Restaurant Revew: Vegie Bar

Location: 380 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

Phone: (03) 9417 6935 

Link: www.vegiebar.com.au

Overall Impression: 6/10

During my first visit to Vegie Bar, BB and I were meeting A's new found love (in the form of a Russian investment banker from Sydney) for the first time. We thought lunch would be a good option as it would be a lot more casual. A has been slowly but surely turning vegetarian and her favourite restaurant of late has been Vegie bar. Vegie Bar has been gaining quite a following, especially with the skinny jeans and retro sun glasses crowd. So, in an attempt to be part of the "in crowd" the four of us decided to have lunch there.

Threading the delicate balance of my omnivorous existence, I would say I am more carnivorous than I am herbivorous. As such, I wasn't particularly excited about the thought of eating at Vegie Bar.

The food was surprisingly much better than I had expected. I quickly forgot that I was having a vegetarian meal. Although simple, the food was hearty and smacked with flavour. Nothing revolutionary but it was honest and good food. My positive experience has brought me back time and time again. Last weekend, J and I decided to go back and it is as good as the first time I was there.  

Cuppucino

Sangria

Sha He Fen Noodles

The noodles were delicious! I am always slightly weary about ordering “Asian” style dishes from non-Asian eateries but this has certainly changed my mind. Although the faux chicken tasted like tofu and was fooling no one, it was still very enjoyable. The only criticism I have of this dish is – where are the mushrooms I was promised per the descriptions on the menu?

Cajun Stew

I love that it was served with brown rice. There’s something about the texture of brown rice that gives a rustic edge to a dish. That said, I could not help but think that the stew was simply glorified baked beans. OK, maybe that is a bit harsh. Baked beans with a twist? However, I must say that although it resembled baked beans, the stew was in fact enjoyable to eat. It was hearty and had very good flavour.

Berry Cheesecake with soy ice cream

The desserts here are particularly good. I tasted their soy ice cream the first time I visited. Nobody else was a fan of the soy ice cream but I certainly was. A and BB even joked about how everything in life is relative and only someone who had never had ice cream before would find the soy ice cream good. So, be warned! It is certainly an acquired taste.

 All in all, the food was enjoyable. It is honest, wholesome food. Nothing fancy but it certainly does the trick. Everything is well-priced and the place has a great atmosphere. Unfortunately, this is let down by the fact that service is poor. Every time that I have visited Vegie Bar, I have had to wait very long for my food to arrive.

Restaurant Review: Laksa King

Location: 6 - 12 Pin Oak Crescent, Flemington
Phone: 03 9372 6383
Cuisine: Malaysian
Overall Impression: 7/10

When it comes to Malaysian hawker-style laksa (of both the curry and assam variety), Laksa King knows best. The broth certainly packs a punch, satiating the strongest of cravings.

Penang style Assam Laksa

Combination Curry Laksa

I will certainly be recommending this eatery to other Malaysian hawker food enthusiasts!

Curious about how Chef Lagenda (right next door) compares? Read Gastrology's review here!

Restaurant Review: Shanghai Street Dumpling

Location: 342 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9600 2250
Cuisine: Chinese
Overall Impression: 8/10

Check out our review of the La Trobe Street restaurant here!

The queues started. We immediately heaved a sigh of relief. It appeared we had just beaten the infamous dinner rush in a matter of seconds. As we waited impatiently for our dumplings to arrive, J and I wondered whether they would live up to the hype. Such enormous hype for such tiny little dumplings.

The one thing that I have struggled to find in Melbourne that I really enjoyed during my time in Shanghai has been the fried pork buns. They are basically the rougher, tougher, more hawker style cousin to the delicate ‘Xiao Long Bao’. They still have that beautiful pork broth inside but the casing is very different and far from delicate. The dumpling’s base is crisp and caramelised from the frying.

Steamed vegetarian dumplings

Our dumplings arrived promptly and they were brilliant. Everything tasted incredibly fresh. It was clear that the ingredients being used were of a good standard. Dumpling eateries are notorious for dubious fillings but these were certainly a few notches up the norm. Our vegetarian and Beijing pork dumplings had a beautiful encasing that had quite a lovely ‘bite’ and a good chewiness that is synonymous with freshly made dumplings – not surprising given how ludicrously busy this place it. The dumplings are probably sold the moment they are made!

