (more chocolate) = win.
... that is all.


How cute is it with it's little orange on top? Subtle but lovely orange flavour.

We got a good range of chocolate and citrus flavours. I can't wait to go back and grab the other flavours we didn't try next time!

For more contact information and flavour choices check out their website:
Cupcakes By Paolo
www.cupcakesbypaolo.com.au

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After hearing good things about Little Cupcakes since my last cupcake venture in the city, I thought it was time I tasted what all the fuss was about.
We had a family trip to Costco where I found the giant sized cupcakes, followed by a trek to Sportsgirl to find hot shoes I have been lusting over for a while now. Sportsgirl had them extra discounted, and were more of a reasonable sized heel than the Tony Bianco version. Alas.... back to the cupcakes that I dragged Hamsley across the city for. 

We were greated with lots of gorgeous looking cupcakes with multiple flavours. We stood there for quite some time, ummm-ing and ahh-ing over what flavours to take home, whilst the sales assistant patiently waited.

This is the little box that walked around the city with us. The gorgeous little cupcakes got a little bit excited and smooshed into eachother during transportation, so try not to judge them in the photo below:


Well let me just say, they were FANTASTIC.
I was sucked into buying red velvet as it was flavour of the day, and I am a huge fan of red velvet. It was great, although I was still expecting more of a cocoa flavour. Perhaps Donna Hay's recipe has made me expect more cocoa in red velvet.
The Belgian chocolate flavour was incredible, and it left me wanting more.... MORE I tell you.. MORE!!

Hamsley was also impressed with his cupcakes, favoring the cookies and cream one.

I'm glad Little Cupcakes is all the way in the CBD. I don't venture down there too often, so my waistline is safe from extreme cupcake expansion!

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After brunch at Brown Sugar cafe, and some adventures around the city; which included me buying a new lens for my camera, to take better blog photos... there was a need for afternoon tea. Sure we could have just gone to the Lindt Cafe again, but I didn't really want to blog yet ANOTHER Lindt experience.
We stumbled upon The Cupcake Bakery at Melbourne Central, and nearly seized up with excitment at how pretty the shop looked!

The shop is rather small, so don't expect to be able to sit down and have a coffee, unless you can get one of the seats in the corner of the shop. You can however get a coffee and a cupcake for $5!

With a nice selection of cakes on offer, it was a hard decision which ones to get. So we got a few to take home and try. Looking at the different ones on their website, I may just have to go back and try a few more.

Since I have a new lens, I took lots of photos. So folks; I give you: The cupcake line up.

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I wasn't planning on doing a post tonight. I sat down to catch up on Ross Noble's Australian Trip, and found myself editing and compiling images. Now I'm chilling out, listening to music; so I might as well tell you all about the Healesville markets!

With plenty of cuisines on offer; you are bound to find something for everyone at the Healesville Markets. They even had souvlakis amongst the satay, pizza and other vendors.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lemonade from the lemonade stand. It set me back a whole $2, and it was so tangy and delicious.
Some guy was even baking bread at the market!!
And the stand Curry Creations, features in the The Age's, Foodies Guide to Melbourne. We didn't sample anything, but I was tempted to buy their butter chicken sauce... Alas, next time!

To wash down my lemonade, I stupidly got a lemon tart. The sign said "Best Ever Lemon Tarts"... how could I walk away? It was pretty damn good, I wanted it to be more tangy though.. but perhaps my taste buds were tainted from the hit of lemonade. On my next trip, I will be trying his other goodies.

mmmm.... they look so good!

I love the colours in this photo. I'm a fan of these guys. I have a few drink mixers on my shelf at home. And I'm a sucker for cute packaging. I came home with a sticky date pudding & sticky butter scotch sauce for $10. My god it was good!! Will be getting more when I see their stall next.

I would have loved to have gotten a fresh cup of Twinnings Earl Grey tea, with a freshly made scone, but I was saving my stomach for lunch at White Rabbit. This is another next time thing! ... as well as those homemade Italian donuts.

Chirping Bird Moscato wine was rather nice. The guy running the stall was rather excited I was taking photos, and was going to make his wine famous.
Uncle John's chocolate coated licorice is so insanely soft and fresh. It's even won a gold medal at the Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards last year.

Some of the random things you will find at the markets. Mind you, the puppets were rather cute!

If you are taking little tackers along; there is a petting zoo! I wanted to get in and play with the bunnies, but I resisted. How cute are they though?

With SO much on offer, I would have to say I'm a fan of the Healesville markets... and not just cos I got free fudge! We went on a horrible, rainy day; and it was still busy and happening. Can't wait to return!

For more information on the Healesville Markets: http://www.craftmarkets.com.au/healesville.asp

I promise a cooking post soon! Stay tuned.

