Saturday, April 30, 2016

BBQ Code, Glen Waverley

Gaz went out for a simple dinner with me but came home with a lighter than expected wallet tonight. What had happened was a typical scenario when the guy asks the girl what she would like to eat. The girl says, 'Whatever you like', only what it really means is 'Whatever strikes her fancy within the next 5 seconds'.

BBQ Code on Springvale Road, Glen Waverley is a new Korean restaurant in the area (which was why it caught my eye). Initially we went into the restaurant with the intention of ordering the usual Korean main dishes such as soondobu, and bulgogi with rice but found their main dish menu to be quite limited at the time. Instead, we ordered their pork BBQ set.




The set came with four types of marinated pork belly, most of which were indistinct from one another, and an unmarinated serve of pork belly for grilling. There were also side dishes, salad and a stew.

The restaurant's plus point is that it was fairly well ventilated so we did not smell too much after the BBQ session, and the staff was very attentive which meant that they helped us cook the meat rather than leaving us to overcook or undercook our food. Interestingly, all the staff on the floor that night were young Korean men.

We enjoyed our dining experience in this restaurant but the marinated pork belly each needs to have more distinct, punchy flavours. The taste of most of them were mild, and indistinguishable from one marinade to another.

What I liked was the balanced amount of meat and vegetables on the table. Unlike other barbeques where the ratio of the meat usually far outweighs the vegetable, Korean barbeque provides vegetable side dishes, vegetable for bbq and salad. Traditionally, lettuce would also be provided on the table for wrapping the cooked meat (not provided here).

Overall, BBQ Code provides a new Korean BBQ choice in the Glen Waverley restaurant scene.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Piggery Cafe, Sherbrooke

The Piggery Cafe is the latest venture by Vue de Monde's Shannon Bennett. It is part of a grand plan to convert the large 22 ha site into a luxury hotel, spa, restaurants, and private accomodation.

There is also an existing dwelling attached to the site called 'Burnham Beeches' which was first designed and built for Sir Alfred Nicholas, owner of Aspro brand. When we visit the Alfred Nichols garden, we can see the building from the gardens. It is run down, but the art deco lines are still beautiful and evokes memories of a time long gone. It is also part of the plan to restore the mansion.

The cafe is located in a renovated old shed. It now resembles a canteen with communal tables and benches, uncovered concrete floor, exposed beams. In short, a very rustic and minimalist furnishing which blends with the surrounding area.

There is a lawn outside the cafe where customers can play boulles, a giant chess set, and other games. There is also a pig pen, but unfortunately the star has decided not to grace us with its presence when we visited..


Pork belly bun with salad
Wagyu beef with fries
We ordered the pork belly burger and wagyu beef burger with fries. Unfortunately on this ocassion, what stood out for me was the chipped plates and plastic cups which has seen more scratches than a scratchy ticket. I understand the concept of rustic furnishings but how does it translate to hygiene when it extends to plates and cups?

What is the deal with chipped plates!

And scratched plastic cups?