PINTOH

Pintoh is a welcomed addition to Melbourne's dining scene. Paying homage to Laos’ culinary history the menu combines the best from Lao and Isan cuisine.

We loved tasting our way through the "Feed us!" menu - A brilliant introduction to Lao and Isan cuisine which is proudly distinct from those of neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam, although many of its staple herbs and spices such as galangal, kafir lime, lemongrass and ginger are common to them all. 

The small plates are exceptional. The Betel Leaf Prawns are a wonderful mélange of bold and vibrant flavours and feature perfectly grilled plump prawns and a chilly herbs sauce. A must-have is the Ua Si Khai (Oo-ah See Kye), literally translated to stuffed lemongrass, Pintoh's version is tantalizingly fragrant with aromatic pork mixed with a heap of herbs and spices before being stuffed into lemongrass. The pork small ribs are similarly delicious - Think melt in your mouth confit marinaded soft pork bone ribs served with crisp apple, pink radish, walnut and herb salad.

For mains, the Mamuang is highly recommended. We loved the enticing soft shell crab. The deep fried crustacean pieces were coated in a semi-thick crisp batter that encapsulated firm, sweet flesh. With a touch of chilli jam, crunchy cashew nuts and lots of garlic and chilli, this dish was simply superb.

The cheekily named side dish of "Magic Mushrooms" is less a side dish and more a magic addition to your meal. Enoki mushrooms fried to a crisp and laced in caramel glaze and sesame seed. Just. Yum.

For dessert, Pintoh's take on the pannacotta is our pick to conclude your evening on a sweet note. Wonderfully melt in your mouth, the pannacotta went beautifully with the textural black sesame, creamy sago and moreishly sweet banana brulee. A welcome departure from the mundane, this dessert offered its own unique characteristics. We loved the familiar yet different flavour combinations.

A cleverly curated menu embracing traditional flavours of Lao cuisine, Pintoh is the perfect venue to get acquainted with this lesser known South East Asian cuisine with friends.

Location: 165A Bourke Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9650 8452
Link: http://www.pintoh.com.au/
Cuisine: Lao, Isan