Steamed Beijing pork dumplings

Fried pork buns

And the star plate of fried pork buns finally arrived. The broth was beautiful and flavoursome, the base was perfectly crisp and delicious.

Looks like Melbourne has a welcomed new best dumpling eatery contender!

Restaurant Review: HuTong Dumpling Bar

Location: 14-16 Market Ln, Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9650 8128

Cuisine: Chinese

Overall Impression: 8/10

Eating Xiao Long Bao at Hu Tong takes me back to the time I spent working in Shanghai. I will never forget all the invaluable life lessons I learned and the good friends I made. There is a tight knit ex-pat community and for some reason everyone foreign seems to know everyone else. And it was within that tight knit group that I felt completely welcomed and was introduced to various Shanghainese delicacies.

Dumplings are the heart of Shanghainese cuisine. In my opinion, the humble Xiao Long Bao is the most delicious and delicate of dumplings. I still remember the first time I had these in Shanghai.

Hu Tong’s Xiao Long Bao is amazing. It is by far the best that Melbourne has to offer.

A good Xiao Long Bao is characterised by a delicious filling and broth, and very importantly, a delicate casing. Ideally, you should be able to hold the Xiao Long Bao towards the light and be able to see through the skin into the filling inside.

Hu Tong's Xiao Long Bao (pictured above) - with its beautiful, fragrant broth and luscious filling, enveloped by a dainty dough, was such a pleasure to indulge in.

The same, however, cannot be said about their other offerings. All the other food was pleasant but ordinary. It was clear that the Xiao Long Bao was the stand-out dish.

In terms of value for money, Hu Tong is excellent. They have BYO without any corkage and a very affordable menu with a nice ambience in terms of décor (especially level 3 of the restaurant). However, it does get extremely noisy.

All in all, it is great for a casual get together. Remember to book well in advance because it is very difficult to get a table (even for two) without a booking.

Restaurant Review: MoVida Bar de Tapas VS MoVida Aqui and Terraza

MoVida Bar de Tapas
Location: 1 Hosier Ln, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 3038
Link: movida.com.au
Cuisine: Spanish, Tapas
Overall Impression: 8/10

MoVida Aqui
Location: Level 1, 500 Bourke St, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 3038
Link: movida.com.au/aqui.html
Cuisine: Spanish, Tapas
Overall Impression: 8/10

When I think of Spanish cuisine, I always think of tapas – little bowls of appetisers or snacks that come in many varieties, both hot and cold.

I enjoy the concept of having tapas for dinner. You get to taste a whole bunch of little dishes so your taste buds will be spoilt with the variation in flavours and there is something just so casual and fun about it. Being familiar with the 2 hat Movida bar de Tapas, we decided to have dinner at their 1 hat sister restaurant, Movida Aqui.  The main difference between the two is that Movida Aqui has a much more relaxed and casual setting. Having said that, the quality of the food served at both venues is remarkably of a similar standard. So, don’t expect a duller version of the menu from Movida bar de Tapas at Movida Aqui! In fact, the menus are very much alike, to say the least. But then again, so is the price tag.

Surprisingly, the broccoli dish we ordered out of a sense of guilt (trying to meet our 5 serves of vegies a day target) was the biggest crowd pleaser. If only broccoli tasted as amazing in “real” life.

The following are the lovely dishes we were privileged to indulge in:

Menestra De Broccoli $11.50

Organic broccoli braised with Iberico jamon, tomato and garlic

Fabada $23.50

Butifarra $19.50

House-made Catalan pork and pepper sausage with chickpeas and house made morcilla

Sardine special $16.50

Sardines on white bean puree with tomato and olive oil

Bomba $4.50 each

Catalan Potato bomb filled with chorizo

Bocadillo de calamares $7.00 each

Calamari sandwich with Basque guindilla and mayonnaise

Romesco con Conejo $23.50

Postre Para Compartir $30.00

Share plate of flan, churros, sopa inglesa, chocolate marque and olive oil sorbet

I highly recommend this dessert platter. It is a great way to eat through their dessert selections!

Each dish was beautifully flavoured, down-to-earth and uncomplicated, reflecting the heart of Spanish cuisine.

