Shopping in Melbourne

[PCL]

I noticed the Foie Gras in NZ thread and admittedly didn't read it in much detail, but here goes...

Has anyone come across or knows of any foie gras producers that may be operating in Victoria? or indeed anywhere at all in Australia?

I'm just finding my feet again after having been away for a while and it would be good to know where I can get fresh foie gras for all things fun and good...

thanks in advance.

[arbuclo]

PCL, I've lived in Melbourne for about 10 years and I'm not sure the answer to your question. Foie Gras is something I haven't looked for around here. You could try calling these businesses for info as they're in the gourmet food realm here and should know what's up: Simon Johnson (http://www.simonjohnson.com.au/), Essential Ingredient (9827 9047)

Would love to hear what you find out. I could be inspired to try to do something with foie gras!

[bourdain]

My understanding is that it's against the law to produce foie gras in Australia. The foie in restaurants is all imported--and must be pasteurized. Or so I'm told.

[Niall]

My understanding is that it's against the law to produce foie gras in Australia. The foie in restaurants is all imported--and must be pasteurized. Or so I'm told.

This is true. When you try to bring foie into Oz, customs have a criteria that it must meet. I have generally only seen bloc de foie in Oz.

[PCL]

I had some foie at France-Soir on Toorak Road last week. They were whole slices taken from an 'entier', 'mi-cuit' block, very tasty, very good. But I wonder if such blocks are available through retailers.

And any ideas on why the stuff isn't produced locally??... wonder what might happen if I keep a couple geese in the backyard...

[Shinboners]

wonder what might happen if I keep a couple geese in the backyard...

Keeping geese to make foie gras? You'd probably end up getting animal liberation activists protesting outside your place and mounting raids.

Anyway, the other month, I had a dish at Vue de Monde that contained foie gras from Strasbourg in it. The foie gras was encased in brioche and sliced thinly. Quite lovely.

[PCL]

For those of you interested, Simon Johnson's in Fitzroy are bringing in some whole Foie in the next week or so. They are pasteurised, whole lobes, gently pre-poached. They served some at France-Soir not long ago, and for around $200/500g, I think it's a steal.

Salut!

[Phish]

Kalamansi/calamansi

Ok, i've been to Victoria Market, Prahran Market, Coles, Safeway, Asian Grocery stores in the City... yet no luck. Anyone knows where i can find this lime anywhere else? Anyone seen it around?

Thanks in Advance!

[PCL]

Hi Phish,

You can try Victoria St grocery stores, city end of the strip, or perhaps try Sydney Road, Brunswick. Or ask your friendly bar tender where they get supplies from.

Good luck

[Phish]

Thanks a bunch! I think i saw some at David Jones Food Hall in the city today. That place looks fab! It's totally crowded tho, but it's a nice change.

[Dim Sim]

In Melbourne, I get my sourdough bread from Gertrude Street Organic Bakery, (opposite BFC) I have been going there for about 3 -4 years, during that time I have sampled sourdoughs from other bakeries, but I always seem to go back to Gertrude St., do you have your favorite bakeries ?

[PCL]

Amen to the Gertrude St option.

Couple places in St Kilda do good bread too.

There's another place on Smith St, but its been years since I lived there.

Otherwise, the market is always a safe bet.

David Jones Food Hall does okay too. Their mini baguettes are terrific.

[Dim Sim]

The place in St. Kilda, you don't mean Baker D. Chirico ? yes they do make nice breads, pity about no more Daimaru, I used to stop at Paul Bocuse bakery on the ground floor before heading home on the train, they were lovely, I have bought anything from DJ since it reopens, is Browns doing the bakery there still ?

[ozmouse]

i have to add Frank's bakery, glenhuntly rd glenhuntly.

sourdough rye at its finest!

[Tim White]

Bread lovers of Melbourne are spoilt for choice - PCL I've been too busy eating them to reply....

The best way to get to know Melbourne's artisanal bread is to go to the Queen Vic Market. There are three specialist bread stalls, each with a wide and different range. They will get breads in for you if they don't have the exact one you want. We've been sampling Melbourne sourdough for over 20 years - you might want to try (apologies in advance for people who don't live in the inner nth):

Franks - Southern Suburbs- great for east european style breads - widely available

Pure - Eastern Suburbs- really good olive loaf, rosemary & olive oil loaf, white loaf (spoil yourself with the chocolate and fig loaf - usually a special order)

Organic Gertrude - Fitzroy - Inner City - french rustic style - completely by hand and totally organic - great on the day but even better for toast or rustic european dishes using bread - only catch is unless you have a freezer full - they are closed until the first week of February - make a journey for the foccacia!

