Charlie & Co. dined as guests.
August


Located at the intersection before Monash is Rambo's kebabs with hsp! Starting up 5yrs ago they were the size of two parking spaces but now have expanded to be a permanent feature.

While it's mainly a takeaway spot like most gas station kebab trucks there's some seating on the side, perfect today in the sunshine, though there's a shed on the other side too.


Recently they've come up a hsp burger topped with 23k carot gold! Along with the hsp combo there's also lettuce, onion and tomato, in a traditional bun. With a choice of three sauces, we went for the garlic and bbq.

Surprisingly it wasn't anywhere near as messy as I'd expected (me and burgers), with sauce dripping everywhere, but if you prefer more sauce you definitely could ask. I like it but don't love it, for me I love a brioche bun, whereas this is a more tradition bun. 

A Thursday Night in March 


Hello Hot Star! We might be the country that invented the deep fryer but I don't actually eat that much deep fried stuff. We've seen hot star many times and agreed perhaps it was a try once thing (along with the deep fried corn dog and mars bar) but never actually gotten around to it, though today with the 50% original slab almost the size of my face it was an offer too good to refuse.




As I predicted it to be a once off (Like many things in my life) I went for a combo for +4.50.


Sweet potato fries with a plum seasoning ($4), it was just like Ghost Kitchen! But more of a hint rather than rolled around in. Will get again, but ask for extra seasoning.





The chicken was huge!! And light yellow in color (fresh oil). I can only do half... juicy succulent and tender. Salt and pepper was light and just right. The girl next to me highly recommended the chili agreeing she's never managed to finish one off herself.

I think the best ideal is to buy this and go back to the office and share it, that or ask for it to cut in half to share. As I definitely want to get it again, maybe just once, to share. But really you can't save half for tomorrow, as anything fried needs to be consumed here and now.

Service was quick and very friendly. I got the last fanta so it was meant to be.

A Thursday Lunch in March 





Lunching at Au79, located in the urban jungle around the corner from Victoria st Richmond with the 109 bh tram. Warehousey this used to be a garage with added greenery, HUGE plants. Booths and tables that go right to the back of the building. It's very very warm and there's no air con... btw they make and sell their own bread here.























Service was quite friendly. It was very warm in there though. This is without a doubt the brunch "cafe" warehouse? I've ever been to! With three dinning areas, and a splash of green it's amazing what they can do with a garage. Also an event space, we actually soon attended an event here. 

Might return if we're in the area, but really we're not morning people. 

A Tuesday in March 

Korean BBQ Dinner on Lygon St at Hwatu via Groupon I think we paid something like $50 (though there was 15% off so it was like $43) for two people. When you buy the groupon you'll pick a set, of which there are four. We picked the all beef 'Cho-Dan Korean BBQ set'.




While it was light when we got there, the cover for the outdoor area out front ensure there was no actual light in the restaurant... set far back from the street, but that's ok cause it's slightly dimmer inside, and I like the dark.

There was only one other couple there when we got there and one couple (a different one) when we left. Quiet night here on Tuesday, though it was still busy at other places. We had a 7.30 booking. 


A portable hot plate was above a gas burner on the table waiting. So it's a korean restaurant, but not korean bbq specialty.

$49 for a Cho-Dan Korean BBQ set dinner menu for two people ($70? normally)

Short ribs
Scotch fillet
Marinated beef ribs
Choice of stew: kimchi, seafood and soft tofu, or bean paste
Sides of kimchi, vegetables, spicy garden salad, and rice


We've had korean bbq once or twice before and I still don't really see the soup as being part of it? It's served at the same time too. Of the three options we picked the 'seafood and soft tofu', which had a bit of flavour though wasn't spicy as I'd expected. The textures were nice, though the seafood was tiny octopuses and pippes?



The bbq was much better, served with a small 'spicy garden salad', kim chi, marinated veg/onion and two dips: miso and something salty. There wasn't much sides, though we should have asked for more (the 3 in 1 side dish).








