Tien Dat

3 Carrington Road, Box Hill

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Mentioned earlier that my "MUST EAT LIST" cleary states....Vietnamese.

So when dear K asked what I wanted to eat I practically shouted:
"VIETNAMESE PLEASE"!!

And so we ended up here.
This used to be my regular humble joint for Vietnamese food but many years ago, the business management changed hands. While the food is still decent, it still isn't the same. Its now pretty popular especially with the ang-mos and so do not be surprised if you get turned away without a reservation!!

Vietnamese Crepe (Banh Xeo) filled with pork, prawns, mung beans and bean shoots.

It was OK, tasted better one in Richmond which was much crispier!


Tear away a bite size portion of the omelet and eat it with a slice of lettuce and fresh herbs with some dipping fish sauce.



Vietnamese styled Laksa Noodle soup (Bun Bo Hue) - chili beef broth with rice noodles and slices of preserved meat.
This was interesting and a first for me. First taste was like watered down and slightly sour chili or dipping sauce soup. After a few mouthfulls, got used to it and was not bad. No wonder its K's husband favourite noodle dish.



We were both thinking that we'd ordered a side serve of grilled lemongrass lamb,

so we were surprised when this was served....

Sizzling lamb with garlic and ginger sauce.

We polished all of it anyway!! *burp*

On a gluttonous whim, we decided we needed some coffee and finally ended up at Pancake Parlour for a longer chat, rant and chew. :)


Which is a good choice since they are open 24-7. Especially more since there are not many places in the burbs that open to late on a working week day.

Babka Bakery

358 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Victoria

A Russian bakery cum cafe.

Since it was on-route to the zoo, I begged and pouted until D finally gave in and detoured!!

Perhaps it was a promise of a pipping hot cup of coffee on a crisp cold morning that changed his mind? Anyway, no regrets except that we rushed for takeaways :(

Loved the matryoshka dolls (read more here) wall designs outside the bakery.

For some unknown reason I went a little crazy for these matryoshka dolls this trip - from table top ornament to xmas tree decorations (yep, they are up selling now). Think they are the cutest especially more since they come in a set of 5 in various sizes. So you'd can imagine my absolute delight when I saw these lovely ladies pasted boldly outside the bakery!!

The cafe is rather small and cozy.


Lots of people with take away orders - the usual, a hot cuppa of joe together with a rustic bread to bag!

I did mention that this is a bakery right - look at the trays of freshly baked bread. There's something about fresh baked bread (not the soft sweet confectionary kind) that make me weak and dreamy! hahaha

M ordered a sweet 'escargot' bread to share with D, only for it to be totally polished off by the kids. I only had a small pinch, darn we should have ordered another!!

Filled with lots of huge juicy sultanas, no wonder the kids loved them!


Since it we were ordering takeaways, I opted for smoked south australian salmon with baby capers, cucumber and sour cream, dill on a rye and caraway seed bread. What a mouthful huh?

But it was really good! They also have pies but realized this too late after paying our order.

Some of the food on the menu.

While waiting for our coffee takeways couldn't help but noticed these large 'snail' looking bread!

Love the taste of chewy rustic fresh bread. Unfortunately no one else share my taste so end up not getting any as they are all quite big loafs and didn't want it ending up in the bin if I couldn't finish it. *sigh*

They also serve a selection of sweet desserts.
They'll just have to wait when I have the opportunity to dine in, darn!

Mosey on to find out what local foodies have to say:

eatandbemerry

katkattales

sassychix

kongkay1

michelle