Home Blog

Jang Go Mama, Melbourne CBD

Paul
-
0
Jang Go Mama, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | This city is full of unassuming spots to eat, places that fly under the radar, with a loyal following of locals, that grow by word-of-mouth. Cafes and restaurants that get the essentials of hospitality right. They’re places that you may have walked past countless times without even noticing that they were there. One such venue is Jang Go Mama, which I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne.

Jang Go Mama was opened eight years ago by Korean couple Eunjo and Oryun. Originally offering an assortment of traditional Korean dishes, the focus switched early last year to gimbap/kimbap, with a few other favourites from the old menu. Walk through the front door and you’re transported to Korea.

There’s just a few seats inside, with Eunjo at the front rolling gimbap to order and Oryun running the floor and serving other dishes from the rear kitchen. The duo are super friendly and passionate about what they do, and make you feel right at home.

Gimbap is made from bap (cooked rice) and other ingredients that are rolled in gim (dried sheets of seaweed), and served in bite-sized slices. It’s similar, but not the same, as sushi. There are two main differences between sushi and gimbap. Whereas sushi commonly uses raw seafood as a filling, gimbap is filled with things like danmuji (yellow pickled radish), ham, beef, imitation crab meat, egg strips, kimchi, bulgogi, spinach, carrot, burdock root, cucumber, canned tuna, and kkaennip (perilla leaves).
⁣
The second difference is the use of sesame oil to season the rice of gimbap, as opposed to the vinegar used for sushi. At Jang Go Mama, you’ll find all sorts of gimbap. Flavours like spicy fishcake, beef, and kimchi. It’s all exceptional quality.

Other dishes include things like naengmyeon (cold, starch-noodle soup), Shin Ramyun, cheesy teokbokki, and kimchi manduguk (dumpling soup). To drink, it’s a few Korean drinks like Woongjin Morning Rice and sodas. If you call ahead for take away, Eunjo and Oryun will make sure your order is ready to pick up when you arrive.

Jang Go Mama

147 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9663 1224
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sat: 12:00pm to 4:00pm, 5:30pm to 9:00pm

Earth Angels, West Melbourne

Paul
-
0
Earth Angels, West Melbourne

MELBOURNE | Venues that defy categorisation are becoming more common in Melbourne. Less energy is being spent on the arbitrary distinction between bar, restaurant, cafe, and so on, with people actually focusing on what matters. Is the venue good? Do I like it? Does it make me happy? Earth Angels, which opened earlier this year, is one such venue.

Earth Angels is part restaurant, part bar, and part creative space. It’s a culmination of ideas that owners Sasha Chifura and Emmanuel John (also known by his DJ/producer name ‘Skin on Skin’) had been thinking about for a while, that evolved with input from a diverse range of people. Staff, friends, family, and even strangers that the duo encountered over their journey, all helped shape what became Earth Angels. The result is a space with lots of little touches that the local community vibes with.

At its heart, Earth Angels is a space for people to come together over good food, collaborations, and creativity. There’s jazz nights on Thursdays, a Wednesday night chess club, and regular pop-ups, art exhibitions, and workshops. Out the back, there’s a courtyard that’s a great place to enjoy a drink and snack, that will soon be used for a farmer’s market on Sundays. Upstairs, you’ll soon be able to find an art gallery.

The tiny kitchen is headed up by head chef Narit Kimsat, who conceptualises an ever-changing menu with the team, daily. Narit usus only the best seasonal produce, sourced in large part from within a few hours’ drive of the venue. His menu leans Thai, but with free reign to get creative, you never know what might pop-up.

When I visited, I enjoyed dishes like Thai-Islam ox tongue in tomato broth, dry-aged duck with pa lo and tea egg, and sugarloaf cabbage with chinkiang and chilli oil. Deboned chicken wings with gor lae and bread regularly appear on the menu, as do chips and gravy. For dessert, you might enjoy ube tang gao with sago and strawberry, or the decidedly non-Thai braided donut with cinnamon and dulce de leche.

The latter was on the menu when I visited because Narit woke up that morning and decided that he wanted to make donuts. It’s this license to change things up, and cook what he feels like cooking, that helps ensure that the food at Earth Angles is constantly exciting and delicious.

