LUNE CROISSANTERIE MELBOURNE: THE BEST CROISSANT I'VE TRIED SO FAR!!!

It was back in 2016 where I had Lune for the very first time and that particular experience was a bliss, that very first bite introduced me to the best croissant that I've had in my life, even beating the one that I had in Paris. It was sensational, the kind of experience that I had to repeat, and glad I did on my latest trip to Melbourne last week.

Anyway I guess you kinda know from the opening that this is going to be a positive review! Posting this on my blog is almost mandatory so yeah...
Planned to blog about my first experience to Lune but I lost my external hard drive last year to a bitch who borrowed and never return mine so short to say all photos from my trip to Australia two years ago are now gone *sad*, but anyway let's not focus on that, instead this.

I heard from my Melbournian friends that Lune initially started off as a small hole-in-the-wall bakery before opening the larger Fitzroy outlet in 2015, part of me kinda wished that I had actually queued there during the early days of Lune (my friends actually queued since 5 AM in the morning) but I think I am often lucky with queues as I never queued for Lune from the two visits (lucky timing I guess).
Lune opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 3 PM daily, but on super busy days, most pastries can be gone (sold out) by 10 AM, if I am not mistaken I arrived around 1 PM that day and most of the items were still available.

The Fitzroy outlet is so spacious, almost like you're in a bakery lab with minimalist design, open kitchen concept and freshly baked aromatic pastries lingers all over the shop.
First timers should indulge on their original Croissant (AUD 5.5) aka the number one best selling item here, not the cheapest for croissant but quality wise, awesome! The croissant has this incredibly flaky and crunchy coating, also so buttery and aromatic that your senses almost play together on each bite.

I also love the hint of salty & savory from the croissant, just so addicting I couldn't stop munching damnit. I didn't have each of everything and chose to stick to the classic original and Almond, my friend had the Pain au Chocolate and it was not bad, but not out of the world good. They also have Coconut Pandan, Sticky Date Pudding, Shaker Lemon Pie, assorted Cruffins, some savory pastries like Ham & Gruyere, Reuben and if you're lucky the seasonal Macadamia & Salted Caramel Croissant.

Pain au Chocolat

Almond Croissant - AUD 8.5
If the texture of the original croissant is already that good, the extra crunch from the almond and the powder sugar sweetness just elevated that, AUD 8.5 is not cheap when it comes to a single croissant but for once in a lifetime experience (which I doubt will be the one and only), I freaking would! The jam was flavorful and so generous (maybe even too generous), altogether sinfully delicious!
Short to say, still is THE BEST croissants I've ever had in my life, not the cheapest but worth the incredible rave, after all mastering the art of croissant is not easy too, it needs special skill, diligence and patience. Bravo, Lune!

Lune Croissanterie Melbourne
119 Rose Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
+61 3 9419 2320
Opening hours:
Mon, Thu, Fri: 7:30 AM-3 PM
Sun-Sat: 8 AM-3 PM
Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Average spending for two: $15
Dresscode: casual

FIND ME HERE
SNAPCHAT: STANISLAUSHANS

Map for Lune Croissanterie

HIGHER GROUND MELBOURNE

I asked my Melbournian friends for brunch recommendations and which one from Higher Ground, Top Paddock or Kettle Black is better, apparently I just knew from my friends that the three restaurants are owned by the same owner and that's why each carries this exact same Ricotta Hot Cake on the menu (dang!), then my friends came with comparisons, they say the best food is in Top Paddock, the best ambiance belongs to Kettle Black for its white clean ambiance (and best for pictures), but Higher Ground is one of the newest establishment from the group, then after some considerations, finally decided to try out Higher Ground for the industrial look that I like (from Google) and the fact that it's new so I can make a fresh quick review about it.
Higher Ground is located at Little Bourke st. and it's just a sweet 15 minute walk from QT, where I spent my nights in Melbourne, anyway in case you've never heard, Melbourne has been voted the world's most livable city for 7 years in a row, and it's personally a city that's so easy to explore and very walkable, most places within the city can be easily accessed by foot, anyway I like to do a little cardio before indulging on the big feast! As I stepped inside, I was very pleased by the look of this gorgeous cafe: it's almost like this warehouse (or power station) redecorated, details added here and there and voila, a "high-level" industrial cafe to cater your lust for hipster cafes, along with the expectation that the food better be good.

The energy that morning was great, especially since I was going to meet a friend of mine, Jethro, whom I haven't met for 5 years since the uni days!!!  Somehow fate "arranged" us to meet here, in Melbourne, just grateful!
We arrived around 8:30 AM and were lucky as there was no queue, but in just around 30 minutes after, the queue started looking crazy and so many people were outside the building as we finished dining here, so my suggestion is to wake up early and be here around 8 AM-ish to avoid queues.

