Aroma Small Plates & Wine (Review)

For our next culinary adventure, we found ourselves at Aroma Small Plates & Wine, a modest restaurant nestled in an old Victorian house in Centretown. Specializing in Greek cuisine, Aroma boasts an intimate and casual atmosphere with an extensive, yet moderately priced menu. As evidenced by its name, this Greek eatery features an array of small plates and tapas of authentic and innovative fare, which are best shared amongst a group.

When we first arrived, we were kindly greeted by our waitress, who sat us at a round table by the fireplace in the front room. The cozy and familiar setting of the house instantly made us feel welcomed, much like we were attending a friend’s dinner party.

Tzatziki & Spanikomizithra

As first-timers, our informative waitress explained the menu and suggested ordering between 6 to 8 dishes, a few from each category on the menu. The categories included: The Dips, From the Garden, From the Sea and From the Earth. There was also a dessert category, which was fittingly named Sweet Conclusions. But before making any rash decisions, we perused the elaborate menu and then settled on 7 dishes, which were served sequentially throughout the evening.

All of the plates were designed for two people, but could be easily adjusted to accommodate the size of the party. As a group of four, our prices were simply doubled. To begin our meal, we went with two dips: Tzatziki ($5) and Spanikomizithra ($5). The classic Tzatziki and the Spanikomizithra dip, made of Mizithra cheese, spinach, roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, and almonds, were served with warm pita, which was generously refilled. The Spanikomizithra was delicious and a great way to start our culinary experience.

Next up were the Dolmades ($12). Grape leaves stuffed with extra lean halal ground beef, dill, rice and avgolemono sauce were tasty and extremely satisfying. From there, we were served the Arancini ($15), which were Arborio rice balls stuffed with mozzarella and squid ink, and coated in breadcrumbs. While the tomato sauce and zesty aioli accompaniments were tasty, the Arancini missed the mark. They lacked the traditional crispy exterior and were quite sparing on the cheese. Unfortunately, they tasted bland and we were unimpressed.

Dolmades ($12)

Arancini ($15)

However, our taste buds were delighted with our next dish…the Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16). Perfectly cooked soft dough dumplings were drizzled in a creamy gorgonzola sauce and topped with wild mushrooms, roasted garlic and goat cheese. We all agreed that this was by far the best dish of the night. The rich flavours and interesting textures skyrocketed this plate to the front of the pack. The Gnocchi is definitely a must-try for any Aroma patron.

Gorgonzola Gnocchi ($16)

Seared Haloumi ($14)

At this point, we were starting to get full, but we had to make room for three more dishes! As cheese lovers, our next two dishes featured different types of Greek cheese. First, we were served the Seared Haloumi ($14), a semi-hard brine-cured cheese from Greece. Normally, I absolutely adore Haloumi. I love the distinctive layered texture and subtle flavor of this cheese. However, this time, the toppings ruined it for me. The combination of fennel, onion, mint and honey compote did not work.

Luckily, our next cheese plate made up for it. We went with the Saganaki ($14), a pan-seared Greek cheese served in a cast-iron skillet. After being fried, the cheese was flambéed at the table, and the flames were then extinguished with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. The cheese was scrumptious and provided that melt-in-your-mouth sensation.

Saganaki ($14)

Finally, to finish off the meal, we went with the Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20). Large dates were stuffed with gorgonzola cheese, topped with pan-seared foie gras and deglazed with Marsala and spicy gingered candied walnuts. It was the perfect combination of sweet and salty, and the perfect way to end our Greek feast.

Madjool Stuffed Dates ($20)

Other dishes that passed our table that looked equally delicious include the Fish Tacos, served with coleslaw, tomatoes, coconut, cilantro, lime and jalapeno aioli ($24), and the Beetroot Towers, slow roasted beetroot wheels layered with garlic yogurt and topped with micro greens, roasted chopped walnuts and balsamic reduction ($14).

Overall, Aroma left us extremely satisfied; a combination of efficient staff, a relaxing ambience and high-quality Greek cuisine makes for a thoroughly recommendable dining experience.

