EAT | MOTHER'S BISTRO (Portland, Oregon)

Homely, hearty food just like Mom would make. Lisa Schroeder is at the helm of Mother's Bistro, a bright and cheery bistro on Stark Street. We sat at the bar and ordered a comforting breakfast with a mandatory Bloody Mary. You won't be blown away with culinary genius but sometimes a little simplicity and wholesome cooking is all you need.

Mother’s Famous Bloody Mary | house-infused pepper & jalapeño vodka with our secret bloody concoction

Eggs benedict 

Omelete de Jour

Stuffed with seasonal vegetables

☕️☕️ | COMMON GROUND (Central, Hong Kong)

Common Ground is part slow-paced cafe, part indie design store, with a wellness skewed menu. Set on the steep hills in 'PoHo', this eclectic little coffee joint features upcycled furniture and has coffee loves spilling out on to the stairs enjoying some of Central's finest. Grab a coffee and enjoy people watching.

EAT | MEDINA (Vancouver, Canada)

When hunting for breakfast joints in Vancouver, Medina kept popping up on the list. Take a trip to sunnier shores with a Mediterranean style brunch.  Favourites include spicy Moroccan lamb meatballs, tagine and paella. Interesting cocktails and waffles take breakfast to the next level. Head in early to avoid the lines.

Waffles

Liege Style Waffle 

With the one true topping...

swimming in maple syrup 

Les Boulettes | Poached eggs, spicy Moroccan lamb meatballs, roasted pepper, black olive and tomato stew, raita, grilled focaccia 

Moroccan Maria | Reposado tequila, fresh tomato juice, celery bitters, fresh lime juice, house spice mix, pickles

Wolves Breakfast | house cured peameal bacon, smoked medina bacon, parisienne a l'ail, andouille and merguez sausage

Tagine | Poached eggs, spicy merguez sausage, seasonal vegetables, stew of chickpeas, black olives and preserved lemon 

Paella | sunny egg, orzo, spicy chorizo, seasonal vegetables, grana padano, avocado and spicy charred tomato salsa

EAT 🍝 | ASK FOR LUIGI (Downtown Eastside, Vancouver, Canada)

I couldn't imagine anywhere else to enjoy our last meal in Vancouver. I mean we've been solidly eating for 21 days straight.. why not fill up on pasta? 

Ask for Luigi is a little off the beaten track in Downtown Eastside. Pasta steals the show and co-owner and chef J.C. Poirier has a legion of fans. You'll find them waiting in line as you line up behind to nab your table. Handmade fresh pasta, Luigi's meatballs and olive oil cake are an absolute must. Seriously good food and worth the wait.

Luigi's meatballs

Crispy bucatini and fontina crocchette

Saffron penne, mussels, clams and leeks

Olive oil cake

EAT | PEAKED PIES (Vancouver & Whistler, Canada)

Whistler may be a mighty strange place to find an Aussie meat pie, although judging by the amount of Australians enjoying the snow... perhaps not. Peaked Pies is the lovechild of Australian born Kerri and Canadian local Alex. You'll find homemade pies in all kinds of flavours, good coffee and sweets in the heart of the Olympic village. 

Update April 2017: Fast becoming a cult, Peaked Pies has now opened a second location in Vancouver's West End. Delivering deep-crusted, delicious flaky pies all hours of the day.

🥐🥐 | PO'S ATELIER (Tai Ping Shan, Hong Kong)

Po's Atelier is a boutique bakery focusing on artisan breads and sweet treats. Oh that divine aroma of baking wafting through the air... bliss! From baguettes to brioche, palmiers to madelines and all sorts of pastry and wonder. Enjoy it fresh outta the oven and don't forget to take some back to your hotel for later.

EAT | TACO FINO (Gastown, Vancouver)

From humble beginnings slinging Mexican street eats from a food truck in the beachside town of Tofino. Taco Fino is now the stuff of legends with four locations and two trucks hittin' the road. Casual eats with swagger. Don't forget to try the Burrito Bar. 

EAT | INDUSTRY BEANS (Fitzroy, Melbourne)

Set on the corner of Rose Street in Fitzroy, Industry Beans is fast becoming one of my go-tos.   

Apparently bacon and eggs is the 'world's best breakfast' (cough *boring). I beg to differ. 

Crispy Beans and Quinoa served with chilli pickle, avocado. tomato, poached egg and cured salmon.  

That egg porn. 

EAT | RUSTICA SOURDOUGH (Fitzroy, VIC)

Since 2012, baker Brenton Lang has been creating artisan breads baked using traditional sourdough techniques in Fitzory. Rustica Sourdough has become an institution and now boasts four locations across Melbourne. Head in for brunch and leave with a big bag of baked delights. 