Ok quick virtual cafe tour!

 Higher Ground is a two-storey cafe, somehow the vibe of the second floor is a bit more intimate.
Expect to find various sweet and savory brunch menus here, quick scan of their menu and the food sounded fancy like Spiced Cauliflowers & Scrambled Eggs ($19.50), Eggs on Toast ($14), Benedict Eggs with Dried Cured Ham, Emmental Bearnaise on Sourdough ($20.50), Steamed Market Fish ($26) to their best selling Ricotta Hot Cakes ($21) which has gone viral for the beautiful presentation!

Skinny Cap
Didn't try this one as this belongs to my friend, but I gotta admit the Soy Latte here is pretty good!
 Eggs on Toast with extra Avocado ($14)
Undoubtedly expensive for $14 but to be completely frank with you, the scrambled egg is very good: fragrant, beautifully seasoned and salty. If you fancy, you're given the chance to choose between Poached or Sunny Side Up instead of Scrambled, and no doubt about the Australian avo (extra $3), they're just the best!
Ricotta Hot Cake ($21)
This Ricotta Hot Cake has been among my personal food bucketlist for quite some time and to finally be able to experience this was (hyperbolically) monumental, it feels so good to be able to tick off something you've really wanted to do or try in your life! A lot claimed this to be the best Ricotta Hot Cake in the world (especially Kettle Black's) but since they're in the same group, well...

Anyway I would not disagree, I haven't tried a lot of Ricotta Hot Cakes in my life, probably just three including the one at Paddy Hills Singapore and in comparison to the three, this one's indeed THE BEST one I've had so far! Didn't expect the portion to be that big and unfortunately I didn't manage to finish the whole thing (probably just 1/3), but I like just how moist and fluffy the cake was and altogether this wonderful play of texture, flavor, and festive toppings in a plate! The sweetness was perfect (even after drenched in maple syrup at the bottom) with Ricotta, Blueberries, Strawberries, Double Cream, Sugar Sprinkles, Edible Flowers and Crunch and Maple Syrup dressing!
Maybe it was the ambiance, or maybe it was the company, but I had a good time at Higher Ground. I have to come back and explore more food to give full review about the food, but what I had was really not bad at all, particularly the Ricotta Hot Cake. Short to say, Higher Ground is one of the happening cafes with super deco and well put concept. Going to revisit when I'm back in Melbourne for sure!!!

Higher Ground Melbourne
650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
03 - 8899 6219
Opening hours:
Mon-Wed: 7 AM-4 PM
Thu-Fri: 7 AM-late
Sat: 8 AM-late
Sun: 8 AM-4 PM
Average spending for two: $40
Dresscode: none, casual

FIND ME HERE
SNAPCHAT: STANISLAUSHANS

Map for Higher Ground Melbourne

SISTERFIELDS JAKARTA - PIK AVENUE

NOW THIS IS SUPER EXCITED!!!!! The long awaited Sisterfields Jakarta is opening this Saturday, March 10th 2018 at PIK Avenue and yours truly got the very first exclusive preview of this uber famous Bali cafe and I am actually typing this post here as we're still having a meeting for the grand opening (and I happen to be one of the host). Do note that this wouldn't be a full review of the restaurant as the restaurant's still doing some construction (posted the progress on my Instagram Stories) and perfecting the food, this was a private food tasting session and I'd like to give you guys the sneak preview of some of my favorite dishes and what you can expect here, including some new menus that's only available in their Jakarta outlet.

Sisterfields is located at the PIK Avenue Sephora lobby! 
Interior progress, it's not final yet so expect to be impressed by the time they're done, but what I can tell you at the moment is that they're still keeping the root of their flagship outlet design which is still minimalist, modern and industrial, only their PIK outlet is that, then you double the minimalist and modern vibe, they also have this bar area in the middle where guests who desire casual fun can sit around and drink some of their signature cocktails!
They're currently using Siblings coffee to supply your coffee needs here. I can legit tell you that I love their coffee, soft balance and smooth aftertaste, watch out for their CHEESE TEA too!
 They're pretty confident with their cocktails here and one of the signature here is their 'East Side' (not in the picture), it's refreshing with a hint of cucumber and elderflower!
I have been an avid fan of Sisterfields for a long time, I think it was in 2014 when I first visited their Bali outlet and up until now (and hopefully on), it's one of the busiest cafes in Seminyak, Bali, to the point where the group actually introduced Bo$$man (the burger cafe) and Bikini (a must visit) too, well really no wonder as the food is generally nice, beautifully presented and they're also creative with their new menus! I know you guys are probably wondering what to eat here so let's cut to the chase and actually check out the food that I had just earlier today! I tried so many earlier today but I decide not to put everything in and I'll point out some of my favorites! 

