Charlie & Co Burgers – Chadstone foodcourt

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  • Restaurant Name: Charlie & Co Burgers
  • Location: Chadstone Shopping Centre Foodcourt, Chadstone, Victoria, Australia
  • Opening Hours: Monday – Wednesday 9am – 5.30pm, Thursday – Friday 9am – 9pm, Saturday 9am – 6pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.
  • Costs: $10-15 per burger, $15 – 20 for a meal.

Counted as a fast food restaurant, in the foodcourt, of Chadstone Shopping Centre, Charlie & Co Burgers tend to be overlooked as a good burger joint. I tried it for the first time recently, and it wasn’t too bad. Not fantastic, but not terrible either.

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I tried the Classic Charlie Burger and the husband and I got a side of Parmesan Truffle Fries. Fries were really nice. Probably could be a tiny bit more truffle-ey.

How about the burger? (you can’t tell in the picture but…) Mine was a little disappointing as I soon found out after picking it up, that the top and bottom buns had been switched around, and it quickly became rather a nightmare to eat. The top bun (on the bottom) was saturated in the sauce and burger juice, so dissolved pretty promptly as I picked it up. I was left with a burger mess all over my hands. Burger fail Charlie & Co. How do you get that wrong?

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Anyway, hubby got the El Mexicano Burger, and he said it was good. Aside from the mess of my burger, the flavours were good and the burger was well-balanced. Just a pity about the dissolving bottom/top bun.

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All up, a good, quick-ish (unless you are in the dinner/lunch rush at Chaddy) meal in a foodcourt. Maybe the stand-alone joints in the city fare a little better?

angelxling rating: 3/5

Tuck Shop Take Away

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  • Restaurant Name: Tuck Shop Take Away
  • Location: 273 Hawthorn Road, Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
  • Opening Hours: Monday – Closed, Tuesday – Thursday 11am – 8pm, Friday – Saturday 11am – 9pm, Sunday – Closed
  • Costs: $15-20 per meal, $10 burger
  • Website: none

Tuck Shop Cafe and Take Away is a bit of a hidden gem. Not many talk about it on the burger scene front. Hubby and I decided to check out top 10 burgers in Melbourne on a day where we had serious burger cravings. Tuck Shop came up and was one of the more affordable and not in the city itself. We were also needing a quick take away as we were on our way to another event. So, we thought, why not?

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Street out outside Tuck Shop

The menu is simple and affordable. It offers burgers, jaffles, milkshakes and other drinks. The minor burger is delicious and has almost everything you want. Adding bacon is available, and free range egg too.

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We ordered the minor burger, a minor plus bacon and egg, large bag of cuts (their hand cut skin-on potato fries) and a Nutella milkshake. Although, the Redskin milkshake looked very interesting. I’m a sucker for Nutella anything. All your food comes in take away school lunch style packaging. The burgers were juicy and were pink inside. If you are not used to eating medium rare burgers, this might not be for you. The burger is more ‘sloppy joe’ and less ‘Grill’d’ style.

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Cute simple school lunch-like packaging

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Nutella milkshake – not huge, but very filling.

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Hubby’s minor plus egg and bacon.

The menu is written on a blackboard in chalk. The decor contains many school-like items such as blackboard, and lockers. With wooden chairs reminiscent of school chairs. Seating is quite limited with one table that seats up to six, and two bar seating areas. Maybe seating a maximum of 10 people all up. Take away is definitely the most popular option.

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Demographic at lunchtime was largely students (university age) and people who work nearby. Mostly people came in for take away, but there were some dine-in customers.

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All up, a delicious experience. Nutella milkshake was delicious. The burgers were juicy and filling. Definitely worth a look, especially if you’re craving a burger on the go.

angelxling rating : 4.5/5

Eastland Grand Opening

Lots of natural light makes the new Eastland more inviting
Lots of natural light makes the new Eastland more inviting

Today is the day – Eastland Ringwood has it’s grand opening day. After being somewhat of a ‘meh’ shopping centre, with not much to offer and a bit of a bad rep as to be where the bogans hang (maybe due to the train station, not sure)… it was good to see firsthand the new face lift on pretty much 80% of the building. I can say that I was pretty impressed with the place.

What really made this new Eastland special, was that it has some specialised retailers that you can only get in the city – H&M, Mecca Maxima, and makes the Eastern burbs more attractive to be living in. Also, it’s new roof level alfresco restaurant area really drew my attention. The open, relaxed area filled with new restaurants that I would love to try looks very promising. Reminds me of what Harbourtown could have been… Hmmm…

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Many artistic murals on the walls

Exciting things for Eastland, but on its ‘Grand Opening’ Day, you could see that they were clearly struggling to get it to a decent crowd-receiving standard. Floors were construction dirty, unpolished, many stores outside were still closed and under construction, the car parking areas were largely blocked off due to construction. I spent 20 minutes after arriving at one of the entry points on Ringwood Street, literally going from parking entry to parking entry finding that the right turns into the centre were blocked off. No right turns at all. Traffic was atrocious. Went all the way around, down Ringwood Street, along the Ringwood Bypass, and onto Warrandyte Road, no entries right up until the last parking entry point closest to Maroondah Hwy where two large construction trucks blocked half the entering traffic into the centre. Grand Opening Day traffic control was not up to standard at all. It was ridiculous. Management needs to get onto that… or was anyone thinking about that at all?