Verdict: 7.5/10 – tasty authentic Greek tapas, but a few dishes missed the mark

Hours: Monday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm; Friday from 11:30 am to 2:00 pm, 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm; Saturday from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Price: Small plates range from $5-$13 (2 person portion sizes)

Aroma Small Plates and Wine, 239 Nepean Street, Ottawa, ON
www.aromameze.com

Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern (Review)

As you know by now, we love to celebrate birthdays with a fabulous meal, and so Lola’s birthday celebration this past week was no different. We headed to the Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern in the burgeoning Hintonburg neighbourhood. Open since 1934, this 81-year old Hintonburg fixture has seen several ownership changes, the latest of which occurred in 2013 when it was taken over by the Whalesbone Oyster House and remade as a seafood restaurant.

Since its reinvention, we passed by this restaurant on a few occasions, although it never made it on our ‘must-try’ list. But as fanatic lovers of oysters, Lola finally recommended that we check it out, and so we did!

The restaurant continues to rock the familiar, warm atmosphere of the former tavern, with its minimalist, rustic decor, dim lighting and friendly staff. However, the menu has completely transformed, with a focus on top-notch sustainable seafood.

When we first arrived, we were warmly greeted by our jovial waiter, who we quickly came to call ‘Charlie Day’, for both his sense of humour and uncanny resemblance to the actor. Without delay, he brought us some cold beverages, and then helped guide us through the menu, which consisted of various fresh seafood dishes, served raw, cured, smoked or fried, and other mouth-watering delicacies.

We decided to order a bunch of smaller plates to share, so that we could experience as much of this delicious food as possible! Of course, we had to start with the Oysters on the Half Shell (12 oysters for $35). A tray of pristine, assorted oysters was served with a slew of sauces and garnishes, including fresh horseradish, mignonette and cocktail sauce, and array of other local hot sauces. The oysters were fresh and of top quality.

Oysters on the Half Shell (12 for $35)

Served alongside the oysters was the house bread and butter, which was totally addictive...whipped in-house burnt butter served with first-class sourdough bread. It was truly delicious! But we had to refrain from asking for a refill, as we had a lot more on the menu to taste!

Next up were the Saltfish Fritters ($16), which we were told were a must-try. Five fried fish battered balls were served with tomato sofrito and other delectable, but unknown sauces. This dish was completely on point and certainly did not miss the mark. We quickly understood why this was a crowd pleaser!

Saltfish Fritters ($16)

After that, we went with the Albacore Tuna Crudo topped with pickled pineapple, pork rind, sweet soy and Thai basil ($21), as well as the Mussels, which were served in a curry sauce consisting of coconut milk, kaffir lime, peanut and basil ($17). The tuna was succulent and tasty, as were the mussels. The combination of flavours in both dishes was bang on.

Albacore Tuna Crudo ($21)

Mussels ($17)

We decided to finish off the meal with the Angus Beef Tartar ($18), which the waiter raved was the best in town. It was served in a miso mayo with shallots, herb and egg yolks, accompanied by a few pieces of crostini (which we obviously got topped up). Again our waiter did not disappoint. Hands down, this was the best Beef Tartar that we have ever had. To sum it up, it was heaven in our mouths.

Angus Beef Tartar ($18)

The menu also had three tantalizing dessert options, however, by that point, we were way too full to indulge. So we decided to call it a night. Overall, this was one of my favourite meals I’ve had in a very long time. The food completely surpassed my expectations. The only real disappointment of the night was that they ran out of the Scallop Ceviche. But this just means that we have an excuse to return! Next time, we will coincide our visit with one of their regular live music performances, whether it be DJ spun dance music, duelling pianos or a local artist.

Verdict:  9.5/10 – fresh, delicious seafood served by friendly staff in a cozy atmosphere

Hours: Monday-Tuesday 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Wednesday & Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Price: Smaller items $12-$20, bigger plates $12-$29

Elmdale Oyster House and Tavern, 1084 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON
www.elmdaletavern.com

Occo Kitchen - Orleans (Review)

If you've seen the movie Chef, you already know where this blog post is going. Owner and Chef Mark Steele has spent the majority of his career working with upscale establishments such as the Fairmont, Hilton Hotels, and Marriott. Working as an executive chef for so many years, Steele decided that it was finally time to find his place back in the centre of the kitchen creating his own menus, making delicious food from scratch and having daily interactions with his satisfied clients.

