Afternoon Tea Diaries: Victoria - The Place to Be at Oxi Tea Rooms

Welcome to another entry in my irregular event, Afternoon Tea Diaries.

I guess it is official! We have officially become fangirl's of Oxi Tea Rooms. Recently we had our third visit and I am going to say right from the outset, we will be going again, and again...and yes, probably again!

Why do we love it so much? I think it is because it is afternoon tea with a difference. The menu changes regularly so you don't have the same experience over and over again. The food all looks like pieces of art and it is always fun and interactive!

This time the theme was Victoria: The Place to Be with the menu featuring produce from around the state! In addition, the whole space was used like an art gallery displaying art and jewellery from local artists.

Every time we have been we have been seated in a different part of the space, and the vibe is a bit different. The first time we were at a table for two by the window, the second time we were at a big table (as there was a group of us) in a slightly elevated postion and this time we were around the corner in a space I had never even noticed before. I am hoping to end up in one of the booths for two next time my husband and I go alone!

As always, the experience starts with the tea. There are more than 30 different options available ranging from rooibos to Kenyan and Taiwanese teas. All the options are laid out in these silver boxes which you can then pick up and smell and then make your choice. Last time I went I had a delicious Roast Peach tea but I wanted to do something different this time. I therefore chose the only one on the menu which is from Victoria. To be honest, I didn't really love my tea, which is a shame but that is about me making a choice based on head rather than heart. 

You then get to drink your tea after it has been brewed in two different ways. The first is using a modern teaspresso machine, which you can see in the background of the picture with the suitcase. The second brewing is made from the same tea leaves but brewed in a traditional Chinese way.

The first course this time was called Beechworth Tea Time and it was described as flaky biscuits, Beechworth honey roasted tomatoes and onion gelato. Normally in Australia we think of biscuits as being like cookies, but in this case it was more scone like so more like the American definition of a biscuit. However, it is defined, this was delicious. Light and fluffy and so tasty. The tomato was delicious, but what a revelation the onion gelato was! It's not something I have tried before and it was amazing! There were also crunchy fried onions which gave an added texture!

The the serving platter comes out which has the rest of the afternoon tea on, and it always blows our minds because everything is presented so exquisitely. The interactive element this time was that you had the description of the food but the image didn't necessarily match the food on the platter, so you had to figure out what came next in the suggested eating order. Some of them were more obvious than others. For example, the wool and the hay bale were pretty obvious! Others not so much

Here's what the menu lists. You will probably be able to pick some of them from the photo above!

St Ali Sunflower Bloom - Coffee, sunflower seed, wattleseed, orange

Southern Valley Spring Pond - Yarra Valley trout caviar, house smoked trout, dill, kaffir lime, Southern Seagreen wakame, carrot, grape caviar

Yarra Valley Sweet Wool - blackberry, fruity Nandi Gold tea, pepperberry, cacao

Six Eyed Scorpion Roo - kangaroo, Six Eyed Scorpion chilli oil, rockmelon; blue oyster mushroom, 

Alphine Valley Tea Hill - Yarra Valley Tea Co. Victorian sencha, strawberry, matcha,cheesecake

Victorian Farmhouse Roll - chicken roulette, charred lemon & pesto, chicken skin, Duc Nga woodear tofu, charred lemon & pesto, tofu chip (v)

Royal Nut Haystack - Royal Nut Co. pecan, hay, maple, kataifi

Boort Corn Patch - polenta, mushroom & truffle, Boort baby & sweet corn, mustard

Gippsland Milk Meadow - honeydew & rockmelon, St David’s Dairy yoghurt, lemon myrtle, floral sencha

I was a bit worried about how much melon there was in the menu as I don't really like it, but in the end it wasn't overwhelming in any way.

There are also some amazing a la carte items that you can choose to purchase. To be fair, we probably didn't need to order the Koala you see at the top of the post but we couldn't resist it which is flavoured with macadamia, maple, mango, and strawberry gum. There was an amazing looking cherry dish that some others around us ordered but we couldn't possibly have fit that in!

While the menu and experiences change regularly, the super cool glasses and cutlery and the service stay at the same high quality. 

