bali 4 travel buddies way 2016
Bali 4 Travel Buddies Way 2016 eBook
Enter Promo Code HALLOWEEN to receive 25% off!
Contained within this 66 page eBook is everything you will need to enjoy your next Bali experience
Useful Tips
Accommodation Options
Over 50 restaurants and cafes
Sightseeing, Activities & Shopping
Reviews & Maps
Enter Promo Code HALLOWEEN to receive 25% off!
Contained within this 66 page eBook is everything you will need to enjoy your next Bali experience
Useful Tips
Accommodation Options
Over 50 restaurants and cafes
Sightseeing, Activities & Shopping
Reviews & Maps
4 travel buddies
If you are visiting Melbourne and would like to enjoy a fabulous dinning experience, accommodation or know want to know about the best places to sip on a great coffee, send us a email. We would love to help. Drop us an email at info@4travelbuddies.com
If you are holidaying in Bali and want to know the best places to eat, stay or have a coffee you will find our self publish Ebook bursting with all you need to know that you can purchase by going to our online store on this website.
We would love to help.
If you are holidaying in Bali and want to know the best places to eat, stay or have a coffee you will find our self publish Ebook bursting with all you need to know that you can purchase by going to our online store on this website.
We would love to help.
juniors restaurant time square
1515 Broadway, New York NY 10019, United States
+ 1 212-302-2000
Monday to Friday 6:30pm –12:00am
Saturday to Sunday 6:30pm –1:00am
www.donttellmamanyc.com
+ 1 212-302-2000
Monday to Friday 6:30pm –12:00am
Saturday to Sunday 6:30pm –1:00am
www.donttellmamanyc.com
Touted as a must visit when in New York, Junior’s Restaurant in Times Square is an iconic American diner famous for its cheesecake. After a full day of sightseeing we could not wait to try out some good old fashioned New York fare from a restaurant that opened its original site in Brooklyn in 1950.
T
he first thing you notice when you enter Junior’s is the décor. It’s bright, loud and a shock to the senses! The stark whiteness of the floor, the lights are on full beam, neon flashing signs and every inch of the walls are covered with the focus on Brooklyn. The chairs are miss matched green and orange which pay homage to its original décor.
With an extensive menu offering every imaginable option from burgers, steaks, seafood, BBQ, sandwiches and salads we struggled to narrow our choices down. Now let us warn you the meals here are big and when we say big we mean they are HUGE, which resulted in us only being able to get through half of what was on our plate.
So what did we decide on; the Lobster Roll, Baked Meatloaf, Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Asian Chicken Salad. Along with sides of Onion Rings and Macaroni and Cheese this mismatched bunch brought with it some hits and plenty of misses.
Let’s start with the Lobster Roll. The roll is a toasted challah overfilled with fresh lobster salad and fries on the side. The lobster salad was smooth creamy and as it says on the menu fresh. The roll was a definite winner unfortunately the fries were soggy and bland.
The Baked Meatloaf was dry and the mushroom gravy to some extent attempted to hide this. The vegetables were a handful of green beans and two pieces of carrot. Let’s be honest you don’t go to Junior’s for vegetables. At best the mash potatoes could be described as meh (insert shrugging of shoulders).
T
he first thing you notice when you enter Junior’s is the décor. It’s bright, loud and a shock to the senses! The stark whiteness of the floor, the lights are on full beam, neon flashing signs and every inch of the walls are covered with the focus on Brooklyn. The chairs are miss matched green and orange which pay homage to its original décor.
With an extensive menu offering every imaginable option from burgers, steaks, seafood, BBQ, sandwiches and salads we struggled to narrow our choices down. Now let us warn you the meals here are big and when we say big we mean they are HUGE, which resulted in us only being able to get through half of what was on our plate.
So what did we decide on; the Lobster Roll, Baked Meatloaf, Pulled Pork Sandwich and the Asian Chicken Salad. Along with sides of Onion Rings and Macaroni and Cheese this mismatched bunch brought with it some hits and plenty of misses.
Let’s start with the Lobster Roll. The roll is a toasted challah overfilled with fresh lobster salad and fries on the side. The lobster salad was smooth creamy and as it says on the menu fresh. The roll was a definite winner unfortunately the fries were soggy and bland.
