Polly, Fitzroy

Leather couches and velvet chaise lounges are strewn around Polly and naked statues are convorting with one another amongst its water features. The menu features hot chocolate w/Frangelico and there is a good selection of cigars.

This is definitely going to become a favorite of mine, especially given their list of tantalizing and aptly named cocktails.

Gnocchi and Mochis over Models and Bottles

One night, we all had 'capacity' to head out of the office for dinner, and took a stroll to Bistrot D'Orsay. I was initially tempted to order their beautiful bouillabaisse, but then I remembered that they also did a gorgeous gnocchi.

At the final moment, I disciplined myself to try something interesting and new and chose the beetroot risotto with spinach and crispy pancetta. As weird as that sounds, the combination of flavors turned out to be very harmonious. The risotto was the right consistency, and there was plenty of spinach in there to make me feel good about eating it. I suppose I would have liked another piece of cripy pancetta to accompany the dish (but that's only because of my unhealthy infatuation with anything worth their salt, literally).

The next day we headed to Degraves and I had to settle for this rather ordinary gnocchi to satisfy my unfulfilled gnocchi cravings. The four cheese sauce was alright, but the gnocchi was too soft. I would have preferred quality over quantity. I feel that Degraves has become too popular in recent years, and lost a lot of its original charm and quirk. This is especially true in the section that is situated closest to Flinder St station.

Chocolate Buddha, Federation Square

Friday night began at Collins Quarters and mojitos nearly made us miss our reservation at Chocolate Buddha.

From Cuba, we moved onto Japan and got into some interesting liquids and much needed food.

As the sun went down, we headed back to the office for some good ol' print and bind.



Less than an hour later, we were outta the building and on our way to the Toff.

Saigon Pho (unrequited)

Another occasion when he tried to go to Saigon Pho in Carlton only to find it closed for business. On previous occasions, he's usually turned to Italian to fulfill that burning desire for comfort food. But this time, the need for pho was all-consuming and I was dragged along to the nearest substitute provider.

By the way, this is only the first of many to come. I'm already starting to lose track of the different places we've ventured into to satisfy a particular person's cravings for pho (especially when his favourite place has denied him his fix).

This one must have been average (some comment about the general lack of flavour if memory serves me correctly), because otherwise I would've remembered its name. Although I do vaguely remember that the service was a bit rude and the waiter seemed disgruntled (mostly likely due to my choice of dining companion). I also do remember that it was one of the places on Swanston St, but not the one that looks like it belonged in Springvale (ie the one we should have gone to).

Fun and Games and Etc.

Max Cafe and Bar, Melbourne CBD

We made the unfortunate decision to visit on one of the days during the Christmas-New Year break. We went to Max because The Hardware Societe was closed and we were about to pay $15 for parking anyway.

Without even elaborating on its other faults, the eggs alone were enough to make me not want to come back here ever again.