Price range for the food starts from IDR 50k-180k, and drinks around IDR 20k-60k, more for cocktails.

Lamb Shoulder & Pearl Barley Salad - IDR 140k
Normally not the biggest fan of lamb but this one was an exception for sure, the lamb was fresh, not stinky and the elements in this dish works well with one another, talk about play of flavor and texture, you got cranberries, cucumber, pistachio, pomegranate and yogurt! YUM!
Vietnamese Poached Chicken Salad - IDR 95k 
This one's so fresh, so flavorful, spot on seasoning (uber love the coconut cream dressing), crunchy fresh vegetables, textured rice for texture and of course, generous shredded chicken!
Crispy Chicken Drumettes - IDR 65k
Another one that I like for the spot-on seasoning and perfectly crunchy chicken! Anyway since they make it more to Asian style, you should know that this consist of shrimp paste with spicy mayo combo for the sauce.
Polenta Fries - IDR 75k
This is my regular order everytime I go to Sisterfields Bali for the healthier alternative to truffle fries LOL. Can't compare this to truffle fries as both as totally different, and quite frankly I don't know if most of you are going to like this, but personally for me, their polenta fries are always beautifully cooked, thick, and the Truffle Aioli sauce was a beautiful pair, along with the little bit of tangy and sourness infused.
Sisterfields Dirty Burger - IDR 110k
I remember vividly that this was the very first meal that I ordered on my very first visit to Sisterfields and apparently my love for it hasn't changed! Still one of the best burgers you can find in Seminyak, the patty was so tender, aromatic, nicely seasoned and topped with generous cheese and onion rings, a simple-classic that's spot on delicious!
 Chashu Pork Neck Ramen - IDR 125k
This is the menu that's currently ONLY available at their Jakarta outlet, it's refreshing to see a ramen dish on the menu and to me, this kinda works! First of all, the ramen's not meant to be all wet, soupy like typical Japanese ramens, but the serving comes with this rich broth. The noodle's more to the Soba kind, and the ramen's consist of 63 degree sous vide egg, crispy enoki, chasiu pork neck, puffed pork skin, and kale furikake. The pork neck was SOOOO tender, flavorful, and the texture (firmness) of the soba was pretty good, then you got that crunchy texture play from the crispy enoki and pork skin. I was honestly a bit skeptical but turned out accepting this more that I thought I would.
Spicy Salmon Poke Bowl - IDR 120k
ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE MENUS and a legit must order! I know you might think that it's a tad too expensive for IDR 120k but I can assure you that they're using premium Norwegian salmon here and the quality does not lie: it's super fresh, smooth and silky! Inside you'll also find edamame, avocado, seasoned sushi rice, wasabi rocket, toasted sesame! The spicy mayo, soy gel sauce had this wonderful balance that I like, it's not overly spicy, and playful on my palate!
Oxtail Gnocchi - IDR 125k
Even though I expected the gnocchi to be a tad denser and firmer, the braised oxtail ragu was beautiful! So perfectly cooked, so tender, so nicely seasoned, altogether the kind of savory goodness that I like.
Pancakes and Raspberries
For all the sweet tooth in Jakarta, Sisterfields Jakarta is bringing their selections of tempting looking homemade cakes to the display and hopefully on your table! The cakes are available in slices or as a whole. Prices for sliced cakes start from IDR 55k-65k and whole cakes from IDR 575k-600k! I didn't try each and every cake here (since I was so full from all the food!!!) but I seriously like their Carrot Cake (like so good and so moist), Chocolate Cherry (the one in the middle), and Vanilla Rose (white cake)
 Lemon Raspberry Almond and Caffe Mocha
 Must try: carrot cake!!!
That's it, the brief review of Sisterfields Jakarta! I will definitely go back to make a full review of the restaurant and will update this post with the updated look and menus! Thank you guys for reading!

Sisterfields Jakarta
PIK Avenue
Jl. Pantai Indah Kapuk
Penjaringan, Kamal Muara 
Jakarta Utara 14470
021 - 2251 0427
Opening hours: 8 AM-10 PM
Average spending for two: IDR 300k
Dresscode: casual


FIND ME HERE
SNAPCHAT: STANISLAUSHANS

Map for Sisterfields/PIK Avenue