The Baked Meatloaf was dry and the mushroom gravy to some extent attempted to hide this. The vegetables were a handful of green beans and two pieces of carrot. Let’s be honest you don’t go to Junior’s for vegetables. At best the mash potatoes could be described as meh (insert shrugging of shoulders).
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The major disappointment of the night was the Pulled Pork Sandwich. One taste of the pork shoulder and we could not eat it. There was an overpowering vinegar flavour instead of the tangy BBQ sauce, which made the rest of the items on the plate unappetising. The meal was untouched and when our waiter came to clear the table he did not even enquire as to if there was an issue with the meal. Maybe they are used to full plates of food being returned to the kitchen?
Our final dish was the Asian Chicken Salad consisting of lettuce, red capsicum, corn broccoli and of course chicken all tossed in a ginger dressing. This salad was light and the combination of flavours worked well together but one could not think that this salad would not have been on the menu some 60 years ago when Junior’s first opened.
We should not have bothered ordering side dishes; the Onion Rings were soggy as they had definitely been microwaved. 4 Travel Buddies love a good mac n cheese and on this trip to the US we tried our fair share. Unfortunately this one did not come close to the top 10.
After all that food we were stuffed but could not leave without trying one slice of cheesecake. New York is renowned for its cheesecake and so we were expecting something spectacular as the restaurant promotes itself as having the best cheesecake in New York. Our waiter recommended the red velvet cheesecake and on his suggestion one cheesecake and four forks were ordered.
The cheesecake left us underwhelmed and very confused. When advertised as "You haven't really lived until you've had cheesecake at Junior's”, we beg to differ as this may have been true in the 1950’s but is definitely not true today. It appears that with expansion comes mass production and the authentication has been lost.
The red velvet cake was dry and the cheesecake was tasteless.
We walked away disappointed. Had we built it up too much in our head which lead to this disappointment? Was it us expecting too much or something different only to be let down?
Either way New York still holds a special place in our hearts and this minor hiccup won’t change that.
Our final dish was the Asian Chicken Salad consisting of lettuce, red capsicum, corn broccoli and of course chicken all tossed in a ginger dressing. This salad was light and the combination of flavours worked well together but one could not think that this salad would not have been on the menu some 60 years ago when Junior’s first opened.
We should not have bothered ordering side dishes; the Onion Rings were soggy as they had definitely been microwaved. 4 Travel Buddies love a good mac n cheese and on this trip to the US we tried our fair share. Unfortunately this one did not come close to the top 10.
After all that food we were stuffed but could not leave without trying one slice of cheesecake. New York is renowned for its cheesecake and so we were expecting something spectacular as the restaurant promotes itself as having the best cheesecake in New York. Our waiter recommended the red velvet cheesecake and on his suggestion one cheesecake and four forks were ordered.
The cheesecake left us underwhelmed and very confused. When advertised as "You haven't really lived until you've had cheesecake at Junior's”, we beg to differ as this may have been true in the 1950’s but is definitely not true today. It appears that with expansion comes mass production and the authentication has been lost.
The red velvet cake was dry and the cheesecake was tasteless.
We walked away disappointed. Had we built it up too much in our head which lead to this disappointment? Was it us expecting too much or something different only to be let down?
Either way New York still holds a special place in our hearts and this minor hiccup won’t change that.
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harlem renaissance & Gospel music Tour
National Black Theatre
25th Street and Fifth Avenue, Harlem, NY 10037, United States
+1 917-275-6975
10am to 12.30pm daily
www.freetoursbyfoot.com/harlem-gospel-tour
25th Street and Fifth Avenue, Harlem, NY 10037, United States
+1 917-275-6975
10am to 12.30pm daily
www.freetoursbyfoot.com/harlem-gospel-tour
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Firstly we cannot reiterate this enough BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE! We left it too late and missed out on the two hour walking neighbourhood tour of Harlem. We will not make this mistake again and on our next trip to New York pencilled in for mid 2017 this will be the first thing we book.
We did however get to enjoy the one hour musical performance at The National Black Theatre which was the most uplifting experiences so far on our travels.
The Harlem Renaissance and Gospel Music tour takes in the culture and history of the art, music, architecture, food and dance that forms the basis of the rhythm and blues (RnB) music we hear today. Finishing at The National Black Theatre which was founded in 1968 we could not even imagine how uplifted we would feel when this performance was finished.
At The National Black Theatre you are directed up 2 flights of stairs where you get to marvel at the extraordinary works of art on the walls. We were mesmerised by the beauty, skill and talent of these artists.
