February 2020 


Staying at the CWA HQ in Toorak, we booked a single room and got super lucky to book on the same day as we were staying (who said I can't be  spontaneous? The level of spontaneity was through the roof as not only did I fail to pack, but I also forgot the bag - though I did do a list). Booking was done on the phone, paying by card. As oppose to online or through an app, you know like normal with minimal interact with people. XD



A single room upstairs with a shared bathroom. In the room there's the standard things: bed, desk, wardrobe, kettle and tray for tea/coffee/cookie. Air con/heater, electric blanket. Unexpected there's a sink which is perfect for those who take a while to do their make-up.

The sheets are so perfect, I love fresh sheets! There's a soft pillow and a firmer one. 





There's a huge lounge and TV downstairs, nice garden (we were here last week, for high tea in the dining room), a shared kitchen (please label your food, they have a fridge/freezer/microwave/all that) and shared bathroom. 



  
Bedroom Views 

Weekday check in is 2-8.30pm, 3.30-8.30pm weekend.
Breakfast is served 7.45-9am.
Checkout 10am.

^ I wished they had a pdf of all the info that's in the info book there, available online. Love that they have a Bible provided and a list of local churches & service times.


The next morning after parking we went to breakfast downstairs, a continental (cereal & toast) breakfast is included, 7.30am-9am, so still pretty early for the weekend. A seat by the window was so lovely, calm and quiet. We also love the seat by the window in the tv room, perfect for reading. Though the sun was a bit too much for me, so we retreated back upstairs before checking out. 




  
Sitting Room
Great location near trams a short trip to the library/park, South Yarra Station and Luxbite! Also Burch & Purchase and Prahran Market are some local places we like. Also a nice downhill stroll to Kooyong Station with interesting and varied architecture (great pics).

I don't think many people know about this place, and it's underrated. As a member we paid $60 for a single room, it's not that much more for non-members, though still cheap especially for this area!

A weekend away was just what we needed, and it was perfect. Minimal human interactions. Love it, thanks Pam for assisting us in making a booking and a late check in.

P.S. In case you're curious they use physical keys, and not key cards. There are also no vending machines, but you can buy cute homemade-esque snacks and drinks in the dinning room.



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Friday 5th October 2018




Dinner at Thanh Nga 9, Modern Vietnamese. The idea of sitting by the window is nice, but smokers... so we retreated to the back corner.



Jas had an egg soda which foamed up and was the colour of condense milk. Would get again. Unlike how he felt about my durian smoothie, he'd forgotten in that instant what durian is. I loved it, he hated it XD




Crispy fried pancakes with mung bean and prawn, a little oily. Served with chili sauce and coconut. So crispy, so good! These weren't the mini yellow pancakes I was expecting, but one large one cut up but crispier and ate like finger food - till the sauce runs down your arm.



Egg drop noodles (banh ganh?), the broth was a bit sweet and reminded him of cup of soup concentrate. Eek. But he's had this dish before at Homi (RIP) and loved it there.




This is beef in betel leaves (the black thing) and one of my favorite dishes from my college days. It comes with a plate of fragrant and fresh herbs, we love it with thai basil and mint!
I'd get this again for sure. 


Being Modern Vietnamese (seems cleaner than the average) with fluent no accented staff (well the manager anyway) it costs a little more than average. Music is giving my night club modern young people vibes.

Service was very friendly.

We got 35% off through eatclub and the bill came to $42 for drinks, entree and mains.



Friday 5th July 2019

A safe option (I barely feel safe in this area alone, even in daylight) by the tram stop was Thanh Nga 9, as we've been here before and can get a discount via eatclub (30% tonight).

Unfortunately it's a Friday night and it's a little before 6pm, I'm the only person here but the loud music as pre-club Vibes. Alas we're more like opera/classical music person... but that kinda music played on the streets is designed to reply youths. 



Avocado smoothie, It was perfect.
Jackfruit smoothie. Taste like potato warm he said XD $4

Some of the cutlery wasn't clean...

Beef in betel leaf with vermicelli came with a huge dish of green things! Including mint and thai basil 


We've been here a few times, it's often loud, but the food is good.



February 2020

Dinner at Thanh Nga 9 on Victoria St. At 10pm-ish we were the last ones in, as I'm told this area closes early even on a Saturday Night!










I had beef in betel leaf, served with a huge platter of herbs. It's great, I always order this when we eat there, this has to be at least my third visit.

Service was very good, we had a new guy and he did well, and got me the not spicy fish sauce (spicy is the norm).





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Feb 2020 


We've done Ben & Jerry's Movie on the Beach, VIP (Open Air Cinemas), at the mansion gardens (Barefoot Cinema), drive in (car provided with in car service) and now in bed on the beach! Next is probably in seats/donuts floating in a pool.

Arriving around 8pm (nina had arrived at 7pm to get a good spot, she did well) it was perfect to get some shots and catch that lovely sunset, though it was hazy, the sand went right out. Think the next movie thing could be beach chairs- but over water, or those pool donuts.



