Lots of Eating Out!

Unfortunately Kat's partner isn't so keen on going out for breakfast, but fortunately I am. Off to Hardware Societe located on Hardware Lane for poached eggs with smoked salmon and chorizo beans on toast. Cute decor using old English china and distressed wood table.

Breakfast on Saturday: Hardware Societe



One of my first meals here was with Ellen and Tomoko at an old favorite from the last time I was here. Our meal was eaten whilst photos were being taken for a new book called "Funky Melbourne" (or something like that). We ate suckling pork, eggplant in a coconut sauce, a delicious fish and all the accompaniments of a delicious Balinese meal.

Amazing Balinese: Warung Agus



Mid-week after work I try to meet up with Kat to just break up the week a bit. She suggested going to a spicy Sichuan restaurant but since there were only two of us we went to the high profile Mamasita Mexican Restaurant. It isn't your ordinary Mexican with a long queue out the door, intricately cooked traditional foods such as ceviches, tostitas, and tacos. Prices were mid-high, portions were comparatively small, but I ended up full and satisfied by the fresh flavors.

Exquisite Mexican, far from my home: Mamasita



After hauling my tap shoes from the US to the UK to Australia I found a street tap class at Jason Coleman's (judge of Australia's So You Think You Can Dance) Ministry of Dance. The timing was perfect, after work on a Thursday, and location even better, halfway between work and home. Though the setting was one of the most fun, cool and exciting I have seen (large prints on the wall, low lighting, warehouse-like, huge studios, leather sofa waiting area) the class left more to be desired. The famous teacher, who was a member of the cast of Tap Dogs was out injured, so one of his students taught the class (she was approx age 18). It was advertised as an adult open class but the mean age was about 15. I felt out of place and unhappy. So sadly I don't think I will be returning.

Initially exciting but ultimately disappointing dance class: Ministry of Dance
(Wish I had a proper image of the facilities)

First Week Dining Adventures

Ellen has an inherent love of Japan that she just can't shake. Often days around the city with her involve having Japanese food, watching a Japanese film or looking at photos from Japan. It is no surprise that she was very excited to take me to her favorite Japanese restaurant located in the CBD in an alley between Myer Department Store. We had delicious, authentic Bento boxes. Not quite as cheap as my 500yen favorite in Hagi, but for $20 I was stuffed!

Favorite Japanese: Kenzan





Surprisingly Kat was the one to introduce me to Melbourne's own 100yen shop which sells a variety of goods for $3.50 each. Well, maybe not so surprising due to Kat's love of all things kitsch. I was able to get toilet cleaner, make-up pads, and a strainer for my new life here.

Not so 100yen shop: Tokuya

A New Start

So I am back in Melbourne after finishing my Masters Degree in Intercultural Relations. I am doing an internship at a university here and wandering around the city with two old (blogger) friends from Japan. These two friends love showing my around to their favorite restaurants, bars and shops and I would love to show all of you places I have gone. If you are looking for a fantastic dining guide to the city of Melbourne, and you are a local, I am not sure this is the blog for you, as I am an amateur. It is mostly to show friends from around the world the little gems of this city.

First Stop: Section 8





Melbourne is known for it's hidden laneways full of trendy bars, cafes, and restaurants. This bar made out of old container supplies is hidden in Tattersol's Ln in Chinatown. Even in the winter, with the heaters on, it was a great place to get a pre-dinner drink.

Second Stop: Shanghai Dumpling House



After waiting in a queue for 20 minutes our party was seated at Shanghai Dumpling House. The menu lists about 30 different types of dumplings to try as well as other Chinese dishes. Long wait to sit, short to eat, we were gobbling dumplings within 5 minutes of ordering.