Queen Vic Market

I'm almost ashamed to say that I spent my first year in Melbourne, as well as most of my second, without visiting any of Melbourne's famous markets. My schoolwork takes up a great deal of time yes, but looking at all the other people who are juggling multiple extra-curriculum activities or work commitments, I'm sure I can do better in my study-life balance. Going to another continent to study should be filled with new experiences, exploration and fun. So my New Year's Resolution, for the second year in a row, is to play more.  At the end of my five years, when people ask me what I have done in Australia, I want to be able to say something more than "Oh you know, I go to school on the weekdays... study on the weekends... I sometimes go groceries shopping after school... and I stay home and cook for myself... (indistinct mumblings)..."  As my syllable preaches constantly, all work and no play makes Calvin a burnt-out boy. And no one wants to be around a grouchier-than-normal version of me.

Queen Victoria Market is located in the Northern area of Melbourne just off the city boundaries, and is easily accessible by both train and by car (Look for free 2-hour parking just slightly beyond the paid parking area!). Queen Vic market also has a huge tourist presence and have stores that cater to tourists looking for memorabilia, and you can find anything from boomerangs to 'I heart Melbourne' shirts. Over the last couple of months, I have brought quite a few number of people to Queen Vic and chalked up a number of hours walking up and down the aisles. There was a store selling vintage clocks, and I badly wanted one.

What tugs at my heart-strings though, are the meat delicatessen area, where an abundance of delights like cheese, honey, bread, fruits, vegetables and just-churned butter can be found. 

We bought a stick of baguette at one of the stores ($5), which wasn't nearly as good as the baguettes pulled from the ovens of my favourite bakery. But c'est la vie, as the French says. 

I wasn't kidding when I said that my sisters move fast when food is concerned. I turned by back for an instant, and lo and behold, they were already back with a selection of chocolate from Koko Black. 

Padre Coffee also has a presence here, though we opted for Market Lane Coffee, another store that serves excellent coffee. 

I had a Magic, which was as good as any that I ever had. We also had a Flat White, which was smooth and easy-to-down. 

The queue for Market Lane Coffee

We were content to lean against the wall opposite Market Lane Coffee and watch the people go by  spy on what other people are buying, although if you're looking for an area to rest your weary legs, Padre Coffee has tables and chairs.  

There's also a waffle place near Padre that I hear sells really good waffles, though I haven't had time to check it out for myself. Drats!

We always end a trip to Queen Vic Market by going to the Fruits and Vegetables section, where cheap and fresh fruits can be found. It's an area where Miss XS and I like to take our time and compare prices, and we invariably end up with several bags of fruits. Which, naturally, we power through over the next week. 

I'm just going to go ahead and say this: Summer is my favourite season. The heat can make me dizzy at times, and yes, the other seasons are much cooler. But when else can you get fruits like nectarines, apricots, peaches, cherries, and all other sorts of berries at rock-bottom, jaw-dropping prices? I mean, 10 nectarines for 80 cents? My suppressed hoarder-syndrome is rearing its head. I'll gladly take the heat, and just stay home and maybe watch after my fruits or something. 

And maybe bake something with all the excess fruit. Recipe here!

And if there's one thing I learnt from staying in Melbourne over the last 2 years, it's never to discount the crazy-as-bat-balls weather. The temperature can plunge one moment and soar the next, and I never quite know what to wear. It's certainly not hot throughout summer, and we frequently carry sweaters with us, to be ready to be called to use on a moment's notice. 

Another great reason to love summer? Night markets begin their operation in most of Melbourne's markets, where there are curious wares to be bought, food from famous establishments to be eaten and live music to be enjoyed. Queen Vic hosts the first original night market of Melbourne, and the crowd is a sight to behold. When I arrived with my friend, we were stuffed from our dinner at Sea Salt, but still, the barbeque-scent waffling from Shanghai Grill reached out to us, and we joined the queue for some grilled octopus. The fragrance was so strong, people kept glancing at us as we walked around the market, and we were even stopped once by someone who wanted to know where we bought it from.

Because grilled food cannot be fully enjoyed unless accompanied by alcohol, I also bought a pint of Little Creatures Pale Ale. 

See my sweater? It's summer but it's still pretty darn cold. It's actually winter all year 'round here in Melbourne.  

We even saw a roasted pig available for sale, though I was pretty stuffed from all the food, and sadly missed out on that.

There was also a pie-maker who wagered that his pies are the best you'll ever get. I didn't get a chance to find out for myself, though the multiple newspaper clippings adorning his stall all agreed with him.  

Even Hammer & Tong, Melbourne's current "It" brunch place, has a store selling their famed Soft-Shell Crab burgers. The queue is huge, though I hear from others that it's not as good as the original in their establishment, since the ones here are mass-produced.  

For the non-Singaporeans/Malaysians, you might be interested to know there is a sugar cane drink store here, where $6 will get you a cup of this exotic drink!  

Because it's my friend's last night in Melbourne, we cut out early on a whim, and headed over to the Haunted Bookstore at McKillop Street. (Maybe I have drunk too much alcohol.) I've been there inside during the day, and it gave me the creeps. And on another visit, my friends refused to enter. But unluckily, or luckily, they were closed when we got there (it keeps weird hours, and is expected to open at 12am that day). 

It was a great summer night to be out and about, where you can do anything you fancy, and there's no deadline but your own. And perhaps the train's. But let's keep a positive mindset here. After all, it (was) the end of the year, and tis the season to be young and do silly things before adulthood drags us down and instruct us on what is proper. 

To a new season.    

Looking for good food near Queen Vic Market? We've got you covered. 

Want a good brunch place? Operator 25, a couple of minutes drive away, is one of the top 3 brunch places of 2014. 

Too late for brunch? Check out Chimac just across the street, an up-and-coming Korean-Mexican fusion. Don't knock it until you try it. Believe me.