A Friday in August 2019 - Continued Visits


Until now there aren't any local cafes I really love in the GW area (for BB we love Nuts about Coffee, Wattlebird and Aunt Billies). There was that fancy cotton candy mork cafe that closed, and White Mojo is gone these days, there was also a cool pink cafe from the creators of Homi (also gone) that we liked. Gosh it's like a revolving door of cafes around here these past few years, once YOMG opened up shop and put us on the map.








With the renovation of the local mall and recreation of what we call 'Mini Eastland' comes great new eats that before now we had to go to Chadstone or the city for.


All I know about this place comes from google, hello cut and paste.

From the creators of Lights in The Attic, 3Lives and The Crux & Co, comes Cru+. We're supper excited cause Crux & Co has been on our list for years, especially when they dropped by offering pastry gifts with purchase (of an apartment). "...same style of intricate cakes and pastries made famous by sibling Crux & Co..."

The design is millennial with all that marble (though fortunately no pink), highlighting all the vibrant colours of the food. They have all the fancy coffees, Five Senses, croissants, and lunches that we've yet to try. 

August 2019

Strawberries & Cream Croissant $6.50

Afternoon tea over a meeting with Mork and pastries. There was only one of these, so it was meant to be! A strawberries and cream croissant, fresh cream with raspberry white chocolate drizzle. It wasn't soggy at all, but all crispy and perfect. I loved it! And the price was amazing, seriously I think this is normally $12.


Henry had the pork benny which he really liked, he's our dinning companion at Cru+ though prefers the savory life. 

September

This is awesome because our town isn't like the city and matcha lattes aren't all the rage.

December

Smoked Salmon Croissant $11
Dill cream fraiche, capers, salad, onion

Last Brunch in 2019. It wasn't what I expected as the salmon wasn't the usual smoked more rare looking one. But it was definitely delicious and unexpectedly came with a side salad which was really good too. Get this, it's perfect for a light lunch and at $11 is definitely a steal!


P.S. They have yuzu marmalade!

Sadly being in a mall means conforming to those hours, though I do believe they close earlier been a cafe, but we look forwards to high tea, and many more visits including for high tea! ($60 for 2).

Recently Kumi (that choux place, a chain/extension of Hokkaido cheese tarts and Pafu) opened up downstairs in the other end, with their awesome looking croissants, I do wonder how that will affect them.

Tip - Park at Coles and go up or walk from the new entrance.

 

Sunday 29th December 2019



A late dinner under the glowing dome at Century City the movie place where Glenny kebabs has relocated from the Main Street. At 11.30pm on a Sunday night in that period of endless days in between Christmas and New Years it was almost full except for the communal table. The bright white glaring lights remind me of being inside a fridge, though the seating is under the fairy lights. Lighting isn't your friend here.

The menu includes more than we expect with an arrange of deep fried desserts, everything deep fried from donuts to churros and oreos. Ice cream, fruit salad surprisingly are also on the menu along with strawberries and dip. Though we stuck to a HSP and garlic bread. 






With garlic and bbq and mixed meat, this actually serves two and was delicious! Will definitely get it again, but in the small. We didn't expect regular to be huge.





 

Saturday 28th December 2019


Ticking this one off the bucket list - fish and chips on the beach! I've never done this before. We rarely ever go as I don't really drive and it's far from the city (my prefer city beach is South Melbourne, but we always end up dinning at the hotel). 

Huge servings for $20 from the biggest f&c shop I've ever seen. Needs lemon and double tartar sauce. It didn't occur to me to byo tomato sauce. Jas said the calamari rings could have been fresher. The batter was very good, I liked it all.

Sitting outside, there were flies... we need a tent made out of net material. How is everyone else managing this? Do you mist the entire area first?












Damage $20 for two
Tip - Buy more tartare sauce and byo tomato sauce and wet wipes. Also ask for lemon.




