ROTANA - Maylands welcomes Lebanese mezze

There is something about finding little gems in the 'burbs. Recently over dinner we were talking about those places you almost want to keep a secret for fear of the masses taking away the ease to grab a table at your favourite haunt. Rotana on Eighth Avenue in Maylands is going to be one of those places.  

A mismatch of Western eats amongst deliciously authentic Middle Eastern plates, forget bacon, eggs and the tomato sauce and go straight for the mezze. 

Shanglish 

Samobousik 

Fried kebbi 

I thought the Grilled mixed plate was awesome value considering what you usually get for $24 at the pub.  A mix of beef, chicken and lamb skewers served with rice, fattoush, pita, hommous, garlic dip and baba ghanouj.

DO | MAYLANDS HAWKERS MARKETS

Right in the heart of Maylands you will find the Hawkers Markets popped up on Saturdays during our sunny months. With plenty of green grass for little ones to run around, the markets are popular with local families looking for a bite to eat. 

Our last adventure had me swooning over this little feast:
Bangkok Jump Street - Pork satay skewers
Amaizing - Captain Hairy arepa (grilled corn flatbread stuffed with shredded beef and mozzarella) 
The Hummus Club - Mezze of pita bread, fatuous, felafel and hummus
Balk to Balkan - Zucchini fritters
 

Croque Monsieur v Manwich

The battle of the bread takes place each time I peruse the menu at Mrs S.  The lusty steak sandwich with sweet potato chips and fiery dose of Tabasco or a ham and cheese melt, oozing with béchamel.   

Swallow

This cosy neighbourhood bar is as tiny as its namesake.  The fit-out has a quaint French feel, oozing warmth.  You can perch at the bar for a tipple or bask in the courtyard if the sun is shining.  If you get in early you can find an old tram bench booth with a wee group and settle in for the evening.  

Peruse through the thoughtful selection of wines, boutique beers and liquors and you will find something that tickles your fancy.  The extensive menu of small eats is full of clever takes on the classics.  We tucked into a serve of olives and velvety chicken liver pate with crisp cornichons that was happily slathered on warm buttery toast.  

Swallow is a lovely spot to enjoy with those you love.  

Chapels on Whatley

I love impromptu breakfasts.  Especially those with friends who have just returned from honeymoons with plenty of adventures to share.  We caught up Hayleigh and Stephen over breakfast and the hugest mug of coffee I have ever seen at Chapels on Whatley.  Chapels is a furniture store come cafe known for its diverse menu with an Asian flair complimenting the extensive selection of tea available.  

I didn't feel like anything too breakfast-y so I ordered the Asian noodle omelette.  I drowned it in extra chilli and soy sauce and it hit the spot.   I must admit I did feel a little sullen when the pancake stack arrived.  

There is something so damn magical about the ménage à trois of banana, bacon and maple syrup.  Add these cheeky three to a stack of fluffy pancakes and you are in absolute bliss.  God bless America! 

light lunch

​Oh Mrs S you always get it right!  I had forgotten how tranquil the cafe is after 2pm.  It is nice to beat the rush, sit down spreading out over the big table without anyone eyeing off your spot the moment you put down your fork and brush the crumbs from your mouth.  
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The Manwich was a perfect love affair of pulled pork, beetroot pickle and salad embraced by a firm, fresh  ciabatta roll.   I love that the Autumn menu has an offering of tasty and decadent salads which all seem healthy enough to warrant #cleaneating.  The nutty wild rice and charred pumpkin salad was riddled with cranberries, pecans and pepitas adding texture and crunch.  The salad of French green lentils laden with gorgonzola, pear and broad beans had a beautiful balance of flavouts set off by the bitter salad leaves.   

A perfectly light lunch with a perfect pair of friends. ​

curry from a fish and chip shop

Don't let the facade of the Finding Nemo seascape fool you!  Maylands Fish Chips & Curry House is dishing out tasty tasty curry.  Hidden on Eighth Avenue and quickly gaining momentum and definitely worth the 40 minute wait.  Order the butter chicken and then try and keep it a secret.  Smoky and rich you will find yourself sitting on the couch with the leftover sauce and a spoon.  Seriously.

Smoult's Deli

Smoult's Deli on a Sunday for hotdogs is becoming a tradition.  

Eki Bento

Chapel on Whatley's

Mrs S

La buche d'affinois is a triple cream delight.  This French beauty has a melty velvety centre and when served with mixed mushrooms studded with macadamia nuts it's pure heaven.  All perched atop a crispy edged polenta and spinach this has to be one of my favourite breakfasts in a long time. Thank you Mrs S, you are pretty spesh!

mixed mushies, grilled polenta, macadamia, baby spinach and la buche d'affinois scrambled eggs and chipolatas

Smoult's Continental Deli

I am really digging Maylands these days.  Smoult's Continental Deli is just what the strip needed.  I was on the hunt for a gourmet birthday present and walked away with the Grocer's black salt, Sicilian salt (just like the shakers at Cantina), chilli & lime jam, chicken liver parfait and a cheese board which almost didn't leave my kitchen.  I also left laden with two of the scrummiest hot dogs I have had for a long time.  The white rolls fluffy and almost a bit chewy, the sausages juicy oozing with flavour and the jalepenos and sauerkraut added kick.   See ya later Bunnings ... I have found a new Sunday snag.

Mrs S

Why do plans to go for a walk always start and finish with breakfast? We relished in sharing a croque monsieur and toasted choc-banana bread served with moreish burnt honey cream and pistachio crumbs at Mrs S.

Picco's Kitchen

Birthday celebrations over breakfast are joy.

Mrs S

Nothing screams EAT ME like absolutely everything on the counter at Mrs S.  It is always full of gorgeous delights.  No time to enjoy breakfast so I said a quick hello to Mrs S and Nai then grabbed a yummy savoury muffin to scoff in the car.  I am always a sucker for arriving with a gift so I bought my friend Maddy this minx of a mudcake below.

Maylands Fish Chips & Curry

We had been boasting about the best butter chicken from our new favourite Indian takeout on Eighth Avenue in Maylands.  We ordered fish korma, lamb saag, palak paneer and TWO butter chickens, three rice, two roti and three garlic naan and it only cost $87.33. Absolute joy!

Maylands Fish Chips & Curry

Don't you love it when you both agree on boycotting cooking for comfort food on the couch.

4 curries, 2 rotis, almost got change from a 50 ... win! Yes change from fiddy bones. I think I actually announced this is the best butter chicken of my life and started the spoon the sauce like soup. This little fish chip and curry shop on 8th Ave is absolutely legit tasty Indian and extremely cheap.  You can find their menu here.

Picco's Kitchen

Picco's Kitchen is one of those diamonds in the rough. All the way down Peninsular Road in Maylands this little slice of heaven will hopefully remain hidden from the masses.  Oh so refreshing to rock up for breky and not be greeted with a line and a 40 minute wait for coffees.  The food is fresh, honest and just feel like you are in friend's family kitchen. The black pudding was rich and perfect and it absolutely defeated me.

Mrs S.

We escaped to Maylands in the wake of the Beaufort Street Festival.  Post traumatic feast called for a serve of Granny June's cornbread with bacon maple syrup and eggs JOY.  We also shared a croque monsieur.  This little number originated in France as a fast food snack.  The Mrs S version very is like a Heston-ified ham and cheese toasty.  I think this has something to do with the béchamel sauce which oozes out and makes it all rich and creamy.  I was so exhausted after Bofo.  Assume foetal position. Hello couch, old friend.

Mrs S

I love the Golden Circle book menus at Mrs S.  Little pigs indeed.