Proper & Son

Proper & Son is the new kid on the South Melbourne market block.

Possessing an eclectic familial charm, the café boasts a contemporary fit out of wooden furnishings, ceiling suspended lighting and an open kitchen where diners are able to peer in and be fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes. The result is an inspired, modern vibe.

Proper & Son is an establishment that proudly pays homage to quality Australian produce, as is successfully reflected in its dishes. Being based in South Melbourne Market, the menu lends itself to being created using the best ingredients available from the market.

Proper & Son delivers quality Toby’s Estate coffee to the public poured by adept baristas.

Salmon and leek squeak

The salmon and leek squeak was lovely.  The smoked salmon was fresh, the leek squeak was beautifully flavoured and the egg was perfectly poached.

Lamb shoulder, freekeh

We shared a salad of lamb shoulder and freekeh which was a medley of enlivening flavours and textures.

Field mushroom, haloumi and romesco roll

The field mushroom, haloumi and romesco roll was a stand out. Sandwiched between thick slices of toasted brioche were plump beautifully roasted mushrooms, crisp salty haloumi which matched beautifully with the romesco. Abundantly flavoursome and fresh, it was a triumph.

Proper & Son has succeeded in crafting a convivial atmosphere in which to enjoy a lazy brunch. The menu is delicious and caters for all kinds of appetites while the staff are friendly and affable.

Location: 13/322-326 Coventry St, South Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9699 7057

Link: http://properandson.com.au/

Cuisine: Modern Australian, Healthy Food, Cafe

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of South Melbourne Market.

The Left-Handed Chef

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of The Left-Handed Chef.

With a name that pays homage to the man behind it all, The Left-Handed Chef is a café that pleases patrons with life’s simple pleasures done well. 

With a relaxed, unpretentious and uncomplicated approach, the food features a variety of brunch options that will suit everyone, coupled with a friendly ambience.

Led by owner and Chef Ehud Malka, the kitchen is in capable hands. Ehud’s passion for food is clear and it is this unwavering passion and love for the small pleasures in life that imbues his creations with an air of fun and joy.

Pulled pork tacos 

The tacos were filled with an addictive medley of crackling, hot apple chutney, coleslaw and slowly roasted pork. The pulled pork was both tender and delicious, with caramel undertones. This brunch dish had it all - crackling, tender meat and vibrant fresh flavours.

Haloumi salad

The haloumi salad was delicious. This seemingly simple dish boasted balanced layers of flavour. The deep fried, salty haloumi was crisp on the exterior and matched beautifully with the rocket, pistachio, roasted pumpkin and asparagus. The balsamic reduction provided sweetness and acid, as did the pomegranate which also added a wonderful textural element. 

Serving good food at affordable prices, the Left-Handed Chef has unsurprisingly become a favourite choice for locals. A lovely and versatile meeting place, the cafe caters for lunching families to passer-by’s looking for a quick bite.

Location: 219 Park Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9645 5800

Link: Facebook
Cuisine: Coffee, Sandwiches, Salad, Brunch

Bibelot by Chez Dré opens tomorrow!

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Bibelot.

Located at the Coventry Street-entrance to Chez Dré, Bibelot is an opulent destination for all things sweet; an artisanal patisserie, gelateria, coffee bar, chocolate shop, high tea salon and a library of coffee table books for any dessert aficionado. Good news is, they open tomorrow!

Presented by the creative team behind Chez Dré, Bibelot houses a retail space of beautifully packaged and crafted gourmet gifts; from chocolate bars to enrobed fruit and nuts, decadent biscuits, locally sourced honey as well as specialty coffee and teas. 

We were wow-ed by Bibelot’s wide range of petits gâteaux, bonbons, macarons and delicate biscuits. Paying homage to classic French patisserie, each mouthful showcased a combination of high quality ingredients, delicate flavours, artisanship and attention to detail. 

Their gelato is also worth a mention... hint: try their pistachio flavour!

Staying true to Bibelot’s European roots, the space designed by Melbourne’s Breathe Architecture boasts an elaborate interior of custom mosaics with art deco influences. From the beautifully crafted recycled timber floors, to the large scale custom designed mosaic wall, every detail of the fit out is representative of the brand ethos – intricacy, opulence and carefully handcrafted creations. 