Move aside, Movida bar de Tapas, Movida Aqui is “aqui” (English: Here)!



Restaurant Review: Noir

Location: 175 Swan Street, Richmond
Phone: 03 9428 3585
Link: noirrestaurant.com.au
Cuisine: Modern Australian, French
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

Relatively new to the Melbourne dining scene, Noir is sleek with a dash of old school chic. The dining room is as its name suggests - black. The room is romantically lit and the waitstaff are appropriately adorned in black to match the theme. The service is impeccable. The lady that waited on our table was both professional and attentive without being intrusive in the slightest. Our table of seven decided to opt for the “surprise tasting menu” for $80 per person.

freshly baked bread served with delicious garlic infused olive oil

premium pacific oysters served natural with champagne granita

eye fillet of tartare, waldorf salad and crisp bread

stingray and baby tomato salad with pink grapefruit, basil and garlic croutons

ocean trout cured in Hendricks gin with dill, cucumber, lime and rose

As Noir’s reputation preceded it, we had unashamedly high expectations. By the end of our first 3 courses, those high expectations were left unmet. However, after this juncture, we quickly understood why Noir had built the cult following it had.

crisp pork belly with apricot and sticky wine sauce, peas and prawns

The pork belly had a beautiful crusty crackling and the flesh was tasty and tender. The sticky wine sauce (though incredibly sticky) bound the dish together. The sweetness of the apricot added a beautiful hint of acidity and freshness to the dish. The prawns and peas were perfectly cooked. It was a very sophisticated and well balanced dish.

caramelised atlantic scallops with oxtail tortellini and cauliflower puree

The scallops were perfectly seared and well cooked. They were mouth-watering and fresh. The tortellini was al dente and the beautifully cooked oxtail within it melted in my mouth. The cauliflower puree was well balanced (often overly sweet, Noir’s rendition was perfect).

Roast rack and braised shoulder of lamb with fondant potatoes, caramalised onion, garlic and parsley

The roast rack was pink and tender. The flavours were surprisingly subtle but when eaten together with the caramalised onion and fondant potatoes, was delectable. The braised shoulder of lamb was incredibly tender. It tasted not dissimilar to the tortellini filling from the previous course but was enjoyable nonetheless.

side salad

cheese

Crème caramel

Chocolate fondant

The chocolate fondant was a heavenly end to the dinner. Incredibly indulgent dark chocolate oozed out of the centre.

Hot Chocolate

Albeit a slow start, our overall experience at Noir was certainly a pleasant one.

Cafe Review: Patricia Coffee Brewers

Location: Cnr Little Bourke St & Little William St
Link: patriciacoffee.com.au
Overall Impression: 7/10

Proving that good coffee places can only be found in the most obscure of laneways, James took little Scotty, sweet Canadian Christina and myself on a little walk down to Patricia.

It was good catching up over a delicious caffeine hit.

You can choose from Proud Mary or Seven Seeds coffee.

One word - brilliant!

Restaurant Review: La Luna Bistro

Location: 320 Rathdowne Street, Carlton North
Phone: 03 9349 4888
Link: lalunabistro.com.au
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 5/10

Adrian Richardson is the owner and chef at La Luna Bistro. No stranger to Australia’s culinary scene, his popularity has sprung in recent times from guest appearances in “Jamie’s Kitchen Australia” and regular appearances on the TV series “Ready Steady Cook” and “good chef bad chef’ (as a replacement for Gary Mehigan). La Luna Bistro has been thriving under this “Adrian Richardson” brand. La Luna Bistro is cosy and trendy at the same time. There is a clear “Gastropub” edge about the place. We are seated next to the window which extends right on to the footpath – so you have people walking literally centimetres away from where you dine albeit separated by a thin sturdy glass.

We ordered some cocktails and half a bottle of wine, which was served in a measuring carafe (for good measure – literally).

Tempura zucchini flowers stuffed with goats’ cheese and ricotta on a home-made chilli sauce

Cured kingfish, pomegranate & quinoa salad

The appeal of this dish was undone as there were segments of fish that tasted quite ‘fishy’. This was unfortunate given the beautiful flavour combinations for the parts that were not.