Occo Kitchen has only been in operation for a number of weeks, but is already the talk of the town. Located in the heart of Orleans, Occo is a much needed hot spot for this growing suburb. Their menu is small in size but not in flavour, and everything is made from scratch. The menu features house made Salads, Fish n Chips, Poutine, Sandwiches, Burgers and Tacos.

We've already visited Occo a couple of times, so we've been lucky enough to try most of the items on their menu. Our favourite dishes consist of the Candied Bacon LT, the Fish Tacos, the Garlic Herb Fries, the Eggplant Parm Burger (for the veggie lovers), and the Caesar Salad. The fresh ingredients are unmistakable, as is the love and passion that Chef Steele puts into every dish he makes.

If you're in the mood for a gourmet comfort burger and fries, there are a few to choose from - from the classic burger to a whopping 1lb burger stacked high with fresh toppings. The classic fish taco and BLT are also a hit among the regulars (me included) and a recommended favourite for your first trip.

If you're trying to stay on the healthy side, the Hostyle Steak Salad is a must - it's piled high with AAA cord fed Striploin and served on your choice of salad.

Eggplant Parm Burger and Heirloom Salad

Garlic and Herb Fries

Tacos

Candied Bacon LT

Since we have already visited Occo three delicious times before being able to write this post - we can't rave enough about this wonderful new and local establishment. You will be missing out on true culinary mastery if you don't visit Occo soon!

Verdict: 10/10

Hours: Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm daily

Price: Salads $8-$16; Fries & Poutine from $3.50-$8; Tacos $4.50; Main dishes from $9-$16

Occo Kitchen, 3018 St Joseph Blvd. Orleans, ON
www.occokitchen.com 

The Savoy Brasserie (Review)

In honour of Lola’s mother’s birthday, we ventured to the Savoy Brasserie in the heart of beautiful Westboro. Much like its sister restaurant – the Metropolitain Brasserie – the Savoy features classic French dishes, fresh seafood, as well as a raw bar. The vibe and décor is on par with a typical French bistro, which brings a sophisticated French twist to a traditional pub.

High pressed-metal ceilings, huge windows and creamy yellow walls are enhanced by an intricate tiled floor, mirrors and globe pendant lights. Seating varies between high and low banquettes and booths, including plenty of room at the large zinc bar. The restaurant is very bright and inviting and we immediately felt comfortable and welcomed.

Unfortunately the service was on the slow side, but our waiter was friendly and competent, and I suppose this only added to the French charm.

We were lucky enough to drop by on a Sunday, which is known as ‘Champagne Sunday’ due to its specials on champagne and sparkling wine. We obviously had to take advantage of this and we ordered the Prosecco Di Conegliano for half off! This was certainly a good start!

Our other dining companions ordered an assortment of wine from their comprehensive wine list, which features a nice blend of old and new wines, available by the glass, half-carafe or bottle.

Prosecco / Bread & Butter

To start, we were served complimentary bread and butter (something I believe that all restaurants should do). The bread was served cold with plain butter, just as it would be in a traditional French bistro. We took advantage of several ‘top ups’ as we enjoyed our various dishes.

Next, we all chose to share an assortment of hors d’oeuvres. As per usual, their extensive menu made choosing very difficult. But in the end, we chose the Fried Calamari with lemon dill yogurt sauce ($13), the Raclette with smoked duck breast, cornichon, and cocktails onions ($14), the Fondant de Camembert baked in puff pastry with caramelized onions and cranberry walnut preserve ($14), and a dozen oysters ($12).

All of the hors d’oeuvres were tasty and enjoyable (and honestly speaking, we probably could have stopped there…especially after all of that bread!) The only real complaint was that the Raclette was served on a plate already melted, instead of on a typical raclette grill.

Following the apps, we were then presented with our elaborately prepared main dishes. Between all of us, we tried a wide range of their entrées, including Beef Bourguignon ($25), Cast Iron Seared Steak au Poivre ($30), Braised Wild Boar ($25), Baked Seafood St. Jacques ($27), Nicoise Salad ($20), and Bouillabaisse ($25).

The Beef Bourguignon, paired with mushrooms, pearl onions and red wine demi-glace, was served over buttered pappardelle. The dish had a fine depth of flavour, and certainly lived up to the meltingly tender ideal.