A luxury European-inspired dessert boutique, Bibelot is the perfect addition to the food scene and boutique streetscape of South Melbourne. 

Location: 287 Coventry St  South Melbourne
Link: http://bibelot.com.au/
Cuisine: Dessert, Gelato

Malaysian banquet @ Ayam Chef

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of MATRADE's Malaysian Kitchen Program.

Ayam Chef aims to satisfy Melbourne’s unquenchable thirst for South East Asian cuisine by offering authentic Malaysian food in bustling South Melbourne.

The dining room is casual and contemporary with  subdued grey walls complimented by comfortable wooden furnishings. Feature walls provide a clever accent, as do the light bulbs that hang from the ceiling.

The menu features a variety of Malaysian favourites including hawker style food as well as main dishes to share with rice. 

Top left: Seafood Tofu Soup w. Crab meat & prawn
Top right: Lobak five spice meat rolls

Bpttom left: Ayam Chef's Flame grilled Chicken Breast Satay with peanut sauce
Bottom right: Shredded Duck Soup w. tofu, water chestnut, Chinese mushroom, & vinegar

We enjoyed the selection of entrees which we devoured very quickly. Of particular note were the succulent, aromatic, freshly grilled chicken satay skewers which we slathered in the decadent and perfectly spiced satay sauce.

Malaysian Curry Beef (Rendang)

The beef curry was decadent. The full-bodied, pungent rendang gravy paired beautifully with melt-in-your-mouth morsels of beef. We enjoyed the richness of the curry and the generous use of spices which showcased the customary punchy flavours exhibited by Malaysian curries generally.  Together with steamed rice, it was an addictive and comforting dish.

Deep Fried Cod Fish Cutlet w. banana leaf in Malaysian sambal sauce

The deep fried cod pieces were coated in thin crisp batter that encapsulated firm, sweet flesh. Coated in a delectable sambal sauce, it was simply superb.

Spicy Wok Fried "Kam Hoing" Prawns (in shell) w. lemongrass, curry leaf, dry shrimp & egg in tangy sauce

The Kam Hoing prawns were absolutely delicious. The gorgeous, plump prawns were bursting with freshness and cooked perfectly. The flavours were complex and harmonious. There was the perfect amount tartness from the sauce and a beautiful amalgamation of fragrant flavours courtesy of the lemongrass and curry leaf.

Stir Fried Eggplant, Okra, beans w. Malaysian Sambal sauce

The Stir Fried Eggplant, Okra, beans with Malaysian Sambal sauce was the dish of the night. It was a well-conceived dish that took full advantage of the eggplant’s most notable characteristic – its supple flesh. The thick pieces of eggplant were encrusted with rich sambal and were beautifully caramelised. The gooey okra further enhanced the texture of the creamy eggplant flesh that melted in the mouth in a manner similar to unctuous pork fat while the crunchy beans added texture. Although vegetarian dishes are often easily dismissed, this particular gem is one that commands respect.

The desserts were beautiful.  

Left: Sago pudding w. coconut milk and palm sugar
Right: Mini soy milk pudding w. palm sugar and fresh grated ginger

Banana fritter w. ice cream

Kueh dada w. ice cream

Our favourite was the kueh dada. This sweet coconut stuffed pancake roll was beautifully made and matched perfectly with the cold coconut ice cream. It was an especially gratifying dessert that concluded our evening on a sweet high.

Ayam Chef presents a refreshing take on Malaysian cuisine whilst remaining true to its origins. With food this good, a delightfully casual atmosphere and prices this reasonable, Ayam Chef is great for a casual catch up with friends or a decadent feast with the family.

Location: 67-69 Coventry Street, Southbank,

Phone: 03 9681 4480

Link: http://ayamchef.com.au/

Cuisine: Asian, Malaysian

Grill’d introduces sliders and new sides to the menu

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Grill'd.