Pork cheek croquettes, artichoke aioli

The best croquettes that I have ever tasted have been from Movida. It was difficult not to compare these with those. These were inferior to that of Movida’s  as they lacked any complexity. Although pleasant, they were merely fried pork-filled pieces of dough.

Crackling wrapped roll of roast pork, slow cooked beans, cabbage & fennel

There were parts of the pork crackling that were absolutely divine. The rest (and dominating parts of the crackling) were sadly rubbery. The pork meat was ambrosially flavoured with aniseed and fennel but was slightly dry and overcooked.

Crisp duck legs, orange, cherry tomato, Danish feta & lentil salad

The duck was an absolute stand out. It was perfectly cooked – extremely tender on the inside with a beautifully crisp and flavoured skin. The portions were generous. The bed of lentils and feta that accompanied the duck were scrumptious. This was certainly a highlight of our meal at La Luna.

Fish of the Day, chickpeas, tomato, zucchini, olives, basil & mint

The fish was cooked beautifully - well-seasoned and fresh, it was delicious. My enjoyment of the dish was however, extirpated by the sad looking vegetables it was served with. Clearly an afterthought, it certainly raised questions about attempts to upsell side dishes by serving incomplete mains.

The wilted spinach side we ordered was incredibly mundane. Regrettably soggy, bland and literally soaked in water. Described as having chilli and garlic, we could taste neither to any real extent.

Ricotta Bombolones served with liquor ice cream

The bombolones left much to be desired. The word 'pedestrian' comes to mind - they were literally fried balls of dough drizzled with syrup. Fortunately, the liquor ice cream was delicious. It was creamy and had a lovely density to it.

Ice cream bomb alaska, caramel & blackberry coulis

I was looking forward to having their bomb alaska but perhaps it was this anticipation that led to an even greater disappointment. It was neither a traditional rendition nor an improvement on the traditional. The beautiful looking meringue was far too sweet and the filling was certainly not traditional. Instead of a layer of sponge followed by ice cream in the centre, behind the meringue layer was what tasted like a sponge and ice cream blend.

The entire experience as a whole was disappointing, given the "celebrity chef status" attached to the restaurant. We were also horrified by the level of service afforded to us by a male waiter who was unnecessarily rude to our table. The dishes were thrown onto the table and when he served our coffees at the end, he flung J's coffee so hard that some of it spilt over. And there was not so much as an apology.

Daylesford trip: The Heritage Restaurant review and Red Star Cafe review

Grange Bellinzona
Location: 77 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs 3461 VIC
Link: http://www.grangecc.com.au/default/bellinzona_dine_with_us
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 6/10

There is nothing quite like a weekend away in the comforts of a cottage in spa paradise, Hepburn Springs. A mere couple of hours away from Melbourne, it feels like you’re miles away from home. You quickly forget the cares and bustle you have left in the city and settling down with scones and a pot of tea seems like the natural thing to do. My two night stay in Bellinzona was brief but extremely enjoyable. They have a wonderful pool and a heated spa that you can enjoy (a privilege I certainly took advantage of).

As guests of the Grange Bellinzona retreat, we were catered for well. I particularly enjoyed their breakfast during the two mornings I ate there. The 3-course dinner experience I had was however, very average. The stunning Edwardian style guesthouse was an ideal dinner location but I was slightly disappointed with the food.

Duck Salad

My duck salad had lovely flavours but the duck was unfortunately overcooked.

Eye Fillet served with mash and greens

The steak was juicy, tender and cooked well but the mashed potatoes were lumpy and the vegetables on the side were clearly and afterthought.

Lemon Tart

The dinner concluded on a high with a beautifully decadent lemon tart. The acidity of the lemon flavoured filling was perfect as it cut through the beautiful sweetness of the buttery and indulgent pastry. It was a delectable end to the meal.

Note: I dined here on a Friday night and we were specially catered for as the restaurant is only open on Saturdays for dinner, as such, my experience is not representative of the food served on Saturday nights.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my relaxing stay and was impressed by the hospitality of the staff and the comfort of my cottage.

Red Star
Location: 115 Main Rd, Hepburn Springs
Phone: 03 5348 2297
Link: theredstar.com.au
Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee
Overall Impression: 5.5/10

Berry Smoothie

We stopped by this lovely café before heading back to Melbourne. The weather was brilliant so we all sat outside. Everyone was raving about their delicious milkshakes and iced coffees and I certainly enjoyed my berry smoothie.

