Tag Archives: Perth

Australia, Margaret River, Western Australia

Cape Lavender – Margaret River, Western Australia

August 28, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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Actually didn’t know this place existed but I wanted to check out the place after finding it on Google. Not very popular yet ‘cos lack of publicity. The lady owner Bev (If I can remember her name clearly) is not very well verse with social media amd even her website is not up also. But she’s getting the hang of Facebook now, at least her page is up. 🙂

I don’t usually write about stores or shops but Bev is really very passionate about her products and she and her staff/friend loves making them almost every morning. She use to have a plot of land cultivating lavender but decided to focus in making the products instead. She now works with other farms where she gets her supplies from. Her products are all handmade using pure Lavender to make them. She has a whole range of products from cosmetics like facial cream, nail balm to edible stuffs like jams and honey (See there’s food!). While you’re there, don’t forget to sit down, chill out over a Lavender scone and coffee. Their Lavender ice cream is a hit too!

This Cape Lavender is not to be confused with another establishment with the same name located in Swan Valley. Located in Metricup of Margaret River region, this place is a little out of the town area, about 25km up north. Nevertheless, just take a straight drive up north on Bussell Hwy, turn left on Metricup Road, and then left again into Carter Road. If you prefer a more scenic drive like I do, go by Caves Road then turn right into Metricup Road. The roads in Western Australia are really easy, you won’t get lost!

Signage you see when you turn in Carter Road

More cosmetics… bought the face cream which is quite good and aromatic.

Bought the big candle and eye pillow also which I’m currently using. The honey is behind, bought 2 bottles for my plain yoghurt… really awesome!

Dave, the friendly old dog! Loves a pat on his head and will bark when you stop!

Bev has Lavender wines also. Check with her if she has more supplies! 🙂

Rating: 5/5.

Taste: Honey, jams and ice cream is awesome! Wine is alright ‘cos I don’t drink much. ;P

Portion: Average.

Service: Warm and friendly.

Ambience: Very quiet ambience with trees all around. Hope Bev can put more garden tables and chairs so more people can come chill out! 🙂

Price: A little pricey but all handmade and using pure ingredients. It’s worth it.

RTV (Return To Visit): Yes definitely when I’m in Perth next. I need more honey!!!

Location: http://goo.gl/maps/0LRSu. Or you can visit their FB page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Lavender/132582443486600

Miscellaneous

Feeling Appreciated

August 21, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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You know when you write about food, you really wanna tell others how heavenly the stuff that you’ve tried and hope that they too, can enjoy the flavours that you experienced. And I really appreciate the owners/representative of the establishment writing back to at least respond to what you wrote. If not in my case, they would respond to customers who commented on the food and place, regardless of good or bad the comments. This is a way of telling your customers or critics that you do take in feedbacks and try to make it better when there are any negative remarks.

Lately I did get some responses on my writing. One of them is my write up on MacDonald’s (http://wp.me/pCcuC-tW) where the management responded to me and gave the well deserved commendations to one of their older staff who went out of her way to make me feel comfy and welcomed back home at Changi Airport Terminal 3. That staff Swee Yong, wrote on my About Roy page (http://wp.me/PCcuC-2) thanking me for my writing in to MacDonald’s and is an avid reader of my blog now. To me, you don’t have to thank me at all, you really deserve it ‘cos you didn’t expect I can be THAT influential with my writing by making your management notice your efforts. Keep up the good work and may every Singaporean based overseas get to feel your warmth when they are back and have their first meal at MacDonald’s Terminal 3. 🙂

Then of late, I wrote about a few must-go places in Perth and they responded to my TripAdvisor reviews.

Seriously you’re welcome peeps! Please let the staffs who are behind the scenes, know that they are being appreciated for making such wonderful food!! I really enjoyed my meals there and nothing went to waste! 🙂 Will try to visit again soon! You can see the reviews I wrote here http://wp.me/pCcuC-uA and here http://wp.me/pCcuC-zq. If you wanna read more about my reviews on TripAdvisor, you can check out http://www.tripadvisor.com/members/bigthing.

I just wish that customers can be a lot more generous in giving their compliments when the food is good. Most of the time we keep quiet about it. I for one, wouldn’t. I would make sure the chef/cook preparing my meal knows that his/her work is being appreciated. ‘Cos it is really a very very tough job being in the kitchen more than 8 hours a day, in excessive heat and the potentials to get heat rashes, heat cramps, heat exhaustions, heat stroke and dehydration. And while all that is happening, they have to make sure the food is cooked to perfection, presented nicely, and prepared in the quickest time and hygiene.

