Top Paddock.

No doubt that Melbourne has countless cafe which serve good brunches. Even little cafes by the alley which do not catch much attention serves good food. And, I always appreciate the effort on their presentation of food. 

The second time back to Melbourne brings me to one of the famous brunch place. 

It was empty because it's almost 3pm. Woke up pretty late and had trouble finding a way there - because we keep missing trams and ended up taking uber to there.

I love how they have glass doors, ensure that the sunlight is reflecting in. Besides using minimal energy, I have natural sunlight for my pictures. (lol)

I was straving , I swear.

And now, this is what we are all looking for -

Top Paddock 

$22

Chorizo, bacon, pickled onion, green tomatoes, poached eggs on toast with a little sprinkle or peppers. 

I suggested this because of the name. I believe that this is also one of signature dish - if not, they wouldn't name like this, right? It was overall good, however the chorizo is a little sour. But it blended very well with the honey-glazed crispy bacon. 

Chilli Scrambled Eggs with Mornington oyster mushrooms & goat curd on toast

$18.50

This is surprisingly good. 

Eggs Benedict 

$19,50

This Egg Benedict is not just like any other egg benedict.They have free range pulled pork and pork crackling that comes with it.Often, we see egg benedicts with salmon or just ham - but this one comes with my favorite pull pork! 

The maple bacon crumb sprinkle on top works magic - thumbs up for glazed bacon.

and here it comes,

Ricotta Hot Cake

$19.50

This is the reason why I wanted to visit Top Paddock. Apparently, this is the most order choice on the menu and I've finally acknowledge why. They are slightly thicker than pancake. Blueberry hotcakes , topped with various berries, cream and seeds. 

Besides, they use everything organic as stated on the menu. It tastes so good when it's hot. Not to mention that, their presentation is so pretty. 

It looks nice and taste nice!

pretty hotcakes.

pretty hotcakes and I.

Until now, I can't get over it. 

So far, I haven't found any place that serve better hotcakes than Top Paddock.

Classic Cappuccino.

Although my attention is all on the hotcakes, the other choices I've mention are as good as well. 

It was so satisfying - and with good food, it shapes up my good mood for the day.

while waiting for the tram to St Kilda beach for the sunset;

And the view was breathtaking ;

I do not need to filter them at all. 

#shoegoals with the boys , lol.

The weather was chilly, and the view is really beautiful.

You see, 

you will never love and appreciate something until you miss them.

I need good brunch , so so badly.

xo.

658 Church St,
Richmond VIC 3121, Australia

Christmas 2015.

#1

Last year Christmas, I am still home - attending an open house party and have Christmas brunch with a friend. This year, it's a whole new experience because I am in the UK. 

Christmas is a real deal here - and I love how I see people in Christmas jumpers on the streets the whole December. The Christmas vibe is so strong that it drags me in the mood. 

I have a few events ( mostly, involving food & turkey) for Christmas. I celebrated Christmas the whole week through with different people. 

#2

Homemade Christmas dinner with my Hull girlfriends. 

I cannot emphasize how glamorous it was. We had a 6kg large turkey which we did the stuffing ourselves. 

#3

Esther's socks with slippers, lol.

This is the messy process which took us a while. I remember how we stare at the naked big bird, unable to deal with it for a while. 

#4

Pesto Penne - It's up here because I think that this is a foodporn picture.

#5

I've never been so proud and happy for food. We made it all!

#6

#7

The girls.

After a bottle of vodka or two, we get too know each other's dirty little secrets more. It was a fun night. 

#8

Impromptu trip to Reading. 

Spot the Christmas tree. 

I've always wanted a Christmas tree at home when I am little. However, my family do not celebrate Christmas. This is kinda a wish come true - just that the presents under the tree ain't for me. 

#9

The Wreath Box from Hotel Chocolat .

I love the salted caramel ones which is in snowflake form. However, I only had a tiny pieces because I am not a fan of chocolate. 

I will also never spend so much on a box of chocolate because I don't know how to appreciate it.

#10

Lovely mid-week morning. 

Traveled to the posh area, Henley on Thames for Christmas Lunch with my aunt and her friends. She wanted me to tag along to experience the traditional dish of Christmas. 

#11

#12

The Little Angel , is where we had our lunch. 

#13

#14

I was paying attention throughout when someone is explaining how the tradition goes. I never thought that I look so blur when I pay attention.

And I had a yummy three course meal Christmas lunch with generous portion.

#15

Game Terrine , Fig Chutney & toasted Brioche

Pate is currently my favourite choice of starter. Used to be a soup, but now I take things more solidly. 