EAT | ONE DIM SUM 點心 (Hong Kong)

When you see the line it’s hard to believe One Dim Sum was once a low-key dim sum joint. But with a Michelin Star and plenty of press, it’s now impossible to fly under the radar. I’ve been to this joint every time I’ve been to Hong Kong and it’s a tradition I’ll be happy to keep up.

Steamed Pork Dumplings or Sui Mai

Fried Dumpling with Salted Meat or Harm Shui Kok

Glutinous Rice Steamed in Lotus Leaf or Lor Mai Gai

Steamed Shrimp Dumpling or Har Gao

Steamed Rice Sheet Rolls or Cherng Fun

EAT | HAMMER & TONG (Fitzroy, VIC)

When two owners meet whilst working at Vue de Monde you know their project will be legit. Boasting one of my favourite Melbourne breakfast menus, Hammer & Yong in Fitzroy. Breakfast ramen for life 👊

EAT | PROUD MARY (Collingwood, Melb VIC)

Exceptional coffee. Damn good eats. 

EAT | THE VERTUE OF THE COFEE DRINK (Carlton, VIC)

Walk through the petrol station car park, past an aging terrace and look the old street lamp outside the stable doors. Within you'll find  Vertue Of The Coffee Drink roastery, coffee bar and mighty cafe dishing out interesting brunch items. 

EAT | PILLAR OF SALT (Richmond, VIC)

EAT | THE TOWN MOUSE (Carlton, VIC)

The Town Mouse easily sits in my top ten favourite restaurants in Melbourne. Whether you pull up a spot at the bar, nestle in the cosy courtyard or find a rare spot in black-tiled main room... you won't want to leave. Natural and low-intervention wines grace the list and the team will happily guide you through. Must eats include the duck liver parfait and slow roasted red cabbage. Go with a group so you can conquer the whole menu... you won't be disappointed. Perfect midweek adventure with my fellow Perth foodie Josh Gets Fat. 

 Smoked duck liver parfait and goats cheese profiterole

Bird's eye view

Beef tartare, cultured cream, saltbush and lemon myrtle

Slow roast red cabbage, prune, parmesan, red apple

Duck breast, Jerusalem artichoke, porcini, horseradish, young kale

EAT | GRACE (Fitzroy, Melbourne)

You'd never know it was once a brothel. Despite its seedy past, Grace on Rose Street in Fitzroy shines with cosy decor, staff with smiles and a no-fuss wholesome brunch offering.

BARRY (Northcote, Melbourne)

From those clever cats that unleashed Pillar of Salt on Melbourne brunch goers, comes BARRY. A good mix of fresh power breakfasts and unctuous butter drippers to start your morning right.   

Benedict eggs, slow braised free range, ham hock, apple cider hollandaise, granny's apples, potato hash

Scrambled red chilli eggs, bacon, spring onion, parsley, parmesan, toast

Zucchini, pea and mint fritters, zucchini, salad, poached egg and minted yoghurt. Bacon added for good luck. 

EAT | ADDICT FOOD & COFFEE (Fitzroy, VIC)

This corner cafe in Fitzroy is always buzzing. Creative plates, great coffee and a line that moves pretty quick if you have a flat white in hand. Addict Food & Coffee I'll see you again soon. 

EAT | CITY COUNTRY CITY (Shimokitazawa, Tokyo)

Owned by Shimokita folk music legend Sokabe Kenichi , City Country City, is fondly referred to as CCC by locals. CCC opened its doors in 2006 bringing a medley of vintage records, beers, pasta and coffee to Shimokitazawa.

北沢2-12-13
細沢ビル4階
Setagaya, 東京都 〒155-0031
Japan
Phone number+81 3 3410 608

Only a minute’s walk from the South Exit of Shimokitazawa Station; take a left at McDonald’s and walk down the street for thirty seconds until you see the CCC sign on the right. City Country City is on the 4th floor of the building. Walk up the short flight of stairs and take the elevator on your left.

EAT | CHIMEK (Fremantle, WA)

In the middle of the Fremantle Markets sits Chimek, home to chicken, beer and matcha dreams. My Instagram feed has been a frenzy of charcoal burgers fit for Halloween and some darn fine lookin' chicken wings. Whilst we didn't have room for black burgers or butter beer float, the Korean Dak Gang Jeong wings and Matcha cheesecake did the trick. 

Korean Dak Gang Jeong chicken wings with chips for a very reasonable $10 

Matcha cheesecake