Grill’d restaurants launched their new range of sliders and sides on Tuesday 15 April. The new menu additions feature provedore inspired ingredients which are a delightful addition to the existing menu.

The new range of sliders and sides continues to focus on fresh and high quality ingredients. Costing $15 for 3 or 2 for $12, we thought they were well-priced.

We tasted the entire range of sliders and sides at our local Grill’d in South Melbourne. 

Our favourite slider was the 'Grilled chicken breast with pomegranate and mild wasabi slaw'. The chicken breast was moist, juicy and well-seasoned while the wasabi slaw acted as the perfect accompaniment. We loved the slight hint of wasabi which added a desirable "kick".

The new 'Sweet potato chip' side was another highlight. Each chip was beautifully crisp and delicious.

Restaurant Review: Mr Loys Puff

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Mr Loys Puff.

Location:

452 City Road, South Melbourne

Phone:

03 9696 6983

Link:

http://www.mrloyspuff.com.au/

Cuisine:

Singaporean

Overall Impression: 8/10

Mr Loys unveils a menu which features nostalgic gems of true blue Singaporean hawker dishes. We tasted almost every item on Mr Loys' thoughtfully-curated menu and were pleased with the irresistible flavours of their Singaporean specialties.

Nasi lemak

Served with crumbed chicken pieces, this traditional “kampung” or home-style dish triggered childhood memories. It was a proprietary mix of fresh green cucumber and dried ikan bilis, egg and sambal. The sambal was spectacular – it had the perfect level of spiciness and a beautiful flavour.

Curry chicken on rice

The curry chicken on rice was moreish. The dish consisted of tender, flavour-infused chicken morsels thoroughly coated in mouth-watering curry of various spices.

Hainan chicken rice

Pristine pieces of juicy chicken were served on a fluffy bed of rice and a beautiful chilli condiment. This dish tasted incredibly authentic and was cooked perfectly.

Roast chicken rice

Another classic Singaporean hawker dish executed well - We loved the tasty morsels of roast chicken.

Signature Curry chicken puff

Mr Loys' pièce de résistance is the Signature Curry chicken puff. Freshly made, the curry puffs contained aromatic and succulent chicken pieces. The pastry was absolutely beautiful - flaky and simply melted in our mouths. 

An exemplary menu of Singaporean hawker classics, the food at Mr Loys is impeccable. With all their dishes at or under the $10 mark, it is a delicious option for a casual meal or takeaway which will hardly create a dent in your hip pocket. 

Takeaway Review: Salon de Sushi | Ordered in via Menulog

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Menulog.

Location: 293 Clarendon St South Melbourne

Phone: 03 9939 3723

Link: http://www.salondesushi.com.au/

Cuisine: Japanese  

Overall Impression: 7/10

We recently ordered in a Japanese feast to enjoy at home via Menulog's Southbank Take-Away Restaurants link. We have visited Salon de Sushi on several occasions and have been consistently pleased by the quality of their nigiri and sushi. 

We were pleased that our delivery arrived as scheduled.

The selection of nigiri we ordered tasted fresh with sushi rice that was desirably moist. Of particular note were the scallop nigiri and eel nigiri. The scallop nigiri was well crafted. The sweet scallops were absolutely delicious. The slices of grilled eel that lay upon the eel nigiri were cooked in a lovely sweet soy sauce. We loved the fatty flesh that melted away in our mouths.

Salon de Sushi is one of the better value Japanese cuisine that Melbourne has to offer. While not the best Japanese cuisine we have tasted, the reasonable price tag, delivery convenience and quality ingredients used makes this restaurant one we would highly recommend.

Menulog is No.1 For Online Takeaway in Australia. Read more about Menulog here!

Cafe Review: Magic on Ferrars

Location: 286 Ferrars St South Melbourne

Phone: 0414 991 556   

Link: Facebook

Cuisine: Organic, Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10

A new cafe darling of South Melbourne, Magic on Ferrars is all about exceptional service, coffee and food.

After starting the café 9 months ago, Ashley Kniveton and his wife, Verlyn have devoted all their energy into developing Magic. Bringing dedication and a wealth of professional experience from working in other cafes around Melbourne, the pair have created a delightful, welcoming café with unpretentious dishes and friendly staff.