I did a quick visit of about 1.5hrs and walked majority of the centre. Here is a quick low down on some of the big players at the new Eastland SC.

H&M home section - one of my happy places
H&M home section – one of my happy places

H&M ~ Excited that the suburbians now do not need to travel all the way into the city at QVB (and line up, last time I was there) to shop at H&M. They had all these bollards ready to receive the ‘crowds’ lining and were ready to be inundated with crazy excited shoppers, but pretty much didn’t use them, as there was a line of about 10 people, then none for the rest of the time. Inside the store was nice, and the expanse of the store was a bit mind boggling, by Australian standards. Only one floor, and this includes the H&M home section, which I can safely say, is one of my favourite areas. Demographic buying up big when I was in there was teenage, university females, and mothers and grandmothers. Obviously it was a working day, so probably more evenly spread in the evenings and weekends.

Mecca Maxima ~ First time in this store, ever. TBH, it is just like another version of Sephora? Correct me if I’m wrong, but it feels almost exactly the same. Anyway, quite crowded, they were handing out Mecca branded water and lollipops. Happy to see that Urban Decay, Hourglass, Too faced, Bare Minerals and Soap & Glory are finally readily available in the burbs too. Or, as some would argue, available in Melbourne in general. Exciting times.

Beautiful Ambient Lighting blushes I've heard so much about
Beautiful Ambient Lighting blushes I’ve heard so much about @ Mecca Maxima
Stunning unique eyeshadows - love the packaging @ Mecca Maxima
Stunning unique eyeshadows – love the packaging @ Mecca Maxima
Mecca Maxima's booklet and lollipop from today's festivities
Mecca Maxima’s booklet and lollipop from today’s festivities

Uniqlo ~ Went in for my brother’s benefit. It’s only 1 floor as well, but dare I say, bigger than Chadstone? Nicely set out, more spacious than the one in Chadstone, and with higher ceilings. Weirdly enough, wasn’t greeted to the same extent as the Emporium and Chadstone stores. Not one staff member said ‘Welcome to Uniqlo’. Maybe that has changed? Not sure. There were some ‘opening day’ specials, but not many.

Uniqlo
Uniqlo
Love the colours! @ Uniqlo
Love the colours! @ Uniqlo

Target ~ As impressive as the new one in Chadstone. Also has the T-shirt printing facility and Target Cafe. They were making free coffees, handing out balloons and had face painting today too.

Target Mascot
Target Mascot

Oroton ~ Impressive large store. Didn’t see much else.

Harris Scarfe ~ New, more spacious and better set out store. Hope it lasts, and spells a greater future for this struggling store.

MRP ~ New clothing store that is affordable. Never seen this brand before. Bit of a mix between Temt, Supre, Cotton on and Kmart? I guess. They had a live DJ playing outside their store.

New clothing store MRP
New clothing store MRP

Outdoor Alfresco area has the much anticipated Huxtaburger (which was closed and under renovations today), Hunky Dory (burgers and fish?), Robinsons bookstore – which I love!, Ang Ang (modern asian), Pacos Tacos (mexican), The Cellar Door (australian – looked interesting), Hunter & Barrel (bar – which was packed) and a new Gelati place (forgot the name…). Many others weren’t open so I didn’t check them out. But this whole area leads straight over the road from the Ringwood train station.

Outdoor Restaurants and Stores
Outdoor Restaurants and Stores

The ‘older’ section of Eastland was definitely quieter (near Kmart area). To be honest, my impression of the previous Eastland was pretty bad. Once the floors are polished, the rest of the shops and restaurants are open, the traffic and parking is sorted, it will be a really great place to shop. But for now, unless you are desperate for H&M or Mecca Maxima, don’t bother until the place is completely done, parking is fully functional and, the floors are cleaned.

Top Paddock Cafe

Top Paddock Interior
Top Paddock Interior
  • Restaurant Name: Top Paddock Cafe
  • Location: 658 Church Street, Richmond, Victoria, Australia
  • Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 7.00am – 4.00pm. Sat – Sun 8:00am – 4.00pm
  • Costs: $10-20 per meal

toppaddocktacoffee

A comfortable modern decor cafe surrounded on two sides with large french windows.

toppaddock3

toppaddock2

Menus are on thick card, A4 size, double sided.

