Just like Santa, I’m going through my list and checking it twice, although mine is probably less of a list and more of a menu, more specifically XO‘s menu. After patting my belly at the end my second visit, I checked the menu and there are only four items that I haven’t had the pleasure of tasting yet. Soon, my pretties. Soon you’ll be mine.
Don’t mind me and my random sense of humour
Since I had eaten most of the menu the first time around I spent most of my second trip talking to friends and enjoying the food all over again, I did eat more than two things (best you don’t know how much more) and I’ll only write about the dishes I hadn’t tried before.
Starters~
Steamed dumping minced prawn and pork with spicy soy vinaigrette ($16.00). These reminded me of the dumplings you can get at Din Tai Fung, and that is fine by me. Unbeknownst to me, my chilli tolerance must be gradually getting better because I didn’t think the soy sauce was too spicy but according to some, it was.
Larger~
Barramundi fillet steamed in sesame soy with cherry tomatoes and pickled mustard leaves ($32.00). Most of my life, I remember my family patiently sitting there and waiting for me to finish eating at restaurants and what I am usually ‘pecking’ at is the last of the steamed fish with soy sauce that I love drowning in my bowl of rice. I don’t often have this dish anymore as A) I’m more aware of how much a steamed fish costs at a restaurant (lots of thanks for all the meals Mummy paid for) and B) I can’t eat a whole one to myself and need people to share it with. Anyway, back to this dish, It reminds me exactly of that dish (minus the tomatoes), it makes my heart flutter and takes me back to my childhood. The fish itself was really delicate and almost melts in your mouth, which is not usually a term you would use to describe fish! I was keen to try this after reading Gary’s review of XO and I’m so glad that I got the opportunity.
I’m still dreaming about the Asian bolognese and xiu mai… YUMMMMMMMMMMMM
See my first visit post here.
Even the water and glasses were quirky and old school.
We were a bit carried away and instead of just ordering a small breakfast for TimmyC and a thick shake to share we ordered something savoury, sweet as well as a chocolate thick shake.
Toast sourdough served with condiments ($7.30). TimmyC really enjoyed the bread because he likes eating ‘Country split’ bread and this reminded him of that.
Yes I realised I forgot to take a photo until after I put it in the oven
Polenta waffles lemon thyme sautéed mushrooms, goats cheese, poached eggs, corn puree, salsa verde and truffle oil ($18.90). I thought the addition of dry ice and truffle oil to create a ‘truffle cloud’ upon serving was more for showmanship rather than for taste, but it gives Space a more theatrics side of things setting them apart from their sister cafe Ricardo’s. The waffles themselves were rather crunchy with a soft centre and I loved it paired with the mushrooms and sweet corn puree but I found the goats cheese flavour too strong. I would easily order this again if I wanted a unique vegetarian option.
The truffle cloud presentation.
Space benedict pulled pork croquette with poached eggs, beetroot hollandaise, pork crackling brioche crumble and pea puree ($18.90). I loved the interesting presentation of this dish and I can’t resist a croquette. The crunchy croquette coating which encased the tender pulled pork was brilliant although I wasn’t a fan of the pea puree. I was surprised to see that I found the slightly sour beetroot hollandaise really addictive and kept dipping my fork into it. Definitely a breakfast classic with a twist that is worth trying.
Served with beautiful violets and perfectly cooked eggs.
TALES OF A CONFECTIONIST 