Beef Bourguignon ($25)

The Cast Iron Seared Steak au Poivre was drizzled with a green peppercorn cream sauce and served with sweet potato planks. The huge portion of steak was cooked perfectly, as well as the fries, which had crisp exteriors and fluffy interiors and were salted and paired with a rich garlicky aioli.

Cast Iron Seared Steak au Poivre ($30)

The Braised Wild Boar was marinated in a maple brandy sauce and served with fondant potatoes and brussel sprouts with bacon. The boar was succulent, flavourful and very tender. No complaints, except that it was very filling!

Braised Wild Boar ($25)

The Baked Seafood St. Jacques was an indulgent, rich meal of creamy mashed potatoes with scallops, shrimp, mussels and crab, topped with Mornay sauce and Gruyere. The dish was very rich and delicious, but it could have used some vegetables.

Baked Seafood St. Jacques ($27)

The Nicoise Salad was served with albacore tuna, kalamata olives, boiled egg, green beans, radish, fingerling potatoes, tomato and anchovies. While it was a nice light choice, it certainly did not stand out in comparison to the other hearty dishes.

Nicoise Salad ($20)

Finally, the Bouillabaisse, which was my entrée, was a plentiful serving of seafood, including mussels, shrimp, scallops and fish, in a tomato saffron fennel broth, topped with a rouille-topped crostini. The broth was very appealing and I enjoyed the dish immensely!

Bouillabaisse ($25)

Overall, we were quite pleased with our food, and the entire culinary experience!

While we enjoyed Sunday night dinner, the Savoy is also known for its breakfast, brunch and lunch menus. In addition, Friday nights are famous for oyster shucking and live music!

Verdict: 9/10 - reasonably priced casual French bistro that serves generous portions of tasty French dishes

Hours: Sunday 9 a.m. to midnight; Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Price: Mains $15 to $35

The Savoy Brasserie, 334 Richmond Road, Ottawa, ON
www.savoybrasserie.com

Black Cat Bistro (Review)

Black Cat Bistro, located in the heart of Little Italy, has been on everyone’s top restaurant list for several years now. Unfortunately, Lola and I were a little behind the times, and we only just had a chance to try it out last weekend. But we’re sure glad we did! This modern French bistro was unique in both design and menu, and was instantly inviting from the moment we walked in. A simple, yet fresh design welcomes patrons into the space and creates a lovely ambience.

We were seated at a table by the window, which had with a great view of the hustle and bustle on Preston Street. Also, unlike many restaurants where you have to wait forever to get service, our server greeted us right away, happily introduced himself and filled our water glasses. Our experience was off to a good start!

From there, we decided to wet our beaks with something from the Black Cat cellar, and so we went with a Sauvignon Blanc. As we sipped our French wine, we perused the classic, yet creative menu, which is divided between first courses and mains. The menu boasts a variety of traditional French fare with a modern twist, and all dishes are made in house with fresh, local ingredients.

Napa Cabbage Roll ($22)

We started off the evening right with a cheese plate for $18, which consisted of three different cheeses, brioche, pickled rhubarb, almonds and honey. We had sampling of the Belle Marie, which is a soft, cow cheese with natural rind, as well as the Mouton Noir, a semi-firm goat cheese, and the Castello, a semi-firm blue cheese. The Castello was by far our favorite, which paired quite nicely with the honey. Our server was also not stingy with the brioche, and quickly brought us some more once we finished the first serving. (Unfortunately, we dug in before we had a chance to take a picture!)

Usually, Lola and I have a very difficult time deciding on what to order (as we usually want everything on the menu), but that night I quickly made my choice. Since I love all Ukrainian-inspired cuisine, I ordered the Napa Cabbage Roll for $22. It was stuffed with Thai scented basmati rice, scallions, wild mushrooms, spinach, tomato jam, carrots, ginger and yuzu sesame broth. Even though the dish was meatless, I was thoroughly satisfied with my selection and it definitely hit the spot. The flavours were rich and tasty, and it left me feeling comfortably full.

Cornish Hen ($28)

Lola, on the other hand, wavered back and forth between the Artic Char (served with scallops, tomato fennel saffron broth, lentils, carrot ribbons and crispy leeks for $30), and the Cornish Hen for $28. In the end, the server persuaded her to go with the Cornish Hen, which would more thoroughly satisfy her big appetite. It was indeed a very good helping of bacon-wrapped hen, which was artfully displayed on the plate and served with asparagus, tomatoes and roasted potatoes in a braised sauce. The hen was cooked to perfection – juicy and succulent – and was certainly not overcooked.