The menu is reasonably priced, fresh and is underpinned by the ethos that cafes should use seasonal produce sourced from Victoria. The food served by the kitchen ranges from well-loved breakfast favourites to hearty lunch items.

The coffee beans are sourced from award-winning St Ali coffee roasters - a fact not lost on customers who relish in the quality caffeine hit.

The cappuccino contained a perfect layer of silken froth, complete with a flawless rosetta, and tasted terrific.

Your Beautiful Muesli

Organic Muesli with Shulz Yogurt, Fresh Fruit and Poached Apricots

The muesli was a fresh, moist and delicious option. The poached apricots were a beautiful addition.

The Smasher

Meredith Goats Feta Smashed with Fresh Avocado and Free Range Eggs with a dash of Lemon Oil

The two perfectly poached eggs were accompanied by a creamy mash of feta and avocado. It was a simple and delightful dish.

Mother Fritter

Corn and zucchini with a touch of chilli a side of Atlantic Salmon, an egg and some garden salad

The corn fritters had a crunchy golden brown exterior and were succulently sweet - the nuggets of deep fried batter brought pleasure to our taste buds. The smoked salmon was fresh and the egg was expertly poached.

Magic’s big breakfast

Served with egg’s your choice, toast, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon, chorizo and avocado

Two perfectly fried eggs were succulently seasoned with rashers of smokey bacon and chorizo. These were accompanied by juicy roasted tomatoes and mushrooms. In all, this dish was a respectable assembly of breakfast essentials.

Magic on Ferrars also offers delectable cakes and baked goods delivered daily by pastry chef Matt Forbes.

Salted Caramel doughnuts

Cherry curd doughnuts

These golden puffs were stunning. Ethereal in texture, the doughnuts were cinnamon-sugar coated and jam-packed with delicious fillings. The salted caramel filling was beautifully creamy and decadent. The cherry filling on the other hand was fragrant, fruity and had the perfect tartness. We had difficulty picking a favourite!

Ashley and Verlyn have certainly brought some magic to South Melbourne. Exceptional service, great food coupled with some of Melbourne's best coffee in a relaxing environment, Magic is a quintessentially Melbourne coffee hot spot.

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Magic.

Restaurant Review: Wat Da Pho

Location: 212 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Phone: 03 9696 5605

Link: http://www.watdapho.com.au/

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Overall Impression: 7/10

Wat Da Pho is the relatively new kid on the block in South Melbourne. Having opened only a few months ago, Wat Da Pho has already garnered a considerable following.

Wat Da Pho is touted as a casual Vietnamese restaurant that showcases contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. Located in a cosy space along Clarendon Street, Wat Da Pho’s dining room exudes informality - whitewashed brick walls with splashes of colour from the quirky furniture. 

We started with a few rice paper rolls which were pleasant. Given we were visiting a Vietnamese restaurant and one that was pho-centric at that, it only seemed proper that we order a couple of bowls of pho – in our case, one served with beef and one served with chicken. 

TaiNam - Classic - Rare sliced beef + beef brisket 

Ga– Chick a Dee - Sliced chicken

Both the broths had a beautiful flavour and tasted natural. The ingredients used were fresh and of a good quality. We were both pleased with our phos. 

Wat Da Pho is a wonderful addition to South Melbourne’s culinary scene. The food tastes authentic and the service is friendly and prompt. 

Restaurant Review: Garamerica

Location: 230 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9696 2192
Cuisine: Indonesian
Overall Impression: 7/10

Garamerica dishes up authentic Indonesian cuisine with friendly service.

The food is tasty and the menu is incredibly well priced. This restaurant is a neighbourhood hidden gem and is well loved for good reason.

Restaurant Review: Meetbowl

Location: 95 York Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9696 4412
Cuisine: Indonesian ,
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

It’s Indonesian-style fast food - simple, MSG-laden but delicious. Meetbowl is great for a really (really) casual meal with people you don’t need to impress.

My favourite item on their menu is the curry laksa. It’s like your usual laksa but on steroids – scrumptious!