Thanks to Ashley from
FOOD-pampering yourself (a platform that connects bloggers, restaurants and food lovers), Winston from
The Hungry Excavator; Ming from
Sweet and Sour Fork; and Michelle from
the Bake-a-nista and I went on a tasting session at the new Cacao Green opening at Tivoli Arcade, Bourke Street. And thanks to Cacao Green's management team (Alvina, Josh, Jesse) for their kind gesture :)
The Restaurant
The grand opening of this new store coincided with Fiesta Malaysia 2012, that is 30 March. Great decorations and ambiance, good lighting and is more spacious compared to its original store on Swanston Street.
The store places itself at the entrance of Tivoli Arcade, on opposite of the tram stop along the busy Bourke Street. This makes it a more convenient place to grab your healthy breakfast before heading off to work/university via tram? :)
I especially like the travel guidebooks on the shelf, just hit my soft spots.
What to Eat?
THIS IS HOW MUCH WE ATE! we are so bloated we couldnt even finished them!
Mixed Berry Parfait $6.90. I am not a berries person but I dont mind eating this whole day. The berries sweetness is just right and I like the crunchiness of the granola on top! :)
Tropical Parfait $6.90. Nom nom noM!!!
Fruit 'n Crunch ORGANIC YOGURTS $6. They are ORGANIC YOGURTS, not Frozen yogurt. And hence would taste a bit bland as compared to Fro-yo. But with few toppings, they are yummeh! And Healthy!! :D
Orange & Honey ORGANIC YOGURTS. Not too sweet and healthy!! :DD
Apple 'n Passionfruit ORGANIC YOGURTS. Personally Im not a passionfruit person. So... I would go for the other two yogurts lol
Mixed Berry MUESLI :) So much textures going on Im a happy person! :)
Tropical BIRCHER MUESLI. See the Chia seeds on top?? :) What makes a good breakfast now? :)
Honey Bread with Mixed Berries $8. A generous slice of honey bread. Served Hot. Like the crunchiness and sweetness!! :) But eat it fast, otherwise it could get a bit soaky :O
Blueberry Almond Waffle $9. Like the shape. I like Waffle, so nom nom nom! But again, not a berries person haha.
Warm Quinoa Pudding with Strawberries $7.50. Honestly, I havent even heard of the word Quinoa Pudding before this (you could see how unhealthy I am :P). The texture is a bit different from other grains, a bit too funny to my liking, but worth a try! :)
The fresh Lemonade! :D
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 8am-9pm
Tue: 8am-9pm
Wed: 8am-9pm
Thu: 8am-9pm
Fri: 8am-10pm
Sat: 8am-10pm
Sun: 9am-9pm
READ MORE ABOUT Winston's post on Cacao Green
here.
READ MORE ABOUT Michelle's post on Cacao Green here.
The Restaurant
I almost go to this restaurant everytime I'm at Sydney :) Founded by Taiwanese and located near the end of Chinatown, this shop is always packed with people. Their taro balls are to die for, WHY OH WHY they dont have a branch in Melbourne yet!? Service is quick and desserts are yummeh!
What to Eat?
They improvised. Instead of waiting purposelessly in front of the counter, they have this device that will notify you when to collect your order from the counter :) pretty genius!
My Sydney mates : JiYan & Look :)
Taro Balls No 7 (Taro Mash+Honey Bean+Pearls) NOM NOM NOM LIKE THEIR TAROS :)))
Herbal Jelly No 2 (Sweet Potato + Barley +Pearls) EQUALLY YUMMEHHHH :DD
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 11am-12am
Tue: 11am-12am
Wed: 11am-12am
Thu: 11am-12am
Fri: 11am-1am
Sat: 11am-1am
Sun: 11am-12am
The Restaurant
One of the buffets on a more afforable range: Lunch buffet ($29.50//$36.00weekends); Dinner buffet ($53//$59.50weekends)
What to Eat?
Fresh prawns & scallops; Gourmet salads; Chicken & bbq pork; A variety of hot main dishes; Freshly baked bread; Sushi & sashimi; Soup of the day; Cold cuts & antipasto; A range of desserts; Chocolate fountain; Fresh fruit & cheese!!!!
You see why i bold the desserts part now? :DD
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-10pm
Tue: 12pm -3pm; 6pm-10pm
Wed: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-10pm
Thu: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-10pm
Fri: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-1030pm
Sat: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-1030pm
Sun: 12pm-3pm; 6pm-1030pm
The Restaurant
Acland St!!! Where you could find a strip of restaurants, especially cake shops with fantastic shop display window (that will tempt you to go inside and have a splurge)!!!
Tempting it may look, but it doesn't really taste that great. (mainly because i tink the cakes are on the shelf for too long and it is not as fresh!)
What to Eat?
This funny looking thing is called Chocolate Kugelhopf. We picked this because it looks really funny and interesting! It is so huge we could even finish it!! It is sold according to its weight! :D
Rum Slice. As you can see, it is a bit dry. probably it has been on the shelf for quite some time
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours: n/a
The Restaurant
This cute French cafe, despite small floor space, is cozy and the pancakes are really yummy!!!!