LaMadre - Geelong - artisanal unusual breads - highly regarded

Irrewarra - Colac - ditto - highly regarded by Stefano di Piero

Natural Tucker - Carlton Nth - inner City - a bit San Francisco and a bit bitter for our taste but responsible for at least 10 of the micro bakeries around town - good for heavy baguettes

Loafer - Fitzroy Nth - Inner Subs handmade with love and a bit of philosophy - have had some problems with their oven but still great

Kingfisher - Northcote - Inner Nth artisinal bread - again San Fran style - some very nice breads

Fruition - Healesville - Outer East wood fired oven - worth the trip

Baker D Chirico - St Kilda Inner Sth Probably the best in Melbourne - certainly most restaurants stock their bread - special - but sometimes hard to get because of demand

Il Fornaio - St Kilda Inner Sth Not far from Baker D. Good Italian style breads - not many sourdough but good food

Filou's - Carlton Nth - Inner Nth Great sourdough baguettes - all natural, organic etc etc - close your eyes and smell and you could be in Montmarte (rather than opposite the Melbourne Cemetery) Great patisserie also

Ceres - Brunswick - Inner Nth have a woodfired oven that is available most weekends if you want to do some of your own

Melbourne CAE - City run a sourdough workshop on a regular basis. The teacher Mark Dymiotsis is Greek and teaches Eastern Med style sourdough breads.

And if you want semi commerical - Shwob's Sourdough, Phillipa's Breads, The Village Baker - are all available at good food stores. Shwob's is probably the best commercial sandwich bread - but light compared to a lot of the above. The other two were artisinal bakeries who have expanded and have a good range of product. Some might find them light but they are usually pretty good

For us - our everday breads are from Pure (from the bread shop on the lower concourse at the Deli Section of the Vic Market - just ask for Peter or Michelle) or Filou's

If you want more info - check out the new Ed of the Foodies Guide 2005 to Melbourne & Regional Victoria - the editors love bread - or email The Age Epicure - the editor is a bread lover

[Dim Sim]

thank you Ozemouse and Tim , and PCL to kick start the topic, Don't worry Tim, I have got 3 loaves of Gertrude St. Organic in my freezer, sliced and some already made up (leftover christmas)ham and cheese s/w ready to go into my new (chrissy present) Breville s/w press.

I have Irrewarra before (in fact it would be my second choice, after G.St. Orgainc),I like Filou's , good pastries too. I find Kingfisher breads a bit too dense for my everyday eating but wonderful flavour sepecially their pumpkin one, I have had very good bread and very bad bread (burnt with crunchy black bits)from Il Fornaio, interested to try Loafer, Pure and LaMadre (can you get them in Melbourne), does anyone know whatever happen to The Sweet Temptation used to be in Brunswick street, between the Black Cat Cafe and Johnson Street, They made the best focaccia, oily top, and lot of crunchy salt, thanks for that piece of info. on the bread making course at the CAE, will get more info (my last attempt of cultivating a starter failed badly, I need a lesson).

[Tim White]

le madre bread is available from one of the bread shops at the market - its the one on the corner (they also sell irrewarra)

[DanielProebsting]

Does anyone know where I can get konjac/shirataki noodles in the Melbourne area? Preferable the eastern suburbs.

Thanks

[Dim Sim]

you could try Suzuran Japan Food, 1025-1027 Burke Road, Camberwell,

Tel:9882 2349, they are one of the bigger Japanese food store, if they don't stock them it will be quite likely they know where to obtain them, I have seen them in plastic sausage shape around the place but I can't actually remember where, sorry.

What are you going to use it for, Sukiyaki ?

[DanielProebsting]

No, I just want to try them as a pasta substitute.

Thanks

you could try Suzuran Japan Food,  1025-1027 Burke Road, Camberwell,

Tel:9882 2349,  they are one of the bigger Japanese food store, if they don't stock them it will be quite likely they know where to obtain them, I have seen them in plastic sausage shape around the place but I can't actually remember where, sorry.

What are you going to use it for, Sukiyaki ?

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