Frochella @ Ilya Frozen Yogurt

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Ilya.
Ilya Frozen Yohurt features an array of exciting self-serve frozen yogurt flavours at a weigh-and-pay price.

Gastrology recently sampled 15 delectable flavours at Frochella @ Ilya where we enjoyed their organic, 100% natural, and free from refined cane sugar frozen yogurts.
Owners Natasha and Jason left the corporate world to pursue their passion for good food, (that not only tastes good but is good for you), giving back and having fun - enter, Ilya.
The Ilya frozen yogurt shop is built around the social, consumer experience – we loved the comfortable fittings and furniture.
We loved the array of topping options... 
Our favourite topping was the antioxidant goodness which was a delectable blend of yummy goodness including goji, cacao, maca and mixed-berry powder, chia seeds and pepitas.
We sampled 2 menus - Ilya's core and current flavours (menu A) and the new limited edition spring/summer menu (menu B).
One of our favourite items from the core and current flavours was “Flawless” which was quite simply as its name suggested. It was a beautiful coconut frozen yogurt that was made from coconut milk and shredded coconut. 
Another favourite was “Sexy and I know it” which was a chocolate froyo which delivered rich and wholesome flavours and yet managed to be dairy-free, animal friendly and decadently chocolaty.
The new limited edition spring menu boasted a cacophony of interesting flavour combinations.  We absolutely adored “Lana Del Grey” which was an earl grey tea froyo combined with dried cranberries. We loved the marrying of flavours between the tangy earl grey bergamot notes and the similarly sweet and tart cranberries. 
A healthy dessert alternative, Ilya frozen yogurts are proud to be the first and only organic self-serve frozen yogurt in Australia with no cane sugar used in their yogurt base. Made with fresh organic milk, organic Five:AM yogurt, Ilya offers a superior product offering with their yogurt base sweetened with Stevia and Erythitol, setting them apart from the other froyo offerings around town.

Location: 277 Glen Huntly Road, Elsternwick,
Cuisine: Frozen Yogurt

Ilya Frozen Yogurt on Urbanspoon

Spiral Foods Product Reviews: Dip & Toss Pasta Oils | Organic Sugo | Chunky Tapenades

Gastrology bloggers received the products courtesy of Spiral Foods.
Spiral Foods takes the pressure off dinner parties with its versatile new range of Dip & Toss Pasta Oils; Organic Sugo; and Chunky Tapenades.
Spiral Foods products have no added preservatives or flavours and are NONGMO.



Spiral’s Dip & Toss Pasta Oils
Available in Rosemary & Garlic; Sun Dried Tomato & Basil; and Basil & Parmesan, we loved both the aroma and the rich taste of the Dip & Toss Pasta Oils courtesy of being made from fresh herbs, spices and premium quality cold-pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

We enjoyed Spiral’s Dip & Toss Pasta Oils simply used as a dip with crusty fresh bread…
And also enjoyed tossing the oils through our home made pumpkin ravioli…
The oils are very versatile. Their use ranges from being drizzled over pizza for aroma and flavour to being used as a salad dressing.



Organic Sugos
Lovely with fresh pasta, the Sugos were also a delight as a base for a chicken cacciatore dish we had and brilliant with pasta.
The Organic Sugos are available in three varieties: Basil & Garlic, Arrabiata and Primavera. 
Made from plump organic tomatoes and fresh herbs the Organic Sugos are rich, robust, and tempered with the smoothness of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. The Organic Sugos also pair very well with the Dip & Toss Oils, which together, bring a flourish of flavours.



Chunky Tapenades
The Chunky Tapenades are Spiral Foods’ newest range of spreads and are made from roughly chopped olives and premium quality olive oil. The tapenades are available in three varieties: Green Olive; Black Olive; and Muffuletta. The tapenades were bold and full bodied. It was clear that they were made from good quality ingredients. 
The Green Olive tapenade is full of flavour with a hint of capers and chilli, while the Black Olive is bold with the moreish taste of ripe Kalamata olives. The Muffuletta is made from a combination of both green and black olives, with roasted red peppers adding a subtle sweetness.
We loved the tapenades’ homemade taste and appearance. We thought that these tapenades were the perfect appetiser, when accompanied with crunchy bread.