You can see our previous visits to Oxi Team Rooms and the themes in the links below

Red

Palate Through Time: Before 

There's no Weekly Meals this week as I have been on a work trip so every night will be out for dinner!

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page

Top Ten Tuesday - Chronologically speaking!

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Book Titles Featuring Ordinal Numbers (Ordinal numbers are numbers that define an item’s place in a series. For example: first, second, third, fourth, tenth, fourteenth, thirty-third, one hundredth, etc.) (submitted by Joanne @ Portobello Book Blog)

I have chosen to twist the topic a bit. I am going to do books that are the number in the series by which I mean the title might be the fifth book in the series for example. At least one of them will be ordinal! 

1. An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister - Last year I read and adored this book. The second book in the Love Notes series is due to be released in July! I am so looking forward to it!

2. Us Against You by Fredrik Backman - This is the second book in the Beartown trilogy. I am hoping to read the third one soon! (my review)

3. The Deadly Dispute by Amanda Hampson - I read and loved all three books in this series last year, of which this is the third. The fourth book is out next month! (my review)

4. Everyone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson - This is the fourth book in the Ernest Cunningham series. I have only read and loved the first two but I do know that I will read this one eventually

5. Safe Harbour in Pelican Crossing by Maggie Christensen - I do really enjoy Maggie Christensen's books. This is the fifth book in the Pelican Crossing series. The eighth book in the series is out early next month (my review)

6. The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters - This is the sixth book in the excellent Amelia Peabody series. I unintentionally stopped reading this series at book number 14. It has been more than 15 years since I read that book but I do have such fond memories of it, and I feel as though I could pick the next book without too much difficulty.  (my review)

7. The Missing Sister by Lucinda Riley - This is the seventh book in the Seven Sisters series. It feels a little bit ironic that there was an eight book released!

8. Written in My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon - This is the last book I read in the Outlander series. I don't know if I have the energy to pick up the next book in the series at the moment.

9. To the Nines by Janet Evanovich - I continued to read up to book 19 before I deliberately stopped reading this series. This book was the last one that I rated as a 5 star read. It was all downhill from here.

10. Witness in Death by JD Robb - I read up to book 17 in the series before I unintentionally stopped reading them. Book 62 in the series was recently published so I don't see myself ever catching up on this series. (my review)

This week..

I'm reading

In what was a complete coincidence I found myself reading two Christmassy books this week. I started reading B K Borison's Lovelight Farm book because it has been on my shelf for months, and it fits for one of the Goodreads challenge prompts! I really loved it and have requested the next book in the series from the library. 

Then I picked up Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson which is the third book in the Ernest Cunningham series. The fourth book is waiting for me to pick up at the library and then I will be all caught up with this series. 

In answer to the question above, it usually is too early, but in the case of these two books I have made an exception!

I did also finish reading The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton, which I really enjoyed. My review is here.

I also then read a couple of chapters of James by Percival Everett. It is my intention to try and get this read while I am away. 

I also started The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage which I was desperately trying to finish before I left but it isn't going to happen. I have to return the book to the library, so I am going to have to buy it so that I can finish it on the plane. Both James and this book fit Goodreads Challenge prompts too. 

The other book that I am intending to read while I am away is my Classics Spin selection, The Leopard by Tomasi de Lampedusa. The hardest part of travelling is always deciding what you are going to read while you are away!

I'm watching


I started watching Neil & Martin's Bon Voyage which is a British travelogue featuring Neil Morrissey and Martin Clunes who starred in a show together back in the 1990s. Morrissey now lives in France, so Clunes joins him and travels to various destinations. So far, it isn't all your normal French destinations. I will watch more at some point.

Life


I went to a library talk for International Women's Day. The talk was about Australian Women's Land Army which operated during WWII, and got very little acknowledgement after the war. They weren't really treated all that well during the war either! It was a very interesting talk. 

On Saturday, I went with some friends to see the Vivianne Westwood/Rei Kawakubo exhibition that is currently on at National Gallery of Victoria. I thought it was interesting, although I don't enjoy the fashion exhibitions as much as I do when it is art. It was interesting seeing so many iconic Westwood looks and some really famous items on display. Of the two, Westwood was more recognisable but Kawakubo was more interesting because her clothes are really, really different. The items there were not anything that you would see someone wearing on the street! Maybe abstract is a word I would use. 

