[Melbourne 2022] Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Garden

Tracy says this place is for scones. So we had our breakfast at South Melbourne Market, and right after that, we're doing lunch at Fairfield Park Boathouse. WoOhOoo! Eating with foodie gang, is like eating challenges.

I went along with the group and didn't research anything on the places that we'd be going except for some and this place wasn't one of them. Surprising find of such an old school charm in the middle of a park!

let's have some scones

entering the boathouse

Guests are welcomed to take a seat at its indoor area or the outdoor where one could dine with the lakeview and under the trees. 

Paper menu are available at the counter or at designated boxes in the restaurant, so feel free to pick one up and peruse it before ordering at the counter.

food menu

Once payment is made, the staff would handover the foods such as the cakes/dessert and coffee/drinks and guests will take it to their own table. Other food that requires longer preparation time, will then be served to your table later.

Fish & Chips

Fried food served piping hot, what's there not to like? Especially on a cold weather like this, it tasted more delicious! But, can do with a little less salt on the chips though.

The coffee here is from Padre, and it was enjoyable. Not too acidic and adequate strength without it being too bitter.

The hot chocolate here looked thick and rich.

Italian Hot Chocolate Royale @AUD7

We also had the vanilla slice, and I discovered that vanilla slices in Melbourne could taste pretty different at different places. Interesting!

This version here is with a slightly firmer custard.

Boathouse Vanilla Slice @AUD11.90

But we came here for scones, and boy, the Devonshire scone here was lovely.

Devonshire scones, jam and cream @AUD14.90

The scones here are huge! One scone here is of the size of two scones back in Singapore. Hahaa! It is of a different texture as well, and not as 'biscuit' like, more fluffy like soft bread. Generous with the servings of jam and cream. Nice!

boating

One could do a bit of boating (to impress your date, maybe?) at this place, but during my short stay there, I had witnessed at least two different parties where the primary rower having some difficulty in controlling their oars. It was rather comical most of the times and thankfully, all returned safely. There is one or two staff around the bank that could assist, for rowers who had difficulty in returning their boat to the starting point.

Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Garden

Address: Fairfield Park Dr, Fairfield VIC 3078, Australia

Website: https://www.fairfieldboathouse.com/

Contact: +61 3 9486 1501

Business Hours:

Daily

Mon-Fri: 9:30AM–5PM

Sat-Sun:  8:30AM–6PM

Breakfast @ Bearded Bella 8 Craig Road

Last visited in 2019. Read more about that visit here. We were doing a staycay at Amara and decided to drop by here one early morning for breakfast.

long time no see

Having started so early in the day, we needed coffee and Tracy of course, her tea.

White Cold Brew @$9

Homemade Chai Latte @$7

White Coffee 5oz Single Shot @$5

Ordered two mains from their brunch menu and a bundt cake for dessert. The Kookoo (am always amused by this name), goes meatless. But, definitely suited for brunch. What's not to like? There's rosti (potato), copious amount of greens (for good health), mushrooms and a lovely poached egg. Generous portion!

Kookoo v2 (V) @$22

customary egg flow shot

The Scallops & Cold Pasta, had an enormous amount of sprouts ontop. That gave it a somewhat 'raw' taste which I didn't like. Otherwise, the pasta itself was flavourful.

Scallops & Cold Pasta @$22

spot the scallops

It's been a long while since I last had a quiche. I think it was Tracy's pick? The bacon and asparagus quiche.

Bacon & Asparagus Quiche @$7

Hmm, the quiche was definitely milky! Its insides were soft and wobbly. 

profile view

And then, the chocolate bundt cake. But just to be sure, we asked if it contained coffee. And indeed, it does. So, no dessert for Tracy.

Chocolate Bundt Cake @$8

I think the gang misses Australia...

Bearded Bella

Address: 8 Craig Rd, Singapore 089668

Website: https://www.beardedbella.com/

Contact: 9880 0775

Business Hours:

Mon to Thur: 7:30am–5pm

Fri: 730am to 10.30pm

Sat-Sun: 7.30am-6pm

Champion Bolo Bun @ 92 Tanjong Pagar Rd

It was right after lunch nearby, and we wanted to have coffee. Walked past by this shop and decided we could try. Very popular and there was a line of 6 pax in front of us.

signage

discounts, nice

Self-service and the time for buns to arrive is indicated in-store.

We were there at 2pm ad the buns were scheduled to arrive around 2.30pm and we queued for 15 minutes, before we discovered that the ones not queuing can actually check-in to the store, and look for a seat at Levels 2 and 3. Oooh.. washroom is at Level 2.

stairs

buzzer for the classic buns

tea-break

We ordered the mini buns as it was readily available, Tracy ordered the Classic Bun with Butter, and for drinks, we had the Champion of everything; coffee, milk tea and lemon tea.

 4 mini classics @$4.50

Mini-buns are like 2-bites can finish that kind but otherwise, is a replica of the Classic Bun. Hehe. Most interestingly, was its crust. Which I thought it tasted like the 'hup tou soh' (walnut biscuit). The body of the bun was so soft and pillowy!

