Hail

When I first came to Melbourne I laughed in disbelief as someone told me about Melbourne's four seasons in a day. I soon retracted that, it's absolutely no joke. Nowhere in any other city would it rain with blustery winds, pelt innocent passerbys with hailstones the size of fists and then clouds part away to become a hot summer day.

At the moment we're still experiencing a very long summer. The days are intensely hot to the point that it just swelters and nothing can be done without feeling decidedly sick from heatstroke.

A week, two weeks (how the days pass quickly) ago without any warning large icy hailstones simply poured for a full fifteen minutes in the middle of the afternoon. All one could hear were the rapid thud-thud-thud of the stones and the city disappeared in a foggy mist. How scary, I was immensely glad I was safe at home!

Melbourne: city of parades

Well..protests really, but I've rarely seen violent protests on the streets on Melbourne, in fact the majority of them which had taken place the last 5 years have been peaceful, vigorous and chock-ful of excitement. I've really been quite surprised at the sense of active political awareness and camaraderie in Melbourne, people are very willing to speak out for what they believe in and being allowed to do so, something not quite the same in certain other parts of the world.

Last year the VCA (Victorian College of Arts) students took it upon themselves to stage a week long protest to defend their classes from being effectively phased out by the new Melbourne Model. A few days ago there was a march headed by some well known artists opposing the government's restrictions on small music venues under liquor licensing laws. They were accompanied by what looked like thousands, with a band playing music across loudspeakers.

 The music parade protest

What a remarkable place and what remarkable people coming together. The people in this city has a spirit which makes Melbourne different, somewhat youthful and mellow with chutzpah. Isn't it great =)

Izakaya Den and Canary Club

Since Chinese New Year and Valentine's Day fell on the same day, it was a great opportunity to have a feast and try out the latest hot new restaurant that has just opened up. Izakaya Den is a cool underground Japanese restaurant featuring a casual yet chic bar-style ambiance in a tight but long room. The decor is warm with wooden seats by the bar and plush cushions for intimate groups, yet complemented with a bare ceiling of running pipes and marble tables (and a larger stone one for big parties). Mellow contemporary jazz is continuously played in the background. The place is famed for its variety of sake (japanese wine) but we decided to try the cocktails instead. 

A Bellini Den and a Miyazaki...I think.

Decent with subtle layering of alcohol. My Bellini Den came with apple juice while the other has cranberry which gradually became sweeter with each sip but the initial taste came with a quick punch of dryness. 

 

A very grainy image of yours truly in the dimmed spatial lighting. I got to wear a new dress!

When we arrived the bar was already full and it wasn't long before the place filled up. There were easy smiles about and casual chatter, while chefs tossed ingredients at the grill and the manager showed us the cutest menus curled up as bound scrolls. 

The menus are written in both english and japanese.

 

Small plates and wooden chopsticks. 

We decided to order two cold dishes and a hot dish with a dessert. The first to arrive were the German sausages, neatly sliced and accompanied by a tongue tingling wasabi mustard.

We licked up every last bit of sauerkraut with the wasabi mustard. Very yummy and opened up the tastebuds.

Next came the much praised spicy tuna tataki, followed by the kingfish sashimi.

 

Not very spicy. But this dish was the highlight of every delicious food ever created in this world. The tuna absolutely melted in the mouth, juicy, succulent and dripping with the sweet sauce. I could have eaten the entire dish, and 4 more.

 

Long slivers of kingfish with a distinct Asian flavouring, peppered with sesame seeds and a light cabbage salad.  This was fresh with a lingering taste.

And dessert.

 

The icy cold apple millefeuille.  If you're expecting a creamy pastry, this is not it. Instead expect thin apple slices layered with sweet fresh ice. 

Each dish was absolutely delicious. Although it was like an orgasm without a climax. We were astounded by the food and there weren't enough on the tiny plates! Certainly though Izakaya Den is an experience to remember, just be sure to fill up beforehand....or order more than one of every dish.

We decided to pop over to the Canary Club in search of tidbits. 

 

 

I've previously been to the Canary Club and sampled their paella, which was large, filling and scrumptious, very comfort food. At night their bar was lit with candles and chandeliers, and upstairs I discovered leather divans with soft pillows. One wall was lined with a long couch and covered with paintings.

 

This time I've opted again for their Sherbet Apple cocktail which is the most amazing cocktail ever! A must have for the discerning drinker who likes sweet and sour with no sharp taste of alcohol. My friend opted for a citrus tangy drink, again very dry! We finished the night with a platter of chorizo,  chicken and beef kebabs. Tres cool.