Sunday, November 30, 2014

Perth - To Eat 28Nov2014 Fremantle One Evening gastronomical checklist! (Sweet Lips, Little Creature Brewery, Michele's crepe Suzette, San Churros, Meet Fresh)

Perth - to Stay
Perth - To Do
Perth - To Eat
 Perth - To Eat
28Nov2014
like us here on Facebook to get the latest updates
 Fremantle
My One Evening gastronomical checklist!

Fremantle
Getting there:
Fremantle is a 2 Zone charge from Perth City
ABBATip
The most worth while way to move around is with the Family Rider Unlimited travel for up to 7 people. 

By Train: Family rider (Takes approximately 25mins to get to Fremantle from Perth station)
Fremantle is the last stop at the end of the line so you won't miss it.

By Bus: Direct bus 106 to and fro Fremantle station to outside of Novotel and Pan Pacific Hotel. (Yet to be determined travel time but was told by concierge the time taken would be the same as it would getting to the train station and taking a train from there.)
Click here for Public bus routing

Fremantle
- One Night, must try Food Journey Checklist!
Stop 1
Sweet Lips @ 1830hrs
It's one of those places. Who has the best fish and chips?

Having been in Perth for just about a year and tried all of the fish and chips in and around the wharf area, my vote still goes to sweet lips for the, better fish and chips, and over at greater value for add on dishes!
Ordered On: 28th Nov2014
Seafood platter for 2 AUD32+
Seafood platter comes with battered fetta cheeses, (a memory favorite in my books) fluffy batter squid rings, fries and battered fish.
Additional Fish order with no chips Aprox AUD9+
Salt and Pepper Squid Aprox AUD9+
*Something different from the usual battered squid rings. It still seems pretty much fried but in a lighter batter with obviously the topping of salt and pepper. Simple and delicious with the fresh squeeze of lemon*
Drinks and x4sauce
Total AUD70 Fed4
Of course, Fish and Chips are always best to be had when served piping hot!

To me, Sweet Lips probably has the  best balance of quality and value. However the rest of the fish and chips stalls there are pretty decent too and each of them do have something to offer in terms of their decor and ambiance. 

ABBAtip:
Back then, there's always a coupon in the tourist pamphlet that offers a cup of free squid rings at Sweet Lips with every fish and chips order. Check out tourist maps if that offer still holds!
*Pictured left and Right, Cicerello's and in the center Joe's Shack for their decor*

Stop2
Little Creatures @ 1930hrs
Click here for ABBA location of Little Creature Brewery Little Creatures Brewing Pty Ltd, 40 Mews Rd, Fremantle WA 6160, Australia
One of the many great beers from Australia, Little creatures has it all. Staff are free to give sampling shots before you decide on your order.  A great place to chill and grab a meal and they've even got a sand pit to throw the kids in. The place also serves foods, although I've yet to try it over here as Sweet Lips take first pick. However there is no denying its ambiance both in and out to knock back a few. 


Stop3
Fremantle Markets @ 1950hrs
Michele's crepe Suzette real French pancakes
Ordered On: 28thNov2014
Ham Cheese and Pineapple Crepe AUD8+
Probably, this being the forth time since I've gotten to eat this, I've always favored their savories. Loaded with Gooey cheese, juicy ham and pineapples! Made fresh and never compromising on quality. We were lucky to pop in at about 1950hrs, 10min before last order! 

Stop 4
Our Final stop at Fremantle

San Churros Fremantle branch @ 2010hrs
Ordered On: 19March2016
(Click here for ABBA location 132 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia)
 *Oh man! No more 10% change of benefits. Come here just for the chocolate drinks. Standards still as good as ever. And as always,,, Go for the HOT COLD!.*(Click here for ABBA location 132 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia)
Ordered On: 28Nov2014
x2 Hot Cold AUD6+
The undeniable, cannot be missed third dimensioned drink. The look, taste and Feel! Yes, that's right. Feel. The cold white chocolate ice cream, somehow cuts through the thick Spanish chocolate, somehow diluting and creaming it at the same time.