When you arrive outside the theatre you are asked to make a donation to the performers. Now some may think a token gesture of a few dollars is ok but let us assure you this performance is world class and deserves a bit more than pocket change in fact it is better than most of the shows on Broadway.
Enter Lady Altovise, and her presence is immediately felt in the room. She is spellbinding and infectious and her passion for all things Harlem is contagious. You fall in love with her instantly as she takes you on this journey. It is as if you are there by her side watching history unfold. We could only imagine how fabulous it would have been to tour Harlem with her.
The singers take centre stage as Lady Altovise’s captivating voice takes us on a trip through the memories of gospel music brought to life by the choir. Your senses heightened, you will not know who to look at as each voice is as compelling and beautiful as the next.
How Excellent, Wading in the Water, Sweet Chariot, We Shall Overcome, and many more iconic songs were sung. We danced, we clapped, we sang along!
Oh Happy Day (yes it was sung) and summed up this whole experience. We left wanting so much more and yet it felt like they covered it all from gospel to blues to jazz to break dancing, we even danced down on the soul train.
If you only go on one tour in New York this is the one that has the 4 Travel Buddies recommended stamp of approval.
We did however get to enjoy the one hour musical performance at The National Black Theatre which was the most uplifting experiences so far on our travels.
The Harlem Renaissance and Gospel Music tour takes in the culture and history of the art, music, architecture, food and dance that forms the basis of the rhythm and blues (RnB) music we hear today. Finishing at The National Black Theatre which was founded in 1968 we could not even imagine how uplifted we would feel when this performance was finished.
At The National Black Theatre you are directed up 2 flights of stairs where you get to marvel at the extraordinary works of art on the walls. We were mesmerised by the beauty, skill and talent of these artists.
When you arrive outside the theatre you are asked to make a donation to the performers. Now some may think a token gesture of a few dollars is ok but let us assure you this performance is world class and deserves a bit more than pocket change in fact it is better than most of the shows on Broadway.
Enter Lady Altovise, and her presence is immediately felt in the room. She is spellbinding and infectious and her passion for all things Harlem is contagious. You fall in love with her instantly as she takes you on this journey. It is as if you are there by her side watching history unfold. We could only imagine how fabulous it would have been to tour Harlem with her.
The singers take centre stage as Lady Altovise’s captivating voice takes us on a trip through the memories of gospel music brought to life by the choir. Your senses heightened, you will not know who to look at as each voice is as compelling and beautiful as the next.
How Excellent, Wading in the Water, Sweet Chariot, We Shall Overcome, and many more iconic songs were sung. We danced, we clapped, we sang along!
Oh Happy Day (yes it was sung) and summed up this whole experience. We left wanting so much more and yet it felt like they covered it all from gospel to blues to jazz to break dancing, we even danced down on the soul train.
If you only go on one tour in New York this is the one that has the 4 Travel Buddies recommended stamp of approval.
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rozzi's italian canteen
Shop GD 093 River Walk Precinct Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore, Queensland
+61 7 5443-1303
Monday – Wednesday 8:00am – 9:00pm
Thursday – Friday 8:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 10:00pm
Sunday 9:00am – 9:00pm
www.rozzis.com.au
+61 7 5443-1303
Monday – Wednesday 8:00am – 9:00pm
Thursday – Friday 8:00am – 10:00pm
Saturday 8:30am – 10:00pm
Sunday 9:00am – 9:00pm
www.rozzis.com.au
Maroochydore lies in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and situated on the picturesque natural Cornmeal Creek waterway at Sunshine Plaza’s Riverwalk precent is Rozzi’s Italian Canteen.
Opening 14 months ago Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore was the first restaurant in the franchise famiglia to venture into the sunshine state of Queensland. It doesn’t matter which Rozzi’s Italian Canteen you dine at, they all have the signature décor colours of yellow, black, white and natural light wood furnishings creating a pleasant and overall vibrant feel. The bonus with Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore, you are spoilt for choice with seating inside or on the boardwalk where you can enjoy the view, people watch and cast your eye over the paddle boats floating up and down the waterway.
What sets Rozzi’s Italian Canteen above the others is their food is inspired by the best quality fresh seasonal produce sourced locally where possible and high quality authentic imported Italian ingredients. Breads are made and baked daily onsite and they prepare their pizza dough each morning. If you don’t have time to sit down and enjoy the warm hospitality, you can also pick up quick takeaway options on the run including focaccia’s, salads, cakes, slices and biscuits.
