Café Vue, Airport

So the mile high club is probably a bridge too far for most. But at least you’ll be able to get your rocks off with two feet on the ground before you board that international cattle class flight.



Go for a little bit of luxury at Café Vue.

4 / 5 yums!
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Where? Melbourne International Airport, T2, Tullamarine, VIC
What? $5-30

Coin Laundry, Armadale

One would have a reasonable expectation that if one searched online for “coin laundry, Armadale” and headed to that address with dirty jocks and frocks to find an unmanned shabby shop front, gritty lino floor tiling, 70s style industrial washing machines and dryers, a row of plastic bucket school chairs from the 80s and Women’s Weekly magazines from 2006.

But if you did have that expectation, you would be easily fooled for there will be no insertion of coins into any sort of hardware that will clean clothes for you. Or they just didn’t read the search results properly.



Because this café have cleverly, and somewhat lazily, from what I imagine, have merely recycled the business name previously housed at that location.

So getting past the shock and horror that you might not be without fresh bras and undies for at least another day, since the trek out has been made, might as well be well fed.



Simply poached eggs, bacon, sautéed spinach on toast. Done well.



Salmon, poached egg on a housemade hashbrown and beetroot relish. Again deliciously simple.



Quiet possibly one of the best steak sangers in town.

A food trip that makes the thought of having to turn your daks inside out worthwhile.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 61 Armadale Street, Armadale, VIC
What? At least $15

Sederhanh Padang, Jakarta

It’s that crazy padang style eating, this time in a place that feels like you could be running the salmonella gauntlet.

But never fear, this place is more than foreign stomach friendly.



Piling up the dishes on the table, my favourites included the interestingly named “pop” chicken that’s been boiled and treated with a brief plunge in hot oil, and the small garlicky fish eaten whole. Usuals such as the rendang a good standard.

Just keep piling it on.


3.5 / 5 yums!

Marche, Jakarta

I’ve never been to Switzerland but I could imagine Sepp Blatter shaking his old head to the tackiness that is Marche.



But hey if you’re in for a penny, you’re in for a pound as the surrounds go way over the top. Fake waterfall in the back. Eat in a mock farm house. Staff dressed in traditional Swiss clothing. Lavish food stands in market style stalls, complete with flawless produce.



Just like a market, shop around, before ordering at your choice provedore who will stamp your order card yum cha style.



Roast chicken – pricey for a grilled Maryland, but points for great gravy.



Potato Roesti – enough for two. Crisp on the outside, buttery tender on the inside.



Salad.



Sirloin with a side of mash.

Don’t forget the card, even if you don’t order anything, or there will be a hefty price to pay.


3.5 / 5 yums!

Smooch, Jakarta

The Indonesian folk have taken to yoghurt like nerds to new technology.



But in a country where there’s generally a person to do the job for you, you pay for the privilege to serve yourself.



Yes it really is unlimited, but realistically limited to how tall you want to spiral that yoghurt in the cup, weighed and priced accordingly. Sprinkle on unhealthy Asian favourite toppings such as jellies, candies, jams. Exotic fruits for those feeling a wee bit guilty.


3 / 5 yums!

Singapore Airlines Business Lounge and Business Class vs QANTAS Business Class

I’ll never be able to personally afford business class. But now that I’ve tasted it, it’s difficult to go back.

That’s why if another opportunity arises, I’ll be crossing my fingers, toes and nostrils that Singapore will be the choice carrier.









QANTAS lounge ain’t bad, especially in Sydney.





However, Singapore’s Singapore is far superior.





Check out the decked A380 and Singapore airport lounge. It could be a 5 star hotel lobby, only filled with self serve goodies.

There are no eyes of shame when re-piling that plate. And if there are, stuff em.

Stokehouse, St Kilda

There have been moments in history where the stars have aligned rather well. Hawthorn winning the 2008 Grand Final. The Old Spice Guy. Wills meeting Kate. Or is that the other way around?

Some might say that a bit of work went into making those things right. For this beach house on roids, that would be true.



Consider this. Beach. Balcony. Balmy night. Top that off with a contemporary, seasonal menu that could only be bettered if they were served to guests lying on deck chairs being fanned by scantily clad males and females with oversized ferns.



Lasagne of blue swimmer crab, flaked almonds, pear, whitebait, chervil, crab veloute.



Atlantic scallops, verjus gazpacho, compressed apple and cucumber salsa, walnuts, serrano ham.



Beef tartare, Shimeji mushrooms, Horseradish cream, tarragon emulsion.



John Dory fillet, sautéed cuttlefish, white asparagus and samphire salad, garlic gnocchi, artichoke aioli.



The sides.



The Bombe – frozen white chocolate parfait with strawberry sorbet.



Crème Brulee, pistachio praline parfait, poached apricots.



Hazelnut chocolate mousse and nougat crunch.

That is a night out at the Stokehouse. Stars aligned we’re all stoked.


4.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 30 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda, VIC
What? $100+