What to Eat?
Chicken du Chef =] i used to think that savoury crêpes are a bit out of place but this definitely changed my view =D
If you like something sweet, try this!!! Aumônière =] Irresistably good!
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 730am-8pm
Tue: 730am-8pm
Wed: 730am-8pm
Thu: 730am-8pm
Fri: 730am-930pm
Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: 10am-5pm
What to Eat?
1) Choose your size! Junior OR Regular($6.50) OR Large
2) Choose a Flavour: Japanese Matcha (GreenTea) OR Italian Original OR French Strawberry
3) Choose your toppings!!! Fruits OR Cheesecake
This frozen yogurt is healthy compared to icecream?? :DD
My italian origibal + blueberry + baked cheesecake + mixed nuts. Irresistibly YUM!
How to Go?
When to Eat?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 11am-10pm
Tue: 11am-10pm
Wed: 11am-10pm
Thu: 11am-11pm
Fri: 11am-11pm
Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 11am-10pm
The Restaurant
The cute little shop is located along Degraves Street. Head down here for some dessert cupcake after sipping your coffee at Degraves?? :D
What to Eat?
Mini Cupcake $2.20; Standard Cupcake $4/$4.50 depending on flavours
Best flavours ever: Red Velvet(cocoa butter cake with cream cheese frosting ) & Teddy Bear(moist chocolate cake with white chocolate frosting) YUMMMMMMMM
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 830am-530pm
Tue: 830am-530pm
Wed: 830am-530pm Thu: 830am-530pm Fri: 830am-530pm
Sat: 930am-530pm
Sun: 930am-530pm
The Restaurant
Boast to have one of the best macarons in Melbourne, you have to come here and try for yourself!!!
Head down here for some dessert macarons after a brunch at Hardware Lane!
What to Eat?
Heaps of flavour to choose from [They are about $2.50 each?]:
72% Cocoa Single Origin Chocolate (Venezuela) - For chocolate addict!
‘Bastille’ – Moet et Chandon and Blackcurrant
Caramel a la Fleur de Sel
Cherry Blossom & Sake
Mariage Freres Earl Grey Chocolate
Ginger & Macadamia (currently unavailable)
Hazelnut Belle Miette
Lemon
Olive Oil & Vanilla
Pimm’s & Pomegranate
Pink Grapefruit
Pistachio
Raspberry
Rose - STRIKING and smell good, but taste wise it is just alright
Strawberry & Vanilla
Violet & Blueberry - THE BEST!!!
The packaging of macarons is so good! Perfect gift!?
Where to Eat?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 10am-6pm
Tue: 10am -6pm
Wed: 10am-6pm
Thu: 10am-6pm
Fri: 10am-9pm
Sat: 10am-5pm
Sun: CLOSED
The Restaurant
What can I say? The interior design of this store is spectacular.
The owner must have put a lot of effort to decorate this place. Perfect place for photography; cozy; perfect place to hang out; nice sofa; you can even sit on the carpet!!
Located conveniently across the road from the Commerce The Spot building of University of Melbourne, this cafe is gaining popularity (I'm so surprised not many people actually noticed this store!!)
What to Eat?
Green Tea Chai Latte!!!!
High Tea
-Petite High Tea $79 for 2
-Chocolate Indulgence High Tea $59 for 2
-Vintage Glamour High Tea $169 for 2
OR just grab a coffee and some snacks and chill out at the restaurants!! Their pies are actually quite good too!!
Birthday High Tea!
M-A-C-A-R-O-N-S!!!
Sweet?
Savoury?
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: 7am-9pm
Tue: 7am-9pm
Wed: 7am-9pm
Thu: 7am-9pm
Fri: 7am-9pm Sat: 8am-5pm
Sun: 8am-5pm
The Studio
There is no tables and chairs. So be prepared to have takeaways instead!!
The shop is so different from normal cake shop!
The hygiene and lighting is spectacular. Spotlessly clean! And the decoration!!!
remind you of chemistry perhaps?? these are actually ingredients for the cake. talk to them if you would like to customise your cake! and choose ingredient from here!
Decoration of the cake is fantastic isn't it!!??
What to Eat?
<3 the ribbon and the box!
Bought my One month anniversary cake from here!! Surprisingly it is not as expensive as I thought it would be! (Around $50, comparable to normal cake which is around $40).
They introduce different design every now and then. SOOOO CUTE!!!
Test tubes!? XD
Oh noooo I squashed my cake!!
BACON. and PUMPKIN!!? you got to be kidding me!!! Dare you to try this! XD
How to Go?
When to Go?
Opening Hours:
Mon: CLOSED
Tue: 10am-630pm
Wed: 10am-630pm
Thu: 10am-630pm
Fri: 10am-630pm
Sat: 10am-630pm
Sun: 10am-630pm
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