On the recommendations of our host Adam, we enjoyed tasting Rozzi’s signature pizza, their popular pasta dish and best-selling salad.
Serving up great tasting pizzas to many locals and tourists, 4TBs enjoyed a half-and-half pizza to feed all of our senses; seafood and vegetarian. Passionate about serving up authentic Italian style pizzas, the incredibly thin-crust pizza was amazing. The clever combination of double smoked ham, scallops and prawns is a
Rozzi’s gourmet pizza delight. The smoky taste of the double smoked ham is a great accompaniment to the distinctive mild salty seafood and the firm texture of the sweet flavour scallops were delectable. The final touch to this devilishly good pizza was the truffle oil, buffalo mozzarella and a sprinkling of bright green fresh chives.
Opening 14 months ago Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore was the first restaurant in the franchise famiglia to venture into the sunshine state of Queensland. It doesn’t matter which Rozzi’s Italian Canteen you dine at, they all have the signature décor colours of yellow, black, white and natural light wood furnishings creating a pleasant and overall vibrant feel. The bonus with Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore, you are spoilt for choice with seating inside or on the boardwalk where you can enjoy the view, people watch and cast your eye over the paddle boats floating up and down the waterway.
What sets Rozzi’s Italian Canteen above the others is their food is inspired by the best quality fresh seasonal produce sourced locally where possible and high quality authentic imported Italian ingredients. Breads are made and baked daily onsite and they prepare their pizza dough each morning. If you don’t have time to sit down and enjoy the warm hospitality, you can also pick up quick takeaway options on the run including focaccia’s, salads, cakes, slices and biscuits.
On the recommendations of our host Adam, we enjoyed tasting Rozzi’s signature pizza, their popular pasta dish and best-selling salad.
Serving up great tasting pizzas to many locals and tourists, 4TBs enjoyed a half-and-half pizza to feed all of our senses; seafood and vegetarian. Passionate about serving up authentic Italian style pizzas, the incredibly thin-crust pizza was amazing. The clever combination of double smoked ham, scallops and prawns is a
Rozzi’s gourmet pizza delight. The smoky taste of the double smoked ham is a great accompaniment to the distinctive mild salty seafood and the firm texture of the sweet flavour scallops were delectable. The final touch to this devilishly good pizza was the truffle oil, buffalo mozzarella and a sprinkling of bright green fresh chives.
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Cooked on a stone base oven giving these pizza’s an authentic crispness as it absorbs the moisture from the dough. The Xerxis (vegetarian) occupied the other half of our pizza with chargrilled roasted peppers, whole pitted olives, spinach, feta, mozzarella, parmesan and pesto. Although sounding appealing on the menu this pizza didn’t wow us, but we put it down to the fact that we are not vegetarians by nature. We did enjoy the feta and the drizzled pesto, but felt the pizza base wasn’t as crispy as the Rozzi purely due to the weight of the other ingredients and extra spreading of the napoleon sauce.
Rounding out our carbs feast was the Marco Pollo with tender pieces of chicken tossed in a perfect amount of creamy mascarpone and stirred in a fresh herby flavour pesto, sautéed onion and garlic, tomatoes, vibrant roasted peppers and spinach. The Farfalle pasta (also known as bow-tie or butterfly shaped pasta) was al dente and topped with fresh chopped parsley.
Jumping back on the healthy bandwagon we tried the Spinach and Pumpkin salad. A Winter warming salad loaded with massive chunks of pumpkin, firm tomatoes, fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onions, a tomato pesto and feta; this salad ticks all the boxes. The combination of the hearty roasted pumpkin and salty feta can make this salad a satisfying meal on its own. We do wonder if the hero of this dish; the pumpkin, were smaller cubes of pumpkin and a different variety of pumpkin selected (eg Butternut) and not Jap pumpkin which has a stringy texture and watery consistency if it would reach greater heights than just being ‘a salad’.
Finally, we couldn’t go past also ordering the house seasoned Chips with Aoili and Tomato Sauce. Oh My God (OMG) these chips were on steroids; they were big fat cut chips at least 1.5cm in diameter, were well-seasoned, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. There wasn’t a chip left in the bowl!