Alright, I promised Ho Chi Minh write ups… soon this week! Later y’all! 😉

Big Roy

Albany, Australia, Western Australia

Emu Point Cafe – Albany, Western Australia

July 16, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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When you’re in Albany, this is a place to visit. Not just because of the serenity of the place, but also for what this cafe has to offer. My 3rd time here and this time I was determine to try their food ‘cos previously, we had our meals elsewhere. Truly, the food is really good and at least up to standards for me.

The cafe overlooking the beach at Emu Point

Huge Gladiator Burger. Nice and juicy. AUD23.50

Crumbled Local Fish & Chips. Nice and flaky. – AUD20.50

The view when you’re having your meals outside the cafe.

Rating: 4.5/5. A tad pricey if not a full 5.

Taste: Really good. Fresh and hot. Water is free on the house in bottles.

Portion: Above average. Small eaters may wanna share.

Service: Very good. They cleared our plates once we were finished.

Ambience: Nice and cosy inside and alfresco is scenic. All very quiet and nice just to have a quiet meal.

Price: Total around AUD70+

RTE: Yeah I might. But I may check out the Whaling Wharf for brunch also if possible.

Location: Emu Point, Albany, Western Australia. You can’t miss it ‘cos nothing else at the end.

Australia, Bannister, Western Australia

Riverside Roadhouse – Bannister, Western Australia

July 14, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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Whenever I drive down to Albany from Perth, I would stop by this place for their homemade burgers and soups. They have loads of pies and sausage rolls too. This petrol kiosk basically is a place for people commuting along the Albany Highway to take a break and refill their tanks and stomachs. This trip, I stopped here again to have my favourite burger and to pay my visit to Andy and Robbo as well.

Rating: 4/5.

Taste: Burgers are awesome. Homemade soups are awesome too! Latte is a let down though.

Portion: Burger is big. It fills me up.

Service: One person at the counter and 2 in the kitchen. Pretty friendly though.

Ambience: You can sit inside or outside like I did. Nice and serene. Toilet’s nearby where Andy and Robbo is.

Price: Affordable. AUD$5.80 for the burger I think. Can’t remember.

Location: Albany Highway, Bannister WA 6390, Australia. It’s on Googlemap under same name. About an hour drive from Perth City at 110km/h.

Australia, Perth, Western Australia

Jean Pierre Sancho Cafe – Perth City, Australia

July 14, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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Was here on my second day in Perth after my grueling first day at the coffee school. It was a Sunday so many places were closed. I spotted this place while driving and all really by chance. So I parked the rented car on the side of the road and went into the cafe to place my order. To my surprise, this cafe has many awards for their bakery and also some business of the year for 2012.

Yeah got steps up to the counter… quite a weird design inside actually

Rating: 4/5.

Taste: Pretty good but could be better if they can heat up for us. The raisin and croissant were good!

Portion: Slightly bigger than normal.

Service: Could have given a 4.5 or 5 rating ‘cos they refuse to slice the organic loaf which we ordered for takeaway. And the pastries were not reheated for us but I understand some bakeries/cafes feel that reheating will spoil the taste and texture of the pastries. But I believe light reheating is ok. Latte also took quite long to brew.

Ambience: Seating for 3 or more mainly on the outside. Inside are catered for 1-2 pax seating mostly. Weird staircase in the middle that leads to a shopping mall I think.

RTE: I would if on a Sunday again. 🙂 Otherwise will try other places.

Location: They have 3 outlets but I went to this one at 878 Hay Street, Perth City. Check out their website see last picture.

Australia, Perth

Blue Rock Cafe – Perth, Australia

July 10, 2013 Big Roy Leave a comment

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Hey y’all!

Finally I found some time to update this blog as I’ve just started tourwithroy.wordpress.com. Have loads of backlogs to update hence will be juggling this blog, sleepwithroy.wordpress.com and tourwithroy.wordpress.com. So please be patient with me!

Ok Blue Rock Cafe was the first place I had my meals alone on one of the mornings and with my friends for dinner. Quite a gem really ‘cos no one would have thought a cafe at the far ends of Hay Street would serve such good food! I had my brekkie here as well as dinner. Food is really good and compliments to the hard working crew and chef! Check out the favorites which we ordered!