In our menu, you will find entrees like Corn & Tomato Wraps with pesto mayonnaise, veggies, sprouts drizzled with olive oil & Sweet Chilie Love – stuffed sweet chilies with macadamia & sundried tomato served with fresh mango and a cucumber salad & drizzled with chilie oil.

For the larger mains, you will find the Pad Thai: organic zucchini noodles, coriander, basil, avocado, lime and capsicum with activated nuts, Cannelloni: broccoli cheddar cannelloni with herbed tomato sauce and cashew parmesan and the popular Mexican Enchilada Plate: Gluten free corn tortillas filled with sweet potato, eggplant, corn, black beans, capsicum & spinach & cashew sour cream with spicy tomato sauce & served with guacamole and heirloom tomato salsa. This is on top of the rotating meals of the day!

To end the meal, you can opt for some of our well regarded desserts like the Raw Snickers, Rainbows & Butterflies, Adam & Eve delight, Chockwork Jaffa, Heaven & Hell Crème brûlée, The New Yorker etc

Luckily for those who are gluten intolerant, the whole menu is gluten free as well as being animal, egg and dairy free.

Monk Bodhi Dharma is open for dinner on Friday nights and runs with a session at 6.30pm and 8.30pm. To book, phone: 9534 7250

This will particularly appeal to the more casual swinger hipster cool types that are looking for the experience of how this old hippie traveled the 3 K’s (Kuta, Kathmandu. Kabul) in the 60’s. But if you are straight edged and cashed up, that’s cool too!

As this is a once only offering for people looking for a more intimate occasion, it will also come at a premium price of $100 per person. Rest assured that absolutely all the proceeds go to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Edgars Mission!

Bookings of 3-4 only on a first come first served basis.

Date and Time: Wednesday 21 September, 2011 at 6pm and 8.30pm

Dinner will be fully vegan and will include the following :

Three [3] dip combo/ Moroccan Pumpkin, Mexican Red Bean and Middle Eastern Hummus served with organic corn chips and raw vegetable crudités
Rasam [soup]
Feast Plate/ Sea Shepherd Pie, Mansoor Dal, Spiced Potatoes, Royal Rice [Sela], Lijjat Pappads, Silverbeet Kitchari and Chile Jam
Raw selection of mignardises including chocolates, cookies, biscotti and macaroons
Beautiful Chai Masala

Please book online through www.monkbd.com.au/wpd as a regular payment and then email marwin@monkbd.com.au to request an upgrade.

PS. Anyone that has already booked can also upgrade…

Michael Hewstone (ex Peace Kitchen) and the crew from the Monk will be holding a peace offering and celebratory dinner with absolutely all the proceeds going to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Edgars Mission! The animal kingdom is having a hard time at the moment, so we are coming together to celebrate peace amongst all beings!

Due to the success of the event last year and having to turn people away, we are happy to announce that we are holding two sessions (don’t tell the cookie boy!)

Date and Time: Wednesday 21 September, 2011 at 6pm and 8.30pm

Bookings Essential. To make a booking, go to: http://www.monkbd.com.au/wpd

Dinner will be fully vegan and will include the following :

Three [3] dip combo/ Moroccan Pumpkin, Mexican Red Bean and Middle Eastern Hummus served with organic corn chips and raw vegetable crudités

Rasam [soup],

Feast Plate/ Sea Shepherd Pie, Mansoor Dal, Spiced Potatoes, Royal Rice [Sela], Lijjat Pappads, Silverbeet Kitchari and Chile Jam,

Raw selection of mignardises including chocolates, cookies, biscotti and macaroons

Beautiful Chai Masala

What is International Day of Peace?

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.

http://internationaldayofpeace.org

For many Australians, Indonesia means Bali, and beaches. To me, Indonesia is now all about coffee and all those that have a hand in producing it. Fleur and I were lucky enough to meet some of those people from the very first day, arriving before everyone else and visiting the Sarimakmur processing plant and mill on the edge of Medan.

Most of these women are paid government mandated minimum wage to hand sort beans: in some cases, it’s one 60 kg bag of coffee, per woman, per day! This was also my introduction to some of the machinery used to sort coffee: for example, the colour sorter. It does exactly that: sorts coffee according to a pre-defined colour, within definable parameters, at an incredible speed. I also saw here the most coffee I have seen in my entire life (and this was only their robusta warehouse!).

Over the next few days, we visited farms and mills around the Lake Toba area on our way to Wahana Estate. One of the huge obstacles in gaining specialty grade coffee is traceability, and in an area such as this with most farms not exceeding half an acre, traceability starts at the mill which buys coffee from farmers and at markets, rather than at the farm level. Wahana Estate is an attempt to combat that, and was truly impressive: over 200 hectares of land they are experimenting with over ten different coffee varietals, to see which grows best in that environment, from Rasuna to Longberry to Catuai. They will soon obtain 300 hectares more to plant with those that succeed: growing what they believe will be Sumatra’s first true estate coffee. Wahana Estate is also home to a mill, and several civet cats. Whilst not meaning to offend our hosts, this was not an aspect of the industry I enjoyed seeing – luwaks kept in cages with coffee growing in with them, and coffee cherries being fed to them alongside other fruits.

It was then back to Medan in preparation for the 12 hour bus ride to Takengon, Aceh. In the day we spent there we visited many farms, slightly larger than those in the Lake Toba area, and small and large coffee ‘collectors’. A common sight in Sumatra was coffee from small farmers drying on the side of the road, in their front yards, on schoolyards, anywhere it would fit!

We were particularly impressed with the men at the Takengon warehouse managing to balance 60kg bags of coffee on their backs, loading it onto the truck destined for the Medan warehouse.

After that, it was back to Medan for a trip to Sarimakmur on our last full day (for those who missed out the first time) and a cupping at headquarters.