Sadly, we didn’t have a square inch left in our tummies to indulge in a dessert, sweet treat or cake. We do look forward to visiting other Rozzi’s Italian Canteens down the East Coast of Australia to try other dishes from the menu including a dessert or two.
We would like to thank Adam for taking time out of a busy lunch service to chat to us. Adam’s personality, excellent customer service skills and knowledge of the dishes shone through and showed his passion for the hospitality industry. Thank you also to franchise owner Lawrence and Dean from Rozzi’s Group of Companies for allowing 4 Travel Buddies the opportunity to dine and review Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore. With great food, friendly service and a lovely atmosphere, we will definitely be back.
Rounding out our carbs feast was the Marco Pollo with tender pieces of chicken tossed in a perfect amount of creamy mascarpone and stirred in a fresh herby flavour pesto, sautéed onion and garlic, tomatoes, vibrant roasted peppers and spinach. The Farfalle pasta (also known as bow-tie or butterfly shaped pasta) was al dente and topped with fresh chopped parsley.
Jumping back on the healthy bandwagon we tried the Spinach and Pumpkin salad. A Winter warming salad loaded with massive chunks of pumpkin, firm tomatoes, fresh spinach, thinly sliced red onions, a tomato pesto and feta; this salad ticks all the boxes. The combination of the hearty roasted pumpkin and salty feta can make this salad a satisfying meal on its own. We do wonder if the hero of this dish; the pumpkin, were smaller cubes of pumpkin and a different variety of pumpkin selected (eg Butternut) and not Jap pumpkin which has a stringy texture and watery consistency if it would reach greater heights than just being ‘a salad’.
Finally, we couldn’t go past also ordering the house seasoned Chips with Aoili and Tomato Sauce. Oh My God (OMG) these chips were on steroids; they were big fat cut chips at least 1.5cm in diameter, were well-seasoned, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. There wasn’t a chip left in the bowl!
Sadly, we didn’t have a square inch left in our tummies to indulge in a dessert, sweet treat or cake. We do look forward to visiting other Rozzi’s Italian Canteens down the East Coast of Australia to try other dishes from the menu including a dessert or two.
We would like to thank Adam for taking time out of a busy lunch service to chat to us. Adam’s personality, excellent customer service skills and knowledge of the dishes shone through and showed his passion for the hospitality industry. Thank you also to franchise owner Lawrence and Dean from Rozzi’s Group of Companies for allowing 4 Travel Buddies the opportunity to dine and review Rozzi’s Italian Canteen, Maroochydore. With great food, friendly service and a lovely atmosphere, we will definitely be back.
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ibis swanston street melbourne
If you are a Melbournian looking for a mini staycation in the city or a tourist wanting an affordable but chic hotel then the ibis Melbourne Swanton Street has you covered. Formerly a Tune Hotel but now acquired by the AccorHotels Group, the ibis Melbourne Swanston Street is superb value for money.
Located on the outskirts of the CBD with public transport at the doorstep and within walking distance to the Queen Victoria Market this hotel is close to the stylish Melbourne City Shopping District.
We were warmly greeted by Chris who checked us in quickly and efficiently. Chris pointed out the onsite restaurant, bar and café as well as assisting with parking spaces in the underground car park. He also advised that the Front Desk is manned 24 hours per day and that if we needed anything to contact them. There is a guest phone located on every level, next to the lifts if you need to contact reception during your stay, however you can always use your mobile phone.
We made our way up to the 5th floor where we entered a cosy room however enough space for 2 adults to fit comfortably. The bedroom and entrance have dark wood floorboards with the bathroom having grey tiled floors. The rooms would be described as the minimalist look of white and a splash of red grey and black in the décor.
The bed linen is crisp white and clean with a bold red leather headboard above the bed. A mirror above the headboard as well as a mirror as you enter the room gives the room a more spacious feel. Directly across from the bed is a widescreen television encased in a red shiny wooden border keeping the flow of the colour scheme.
Next to the bed is a black desk with tea, coffee, sugar, UHT milks, a kettle and cups. There is ample room to place your laptop on the desk if you needed to do some work and come to think of it the ibis would be great for someone on a quick business trip to Melbourne as it is within walking distance to the CBD with all the amenities of the bigger hotels at an affordable price. Did we mention there is also an onsite laundry if you happen to be staying longer than a couple of days.