To drink, bar manager James Cohen and bar tender Gigi Cook have put together a fun wine list that leans towards minimal intervention drops from around the world, and a killer cocktail list that follows the same philosophy as the food. There’s also a decent range of non-alc options if you’re not wanting booze.

Earth Angels

225-229 Victoria Street
West Melbourne
Victoria 3003
Australia

Telephone: 0472 777 242
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Wed – Sat: 6:00pm to 11:00pm

Evil Thoughts, Brunswick East

Paul
-
0
Evil Thoughts, Brunswick East

MELBOURNE | There’s a new bar in Brunswick East, one that I’ve been eagerly anticipating since noticing the ‘Evil Thoughts’ poster and liquor licence application on the blacked out window of what was Nepalese restaurant Rocketman.

The bar is Evil Thoughts, and it’s owned and run by Morgan and Eljae, who you might know from mobile cocktail business, Franklin Street. The duo transformed the interior themselves, as I can attest to seeing them painting and hammering away while walking by. The result is a dark, intimate venue that reflects who they are. A cookie cutter addition to the neighbourhood, this is not.

Evil Thoughts draws influence from street skateboarding culture and femme rock. A TV screen rotates through 90s and 00s pop culture clips. If you’re my age, it’s a big nostalgia trip through high school and uni. Dark undertones and an ‘evil’ tinged theme complete the vibe.

It’s a welcoming, judgement-free space, helped by Morgan and Eljae’s genuine friendliness and passion for what they’re doing. They want the bar to be a place that everyone in the neighbourhood can enjoy, and also support and promote local music artists and skaters.

Given the duo’s background in cocktails, its no surprise that cocktails are a focus at Evil Thoughts. There’s the classics, plus considered house creations like the “Spooky Island” and “Vengeance & Violence”. $2 from every sale of the latter goes towards organisations that help victims of domestic violence.

Wines are from Doom Juice, and beers stay local and crafty. There’s no kitchen on site, but in the coming week’s, once the bar has settled in a bit, you’ll be able to order in food from nearby restaurants via QR code.

Evil Thoughts

150 Lygon Street
Brunswick East
Victoria 3057
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Wed – Thu: 5:00pm to 12:00am
Fri: 3:00pm to 1:00am
Sat – Sun: 1:00pm to 1:00am

老街鷄排飯 Taiwan Village, Melbourne CBD

Paul
-
0
老街鷄排飯 Taiwan Village, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | 老街鷄排飯 Taiwan Village is a small Taiwanese cafe that recently opened in Melbourne’s CBD. Their focus is on simple breakfast favourites and lunch bento boxes, the kind that you’ll typically find being enjoyed across Taiwan. I recently popped in to get some photos for What’s On Melbourne.

In the kitchen you’ll find chef Jay Huang, who brings over a decade of experience cooking in Taiwan, and several years cooking in Melbourne, to the table. You may know Jay from his lockdown side hustle turned Glen Eira eatery, Jymmanuel. Jay isn’t reinventing the wheel at Taiwan Kitchen, which he’s opened with his business partner Yvonne, but rather refining the classics.

Jay hails from Kaohsiung, in Taiwan’s south, and his cooking reflects the sweeter leanings of the region. On the breakfast menu, which is available until 10:30am, you’ll find things like double egg sandwiches filled with Taiwanese sausage, Taiwanese pancakes filled with pork floss, and sides like corn soup, and oyster mee sua. Soy bean milk and milk tea complete the offering.

The oyster mee sua are a must order side, and thankfully available on the breakfast and lunch menu. They’re wheat vermicelli noodles, served in a thick, almost congee consistency-like soup, with a generous serve of plump oyster. The contrasting textures and balance of sweet and savoury hit just the right note.

For the lunch bento boxes, it’s set combinations of a main and three sides, with a cup of traditional Taiwanese tea to drink. Mains include things like fried chicken, Chiayi-style chicken rice, and Taiwanese sausage with braised pork. For sides, you’ll find steamed greens, veg salads, lotus root, and more. To add to your bento, you can also purchase additional mains and soups.

老街鷄排飯 Taiwan Village

4/280 King Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9008 4058
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 8:00am to 2:30pm

48 Hours In Boulder: Things To Do

Paul
-
0
48 Hours In Boulder: Things To Do

BOULDER | Located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, just a half hour drive from downtown Denver, Boulder is a city of 102,000 people that has a lot to offer visitors.

