China Bar Signature

We had a family meal at China Bar Signature in Burwood.  This is a great place to eat if you are the sort who likes all you can eat restaurants.  In fact, there were a lot of very large people there who looked like they may may force feed themselves there every session in every day of the week.  Even though it is called "China Bar", Japanese, Malaysian, and other types of Asian food are available, and generally, it is of good quality. Forewarned, I didn't have breakfast so I could fit more in!

 Here are some examples of what is available for those of you who are interested:

Beans and prawns

Calamari and black bean sauce:

Mixed vegetables:

Mixed condiments and accompaniements:

Fried wontons:

Soups:

Steamed dumplings:

 Icecreams ( mango, durian, coconut.....)

 Lollies and varied desserts:

Salads:

 And more lollies:

I could have included sashimi, roast pork, curries, sushi and more, but I think this gives a general indication.

It is all a bit crass, but fun once in a while.

The kids certainly enjoyed it:

and made sure the adults did too:

Avoiding cooking in Melbourne (great restaurants and cafes)

I have been spoiled by not having to cook lately.

My son in law is a keen fisherman and my daughter is a good cook, so I really enjoyed the fresh squid they dished up.  Apparently the secret to a crunchy coating is to use potato flour, and a draining rack.  And, the secret to sweet, tender squid is to eat it fresh!

I also had delicious tuna bake with another daughter, while my youngest so cooked me roast lamb and, another time, this delicious meal of tandoori chicken, saffron rice, flavoured yoghurt, salad and aberry pie that he whipped up with his other half for an impromptu table of 9 guests. (The kids also liked the strawberries dipped in chocolate).

On a trip to the city, a friend and I happened across Movida, the Spanish tapas bar,  in Hosier Lane.  It is so popular, we had to have a small wait for a table, so we fortified ourselves with sangria and sherry.  Our orders made the wait worthwhile:  mussels,

clams,

 green peppers

and cauliflower,

all cooked well and with delicious sauces.  Oh, and fresh bread to mop up the juices.  Wonderful!  It was filling, otherwise I think we would have kept eating just for the pleasure of the taste.  It is amazing what six chefs can create in a small space.

Apart from lunch, we had coffee breaks.  The first was at Il Tempo, where we were served by very persuasive waitress with the most wonderful French accent, as a result of which I was persuaded to try the almond croissant ( nice but not fantastic)

  and my friend to try the Italian hot chocolate  since there was no gluten free cake ( very good - thick and rich).

 The second was at David Jones where my friend had the gluten-free hazelnut cupcake with toffee on top.  Very good and decadent.

I also visited to Fu Manchu, in Preston, for a friend's birthday dinner.  Food there is Asian fusion, I think you could call it.  We shared a few dishes, which included wagyu beef pho:

 

Fried dumplings with pork and prawns:

 

Barramundi:

 

Fried pancake:

Banh cuon (my absolute favourite):

Pork belly and quail egg hot pot, kimchi, and rice paper rolls with peking duck.  Plus, I ordered 3 colour drink with durian.

If that wasn't enough, we had a passionfruit and cream, home-made sponge at their house, which their little dog yearned for, but was not given: