Notes from a Grey Afternoon

Weather:
Overcast, cold for fingers but warm for gloves.
At:
St Jude's Cellars, Brunswick St Fitzroy
Having:
A glass of 2003 Willespie Merlot Cabernet (appropriately mouth-covering juicy, touch of wood, smooth) and a serve of quail croissants with red onion jam and pomegranate molasses - quail breast cooked through without being dry, crispy pastry, sumac sprinkled throughout, perfect melding of sweet and sour.
Before:
Ravioli nudi of spinach & ricotta dumplings baked in tomato at Federal Coffee Palace GPO,  followed by a Bolivian Clover coffee (on recommendation by Chris at Toby Estate) with a baked chocolate cheesecake brownie at Proud Mary - think "Pocket Rocket" can recognise me now.  I think I prefer the Columbian clover I had the week before (given the Bolivian was brewed a bit too hot, so it was bland and watery when it was below-burning-your-tonuge temperature, but then became fruity and juicy once it was just warm).

Watching:
People.  Jeans, bags, little dogs, bows, red cardigans, leather leggings, hats, babies, scarves, boots...
Thinking: 

• that the last time I came to St Jude's was with FH and SL for lunch which led to the inception of this blog.  Today one is in Adelaide on temporary work assignment and the other in Sydney for postgraduate studies.  That last lunch feels like such a long time ago...this menu looks a lot more enticing than the one from those days.  
• that I appreciate the space I am given here, despite the noise and diners, considering the number of late nights I have had going to farewell dinners and drinks in the one week.  Not to say that it was not fun being with friends while visiting 
  
• Monsieur Truffe - still a great place for hot chocolate, chocolate desserts and tea :)
• Panama Dining Room - thanks for the free dessert to share as first-time visitors, we were in the right place during that ridiculous thunderstorm!
• the Westin hotel lobby lounge - wine and cheese,  
• Taste of Melbourne - pre-planning our battle strategy proves hugely beneficial once again!
• Q11 - best thing about having brunch here is that afterwards you can just cross the road to have fresh oyster shots at South Melbourne Market,  
• Thanh Tran - that Vietnamese pancake never fails to impress, and
• il Fornaio - Philippa, you are a genius; if only that dessert menu was served the whole day instead of just at night!



(From front) THAT Snickers dish, chocolate fondant with poached pear (which contains a creamy surprise!) and "Snow White and Rose Red" for those who love their meringues.  Bring friends and try the whole dessert menu!

• of everybody pitching in to try making dumpling skins leading to homemade beef, mushroom, spring onion and green chilli dumplings at JJ's place 
• that I should be able to smell the 5 Senses coffee from where I am sitting, but my nose is obviously numb from too much sniffing and smelling and savouring..

Need: 
Basics.  A good pasta or a plain congee.  A French press coffee.  An apple.  A bowl of miso soup.  A piece of plain dark chocolate.  A ray of sunshine.  A drizzle of rain.
After:
Cook something that will make use of the La Latteria fior de latte I purchased just yesterday.   Perhaps a simple basil oil-drizzled pasta with heirloom tomatoes?  St Jude's does have a dark chocolate fondant, coffee, banana, peanut and vanilla mascarpone on the menu though...##