A rich, sinful drink that must be had from the heated cup, else this third dimension effect would be completely lost in translation when transferred to another cup for sharing. The feeling of a cold ice cream touching the upper lip as you sip the hot chocolate underneath is just amazing. A must order! All of their premium shakes are equally good but as we were already pretty much filled to the brim, this is the order to have.

We had originally intended for one order to share, but it was too good that we needed another one.

Bonus Gastronomy Adventure
Last stop at North Bridge @2140
Taiwanese Dessert Meet Fresh
*Celebs endorsing this Taiwanese chain*
Ordered on 28thNov2014


A simple ice shaving dessert with topping like macha/taro(yam) balls, red bean, soft yam and a sugar syrup. Simple delicate and quite refreshing. Somehow even after a full on gastronomy checklist of eats in Fremantle, there's still space for this light desset.
Click here for ABBA location of Taiwanese Dessert Meet Fresh, Meet Fresh, Unit 7a 109 James St, Northbridge WA 6003, Australia
Total spent for travel fees and all eats for the night. 40AUD per pax.

Perth - To Buy 29Nov2014 Corica

Perth - To Stay
Perth - To Do
Perth - To Eat
Perth - To Buy
29Nov2014

Like us on facebook to get the latest updates
Corica
Famous Apple Strudles and Pastries
 

*source from Corica Website*
There is a minimum order of, I think 6 before they will do delivery.

Otherwise, one can make a trip down to North Bridge to look at their wide selection of freshly made pastries as well. A custard and apple layered dessert, between light crispy, sugared puff pastry. It probably the daily reason why many of theirs couldn't loose the weight during the staying stint in Perth. Absolutely delicious and guaranteed and empty box before the night ends.

Monday, November 17, 2014

Milan - To Do (ABBA Contribution 17thNov2014 Frankie Tan Cinque Terre)

Milan - To Stay
Milan - To Do
Milan - To Eat

Milan - To Buy
Milan To Do:
Click here to see our ABBA Travel Facebook page

*ABBA Contribution by Frankie Tan 17Nov2014*

Cinque Terre.
UN Heritage site

Getting There 
- 3-3.5 hours trip via train from Milano Centrale FS depending on the type of trains taken.
- Train schedules are avail online at
www.trenitalia.com.
Alternatively, schedules may be obtained from the concierge at Marriott upon arrival. 


Total spending for myself €19 +€9 train ticket. €35 hotel at Vernazza. Meals typically $15 all in. Snacks and breakfast €5 all in. Shuttle trains €1.80-€2.10 per trip. Park pass €7. Some extra passes to visit lookout tower etc €1.50-€3

A 2 Day 1 Night stay at location is more than sufficient. 
ABBATip:Booking online give best rates and can be as low as €9 each way if booked early. Booking at self service stations near the train boarding cost €27.50 per way. These are 2nd class prices.
There are 5 villages at Cinque Terre namely Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manorola & Riomaggiore. All 5 villages are linked by hiking trails as well as railway. So it is suitable for all.
I recommend taking a train 0810H from Milano to Monterosso arriving at 1107H. Monterosso is the biggest town of the 5 villages. Have lunch and walk around before setting foot on the trial number 2 towards Vernazza.
Trail takes approx 1.5 hours and be warned that the first 25 mins can be tiring. The reward is beautiful views and breeze thereafter. If you have lots of heavy stuff, can consider booking a hotel in Monterosso and leave your stuff there taking a train back later.
ABBA Tip: However based on my asking around. It is most expensive to stay at Monterosso.

Vernazza is the most beautiful among the 5 towns as many says.
Staying in a hotel here cost me €35 cash low season. Hike from here to Corniglia takes approx 1H 20 min.Other towns are smaller as we go. Each has its own characteristics.

There is a Via dell'Amore aka Lovers Alley. Pathed good enough for a stroller to go thru and approx 30 min walk between the 4th and 5th town. However it might be closed due to bad weather for dangers of falling rocks. You will be informed everywhere if it is closed with gate access locked.
I recommend a note stay at Vernazza and take your time to see the stuff and enjoy the atmosphere of the villages instead of rushing back. However, rooms will be more expensive and difficult to obtain in peak season which is between April to October