 

Charlie & Co. dined as guests. 
Saturday 7th December



As someone who goes (and does) a lot of events Lukumades looks very familiar with their orange circular logo. Perhaps we saw them at a market? It turns out a few years ago they were a food truck, then they opened up shop near the market (West Melbourne), in Carlton and now in Windsor for the past 8 months.

Deep fried and covered in chocolate (or your choice of toppings) what's not to love? Of course been deep fried it's expected that the place smells oily to some degree, though more exhaust fans would help with that.  

Lukumades and like donut balls, a Greek doughnut with a modern twist, hello sugar! Traditionally served as an afternoon snack with honey syrup and crushed walnuts, there's plenty more toppings to choose from. They're also open late, perfect for dessert. 


We visited in mid-ish December and there were some pretty cool upside Christmas trees suspended with the minimalist nordic(?) ceiling deco. Themes of orange and white dominated the long narrow cafe scattered with fun cushions, and mini tables. There's also seats outside if you prefer your donuts with a side of cancer. 

So many choices with 17 toppings including some vegan ones, classic, chocolate bars and spread inspired too. Like Bueno and Biscoff! They're all $12 for a 10 pack, which is pretty good, though I'm certain these are designed to be shared between 2-3.





Taking it up to the next level these balls were pumped with a coconut filling, creating the perfect bounty bar donut. 

The salted caramel milkshake was great too, would recommend. 



These were really good, made with quality matcha, it's the same one in the drink too. Nina loved it the matcha purity, so she stubbornly  refused to touch the bounty. That or she had a few drinks before we got here...

To pair the matcha balls Nina had the iced matcha, which was much lighter in flavour in comparison and overall. They do go well together she said. 

I do hope they'll a cherry ripe and even Turkish delight on the menu soon. 

Like all things fried these are best served fresh, in-stores though I did notice they deliver too. Located on High St x Chapel it's a prime position for night life. 

Charlie dined as a guest. 
Tuesday 26th November





The exciting thing about the Chapel St area is that things are always opening up, and tonight we checked out Ton & Co a modernist Japanese tonkatsu (a popular fried pork cutlet dish) and pork-focused restaurant. The minimalistic clean but light and airy space reflected the theme well. 



I'm going to start by saying I'm not an expert on pork, and rarely ever eat it, and the last time was when a chef friend made scones and gravy (Southern style). One things that puts me off (other than trauma) is that pork smell, but I'm delighted to say there was none that here. 



Focusing on high quality pork, cured and rested in-house for 3 days-ish for that extra tender and juicy flavours. It's pork, but not as you've had it before. Rolled in fresh Panko breadcrumbs and fried, it's that magical thing where despite been fried it's not oily, and doesn't leave you feeling gross for the week. The meat varies in fatness depending on which cut you get, but they're certainly juicy and tender. Prices range from $21-26.



Served with a sauce, depending on which cut you get, it varies from a curry sauce (would be good with rice), dark miso or caramelized onion gravy). You could add rice and miso to make it a set, though it's also fine without the rice, just with the cabbage side a fresh slaw contrast with that sesame mayo I love.

For those who don't eat pork there's a salmon dish and mushroom.




On the side we first started with the ox tongue skewers, a great well balanced sauce with soft tender melt in your mouth feel. It's like nothing I've had before.

We also had the Japanese Potato Salad, which I loved. Potato, carrot and a hint of wasabi, it was just right. I need my carbs. Didn't get a solo picture as it's a side, but it's the piled up bowl of white stuff.



Saving the best for last, one of the favourite dishes was the panko prawns which were huge! Dipped in a white sauce.



Dessert was a simple but delicious affair, a high quality matcha cheesecake with matching ice cream. They also have a roasted tea flavour ice cream on the menu usually too. 





Thanks for the invitation. With standards like these we can't wait to return to try the other dishes!



P.S. Google maps pin points the address as an Italian place, it's two doors down on the right of that. Very close to Prahran Station.

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