We are also going to a farewell for a friend who is moving to Queensland and a wedding on Sunday afternoon. The wedding is formal and so I have been stressing for a couple of months about what to wear and getting shoes that I could wear for several hours. I have trouble buying shoes because I have big feet and they are very wide. Ankle straps are a no no because my ankles swell so I have ended up with a slingback. I realised at 5 o'clock on Sunday morning that I haven't thought about jewellery. 

I mentioned that I am going away for work. I am headed to Kolkata in India on Monday. I am very excited for several reasons including that I have never been to India and I never imagined that I would get such an opportunity in my line of work. Most excitingly, I am flying business class which is a first for me. Yes, I am going to be that person taking all the pictures in business class!

Posts from the last week

Top Ten Tuesday: Cooking the Books!

Blog Tour: The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton

In My Kitchen: March

Six Degrees: Wuthering Heights to The Secrets of the Huon Wren




I've linked this post to It's Monday, what are you reading? as hosted by Book Date, Sunday Salon hosted at Readerbuzz and the Good Book and a Cup of Tea link up hosted at Boondock Ramblings

Six Degrees of Separation: Wuthering Heights to The Secrets of the Huon Wren

Welcome to this month's edition of Six Degrees of Separation, which is a monthly meme hosted by Kate from Books Are My Favourite and Best. The idea is to start with a specific book and make a series of links from one book to the next using whatever link you can find and see where you end up after six links. I am also linking this post up with The Sunday Salon, hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz and A Good Book and a Cup of Tea hosted at Boondock Ramblings.

This month the starting point is Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. 

When Kate announced this as the starting point, she mentioned that it was in celebration of the current movie adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Another recent movie adaptation that I have seen is Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, which tells a story about William Shakespeare and his family

I did have several different ideas about other movie adaptations, but instead I am choosing a non fiction read called Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Dame Judi Dench and Brendan O'Hea. In this book, Dame Judi talks about her life working in the theatre in many different roles. It's a fascinating book.

I don't read a lot of non fiction, but I did recently attend a book talk about a book called Survival in Singapore: The triumph and tragedy of Australia's greatest commando operation by Tom Trumble. It tells the story  of a daring raid on Singapore Harbour following the Japanese invasion in 1941 and the aftermath for the citizens of Singapore

I am casting my mind back many, many years now, to a book that has stuck with me. Tanamera by Noel Barber is a book that I remember with great fondness.  Tanamera tells the story of a white family and a Eurasian woman both during the Japanese occupation and in the years afterward during the Malayan conflict. I used to love Noel Barber's books when I read them back in the late 1990s but I am not sure how they would stand up now if I was to reread them. I do still own quite a few of them. Tanamera was made into a mini-series in the late 1980s. 

A more recent WWII and aftermath TV adaptation is The Narrow Road to the Deep North which also stars Jacob Elordi, and was adapted from Tasmanian author Richard Flanagan's book of the same name. 

Now, if this was a 5 Degrees of Separation post then I would have gone full circle back to the starting book given that Jacob Elordi starred in both adaptations but alas, I need to add one more link. I am choosing a book by another Tasmania author. I read both of Claire van Ryn's books last year and thought they were great, so for my final choice I am going to select her book The Secrets of the Huon Wren (my review)

Next month, the starting point is The Correspondent by Virginia Evans which I currently have out of the library!

Will you be joining us?

In My Kitchen: February

Welcome to the first Saturday of the month where I share everything I have made over the previous month. For the second month in a row it was a busy month in the kitchen. I don't think that will be the case in March but never say never!

We started the month by having a family dinner. We made roast pork, cauliflower cheese as well as tried a new way of doing potatoes which was Crispy Potato Gallette from Donna Hay's latest book, Sunshine, Sea Salt and Lemons. This book was the February cook book for Lambs Ears Cook Books Club and I really enjoyed cooking out it. (review here) The potatoes were a hit, as was the Chaja Cake which I made for the second time this month. This time I took a few shortcuts but everyone was happy with it. There were no leftovers!

