Wednesday, February 10, 2010

CRUNCH!

When I crave something crunchy- I really crave something really CRUNCHY. Thankfully, we have Mess Hall's crunchy polenta chips served with uber-garlicky aioli to satiate me in those dire moments. Just a trundle down Bourke St and they're open late!





Have I captured how crunchy they can be?
What is it about crunchy foods that is so toe-curlingly satisfying?


This is a hot sopressa (crunchy around the edges of course) and pesto pizza (thin, crispy base). Crunch!


This is P Diddy's slow cooked lamb and 'taters.

+ + +


Yesterday was our 2nd anniversary and boy was I spoilt. He surprised me with a brilliant bouquet after work and then we headed over to Shira Nui in Glen Waverly for the most amazing sushi/omakase experience I've had in my life.

Translucent dory,tuna steak, pan-seared salmon, marinated kingfish, grilled wagyu beef, fish-stuffed okra tempura nigiri sushi- they all danced across the palette like magnificent pirouettes across the stage. My favourite was the mackerel nigiri- served with finely choped spring onion, sprinkled with sesame, wrapped in a light green, translucent square sheet of sweet seaweed. Dessert was complimenatary: the lemon and melon sorbet served in a shot glass brought a beautiful, sweet, refreshing full stop to the meal.

It was a lot of excitmenet for all the senses- the noisy chatter, the tastes, textures, smells, the beautifully presented food, seeing Hiro-san swish his ridiculously long samurai-esque knives/swords about...

I didn't take photos sadly, but tummyrumbles has two great accounts of her experiences there (here and here), complete with photographs. At about $80-90 a head, it is not cheap..... but I believe it's an experience not to be missed!

SHIRA NUI
247 Springvale Road,
Glen Waverley
Phone 03 9886 7755

MESS HALL
51 Bourke St
Melbourne
p: 9654 6800

7 comments:

Bucca said...

Oh yum I love Polenta chips! Have your tried the ones at the wine bar attached to the European on spring st? awesome :)
I'll have to go and check out the mess hall - I have been meaning to for ages. I've read it's great 'home cooked' style meals - perfect for casual catch ups!

Flit About said...

Congrats on your anniversary <3

I feel like I'm the only person in this world who doesn't like chips. I must be missing out??

Blicious said...

OMG looks amazing!! your pictures are amazing!

xoxo

Move said...

congrats!!, love ur pics

xxx

Lola said...

Congratulations!
My gosh, that food looks ridiculously delicious!

rtf :)

Anonymous said...

Omg those chips are like food pornography they look soooooooooooo good! Might just be the BEST chips in Melbourne :)

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