Alice Nivens Cafe

Take a step into wonderland and join Alice Nivens for afternoon tea.

Janet Wong's alter ego has manifested itself into the hidden gem that is her cafe. Tucked away in Port Phillip Arcade, Alice Nivens bakes delicious new treats everyday that are served alongside lovingly made coffee and tea (from Storm in a Teacup). 

The cupcakes, muffins and cakes change on a daily basis so there's always an excuse to come back and try something new.

If the sweets aren't enough to lure you in, simply popping by to chat with owner, Janet is as good a pick me up than any coffee will ever be. Her energy and passion is simply remarkable.

Open Monday to Friday, it's perfect for your early morning coffee or for a bit of afternoon tea.

Waffee - CBD Opening

Once hidden away in Altona, Waffee is finally opening in the CBD!

There's nothing better than an authentic handmade Belgian waffle and a nice cuppa.

They have a gorgeous selection of waffles, my favourite is chocolate stick.

I can't wait until they're open so I can try them all.

They open on the 2nd of November. Go in and enjoy a waffle!

Storm in a Teacup.

Hello There,

I recently took a trip down Smith St for a long overdue visit to Storm in a Teacup. Storm in a Teacup is the baby of Sarah Cowell former tea sommelier at Vue de Monde, whom I had the pleasure of meeting when I had dinner there. Her tea knowledge and passion is inspirational and I am glad she could share her love of tea with all of Melbourne now.

Basically Storm in a Teacup is a Tea bar, so they are a bar but specialize in brewing tea as well. A place like this was a heaven sent for me, there are very few places in Melbourne that do their tea justice. Most 'tea drinkers' are happy sipping from a teapot crammed with too many leaves, filled with boiling water, steeping for much too long. At Storm in a Teacup, no matter which tea you select from their extensive list, you can be sure that the tea you are drinking is brewed with the utmost respect and care. The water temperature is perfect, the steeping time is exact and the ratio of tea and leaves is well balanced.

photo courtesy of: http://storminateacup.com.au

In simpler words, they do tea RIGHT.

They also do some pretty damn good cocktails as well. ;)

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I, of course could not resist their little food menu. I shared a charcuterie board and a vegie smash plate with my friend. Charcuterie boards are always great but what surprised me was the vegie smash. I really really enjoyed the flavours; there was an eggplant, beetroot and pumpkin vegie smash. Just really good simple flavours that I polished off in no time. All the staff are very knowledgeable and friendly so they can really help you decide on a tea as well as tempt you to try their selection of cakes.

They're always baking something new so pop in and have a look. 

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If you're a true lover of tea, you'll love this place. It's just amazing that a place like this has opened, it's a reflection of Melbourne's growing tea community and the recognition of tea's importance in culinary society. 

I sincerely hope you guys check this place out, it's doing some great things.

Address:  

  48A Smith Street

  Collingwood, Vic. 3066

Telephone: (03) 9415 9593

Opening Hours:  Tues & Wed 10am-6pm

                                  Thurs 10am-9pm

                                Fri & Sat 10am-11pm

                                    Sun 10am-6pm

                                    Closed Monday

Tea Cupping & Food

Hello Readers,

I'm really excited about today's blog so I'm not going to babble on but get straight to it.

On Saturday, I attended the first session of Bistro Vue's Tea Cupping classes. 

This session was focused on Green Tea and they're held by Charles Serveau, the Tea Sommelier who replaced Sarah at Vue de Monde. He was such a delightful teacher and his passion and enthusiasm for tea was inspiring. 

A truly educational and eye opening experience that was held in the beyond gorgeous function room of Bistro Vue, my friend couldn't help but admire the architecture. 

We tried so many different kinds of Green Tea, I felt like I was in heaven. So much precision and care needs to be taken but it's worth it to brew a perfect cup of tea.

The day couldn't have possibly gotten any better....but it did. Our class was followed by a wonderful 3 course lunch paired with matching teas whipped up by the head chef of Bistro Vue, Chris Bonello. Chris was really friendly, such an easy going guy.

Photo courtesy of Charles.

Our first course was Cured Kingfish with salt bush, wood sorrel, lemon oil, seaweed salt.

Second course was Confit Duck Leg with Jerusalem artichoke puree, roasted carrots and beer pickled onions. It was incredible how well the teas matched with this dish.

Finally for dessert a Rum and Vanilla parfait with 8 spice, honey and a White chocolate mousse.

An unforgettable experienced....well worth the early morning wake up and a bargain at $70, in my opinion. I only wish I could afford to attend ALL the sessions.

To top my day off, both Chris and Charles follow me on twitter! I feel kinda star struck haha.

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Before I finish this blog I'll do a very brief review and add some last minute food porn.

If you want good pizza in a stylish restaurant setting with spirited and charming waiters, +39 is where it's at. It was The Age's pizzeria of the year and I now understand why.

We ordered 3 pizzas, which were all good but the Quattro Fromaggi was mind-blowing. A 4 cheese pizza that has a really intense flavour.

Dessert was a Nutella pizza with strawberries and vanilla ice cream. It's hard to believe but this was the first time one of my friends had tried Nutella...I was mortified but he'd only been in the country a couple months so I let it slide. hahaha

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Now as promised, the food porn.

House Cured Vodka and Beetroot Salmon with a Mandarin, beetroot salad.

Salt and Pepper dusted Squid with Watercress and Mandarin Segments.

Porcini Mushroom and Chicken Risotto.

Beef Burger on a Brioche Bun with beetroot, lettuce, tomato, tasty cheese, bacon.

the CRISPIEST potatoes ever made by my masterchef boyfriend.

Lamb chops and vegies by the boyfriend. Don't let this picture fool you, I ate seconds....or was it thirds?

That's all! Sorry for the long post....See you next blog.

Another blog from the now 20 year old Carrie.

Hi Readers! 

(are there any of you left?)

I know it's been a while....Uni, work and my life has been pretty hectic lately!

So i'm not gonna beat around the bush, i'm gonna head straight to the food porn from my birthday dinner and then just whatever else I've been up to! 

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So dinner started with drinks~

Freshly Shucked Pristine Oysters

Tempura Soft shell crab

Atlantic Seafood Cocktail

The King George Whiting (this was my sister's boyfriend's main)

Olive oil confit Salmon with Tempura stuffed zucchini flower (my sister's main)

I didn't get a photo of mine or my boyfriend's main but who cares! here's dessert!

This was my boyfriend's and sister's, a Raspberry tart with Raspberry sorbet.

My sister's boyfriend's desert was a Peanut Butter and Jelly "sandwich"

This is mine! Strawberries and Cream shortbread with Lemon Mascarpone.

And finally an assortment of hard and soft cheeses.

This is also what I wore on my birthday~

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Sushi Burger! Kani Croquette burger.

So I might have a cappuccino addiction as well....

Eggs Benedict with Salmon

Onigiri made my by friend's mum.

A cute cupcake from my cousin for my birthday.

Yumcha on Easter with my parents at The Lucky Chan

Pomegranate iced tea 

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That's all for food, I've also been back up to my friend's farm. We did the usual bonfire and kicking back.

Hello cow.

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I also just impulse bought myself a new perfume... Ralph Lauren's Summer Romance. It smells really nice, I hope the people who generally smell me like it as well. haha

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Alright thanks for reading such a long post, guys! Until next time.....

Hello Duckling.