Was sitting at home on Saturday night, enjoying a repeat of Iron Chef. Theme ingredient: Swallow’s Nest. I hear you ask WHAT? Which is exactly what I did. Very quickly worked out it was a delicacy in Chinese cooking, and by god… EXPENSIVE. Only to be served when the Emperer shows up. (In case you’re wondering, if the friends pop over, then you should serve sea cucumbers. Who knew?). Now, the chefs did their thing with US$24,000 worth of Swallow’s Nest. Broke the budget for the show apparently. We got to the end of the show somewhat intrigued. What is Swallow’s Nest?

Swallows or swifts make nests by regurgitating gelatinous substances, or the saliva. The nests are called swallow’s nest. It is also referred to as bird’s nest. Swallow is the bird Collocalia fuciphaga (Edible-nest Swiftlet), belonging to the Apodidae family and many other birds of the same breed. Swallow’s nest consumption has been known by the Chinese for thousands of years, and people especially those riches love it and consider it as one of the most precious tonic food they can have. As a food and a tonic, it is said to be highly nourishing, containing with elements which can stimulate cell and epidermal growth. If the swallow’s nest is taken regularly, so the tradition says, the skin will be glowing and delicate. Swollow’s nest is also good for the eyes. It is beneficial to the elderly and those who have just recovered from illness.

Yes, that’s right. It is bird spit. Scrapped from inside caves straight to a plate near you! Having eaten snails amongst other things, I can appreciate that some may find this a delicacy. (That said, I baulked at the goat on Friday night… didn’t seem right). Indeed, it is known in foodie circles as the “Caviar of the East”. The thing that shocked me is the fact that Swallow’s Nest is essentially flavourless. Upwards of US$2000 per/kg for something that is tasteless and flavourless. Surely, they were having a lend. No! For over US$100 for a bowl of soup, my god, that would want to be the best soup you’ve ever had.

For more on Swallow’s Nest, check out its Wikipedia page here.

I was going to do a breakfast review, as I go out for the first meal of the day every Saturday and Sunday unless something bad has happened to prevent me from doing so. It’s a Melbourne institution, and one I have enjoyed for as long as I can remember.

Sitting down this morning however, I was forced to endure a phenomenon that is becoming more and more common, not only in the mornings, but at any dining out experience. (more…)

It is a derogatory joke that is often thrown the way of Melburnians… that we are Mexicans. Living south of the border… south of New South Wales (and Sydney) for non-Australians who may not get the cultural reference. Well the joke is on the Sydney-siders!

A Melbourne restaurant has outclassed 10 Sydney contenders to win one of the nation’s most coveted restaurant industry awards. Vue de monde, the deluxe city establishment owned by high-profile young chef Shannon Bennett, was last night anointed Australian Gourmet Traveller 2007 Restaurant of the Year for the second consecutive year, the first restaurant to do so in the 17-year history of the awards.

As for the culinary scene in Sydney, it’s response is to send some pony-tailed dick down to Melbourne to open a restaurant at Crown. Crown Casino! It tells you the market that he’s going after, but then again, what would you expect from somebody used to serving the fair citizens of Sydney. Anybody who has had the misfortune of being served “a coffee” in Sydney knows what I’m talking about.

Once again Sydney has shown that it has no style and no substance… lot’s of pretty lights to distract you from said fact. Come to Melbourne and experience Australia’s best resturants, cafes, sport, culture and life. I may be biased, but we have been voted the ‘Most Liveable City In The World’… in 2002 and 2004, oh and in 2005. Oh, and BTW, you won’t get beat up on Melbourne’s and Victoria’s beaches.

We may be Mexicans… but that means that Sydney-siders are the Americans! Once again, the joke is on them! OLE!!!