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The duck leg special

toppaddock5

Popular Queensland Soft Shell Crab Brioche Burger
Popular Queensland Soft Shell Crab Brioche Burger

Coffees were fantastic and food delicious. The menu provides quite a bit of choice and not over-priced. Great bunch venue and certainly draws a crowd.

toppaddockmocha

Asian Lasagne

A great gluten-free alternative to using pasta sheets. Looks ugly, but tastes hella good.

lasagne2

Ingredients

Filling

3 large sheets of 卷粉(Juan Fen) , that can be cut up to a total of 6 layers that fit your pan

250 gm grated cheddar cheese

2 tbs of dry sprinkle parmesan cheese

1 chilli, chopped

1 red capsicum (red bell pepper), chopped

1 tomato, chopped

¾ of an onion, diced

500 gm Beef Mince

1 large clove of garlic, chopped

1 large carrot, diced into small pieces

2 large shitake mushrooms, cut into small pieces

1 tsp Italian herbs

Bechamel Sauce (adapted from Taste.com.au)

60g chopped butter

1/3 cup plain flour

4 ½ cups milk

75g cheddar cheese, finely grated

½ tsp salt

Pinch of ground nutmeg

***Makes 4 servings.***

Procedure

  1. Brown beef mince, garlic and onion together with a little cooking oil and pinch of salt (in a wok or pan).
  2. Add chopped shitake mushrooms and Italian herbs to the mixture.
  3. Cook until fragrant and beef mince is just done.
  4. Set aside to cool. (Also can be prepared the day before and just thrown into the pan to warm up when ready to make the lasagne.)
  5. Using the same wok or pan, add a small amount of cooking oil, and brown the diced onion.
  6. Add in capsicum, tomato and chilli. Cook until fragrant and the tomato has lost some of its moisture. Around 5 minutes.
  7. Mix into the beef mince mixture, ensure both mixtures are incorporated.
  8. Make béchamel sauce (white sauce) by heating milk over a medium heat and melting the butter in it. Make sure you constantly whisk the milk as you make this to stop it from burning.
  9. Stir in flour slowly, a little at a time. You will notice that it thickens.
  10. Add cheese, salt and nutmeg whilst stirring.
  11. Remove from heat once everything has incorporated.
  12. Line oven pan with foil (or not, up to you!)
  13. Start with the 卷粉 Juan Fen on the bottom, Layer in the following order: 卷粉Juanfen, Meat mixture, layer of cheddar cheese, sprinkle Italian herbs.
  14. Repeat layers until ingredients run out. The top layer should be 卷粉 Juan Fen

    lasagne1
    The top layer is 卷粉 Juan Fen
  15. Top with shredded cheese, parmesan cheese and Italian herbs.
  16. Bake in oven at 180C for 30 minutes, or until top is brown and crispy.

Use a scoop or label to serve. Enjoy with garlic bread and/or salad.

Captain America’s Hamburger Heaven

cahh

  • Restaurant Name: Captain America’s Hamburger Heaven
  • Location: 38 Forest Road, Ferntree Gully, Victoria, Australia
  • Opening Hours: Open 7 days. Mon – Wed 5:30 – 9.00pm. Thurs – Sun 12:00 – 2.30pm, 5:30 – 9.00pm
  • Costs: $15-20 per meal

Feels like what I imagine an American diner would feel like if i’d ever been to a legitimate one in America. The restaurant has posters, numberplates and red-white-blue decor. The booths give it a cosy feeling.

Menus are printed on a single sheet of A3 paper and are clear and easy to navigate around.

Logo from their website.
Logo from their website.
Lime milkshake and rootbeer float
Lime milkshake and rootbeer float
Delicious buffalo wings - entree size
Delicious buffalo wings – entree size

Their buffalo wings are a must try. Deliciously juicy with just the right amount of flavour. Highly recommended!

The Cheeseburger
The Cheeseburger
The Chilli Burger
The Chilli Burger
Epic Hot Dog - 1/3 of a metre
Epic Hot Dog – 1/3 of a metre

Come prepared to eat a decent amount. Large servings with generous chips on the side. This place really hits your American food craving spot. Can’t do it too often though. Wow, really craving this as i’m currently in a place that does not serve much of this sort of food.

Interior decor and ceiling
Interior decor and ceiling
Bit of a shock at the size of this thing
Bit of a shock at the size of this thing

Check it out if you live nearby or seriously crave some of this food.

Menu from their website
Menu from their website

angelxling rating : 3.5/5

Dark Sugar Cookies

These amazingly simple brown sugar cookies are quite decadent and rich. Using dark cocoa powder and brown sugar, it ensures the cookies are rich, yet not overly sweet. They go really well with a cup of tea or coffee.