Restaurant Review: Sapore

Location: 5 Fitzroy St, St Kilda
Phone: 03 9534 9666
Link: sapore.com.au
Cuisine: Italian, Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 8/10

As part of our Valentines Day weekend, J surprised me with lunch at Sapore. The weather was incredible that day so we had a lovely stroll along St. Kilda beach before heading to lunch. This was J and I's third visit to this one-hat Italian restaurant. The last two occasions had been for dinner. Although we had enjoyed the food, we found the entire setting extremely claustrophobic. The manner in which the tables had been set were far too close in proximity for our liking. The organisation of the furniture is understandable given the limited space but it certainly affected our enjoyment as a whole. The walls are fitted with trendy looking sound absorption panels. Although aesthetically pleasing, they were clearly (as their description would suggest) to control the level of noise. However, they appeared to provide little comfort. The restaurant, during our previous visits, had been far from calm. J and I had to literally shout at each other to have a conversation eventhough we were seated quite cosily together. As such, it was interesting to see the stark day/night contrast in the restaurant's ambience.

The beautifully fresh baked bread was served with an amazing extra virgin olive oil. The quality of the olive oil is always such a telling indication of a restaurant's care and approach to food.

As we enjoyed the far more relaxed and peaceful ambience (the perks of dining here during the day) and took in the soft breeze drifting in from the ocean, we browsed through the menu. We noticed something - the downside of dining here during lunch. Two of their mains were only served during dinner (I would have liked to devour their Duck ‘tre modi again but it was only available after 6pm).

House-made potato gnocchi with braised rabbit, truffle butter and Parmesan

The meal started with an explosion of flavours in my mouth. The gnocchi was light and fluffy. The braised rabbit was tender and aromatic. An intense flavour of truffles permeated the dish. It was a decadent and delicious inception to the meal.

Hopkins River eye fillet with garlic mash potato, salsa verde and red wine sauce

This deceptively simple looking dish was good. The steak was incredibly tender and juicy. It had been beautifully seared and was flavoursome. Unfortunately, the eye fillet was cooked 'medium-well done' although we had requested for it to be cooked 'medium'. However, it was an enjoyable dish non the less. The red wine sauce was exquisite. It was sharp and had a well-balanced flavour.

Barramundi with kipfler potatoes, prawns & chervil and a lemon butter sauce

The Barramundi was cooked to perfection. The skin was delectably crisp and amply salted and the flesh gave way easily.

Banana bombolone with salted caramel sauce & toasted hazelnuts

The end to the meal was as amazing as the start. The bombolones served at Sapore are the best that J and I have ever had. The bombolones were puffy and beautifuly light on the inside and deliciously crisp on the outside. The banana flavour was tenaciously strong. The perfectly salty, sweet and creamy caramel sauce brought the whole dish together while the hazelnuts added a lovely crunchy element to the dish. It was sublime.

Sapore (meaning flavour in Italian), is indeed a restaurant that emphasises flavour. The food is modern but retains a lot of that traditional Italian 'soul'.

Restaurant Review: Ootoro

Location: 530 Collins Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9078 7186
Cuisine: Japanese
Overall Impression: 5/10

Ootoro is a Japanese restaurant tucked away in 530 Collins Street.  The standard of food meets expectations and the menu is well priced. The service is incredibly prompt which makes it a popular CBD weekday lunch spot.

Restaurant Review: Bertha Brown

Location: 562 Flinders St, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9629 1207
Link: berthabrown.com.au
Cuisine: Modern Australian, Pizza
Overall Impression: 6/10

The main thing that stands out about this place is how much they value their customers. The level of service afforded to us was incredible. There were a few of us with food allergies (lactose, frustose, gluten) and every one of us was catered for individually. This is a great place for lunch time get together with friends etc as they certainly have the capacity to cater to a large group (given the large space) and are incredibly flexible and understanding of dietery requirements. The food certainly meets expectations. My Peri Peri Chicken breast with spiced rice and sweet potato crisps was well cooked and the portions were incredibly generous.

