Snapshot: A. Baker

A. Baker is a jack-of-all trades it would seem. Opening from 7am through 10pm, it wears the hats of restaurant, café, bar and bakery. Occupying a part of the New Acton precinct (which was destroyed by fire in 2011), this area now plays host to a entertainment and dining hub. A. Baker is a venue that seems to tick all the boxes, offering a frequently changing menu showcasing local produce and wines. Chefs Adam Bantok and Bernd Brademann are in charge of the kitchen offering dishes such as slow cooked Cape Grim beef cheek, Bredbo asparagus, peas & pickled mushrooms or a dish of Tumut River trout, smoked corn, lardo & sorrel. It all sounds rather enticing...

A sample of the pastry cabinet. A lemon meringue tart (fluffy peaks of lightly torched meringue, um hello?!). It gets me every time...

In case your were curious, A. Baker proudly lists online all the producers and providores from whom they've sourced their ingredients and wines. Sounds like one hell of a shopping list. Another big ticket is their bakery, with their house made sourdough and a selection of pastries available daily. Come for brunch or perhaps in the evening for a visit to the bar downstairs to kick the night off - or Parlour Wine Room is literally metres away. All day dining venues such as this are blurring the boundaries between restaurant/café and bar. I think that suits us just fine! 

The rather versatile dining space catering for brekkie, lunch and dinner

The design of A. Baker is certainly a talking point. With basically a blank state to work with, DesignOffice has turned the space into a functional dining room and bar on a lower level. Evidence of the fire still marks the bare walls adding an extra flicker of character. The open kitchen acts as an arena where all the good stuff happens. Industrial and chic, the space gets the job done and feels hopelessly trendy. 

The stairway down to the bar, punctuated with black and steel

The original interior which had been gutted by fire has been retained giving an abstract-painted kind of effect

Did someone say sourdough?! A. Baker is also the perfect option for the busy work crowd who can duck in for a quick coffee and takeaway lunch

A. Baker is yet another restaurant to add to the burgeoning Canberra scene. Things are definitely looking up for our previously sleepy capital. Focussing on great design, and bringing together the very best produce and wines of the Canberra region - you can't really go wrong. Perfect for any occasion, A. Baker really is a chameleon. Make tracks.

Lunch on-the-go: slow cooked pulled pork pie with vegetables. The pastry was flaky and divine, the filling nice and chunky. All topped with house made tomato sauce. A rather posh meat pie indeed!

Side salad of baby spinach, radish and Spanish onion dressed in a light vinaigrette

Thanks for reading!
xGourmand

St John

London has fought many battles to get itself on the culinary map. With a cuisine built on stodgy suppers (with good reason, mind you as it's perpetually FREEZING) and the classic meat and three veg, there's not too much room for development. Enter, Fergus Henderson and his St John branded empire. A man who practically invented nose-to-tail eating and elevating offal to fine dining; for twenty years he has been redefining British cuisine for the discerning diner.

This utilitarian all-white restaurant runs like a well oiled machine, honed over the past two decades Credit: St John Group

Flush on the doorstep of Smithfield market, the original St John Bar and Restaurant stands as a bit of an icon in the area, having been operating since 1994 (positively eons by today's standards). Two years ago, I went away from St John absolutely beaming. Not only was the food exciting but it also shone a light on much neglected ingredients. The magic obviously worked on me because I left telling everyone, "You have to go, it's the best!" Today's little revisit was to reaffirm my beliefs about the place because when done right, offal can actually taste really, really good. Be adventurous and give it a go!

The unmistakeable no. 26 St. John Street, like a charismatic old friend

St John is certainly a modest space, based in a former smokehouse. The beauty of it is that there is something there for everyone, at the ground level is a casual bar space with beers on tap and some ripping bar snacks (crispy pigs ears anybody?) but the upstairs mezzanine is where the action's at (the formal dining room). A zen oasis decked in white-on-white. The reputation of this restaurant isn't for nothing, the service is efficient with professional, knowledgeable staff. 

