Shadows of Blue - Gippsland Tarago River Cheese Company

The other night on way home from work I dropped into McCoppins Food & Wine on Queens Parade in Fitzroy North to pick up some cream. Walking past the deli my eyes fell upon the cheese section and I stopped dead in my tracks. The particular cheese that caught my eye was called Shadows of Blue from the Gippsland Tarago River Cheese Company. I was unable to leave without buying some, so at $59kg I bought a small wedge just to try.

It's a mild double cream blue. It's soft, very creamy and after its been out of the fridge for awhile,  it's spreadable. The Roqueforti mould cultures create this texture and a mild but full blue flavour. Good starting point for people new to blue cheese.

Eat with water crackers, wafers or plain crusty bread, anything else would take away from its flavour! Probably one of the most addictive cheeses I have had the pleasure of eating.

Eiffel Tower Cheese

A is currently in Europe on a 5 week adventure. She has been taking photos of the local produce just for me and I decided that I had to share this one picture... Eiffel Tower shaped cheese, oh mon dieu!

A few things I wish I had written about but didn't...

Taste of Melbourne 2009
A delectable journey through some of Melbourne's best restaurants all under one roof.

Best Bits?
Turkish Delight filled Doughnuts glazed with honey and crushed pistachios from Maha, I did not want to share! We also met George Calombaris and Gary Mehigan the second we walked in.

My friend A, George & Me outside the The Press Club & Maha Taste Kitchen.

Me, Gary & A outside The Boathouse Taste Kitchen.

How's your hip pocket?

EMPTY! It's an expensive day out, but worth every penny. Get a few friends together and share the dishes you purchase, you'll taste more and get better value!

Details

Taste of Melbourne 2010

26-29 August 2010

Royal Exhibition Building

Carlton

http://www.tastefestivals.com.au/australia/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=68

There's also one in Sydney, however its already done for 2010 - http://www.tastefestivals.com.au/australia/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=83

King Valley Shed Wine Show 2008 & 2009

A small wine show for an amazing wine region where the public become the judges! 2008, held at Gracebrook Vineyards saw record attendance pushing 2009 to a new venue, the Swinburne Pavilion in Whitfield. The new venue was not ideal, however the event is always fantastic. For anyone who needs a helping hand, the King Valley Vignerons are there to teach you all about wine tasting and judging. With entertainment and food all day too, its a great day out!

Gracebrook Vineyards - 2008 Venue

Best Bits?
Making a full weekend out of it, camping with friends and visiting some wineries on the way home. The Whitfield Pub also gets a mention, always ready to serve up huge (and delicious) pizzas on a Friday night after the 3 hour drive up. We also witnessed a calf being born!

Little Calf just after it was born... Mumma was very cautious about us!

How's your hip pocket?
The show or weekend if you choose is cheap cheap cheap! $15 per head gets you entrance to the wine show, all the wine you can taste and a glass to drink from. If you don't mind roughing it, you can camp at Gentle Annie for approximately $10 per night (there are shower and toilet facilities too)

Details
King Valley Shed Wine Show
First Saturday in October
http://www.kvv.com.au

Rubicon, North Melbourne

If you remember the scene where Carl and Roberta Williams meet for the first time in the original Underbelly, this restaurant is where the filming took place. Despite its claim to fame, and the Melbourne Crime Tours stopping out front, I enjoyed a casual lunch with my girlfriend J, just this Saturday gone.

It was definitely one of those memorable experiences where you sit down for lunch and a few glasses of wine but you end up hanging around for hours, several wines later, and you realise the waitress who has been serving you has long since knocked off.

The way this place this run is the way I would run a restaurant if I had the time and/or patience. Not only was the food lovely, the service fantastic and we left knowing the owner on a first name basis.

It is just your standard wood fired pizza and pasta place with a little bit extra. Not expensive and the decor is warm and inviting, there is also a large bar if you are just keen for a drink or two.

I ordered the Kangaroo Fillet with wilted spinach, mash and a red wine jus. The best thing about Kangaroo is its high in quality protein and low in total fat (less that 2%). How can something that good for you taste so great? The kangaroo was succulent and just about fell apart in your mouth. J ordered the Fettuccine Gamberi, king prawns, fresh tomato, garlic, chilli and olive oil.

To drink I had a glass of the Riverstones Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, slight lemon flavour on the palate, fine little glass of wine.

The service. What to say?! Our waitress was friendly and on the ball. The owner brought over a complementary glass of wine for each of us and hung around for a chat. I love this kind of place where you feel that you can return and always feel that little bit special. That's the way customers should be treated, and the business reaps the rewards when you tell all your friends what a fantastic time you had!

Will definitely be returning, thanks Teddy!

Rubicon Cafe & Bar

50 Errol Street

North Melbourne

Red Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2008 - Mornington Penninsula

Caught up with a girlfriend for a few glasses of wine on friday night at Radio Bar on Gertrude St Fitzroy.

We ordered a bottle of the Red Hill Estate Pinot Noir. It was a bright burgundy colour unlike most pinots, however it was still quite light with rich cherry and spice flavours. These were complemented by a subtle hint of oak. On the nose it was sweet and slightly floral.

Overall, nice drop for a friday night, would go well with a mild or creamy cheese.

Radio Bar

79 Gertrude Street

Fitzroy

Tramcar Restaurant, Melbourne

Anniversary = I get to go out for dinner and not have to pay... This year my partner took me on the Tramcar restaurant, the poor thing is running out of restaurants to take me to.

Taking into consideration all our surroundings, and the workspace for the tramcar staff, Here's my thoughts on food, drinks and service. Apologies for the lack of photos, camera was unfortunately left on the bench!

First up, we were greeted by friendly staff who directed us to a clean tram stop and the tram arrived on time. We boarded quickly and within a few minutes of being seated we were served a glass of sparkling. On the table, a roasted capsicum dip and a chicken liver and cognac pate with pink peppercorns, served with wafer crackers and poppy seed lavosh. The dip was as you would expect, tasted (and looked) like a typical dip you would pick up at the supermarket, but I would be lying if I said I didn't like it. The pate on the other hand was fantastic. We had a little pot of it and devoured the lot. It was smooth and creamy and the cognac flavour was strong but not overpowering. I loved this pate so much I was even thinking about it sitting in traffic on my way to work this morning.

We began our very slow tour around Melbourne as our Maitre'd introduced himself, the chef, our waiter and proceeded to explain the menu.

It's been a little while...

My last blog was posted back in November 2009! Doesn't seem all that long ago, this year is travelling by so fast.

But today I noticed friend of mine has started just started her very own foodie blog. She has inspired me to get back into it and conveniently gets herself a little free plug (and hyperlink - juganaut's foodie thoughts) for her troubles :)

So stay tuned, more to come...

Something I learnt...

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.