The Takengon was still my pick. This was an amazing trip for me, on which I learnt a huge amount. I’d like to thank our hosts, Mercanta for organising it, Fleur of MCM/Market Lane for offering a spot to Monk and being such good company, and to everyone at Monk for their support, and working extra hours to let me have the time off! I met and travelled with some inspiring people who have really reinforced my belief that the specialty coffee industry is truly an incredible industry to be a part of.

Part Two: What makes Sumatran coffees unique? And what is this processing, anyway?

The breakfast will be fully vegan and consist of three courses, a cleanser and petit fours with coffee or house tea.

Bookings essential (min 2 people), $40 per person.

Single origin pourover coffee served with every course, additional $10.00 per person.

To book, please go to: http://www.monkbd.com.au/deg

The breakfast will be fully vegan and consist of three courses, a cleanser and petit fours with coffee or house tea.

Bookings essential (min 2 people), $40 per person.

Single origin pourover coffee served with every course, additional $10.00 per person.

To book, please go to: http://www.monkbd.com.au/deg

Coffee:

As described by Tim:

Guatemala Pasaquim Organic

This one is going to be one of our favourites. Juicy fruit, balanced acidity and notes of cocoa, berries and a touch of caramel. Is either going to be a favourite through the siphon or espresso

Columbia Huila del Obispo

We got this one specifically for be the base of our new blend. Rich body with note of dark chocolate with a wondering fruit finish. Get this one before it flies out!

Nicaragua El Limoncillo

Vibrant and zesty citric acidity with a touch of forest floor. This is quite a complex coffee with layers of cane sugar, cocoa and orange peel.

Costa Rica La Candelilla 100% Geisha

This one is very special indeed. A 100% Geisha (more information can be found http://www.hasblog.co.uk/geisha-varietal) exhibits notes of jasmine and rosewater. Very fragrant this coffee will only be used for filter coffee, but it’ll be worth it. Our special treat to you!

Tea:

Jin Xuan GABA, Rei Chung Estate, Taiwan

Here is a description from the tea master, Nathan Wakeford from Somage Fine Foods:

“GABA tea is rich in Gamma-amino butyric acid which was found inadvertently by Dr.Tsushida Tojiro from Japan’s National Tea Experiment station in 1987 when he was doing research for the Amino acid metabolism of tea. He found that tea expsing the tea to a nitrogen-rich atmosphere (for 8 hours at 40 degrees celsius) would increase the levels of Gamma-amino butyric acid. The ingestion of GABA releases growth hormone, especially after exercise, with remarkable effectiveness. The release of growth hormone is known to increase lean body mass. Consequently, Gaba tea is an invaluable nutritional supplement for body builders, power lifters, runners, martial artists, and athletes of all types. GABA also has significant calming and soothing effects, as such it has been found to lower blood pressure, control hypoglycemia, prevent anxiety and promote restful sleep. GABA tea also has the highest concentration of anti-oxidants, including catechins, flavanoids, and polyphenols of any tea. The Anti-oxidant properties are also helpful in fighting many types of disease.”

It is delicious. Tim has been drinking a pot a day.

Tie Guan Yin, Iron Goddess, China

This is brand spanking new. Wonderfully rich and smooth and full bodied. Notes of melon, citrus, mint, lychees and tropical fruits. Tim expects this to be a favourite.

We are receiving another shipment of coffee (hopefully) in the next few days. We will update you guys when they come in and we’ve had a chance to roast and cup them.

As always, come and talk to either Tim, Emily, Zac and Ula about our current offerings on the espresso and filter coffee boards.

Michael Hewstone was at his awesome best producing a beautiful ceremonial dinner served on a banana leaf. Thanks Michael for making it such a great night and for donating your invaluable experience and time!!

Nathan Wakeford from Somage did an amazing job with the teas, knocking out four rounds of specialty teas for everyone!  Thanks Nathan for the teas, donations and time!

Also big thanks to our staff Ula and Pete for donating their time and doing a double shift… Legends!

“There is no way to peace, peace is the way.”

Monk Bodhi Dharma will be holding a peace offering and celebration dinner prepared by Michael Hewstone (ex Peace Kitchen: artist, beachcomber & cookie boy) and Kate Shaw. Tea guru Nathan Wakeford from Somage will be serving up his beautiful artisan teas.

Cost is $40 per person
Absolutely all the proceeds will go to the  following charities:
Aboriginal Benefits Foundation (Helping Aboriginal Communities) and ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons).

Date and Time: 21 September, 2010 at 7pm.
Celebration dinner starts at 7.30pm sharp.

Bookings Essential. To make a booking, email us on info@monkbodhidharma.com.au

Dinner will be fully vegan and will include the following (approximately):

Starters
Finger food

Peace offering and celebration served on Banana leaf

- Dehrundi Sella Coconut Rice
- South Indian Vegetable & Chana Dal Sambar
- Toovar Dal Rasam
- Mansoor Dal
- Spiced Potatoes
- Cabbage & Fennel Kitchari
- Cauliflower Poriyal
- Steamed Banana in Skin
- Chile Jam
- Bengali Mango Chutney
- Lijjat Urad Papad

Dessert

Beautiful teas from Somage Fine Foods will be served with the dinner

What is International Day of Peace?

The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.

http://internationaldayofpeace.org

Peace sign artwork courtesy of Michael Hewstone

First booking at 7.30am and last sitting at 9.30am.

The breakfast will be fully vegan and consist of three courses, a cleanser and petit fours with coffee or house tea.

Bookings essential (min 2 people), $40 per person.

Single origin pourover coffee served with every course, additional $10.00 per person.

To make a booking, email us on info@monkbodhidharma.com.au

* Please advice dietary requirements upon booking