The Barn Owl Cafe, Silvan, Melbourne

We were on the way to Yarra Valley for a wine tasting day trip and stopped by The Barn Owl (1 Parker Rd, Silvan, tel : +61 3 9737 9546) along the drive for some breakfast.

Cappuccino was okay. They dusted the weak foam with sweetened chocolate powder instead of powdered cocoa.

This was their Wolffy muffin with grilled halloumi cheese on the side. I liked that they used back bacon instead of the streaky ones. As a muffin, it wasn't as satisfying as the Mighty McMuffin.

What I found interesting was their chilli scramble. Scrambled eggs on croissant with chilli. Those cut red chillis were actually pickled - much like the pickled green chilli back home. 

Berwick Kebab, Berwick, Melbourne

We got some kebab/HSP this trip as well. This one was from Berwick Kebab (3/248 Clyde Road, Berwick, Melbourne, tel : +61 3 9702 2502).

While it satiated a craving, it didn't seem to be as enjoyable as the last one from Wot A Kebab which we though did a better job saucing up their meats. This pack also had relatively little cheese and chips.

Mighty McMuffin from McD in Australia

This was a quick first bite after we landed from a McD drive through down under. We were initially just trying to get some coffee, the name caught my attention and we somehow ended up with one. This mighty rendition appeared to be just a McMuffin with real bacon. I haven't had real bacon from McD back home for as along as I could remember. Then I realized that sausage patties here were made with beef too. I'm not ashamed to admit that I enjoyed that sandwich of saturated fat and sodium.

Colonial Club, Changi Airport Terminal 3

We were checking in early for our flight and decided to eat at the Colonial Club (#03-33 Changi Airport Terminal 3, 65 Airport Boulevard, +65 6214 0268). I'm not sure how much locals this place attracts but quite obviously, it's set up to get the attention of tourists with all the Hainanese/Peranakan/Colonial heritage that they're painting on the menu.

The menu looked interesting that we were spoilt for choice. We ended up with their garlic chicken rice which was the chicken rice that one doesn't find outside.  

The fried chicken was competent with crisp skin. But it wasn't an outstanding one. Meat was a little dry. Those garlic chips were a little sweet. Their chilli was infused with garlic and some citrus; wasn't bad but also not exactly impressive. The elements of the dish felt like it was on the verge of being memorable but not quite getting there. Like their rice which I enjoyed but still couldn't help shake the feeling that something was amiss with the flavour. An edge that wasn't quite there.

Got curious about their roti ayam - which translates into chicken bread. I don't know what were the origins of this since I've never had or even heard of something like this. It was basically French toast stuffed with minced chicken with mayo and bits of chilli. I liked it better than I thought I would.

Pumpkin latte from Japan Rail Cafe

This drink of the month from Japan Rail Cafe was obviously in line with the Halloween season and in spite of the name, isn't a coffee of any sort nor does it contain caffeine. Instead it's kabocha blended with steamed milk with a dusting of cinnamon. It was delicious. 

More mazesoba from Kajiken (歌志軒)

Kajiken has taken over the premise (#01-03 Orchid Hotel, 1 Tras Link) vacated by Fujiyama Dragon Curry. The menu has changed with some new bowls that suckered us in. I mean - mentaiko, butter and cheese? Who could resist? I don't blame myself.

The bowl on top was the grilled cheese and mentaiko bowl. Cheesy as it should be with just a hint of the spicy roe. More mentaiko and browning of the cheese would have been nice-r. The one below featured salmon flakes with very miserable portions of ikura and butter. The butter of course, brought it all together.