Sunday, November 23, 2014

"W"........... is for Western Samoa

"W" is for Western Samoa, and yes, there is no Western Samoa anymore, and yes, there are no Western Samoan restaurants in Melbourne. So where does one go then, to experience such a South Pacific culinary delight? Easy.....to the Melbourne suburb of Maribyrnong and a little hidden treasure called "Western Samoa on Village Way", a 'pop-up' eatery that happens to be the home of Mr and Mrs X!


Of course, Mrs X had no idea that Mr X had spent all that week planning, buying preparing and secretly cooking for the big night, so when it came to getting ready, they did everything as per normal, even getting into the car and driving around the block and pulling up outside their house, to which Mr X blurted out "We're here"! 

Whilst driving around the block, Mr and Mrs X's daughter had been racing around and decorating the outside eatery with "Western Samoan" regalia, complete with music, candles, menus and costumes, so when Mrs X walked in her look was worth a thousand alohas!


Once seated, a brief history of the former island paradise was read out, complete with the facts that famous Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson died and is buried there, and that the economy is still dependent on money sent home by its workers abroad. Not only were Mrs and Ms X salivating with the aromatic odurs eminating from the kitchen , but there were being educated as well.

Pre-dinner drinks were then served, a watermelon drink called Vaimeleni, where the recipe called for all ingredients to be fresh! They were. A side snack of Western Samoan Doritos even made it to the table to compliment the strawberry and pineapple thirst quencher.

Entree followed, with Sapa Sui (Samoan Chop Suey) where the recipe stated that this dish was cheap, delicious and fast to prepare. It also said that, being Samoan, there would be enough to feed an army. They were right.


Main course was Kale Moa (Samoan chicken), and again there was enough to feed the whole neighbourhood.
And, true to Alphabet Eats style, (there shouldn't have been any room .....but there surprisingly was), the night concluded with sweets, a traditional dish called Puligi, a Samoan coconut pudding.


There's no doubting the Alphbet Eats team, because where there's a will there's a way. The former Western Samoans (and even the current ones) would have been proud of them!

Score:        Mr X.........Mrs X.....................PRICELESS!!!!!






"V"............ is for Venezuela


 So now we are getting to the pointy end of 'Alphabet Eats' as the alphabet challenges us with really interesting letters!


Luckily SONDIDO provided us with some Venezeulan fare and drinks.
A cool July evening still saw many diners eating al fesco at the Gertrude St Fitzroy restaraunt. Mr and Ms X however squeezed themelves into the tiny eatery and sat on the bar stools, side by side watching the passing parade along the street whilst being able to keep an eye on their vehicle that was so close they could almost touch it! You gotta love accessibility!

Considered the most typical food of Venezuela, AREPAS are a daily ritual that hasbeen partaken for centuries. Maiz (corn) is one of the most beautiful gifts of the Americas (North, Central and South) to the world.  So, we had an *AREPAS DE QUESO —
Cheese Arepa / Two arepas filled with Fresco (mild and milky) cheese and of course, Mr X chose the ROPA VIEJA – AREPA — “Old Clothes” Beef / A secret Venezuelan recipe.- you got it, MEAT filled.
 They were ok, just, hmm, cheap, hmmm nothing really eventful so we soldiered on to main course with of couse some meat filled EMPANADAS 
Even though Argentina and Chile are the true EMAPANADA experts, you guessed it, Venezeula has its own too. These were baked and filled with beef and spinach. They are better eaten in the dark, as you can see.


 As is traditional in the Alphabet Eats experience, dessert needs to be considered. Sometimes dessert can save a score and maybe this is what Venezuela needed to regain some footing on the leader board. Now Ms X was gravitating towards tasting the Raspberry Brownie that she found was on the menu but the waitress did guide her to the authentic AREQUIPE OR BOCADILLO CON QUESO — A classic duo: Caramel with Fresco Cheese. Oh dear. I think this may have affected the score in a negative way Not Ms X's favourite at all.

Score:                            MS X                   MR X
Ambience                        6                      7
Parking                           10                   10
Service                            8                      8
Value                               6                      5
Food                               5                      5

TOTAL: 70