Melbourne First

It's supposed to be 13 degress outside but it feels like its just a degree. And it ain't funny. We got to Melbourne last night, around 830pm. It wasn't too cold then. It only took the cab driver less than 30 minutes to take us from the airport to my sister's condo in Franklin Street. Her place is just a couple of blocks away if you're walking or 3 tram stops if your'e lazy from where the action is (aka shopping).

This morning, my sister took me to her school, University of Melbourne. I don't remember what course she's taking up. I think it's International Business Law. Or something like that. After doing the prerequisite photo op on top of the steps, she showed me the library, where the sound of silence was really defeaning. After, we swung by for our parents and had lunch in Jamie Oliver's restaurant, Fifteen.

Named because they train 15 chef wannabees every year, they recently had a fire in the other end of the kitchen that destroyed the office computers. Goodbye reservations.

Now anyone can forget about the 3-month wait and simply walk in and enjoy the food.

I had winter pumpkin soup. It tasted like squash with gata.

and for my main course, I had porchetta. It's like crispy pata but laid on a bed of beans. Ewww. Lots and lots of beans.

For dessert, we had the Brilliant Dessert Platter - Creme Brulee, a slice of lemon pie, apple pie with raisins and vanilla ice cream, and chocolate filled munchkins with an extra helping of more chocolate icing.

Fifteen is located at Basement 115-117

(underneath the Hermes store)

Collins St, Melbourne Tel. 1300 799 415 www.fifteenmelbourne.com.au