Laces

Think I was able to tie my own shoe laces well before 7 years old.

These days, zap-ons are more popular especially with kids and parents. No surprising since they are easy and convenient to use: child can put on his/her shoes him/herself thus feeling more confident and accomplished; while parents just breath a sigh of relief (although feeling proud) that the child can do things by themselves.

But what about laces???? Not until very recently, could Master Prince handle or tie his own laces properly.

Tsk, tsk....i know

Does 'progress' means the future generation become more complacent and incapable of tying their own laces??? Would laces be regarded as 'old fashioned'?

Banh Mi (aka Vietnamese Roll)

Yes still covering Melbourne, hope you are not bored yet. Will try to finish everything by this week so be ready for more food spill!!

My first taste of Banh Mi was in Hanoi. It was a small slightly warm crusty roll (almost like a shorten version of baguette) cut in half with a generous slab of pate. Very basic but oh so good especially paired up with a slow black and strong dripped Vietnamese coffee!!

Banh Mi??? My Aussies friends call them simply as 'rolls', giving me a wrinkly look as I start chatting animatedly about them ~ like are you seriously getting excited over a roll???

Anyway, before my trip read about a 'Banh Mi' show down by local foodies from 10 different Vietnamese shops in Victoria. Great work guys as this means I get to know which one is the tastiest, tks!

* ding ding*

From Richmond (along Victoria St):
1. Lee Lee
2. Huong Huong
3. Phuoc Thanh
4. Saigon Bakery

From Footscray:
5. To's - 122 Hopkins St
6. Nhu Lan - 116 Hopkins St
8. Ba Le - 28A Leeds St

From Preston (along High St):
9. Tina's
10. Mai Lan

and the WINNER.....

Nhu Lan Bakery from Footscray.

You can read more here:
halfeaten
jeroxie
footscrayfoodblog

Must have been my non-stop babbling that drove my friend nuts granting my wish/taste for a Melbourne Banh Mi erm roll (thanks chewy!).

Phuoc Thanh @ Richmond.

Selection of meat fillings.

The roll comes stuffed with assorted vegetables including fresh fiery (but not enough ummph ie not pedas enuf) chillies!

It was interesting to see them assembling this roll - spread of pate, then a slice each of various cold cuts, then the assorted vegetables. Could do with more herbs IMHO!

It was good (especially since it was the only banh mi I'm getting on this trip).

Aussies are BIG on D.I.Y. meaning do-it-yourself.

So here's my diy - best with a Casa Vienna White Roll from Baker's Delight and preferably warmed in an oven for 10 min for the extra crispy exterior!

And my version has no vegetables...just a thick generous layer of pate!!! ;) YUM.