The “West End” – replenish yourselves in a choice of 3 great locations.

Well finally we have a West End in Lakes Entrance. We all know about the West End of London, famous for its theatres, The West Wing of White House fame, “go west young man” a cry to populate the west USA in the 1800’s.  West Point, the military academy, West Ham the English soccer club, even Western Civilization. The West is significant in Chinese Buddhism, representing movement toward the Buddha or enlightenment. In Ancient Egypt, the West was considered to be the portal to the netherworld!

What has all this got to do with my foodie blogging you may well ask?, read on……

Prints on Canvas Exhibition and Sales

An updated exhibition has been installed in the “Art Space” upstairs at the Lakes Entrance Visitor Information Centre in Marine Parade. The display features photographic images including local and regional scenes together with some images taken in a wide range of other locations including some from overseas, all have been printed onto quality 360gsm canvas which has been stretched over a wooden frame.  All are made and printed in Australia and are for sale. In varying sizes a perfect gift or great on the home or office wall. The Centre is open 9am to 5pm  7 days a week.

"Albert & Co- a third awakening"

Last night I was privileged to be able to gain a sneak preview of the new Albert & Co. I have followed with interest the growth of this local establishment over many years and which has maintained not only my caffeine levels but also my insatiable need to find the best that Gippsland has to offer. We here right on my own back yard may just be one of the leaders in the field.

Savoury Slice – a snack a nibble or just comfort food in-front of the TV!

Still not travelling far so having finished with the football finals (all codes) and Bathurst, I am now in the midst of the Rugby League World Cup, F1 and Moto-GP racing with the Spring Racing Carnival thrown in by “She who must be obeyed”.  I found a few sheets of puff pastry in the freezer, (they HAD to be used), and some left overs in the fridge.  Aha I thought, what can I come up with, just as something to nibble on in front of the TV!  Here we go I will call them Savoury Slices or Savoury Squares depending on your cut, only problem was, they didn’t last long - food to savour!  😋

Beef Hotpot with Mushrooms and Port

Of late I have been more than a bit limited with travelling and continuing my quest for good eating    (and drinking) in and around Gippsland. So much to my wife's horror I have taken to the kitchen.

Here is a sample of my gastronomic experimentation. Normal stews can be boring so I added a few extras. Much to my delight, it tasted great (well I think so), and Joy admitted to enjoying it too. This is simple tasty good eating, cooked in a slow cooker so the meat comes out really tender.

Go on try it, I hope you enjoy.......

John's Pumpkin Soup with Garlic

Many who know me would say that I have food on my mind most of the time. This is possibly true and whilst I do enjoy going out and reviewing various eating houses, I also enjoy dabbling in the kitchen, much to my wife's irritation when I make a mess, (most of the time!), but thankfully to her enjoyment when my offerings turn out OK, and she has been relived of the cooking duties. Since recovering from surgery, I seem to be spending more time in the kitchen, this could be good or not so good from the boss's aspect!

I tried a pumpkin soup yesterday and had the nod of approval today so I thought I would share it, and if all goes well, some more of  my favourites to come.  So here goes......

Top Take-Aways...and Eat Ins

Take Away or Eat In – the choice is yours.

There is something about a take away meal, and I have many happy memories of consuming plenty of them in some very interesting places, (that's another story!). One of my favourite's is sitting up on Jemmey's Point Look Out overlooking Lakes Entrance itself on a summers evening with a good old fish and chips. I am sure you have your own favourite, but try some of these, I am sure you will enjoy. I have purposely left pizzas out as these will feature in there own category later.

Again then and in no particular order as usual:-

Do you have any Wartime memorabilia – and do you know how to preserve it?

As I am in the process of writing my father’s wartime history, this caught my eye and may be of interest to others.

Do you have wartime arte-facts at home? Do you know their significance or how to care for them?  Learn from Australia's top preservation experts about how to keep your family's wartime heritage items safe in your home for future generations to enjoy, and bring your objects along for personalised advice. The Department of Premier and Cabinet - Veterans Branch and the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation are delivering a series of free workshops for the public across Victoria. The workshops will bring Australia's leading experts in preservation for a two-day line-up of free workshops and information sessions and in Morwell and Bairnsdale THIS WEEKEND

Gippsland Cafes - my top 5 so far.

Cafes serving Light Meals, and Coffee  – here are my top five as reviewed

 

Back on my favourite subject, here we have venues specialising in providing that quick snack, a light lunch, coffee and cake (they have to go together!), or just darned good coffee. All are owner operated with a passion for their craft, providing varied tastes from in the main, local producers.  Their creative menu items are interspersed with old favourites and cater for all tastes. They are worthy of your patronage, all these are foodie haunts of mine which I really do enjoy, I hope you do too.         As always in no particular order:-

Hospital Humour – from personal experience

Some of you may be wondering why I have not been out and about recently continuing my food reviews. Unfortunately I had to undergo major spinal surgery to relieve pressure on my spinal cord. Thankfully I am recovering although slowly and with very limited mobility for a while. In the meantime, I am re-visiting my reviews and grouping them into top 5 choices taken from my secret marking system!  So while mentioning hospitals and just for fun, here are a few humorous aspects of my time there.

Having spent a little over nine weeks in hospital, I am now enjoying some aspects of simple life previously taken for granted. To say I enjoyed my stay would be an over-statement, but it’s the little things that make the difference making it easier to accept, especially from hospital staff for whom I have the highest regard.