What: Spiral Foods - Dip & Toss Pasta Oils; Organic Sugo; and Chunky Tapenades
Where: Stocked in a range of health food stores, independent suppliers and supermarkets around Australia 

Cafe Review: Magic on Ferrars

Location: 286 Ferrars St South Melbourne
Phone: 0414 991 556   
Link: Facebook
Cuisine: Organic, Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10
A new cafe darling of South Melbourne, Magic on Ferrars is all about exceptional service, coffee and food.

After starting the café 9 months ago, Ashley Kniveton and his wife, Verlyn have devoted all their energy into developing Magic. Bringing dedication and a wealth of professional experience from working in other cafes around Melbourne, the pair have created a delightful, welcoming café with unpretentious dishes and friendly staff.
The menu is reasonably priced, fresh and is underpinned by the ethos that cafes should use seasonal produce sourced from Victoria. The food served by the kitchen ranges from well-loved breakfast favourites to hearty lunch items.
The coffee beans are sourced from award-winning St Ali coffee roasters - a fact not lost on customers who relish in the quality caffeine hit.
The cappuccino contained a perfect layer of silken froth, complete with a flawless rosetta, and tasted terrific.
Your Beautiful Muesli
Organic Muesli with Shulz Yogurt, Fresh Fruit and Poached Apricots

The muesli was a fresh, moist and delicious option. The poached apricots were a beautiful addition.
The Smasher
Meredith Goats Feta Smashed with Fresh Avocado and Free Range Eggs with a dash of Lemon Oil

The two perfectly poached eggs were accompanied by a creamy mash of feta and avocado. It was a simple and delightful dish.
Mother Fritter
Corn and zucchini with a touch of chilli a side of Atlantic Salmon, an egg and some garden salad

The corn fritters had a crunchy golden brown exterior and were succulently sweet - the nuggets of deep fried batter brought pleasure to our taste buds. The smoked salmon was fresh and the egg was expertly poached.
Magic’s big breakfast
Served with egg’s your choice, toast, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, chorizo and avocado

Two perfectly fried eggs were succulently seasoned with rashers of smokey bacon and chorizo. These were accompanied by juicy roasted tomatoes and mushrooms. In all, this dish was a respectable assembly of breakfast essentials.
Magic on Ferrars also offers delectable cakes and baked goods delivered daily by pastry chef Matt Forbes.
Salted Caramel doughnuts
Cherry curd doughnuts

These golden puffs were stunning. Ethereal in texture, the doughnuts were cinnamon-sugar coated and jam-packed with delicious fillings. The salted caramel filling was beautifully creamy and decadent. The cherry filling on the other hand was fragrant, fruity and had the perfect tartness. We had difficulty picking a favourite!
Ashley and Verlyn have certainly brought some magic to South Melbourne. Exceptional service, great food coupled with some of Melbourne's best coffee in a relaxing environment, Magic is a quintessentially Melbourne coffee hot spot.

Magic on Ferrars on Urbanspoon

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Magic.

Waking up to a Yousli Breakfast

Gastrology bloggers joined the Yousli team at their headquarters where we got up close and personal with a brand new brekky that embraces deliciousness and health – the perfect ingredients for a great start to the day.
It all began when Paul Findlay, the creative behind Yousli, was spending too much time in the supermarket aisle trying to find the right cereal blend for him. He was frustrated by the misconception that ‘if it tastes good it must be bad for you’. So, he took things (quite literally) into his own hands by hand-mixing his own muesli creations with the most delicious whole foods he could find.
After nearly six months of tasting and testing with a bunch of his best food loving friends (until they all agreed it was the best muesli they had ever had), Yousli was born. The group paid particular attention to the "crunch profile" of their creations, and having tasted the various blends, we are very glad that they did.