There are plenty of things to do in Boulder, owing to both its location, and the fact that it’s a bustling student town. Boulder is home to the largest campus of the University of Colorado, with the impact of the active student population apparent throughout the city. There’s loads of great places to eat and drink, a vibrant street art scene, and plenty of live entertainment on offer.

Boulder is also a great base for outdoor activities, with its location providing easy access for nature-themed day trips. Without further ado, here’s my list of things to do in Boulder.

Admire A Traditional Tajik Tea House

Dushanbe, Tajikistan, is one of Boulder’s sister cities. The relationship began in 1983, when a group of Boulder locals set out to increase international understanding and peace by forming a connection with what was, at the time, part of the Soviet Union.

In 1987, Dushanbe’s mayor announced that he would present Boulder with a Tajik chaikhona, a place to sip tea (chai), meet up with friends, play chess and enjoy light snacks. It was handcrafted in the city, and sent disassembled to Boulder. In May 1998 it was finally reassembled and opened as a restaurant and cafe, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse. It’s been treasured by locals ever since.

Check Out A Museum

There are many excellent museums in Boulder, catering to a wide variety of interests. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art was founded in 1972 and is an inclusive, diverse, creative place that showcases contemporary art from local and national artists. The Shelby American Collection Museum, meanwhile, celebrates the history of Carroll Shelby and the Shelby American Team. It’s a must visit not just for those with a passing interest in motorsports, but for those who admire the aesthetics of classic cars.

At the University of Colorado, Boulder campus, two museums worth a visit are the CU Museum of Natural History, and the Fiske Planetarium.

Eat And Drink Your Way Through Town

January Coffee is the place to go for some of the best coffee in Colorado. Boxcar Coffee Roasters also brew fantastic coffee, and features a small retail section where you can purchase pantry items made by local artisans.

Visit Zoe Ma Ma for great handmade noodles and dim sum; The Buff for classic American bunch fare done right; and Santo for contemporary New Mexican Fare. Also check out the epic breakfast burritos and produce driven dishes at butcher/restaurant/cafe, Blackbelly Market.

Bramble & Hare is a great option for contemporary American dishes and drinks. For a great vibe, burgers, and craft beer, check out eclectic saloon The Dark Horse, which has been doing its thing since 1975. For beer lovers looking for craft breweries, be sure to visit Wild Provisions Beer Project, Upslope Brewing Company, and Avery Brewing Company.

Go Out Into Nature

There are no shortage of outdoor options for visitors to Boulder. Whether you’re planning on exploring the Rocky Mountain National Park, keeping it super local at Chautauqua Park, or visiting any of the other parks in the area, Boulder is a perfect base. Popular outdoor parks and trails beyond the two mentioned include the Royal Arch Trail, Mount Sanitas, Flagstaff Mountain, Eldorado Canyon State Park, and Boulder Creek.

You can hike, kayak, rock climb, cycle, paddleboard, ski, snowboard, camp and more. Boulder’s has outdoor activities for all ages and fitness levels.

Look For Street Art

The street art scene in Boulder is diverse, with large murals you can’t help but notice on main streets, and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it stencils and paste ups hidden down unassuming alleyways. The art draws upon a variety of themes from the social and political, to the historical and fun.

There’s loads of street art all over town, check out my Boulder Street Art Guide for a rundown of where to find the best murals.

Peruse The Pearl Street Mall

The Pearl Street Mall is a four-block pedestrian mall in the heart of downtown Boulder. It’s filled with cafes, restaurants, bars, and an assortment of independent (and not so independent) stores selling all sort of of things.

There’s art installations, installations for children to enjoy, and various spots for street performers and musicians to set up and entertain passers by.

Sample The Region’s Produce

Boulder has built a reputation for being a haven for lovers of good food and drink. The city prides itself on supporting and promoting local ingredients, quality produce, and local talent.

One of the best ways to get a sense of the quality produce on offer in Boulder is to visit the Boulder Farmers Market. It’s a growers-only market that’s been operating since 1986, where you can find some of the best and freshest produce and foodstuffs in town. It’s open on Wednesdays from May to October, and Saturdays from April to November.

