Crazy Wings

As you walk down Russell Street in Melbourne city and approach this native Chinese store, you can smell the distinct burn of chilli that you will forever associate with that time you couldn't stop crying from the pain of Crazy Wings, despite drinking a half litre carton of milk.

This review isn't about that time, because once is enough for me, but I do encourage you to undertake another of these ‘passage of rites’ and put yourself through what literally feels like your tastebuds on fire. Experience it with a friend, bonus points if you film it. It’s painful, you cry, you laugh, you cry some more and try to gather yourself after it’s all over. Much like most other things in life…

Crazy Wings also have a nice daily deal where you can get two skewers (which rotate) for the price of one. Today was the garlic wings deal ($2.0 per skewer of two wings) so we bought a handful for half the price it would usually cost. They were a lot easier to eat than the Crazy Wings, and thus more satisfying. They have a very distinct BBQ’d flavour and in terms of size, well, steroids may have been involved.

The tofu cube skewer ($2.0) was nothing really special; quite dry with just a sprinkle of chilli powder on it.

Overall it's quite a cheap place to have a quick snack or meal. Don't expect stellar service, you write down what you want on a sheet and then have difficulty getting service thereafter. But it's not really about that, y'know?

TL;DR Remember to bring a camera to Crazy Wings and film you and a friend consuming the fire. 

Cupcake Central

Cupcakes were all the rage a few years back (before the epic wave known as the Macaron took over) and plenty of cupcake shops can still been seen trying to take back the town. One of my more respected cupcakeries is Cupcake Central, a relatively new now-chain who change their innovative flavours with the seasons and release an inspired limited cupcake for their #SurpriseFlavourFriday (it's times like these I could get free every Friday). 

My favourite friday flavour has so far been their 'Lucky Charm' with bubblegum frosting and marshmallow base, decorated with Lucky Charm cereal. A more recent flavour I missed was their 'Freshy & Fruity Peach Cobbler' with a peach and raspberry base with fresh raspberry compote, topped with a light peach and raspberry buttercream frosting. Check their facebook page for their weekly surprises, or website for the seasonal list. 

Cupcake Central also release special event cupcakes, and I was lucky enough to catch their Pink Champagne Mimosa for Mother's Day.

Cupcake Central's cupcakes are always lovely and moist which is the key to an enjoyable cake. It was a very light strawberry velvet flavour and the creamy buttery icing was very sweet but incredibly tasty which was where the champagne flavour was most strong. The marmalade and pink shattered toffee made for a beautiful and tasty decoration atop the cupcake. I was devastated this was a once off but I did manage to snap up the last two for the day.

Not only do they make brilliant cupcakes, but Cupcake Central support good causes as well, donating 1000 Vanilla Bean cupcakes to the RSPCA Million Paw's walk. I managed to snag one and, though too plain for me (I always go for the wilder flavours), it was a satisfying snack to end a great day of facepainting dogs onto children's faces!

TL;DR My go-to cupcake place.