[Melbourne 2022] Red Hill Estate @ Mornington Peninsula

One of our to-do in Australia, and with Australia being a wine producing country, is to visit a vineyard and sample some wines. We had the opportunity to do so in Mornington. On our way to our AirBnb, we passed by a few vineyards. 

After doing some searches on Google, we decided to visit Red Hill Estate first. We reached there after lunch time and hence, we were like the last customers for the wine sampling. Another small group had just finished their session when we arrived.

Red Hill Estate vineyard

view from the carpark

at Red Hill Estate

vineyard

The estate is beautiful. We spent some minutes in the freezing wind to take some photos.

can see the sea from here

let's go sample some wine

Cellar Door

We were in a group of 4, and all are recommended to have the same wine for the tasting. Took the AUD10 per pax package where one gets to sample 6 different glasses of wine.

let's begin

We started with 2017 Blanc de Blancs. Lovely pale straw in colour, refreshing and crisp tasting. Mildly fruity with hints of lemon and apples. 

2017 Blanc de Blancs

Next, was the 2019 Cellar Door Release Chardonnay. A fuller/rounder taste when compared to the Blanc de Blancs. Nice.

 2019 Cellar Door Release Chardonnay

2020 Merricks Grove Pinot Noir

The 2020 Merricks Grove Pinot Noir was interesting...Its profile had described it as "sweet pungent Christmas spices of nutmeg, clove and cinnamon on the nose" and indeed, I was overwhelmed by clove. Pretty strong, I must say. This was the only one that I didn't finish.

Let's try something familiar, so we went for the 2020 Cellar Door Release Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon. Balanced with juicy plum notes.

2020 Cellar Door Release Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Then, we ended with the 2018 Late Harvest Pinot Gris as it is the sweetest of the lot.

2018 Late Harvest Pinot Gris

Sweet and jammy, with floral honey hints. Good as dessert wine.

The staff who attended to us was friendly and cheerful. She was delightful and the ambiance was really casual. Although we were the last in the shop, she didn't rush us through and allowed us to pace ourselves. But of course, we drank pretty quickly too. Started at about 230pm and were done by 3pm. Hahaa!

Guess which wine we bought home...hahaa, did you guess it correctly?

2021 Cellar Door Release Rose @AUD34 per bottle

Thank you Ivan, Tracy and Hence for the experience!

Red Hill Estate 

Address:  53 Shoreham Rd, Red Hill South VIC 3937, Australia

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

Contact: +61 3 5989 2838

Business Hours:

Daily: 11AM–5PM

[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

[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