Visit Chautauqua Park

If you’re running short on time, and can only do one outdoorsy activity during your time in Boulder, Chautauqua Park is your best bet. The trailhead and park is the gateway to the Flatirons, striking red sandstone formations that slant up toward the sky at the western end of the city.

The base of the trailhead is just a 30 minute walk from downtown Boulder. While there, you can hike, picnic, bike, rock climb, and more.

Fleet Rooftop Bar, Melbourne CBD

Paul
-
0
Fleet Rooftop Bar, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Fleet Rooftop Bar opens today, perched atop the recently opened Vibe Hotel Melbourne. At 22 stories (68 metres) above ground, its the highest rooftop bar in Melbourne. I was invited along to the launch last night to check it out.

As you’d expect from Melbourne’s highest rooftop bar, the views from Fleet are impressive. The primary view features vistas across the Yarra, over Southbank and beyond, with Docklands in view to the west, and Flinders Street Station, the MCG, and more, to the east.

Fleet is a bright, natural light-filled venue, inspired by Melbourne’s maritime heritage. The contemporary fitout and décor nods to this heritage, as does the food and drink offering, which has been developed by multi-award winning international bar consultant Grant Collins.

There’s a focus on rum and gin, with over 70 rums and 50 gins, local and international, behind the bar. The rarest bottles in the collection date back to the 1930s. There’s a sharp wine and beer list, plus classic and house cocktails.

The Seafarer’s Hurricane is a refreshing twist on the classic, featuring gold rum, navy rum, pineapple, orange, lime, and passionfruit. The Barrel-aged Tequila Manhattan, meanwhile, blends barrel aged reposado tequila, sweet vermouth, orange bitters, angostura bitters and maraschino. Keep an eye out for the roaming cocktail cart, where interesting takes on things like negronis and martinis are made to order, tableside.

To eat, head chef Asish Kumar has developed a snack-focused menu featuring top quality Victorian produce. Expect things like oysters and caviar-topped blini, a 22-spice infused chicken éclair, and grilled kingfish atop zesty slaw.

Fleet Rooftop Bar

1 Queen Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 9958 9100
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Tue – Sat: 3:00pm to 11:00pm

48 Hours In Salt Lake City: Things To Do

Paul
-
0
48 Hours In Salt Lake City: Things To Do

SALT LAKE CITY | What did I know about Salt Lake City before visiting? Mormons and The Utah Jazz, the Winter Olympics back in 2002, and that’s about it. When talking with my friend about what we wanted to while we were there, I commented “The Mormon stuff and I guess there’s a salt lake that’ll be worth checking out?”

Well yes, there is a salt lake worth checking out (more on that below), plus a whole lot more. Salt Lake City is a place that’s surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, and plenty of vibrant neighbourhoods full of interesting things to see, great food and drink, and more.

Here’s my list of things to do in Salt Lake City, all easily doable in a short break, or spread out over a few more days.

Be Wowed By The Great Salt Lake

Salt Lake City derives its name from Utah’s Great Salt Lake. It’s the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, and the eighth-largest terminal lake in the world.

Water flows down from the snowy mountains into the lake, and because it has nowhere to go after that, it evaporates, leaving behind water that’s dense enough to float in. The size of the lake can change dramatically. In the 1980s it reached a historic high of 8,500 km2. In 2021, water levels fell to a historic low of 2,500 km2.

Great Salt Lake is popular with locals. You can swim and float in the lake, and there are several walking and cycling trails, scenery and wildlife viewing spots. Because the size of the lake can change so dramatically, there’s less visitor infrastructure than you might imagine.

Check Out The World’s First KFC

Indiana-born Harland “Colonel” Sanders created his now world-famous fried chicken recipe in 1939, while running the Sanders Court & Café in Kentucky. He decided to franchise his chicken recipe in 1952, to Pete Harman, a local restaurateur in Salt Lake City. A sign maker at Harman Cafe, Rodney L. Anderson, coined the name “Kentucky Fried Chicken”, Harman and Sanders both loved the name, and the rest is history.

The original building has long gone, but there’s still a KFC on the original site. If you visit, you’ll find all sorts of nods to the site’s history, including a several displays featuring original fittings, cooking equipment, and more, from the first ever KFC.