Dark Sugar Cookies
Dark Sugar Cookies
Just out of the oven on waxed baking paper
Just out of the oven on waxed baking paper
Beautiful cracking that gives the cookies a home-baked feel
Beautiful cracking that gives the cookies a home-baked feel

Made these recently and they turned out really well!

Original recipe from: averiecooks.com , modified by angelxling

 

Ingredients

1/2 cup of softened butter

3/4 cup brown sugar, tightly packed

1 large egg

1 tbs of vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups plain, all purpose flour

1/2 cup dark cocoa powder

1 tsp cornstarch

3/4 tsp baking powder

pinch of salt (I did not use this)

***Makes 12 – 15 cookies, depending on size.***

 

Procedure

1. Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment (or electric hand mixer), combine butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Beat on medium-high speed until well-creamed. Approximately 5 – 7 minutes until light and fluffy.

2. Scrape down sides of the bowl and add remaining ingredients. Mix on low speed until just combined (approx 1 – 2 min).

3. Make tablespoon sized balls and place on a plate. Flatten mounds slightly and cover with plastic wrap.

4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 5 days before baking. (Baking the warm dough will result in thinner, flatter, spread out cookies)

5. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line two baking trays with baking paper or spray with cooking oil.

6. Place cookies onto the baking trays, spaced 4 cm apart (they will not spread too much).

7. Bake for 8 – 9 minutes, or until the edges have set and the tops are just setting. Rotate the trays at the 4 minute mark. Do not bake the cookies any longer than 10 minutes, as they will become hard, crumbly and crunchy. I look for the slight cracking of the edges.

8. Allow cookies to cool on the trays for 5 minutes before transferring them onto a wire rack to cool further.

 

Cookies will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Unbaked cookie dough can be stored airtight in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Yummy for your tummy. Enjoy!

 

Peanut Butter Chip Cookies

These yummy fragrant cookies are perfect for peanut butter lovers. You can also substitute M&Ms or chocolate chips instead of the peanut butter chips.

Also, see below for flour to self-raising flour substitute.

Peanut Butter CHip Cookies
Peanut Butter Chip Cookies
Just baked, out of oven, hardening for 5 minutes. (approx 18)
Just baked, out of oven, hardening for 5 minutes. (approx 18)

Ingredients

150g softened butter (I used between 100 – 150 so that they were less buttery)

1 cup white sugar ( I went with slightly under a cup so that they weren’t too sweet)

1 egg

2 1/2 cups self-raising flour (see below for flour substitute)

400g ( 1 large packet) Peanut Butter Chips (I used Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips, but chocolate chips or M&Ms may also be used)

*** Makes approx 15 – 20 cookies ***

**** Flour – Self-raising flour substitute. I didn’t have any self-raising flour, so I added 2 teaspoons of baking powder to each cup of flour used ****

Procedure

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Line 3 baking trays with baking paper.

2. In a large glass/metal mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar.

3. Add egg and stir until runny.

4. Add self-raising flour and mix with your hands (If mixture is too wet, add a tablespoon of flour and mix until soft dough forms).

5. Using a tablespoon, scoop dough and roll, place on baking trays.

6. Cookies can be gently pressed down to flatten slightly.

7. Press 5+ peanut butter chips into each cookie.

8. Bake for 10 – 15 mins or until golden brown. You can rotate trays at the 5 – 6 minute mark for even baking.

9. Remove from oven and leave for 5 minutes to harden.

10. Transfer to cooling rack and cool for 5 minutes.

Keeps for 1 week in an airtight container once baked. Unbaked dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

See below photo for M&M alternative. Enjoy!

M&M cookies!
M&M cookies!

Red Ramen Salad

Decided to try love4cre8ivity (on Instagram) recipe for Ramen Salad. Here it is, with my modifications!

Red Ramen Salad
Red Ramen Salad

Salad Ingredients

1 medium (head) cabbage – chopped OR 2 bags of shredded cabbage (I used red cabbage this time)

1 bunch spring onions – chopped

3 large chicken breasts – cooked (steamed) and shredded

1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds

1/2 cup toasted crushed almonds

2 packs of oriental flavoured ramen (instant) noodles – uncooked and broken up

Dressing Ingredients

1/3 cup white vinegar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup olive oil

2 flavour packets (from Ramen noodles)

Procedure

1. Mix all salad ingredients together.

2. Mix dressing ingredients together.

3. Pour dressing over salad.

4. Let the salad sit in the fridge for 2-3 hours before serving.

** Serve hot or cold **

Ate the ‘left overs’ the following day. Decided to heat it up in the microwave for about 2 minutes as there was chicken in it. My biology brain told me that eating chicken cold is not the best idea. I think it tasted even better the following day! I really loved the toasted sesame flavour. Super delicious!

Enjoy! Please let me know if you try this and how it turned out!