#16

Roasted Norfolk Black Free Range Turkey with Chestnut stuffing, Pigs in Blankets & Turkey Gravy

I chose the traditional dish instead. For Christmas, Turkey and Pigs in Blanket is a must. The Chestnut Stuffing is definitely not for me. However, I love how the roasted turkey isn't dry. Thumbs up for the homemade gravy.

#17

Random Roasted Parsnips and Potato side dish photo, lol.

#18

Baked Apple stuffed with Mincemeat & Honey, topped with Vanilla Ice-Cream

The apple is little sour but overall, it blended very well with the sweetness of ice-cream. Usually, I see pears on the dessert menu and it turn out really sweet. As for this, the apple and ice-cream blended very well. 

#19

Random mirror snap in the pink toilet they have. It's so cute!

#20

Visited the famous Burger&Lobster with my friends on Christmas eve for lunch.

I suggested this place because I just need to know the hype about it. Tbh, it didn't meet my expectations. However, the price for a whole lobster were worthy. I don't think I can find any place that serve a full lobster with that kind of price. Perhaps, I will try out their burger next time - I heard too many good reviews of it.

Random confession : I love the salad sides that comes with it. 

#21

#22

#23

And to Winter Wonderland at night. 

It was freezing and I'm in dress and tights. I hate how I always choose to put my health in risk to look nice - but I can't help it. 

#24

*searching for signal*

Just joking, I was on snapchat - my snap username is : limcarmenxo

I love both of the candid picture of mine.

#25

#26

Loving the atmosphere here. 

#27

#28

Instead of eating out, we decided to stay home the whole day on Christmas. There isn't any transport and everything is going to be double, maybe triple the price. 

I suggested to stay in.

And look at the brunch we had - we even have homemade cheesecake , lol.

#29

#30

I have a thing for pretty packaging.

#31

We also made dinner - with mixed beans,roasted turkey breast, parsnips , roasted aubergine and my favourite paella. 

#32

#33

#34

Yeap, I have a sexy blue leopard printed sleeping pants. 

I'm sorry, the only effort I wanna put in is drawing my eyebrows. 

#35

Christmas this year looks simple, but somehow more eventful than I thought. It's nice to have friends to celebrate occasions together. 

I feel more than just glad to have so many things going on , on my winter holidays.

I hope that you are enjoying yours too.

It's so late - but Merry belated Christmas and Happy belated New Year.

cheers x.

I learn to accept - 2015.

December has been a busy month for me - a lot of work from uni, a lot of travelling and a lot of random last minute plan.

 Last year December, my thoughts and perspectives towards things are so different. I'm glad that I grow every year. However, I am not sure if I have become a better person. Last year December was filled with too much of emotions which does not really matter to me now - maybe it still does, but I've learn how to slowly putting it away from affecting my throughout everything. I'm thankful to be able to travel around the UK for the past month and visit many beautiful places which I've never thought I would have the chance to visit. 

I wish I could articulate all the thoughts from the experience I gained throughout many dramatic scenarios and last minute travelling around the places in words , to show you how much I've learned from it. It would be too lengthy and I think it's unnecessary to bore you with things that you may not be interested in so I have decided to summarize them. 

Things I've learned this year ; 

1. No matter how difficult the situation is, it will pass. Things will get better in the end, you just need to wait.

2. Distance is so important - and sometimes, it creates a greater connection between people. When you get too close, you get hurt. Always draw a mere line in between. 

3. Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing my ahma cried over the phone when I am at the other side of the world. I will always be her granddaughter till the day that I don't exist in the world, but it feels like she have lose me when I am far away.

4. Travelling makes my problems so small to be even regarded as problems. 

5. Being independent is a choice.

6. Nothing makes me happier than seeing my love ones happy , despite I am not the reason of it and will never be the reason of it anymore. I will stay in a corner and see them live their life without me. 

7. If you love something too much, let it go - if it comes back, it will be yours. If not, it was never meant to be in the first place.

8. Saying goodbye always hurt - in future, I only want to meet people that I will only say goodnight to. 

9. Promises are empty until there is an action out of the words said. 

10. I realized that I can cook pretty well. (lol)

11. No matter what you do, there will always be people commenting. The better you get, the uglier the comments are. 

12.People who talks bad about you is either jealous of you, want to be you and realized that they can never be you. So screw them and live your life.

13. Time does not really heal, it only eases the pain with good memories created. Sometimes, it still hurts when it crashes down in the middle of the night.

14, My alcohol intake increased (wtf)

15. Changing an environment to live is a good choice to grow and to forget.( at least, try to)

There are many more things I want to tell you which could be summarised in a short quote. However, it would be too private to be shared because I only want it to be buried at the back of my head. It belongs to me and only me.

I hope that you learn something from 2015. Last year, I wanted a closure. This year, I learn to accept that sometimes, there will not be reasons to closure. Things just end according to the time. 

Enjoy the last few days of 2015. 

x.