By this point, our wine had run dry, and we were quite thirsty for a new libation. The drink menu had several signature cocktails, one of which of was a twist on the classic Mojito, which is what we went for! It was light and refreshing, with the perfect amount of mint.

Crème Brulée ($9)

Now, the meal would not be complete without something sweet to end the evening. So we ordered the traditional Crème Brulée for $9 and the Macarons for $5 to share. The Crème Brulée was heavenly and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! The French Macarons, on the other hand, were probably the only negative part of the whole culinary experience. The Macarons consisted of a passion fruit ganache sandwiched between two chocolate, Oreo-type meringues. The combination of sweet and fruity did not go together, and it did not live up to my high expectations for Macarons.

But aside from the Macarons, we had a great experience at the Black Cat – great food, great service and a great ambience! We were even lucky enough to catch a fireworks display in the distance that was going on at Dow’s Lake for the Tulip Festival.

Macarons ($5)

Verdict: 9/10 – an indulgent and tasty culinary experience with phenomenal service!

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday - 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm; Friday & Saturday - 5:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Price: First courses range from $9-$18; Mains range from $22-$33

Black Cat Bistro, 428 Preston Street, Ottawa, ON
www.blackcatbistro.ca

The Best of Australian Cuisine

Last month, Lola and I were fortunate enough to travel to the land down under. As we toured around the great Australian continent, we enjoyed an assortment of interesting and delectable cuisine.

Although food is not cheap in Australia, this didn't stop us from trying all that Australia has to offer. As a land with a wide variety of cuisines, it is truly a culinary heaven for foodies at heart!

While Australian cuisine finds its base in the traditional style of British cooking, seafood and Asian fare is also quite popular. We also came to learn that Australians love morning and afternoon tea, which consists of not only tea, but a spread of fruit, cookies and cake – a custom that Lola and I were quick to adopt. We also fell in love with many of their infamous dishes and traditional foodstuffs that pop culture has come to associate with the identity of this incredible country.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite dishes and food items, as well as some other traditional and iconic Australian fare.

Meat Pies

Pies, pies and more pies!! Individual meat pies have invaded the Australian culinary scene. You haven’t truly experienced Australian cuisine unless you've eaten a meat pie. More than once. The flaky package that contains this guilty pleasure is the epitome of Australian food.

The meat pie, which typically consists of minced beef in gravy, enclosed in a baked flaky pastry shell, is a well-known take away item in Australia. Popular variants include steak, onion, potato, curry and pepper.

Our favourite pie joint was definitely Pie Face, where we enjoyed our fair share of hot pies over the course of our trip.

Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are another popular take away item. Sold at most bakeries and pie establishments, Australian sausage rolls closely rival meat pies. Australia undoubtedly leads the way in modern adaptations of the simple sausage roll, which typically consists of sausage meat wrapped in pastry and oven-baked to perfection. 

Lola and I often reverted to the delicious and cheap sausage roll for our lunchtime meal.

Fish and Chips

Australia has some of the best seafood in the world and that means you’re almost guaranteed fresh fish, served with salt and lemon, wrapped in yesterday’s newspaper.

Lola and I were lucky enough to enjoy the best fish and chips of our lives at Maddigan’s Seafood shop in Hervey Bay. Fresh Barramundi fish was crumb-coated and prepared right on the spot and served with thick-cut seasoned fries. The fish and chips were tasty, filling and utterly satisfying. We developed a great love for Australian ‘chips’, making it hard for us to return to the typical thin American French fries. 

Chicken Parmigiana

An Italian name, but a bona fide Australian pub classic, the parmigiana started as an eggplant dish in Italy and has since evolved into a chicken schnitzel topped with an Italian-inspired tomato sauce, ham or prosciutto and melted cheese. A perfect marriage.

We enjoyed this heavenly dish at a local pub in Sydney, which was paired nicely with chips. Another wonderful union.

Prawns

Along with fish, prawns have become a sought after food source in Australia. King Prawns and Tiger Prawns are the most popular prawns and are enjoyed by many Australians alike.

