Cumulus Inc.

The other day my friend and I went to Cumulus Inc. to have dinner. It was only about 7pm but was crowded with people already. Seeing the crowd, we were expecting a very delicious dinner, and we got it.


Luckily for us, we got our seats. We sat in front of the kitchen area and looked at how the chefs prepare our meals. You can see how busy they are! The waiters and waitresses were as busy too.


The bread they served before we had our mains. Definitely helpful since it let us survive through our wait time. Not Italian like, quite soft, very fluffy. Nice with butter.


We had potato salad as a starter. It took quite long for them to get it on our table, but the taste was definitely good. The potatoes are cut to bite sizes with the right softness - not too soft, just enough to bite on. I like how they put the herbs and olive oil together, giving the salad a fresh yet somewhat rich taste.


This is my dish. It is the beef (?), a special for that day. According to the waitress, it is cooked for a long time, making it soft yet tender. I really enjoyed this dish since the beef is tender and juicy while the taste is greatly enhanced by the sauce.


This is the seafood dish my friend ordered. She did not say much about it, but she seems to enjoy it very much.

Would definitely pay another visit to Cumulus Inc.



Cumulus Inc.
45 Flinders Ln
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9650 1445
http://www.cumulusinc.com.au/

Max Brenner QV

Max Brenner at QV is always so packed and I wondered "What's the big deal"
However, the crowd brought my attention and I decided to try some of their desserts. Went there a few times. The main reason that keeps me going back is for more is the Tutti Frutti Waffle.

Nice interior and exterior but always crowded. Have to look for seats by yourself.


Hot Chocolat $5.50

Max Brenner's classic
Quite tasty, milky and chocolaty. Quite basic I think.
Suitable to drink in winter.


Chocolate Souffle $10

It is supposed to have a warm center but when I had it, it wasn't that warm. The outside layer isn't spongy enough, a little dry. I guess it's just not a signature.


Italian Chic Chocolate Teramisu (Left)$9.50

Nothing much I can say about this. Pretty basic. Would rather have Teramisu at Lygon St.


Tutti Frutti Waffle (two) $17.50

This is the dessert that keeps me craving for. When biting on the waffles, there are little bits in there that crunch, giving the waffle a very nice texture. Eating the waffles with the fruits and chocolates is a big plus. The combination is nice and balanced, with sweet, sour and chocolaty flavors all mixed together to a nice taste. Remember to put ice-cream on the waffles first so the vanilla flavors are absorbed into the waffle. This makes the waffle moist and spongy, which contrasts with the crunches within. A must try.


25-27 Red Cape Lane,
Level 2, QV Square,
210 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone Number: +61 3 9663 6000
http://www.maxbrenner.com.au/

Koko Black Lygon St

Whenever speaking of chocolate desserts in Melbourne, I always think of Koko Black on Lygon St. The Iced Chocolate served is very good, with rich chocolates and ice-cream to cool it down. Every sip is just chocolaty! Remember to ask for some water though, as I said, it's very chocolaty.
The iced-mocha, like the iced-chocolate also has lots of chocolate in them, only with lots of coffee too. It might be a little hard to drink if you are not a usual coffee or chocolate drinker. Unless you really like drinking generous amount of coffee, this drink might be a little harsh for you.

A must have at Koko Black - Iced chocolate




They also have some other desserts on the menu, including ones like these. The biscuits are nice but the one next to it was average. Better than those sold in most stores but I won't say it's great.


Here's another one of those sets. Almost the same.


167 Lygon St
Carlton, Victoria,
Australia 3053
T: 93492775
http://www.kokoblack.com/

Victoria State Library

Library after work, originally uploaded by ccwai.

I always pass by the State Library whenever going to QV Safeway for groceries
Funny thing is, I never go in.
However, it's definitely worth a look. Even if it's just from the outside

It's always nice to look at people sitting on the grass lawns outside the library.
I wouldn't do that though because I don't like staying under the sun too long.

Melbourne Tulip Festival 2009

Dot of white, originally uploaded by ccwai.

Last few weeks ago I had a 2 weeks break from university.

My friend came and my other friend brought us to the Melbourne Tulip Festival 2009. It was quite a long ride from the city, about 1 or 2 hours train and bus trip if I remembered correctly.

Heard that tulips bloom only once a year over here and I was pretty happy I came. Apart from tulips, there were many other types of flowers too. Great place for photographing flowers. I guess many flower photographers come to places like these for shots? I did see a lot of camera holders like myself.



We also had some Dutch beef croquettes during our visit. I loved them with A LOT of mustard~!

黑松 花太郎 廣告

這支廣告很像很夯喔！
黑松花太郎惡搞GATSBY木村拓哉？

A very famous ad for HeySong tea in Taiwan.
Mocking Takuya Kimura in GATSBY ads?

Prequel:

The ad shows how the Hanataro's master is wondering why Hanataro is getting slimmer and slimmer although he's eating more and more.
Nice way of promoting the (slimming?) tea.
It's funny how the master says "You want to be a model now???!!!! If not, EAT!!!!!".

Sequel:

The sequel shows how Hanataro has become a successful model/Sumo wrestler.
Note: Hanataros' master advices him to never forget his identity as a Sumo wrestler despite his fame in the modeling field.


The original GATSBY ad(s)

Monarch Cakes

Here's a little scoop of my favorite cake shop in Melbourne, named Monarch Cakes.
It was established in 1934 and is still in business. Not a very easy thing.
Okay, let's go on with the cakes and coffee.


This is the Latte. Good but I won't say great.



And here's the Polish cheesecake and Mocha.
I would strongly recommend the Polish Cheesecake. It's said to be made from a 100 years old recipe, but that's not the main reason why I recommend this.
Unlike other cakes in Melbourne, this cheesecake is rich in flavor and texture. You can actually taste the cheese well throughout.
Above that, it is not too sweet, just nice.
I am very grateful that they don't try to "save cost" by adding tons and tons of sugar or water or milk instead of cheese.



Many other selections. Would like to try them all sometime.



Retro setting in the shop. Judging from the old photos in the shop, I think it has been the way it is since it was opened.



Something that is definitely not produced lately.



Many magazines and books for you to read. Nice place to sit and read when the shop is not busy. I was quite surprised to see Japanese architecture magazines from the 30s?40?50? Anyway, the point is there are several good books.


MONARCH CAKE SHOP
103 Acland Street
St Kilda, Victoria
Australia 3182
http://www.monarchcakes.com.au/

Phone (03) 9534 2972