exilim photos on Flickr

I walked past this avocado tree on the way to work... I wonder my tree in the backyard that sheds tons of annoying flowers is an avocado tree? The leaves look similar...

Crab Mayonaise Salad in Wonton Wrappers - Amye & Mark by Alpha

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Amye & Mark's Crab Mayonaise Salad in Wonton Wrappers.

Crunchy fruit and veg wih bits of crab sticks bound in an eggy mayonaise.

Mooncakes by Alpha

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Mooncakes from Singapore, for the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.

Michaelangelo Special Pizza - Michaelangelo, Aspendale Gardens by Alpha

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Michaelangelo Special Pizza - Michaelangelo, Aspendale Gardens - Medium AUD12.90

Good, but unremarkable.

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For dinner, Raymond suggested Michelangelo's in Aspendale Gardens. It was quite busy, with quite a few Italian families. The food was quite good, and the serves were huge!

Michelangelo Restaurant

4 Springvale Rd Aspendale Gardens 3195

(03) 9772 6999

michelangelos.com.au/

Photos:

- Garlic and Cheese Focaccia

- Michaelangelo Special Pizza

- Americana Pizza

- Spaghetti Bolognese

- Pescatore Risotto

Peter and Kenny at the bar - The Press Club by Alpha

Peter and Kenny at the bar - The Press Club

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Peter, Kenny, Julia and Alpha went for dinner at Horoki, followed by drinks at The Press Club.

Horoki Casual Dining Bar

Melbourne 19 Liverpool St 3000

(03) 9663 2227

Reviews:

- Horoki, Matt Preston, The Age, 11 July 2006

- Horoki - Mietta's

Photos:

- Persimmon Leaf Tea

- Today's Special Sign - Oven Cooked Veal Ossobucco

- Korean-style Beef Tartar

- Ebi Mayo

- Daikon Salad with Sashimi

- Scallop, Zucchini and Bacon Medallions

- Roasted Duck Breast on Eggplant in Miso Sauce

- Crispy Rice Cakes in Chinese-style Seafood Stir-fry

- Tofu and Avocado Salad topped with Tuna in Sesame Sauce

- Roasted Octopus in Garlic Butter

- Complimentary Creme Caramel

- Business Card

The Press Club Restaurant & Bar

72 Flinders St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9677 9677

thepressclub.com.au/

Reviews:

- The Press Club, John Lethlean, The Age, 22 February 2007

- The Press Club, John Lethlean, The Age, 20 November 2006

- The Press Club - Mietta's

Photos:

- Peter and Kenny at the bar

- Romate Olorosso Sherry Don Jose

- Moo Brew Wheat Pale Ale

- Spirit Sampler - L-R Rum, Bourbon, Triple-filtered Vodka, Gin

- Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder

- Eggplant, Capsicum and Beetroot Dips

- Loukoumades Greek Doughnuts with Walnuts and Honey

the wire art. I fell in love. by coco cocco

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Exilim ex-z1080

Sweet Chilli Tuna Salad by Alpha

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healthy eating. Tuna for fish oils, omega-3 and protein. Kidney beans for fibre and protein. Onions for flavour and decoration. Cos lettuce for, uh... water! :P

Pizza Caprese - Sapore, Chadstone Shopping Centre by Alpha

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Pizza Caprese, with tomatoes, mozarella and a dollop of pesto, at Sapore in the Chadstone Shopping Centre. The food options at Chadstone are getting decidedly better! First there was Spuntini and now Sapore, a familiar face in St Kilda.

Eggplant Fritters close-up - Molley by Alpha

Molley's eggplant fritters were a hit! It contained as interesting filling of eggplant, minced pork and chives.

The parsley Christmas Tree with red chilly stars was quite inspired. A pine cone was used to hold it in shape.

With that parsley Christmas Tree, of course it won the Best Presentation.

Eggplant Fritters - Molley by Alpha

Molley's eggplant fritters were a hit! It contained as interesting filling of eggplant, minced pork and chives.

With that parsley Christmas Tree, of course it won the Best Presentation.

The parsley Christmas Tree with red chilly stars was quite inspired. A pine cone was used to hold it in shape.

washing by Alpha

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We don't just stuff food in our faces you know...

Green Curry Chicken - Hong & Andy by Alpha

Hong and Andy's Green Curry Chicken. Very colourful with the beans, carrots and capsicum.

Dig in! by Alpha

Digging in! Rich Maha Indian Restaurant, Vermont South.