If you arrive before the movie bed area opens there's a cool bar area that's perfect for a 10pm party under the fairy lights on the sand (last pic). Food is limited to a 'good times' menu featuring pizza, fries, shakes and fish & chips. Omg fish and chips in bed on the beach! Alas at $22 that ain't happening. Security thoroughly searched all our bags on the way in too (mainly for wine).









The red boxes are lights btw.

We saw 'Jojo Rabbit' which was traumatizing as a bunny lover, though a light comedy, jas didn't think it was a good as expected, but I didn't really know what to expect. Jojo and his two best friend scenes were the best, also the camping weekend XD what happened to no man left behind? Lol doesn't apply when your friend is Adolf. While the mother was fun we didn't approve of what she did, even if she thought it was the right thing (obviously she did). The contrast of the mentor figure was nice. The ending wasn't quite right, but we did like the plotline of jojo's second best friend. 


Recommended? Movie - Yes but wait for it to be online. Experience - Yes! I might be an events planner but I doubt I can get private rental of a beach and the permits to get a giant screen out there. And knowing me we'll be floating out to sea on it with Wilson.

The experience of eating and watching a movie in bed, on the beach was pretty cool, so glad we did it! It's like $80 per couple or $100 for a trouple. It's a hint squishy with 3 in a queen bed but perfect for one, two is ideal. Though as long as no one moved we're good. You can get cheaper byo seats/picnic rug, but I wouldn't recommend it, it was be like flying standard when everyone else is flying business class and that's just sad, to be at an event and have fomo right there.

Tip - They sold tix via groupon for $75 (couple) + booking fee, ugh. Also the bed is a mattress on a wooden frame and not a blow up like in the picture, for St Kilda.




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A Wednesday in Feb




We first came across Renne's awesome 'Sweet Forbidden Journey' many years ago at the height of high teas, and have been meaning to catch up with the truck ever since. And what it was to know she was going to be at the MSO Bowl Summer Series!

Offering ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and milkshakes, she "aims to bring old school sweets and childhood memories back to the streets of Melbourne" and travels far and wide to do that. 

Finally we meet again and I'm reminded why we don't make honey joys except for bake sales (cause they're awesome and you know who eats half the batch :P). 



Honey joy and chocolate crackle ice cream between 100s and 1000s cookies. A retro throwback we couldn't resist! All that's missing is popping candy. It was a party in my mouth. 

With ice cream sandwiches, sundaes and milkshakes and a billion flavours it's hard to choose! I want the honey joy milkshake but also with lemon meringue, pavlova and all the crazy things!

No picture (it was dark, also it was raining) but we came back for the honey joy shake and it was awesome! Well blended flavours no soggy bits. Can't wait to try more flavours! 





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Sunday 2nd February




On the first Sunday of each month the Country Women's Association (CWA) hosts a high tea at their HQ in Toorak, we've always wanted to go, and by coincidence we saw an ad on fb and were free that day! It's in the afternoon which is perfect as we've not morning people. 






The food was very good, there was definitely more (or just more filling) than the last tea we went to at The Windsor. More classics rather than modern glossy domed desserts. The sandwiches were perfect, chicken and egg. A bite of a sausage roll, so good and diet size friendly. A wrap thing replaced the usual quiche, I'm not too sure about the fit of the chicken tostadas, but it was good.



On to desserts we had the most fascinating green cake. Which I'd thought was pandan but instead was a jelly cake, I've never had this before! Lime flavoured. The pannocotta was the perfect size, a brownie, lemon hard meringue tart, and perfect scone. 




Scone with jam and cream. By this point we're struggling. Definitely over ate. 

Wow that was a lot of food, but we did it! Well except for half a brownie and crusts. We made our own milk tea (tea/coffee selection) and also had a second pot of tea with many choices, of which we had the berry one. 
We've actually been here before but have no memory of the food or anything as it was a traumatic experience thanks to unexpected company. Fortunately this experience was vastly different, never have I been more grateful to book a table for one (le beau is busy, first week back to school). 

Service was excellent, I'm biased though as I've met/knew almost everyone working that day. 

We had a great time, over ate and would recommend the experience for a special occasion, for a classic high tea. It's good for groups or singles/couples/trouples. Book fast if you want a time for 8-12 as they do have a private room. I didn't ask, but the best table is the one by the window (we'd return to breakfast here soon).





Damage $50 making it the cheapest high tea still around. High tea is never cheap, unless it's terrible (Hilton, though not cheap) or you got really really lucky (Providence Cafe back in the day). 


Where do you like to have tea? We're working on getting a group together for a DIY high tea, with the tiered plates (hired) with scones and pink lemonade. 

P.S. The CWA also does cooking classes, we did the sponges & scones, and Christmas one. And also stayed there, at the bnb. Reviews coming soon, shall link them here.

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