Chatty Vespa

Chatty Vespa may not be the next 400 Gradi/DOC/Ladro/ [insert-amazing-higher-brow-pizza-place here] but they are certainly causing a stir.

Delivering great quality pizza with a thin crispy base loaded with quality Aussie ingredients, for delivery and takeaway, to the people of Prahran/South Yarra/Toorak/Windsor, Chatty Vespa are a welcome addition to Melbourne’s pizza delivery scene.

We recently ordered in an Italian feast from Chatty Vespa to enjoy at through their delivery service and were pleased that our delivery arrived as scheduled in their GreenBox - a new eco-pizza box which has serving plates and a storage container built right in. 

Boc on baby pizza

Stepping up the stakes on the vegetarian pizza front, this pizza features simple and fresh ingredients. Fresh basil is layered with tangy tomato passata, juicy cherry tomatoes and all brought together by beautiful bocconcini.

Mary Mary pizza 

A tribute to Mediterranean cuisine, this pizza will have your mouth singing. Melt in the mouth and thoroughly flavoursome slow cooked lamb paired with chargrilled marinated eggplant, fior di latte, tomato passata, and finished with fresh rocket and a light drizzle of olive oil.

Stripper chick pizza

The Stripper chick pizza was delicious. The tender pieces of chicken breast were full of flavour. The artichoke hearts added a lovely hint of acidity and sweetness to the pizza. We loved the addition of oregano and fresh parsley.

The carnivore pizza 

Carnivores rejoice! This delicious pizza is served with generous amounts of homemade Italian pork sausage alongside caramelised onions, fior di latte, tomato passata, finished with a sprinkle of goats’ fetta and fresh basil.

We also enjoyed the Chatty pizzas over a bottle of Chatty Cab Shiraz which went down a treat with the delectable pizza selections. 

Currently delivering to Prahran, Windsor, South Yarra, Hawksburn, Armadale and Toorak (or not too further afield for an additional fee), Chatty Vespa is a wonderful and convenient way to experience some delicious pizzas with flavoursome toppings at home. The delivery is available for both lunch and dinner every day! Otherwise dine-in their cosy 20-seater dine-in area or drop in to take away.

Get Chatty Vespa to bring some Italian goodness to your door this week with its delivery service! 

When: Every day 

Where: Prahran / Windsor / South Yarra / Hawksburn / Armadale / Toorak (and areas nearby)

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Chatty Vespa.

Toorak Park development & Café culture in Armadale

Gastrology bloggers explored Armadale courtesy of Toorak Park.

There’s a new property development set to enter Armadale, Toorak Park.

Located at 590 Orrong Road Armadale, beside Toorak Park and next to historic Beatty Avenue and Toorak Railway Station, the 2.5 hectare site will be transformed into a luxury residential precinct of four leafy quarters, comprising 448 luxury apartments and 18 townhouses.

Lend Lease has worked in close partnership with architects Denton Corker Marshall, interior designers Carr Design Group and landscape designers Tract to create a vibrant new neighbourhood that celebrates and adds to the charm of Armadale’s expansive and green streetscape. 

A third of the project will be transformed into open space, featuring communal gardens and direct access to Toorak railway station through a publicly accessible tree-lined boulevard.

Interested buyers can register their interest now by contacting Mark Daymon on 1300 133 015 or online at www.toorakpark.com.au.

The display suite will be open from Saturday, 28 March 2015. Works have commenced on site and the project is due for completion in late 2018.

Apartment size range:

•           One bedroom apartments range in size from 55sqm  to 88sqm

•           Two bedroom apartments range in size from 75 to 107 sqm

•           Three bedroom apartments range in size from 115 to 148 sqm

Armadale's Thriving Cafe Scene

Aside from the superbly crafted designer features of the development, one of the biggest assets of Toorak Park is its location. 

Armadale has everything from elegant restaurants and weekend cafés to recognised brand shopping and specialist designer boutiques and retailers. Last weekend, we explored Armadale’s thriving café culture... 

8 Days Cafe

Location:1184 High St  Armadale

Phone: 03 9500 9711

Link: http://www.8dayscafe.com.au/

8 Days delivers beautiful coffee and delicious food. We loved their fresh breakfast offering.

Their coffee is made from the finest specialty coffees from around the world and the cafe takes pride in implementing best extraction techniques to provide a truly enjoyable coffee experience.

 “Gym junkie” - smoked salmon, sautéed spinach, avocado, poached eggs

Two perfectly poached eggs were succulently seasoned with savoury smoked salmon and accompanied by luxurious avocado and sautéed spinach. In all, this dish was a respectable assembly of breakfast essentials.

12 hour lamb Panini

The 12 hour lamb Panini was a winner. The lamb was beautifully tender and the tomatoes brought a lovely freshness to the Panini. We loved the generous spread of hummus which brought all the elements together in perfect harmony.


---

Forest Green
Location:1264 High St  Armadale

Phone: 03 9509 2325

Link: http://forestgreen.com.au/

Chefs Patrick Craig and Jon Nolan have a fresh, nature inspired space in Armadale, Forest Green.