Welsh rarebit with Worcestershire sauce. An absolute workhorse of British cuisine. This rather wholesome toasty was easily a meal on its own. Grilled to golden perfection this dish is a must

The menu is rather lengthy despite the rather minimalist descriptions like "Pigeon & Beetroot" (sounds delicious already!). You'd be a fool not to tackle a dish featuring offal or game. The old British classics are in the mix with some more left of centre dishes. It's a difficult game narrowing it down, too often my eyes are bigger than my stomach. St John also serve their house made sourdough which is the bomb (technical term) and offer a selection of their own St John vintages of wine (so sold). I tried the lovely Edelzwicker from Alsace (doesn't that sound fancy).

Crispy pig skin salad with watercress, green beans. Looking deceptively simple, this dish was full of surprises - the salty pop of capers, the textural pork and zippy dressing tying it all together. Completely delicious

The dishes come to the table in quick succession and a rather small table is jammed from corner to corner with white plates. I ended up nesting my glass of white on the windowsill (if you don't mind...).  Where the presentation leaves much to be desired it would simply make no sense to be mucking about and jazzing up offal. The flavours do ALL the talking, there's absolutely no need for bells and whistles. What you see is what you get and I respect that boldness.

Blood cake and fried eggs. This is precisely what you got! The black pud was rich and crumbly, possibly the entire year's worth of iron and protein right there

A little experiment in sweetbreads: (left) lamb sweetbreads turnip & bacon circa 2012 and (right) lamb sweetbreads, broad beans and bacon (2014). I obviously couldn't get enough and ordered the dish again. The sweetbreads have a rather unusual texture (an unexpected creaminess), but they are cooked so well. A gold standard in terms of sweetbreads!

DOLCE - a mash up of 2012/2014

Bitter chocolate crème & prunes (left) and lemon sorbet & vodka (right). This pair of rather adult desserts from 2012 were absolute dynamite (and not just from the post-shot burny feeling)

It doesn't get much more old skool than this: eccles cake and Lancaster cheese circa '12

The New Guard, 2014: baked cheesecake with rum-soaked raisins (gosh, they were ALCOHOLIC) and rhubarb sorbet & vodka (gosh that was ALCOHOLIC). The cheesecake was utterly moorish, I wasn't missing a biscuity base at all. The sorbet was more of boozy slushie in the end = AMAZING

At St John you'll find nose-to-tail eating at its best and most original. Fergus Henderson's St John brand is a sure fire winner and comforting at any time of year. Twenty years later with a Michelin star in tow, it is still in fine form and highly recommended to one and all. If you can't find the time to dine in or can't get a table (likely), be sure to duck over to the bakery and purchase some of that amazing sourdough for home (they sell halves as well which is rather nifty). Totally worth the trip, and the food baby.

Right before it got really busy. This photograph was really pushing the limits of my point-and-shoot camera but hey, it worked!

Thanks for reading this rather epic edition!

xGourmand

Snapshot: Brick Lane

The cultural melting pot that is Brick Lane. Yet another borough with such a strong identity. The bilingual sign just says it all

One of the beautiful things about the city of London is that it has multiple personalities. Venture 500m thataway and the vibe is something complete different from where you just came. Whatever mood you're in, there's something for everyone and Brick Lane is certainly no exception. Home to a thriving market on Sundays (be sure not to miss the Columbia Road Flower Market while you're at it), Brick Lane is filled to bursting with quirky boutiques, eateries and galleries. Sounds good to me!

Doing Banksy proud, where graffiti is elevated to art form

Nude Espresso

26 Hanbury Street, London E16QR

And so begins the search for that elusive cup of coffee (that's up to scratch)...

Their signature fire engine red façade. Nude also has another café in Soho but has made itself cosy in the hipster east London

Coffee culture is starting to hit London hard and I'm very glad for it. At Nude Espresso, an Aussie ex-pat has decided to bring our coffee culture to the UK. The team have two cafés under their belt now and  roast their own beans (well, naturally). The interior is a very simple affair (to the point where I was thinking flat-pack) but does the trick. With a very simple food menu, this place is all about the coffee.

The coffee I had was not bad actually. There was a very slightly bitter aftertaste without being burnt (thank goodness). Can you tell how low my expectations are? [Snob!] Credit: Nude Espresso

Perhaps the scariest thing about exploring the London café scene is the prices. A cup of coffee pretty much sets you back the equivalent  at home, except in pounds. It's a bit of a stretch to think a regular cappuccino is setting me back $6, just like that. Nonetheless, I've done a bit of legwork around town to investigate. As an Aussie, I've got to get my priorities straight. To further illustrate my point, see here.