Champion Coffee @$5.50

I was afraid that I wouldn't like the coffee as usually the milk used for Hong Kong milk tea is slightly overpowering for me. But this Champion Coffee was really nice and smooth. I'd drink this again!

Classic Bun with Butter @$5.0

lovely hue

Yes, upon finishing our food, we cleared our own table.

Champion Bolo Bun

Address: 92 Tg Pagar Rd, Singapore 088513

Website: https://championbolobun.com/

Business Hours: 

Closed on Mon.

Tue to Sun:  11am–7pm

Birds of a Feather with Friends @ Amoy Street

This has become my favourite place to indulge in 辣子鸡 (Laziji). The version at Birds is called "Find the Chicken in the Chillies" and yes, nowadays, I'll even munch on those chilies. Trained much!

Find the Chicken in the Chillies @$16++

What I like about this place besides the shiok food? The decor and vibes are comfy and up-casual. And, I'll let you on a secret (or maybe not?), Executive Chef Eugene is kind of like a heart-throb, doesn't he? Hehe. Anyways, he is nice and friendly. Always a pleasure to see him at Birds of a Feather.

Birds of a Feather entrance

our seats

Happy hour till 7pm, and we were there for lunch, so it made sense to get a bottle if you have more than 2 pax ordering alcohol.

the approach

Cava Grand Castillo (Cava Brut NV) @$50++ per bottle

cheers!

Finally, we tried the other starters since there were more of us this time round. Pigs ear. I thought it would be crispy. I was wrong. It was a salad!

Pig Ear Mosaic @$18++

have a slice

Crunchy, slippery pig ear slice coupled with the lovely sweet potato noodles in there and coated with those lovely tangy spicy sauce, was just tasty. Enjoyable.

If you love soupy, go for the Sichuan Oxtail Soup. Another favourite of mine. Those meaty bones, best! Thumbs up. Broth has depth and frankly if there wasn't anyone around, would pick up the bowl and slurp from there. Satisfying.

Sichuan Oxtail Soup @$24++

Hong Shao Short Ribs @$38++

Have been wondering how's the Hong Shao Short Ribs would taste like, so we ordered to try. Chunky fork-tender short ribs, placed on top of a rolled up potato noodles and topped with foam. Ok, I asked what's the foam and someone answered but I had forgotten again. Sorry!

Hong Shao Short Ribs (different angle)

Toss and mix, then enjoy. I love the well braised short ribs as expected. Wholesome flavours and lovely texture of the potato noodles. So far, am liking all the noodles from this place but I'll share with you which one is my favourite. It can be found in the oxtail soup earlier, or in another dish that you'll get to see in a few more sentences.

A man of his words, and as promised during a previous visit, Chef Eugene sweetly surprised Kris with this complimentary plate of 'sotong'.

Chef's Special - for Kris

We all dug in of course, and had a taste. Tangy, refreshing and with a kick.

Am glad we ordered the Truffle Alfredo Orecchiette pasta dish. Do eat it as soon as it was served. The thick truffle mushroom salsa on those ear shaped pasta was awesome if you like truffle. There's an egg in there for more runny yolk to coat the pasta. Suitable for sharing.

Truffle Alfredo Orecchiette @$35++

When we ordered the Sweating Mussels, the service crew informed that this would be akin to mala 麻辣. Ok, sounds about right!

Sweating Mussels @$29++

Presentation was on-point, and visually striking with its myriad of colours. But do be careful when trying this for the first time. The spice level was WoOoHooO! At least to me, it was fiery spicy. But will keep going back for more once the fire subsided abit. That's how good this dish was. Plus, it has my favourite yam noodles in there!

tadah~ my favourit'est yam noodles!

And then, Eugene surprised us one more time, with a complimentary dish of Wagyu Beef & Foie Gras Claypot Rice. So sweet!

Once again, the aroma of truffle and those thick slices of beef plus wobbly onsen egg and creamy foie gras, was all beckoning us for a taste. Hehe.

Wagyu Beef & Foie Gras Claypot Rice

let it flow~ let it flow~

As expected, it has a luxurious feel to the dish. While there was no 'burnt rice' or 锅巴, the soft rich taste of the foie gras, tender wagyu combined with the well flavoured rice was enough to send one to food heaven. Yummy!

Once again, thank you Chef Eugene for the delicious food.

We celebrated Shermaine's birthday and the finale of a Seasalt Chocolate Cheesecake, beautifully presented.

Seasalt Caramel Cheesecake @$11++

For hot beverage, the mocha here is pretty good, or one could go for the Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte.

mocha @$7++

Ice Caramel Coffee Cubes Latte @$8++

Thank you Kris, Shermaine, Tiara, Rachelle, Ivan and Eugene for an enjoyable afternoon, and kudos to team Birds of a Feather for the lovely place to gather.

Birds of a Feather

Address: 115 Amoy St, #01-01, Singapore 069935

FB: https://www.facebook.com/birdsofafeathersg

Website: https://www.birdsofafeather.com.sg/en_SG/

Contact: 6221 7449

Business Hours:

Daily:

Mon - Thurs: 10.45am to 3pm, 5pm to 11pm

Fri - Sun: 10.30am to 12am (10pm on Sun)