Rich Maha Restaurant

(03) 9887 7663

Shp 3/ 499 Burwood Hwy

Vermont South VIC 3133

www.richmaha.com.au/

Double Boiled Soup Menu - Kun Ming by Alpha

Double Boiled Soup Menu - Kun Ming

All AUD5.

Today it was:

- 合掌瓜炖老鸡汤 Double Boiled Chicken and Choko Soup

- 茶树菇炖牛展 Double Boiled Tea-Tree Mushroom (?) and Beef Oyster Blade

I guess they're not called 阿二靓汤 (2nd wife's tasty soup) for nothing! :)

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Julia and I had lunch at 阿二靓汤/昆明 Kun Ming.

Kun Ming Restaurant 阿二靓汤/昆明

212 Little Bourke St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9663 1851

- 咸蛋肉片粥 Pork and Salted Egg Congee - no photo

- 肉丝炒面 Crispy Fried Noodles with Pork Strips - no photo

- Double Boiled Soup menu

- 合掌瓜炖老鸡汤 Double Boiled Chicken and Choko Soup

- Chilli Oil

- Decor - Red & Gold

Spirals and Bolognese - Jaslyn by Alpha

Jaslyn's Spirals and Bolognese. An appropriate dish with red tomatoes. It's a pity the spirals lost their bit after reheating.

John Fletcher - CML - CEO - CML IT Event by Alpha

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John Fletcher, CML CEO, giving a rousing speech at the CML IT event.

Sweet Chilli Tuna Salad with Apples and Prunes by Alpha

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Sweet Chilli Tuna Salad with apples, prunes and Ligurian Olives.

On hindsight, while the apple & prunes provide some interesting textures, it didn't go very well with the tuna. Green Granny Smith apples would be a better match for taste, but you can't beat a red Royal Gala for colour!

elsass by camecasius

5 2

Gazpacho by Alpha

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Nice tomato gazpacho that I made. Most appropriate for a warm day like today.

Jerk Pork Ribs - Babble On Babylon by Alpha

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Jerk Pork ribs, Festival (Corn meal doughnut), Tomatillo Chutney, Voodoo Chilli and salad.

Reviews:

Dani Valent, The Sunday Age, June 2004

- Pumpkin Blueberry Pie

Update 2007.04.21:

- Jerk Chicken with Rice and Kidney Beans

- Curry Goat

- Stamp-and-Go and Callaloo Fritters

Babble On Babylon

83 Brighton Rd Elwood 3184

(03) 9531 4211

Arctic Sanctuary Digital Interactive Art - QV, Melbourne by Alpha

Arctic Sanctuary Digital Interactive Art - QV, Melbourne

Didn't seem to have much interest...

- Interactive Snow

- Interactive Penguins

- Snowflake Logo

- Tent - Arctic Sanctuary Digital Interactive Art

Arctic Sanctuary Digital Interactive Art - QV, Melbourne

From the website:

Whats On At QV

20-07-2007 to 2007-08-02

ARCTIC SANCTUARY

QV Arctic Sanctuary is an interative digital experience not to be missed. Located in QV Square from Friday 20th July until Thursday 2nd August from 12noon till 8pm daily, QV Arctic Sanctuary is a FREE Exhibition.

Especially created by Melbourne based digital artists ENESS, encounter the thrills of the QV Arctic Sanctuary as QV Square is transformed into an immersive indoor winter wonderland, untilising innovative 3D technology to warm the imagination.

Zombies 1 - Student Protest by Alpha

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Zombies in a Student Protest.

Not sure what they were protesting about, but perhaps it was to do with the lack of funding for education in the latest budget.

Persimmon Leaf Tea - Horoki AUD3.80 by Alpha

Persimmon Leaf Tea - Horoki

It tastes like, well, ... tea! :)

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Peter, Kenny, Julia and Alpha went for dinner at Horoki, followed by drinks at The Press Club.