Enjoy Top Quality Global Cuisine

Salt Lake City is a multicultural city, and this is reflected in the food on offer. Visit Laziz Kitchen for Lebanese meze, dips, and more. For some of the best Mexican in town, you can’t go past street cart Tacos Don Rafa, famed for their authentic taco and open until midnight, seven days a week.

If it’s Cajun food you want, The Bayou is a great option. For breakfast, check out Kahve Cafe, where you’ll find traditional Turkish coffee, tea, and delicious house made sweet and savoury Turkish dishes.

Explore Nature At Red Butte Garden

Located at the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and is the state arboretum of Utah. The garden is known for its plant collections, themed gardens, and over 590,000 springtime blooming bulbs. Visiting is a great way to see and learn about the flora of the region.

Get Active At Utah Olympic Park

Built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Utah Olympic Park is a nearly 400-acre / 162-hectare venue that’s the place to visit if you’re interested in winter sports. The park houses one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a 2002 Winter Games museum, and loads of winter and summer outdoor activities.

You can have a go at things like bobsledding, skiing, snowboarding, ski jumping, ziplining, swimming, and more. Whether you’re an experienced winter sports-goer, have a passing interesting in it, or are looking for child-friendly activities, Utah Olympic Park is well worth a visit.

Have A Beer At One Of The City’s Craft Breweries

Despite the Utah’s strict laws around alcohol, Salt Lake City is home to several highly regarded craft breweries. Up until recently, many of these brewery’s best beers weren’t available in the state, but today, beers up to 5.0% ABV can be served on tap, and pours of stronger brews can be poured from bottles.

My favourite breweries to visit in Salt Lake City are Epic Brewing Company, Fisher Brewing Company, and Templin Family Brewing. The latter, with its large outdoor courtyard and exceptional Central European style beers, is especially great.

Hike To The Top Of Grandeur Peak

Located just a 20 minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City you’ll find popular recreation area Millcreek Canyon. The canyon is known for its biking, hiking, and ski trails. Grandeur Peak is the closest peak to the city, and also one of the quickest to summit.

The trail is steep, but wide, well-marked, and easy to follow. When you reach the top, you’ll be treated to breath-taking views of Salt Lake City, the wider Salt Lake Valley, and the surrounding mountain peaks.

Visit A Museum

Salt Lake City is home to numerous museums dealing with the city’s natural and cultural history, sports, art, and more. The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is a great place to see contemporary pieces by local and national artists, while the Utah Museum of Fine Arts is the place to discover a diverse collection of visual art spanning over 5,000 years.

The latter is located on the Utah University campus, as is the Natural History Museum of Utah, and the Fort Douglas Military Museum. If sports is your thing, be sure to check out the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Museum, which showcases and celebrates athletes and figures from across a broad spectrum of individual and team sports.

Wander Through Temple Square

Temple Square is a 10-acre /4-hectare complex, owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the heart of Salt Lake City. It includes the Salt Lake Temple, Salt Lake Tabernacle, Salt Lake Assembly Hall, and the Seagull Monument, amongst other Mormon sites and buildings.

It’s one of the most popular tourist sites in Salt Lake City, and well worth a visit to either learn more about Mormon history and the religion, or simply admire the architecture and interiors. Wandering through Temple Square is a, let’s just say, unique and surreal experience. What one gets out of that experience really does depend on the individual.

Kōri Ice Cream, Melbourne CBD

Paul
-
0
Kōri Ice Cream, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Hawthorn ice cream specialists Kōri Ice Cream recently opened up a second location in Melbourne’s CBD. Being a big fan of ice-cream and Asian inspired flavours, it immediately jumped onto my “places to visit” list, which I did the other day for What’s On Melbourne.

Described as “Japanese inspired, Melbourne bred”, Kōri is the brainchild of ex-Coda pastry chef Joanne Yeoh and LuxBite co-founder and pastry chef Bernard Chu. Inside the small shop you’ll find around 12 ice-cream flavours on offer. There’s milk-based and plant-based offerings, core range favourites, and limited creations. Flavours like Hokkaido cheesecake, Fuji apple, black sesame, and genmaicha.

Only premium ingredients are used to make the ice cream, and there’s a particular focus eschewing sweetness for more intense flavour. You can get your ice cream in a cup or one of the assorted cones on offer, along with 480ml tubs for home.

