A short stay in Jakarta, with some great food
I came to the end of day one of my trip to Jakarta a little disappointed - I felt like I didn't "get" this city. Traffic, pollution, lackluster monuments and hours of walking around in the heat and humidity - I wasn't instantly charmed by the atmosphere, like I was by Rome, Seville or New York. Now, at the end of my rendezvous with The Big Durian (an apt name), I am sad to be leaving. It may have taken some time to realise it, but there is much to be loved about this sprawling metropolis. This post is intended to be somewhat of a rough guide for somebody looking for a food-centric tour of the city. Note that I only spent a few days in Jakarta, so I too still have much to do and see. [...]
Ricotta and caramel apple cake
Coming from a family of orchardists has its consequences - namely, strong fluctuations in my fruit supply. No nectarines in April, nor May, nor June or July. Come the warmer months, though, and I have more than I can possibly eat. Repeat with figs, pears, plums, and an array of other fruits. When each wave hits I need to think about what I can do, other than [...]
Spuma di Mortadella
When somebody asks me what is my most memorable moment of my Europe trip a couple of years ago, my ten days in Emilia Romagna is hard to look past. With some of the most amazing food I've eaten, unexpected encounters with locals, and a private tour with the owner of an esteemed acetaia, I can't stop thinking about my next trip back. I recently [...]
The Gaya – Applecross, Perth
Korean food is not something that I'm intimately familiar with, but I am always very interested to try new things, especially at a place like The Gaya, which strives to use Korean flavours and techniques in a modern way. "Fusion" has become somewhat of a buzz word in the culinary space as of late, and is a word that describes accurately what The Gaya tries [...]
Noodle Forum – Perth
Australia does Asian food well. Maybe adapted to our palates so not always completely authentic in the choice of ingredients and cooking methods, it is never too hard to find really high quality food inspired by the flavours and dishes of Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and China. One of the newer places to open its doors in Perth is Noodle Forum, in the Equus Arcade on [...]
Chik and Kent – Perth
Chik and Kent - whose name pays homage to Chikmagalur, a region in India known as the "land of coffee", and L.P Kent, an Englishman who planted the Doddengudda Estate - is an Indian restaurant situated towards the quieter end of Murray Street in the Perth CBD. It is one of the few places in the city centre that actually remains open on a Sunday, [...]
Willie Wagtail – Perth
I was walking back home from Northbridge about a week ago and noticed this small cafe on William Street that I'd never seen before. I don't know what it was, but it looked like the cooler sort of cafe; the sort that does good coffee with a unique food offering. I made a mental note to revisit when I had more time. That time was [...]
Sixteen Ounces – Victoria Park, Perth
Victoria Park has its fair share of very mediocre eating places, but it also has a bunch of really cool little cafes that do great breakfasts and brunches. Sixteen Ounces is on the Albany Highway and opened up earlier this year. Before going we had a quick look at the menu to decide what we would order for brunch - the obligatory check to make [...]
Hopper Espresso – Perth
New places are popping up all the time in Perth, so I'm never surprised to come across a new restaurant, cafe or bar when I'm doing my usual back and forth between the shopping district and my apartment. Walking down the same road every time gets boring, so I sometimes try to change up the path. Today I took a stroll down Shafto Lane (between [...]
An Edible Christmas Tree – The Macaron Tower Sort
We all remember that one fateful episode of Masterchef Australia where "the Dark Lord of the Pastry Kitchen", Adriano Zumbo, was summoned to deliver a challenge that would truly test even the most experienced pastry amateurs - the macaron tower. Zumbo gained his notoriety after setting the croquembouche challenge in 2009, after which many inspired amateur chefs scurried around, calling every kitchenware store they could [...]