Horoki Casual Dining Bar

Melbourne 19 Liverpool St 3000

(03) 9663 2227

Reviews:

- Horoki, Matt Preston, The Age, 11 July 2006

- Horoki - Mietta's

Photos:

- Persimmon Leaf Tea

- Today's Special Sign - Oven Cooked Veal Ossobucco

- Korean-style Beef Tartar

- Ebi Mayo

- Daikon Salad with Sashimi

- Scallop, Zucchini and Bacon Medallions

- Roasted Duck Breast on Eggplant in Miso Sauce

- Crispy Rice Cakes in Chinese-style Seafood Stir-fry

- Tofu and Avocado Salad topped with Tuna in Sesame Sauce

- Roasted Octopus in Garlic Butter

- Complimentary Creme Caramel

- Business Card

The Press Club Restaurant & Bar

72 Flinders St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9677 9677

thepressclub.com.au/

Reviews:

- The Press Club, John Lethlean, The Age, 22 February 2007

- The Press Club, John Lethlean, The Age, 20 November 2006

- The Press Club - Mietta's

Photos:

- Peter and Kenny at the bar

- Romate Olorosso Sherry Don Jose

- Moo Brew Wheat Pale Ale

- Spirit Sampler - L-R Rum, Bourbon, Triple-filtered Vodka, Gin

- Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder

- Eggplant, Capsicum and Beetroot Dips

- Loukoumades Greek Doughnuts with Walnuts and Honey

matabungkay sunset by jessiefish

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=) the beach may not have been fabulous but at least this was

explored: june 2007

playing in the sprinkler by Anne Dickins

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There is definately no hosepipe ban in Surrey. cough cough!

Modern Lounge by Alpha

4

Modern yet retro lounge set.

Perhaps we should have gotten this for our house!

Seen at Domayne in QV Melbourne.

Office - InterDev by Alpha

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Rather empty office.

Menu - Wine and Cheese Providores by Alpha

We went to Waterfront City in the Docklands for the Portuguese Festival, but it was already packed and the queues for food were very long. So we decided to have a quiet lunch at the Wine and Cheese Providore, before heading back to catch some performances.

The Wine & Cheese Providore

Waterfront City G5-G6/ 439 Docklands Drv Docklands 3008

(03) 9602 1640

www.wineandcheeseprovidore.com.au/

Photos:

- Decor

- Menu

- Livarot, Pasti Fourme D'Ambert - Small Cheese Platter

- Warren & Hutch Chicken & Port Pate, Duck & Pistachio Terrine - Bites Platter

- Fourme D'Ambert AUD68 per kg

- Livarot AUD72 per kg

- Pasti AUD58 per kg

A taste of Portugal Festival at Docklands!

Sunday 10 June 2007, 12pm to 7pm.

Waterfront City Piazza

Docklands Drive

DOCKLANDS VIC 3008

Melway: 2E D4

The Portuguese community in Melbourne is out to prove there is more to Portugal than flame grilled chicken! And what better way to do so than a festival promoting the country and culture behind Portugal. The festival will feature traditional Portuguese folk dancing and music, as well as music and dance from East Timor and Brazil. The Festival will also feature arts and crafts displays and various activities for children attending the event. Traditional Portuguese food will be available to enjoy as well as popular Portuguese wines, beer and soft drinks. The festival is organised by the CLP (Portuguese speaking communities), a non-profit organisation. The CLP aims to promote the Portuguese Speaking Communities social and cultural integration within the Australian community. The festival allows the Portuguese Speaking Communities to come together and teach the wider community all aspects of their food, history and culture.

Photos:

- A Taste of Portugal Festival - Docklands Waterfront City Tent

- Folk Dancing Kids

- Folk Band

- Folk Dancing

- Brazillian Beef Skewers

- Serving Hungry People

- Grilling Chicken

- Grilling Sardines

Zombies 4 - Student Protest by Alpha

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Zombies in a Student Protest.

Not sure what they were protesting about, but perhaps it was to do with the lack of funding for education in the latest budget.

薄饼 Popiah by Alpha

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薄饼 Popiah!

Filled with stewed shredded 沙葛 yam bean, carrots and French beans, Chinese lettuce, some fried tofu, shredded egg omelete, 豆芽 bean sprouts, minced pork, fried shallots and a drizzle of Hoisin and chilli sauces!

I think I had at least 3 of these! :)

Aunt Lee Geok decided that she wanted popiah for dinner, and so we did!

- Popiah Dinner

- 薄饼 Popiah

- Alpha's Poached Rhubarb and Barumbah Organic Yoghurt

- Aunt Lee Geok's Flourless Orange Cake with Stewed Plums

- Mum's 紫心番薯麦粥 Wheat Porridge with Purple Sweet Potato cubes

上海粗炒面 Shanghai Fried Noodles - David and Camy Noodle Restaurant, Box Hill by Alpha

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上海粗炒面 Shanghai Fried Noodles - DC Noodle, Box Hill

Not bad noodles. Better than David & Camy across the road.