Guided by the Yousli Nutritional Calculator developed by author and nutritionist Arabella Forge, you can create a nutritionally balanced, delicious breakfast combo, hand-mixed to your own unique tastes and preferences.
Once your Yousli blend is ordered online, you can expect it on your doorstep anywhere in Australia within two to five working days. Some lucky Melbournians can even expect same day delivery, with Yousli’s roaming bicycles soon to be hitting the local streets of Melbourne.

We were lucky enough to be invited to Yousli HQ to sample Yousli’s first range of scrumptious pre-made mueslis, as well as the first “Favourite Foodie” release – Shane Delia’s Shameless Delight, washed down with delicious coffee courtesy of St Ali.

There are five pre-made Yousli mueslis on offer…
Gluten Freedom

Gluten Freedom
Utterly delicious, this Yousli blend is made up of puffed quinoa, blueberries, almond slithers, activated buckinis, puffed amaranth, toasted flaked coconut, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, organic currants, zesty barberries & a sprinkle of raw cinnamon. This mix is low in carbs, sodium & a great source of protein & dietary fibre.
Tasting Notes: Light nutty flavours of puffed Quinoa, amaranth, toasted almond slithers and soft creamy toasted coconut are lifted with deep juicy blueberries and currants and activated buckini crunch. A medium level crunch density.
Top: Ginger, Barberry & Macadamia
Bottom: Almond & Sour Cherry

Ginger, Barberry & Macadamia
This delicious ginger blend of creamy roasted macadamia nuts, decadent pistachios, activated buckinis, the warm flavours of ginger spice and the tang of zesty barberries awaken the senses!
Tasting Notes: The subtle, earthy flavours of barley, amaranth, activated buckinis and toasted coconut give way to the rich creaminess of macadamias, followed by small sour pops of barberry, with the naked ginger spice opening up on the finish. Overall a lot to medium level crunch density.
Almond & Sour Cherry
This was Yousli’s original blend which is made up of a delicious mixture of oats, whole grains, plump sour cherries, rolled spelt flakes, activated buckinis, pepitas, chia seeds and the sweet natural flavour of organic currants. The mix is low in salt and a good source of protein and dietary fibre.
Tasting Notes: Organic oats and raw whole grains sit alongside whole dry roasted almonds and deliciously plump sour cherries, finished with a dusting of aromatic cinnamon. A medium to high level crunch density.
Left: Shameless Delight
Right: Sesame Fig & Walnut

Sesame Fig & Walnut
Made from a mixture of luscious dried figs, crispy walnuts, decadent pistachios, organic currants, baked sesame seeds and toasted flaked coconut, this mix is seriously delicious.
Tasting Notes: Whole earthy walnuts, buckwheat grouts and luscious wild figs with raw cinnamon dusted whole grains, organic currant small deep pops and a rich, nutty baked sesame seed finish. A medium to high level crunch density
Shameless Delight
A delicious blend by chef, restaurateur and TV personality Shane Delia, Shameless Delight is a feel-good combo. A Middle Eastern take on breakfast, this Yousli is packed with cinnamon buckinis and quinoa matched with Goji berries, pomegranates and mouth-watering sesame rosewater jellies.
Tasting Notes: Soft, earthy cues of puffed brown rice, quinoa and whole walnuts, with sour bursts and goji berries and chewy pomegranate tang. Cacao nibs add chocolate notes and sesame coated date and fig jelly rosewater on the finish. A low to medium level crunch density.
Of course, if you would prefer to create (and name!) your own breakfast masterpiece, yousli.com.au makes it an incredibly straighforward 3 step process, and allows you to select from a huge range of healthy wholefoods and organic, delicious goodies.

After our tasting of the pre-made muesli, we given the opportunity to do just that!
The first step involves choosing from one of four deliciously simple base blends: Classic, High Fibre, Gluten Free or Cinnamon & Whole Grain.

The second step is to add your favourite Nuts, Seeds and Grains from a long list including Activated Almonds and Buckinis, Pomegranate Seeds, Puffed Quinoa and Amaranth. The final step is to choose your favourite fruits from an exciting array including Barberries, Inca Berries, Figs and Uncrystallised Ginger.
Hand-mixed with quality natural whole foods, Yousli‘s muesli mixes are delicious, healthy and quite honestly, a very exciting new addition to our pantry.

