Kaws - Companionship in the Age of Loneliness, NGV

When I saw the Youtube footages of people in Uniqlo China bashing each other over a Kaws t-shirt, I knew I had to go to the exhibition in National Gallery of Victoria to see what the big deal is. 

So, Kaws is artist Brian Donnelly's tag. His early works are in street graffiti, then graffiti on advertisement posters. His friend actually gave him a key to billboard cupboards at bus shelters so he can remove the posters, work on it at his leisure and reinstall when complete. 

These days, companies would be rushing to pay him to 'vandalise' their advertising. Perhaps it may even sell more products because of his trademark xx eyes, skull and crossbones. The 'enhancement' of Simpsons family below was sold for USD $14.7m recently. 

His trademark crosses for eyes and what looks like fluffy hair at the side of the head is actually an abbreviated skull and bones. He is known to 'innovate' on existing well known characters e.g. Mickey, Bugs Bunny with his skull and cross bones.

Later, he expanded to making toys. His first one was named Companion, which is the figure with a smooth finish in the picture below, and later BFF, the figure the Companion is carrying. As you can see, he also does sculptures.

Nowadays, everyone can get a piece of Kaws because he has done collaborations on toys, apparel including shoes, paintings, plates. That is if they are in stock. At the NGV, the Companion toys sold out the first day they were open for the exhibition. First day! More are coming, but we just don't know when yet. Or maybe the staff knows but they're keeping the date hush hush so they can get their hands on it first?

Back to the exhibition, I enjoyed it very much. There is a generous number of displays of different genres shown e.g. paintings, photos, sculptures, toys, etc so it kept things interesting. It is also a tribute to Kaws who have done so many different type of work. I think my favourites are the paintings, they are so intricate.

But I don't think I will be rushing to get a merchandise. The skull and cross bones thing just doesn't resonate with me. To each their own, of course. Resale of Kaws merchandise are rife on the internet. Some of the Uniqlo x Kaws t-shirts are selling at 1000% the original price.

Kaws - Companionship in the Age of Loneliness exhibition is at the NGV until 13 Apr 20. Tickets are $20 per person. There is no need to pre-book as the line is minimal.

Da Guido 365, Little Collins St

Da Guido 365 is the sister restaurant to Da Guido in Little Italy or Lygon St in Carlton. It's decision to open up in the financial precinct of the CBD at the mercy of office workers who are price sensitive is 180 degree different to its offering in Lygon St and is a brave move. The prices starts around $20 for a pizza and $25 for pasta so this is not a place for an everyday casual lunch. On the other hand, the food is quality, the service is attentive and may appeal to the business lunch or dinner where 'the corporate card is paying but let's not go berserk' crowd.

I visited the restaurant many moons ago, when it was the new kid on the block and when they still had the truffle pizza on the menu. The pizza was soooo good, and as you can see in the picture below had generous shavings of truffle everywhere. The dough was delicious, the cheese was top class and the truffles... wonderful! It was so good I went back again for it, twice in two weeks. This pizza has been taken off the menu online so I'm not sure if it's something that is still available. I'm glad I got to enjoy it while it was on the menu. 

Warm calamari salad with chilli and parsley. The calamari was tender, the dish was seasoned well.

I saw some tables ordering pasta dishes which looked good also but we only had pizza the couple times we were there. Like the pizza, I believe the pasta dough is also house made so I would have loved to try them also even if the portions looked a little small.

Unlike Tipo00 nearby which is pricey and Pentolina another Italian restaurant also nearby, Da Guido offers a reasonable price and the added choice of gourmet pizzas on their menu.

Mahjong, St Kilda

There is just something about an All You Can Eat place that makes my heart flutter, adrenaline rush and lastly the devastating effect of a very heavy stomach. The first two feelings are awesome, but there is always the regrettable third that follows. But no matter how many times I have to roll out of a restaurant straight into a food coma that lasts till the morning after, I still love going to AYCE. 

I love AYCE for the variety, the choice to choose for free (this is obviously an illusion because you always pay, with money in the total price and with the pain and regret of overeating) and the challenge of eating more than the price you paid for the food (which is also an illusion since these AYCE restaurants are still running, and going from strength to strength thanks to people like me). 

Mahjong restaurant in St Kilda was a great find for us. The restaurant is clean, tastefully fitted, and service is quick. Food wise, there is a reasonable variety to choose from and the food are all made to order so they are fresh. 

There are dimsum items e.g. steamed dumplings; large plates e.g. steamed fish fillet in soy sauce, salt and pepper calamari; desserts e.g. banana fritters. Each table has a menu, you order which ones you would like to eat and the staff brings them out. The kitchen will prepare the appropriate portion size according to the number of people on the table in order to reduce waste. For example, a normal yumcha dish portion is 3 dumplings but if there were 4 people on the table the chef will steam 4 dumplings in one bamboo steamer to customize. 

Our favourite dishes were the salt and pepper calamari, peking duck wraps, pan fried dumplings, wontons in chilli oil, and tibetan chicken. There were three dessert dishes, and since I was not a dessert fan anyway, I did not find it lacking. My advice is to skip dessert and just enjoy the savoury dishes. 

Service starts at 12pm on Saturdays and goes for two sessions on Sundays from 11:30am for the first and 1:30pm for the second session. Ordering of food is limited to the first 90 minutes from arrival so do be mindful to order enough prior to the time limit so you can continue to eat and chat post 90 minutes. 

This restaurant is great for a leisurely lunch with friends and family over small dishes and wine, on a beautiful sunny day as the restaurant has distant views of green Albert Park and there is outdoor seating available. If not, it is also great for an overcast day when you can sit inside and still enjoy the food and the decor.