Comments on: Some disappointments don't need naming

By: Duncan

Duncan — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:10:13 +0000

Hi mutemonkey. My lips are sealed tighter than a chicken kiev!

By: mutemonkey

mutemonkey — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 23:57:30 +0000

Ah, Duncan! I'm so sorry to hear what a disappointment it was. And ugh, no prices displayed, how annoying. I'm almost certain I know which chichi-looking place you're referring to, but I'll respect your desire to not name it. But it's in Little Collins St, n'est-ce pas?

By: Duncan

Duncan — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:29:37 +0000

Welcome Goldie! Glad you like it! Geographically I'm afraid the plausible guesses are, alas, too far from the city in this case.

By: Goldie

Goldie — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 06:57:11 +0000

Hi Duncan,

I love the way you write with so much description and understated wit Hmm at a guess I would say this cake shop would be perhaps in Malvern, Toorak or Armadale? It certainly scores in the snobbery stakes it's almost like they're saying 'if you have to ask how much a sliver of our divine cake is then you aren't wealthy enough to sit here.'
Every time I'm in Melb I have to go back to Brunetti and Laurent.

By: Duncan

Duncan — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 03:24:13 +0000

Hi there Stickyfingers. I think we just have to open most of the mags to see just how much more important the sizzle is to far too many people.

By: Stickyfingers

Stickyfingers — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:34:41 +0000

Ah yes, the anti-climax of visiting a much vaunted establishment only to feel horribly let down. I know this feeling well.

It occurs to me that the number of true food aficionado's in town is actually quite small. And I suspect most of them read blogs. But the majority of self-declared 'foodies' are actually quite easily influenced by spin, presentation and hype.

Places like the one you describe, thrive on perceived cachet rather than on delivering the goods and they remind me that on the whole it is often the sizzle not the sausage that is so tempting. Sadly it means that those with real talent are often forced under the radar for the lack of PR and Design.

BTW thanks for the very kind comment on my fledgling blog. Cheers!

By: Duncan

Duncan — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:44:18 +0000

Now I didn't use the word 'mediocre' and nor did I intend it — the product was about as good you might get in many reasonably fancy cake places in Melbourne. But those places don't dress themselves up as a high-end cake-boutique with all the trappings (except exorbitant prices — the small mercy in the place I've written about here).

By: AH

AH — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 01:42:40 +0000

Time to venture into the city streets and find out the truth (and the place too). Is it really that médiocre? Is it really going to be such a big hit even though it's merely the visuals & the nouveau très très chic ambiance that attract clientele? Will get back to you on that one once experienced/tasted the baking wonders despite loads of discouragement from you.