[Melbourne 2022] Peninsula Pantry @ Rye

This place is like literally walking distance from our accommodation. But it rained that morning, and we wouldn't want to risk a slip and fall, so we drove to this small cosy cafe for brekkie. Of course, we were going to Arthur's Seat after that for some quick sightseeing.

Our accommodation host actually recommended Peninsula Pantry and pointed out to the bakes that we needed to try; Vanilla Slice and Cinnamon Scroll.

Peninsula Pantry

Was greeted upon entry and the young staff (whom we later found out, his name is Jean/John) and he was nice and friendly. Got us started real quickly and we chose our breakfast items in no time.

menu

let's have a look

let's get a meat pie too

cakes, pies and rolls

I like to start my day with scrambled eggs. So we got one of those, and the rest added bacon and upon my insistence, there's spinach too. Good, balanced diet!

free range eggs on toast (with bacon and spinach) @AUD19

Loved those eggs and even more the spinach. The vegetables was just so fresh and plump. Yummy. And, the bacon was not done till super crisp and retained a meaty bite to it. I liked it. Perfect savoury accompaniment to the eggs.

We tried the Beef and Burgundy meat pie and it turned out to be great! Served warm, and was surprised at how tangy the sauce was. Granted the meat inside the pie wasn't alot, but I think the star was the sauce itself. Lovely.

Beef and Burgundy meat pie @AUD7.50

lovely sauce

My first introduction to sausage roll (which happened to be one of Tracy's favourite item in this trip), is at Peninsula Pantry.

Sausage Roll @AUD5.90

sausage roll (inner view)

I think I couldn't wrap my mind around this authentic sausage roll concept. My impression of sausage rolls are...it need to have a hotdog inside. So a sausage roll with 'minced meat' inside.. hmm...not something that I'd get again. Give me meat pie anytime!

For the fresh bakes, the cinnamon scroll and the vanilla slice did not disappoint!

Vanilla Slice

Ahh, I actually thought vanilla slice is like a cake, and which it was not. It is a thick custard square with pastry ontop and lots of sugar dusting. As this version here was the first vanilla slice I've tasted (out of the total 3 tasted during the trip), it set the standard for the next ones. Loved the soft custard texture and the fresh crisp of the pastry. Looks heavy but do-able when shared.

Cinnamon Scroll

Oh, cinnamon scroll is like our cinnamon bun. Thought it would be super sweet but it was actually pretty good. Sweet but as a dessert should be.

Service was good and friendly, and thank you Chef for popping out to see us too. We enjoyed our meal here!

Peninsula Pantry

Address: 43A Wondaree St, Rye VIC 3941, Australia

Website: https://www.peninsulapantry.com.au/

Contact: +61 3 5985 2628

Business Hours:

Closed on Tues.

Wed-Sun:  8AM–3PM

[Melbourne 2022] Hector's Seafoods @ Rye

We  were staying for 2 nights at Mornington Peninsula, and was looking for a fish & chips shop for dinner. Searched Google and narrowed it down to Hector's Seafoods as it is a short drive from our AirBnb. Plus, we wanted to do a little shopping at Woolsworth. We didn't realise it then, but Hector's was just right behind Woolsworth. Hahaa!

 

Hector's Seafoods

sunset view

The shop was meant for takeaways as there were only two tables inside and about the same outside. But no one would be sitting inside as the oil smell would get onto your clothes.

let's go grab our dinner

what fish shall we get?

Thanks to other reviewers, we did glimpse through the menu and had in mind some items. I wanted the fried pineapple and the group decided to get flake, grenadier and barramundi as our protein options.

extra sauce?

ice-cream

our choice

The Combo For 2 suits the 4 of us just fine as the base, and we added grilled fish and the fried pineapple. Paid and wait for the order to be prepared. There are display panel for the order number that are ready. Similar to a fast-food joint.

hungry people

Staff was friendly and we waited about 20 minutes for the order to be completed. And while waiting, we saw more who came to order. Seems popular.

is this too much?

Was amused that our order came in a carton box (halved). Hahaa, looks like alot!

Flake, fried calamari, minimum fries

Minimum fries sounded like not much, but it was enough fries for the 4 of us and it was still alot! But what is a dim sim? It looked like a fried siew mai but doesn't taste like one. Here's the wiki link to dim sim. Verdict? The dim sim at Hector's is not for me. No thanks!

fried dim sim

flake, potato cakes and fries

Whoa, there's fries and there's potato cakes. Carbs overload! I liked the fries better. Potato cake tasted a tad bland in comparison with the fries.

Grilled Barramundi @AUD9

We got the Blue Grenadier to see which one tasted better when battered and fried.

Flake @AUD8

Blue Grenadier @AUD7.80

 

Interestingly, Flake refers to shark meat while Blue Grenadier is a type of whitefish. Both are local to this region of Australia and New Zealand.

If you prefer fish that retained its 'fish' taste, then go for the Blue Grenadier. It was good and somewhat has an oily mouthfeel. If you prefer one that has more 'cottony' mouthfeel with a clean taste, then go for flake. Both were good. The grilled barramundi paled in comparison against the fried fish.

The batter at Hector's was well seasoned and was darn tasty. Yes, it was oily but one just can't stop eating especially when it was freshly fried.

calamari ring @AUD1.30

The fried calamari was unexpectedly soft. Quite enjoyable but some may not like this soft texture.

pineapple fritter @AUD2.50

sweet dessert

The pineapple fritter is a must-try. Good as a dessert. Sweet fruit and deep fried, seemed like a good combo!

I enjoyed the foods at Hector's Seafoods and yes, it was sinful and oily but, it was worth the try. There were two other guys seated next to our table, and they were pretty impressed by the fries that once they finished the first pack, one of them went back to get another. Yeah, it was good!

Hector's Seafoods

Address: Australia, Point Nepean Rd, AU Victoria Rye

Business Hours:

Daily

Mon-Thur: 11AM–8:30PM

Fri-Sat: 11AM–9PM

Sun: 11AM–8PM