I must sound like a broken record when I say this, but more so than ever before does the past year feel like it has flown by in a blink of an eye.. nay, a fraction of a blink of an eye, whatever that is. This time of year always begs the question, what did I actually accomplish this past year? Eating adventures were plentiful, that’s always a given. Quite a few travel adventures too, both in our backyard and further abroad - McLaren Vale and surrounds in South Australia, Hobart, East Gippsland, the UK, Italy, Norway, India and Singapore - check out my highlight reels on Instagram for more. Nothing major on the work front, aside from spending a solid chunk of time writing applications that bounced (classic academia life, I’m told). My mind somehow managed to forget the horrors of 2018’s marathon run and I signed up to do another. One week out, I was handed the perfect excuse to bail thanks to quite a nasty cold that landed me in bed for a few days. But I willed my body into recovery (with plans to pull out even as late as Friday afternoon if need be) but showed up on race day (Sunday) with some sniffles and slightly croaky voice. Miraculously managed to not only finish but also shaved off a good 20 minutes from my previous time to run it in 4hrs13mins. A new PB is always good. I also ticked over the 5000km mark on my running app.

Looks like my 2019 was quite a productive year when it came to eating, adventures and running… Cheers to that and what will hopefully be a better, more productive and more adventurous 2020.

Following tradition, here the wrap up of my top 10 food adventures of 2019, and a few cheeky extra memorable dishes.

[Edit as of May 2020: So it took me a while longer to finish compiling this post but as the saying goes, better late than never. AND WOW, 2020 could not be any further than what I, or anyone else, could’ve anticipated… UGH. Take care and stay safe folks… ]

NUMBER TEN: IL COMMANDANTE (NAPLES, ITALY)

A special birthday milestone of someone special calls for one special dinner, and that we had at Il Commandante in Naples to celebrate mishli’s 30th. Dinner doesn’t get much better than a beautiful Michelin-starred spread, accompanied by gorgeous sunset views of Mt Versuvius. A memorable dining experience for sure, and one of our many Italy highlights.

Blog post coming very soon.

NUMBER NINE: FLOWER CELLAR DOOR, WHITES VALLEY (SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUS)

It just goes to show that even something as simple as smashed avo toast, when executed perfectly, can end up as one of my favourite dining experiences right up there with finer dining lunches/dinners. The friendly service of the staff and adorably quaint cafe setting also had a hand in setting up our breakfast visit to Flower Cellar Door as one of the many highlights encountered during our Adelaide trip, and as it turns out, the entirety of 2019.

NUMBER EIGHT: BORN IN BRUNSWICK (HOBART, AUS)

Number eight on the list was another interstate cafe; Born in Brunswick in Hobart. I guess Melbourne now has to share the stage when it comes to ‘best brunches’ in the country but they perhaps deserve some credit here given that the chef and owner, Con Vailas, spent some time in Melbourne and draws his inspiration from Melb’s brunch scene. The OG. Having said that, brunch at Born in Brunswick was probably one of the best I’ve tried to date - exciting flavour and ingredient combinations that set them apart, miles apart in fact, from other cafes.

Blog post: http://www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-born-in-brunswick

NUMBER SEVEN: LONG PADDOCK, LINDENOW (EAST GIPPSLAND VIC, AUS)

Located a stone’s throw from Bairnsdale is the incredibly quaint The Long Paddock cafe, with a honest and rustic homey, country feed to match. The dishes were simple with no bells and whistles but the flawless execution of dishes made for one outstanding meal. If you do pay them a visit, be sure to save some room for their tantalising array of baked goods - they stand loud and proud on display (not to mention that fragrant aroma) on the front counter so saying no is virtually impossible…

Blog post: http://www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-the-long-paddock

NUMBER SIX: MITOLO WINES (SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUS)

It seems we were spoilt with excellent food picks during our trip to the McLaren Vale in South Australia earlier in the year with not one but two eateries (Flower Cellar Door) making this list. Foodies, take note: McLaren Vale is a must-visit destination for wining and dining. At Mitolo Wines, even the wine tasting was a notch above others thanks to their pairing with some beautifully compiled savoury and sweet canapes. The tasty goods don’t stop there, with the menu also featuring more substantially sized dishes jam packed with quality ingredients and memorable flavours.

NUMBER FIVE. CORNER HOUSE, SINGAPORE

With only 30 hours to spend in Singapore and only so many eateries I could visit, I definitely had to be selective when it came to my picks of where to eat. And while a multi-course lunch was going to take up serious estate in terms of stomach space, I couldn’t resist making a booking for Corner House at the Botanical Gardens. What a stand out experience this turned out to be - creativity and wonderful flavours packed into every morsel from start to end, appetisers through to petit fours.

Blog post: coming soon.

NUMBER FOUR. DUCK AND WAFFLE, LONDON (UK)

On one hand, there are the sweeping views of London from 40 floors up while on the other, a beautifully executed menu of British and European dishes. It’s no wonder bookings for Duck and Waffle fly out the door. One of the perks of being on holidays is showing up at an odd seating time and hoping for the best - we lucked out here and managed to secure a table sans booking. Their namesake dish, the duck and waffle, among many others, is a must order.

NUMBER THREE: AMARU, ARMADALE (VIC, AUS)

Whenever mishli is in town, I always plan for week or two of some solid good eating (we both love our food, as with the rest of our friendship group). There’s always at least one finer dining, and often hatted, experience to celebrate the occasion. Or in this case with our lunch at Amaru, to say farewell in super, tasty fashion. With some truffle shavings on top.

Blog post: http://www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-amaru-armadale

NUMBER TWO: LUNE LAB, FITZROY (VIC, AUS)

Lune made my top 10 food adventure list back in 2016, and a few years on, here they are again. Their croissants are one of the few things that have gotten me out of bed in the wee hours of the morning - no easy feat given that I’m not a morning person but their croissants are worth it. Sleepy mornings, cold and darkness (when visiting in winter) and queues, and all. So it goes without saying that the Lune Lab experience, a croissant degustation with outside-the-box croissant creations, would also go down a treat.

Blog post: http://www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-lune-lab-fitzroy

NUMBER ONE: POLPERRO WINERY, MORNINGTON PENINSULA (VIC, AUS)

I didn’t know it at the time but my top dining experience for the year actually took place only a few weeks into 2019, at Polperro Winery for a special birthday lunch. What I did know: the immense excitement and anticipation we felt that took place as each dish was placed in front of us (what stunningly beautiful presentation) and the sheer and utter delight we took from each bite as our taste buds navigated through their perfectly executed dishes.

Blog post: http://www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-polperro-mornington-peninsula

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: A SELECTION OF MEMORABLE DISHES (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER)

Crabmeat and fish roe rice balls - Masizzim, Glen Waverley.

Blog post: www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-masizzim-glen-waverley

Duck and waffle // Jordanian dates - Duck and Waffle, London.

Cilbir (burnt butter crumble and crispy chicken skin) - Tulum Restaurant, Balaclava.

Satay chicken skewers - Makan Melbourne, Melbourne CBD.

Scones - Mary Eats Cake, Brunswick.

Blog post: www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-mary-eats-cake

Higawari Teishoku - Torissong, Carlton.

Sourdough bread - Amaru, Armadale.

Tuerong Farm sourdough - Polperro, Mornington Peninsula.

Australian lobster medallion signature dish - d’Arry’s Verandah, McLaren Vale South Australia.

Blog post: www.theycallmemaggie.com/home/review-darenburg-mclaren-vale-south-australia