3 states in 3 days- Melbourne: Hopetoun Tea Rooms

——-09/03/2012——-

I walk past Hopetoun Tea Rooms every time I visit Melbourne, I’m like a kid staring into a candy store but I can’t help it, it is sooooo beautiful. I figured with my pasta eating record at Spontini, I deserved to stop by one last time before I flew out but this time actually buy something.

With so many stunning cakes, which one should I choose?

I ordered a raspberry tart and a Portuguese tart (total $12.50) to go and although the I was in a bit of a rush, I couldn’t get angry as they packed the sweets so lovingly and even decorated the box with leaves and rose petals on a cute doily. He asked me if I wanted my Portugese tart warmed but I figured a warmed tart might not survive the ‘Home Alone running through the airport’ scene so I declined. As I was waiting, gorgeous cakes were being plated with creams and assorted sauces adorning the plate with just as much love and care that went into making and decorating the cake itself.

He packed me a serviette and a fork and I was ready to go! 

At the airport I open the box finding my tarts still in tact bar some raspberries that tumbled off. First I tried the raspberry tart. The subtle tartness of the generous portion of plump fresh berries was complimented by the sweetness of the custard filling. It was so good! Maybe the best raspberry tart I’ve had!

The Portugese tart was much sweeter in comparison, it had a wonderful texture but it’s not the nicest tart I’ve had. It would have been amazing if it was warmed.

I’m still excited to try many more sweets from Hopetoun Tea Rooms, I hear the Pavlova is rather nice! I will next time however visit without having to rush off somewhere after or with a full-ish tummy.   

Venue: Hopetoun Tea Rooms

Address: The Block Arcade,  282 Collins St, Melbourne

Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 5pm

                                 Sunday: 9pm – 5pm 

Advertisement

3 states in 3 days- Melbourne: Spontini

——-09/03/2012——-

I was cutting it fine to squeeze in lunch before flying back to Canberra but my friend said I definitely have to come here. I found Spontini restaurant down one of many of Melbourne’s charming alley ways. The entrance leads down some stairs to a bustling dining room, they must have an extensive wine list as almost everyone was drinking wine.

I asked the friendly staff if I could be in and out ASAP as I had a flight to catch and they were happy to help. By 1:08pm lasagne was sold out which is sad because that’s what I was going to order. 

I’m ready to eat! 

The food came out within 15 minutes after ordering with a lot of steam coming off the food.

The pasta was perfect, chewy and al dente! I was a bit disappointed that such an authentic Italian restaurant would have ‘powdered cheese’ but when I tasted it it’s not your usual powdered parmesan and in fact it’s a lot stronger.

Spaghetti con Polpette Home-made meat balls in tomato based sauce and served on spaghetti ($21.90) This was such a flavoursome tomato-y sauce and was sooo good, the meatballs were mediocre though.

Spaghetti Pescatore Fresh selection of seafood pan tossed with olive oil, white wine and tomato ($23.90) Nothing really special about this dish, the seafood didn’t taste fresh and the flavours didn’t really infuse into the sauce. I much preferred the spaghetti and meatballs.

We were in and out in 40 minutes which is very fast considering that includes me eating. 

Venue: Spontini

Address: 22 McKillop St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Phone: (03) 9670 2468

Website: http://www.spontini.com.au/

3 states in 3 days- Melbourne: The Waiting Room

——-08/03/2012——-

You can imagine I wasn’t feeling particularly hungry for dinner that night but I didn’t want to skip a meal considering we only had one night in Melbourne. By the time I started looking for a restaurant to eat at most of them were already closing for the night. Lucky for me the Waiting Room serving tapas at the Crown lobby was opened til late.

The lights inside are pretty dim in here so please excuse my photos. 

Chilli sauces from Mexico, I wasn’t going to add any to my food but little did I know one of my dishes already had some in it.

Gin (Hendricks) and tonic

Pineapple, orange and ginger juice ($6.00) I always order this combination and this was one expensive juice but this was THE BEST juice I have ever had.

Classic hot dog with ketchup and mustard ($10.00) Just a hot dog nothing special

Pulled pork shoulder with green salsa taco ($7.00) An example of why you shouldn’t read just the first half of the dish. This taco was HAAAAAAAAAAAAWT!  Nice but too hot for me 

Ham and cheese croquettes ($7.00) OMG! I would come back again and JUST order these- so good! 

I love the ambiance inside the Waiting Room, intimate surroundings with mood lighting and really attentive staff (and good drinks!) I would definitely come here again.

Venue: The Waiting Room

Phone: (03) 8679 1800

Address: The Lobby, Crown Towers, Southbank Vic 3006

Website: http://www.twrbar.com/