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Well folks....
It's official......
I take far too many photos.
The Yarra Valley Market isn't even that big. In fact I was rather dissapointed when I saw how small it was. I was expecting some huge market. Yet, for the last hour or so, I've been editing photos and compiling the images together. I'm dreading blogging about the Healesville market which was at least 4 times the size of this market!

One of the first food stands we encountered was this one. The lady at the stall was either wanting some sympathy, or business... or possibly both, as she told everyone around the stall she was up at 6am that morning baking. As good as they looked; we had just arrived, and wanted to see what else was on offer to feed our bellies.

The next stop was the stall of "Unforgettable Meringues". They were pretty damn good, and I won't be forgetting them, so long as I have these pictures to remind me of them. The stall sold do it yourself packs for lemon meringue tarts & pavlovas. A very cute concept.

Whilst the market had the usual stalls with the crappy crafts that you always see at these kind of markets, I chose not to photograph them! Instead I mainly stuck to food, or funky things. Bottom right hand corner is kiwi fruit jam & chutney. Rather delicious, I came home with a jar of jam. They also make a kiwi fruit wines, that taste like your regular wine!

There is a good range of stalls to feed your face at. Especially for the vegetarians. This stall looked and smelt delicious.

Right next to the vegetarian stall is the biggest mother fudging paella pan I have EVER seen. You can't appreciate the shear size of it from these photos, but I assure you... it was HUGE. If I ever return to these markets, paella lady will be getting a visit from me.

Considering it was WAAAAY too early in the morning to be eating paella, Thai food, or wanting to line my stomach with a drum of grease from an egg and bacon roll; we decided to try some poffertjes. Since I had never tried these Dutch pancakes, it was pretty much essential I had them, then and there. We got some coffees to go with breakfast and sat down with some lovely old ladies to enjoy our freshly made poffertjes. We were all dissappointed the coffees were luke warm and not hot. I was most dissapointed we didn't get the maple syrup we paid $0.50 for to go over the poffertjes. It was just like eating pancakes basted in butter. They were good though, if you didn't get too much butter.

However, talking to the lovely ladies, we found out about the Healesville markets, and other markets around Victoria. Then we they left the table, another old couple arrived with their dog, and the old man felt the need to talk cameras with me. Bless him, and all the funny old people out there!

More stalls, one even doing edible bouqets. Similar to what Edible Blooms does.
Some delicious looking cupcakes too... I would have purchased some, but I had already clogged my arteries with butter from the poffertjes.

Stalls selling freshly baked bread, olives, a variety of amazing salad dressings.... and these amazing lollies. They have sweet and sour varieties. I originally thought they were licorice, but the friendly crew at the stall made us try a few flavours and we were hooked. We bought a sampler bag to take home, and they were all so damn good. Soft in texture, and true to their flavour descriptions.

And of course, some fresh fruit and vegetables; like any market should have!

Like I said before; Yarra Valley market is pretty small. I much prefer what the Healesville market has to offer. But considering they are 15mins apart from eachother; you can do both in the same day like we did!

For more information on when the markets are on: http://www.craftmarkets.com.au/yarraglen.asp

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First of all, thanks to everyone who has been leaving comments, I will reply to them ASAP, I've just been a bit preoccupied the last few days.

Second of all, this post is epic. I suggest you go make yourself a cuppa tea, a sandwich or something, cos it's probably my longest post ever!

This weekend was a very Taste-y weekend. Every year, Melbourne's top restaurants, chefs and producers come together, giving the public a great opportunity to sample the best of the best.
We had bought tickets to the Sunday session, but Rilsta from My Food Trail had smsed me on the Friday saying SBS Food were running a competition on Twitter, giving away media passes to the Saturday session. Luckily, we both won a pass and could bring along a friend. It was great finally meeting Rilsta after leaving comments on eachother's blogs for so long! She is just as nice in person as she is on her blog, and I can't wait to slowly eat Melbourne with her.

So my review will span over the Saturday and Sunday lunch sessions. I didn't eat EVERY dish photographed; luckily I had some friends to help me eat them. The posting of the dishes are not in order of consumption, but please do enjoy!
A very special thanks to my friend Elmer who came along too with his awesome camera. I am using a combination of my photos and his photos. To check out more of Elmer's photography, check out his Flickr.

Tristan chose this dish, and our first reaction was, "oh it looks like a pancake!"
It was a bit of everything; sweet from the syrup, savoury from the cheese, spicy from the peppered figs. The cheese was quite hard, so you could pick it up and eat it like a slice of pizza.

Rilsta and Lauren shared the scallops, from memory, they weren't too bad either!

Elmer had these, he said the martini was pretty good, but the scallops were nothing really special. Only typing this up do I realise we tried all three dishes by Jacques Reymond.


The chocolate mousse was hands down the most interesting mousse I've ever had. I'm not sure what tonka bean is, but it works damn fine with chocolate and caramel let me tell you that!
The wagyu burger looks a little different to last year's, didn't get any feedback on this one.

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