Melbourne trip

I was in Melbourne last week for work and while the weather was pretty average and I was pretty busy with work I still found some time to eat and relax!

I went to the much loved and popular asian hotspot Chin Chin and didn't even have to wait for a table! Score!

The sashimi entree was pretty tasty (above) as was the crying tiger (below). Crying Tiger was a little too spicy for my liking but we also tried the crispy skin duck which I don't have a pic of which was awesome! The serving size was very decent too which is always a plus.

I stayed at the Crown Metropol again which I love mainly because of their beautiful pool and facilities. Being the newest of the Crown hotels it has uber modern interiors and a fabulous view. Below is the view from the gym - makes exercising that much better!

They ran out of king rooms so I got a double room instead...one bed to sleep in and one bed to sit and watch TV and read in!

And that famous pool - it is on the second top floor with an edgeless infinity pool feeling as the pool overlooks the edge of the glassed walls all round. The view is magnificent! See below the pool water appears to flow over the edge and you can see the view just yonder.

Not to mention the pool temperature is beautifully heated and the perfect 1.2m height continuously across which is perfect for lap swimming.  Below is the view from where I was perched in the hot tub/jacuzzi which is awesomely heated at 38 degrees. I just chilled in here to relax!

I love going to Bistro Guillaume everytime I'm in Melbourne and this is my standard order - Steak Frite with paris mash instead of the frites. The bearnaise sauce is just right! Usually I will also order dessert (profiteroles) but I just couldn't fit it all in!

On my last night I went to Cumulus for dinner and despite it being a Thursday night the wait wasn't actually too long. I have to say, I've been there for brunch but their dinner wasn't as wow as I would have expected. We ordered the whole snapper and wagyu brisket as our main dishes, both of which were tasty and well cooked but not wow. We did order a freekah salad though which was amazing and had a selection of charcuterie items and entrees which were all very filling and came to about $40 a head which is pretty good considering how full we were.

I just had to try the breakfast buffet at Metropol which is on the top floor at their exclusive 28 members bar and lounge. Being just above the pool, it has an amazing view over the city skyline and of course of the pool below. The buffet is just between the two 'book cases' and the interior decor is beautiful. It apparently can be hired for functions and I was just imagining it would be beautiful and perfect for a 21st, work cocktail function or engagement party. It is very reminscent of the manhattan rooftop style location of my 21st actually, which is probably why I loved it so much!

The breakfast selection was small but refined - just the right amount of variety though for the $38 pricetag I think one would generally expect a larger selection. They had the normal scrambled eggs, mushrooms, sausages, bacon etc as well as the yoghurt station below, beautiful fruit selection, pastries, breads and cereals.

Annd finally...my room service breakfast order one day was pretty swanky - butter milk pancakes with fresh berries. Delish (excuse the blurry iphone photo!)

After all that though...I'm glad to be back home in Sydney!