David and Camy Noodle Restaurant

596 Station St 3128

- Steamed Pork Dumplings

- Corn Flour Steamed Buns

- Sweet Potato Noodle Stir-Fried with Pork

- Shanghai Fried Noodle

- Red Bean Pancake

Second visit:

- David and Camy Noodle Restaurant Shopfront

- Wonton Soup

- Salt and Pepper Chicken Ribs

- Chive Puffs

Third visit 2007.06.23:

- Fried Rice Cake

- Chinese Cabbage in Cream Sauce

- Vegetarian E-fu Noodles - David & Camy

- Boiled Dumplings

- Xiaolongbao ???

- Chilli Oil

Chinese Cabbage Salad by Alpha

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Chinese Cabbage 黄芽白/白菜, crunchy noodles, peanuts and sesame in a tangy plum sauce 酸梅浆, five-spice 五香粉, sesame oil and chilli dressing.

Circling The Food by Alpha

1

The hungry crowds descend on the food waiting to pounce!

Bar Area - Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka by Alpha

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Bar Area - Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka

---

The dinner bunch has dwindled down to but a few. Kenny, David, Alpha & Julia went out for dinner on Friday night.

The rest? Married Couples Syndrome...

Belgian Beer Café Eureka

5 Riverside Quay

Southbank

Victoria 3006

Australia

Business Hours: 11:00am daily until late

- Tel: +61 3 9690 5777

- Fax: +61 3 9690 8933

- E-mail: eureka@bbcmelb.com

www.belgianbeercafemelbourne.com/bbc-eureka.htm

Reviews:

- Belgian Beer Cafe Eureka - Mietta's

Photos:

- Tartifette

- Flemish Carbonnade of Beef

- Hoegaarden Mussel Pot

- David, Kenny, Julia

- Liege Waffle Chocolat

- Alpha with Liege Waffle Chocolat

- Bar Area and David Light-Painting

- Bar Area

- Neon Sign

Caramel Sweet Potatoes by Alpha

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Yummy crunchy sweet potatoes, baked (or maybe fried) and coated with a honey caramel.

Korean restaurant in Oakleigh.

Indian Restaurant Opening Soon - previously Stellar Bar by Alpha

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Three Indian curry places have just opened at the top of Bourke Street, with more to come!

I tried Green Pepper and Jaipur and the verdict seems to be that the spices have been toned down. I like my curries full of spices, but not necessarily full of chillies.

What was surprising was that, despite the mild spice, a large proportion of the clientele were Indian, and presumably including Pakistanis and Sri Lankans. Maybe it is authentic, and the spicy-storm is only typical of Malaysian Indian food.

Red Pepper Indian Restaurant

14 Bourke St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9654 5714

Jaipur Curry Bar

16 Bourke St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9663 3848

Green Pepper Indian Restaurant

18 Bourke St Melbourne 3000

(03) 9662 2963

Jaipur Curry Bar photos:

- Goat Curry, rice and naan

- Decor

- lunch menu

Green Pepper Indian Restaurant photos:

- Plate #1

- Plate #2

- AUD9 Buffet

- Decor

Photos:

- Indian Restaurant Trio - Green Pepper, Jaipur, Red Pepper

- Indian Restaurant Opening Soon - previously Stellar Bar

Robarts Library (University of Toronto) by Studio SSAMO

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Casio Exilim EX S880 + Photomatix + PS CS3

Please feel free to comment on how this piece could've been improved

Toasted Tuna and Cheese Sandwich with Salad by Alpha

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Toasted Tuna and Cheese Sandwich with Salad.

Couldn't be simpler than a tin of tuna flakes, a few slices of cheese and a hot sandwich press. Toss a few leaves into it and drizzle with your salad dressing of choice.

Another lunch at my desk.

Today's Special Sign - Oven Cooked Veal Ossobucco - Horoki by Alpha

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Today's Special Sign - Oven Cooked Veal Ossobucco - Horoki

Sounded interesting, but a bit heavy, and that would have been counter-productive to our aim of trying more dishes!

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Peter, Kenny, Julia and Alpha went for dinner at Horoki, followed by drinks at The Press Club.

Horoki Casual Dining Bar

Melbourne 19 Liverpool St 3000

(03) 9663 2227

Reviews:

- Horoki, Matt Preston, The Age, 11 July 2006