While visiting Perth, we had the opportunity to go on a traditional Australian picnic, where we were served an abundance of prawns. Our Australian hosts graciously showed us how to properly peel and devein a prawn, allowing us to devour an unhealthy amount of these delightful crustaceans. 

Smashed Avo

I have finally discovered the best breakfast ever!! Smashed avo, as the Australians call it, is simply divine. Half a ripe avocado is smashed onto a thick piece of multigrain toast, seasoned with salt, pepper and chili flakes, and topped with a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. Not only is it creamy and crunchy, but it’s also very filling and satisfying. 

Variations of this creation include feta, cilantro and a poached egg.

Kangaroo, Emu & Crocodile

We couldn’t leave Australia without tasting some of their indigenous meat, and kangaroo meat may be the most Australian food there is. Endemic to Australia, wild kangaroos yield healthy meat that is low in fat and cholesterol, and high in protein, iron and zinc. While we thought that kangaroo would be tough, it was actually very lean and quite tasty.

We also tried emu, which is Australia’s largest endemic bird. Like kangaroos, they are also very low in fat. It was served to us in the form of a sausage, and again it was appetizing, but not as good as kangaroo.

What did trump kangaroo, however, was crocodile. Crocodile meat is fair and white in colour, and very tasteful. Its’ taste reminded us of chicken, but with much more flavour. If you ever get a chance to try it, we highly recommend it!

Pad Thai

Australian cuisine has been significantly influenced by South East Asian cuisines. Chinese and Thai food, in particular, has successfully permeated the Australian culinary scene, and now virtually every town and suburb has a Chinese and a Thai restaurant. So you can imagine that it was quite easy to find a delicious plate of Pad Thai, maybe one of the best I’ve ever had. 

Pavlova

Australia and New Zealand have shared rivalries for years, and the pavlova’s origin is another to add to the list. Both countries claim to have invented the dish in honor of Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova when she visited Australasia in the 1920s.

Pavlova is a popular meringue-based dessert that has a crisp crust and a soft, light inside. It’s often topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit.

We were fortunate enough to try some homemade pavlova at our friend’s house in Perth. This lovely dessert was baked to perfection and melted in my mouth!

Australian Cookies (Anzac, Mint Thins, Tim Tams)

As I previously mentioned, Australians love morning and afternoon tea, which is often accompanied by an assortment of cookies. Some of our favourites include Anzac biscuits, Mint Slices and Tim Tams. 

Associated with Anzac Day on April 25th, the biscuit is a crunchy commemoration of the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought in World War I. It's Australian food with a back story. Anzac biscuits are generally made from rolled oats, golden syrup and desiccated coconut.

Mint Slices are an Aussie favourite. A biscuit and a mint layer is coated with creamy chocolate. These cookies are both sweet and refreshing at the same time. For those who remember Girl Guide cookies, they definitely have a similar taste.

Finally, Tim Tams are by far the most infamous Australian treat. The much-loved chocolate biscuit is made up of two layers of chocolate-malted biscuit, separated by a light cream filling and coated in a thin layer of textured chocolate. Flavours include original, chewy caramel, double coat, classic dark, white, Turkish delight, salted caramel, mint, honeycomb and chocolate vanilla. 

Good news Ottawa…Tim Tams are available in most grocery stores around the city! However, the selection is not as diverse as those sold in Australia.

Next time you pick some up, try the Tim Tam Slam! Simply bite off both ends of the Tim Tam, dunk it in your tea or coffee, suck, and then devour the melted treat. Simply delicious!
Vegemite

Well we couldn’t write an article about Australian food without mentioning Vegemite. It is probably the most iconic Australian foodstuff. Vegemite is a black-colored paste used as a spread on bread, sandwiches, as well as crackers. It is known to be a rich source of Vitamin B and is basically made from a byproduct of beer brewing, yeast extract. It has a smooth but sticky texture and is slightly bitter to taste.

When we tried vegemite for the first time, the taste was too strong for our liking. However, our Australian friends said that the flavor grows on you eventually, especially if you mask it in a thick layer of butter!

So this concludes our post on Australian cuisine. As you can see, Australia has much to offer when it comes to food, much to the detriment of our waistlines. If you have yet to go, start planning your adventure down under. There is nothing like Australia! Go and see for yourself and experience some delicious Aussie food while you’re at it!!