Located on the outskirts of the CBD with public transport at the doorstep and within walking distance to the Queen Victoria Market this hotel is close to the stylish Melbourne City Shopping District.
We were warmly greeted by Chris who checked us in quickly and efficiently. Chris pointed out the onsite restaurant, bar and café as well as assisting with parking spaces in the underground car park. He also advised that the Front Desk is manned 24 hours per day and that if we needed anything to contact them. There is a guest phone located on every level, next to the lifts if you need to contact reception during your stay, however you can always use your mobile phone.
We made our way up to the 5th floor where we entered a cosy room however enough space for 2 adults to fit comfortably. The bedroom and entrance have dark wood floorboards with the bathroom having grey tiled floors. The rooms would be described as the minimalist look of white and a splash of red grey and black in the décor.
The bed linen is crisp white and clean with a bold red leather headboard above the bed. A mirror above the headboard as well as a mirror as you enter the room gives the room a more spacious feel. Directly across from the bed is a widescreen television encased in a red shiny wooden border keeping the flow of the colour scheme.
Next to the bed is a black desk with tea, coffee, sugar, UHT milks, a kettle and cups. There is ample room to place your laptop on the desk if you needed to do some work and come to think of it the ibis would be great for someone on a quick business trip to Melbourne as it is within walking distance to the CBD with all the amenities of the bigger hotels at an affordable price. Did we mention there is also an onsite laundry if you happen to be staying longer than a couple of days.
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The bathroom is spotless with white towels, and echo toiletries of shampoo, conditioner, a soap bar and shower cap. Now for what is considered a ‘budge’ hotel the showers are enormous! And that shower nozzle had great pressure. If we were to make one suggestion for improvement it would be that a bin be placed the bathroom but is not a deal breaker as there is a bin under the desk.
Before dinner we headed down to the bar attached to the onsite restaurant Wokks (formerly known as Absolute Thai). We enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and a few cocktails out on the deck which is perfectly positioned in between two buildings shielding you from any of Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
After dinner we headed out to explore the Melbourne nightlife. A short five minute walk and you will find yourself in vibrant Lygon Street where you can indulge in a multitude of restaurants, cake shops, retail therapy and we even saw an enormous queue outside an ice cream shop.
Waking up from a perfect night’s sleep (no we did not hear any noise from the street) in what we must say is one of the more comfortable beds we have slept in a hotels feeling refreshed and ready to head downstairs to try out breakfast at The Wonder Kafé located across from the Reception area.
This was our first stay at an ibis hotel and we were pleasantly surprised by what is considered a budget hotel but offered so much more than expected. The service was fabulous, the rooms clean and amazingly more spacious than anticipated. The cleaning staff really need to be commended as white tiles are unforgiving and the bathrooms were impeccably cleaned.
We have to say a huge thank you to Jay Nikolin Sales and Marketing Manager for his kind hospitality and we look forward to visiting many more ibis Hotels in Australia as well as on our BIG international trip next year!
Before dinner we headed down to the bar attached to the onsite restaurant Wokks (formerly known as Absolute Thai). We enjoyed a couple of glasses of wine and a few cocktails out on the deck which is perfectly positioned in between two buildings shielding you from any of Melbourne’s unpredictable weather.
After dinner we headed out to explore the Melbourne nightlife. A short five minute walk and you will find yourself in vibrant Lygon Street where you can indulge in a multitude of restaurants, cake shops, retail therapy and we even saw an enormous queue outside an ice cream shop.
Waking up from a perfect night’s sleep (no we did not hear any noise from the street) in what we must say is one of the more comfortable beds we have slept in a hotels feeling refreshed and ready to head downstairs to try out breakfast at The Wonder Kafé located across from the Reception area.
This was our first stay at an ibis hotel and we were pleasantly surprised by what is considered a budget hotel but offered so much more than expected. The service was fabulous, the rooms clean and amazingly more spacious than anticipated. The cleaning staff really need to be commended as white tiles are unforgiving and the bathrooms were impeccably cleaned.
We have to say a huge thank you to Jay Nikolin Sales and Marketing Manager for his kind hospitality and we look forward to visiting many more ibis Hotels in Australia as well as on our BIG international trip next year!
Two kings
Located on busy Centre Road, Two Kings is a MUST visit Café in Bentleigh. What impressed us about Two Kings Café? Everything! From the moment you are greeted by one of their fabulous waiters to the delicious food prepared by classically trained Head Chef and co-owner Eddie and his team, Two Kings was the full restaurant experience in a café style setting.