Product Review: Griffiths’ Just Fair Coffee

Just Fair Coffee is a Fairtrade, 100% Australian Certified Organic coffee brand by Griffiths Coffee

Just Fair is the only Fair Trade organic product on the market that comes in a reusable and fully recyclable tin. It also means you can easily store your coffee thanks to a secure lid that locks in freshness and taste. 

Just Fair Coffee is made from organically certified Arabica beans that are sourced from Honduras and Peru and roasted, blended and packed in Melbourne.
The decaffeinated blend is made from organically certified Arabica beans which have undergone the Mountain Water Decaffeination process which is a unique 100 per cent chemical-free process that utilises the clear, pure waters of the Pico de Orizaba and Citlatepetl glaciers in Mexico.

We enjoyed trying the caffeinated blend. The coffee was rich and full-bodied with a smooth cocoa taste, nuttiness and a sweet honey undertone.

Just Fair Coffee’s interactive website allows users to track their coffee beans’ journey, back to the farming co-operative that they originally came from – a brilliant way to explore the Fairtrade initiatives currently being supported with the purchase of Just Fair Coffee.

This brilliant Fairtrade initiative supports farmers by paying farmers and workers a fair price for their work, helping them gain skills and knowledge to develop their businesses in the global economy.

Fairtrade also means farmers and communities can use improved environmental methods and establish democratic associations or cooperatives to start local community development projects from the proceeds of Fairtrade.

As each part of the coffee supply chain is certified. This means the sale of Just Fair Coffee can be tracked and audited so the benefits of Fairtrade get back to the farmer who grew the coffee.
Gastrology bloggers sampled Just Fair Coffee courtesy of Griffiths.

Product Review: Bionade

Bionade is a unique, non-alcoholic, refreshing drink brewed via fermentation of 100% natural and organic raw materials. Bionade is also low in sugar and therefore calories, and contains the minerals calcium and magnesium.

Brewed in the Bavarian town of Ostheim vor der Rhön in Germany, Bionade abides by the same purity laws of German beer and is fermented in a similar way, but does not taste like beer and contains no alcohol.

Now one of the bestselling drinks in Europe, Bionade has recently become available in Australia and Gastrology bloggers jumped at the chance to taste Bionade and see what all the fuss is about!

And the verdict? Bionade is a winner. Bionade refreshes in a very special way that we have not encountered with regular carbonated beverages - tart, refreshing and with the perfect level of sweetness to delight a more mature palate.

In Australia, Bionade is available in 4 flavours - Ginger-Orange, Elderberry, Herbs and Lychee. The fermentation process is the key to Bionade's unique flavour. This biological transformation and maturation process makes for a beverage that is not sweet, rather it is tangy and fruity.

Bionade is built on the philosophy of providing “good refreshment”. The brand is well on its way to internationalisation and is a fantastic alternative to regular soft drinks which are packed full of sugar and artificial nasties.

We now understand why Europe has gone crazy for this uniquely refreshing, organic beverage and will be stocking up for summer!

Gastrology bloggers received the product courtesy of Bionade.

Product Review: Spiral Foods Organic Coconut Sweet Spread

Australia’s leading supplier of quality Traditional Foods, Spiral Foods has released a coconut spread. 
Spiral Foods Organic Coconut Sweet Spread is 100 percent certified organic, has no artificial colours or flavours, and boasts the versatility to act as a spread, a topping, a sugar substitute or even just a sneaky spoonful snack.

The coconut spread is made entirely of coconut that has been crushed in a way that creates a paste, which is then blended with the nectar from the coconut flower. Coconut oil has been proven to reduce hunger, aid in weight loss, have powerful medicinal properties and is rich in lauric acid. 

Taste: 
Upon tasting the spread on some Rustica bread, we found the coconut taste just beautiful. It spreads like butter and melts in your mouth like chocolate. The richness of the flavour is surprising, as is the sweetness. We loved this richness in taste and texture.

Ingredients: 
Organic coconut, organic extra virgin coconut oil, organic coconut nectar. 

