Ten Minutes by Tractor

Chris and I decided to go to a winery known as 'Ten Minutes by Tractor' to spend our Saturday. We have driven past this place many times but have never taken the opportunity to go inside as we thought it'll just be like the many other wineries that we have visited. Wine Tasting and a small store/café linked to it. We thought it would be nothing too special.

We decided we'll visit this time around because we heard some really great (!) things about this place. Chris' mum also recommended it to us after she went for dinner with her friends.

Their menus are seasonal - Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring - with an emphasis on fresh produce, sourced locally if possible. They have their own veggie patch out back and their vineyards are all within a ten minute tractor ride away - hence their name. We researched their chef, Stuart Bell and found that he has won many awards and has previously worked with many Michelin star chefs in the past. We were sold.

We had to book a whole 3 weeks in advance because they were so busy! Even then, we couldn't get a seating for the dinner session so we settled for lunch. Since we knew it was a dégustation menu, we skipped breakfast.

Chris decided to go for the 8 course dégustation whilst I went for the 5.

Here we go. Time to spam the food pictures.

We both started off with the still-warm multi grain bread with olive oil, pink salt and butter.

 Amuse Broche aka the entree before the entree to 'cleanse our palette'

 Trout - cured ocean trout, cucumber puree, horseradish and creme fraiche snow, baby cos, potato salad

 Goat's Cheese - Red Hills Somers Soft, red quinoa, beetroot, avocado, green beans, aged balsamic

 Chef's Selection - Scallops

 Whiting - King George roasted fillet, spinach and fennel, dill gnocchi

 Quail - roasted breast, confit leg pillow, spring vegetables, apple cider and quail consomme

 Duck - breast, sweet potato, cumquat espuma, citrus granola, spring greens 

 Lamb - roasted rump, Jerusalem artichoke, baby leek, pine nuts, golden raisins, leek veloute

 Avant Dessert - A dessert before the real dessert

Carmelised crisp on a vanilla and mandarin custard with pear cubes.

 Chocolate - torte, Michel Cluizel chocolate, raspberry espuma, crispy raspberry canoli, liquorice ice cream

 The amazing view of their vineyard from our table.

Finished off with a chamomile tea to help us digest and not feel to heavy. Really impressed with the food quality and the service. Even their bathroom was amazing, they had hand exfoliate/cleanser, hand cream and individual hand towels. Was tough to pick a favourite dish, the duck and lamb were way up there. Also, because we both have a sweet tooth, we absolutely loved the avant dessert! 

Worth coming again but probably not any time soon. Burn a hole in our wallet. :( 
Thanks babe for spoiling me x

Did I make you hungry? 

Ten Minutes by Tractor

1333 Mornington Flinders Road, 

Main Ridge, 3928, VIC

www.tenminutesbytractor.com.au

Read More

Cape Schanck

Our weekend away to Portsea and Mornington included a visit to Cape Schanck - the views here are seriously so amazing! Chris and I previously came to walk the boardwalk but due to me having a sprained ankle then, it didn't go down too well. Went again last weekend together with some friends and finally made it all the way to the end of the boardwalk. Was so happy to come home with these amazing shots 

Read More

A Weekend Away - Part 2

The plan was to sleep in but that didn't go smoothly as our stomachs were all calling.. Last night, we only ate half a pad thai between Chris and I because we were told that it's not good to go to the hot springs on a full stomach.

Alex, Christine, Chris and I went to Buckley's chance for breakfast. This place is really cosy and again, recommended by Alex.

How cute are the menus! Reminded me of my childhood

 

Chris' poached eggs, bacon and hollandaise sauce. 

Alex and Christine both ordered the Buckley's breakfast.

 and I wanted to try something different so I ordered the Sweet Hash which was @#$#% insanely, asking-to-have-diabetes disgustingly sweet. Obviously I didn't eat much of it. Eek! 

We then went to Cape Schanck to walk the boardwalk and enjoy the view. See the amazing view here.

After Christine and Alex left to go back to Melbourne, Chris took me to a Chocolate factory that we have wanted to visit for a while now

 

we picked our these melt-in-your-mouth delicious chocs

and decided we wanted more sweets so..

we went to the Strawberry farm to share a Berry Pannacotta. To die for.

 

I. Need. To. Diet. zzz

Read More

A Weekend Away - Part 1

A group of 6 of us went on a weekend (2 days, 1 night) road trip to Portsea and stayed at our friend, Alex's holiday house. Chris (the bf) came over to pick me up as my place is on the way down to the coastal area. As we were late, we decided to drop by McDonalds for breakfast and coffee. The burgers were steamy hot. So fresh.. and the Hazelnut Latte was amaaazing ~!
 

Look at the steam coming out.. *drools*

 

Our main purpose of this getaway was to spend an evening at the hot springs, we booked ourselves in for the late night session (which is great because it's a lot cheaper and not as crowded!)

 

We met the others at D.O.C Mornington to enjoy some authentic Italian food. Alex suggested we try this place and because he is such a foodie, we knew it must be good! The place is very unique as it's connected to its own grocery store. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take a picture of the interior, it was way too busy! I did however take a picture of the Chamomile tea that Christine and I had. It's actually the first tea bag that I've seen presented so nicely, the taste is very fresh too - a little bit of a floral taste. Love ♥ The food was amazing but because we were all starving, we started eating before I had the chance to take any pictures TT

Look how pretty my tea bag is. Chris got me a whole box! ♥

 

We reached Alex's place around 3 and lounged around the fireplace (it was raining so heavily) playing card games etc. I didn't think 6 adults could enjoy snap so much - damn painful though!

Thankfully, the rain stopped which meant we could hit the hot springs without having to worry about the staff chasing us our before closing but a little drizzle whilst you're in the springs is the best feeling ever!

Here are some amazing shots of the sunset from Alex's balcony before we left to relax our evening away.
 

 

Read More