The service is friendly and the passion that exudes from Jochem co- owner of Two Kings is infectious. With Jochem looking after front of house and Head Chef Eddie in charge of the kitchen Two Kings has hit the winning formula. |
honey cafe
Located in the Como Centre at South Yarra, make sure you pop in and enjoy the warm hospitality from the staff at Honey Café. Honey Café has been serving up a café style menu for three years, and with new owners taking over July, 2016 expect to see exciting changes to the menu.
On the second level of the Como Centre, Honey Café has a homely feel with its sunny bright yellow interior and luminous interior flower mural on one wall. Yellow is likened to happiness, creating an uplifting feeling of sunshine and warmth and sprinkle in a good helping of good old fashion customer service and you have a vibrant café. |
new york
don't tell mama
4TBs dined at Don’t Tell Mama after our Circle Line Harbour Sightseeing Cruise on the Hudson River. In close walking distance to Pier 83, Don’t Tell Mama has it all; a restaurant and multi-purpose club with a piano bar all under the one roof.
We couldn’t go past ordering the Chicken & Vegetable soup with a serve of Garlic Bread to kick off our dining experience. This soup warmed the soul with its flavoursome chicken broth, diced vegetables and pieces of chicken and the toasted garlic sourdough was topped with loads of dried parmesan. We could’ve easily ordered another serving of the Garlic Bread, but didn’t want to fill up on bread.
We couldn’t go past ordering the Chicken & Vegetable soup with a serve of Garlic Bread to kick off our dining experience. This soup warmed the soul with its flavoursome chicken broth, diced vegetables and pieces of chicken and the toasted garlic sourdough was topped with loads of dried parmesan. We could’ve easily ordered another serving of the Garlic Bread, but didn’t want to fill up on bread.
Amy ruth'sIf there’s one meal in New York City (NYC) that we wanted to bottle up and take home, it would be the waffles and fried chicken from Amy Ruth’s. This famous soul food restaurant in Harlem has been serving up home-style African-American cuisine to locals and tourists since 1998.
With meals being very reasonably priced, we heard it gets extremely busy and best to dine outside of the usual service times otherwise be prepared to wait for a table. 
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epicerie boulud
It was a cold and dreary Monday in New York but we were up early as we were heading over to ABC TV Studios to watch a taping of The View. We could not wait to see Whoopi and the rest of the ladies, however before we could shine for the cameras we needed refuelling in the form of LARGE coffees and some French pastries.
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230 Fifth
After a 6 hour flight from Las Vegas and carrying some serious baggage under our eyes from a jam packed schedule of eating, dancing, drinking and gambling we made it to New York City in one piece!
230 Fifth Rooftop Garden Bar and Restaurant was just what we needed to get into the New York swing. The weather was not on our side and so we opted to be seated indoors however this did not detract from the amazing views of the New York skyline. 
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las vegas
grand canyon helicopter tour
You can’t go to Las Vegas, Nevada and not see the Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. It doesn’t matter how much you have read, heard others talk about or photos you’ve seen; nothing really prepares you for the magnitude of how grand it really is. It’s truly an experience of a lifetime without a doubt.
Sundance Helicopters offers a large variety of tour destinations to cater for all budgets. They provide low, medium and wow me experiences, length of trips under 3 hours, 3-5 hours and more than 5 hours with flight times in the morning for the early risers, midday for those wishing to sleep in and evening flights for those who are just kicking off their day! |
the monte carlo
Sitting smack bang in the prime location on The Las Vegas Strip, The Monte Carlo Resort and Casino was the perfect hotel for our three nigh stay in Las Vegas.
After 26 hours of travelling, including a three hour delay because of a freak storm rolling through Las Vegas we made it to the bright lights (insert Elvis singing) of the Vegas Strip and the massive hotel that would be our base for approximately 6 hours of sleep over three nights. |
downtown las vegas food tour
Calling all avid foodies… do yourself a favour and book this foodie tour. Experiencing culture and amazing cuisine, The Downtown Las Vegas Food Tour is a 2 ½ hour walking tour taking in the sights of old Vegas and Fremont Street District. Our local guides Miss Vicki and Cassandra educated and entertained us whilst ensuring our taste buds were satisfied with food tasting from several eateries around the Freemont Street District. |
burgr
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the cheesecake factory
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hard rock café
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4TBs have a love affair with burgers, and we couldn’t go past trying a burger from Gordon Ramsay’s famous BurGR in Las Vegas on our recent trip to the United States. We rate these burgers Top 5 we have tried worldwide.
