Holy Basil

233A Canley Vale Road

Canley Heights NSW 2166

So Thai food, is a favourite of mine at the moment (and has been for the last4-5 mths!) I really can't get enough of it. So when i was told there was a new thai place opening up in Canley, i organised a get together..

The restaurant can seat quite a few number of people, and it also has outside seating (but i think only in the daytime, there were not enough lights for dining outside at night yet). Decorated with statues, plants & lanterns, i love the ambience it creates, walking through the doors you can hear the clanging of pots and things from the open kitchen in the back.

Bich had booked a table for us, (just incase it was busy & we didn't have to wait).

Menu's were handed out, and an extensive one at that. A huge A3 page, double sided, so much to choose from no wonder the waiter was coming back about 3 times before we were ready to order hehe.

We were told that there was no drinks menu, so when asked - the waitress just listed what they had. I went with an avocado & durian shake (my fav drink at the moment). Thanh requested a watermelon drink, but moments later they said there was no more..

avocado & durian Shake

Seriously this is the best avocado durian shake i've ever had! It was lusciously thick, with a very strong flavour of durian (which means they weren't stingy on the durian (like most other places are). Served in a round wine glass, with a thick straw -it was a meal in itself i struggled to finish this hehe.

vegetarian curry puffs (2 pieces) $3.90

savoury vegetable triangles potatoes, peas, carrots, corn & onion

fried until crispy golden brown & served with sweet sour dipping sauce

The curry puff pastry was nice & crisp, with a fair amount of filling in it. I ALWAYS order curry puffs when i eat out at thai, mianly because they are the only vegetarian options available! But this place has the meat version as well (for the ame price i think)

goong hom pha (prawns in a blanket) $3.90

larb ped (spicy duck mince salad) $14.90

This is a laos/thai classic, combining duck's brerast mince, spanish onions, coriander, shallots, fresh chilli & mint leaves dressed in lime juice.

ox tongue $8.90

Marinated grilled ox tongue, thinly sliced & served with dipping sauce.

duck gang dang (red curry)

Made with a red spicy base of red chilli paste, sweet basil, kaffir lime leaves, & garlic infused in coconut milk served with seasonal vegetables eggplant, green beans, zucchini & pumpkin.

Pad thai (vegies + tofu) $9.90

optional egg $1.50

With the option of having a fried egg on top - i snapped up this straight away! Fried sunny side up is my FAVOURITE way to have eggs, and i asked if the yolk can be runny :)

The pad thai had alot of fresh bean sprouts, and the noodles were perfectly cooked (some places have the noodles over cooked and it goes all mushy). Flavour was awesome, its hard to find a place that serves their pad thai right, and this would be the 2nd best pad thai i've ever had (the first being a restaurant in Newtown back in my nonblogging days)

chicken pad thai $10.90

After eating, staff came out to say that there was actually watermelon, and we could order it if we wanted to. We all shook our heads.. we were all full and pretty much finished for the night, until he mentioned 'on the house' haha :) So we all got cmplimentary glasses of their watermelon shake (which i think had lychee in it aswell). I didnt try any because i'm allergic (yes i'm allergic to watermelon fruit!) but everyone said it was beautiful & refreshing.

complimentary watermelon drinks

The owner had come to ask us how everything was, and also mentioned they are going to open up the outdoor area soon as well, and try to turn it into a cafe style place on weekends, somewhere people can come to read the paper, have a drink, in a relaxing atmosphere.

I'd say this place has the nicest decor, and biggest drinks bar avail (and offering special drinks that no other places have).

We really enjoyed dining here, and when i got home i straight away joined the facebook group for 'Holy Basil'!

This is definitely now my favourite Thai restaurant out west, and will be coming back again soon enough.

Cafe Sweethearts

263 Coventry Street

South Melbourne VIC 3205

ph: 03 9690 6752

So, my first time to Melbourne VIC and i have Miss Huynh as my tourguide. She is a Melbournian living in Sydney, & we've been best friends since we met at the local gym!

I've been so excited and anticipating this trip ever since she booked flights (about 2 mths earlier). Another state, new restaurants, new culture, i've only ever been to QLD 2 yrs ago and back then i wasn't a blogger..

Ann has been raving on about this cafe for quite some time now, saying that i will LOVE it, and she was right.

The streets were quiet but alot of people were walking around, sitting down to a coffee & newspaper, and the cafe was particularly buzzing with patrons once we stepped in.

You can't tell from here, but there were a lot of people, just not in the front room. Over to the right there is another room of tables, the cashier table, and behind that the kitchen. We got a seat right at the front, looking out to the street, & the warm sun on us.

I ordered a grapefruit juice, and Ann an apple juice. Both were refreshing, but definitely not freshly squeezed.

polaroid Love :)

Eggs Romano

poached eggs on toasted english muffins with spinach,

hollandaise sauce, tomato concasse & fresh basil

Ann also got mushrooms instead of spinach, i guess to fill up on protein as she was eating vegetarian like me! I had a try, and the tomato sauce was very zing like- flavoury sensation like i was eating.. mexican?? It was so fresh, teamed with hollandaise sauce it was yummy.

Eggs Mediterranean

poached eggs on grilled herbed polenta with

sauted spinach, roasted red capsicum & herb pesto

I ordered a hashbrown on the side as well. & it's the round ball thing on the left- how embarassing when i got my plate & asked 'wait, where's my hashbrown?' & Ann pointed out 'that is a hashbrown'. haha :)

I've never had baked polenta before. I wanted to try something different, other than english muffin, & i don't regret it at all. The capsicum was really sweet, and still warm from the grill. I also ordered extra hollandaise sauce because Ann said it was the best.. & it was really thick with a smooth consistency, very creamy, and very bad for me! hehe.

The eggs were poached to perfection (thumbs up there), & now onto the hashbrown.. it's similar to a KFC Mashy, but gourmet style! Mashed potato mixed with some spices and spring onion, with a crispy outside layer. I've never had a hashbrown like this before, it makes me no longer want to eat the McDonald's style ones..

The pesto topped off the meal quite well, and although it doesnt look big, the meal was extremely filling (must be all the extra sides hehe)

Because i don't go to Melbourne much, i might not come back here for a while. If i ever came back to Melbourne though, i would love to try other places! But for anyone who is a Melbourne local, or to anyone that will be in South Melbourne - this is one place you have to try.

The service was quick, staff were very friendly, situated on a side street (not on the main road) & i just love the signage!

Melbourne here i come~

I'm going to Melbourne for the weekend & so very very excited! Will be coming back with lots of food pictures & reviews (and a bigger waistline boooo)

:)

any restaurant suggestions - leave a comment!