Voucher for: Learn to Make Paella, Tapas and Churros - Three-Course Spanish Cooking and Dining Experience with a Glass of Sangria
Bought through: Living Social
Colmao Flamenco
Data entry can do your head in sometimes, and my current temp assignment had me driving with the peak hour pack, further adding to the general itchy tension.
I decided against going home today and went straight after work to a cooking class located in Johnston St, Fitzroy, entertaining myself ahead of time with a peppy mocha and the chatty owner of Mauritz's Café, a little opposite Colmao Flamenco (He waved me off with, "Come back soon! Pizza's going to be on the menu!")
Walking in a little ahead of 7pm through the relatively nondescript exterior of this Spanish restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome within - dark woods and retro classic tourist posters, leading to a small stage set up centrally for regular flamenco music nights hosted most Fridays and Saturdays.
A long table was awaiting this evening's cooking class participants and groups flowed in chatting casually in dribs and drabs.
After we had all found a seat, what proceeded next, as suspected, was not exactly the hands-on cooking class I'd imagined (or the voucher had described). This evening was going to be more akin to an instructional viewing for us, the participants, with expert step by step demonstrations that we could taste test as the event went along.
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm all for the inside scoop on how to make a delicious meal, but I think a lot of the people (myself included), were actually hoping to do some actual cooking.
Our chef, Miryam, was very knowledgeable in demonstrating the staples of Spanish cuisine, and we had a student's eye view on the creation of one of our tapas dishes (delicious garlic prawns with baby spinach, pine nuts and raisins); our main (seafood paella); and an accompanying dessert (berry soup - not quite an appetising name, is it?)
My fellow diners happily enjoyed the dishes, and made studied opinions and referential photos on how we could approach cooking these meals in the future. However, I think all of us would have liked to have had a turn of the wooden spoon personally, just to feel as if we had participated in an actual cooking class.
So in full disclosure I really can't say that this voucher satisfied their advertised premise. Nonetheless, it was a fun night and a return visit for a flamenco dinner with show will probably be on the agenda in the future.
Pros: ease to finding the location, though with limited parking options in the area; delicious Spanish food; warm, welcoming atmosphere
Cons: not really a hands on cooking class
Voucher for: One complimentary GELATO CUP or CONE when another GELATO CUP or CONE of equal or greater value is purchased
Bought through: The Entertainment Book
Fritz Gelato - St Kilda
A summer's night in St Kilda means ice-cream for dessert! After a dinner at Mirka at Torlano, Alister and I headed over the road to the Fritz Gelato storefront I had spotted through our dining window.
Easy casual bench seating out the front, with other fast foodie options either side, you could guess it would be well trafficked during the day and on weekends, though a little quiet when we popped by mid-week.
No matter, the ice-creams we chose (double scoops at half the price!) were delicious, with Alister opting for a lip-puckering Blood Orange and Lemon Lime Bitter combo (which he said could have been a little more tart!); and my own creamy option of Honeycomb with White Chocolate and Raspberry. So yummy!
The honeycomb especially was well mixed throughout the milk chocolate and the two scoops were almost a meal by themselves (though of course, we shared). I don't know how people get through three scoops!
Pros: Impressive milk based, creamy gelato; lots of intriguing taste and flavours
Cons: Citrusy sorbets could have been more tart (according to Alister)
Voucher for: $40 to Spend On Organic Fruit and Vegetables ($19)
Bought through: Living Social
Joe's Organic Market
Organic seems to be the holy grail of the whole foods movement and while I understand the argument for it, many dietitians and nutritionists have been quick to emphasise that Australia overall has some of the best produce in the world. You can be assured of a very good diet without paying a premium price for the "organic" label.
Still, I was curious as to the difference often touted by gurus on the taste and much mentioned superior quality, so I snapped up this voucher for Joe's Organic Market located not too far from me.
A close drive to Northcote's main shopping drag, Joe's is a delicatessen style store which offers loose dry produce, alternative health foods and a reasonable selection of organic fruit and vegetables.
My voucher was limited to the latter, which was a little disappointing as there were tempting teas displayed, but well within the vendor's proviso. As for the produce on offer... well, let's just say I stuck mainly to the vegetables and various fresh herbs - the fruit looked rather bruised and the bananas especially, quite mottled, with noticeable fruit flies hovering. I know this is probably an indication of their "unspoiled and untreated" ripeness, but it did make me hesitate and decide against them.
From a taste perspective, there was no epiphany on the superiority of organic versus conventional from this sample.
I was a little impressed that I could eyeball a decent range of items to within my $40 budget, but to be honest, I don't think I'll be returning to this store anytime soon.
Pros: Alternative foods and organic options close to the railway end of Northcote; easy parking
Cons: Overripe fruits, store overall a bit tired looking
