ii-ne-kore

the dust barrier

hello,
sorry i have been absent for a little while.
here are some (mobile phone) pictures of why.

we have recently moved into a new space.
it has taken two weeks to date for them to come and connect the internet:(
we have two houses worth of stuff piled into two rooms,
while we do some patching up work on the other areas.

it is an exciting venture.
the space is super massive,
above a shop in the inner northern 'burbs of melbourne.
it's hard to show the scale of the place,
but believe me when i say the ceilings soar
and there could be flotillas of people scattered about
with high possibility you would not run into each other.

we have some ideas on how to use the space,
and i really hope i can keep you updated on those
as they come about!

in the meantime...
i have plans to document some of our neighbours.
there is an awesome mix of old and new in the area -
traders that have been there forever and a day
and some nice new kids on the block as well.
please stay tuned!

edit:

i have just been ringing round to
secure a booking for tonight to eat japanese in our fine old town.
of course, there are many, many options.
but just had to share my experience with yu-u in the cbd.

upon calling, my booking was welcomed.
but when i asked about vegetarian options,
i was told not to bother, or in polite code,
'perhaps another time', as all they have is edamame.

now.

i find this disappointing, and borderline offensive.
although admittedly authentic in terms of the struggle
many vegos encounter when trying to order vego dishes in japan itself.

but come on.

it is especially disappointing as i know from firsthand experience in japan
that whilst vego food is certainly not mainstream,
there is a definite trend on in japan toward slow food and whole food,
with the concurrent broadening of meat-free and fish-free options.
and i also know that japanese cooking lends itself superbly well to fresh,
vegetable seasonal produce and grains.

so, anyway, i felt like a bit of a rant there. i guess my message is:

get with the program yu-u.


in contrast, some recommended vego-friendly japanese places in melbs:

wood spoon kitchen (big kudos for vego options, although the onigiri is disappointing)

wabi sabi salon (in smith street, collingwood. i first thought this place over-priced.
but upon investigation of other options,
i think their menu is inventive - giving really good vego options,
a good looking vego bento lunch and is
probably priced ok in relation to other places.)

shoya (very expensive and decor way too urbane,
but pretty amazing all vegetarian degustation menu -
taxi restaurant also used to do an amazing vegetarian japanese platter -
the best i have had in melbourne. not sure if they still do. also expensive.)

kappaya soul food (i belive their focus is more on sushi and sashimi,
just is a nice-looking place with a nice attitude)

cibi for breakfast.

otsumami in northcote also receives good reviews.
i have been there once and found the okonomiyaki a wee bit disappointing.
but again, kudos for a very strong range of vego options,
and for the nice tatami seating arrangements out the back.

very, very keen to get to ocha soon again as well.
this place used to be authenticity at its best. i hope it still is.

the ornate plaster work in hallway,
and the best monstera plant ever inherited- huge and propped up with various sticks and ties
(it came with the place:)

the roses

another inherited plant and brass planter.
the fireplaces are exciting - we need a chimney sweep.
and obviously a good coat of paint
(architraves and fireplace surrounds are victims of an eighties assault)

the skylight will be playing a big part in the future,

two houses of stuff, two usable rooms - the art of stacking
(note sofa arm has been utilised as cat scratching post)

linen press the cat finds his perch in the stacks

the kitchen is currently functional. but waaaay too beige.
last priority but some kind of fix up on zero budget will be hopefully forthcoming.

this window is a winner. almost holy:)