Rant 1

So - after forever and all the promises in the world to countless readers of my usual ravings elsewhere, it is so time to start this blog and be serious about it.

I love food and I love wine - one day when I grow up I am going to write full time about it. I tend to get about the country, swilling booze of excellent quality, and eating like a king ( shame I dance like a queen but there you go).

These interests of mine that I have managed to continue for 25 years are starting to bring some fruition to them and god forbid, maybe even some dosh.

So here is my first offereing, ripped from one of my columns I have just submitted for publication. I hope you enjoy it

Feel free to contact me at food.and.wine.scribe@gmail.com if you have anything salient to offer

cheers
Pete

I love stumbling on new trends, and so dear readers, remember that you read it here first...all the hip young things and the easily influenced will be drinking - liqueur Muscat on ice or with soda this summer. A cracker of a beverage and perfect for summer consumption.


Food – Mo Vida, I Hosier Lane, Melbourne.

I just love love love this place. A gorgeous tapas bar perched right smack bang in the middle of the CBD, with hotties behind the bar and a cracking wine list, it simply does not get much better. Add to it the Dish of the Year for 07, ‘Cecina,’ Air cured wagyu beef thinly sliced with a truffle foam and poached egg. Simple but like an orgasm of the taste buds. As is their paella, with traditional calasparra rice, laden with seafood and chicken. There is a wait on this usually but by golly it is worth it.
The wine list is sensationally long, and features the best of Spanish wines along with brilliant Aussie offerings and some Frenchies, as well as some brilliant Spanish sherries which are about to send the drinking world bonkers. I recommend you try a few.
The staff here rock – there are few better I have found in Melbourne, and some of them are particularly gorgeous. I almost feel guilty sending you all here because now I will never get a table. Book early for this venue and tell Michael, Pete sent you. It is not cheap by any stretch, but after one visit, you will be hooked.


Plonk: Mollydooker Two Left Feet 2006.

I picked this up because of the name – I am a sucker for a clever wine name, and was incredibly surprised with what was in the bottle. This is a cracking little blend of Shiraz, Cab, and Merlot and with its predecessor being 2nd "Best Value Wine in the World under $20 for 2005', one expects something good.
Bursting with exuberant fruit and a complex aromatic nose, this wine shows lovely integrated hints of vanillin oak and a multitude of flavours ranging from spice, chocolate and blackberry fruit. Both powerful and delightful, this wine exudes all three varietal characters in a strong and harmonious way.
And at 23.00 a bottle, it doesn’t get much cheaper or better. Get hold of a case or two of this recently released number as they will not last at all.


Bar – BLVD, Southbank, Melbourne.

Stumbling into venues on an accidental whim seems to be de rigueur for me. Thus my recent foray into BLVD in Melbourne’s South bank precinct was a pleasant surprise.

Bold primary colours dominate the senses as you enter, and a hip stylish crowd lend an atmosphere to the venue early evening. Late evening things hot up and the crowd gets particularly younger. This is my time to stagger on to the next more adult venue.

Overlooking Queensbridge Square, and the Yarra it is a great spring summer venue for outside quaffing of those very much deserved Friday night drinkies.

The two indoor levels allow a romantic view over the city with menus to tempt you all day. A Peking duck pizza to help prevent alcohol exhaustion is a great recommendation along with the quintessential saganaki bites with plum chutney. This all goes so nicely as you are guzzling cocktails from a fairly standard list. The wine list is creative in places and somewhat regular in others.

Overall a great after work drinks venue with the potential for dining and continuing later into the night.