The meats were juicy and tender (only a couple pieces were chewy), the marinated beef ribs were crispy and amazing! Full of flavour, unlike the others though korean bbq meat is usual unmariated unless said so. We also had onion and some mushrooms grilled. 

We had the waiters take care of the cooking part, they were friendly though service was minimal and they didn't tell us what each cut was. "No instructions were given on the condiments or what was being cooked." - What some else said. Btw we have no idea what to do with the hunk of lettuce... and jas wanted to know if the garlic beside it was meant to be grilled. 


Highly recommended for sure at $50 for two (via groupon) as korean bbq normally starts at $60 for two, and that wouldn't be an all beef set. 

Review were mixed and I was iffy but we were very happy with our experience, though the place is pretty casual. 

Note - Someone said 'restaurant does not have air conditioning' so don't go here when it's too hot. 

Summer 2018


It's no secret that we love all things wedding! Though have never actually been to one. In the process of planning our own (April 2020) we'll be sharing our adventures with you. By this time as an events planner we've either been to all the wedding expos (working there) or as a guest. And as someone who only plans to get married three times, before realizing that perhaps it's not for me, only once we'll give you the VIP tour.

I do believe there's three-four wedding expos around, a budget one at Caulfield/a town hall, a lame one at the convention center and this one! This one is my favourite. I recommend getting VIP tickets for the full experience. Also another tip that covers most exhibitions (except comic con off the top of my head): don't buy tickets, they're fairly easy to win on fb/insta, vendors will do giveaways. 


This year OFD is held in the shed at Showgrounds, it's hot... but I'm glad it's not right after the royal melb show! The venue is a downgrade from the usually stunning exhibition building (not center, that's the one near crown).


With VIP tickets you don't get to see and touch the gowns backstage anymore it seems. But you get two drinks (though I'm pretty sure we had more than that), a showbag and front row runway seats. I'd say go for VIP, get the best experience rather than be on the outside looking in with regrets for an experience money can buy. 




At the front there's the VIP lounge, it really needed a huge rug or something... looking a bit bare as this place is literally a shed! A bare bones venue. 

As the shed is huge the event is woven down the middle as a maze. Literally. A maze with the runway at the end. It's brilliant and I love it! It's the best design so you won't miss a thing! Though if you want to get through quickly we'll that's a challenge.


Runway - We got gold VIP and then VIP, and GA. The last don't get seats. Gone are the days of gold/silver/bronze (the last one is free). Drinks at the front, coffee and runway at the back with everything in the middle. I don't have a picture but there are like a billion front row seats.

Pro Tip - The best seat is the corner seat to see them coming down and the back of the dress. Otherwise front on, but you'll need to be fast with the camera.


















Some of these dresses are nice, others trashy half done high school projects. I do wish there were more not so white wedding dresses. Fun note, wedding models are the tallest ones, they also need to be comfortable in nude heels and a gstring backstage. Because dresses these days can be very revealing and everything shows.


Did we discover anything new? Well review now does wedding dresses! We blinked and missed it though. And I don't recall checking out forever new but I have a cookie from them... Also review does a kids range! They don't promote it though and it's only at djs.




Little Bertha cakes a wholesaler that sells to cafes was amazing! Is it weird Though? Cause normally you'd meet the lady who makes all the cakes. That was a highlight.






Showbags! No pen, that's rare XD I was hoping to get a fancy pen and a notepad. Though there was lipstick from Karen Murrell which was awesome!! Not as much stuff as expected. Hoping kikki k will hop on board or another stationary brand.

I was pretty happy that we covered almost everything in 3hrs!

What didn't we see? A hashtag printing photo booth. I love those! Workshops, flower crowns are always popular, and Calligraphy (stationary). Or hens' party ideas, namely workshops. 


Tip - Collect business cards and have a folder for some, we've discovered a few vendors over the years that we're definitely going to use. One of these guys who have a wishing well website, and you can choose what your gift/donate will go towards eg. dinner for two at some place in Paris, a gift registry but for experiences. Also you can get your faces printed on toilet paper, we came upon that at another expo.

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