Just like Gordon Ramsay’s fiery personality, it’s fitting this restaurant has an exterior glass wall with fire tubes weaving through the window! The restaurant stands out from the pack with its bright coloured walls, booths and overhead TVs creating a snazzy atmosphere. The line was lengthy, but moved quickly and was worth the wait. For a renowned chef, Gordon Ramsay’s BurGR was reasonably priced. |
You can’t go to Las Vegas and not see the opulence Roman inspired luxury hotel and casino, Caesars Palace in the heart of the famous Las Vegas Strip. In a world of marble, you can wonder aimlessly for several hours shopping through 160 luxury specialty stores, extraordinary and over the top attractions and fine restaurants.
Located in the far north side of The Forum Shop mall; a good 15 minute stroll from the strip, you will stumble upon The Cheesecake Factory. This American chain restaurant will have you in a head spin with the largest menu selection we have ever seen including appetizers, pizza, pasta, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches and 50 cheesecakes and desserts! The extensive menu has something for everyone. |
If you haven’t dined at a Hard Rock Café somewhere in the world, you are missing out. 4TBs have dined at several Hard Rock Cafés around the world, and they all carry the same vibe and feel with a super cool atmosphere. The famed rock souvenir restaurant chain features memorabilia from decade’s worth of rock and pop artists. Adorning the walls everywhere you look, there is so much to see you won’t get bored.
Known around the world for amazing food, drinks/beverages and music, Hard Rock Café, Las Vegas is located on the famed Las Vegas Boulevard and features the world’s largest Rock Shop. Serving burgers and American classics, the portions sizes are large, the service is great and the waiters are engaging. |
bali
Souq café
Sometimes in life the best things aren’t planned; and stumbling across Souq Cafe was one of these occasions. 4 Travel Buddies left our resort compound to explore the surrounds of Seminyak and the rest is history as they say. Located at the top end of Jl. Raya Basangkasa and a short stroll along Jl. Mertanadi before heading into Seminyak’s Eat Street, Souq Cafe combines two of our favourite past times; shopping and eating all under the one roof.
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Spring spa
As seasoned travellers to Bali we have tried every possible massage / day spa that this gorgeous island has to offer. From the overpriced hotel day spa to the ladies on the beach charging $7AUD for an hour massage to the thousands of little massage shops along every street offering hair braiding, pedicures, manicures and massage at a price we could only dream of paying in Australia.
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Café moonlight
Although off the beaten track, Cafe Moonlight has a lot to offer. A 15 minute stroll from the heart of Seminyak Sqaure, Cafe Moonlight is a great place to check out and enjoy a good wholesome brekky. Cafe Moonlight is a surprisingly busy place early morning given the offbeat location in the back blocks between Seminyak and Kerobokan, so it’s worth making a reservation.
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melbourne
1889
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Mediterraneo chargrill
Regulars to the Albert Park area we were amazed that we had not dined at Mediterraneo Chargrill Restaurant which has been operating on Bridport Street for close to 14 years. Focusing on Mediterranean cuisine from countries around the Mediterranean Sea which geographical area broadly follows the distribution of the olive tree, the food is most distinctive features is olive oil.
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Qpo
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fandango
We never need an excuse to head over to Fandango on Errol Street in North Melbourne but on Sunday 28th August, we were drawing the winner of our joint competition with Fandango for an $80 voucher for up to 4 people to enjoy breakfast at our favourite café in North Melbourne. With so many cafes to choose from on Errol Street we love the intimacy of the indoor seating area. |
hotels
If you are visiting Melbourne and would like to enjoy a fabulous dinning experience, accommodation or know the best places to sip on a great coffee, send us a email. We would love to help.
If you are holidaying in Bali and want to know the best places to eat, stay or have a coffee then jump onto our homepage of our website and you will find self publish Ebook bursting with all you need to know that you can purchase. We would love to help.
If you are holidaying in Bali and want to know the best places to eat, stay or have a coffee then jump onto our homepage of our website and you will find self publish Ebook bursting with all you need to know that you can purchase. We would love to help.