Beyond the ice cream in the stainless steel pozetti, Kōri also have a fridge filled with ice cream cakes, tarts, and limited creations. Think mango cheesecake, matcha pistachio tart, and a holiday themed “Kōrinettos”.

Kōri Ice Cream

392 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: (03) 7012 7487
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 10:30pm

Santana Rooftop, Melbourne CBD

Paul
-
0
Santana Rooftop, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Santana is a new rooftop bar from Abjar Kasho, the man Bouvardia, one of my favourite cocktail bar in Melbourne. Located on the rooftop above Bouvardia, Santana occupies the space formerly home to Pomelo. Gone are the bright, pastel colours and temporary feel of Pomelo, replaced with a sultry red and black theme, and more permanent fixtures.

Featuring a new retractable roof and wall heaters, Santana is a cosy spot that can be enjoyed year-round, regardless of what Melbourne’s weather might throw at it. South American wine, cocktails, and spirits are what Santana is all about, along with a small selection of Cuban cigars.

If you’re after something sweet, the Dominicana cocktail is a must. It’s a luxurious combination of dark rum, Okar mocha coffee liqueur, and cream. If it’s a cold night, try the Canelazo. It’s a blend of white rum, orange, lime, cloves, and cinnamon that’s served warm.

For wine, you might want to try a style not often seen in Australia, like Carménère. One of the oldest European varietals, it was all but thought to be extinct until it was re-identified in Chile in 1994. There’s a few beers on tap and in cans if that’s more your thing, along with a one page menu of top quality whiskey, tequila, rum, and a few other dark spirits.

Santana Rooftop

L3, 169 Melbourne Place
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Thu: 4:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Bola Bake, Airport West

Paul
-
0
Bola Bake, Airport West

MELBOURNE | Picture this. You’re enroute to or from Melbourne airport, looking for somewhere to have breakfast or lunch. You’ve got a few places on your list, but nothing that’s close to the airport. You could eat at the airport, or you could head to Bola Bake. It’s a cafe inside a surprisingly cosy converted warehouse in the industrial suburb of Airport West, just 10 minute drive from the airport.

I was invited to check out Bola Bake by Scot Nottle, who owns the cafe with his wife Pakchima “Mini” Punapaprasurt. Mini’s the head chef at Bola Bake, and she’s honed years of experience working in the kitchens some of Melbourne’s top brunch spots into what she’s does here. Mini’s menu is one that exemplifies the kind of contemporary Asian/Australian fusion that’s a signature of this city.

It’s the kind of menu that, while only containing around 15 options, has you indecisively jumping between them because you want to eat it all. The most popular item on the menu, and for good reason, is the Squid Ink Mentaiko. A bowl of squid ink spaghetti is adorned with magura poke tuna, tobiko, mentaiko brown sauce, and an onsen egg. It’s a savoury, salty dish that encapsulates the flavours of the ocean in the best way.

Another winner is the “Okono Benny”, which sees okonomiyaki fused with eggs benedict. The classic Japanese teppanyaki pancake topped with smoked salmon, baby spinach, poached egg, hollandaise, tobiko, and bonito. It’s the best of both worlds.

Even simpler dishes, like fried chicken on waffles, stand out at Bola Bake. What can be quite a heavy dish in less experienced hands is a light wonder here. Mini’s version sees light, fluffy waffles form a bed for crispy Korean fried chicken, Kewpie, pickled cucumbers, honey glaze and a fried egg.

There’s cakes and pastries to enjoy in or-to go in the display cabinet at the counter. Think yuzu or taro burnt Basque cheesecake, and Nutella almond croissants. To drink, it’s the usual cafe suspects, along with great house creations like a lavender, rose, and espresso latte; and crunchy topped peanut butter latte.

If you’ve got a dog, you’ll be happy to know that Bola Bake is a dog friendly venue. There’s free house-made dog treats for your furry friend, and if you want, Scot will take a snap of them for Bola Bake’s doggy wall of fame.

Bola Bake

22A Fraser Street
Airport West
Victoria 3042
Australia

Telephone: 0468 836 289
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 7:00am to 3:00pm
Sat – Sun: 8:00am to 3:00pm

123...411Page 1 of 411

STAY CONNECTED

Follow us on your favourite social media channels.

Popular Articles

SUBSCRIBE