Offering a seasonal menu which sources the best Victorian organic produce and ingredients the cafe focuses on traditional and contemporary café cuisine.


---

Le Petit Prince

Location: 1A Mercer Rd Armadale

Phone: 03 9824 6404

Link: http://www.lpparmadale.com.au/

A thriving café located off High Street, Le Petit Prince is a dreamy café which is packed to the brim on weekends.

Their menu features exciting breakfast favourites with a twist. A current breakfast favourite is the brekkie egg & pork roll which features Western Plains pork loin, marbled eggs, Asian herbs, kimchi yoghurt and a special Prince ketchup.


---

Coin Laundry
Location: 61 Armadale Street, Armadale
Phone: 03 9500 1888
Link: http://www.coinlaundrycafe.com.au/

Coin Laundry's name pays homage to the good old days of self-service laundries, where people met (and even fell in love) and life was a little simpler. The café has a casual and contemporary interior, dominated by rustic-looking wooden furnishings and light surfaces.

We enjoyed our lunch which was filled with beautiful food that was fresh, delicious and prepared with obvious love and attention. Coin Laundry delights with delicious, honest food, delightful staff and a modern, chic ambience. We truly enjoyed our brunch and cannot wait to return.
---

Woodstock Espresso Bar

Location:1150 High St  Armadale

Phone: 03 9500 1483

Link: http://www.woodstockarmadale.com.au/

Boasting a great atmosphere Woodstock Espresso Bar strives to serve fresh, innovative and healthy food courtesy of head chef and owner, David Vieira’s extensive experience in 5 star hotels all over New Zealand.  

The menu has touches of Spanish and Italian which pays homage to David’s lineage. The café also specialises in fair trade coffee that is produced in-house.

---

Gardiner and Field
Location: 43 Union St  Armadale
Phone: 03 9078 1125
Link: http://www.gardinerandfield.com/

If hipster cafés are your thing, no one does it better in Armadale then Gardiner and Field. 

A quaint little café from the outside with an electric vibe on the inside, the coffee was a definite stand out during our visit.

Our coffees were well made, with a brightness courtesy of the top shelf foundation espresso.  Each came with the requisite rosetta in the milk foam.


---

Cooper and Milla's
Location: 1094 High St  Armadale
Phone: 03 9500 8127
Link: http://www.coopermillas.com.au/

Cooper and Milla’s draws you in with its spectacular display of treats. 

Perfect for dining in or taking away, these guys are best known for their signature salads and sweet baked goods (all made in-house).


---

The Tasting Table Wine Shop
Location: 1219 High Street, Armadale
Phone: 03 9822 6754
Link: http://www.thetasting-table.com.au/

If you’re looking to wine down (literally), Armadale houses an exciting range of wine bars. The Tasting Table Wine Shop is more than your neighbourhood bottle shop. It is a wine bar that sources and sells some of the best local and imported wines that you won’t find elsewhere.

What’s more, you’re allowed to try before you buy as patrons are invited to sample before buying. The Tasting Table Wine Shop practices a try-before-you-buy model, inviting customers to sample their wares before committing to a whole bottle. 


---

Armadale’s celebrated landscape of open space, beautiful gardens and impressive streets and homes makes it a fantastic location where residents can enjoy the local amenities, transport or proximity to the city. We enjoyed spending the day in this leafy inner-city suburb where people live in the heart of a vibrant community whilst enjoying a relaxed suburban lifestyle.  

Dine Hear Cafe Review: Coin Laundry

Location: 61 Armadale Street, Armadale
Phone: 03 9500 1888
Link: http://www.coinlaundrycafe.com.au/
Cuisine: Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch
Overall Impression: 7/10

Coin Laundry's name pays homage to the good old days of self-service laundries, where people met (and even fell in love) and life was a little simpler.

My mum, sister and I decided to brunch at this lovely Armadale cafe before going hunting for my wedding dress just around the corner on High Street. The café has a casual and contemporary interior, dominated by rustic-looking wooden furnishings and light surfaces.

Also lovely, were the wait staff who were warm, friendly and attentive. 

We were presented with beautiful food that was fresh, delicious and prepared with obvious love and attention. 

Overall, Coin Laundry delights with delicious, honest food, delightful staff and a modern, chic ambience. The three of us truly enjoyed our brunch and cannot wait to return. 

How does Coin Laundry sound? 

We visited Coin Laundry for brunch on a Saturday. Even though it was packed to the brim, the sound in the cafe could best be described as the relaxed hum of friends and family welcoming the weekend. The ever present hissing and tapping from the barista working his magic added energy to the ambience. 

How does your favourite restaurant sound? 

Dine Hear is calling all diners & restaurant lovers for a chance to win 1 of 3 iPad minis! 

Do you have a favourite restaurant that would be even better if only you could hear? If so… 

• Tell Dine Hear in 25 words or less why you love your restaurant 
• Rate your restaurant’s sound 

The three most creative answers will win an iPad mini! Entries close 11:59pm AEST on the 31st July 2013. Winners will be notified via phone and email on 1st and 2nd of August.