Soup of the Day: potato and leek soup. A classic, and actually fitting in the cool Spring weather. The soup had a good flavour but I'm not a huge fan of the raw spring onion garnish. I had to save myself for what was to follow later on, read on :)

Grilled to perfection: banana bread. A café staple all over the world

Beigel Bake

159 Brick Lane, London E16SB

Glorious! The not-to-be-missed hot salt beef beigel for a tidy £3.50 (time to celebrate!). You can only imagine how long that beef has been cooking, it is so meltingly tender. Truly incredible, and a proper hit of English mustard right up the nostrils.  Probably the cheapest, decent feed I've seen around - can't go wrong really

Ah, this is my new happy place. Beigel Bake churns out beigels like the world is ending. A 24/7 operation, it is a favourite of late night revellers when it really kicks off after 2am. Because they only make the one thing, don't be deterred by the lines because you are served in a flash by those no-nonsense shop ladies. There's literally standing room only so be prepared to hover by the banquet bar or step out for some chilly fresh air. The beigels speak for themselves really (there I go personifying food...), when it tastes that good, you can get away with anything. This place oozes old school charms and is a clear winner judging by the sheer volume of customers. A quintessentially London experience and essential at that.

Never fear, your late night prayers have been answered in the form of salt beef beigls. Can I get a hallelujah? Doesn't it just look tremendously attractive with those garbage bags out front? Lol

And now, just a few self-indulgent snaps :D

Thanks for reading!
xGourmand

Snapshot: The Grain Store

Hope you're all having a stunning holiday season thus far. Yesterday  I celebrated my birthday in the mix - 21 again, obviously. For the lucky few who have this fortnight off, it is a fantastic time to be in Australia. The sunshine is consistently glorious, without it being too hot. Perfect days for lazing outdoors, watching the cricket and an all important weekend institution: a caffeinated brunch.

A very minimalistic white/black/timber interior has an almost 'calming effect' on the bustling commuter Photo credit: Urban Walkabout

Today I've got a newish Melbourne café for you. The Grain Store opened earlier this year on the business end of Flinders Lane. If you thought the Melbourne café market was saturated, think again. There always seems to be room for one more, and this one's a goodie. Chef Ingo Meissner (ex-St Ali) is at the helm at Grain putting emphasis on organic and sustainably sourced produce. The café is supplied by Brunswick's Ceres Market Gardens and are also serves as a drop off for customers to pick up their weekly groceries. A very nice idea if you work in the area.

St Ali bean blends rule the roost at Grain and as a result, the coffee is impeccable!

At Grain, they definitely know their stuff. The menu reads like a dream, everything looks so appetising. The options are both varied and many - that is where the difficulty lies! After several days of some delicious and very filling meals in Melbourne I needed a wee detox, but maybe after I'd tried their pancakes...

Apple, buckwheat & ricotta pancakes with orange nutella, apple puree, spiced marscarpone and pistachio streusel. This is certainly not for the faint hearted at 9 in the morning. The pancakes themselves looked quite dense but were very nice with all the 'accoutrements'. Be prepared to share this one!

Just what the Doctor ordered, haha. Grain Store toasted granola parfait with mandarin, chia seed yogurt and elderflower rhubarb, quinoa milk. For $10, this is the breakfast of champions, this is a textural delight. The chia seed topping was particularly tasty. You feel like such a health freak tucking in ;)

The Grain Store is a cracker of café, if you're ever down that end of the Melbourne CBD you should definitely give it a go. Nutritious, organic and delicious meals await in a very peaceful spot. They also cater for functions and offer a private dining room for something a bit more spesh. As we were readying to leave, the staff were bringing out the bloody lunch smorgasbord and our jaws dropped. Oh man. Do we have to go yet?

Lain out like that, everything little thing looked so tempting. The suits next door must be rejoicing right.

Pick up a delicious sarnie filled to bursting. It all looked incredible!

The Grain Store was a fantastic note to finish the Melbourne getaway on.   The food and service are second to none, even in this café motherland. We left with smiles all round - I highly recommend this one!