Last month we tried the viral Japanese Cheesecake. We used Greek yoghurt and pretty plain biscuits. This month we made it again but this time we used a Lemon Curd yoghurt and Anzac biscuits. It was so good! Indeed, we ended up making it two weeks in a row it was that good. You do need to let it sit for at least 12 hours as Anzac biscuits are very hard so they need that additional time to soften up a bit.

Last year, it was announced that there was going to be an Arnott's cook book released and I knew I had to have it. It's a bit gimmicky really, which shouldn't really be a surprise, given that it is recipes made with Arnott's branded biscuits, but I will try a couple more things out of it in due course. This month I made Vanilla Slice which is made using SAO biscuits instead of pastry. It was good, but I think I would use a different container next time so that it gets a bit more height on the custard. 

We did have a cherry tomato crop to harvest this month. I say crop, but there were only three that were ripe. I am not complaining though, given that we didn't even plant the tomato vine, it just started growing in pot out the front. 

Do you ever look at what people have in their trolley/shopping cart and think ....I need to try those. Last time we went to Costco I saw a family that had two boxes of these Taiwanese Pineapple shortcakes, and I thought I really must try those. When we went to Costco recently it was top of my list. The box is super cute. The contents are.....you know...fine. 

Lastly, one of my work colleagues gave me some homemade jam this week and for breakfast last Saturday I had it on crumpets! It was so good!

In terms of our eating out adventures, this month we had two adventures. My husband isn't one for the big gestures but we have always done something for Valentine's Day. This year we went to lunch at a winery which is about 15 minutes away from home. We have been meaning to try this winery ever since we moved into the area. It won't take us another 3.5 years to go there for a meal again!

We also went to afternoon tea at Oxi Tea Rooms again. We have been three times now, and I know that we will go again. They change the menu every six months, the food is amazing both in looks and taste and it is a phenomenal experience! This time, the theme is Victoria - The Place to Be and it featured local produce. In addition to the set afternoon tea menu, they offer some a la carte options. We chose to have the Koala but there was a cherry dish that looked absolutely amazing! I will share more about the visit in an Afternoon Tea Diaries post soon. 

New recipes this month

Crispy Potato Gallette - delicious! (Donna Hay)

Tomato and Mascarpone Tart - easier than it looked, especially if you use shop bought pastry (Donna Hay)

Japanese  Cheesecake - Lemon and Anzac Biscuits - so good we made it twice

Thai Chicken Meatballs - Really good (Donna Hay) (recipe)

Japanese Pork Curry - We've bought enough curry sachets now to make this several times again

Korean Fried Chicken Burgers - Another winner from Donna Hay. Will be having this one again.

Weekend Cooking posts from the last month

The Oyster Catcher by Jo Thomas

Sunshine, Lemons and Sea Salt by Donna Hay

The Golden Spurtle (movie)

In My Kitchen: January

Weekly meals

Saturday - Butter chicken and roti
Sunday - Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake
Monday - Beef Stir Fry
Tuesday - Chicken, tomato, bocconcini with past
Wednesday - Baked Pumpkin and chicken risotto
Thursday - Pork Schitzel, mash, broccolini and mushroom sauce
Friday -Take away

I am sharing this post with In My Kitchen hosted at Sherry's Pickings.

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page

Blog Tour: The Strawberry House by Rachel Burton

 

When journalist Henry Aldridge is sent to write a story about the renovations at Montagu Manor, he is initially reluctant. The year now is 1952 and he would rather write about the ascension to the throne of the young new Queen Elizabeth. His reluctance has rather a lot to do with the fact that he spent some time at the manor prior to the outbreak of WWII, and he was caught up in events with tragic consequences.

It is the summer of 1938 and the world is holding it's breath as it waits to see what is going to happen in Europe. The aristocratic Kerrigan family live at Montagu House. Each year, the extended family descend on the house. This year though, there are going to be some additional guests. 

Henry has just finished his degree at Oxford. When he is invited to Montagu House by his friend Anthony, he takes the opportunity. It means that he can buy some time before he has to return to his family's meat canning factory. He doesn't want to spend his life working in the family business but he might not have a choice.

Henry is immediately attracted to Camilla, the no fuss, somewhat overlooked eldest daughter. Camilla would love to have the opportunity to go to Oxford to study but her conservative, aristocratic father will not allow it. Instead, she is expected to be the sensible daughter, the one who everyone relies on and takes for granted.

