Hi-Tea at Hotel Windsor - Melbourne

Interiror of Hotel Windsor

Afternoon tea at The Hotel Windsor is a quintessential Melbourne experience. This famous tradition has been synonymous with The Hotel Windsor since 1883. For someone who loves hi-tea, Anthony made reservations and here we are for tea or rather brunch.

A glass of French champagne to complement one's food is served on arrival

Indulge in the best selection of finger sandwiches, savoury canapés, exquisite French pastries, and freshly baked scones, served on an elegant three-tiered stand at the hotel’s One Eleven Spring St restaurant.

Savoury Items  ( Simply delicious)

Éclair of porcini mushroom, mascarpone cheese and winter herbs

Pyengana cheddar cheese scone pear and fennel chutney, pork crackling

Pastry Selection

“Snow White and Rose Red” - Rose scented rhubarb, burnt butter and almond crumble

“Cardamom Honey” - Honey parfait infused with cardamom burnt honey and blood orange jelly, milk chocolate walnut honeycomb

“Little Miss Sunshine” -Spiced pineapple doughnut caramelised white chocolate mousse

Ribbon Sandwiches comprising of Chicken, celery, apple and lemon thyme; Egg mayonnaise, cornichons, Dijon and dill ; Smoked salmon, cucumber and caraway

cream cheese

Anthony & Pat

A wide range of freshly brewed specialty teas is served

Traditional & Sultana Scones Baked Daily

Clotted cream, lemon curd and Windsor jam

National Gallery of Victoria - Melbourne

We were lucky to see the exhibits from the Hermitage : The Legacy of Catherine the Great at National Gallery of Victoria when we visited Melbourne.

It was an immersive experience, recreating the rich atmosphere of the Hermitage, a showcase of these exquisite works.

 Having seen the actual exhibits in Russia, this exhibit brought back fond memories for me. It was as though as I was being transported back to Russia.

Masterpieces from the Hermitage: The Legacy of Catherine the Great showcased one of the world’s greatest art collections. Featuring works by artists included Rembrandt, Rubens, Velázquez and Van Dyck. The exhibition offered a dazzling array of works including the finest group of Dutch and Flemish art.

 This exclusive Melbourne exhibition highlighted the innovation and vision of Catherine the Great, whose inexhaustible passion for education, the arts and culture heralded a period of enlightenment in the region. 

The extraordinary works sourced and commissioned by Catherine during her thirty-four year reign, created the foundations for the Hermitage today – considered to be one of the world’s greatest treasure houses of art and decorative arts.

Victoria Market Place Food Court

Here we are at Victoria Market having our first taste of Melbourne coffee. Iced Latte for me while hot Latte for Anthony.

Situated between the Meat Hall and the Victoria Street Shops, the Food Court caters to almost every visitor’s taste. The range includes Italian, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Chinese cuisines, as well as fish and chips, sandwiches and vegetarian food.

 Hotdog

 Fish & Chips

The Food Court offers take-away foods, with ample seating for over 400. The space is heated for those chilly Melbourne mornings and is well protected from the rain and wind. The modern fabric and glass canopy provides a stark contrast to the surrounding Victorian buildings.

Queen Victoria Market - Melbourne

Here we are -our 2nd day in Melbourne. All set to explore the sights before we meet Angie and her family for dinner.

Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Australia, is also affectionately known as ‘Vic Market’ or ‘Queen Vic’. The Queen Victoria Market has been the heart and soul of Melbourne for more than a century. 

It is a historic landmark spread over two city blocks. A vibrant and bustling inner-city Market where you can shop for everything from Australian fruit and vegetables, and local and imported gourmet foods, to cosmetics, clothing and souvenirs.

The Market is open five days a week—Tuesday, and Thursday to Sunday.

We see particular cuts and styles of meat, for example, in offal or sausages. Others are pork specialists. There is also the sale of meat cut to suit particular cuisines, such as Italian or Asian.

 Cheese - now who moved my cheese

 Located in A & B sheds and H & I sheds, you can find Australian, Asian and exotic produce all under the one roof.  We bought strawberries and berries. Simply delicious and fresh.

Jams