The branding work done by Nani Puspasari, quite Le Pain Quotidien-esque Photo credit: Design Nani

Thanks for reading (there's plenty more where that came from)! Have a fantastic new year's, here's to 2014 :D
xGourmand

Snapshot: Berry, NSW

I had no idea how restorative a weekend in the country would be and I think Berry was the perfect place for it. Australia is known for its sweeping sandy beaches and alluring coastline but there are some great getaways to be had if you meander inland. The Hunter Valley (wine country for the uninitiated), for example is unmissable if you're into that sort of thing. 

The spread put on by the Berry Tea Shop. A big EY-O!

Berry has its merits in creating a brilliant + jovial atmosphere on its main drag, Queen Street. Wandering down the street, ducking into cafés and boutiques at the ready you're reminded that you are officially on holiday (praise be!). You have definitely escaped the big smoke! I don't mind old-fashioned country hospitality and those never-ending winter blue skies either!

Berry Tea Shop

Shop 1, 66 Albert Street

If you're looking for the very definition of girly-girl, you need only step through these French doors. In a haven of bunting, china teacups and fruit scones (darling) this specialist boutique is all about image. And it works because I most certainly did NOT leave empty handed. I bought a spectacular Moroccan Mint Tea, no thanks to the glass 'smell jars' for you to sniff those gorgeous tea blends. If you've got the minutes, sit yourself down and enjoy a slice of Berry's finest cakes and an aromatic cuppa. So. Happy.




Milkwood Bakery

109 Queen Street

This place is basically unavoidable and a must visit. It's pretty difficult to ignore with the queue spilling out the bloody door. What's all the ruckus about? A subsidiary of the Berry Sourdough Café (23 Prince Alfred St), this place is going gangbusters with one thing only. Carbs. Whether it be breakfast or lunch when you're needing a hit, this place is ALL over it. Seriously. The fresh juices are pretty good to if you need to detox like we did post Xmas in July Feasting.

Pies up: cauliflower & pecorino, steak & caramelised onion and chicken & mushroom. The first pie was a complete stand out, such a delicious combination (unexpectedly so). We actually went back the next day for seconds but they were sold out. Drats

For the sweet-toothed (you know who you are), the lamingtons and giant chocolate macarons aren't too shabby 

Emporium Food Co.

127B Queen Street

I couldn't make a cheese collage better if I tried

Emporium Food Co. is like a foodie paradise in the delicious form of a deli/café hybrid. If you're into cheese like me, you will be caught right off guard with the amazing + international selection of cheeses there for the taking. Manchego, perhaps? Sí por favor! Guilty as charged, we walked out of there with the makings of a killer cheese/meat board. Yes, items are rather pricey but you only purchase a smidgen ;)

Couldn't pass up a shot of the cured meats display either

Some other addresses just for luck:

South on Albany
3/65 Queen Street, cnr Albany Street

Say hello to Berry's latest neighbourhood eatery. South on Albany is a bistro style restaurant serving up the region's freshest and seasonal produce. Their dining philosophy ticks all the right boxes as far as I'm concerned. If only I had the chance to try it (if it weren't for the trail blazed through our own kitchen)... Broadsheet Sydney recently reviewed the restaurant over here.

The façade in all it's symmetrically proportioned goodness. I can't help but laugh at myself sometimes Source: Broadsheet Sydney

Scullys and Co.
108 Queen Street

The quintessential country gift shop, Scullys & Co. has made a mark on Berry despite only opening last year. The decor is gorgeous and homely perfect for displaying its lavender themed trinkets. Whether it be linens, food stuffs (lavender honey anyone?) or bath products (you can never have too many soaps right?), there will definitely be something here that catches your eye.

Stop and smell the roses lavender. Source: Scullys and Co Facebook

Sew and Tell
Shop 2, 133 Queen Street

I have a rather guilty confession to make. I spent an absurd amount of time in the handicrafts/wool shop, Sew and Tell (you have to give it to them for the witty title). It was completely nuts. Admiring all the knitwear and embroidery, it was like discovering another universe. I have not made anything remotely crafty in my life - that's why I fall on photography to save myself! Check it:

It's a cracking read...

Okay I had no idea this would turn into such a monster post. Apologies (no, not really) :P

Thanks for reading!
xGourmand