Also visiting the manor is a group of artistic types that call themselves the Kensington Circle, lead by charismatic artist Leonard Lombard who wants to paint beautiful Mabel Kerrigan. As the summer wears on, tensions rise in both the outside world and within the walls of Montagu Manor, culminating in the destruction of the incomplete portrait.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the almost mystery like feel of the latter timeline as Henry suddenly finds himself investigating exactly what did happen in that summer and is reacquainted with people he never thought to see again, including Camilla. Nothing is quite as it seemed at the time, and once again, lives will be changed by what is uncovered.

Whilst the artist and his group are made up, one of the interesting aspects of the story is the connection to famous Arts and Crafts movement leader William Morris, which is where the inspiration for the title of the book comes from. 

A compelling read about a world on the edge of war and great social change, with strong characters and an interesting series. This is the second book I have read from Rachel Burton. I enjoyed the previous book I read but this one was even better! I am already looking forward to seeing what comes next from this talented author!

I am sharing this review with New Release Challenge hosted at The Chocolate Lady's Book Review Blog and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge which I host here.  Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy. Be sure to check out other stops on the blog tour below.

Rating 4.5/5

About the Book

The Strawberry House

1938: For Camilla Kerrigan, life at her family's Oxford manor is a delicate balancing act – between duty to her family and a yearning for something more. When her brother Anthony returns for the summer, bringing with him a new friend, Camilla recognises a kindred spirit. Like her, Henry is thoughtful, restless and uncertain of his future.

But the arrival of four strangers – among them a gifted artist determined to paint Camilla’s sister Mabel – soon shatters the fragile peace of the manor. In the shimmering heat, desires are stirred and one impulsive act will set in motion a tragedy that echoes for decades.

1952: Haunted by war and the memory of that long-ago summer, the last thing Henry wants is to return to Montagu Manor. But when a photograph arrives, showing the painting he thought destroyed – the portrait that ruined so many lives – he is drawn back into the past.

Now, Henry and Camilla must face the secrets that shaped them, and the love that refuses to fade.

One unforgettable summer. One devastating secret. A love that time could not erase.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/StrawberryHouse

About the Author

Rachel Burton is the bestselling author of historical timeslip novels and romantic comedies. Rachel was born in Cambridge and studied Classics and English Literature before starting a career in law. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband, a variety of cats and far too many books.

Social Media Links –

Facebook: @RachelBurton74

Twitter: @RachelBWriter

Instagram: @RachelBWriter

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/RachelBurtonNews

Bookbub profile: @RachelBurton

Top Ten Tuesday: Cooking the Books

Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Genre Freebie (Pick a genre and build a list around it. You could do historical fiction featuring strong female leads, contemporary romance set in foreign countries, mysteries starring unreliable narrators, lyrical fiction books in verse, historical romance featuring pirates, Gothic novels with birds on the cover, etc. There are so many options!)

Recently I was honoured to be asked to co-host one of the Cook the Books selections later in the year. Cook the Books is an online book club where you read the chosen selection, but you also cook something inspired by the book. When I was looking through the books that have been chosen over the last few years I was surprised to see that I have been doing this for a while now so today I am sharing the last ten books I read for Cook the Books, as well as what I was inspired to make!

Before that, you might be curious about what book I chose? I couldn't see many Japanese books on the list, so I have chosen The Kamogawa Food Detectives by Hisashi Kashiwai. My selection will be up in October/November. You can see all the upcoming selections in this post

Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil. - I made Hummingbird cakes with cream cheese frosting. 

Maame by Jessica George - I made Jollof Chicken and Rice

A Bakery in Paris by Aimie K Runyan - I made Raspberry Clafoutis

The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club by Helen Simonson - I made Chocolate Eclairs

Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang - I made Japanese Strawberry Shortcake (which I enjoyed much more than I enjoyed the book!)

Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner - I made Midnight Kimchi Fried Rice

Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd - I made Honey Sponge Roll

Family Tree by Susan Wiggs - I made Maple Butter Date Loaf

Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge - I made Boeuf Bouguignon

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley - I shared lots of biscuits/cookies I have made over the years.