Shelf life: 
Two years 

Packaging: 
350g glass jar 

What to use it with: 
If you are constantly craving butter or cream cheese, this is a much healthier alternative. We liked it especially on homemade bread, or organic crispbread. Spiral’s Coconut Spread is perfect for the pantry as an alternative or as an add on to your other spreads. You can smooth and melt it on crumpets or pancakes instead of using maple syrup, as a sandwich filling, or on toast. 

Verdict: 
For those avoiding dairy products or simply wanting to try something different, this is a great alternative. While it still contains quite a lot of fat and calories, it uses higher quality organic ingredients. The coconut oil it contains is also associated with a ton of health benefits.

Gastrology bloggers received the product courtesy of Spiral Foods

Cafe Review: Snow Pony

Location: 95 Whitehorse Road,  Deepdene (Balwyn)
Phone: 03 9816 8911
Link: http://www.snowpony.com.au/
Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch, Modern Australian, Organic
Overall Impression: 5.5/10
Snow Pony is a trendy little café in Balwyn.

The menu features brunch and lunch items alongside a few sweets (of particular note is their famous banana bread with coffee mascarpone and crushed pistachios).
Spiced roasted cauliflower, chickpeas and organic quinoa salad with almonds and feta
Slow cooked shoulder of lamb with carrot and mint salad, harissa dressing, grilled flatbread
While the food is generally of a good standard, the service can range from friendly to downright rude which is a real pity. 

Snow Pony on Urbanspoon

Eat the Australian Coat of Arms for Australia Day!

R and I tasted the most Australian of all burgers today at Grill’d...
To celebrate Australia Day, Grill’d has created the world’s first ‘Coat of Arms’ burger (that we know of) allowing hungry Australians to eat their national emblem.


The unique burger features a delicious blend of lean kangaroo and emu, along with a host of other premium Australian-sourced ingredients - including award-winning Meredith Dairy goats cheese, bush tomato relish, quandongs (which are a unique native Australian fruit) and native thyme mayo. 

As is the norm at Grill’d, the Coat of Arms burger is created using the best quality ingredients and we are glad to report that it tastes spectacular! 
The burger has well balanced flavours. The kangaroo and emu pattie is tender and juicy (and only contains 1% fat). The goats cheese is luxurious and decadent. The tartness from the fresh beetroot brings about the perfect hint of acidity. And then there are the quandongs – what a lovely addition! The quandongs are uniquely sweet with distinct herbal flavours that complement the creamy thyme mayo. This is certainly a burger that celebrates Australia.
To try the new ‘Coat of Arms’ burger you’ll need to get down to Grill’d on Little Bourke Street (as it is the only Grill’d restaurant in Victoria serving this new Aussie burger) between the 19th to the 31st of January and be one of the first 50 people to order it on any one of those days! For more information check out: http://www.grilld.com.au/coa.

Special thanks to Paul from Grill’d for his hospitality, and for enthusiastically explaining the interesting concept behind the burger. 


Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Grill’d.
Grill'd Healthy Burgers on Urbanspoon

Cafe Review: BrimCC Organic Soup and Japanese cafe

Location:601 Little Collins Sreet,  Melbourne
Phone: 03 9614 5316
Cuisine: Japanese, Organic, Soups
Overall Impression: 7/10
Oddly named “BrimCC”, we were told by the smiling staff that “Brim” comes from their soup cups always being filled to the brim which leads to customer happiness and “CC” varies in meaning depending on the seasons. In winter, “CC” stands for Chunky and Cosy and in summer, “CC” stands for Cool and Colourful.
Advocates of organic produce, BrimCC have led the way for a healthy focus on organic eats whilst sticking to their Japanese tradition.
Beef and curry rice
The service is sincere and although the queues are long, the wait is always kept to a minimum with staff member that works with Germanic efficiency.  
Vegetarian Cauliflower soup

The café originally only served soups and sushi rolls but the menu has now expanded to include a larger range of Japanese delights. 
BrimCC is a lovely venue for a casual lunch that is deliciously organic, hearty and healthy.

BrimCC Organic Soup and Japanese cafe on Urbanspoon