Monarch Cakes
Today I went wandering down by St Kilda esplanade with friends. One of the friends was Jaime from Write Anyway which meant I chatted about blogging and fiction writing a bit. Mostly though, we chatted about food.
We passed the row of cake shops on Acland Street and I was reminded that some were opened by Holocaust survivors. After World War II Shoah survivors came to Australia, getting just as far away from Europe and its hate as they could. One of the many gifts they brought with them were fine cakes and pastries.
My favourite array of cakes (saved from depredation only by the fact that we had just eaten a substantial lunch) was at Monarch Cakes, which was one such shop. It still has very European delicacies. They’re totally mouthwatering. I’m going back there (though not this trip) and I promise I will report on it to you. I might take my mother with me and find out a bit more about the history of the shops in Acland Street, which is as interesting and delicious as the cakes arrayed in the windows.
September 16th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Are you still drooling over the French Vanilla, too? I’m thinking I should have got a piece of that and a piece of the Kahlua and chocolate one to enjoy tomorrow.
September 17th, 2007 at 2:35 am
Many moons ago I spent a week staying in St Kilda within walking distance of Acland Street and it’s pastry shops. I spent so much time drooling and trying to decide what I wanted, that in the end I never even bought a single vanilla slice. Talk about your wasted opportunity!!
September 17th, 2007 at 3:32 am
Usually a good long look is enough for me, although I usually have to remind myself pretty hard that most of that stuff will make me sick if I do eat it.
I usually end up getting gelati instead. Plenty of good gelati on Aland St. But not as good as Lygon St!