Cafe Review: Chez Dré

Location: 287 Coventry St (rear), South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9690 2688
Link: chezdre.wordpress.com
Cuisine: Bakery, Coffee, Desserts/Ice Cream
Overall Impression: 7/10

Like most of Melbourne's good coffee places, Chez Dré hides in an unassuming alley way.

When we saw the Synesso label on the coffee machine, we rejoiced. There is always a very good chance the coffee will be brilliant.

And as we predicted that first visit, it was and still is. Chez Dré is a consistently good place for coffee. J and I have yet to be disappointed with our caffeine hits.

They do a range of desserts but the most popular among these are their macarons. We have enjoyed them on occasion but their coffee is definitely what keeps us coming back.

Restaurant Review: Shanghai Village Dumpling

Location: 112 Little Bourke St
Phone: 03 9663 1878
Cuisine: Chinese, Asian, Vegetarian
Overall Impression: 5/10

I can see how it is a “bargain” but I’m not sure if the hype is justified. Shanghai Village Dumpling has a loyal band of followers and I have yet to understand why this is the case. I have visited this eatery on a number of occasions but to be perfectly honest, I have only ever been there when I have not been able to get a table at HuTong Dumpling Bar, located a few seconds away.

My misconceptions that Shanghai Village Dumpling merely catered for the overflow crowd from HuTong Dumpling Bar became clear when I started reading reviews of this place. It is certainly well-priced but not more so than a lot of China Town dumpling eateries. That said, it is what it is – BYO, generous serves of dumplings and other noodle-ly goodness for a small price. Would I recommend it? Sure, why not.

Steamed Vegetarian Dumplings

I highly recommend their steamed vegetarian dumplings. They are delicious. 

Pan Fried Pork Dumplings

Restaurant Review: Hare & Grace

Location: 525 Collins Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9629 6755
Link: hareandgrace.com
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

I have visited Hare & Grace five times since the start of the year. Given it is only mid-February that is a lot but it seems to be the hottest lunch spot when it comes to lunching with my colleagues. I have only been able to take photos during this fifth visit. Unlike the other occasions, this time, I visited this restaurant with friends I know from university, including Picci (from Melbourne Culinary Journal). They are far more accepting of my “taking photos of food” habits and although they think are aware that I am crazy, our friendship is such that they always overlook my iniquities.

Hare & Grace has a beautiful dining space. There are branches hanging (literally) above your head. They look slightly dangerous but give the place a warm and cosy feel. Strange, I know. Maybe it gives you that outdoor effect (sitting under a tree) whilst being inside. Whilst I am unsure what it is, the décor certainly works.

What works even more, is the food. The restaurant serves delicious Modern Australian fare that focuses on traditional flavour combinations that work.

Everything is cooked well and the flavours are always well-balanced. My dining experience has consistently been pleasant.

Something that both Picci and I rate highly is their aioli. Delicious. It’s these little touches that have truly made my meals at Hare & Grace. So, expect what you order and whatever else comes on the side to be yummy.

Restaurant Review: Hunky Dory

Location: 252 Clarendon St, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9696 4025
Link: hunkydory.com.au
Cuisine: Burgers, Fish and Chips
Overall Impression: 6/10

South Melbourne is such a wonderful pocket in Melbourne. Walking around the boutique little stores selling all sorts of trinkets always makes me feel like I’m on a holiday somewhere far away, as opposed to the reality of being five minutes away from the CBD. One of J and I’s favourite stores is Macphee’s wine store. Stocking all kinds of wine-related paraphernalia, it is always fun to browse through and pick up a few things to go with J’s ever expanding wine cellar. Just around the corner is a trendy little Fish and Chip shop called Hunky Dory.

Old School Pack – Fillet of flake, chips, lemon and tartare

Grilled Fish Pack – Fish of the day grilled with rice or chips and salad

As expected, you can get your usual battered fish with chips on the side but there are quite a few other options available. I like their ‘grilled fish pack’, for a mere $13, you get an extremely big plate consisting of a grilled fish fillet, beautifully cooked brown rice and a salad of your choice. Nothing revolutionary, but it is a great and healthy option to have especially when your dining companion(s) prefer something a lot greasier and you do not!

This place serves honest, simple food in a pleasant atmosphere. I also like how you can still grab lunch there at 4pm when every other café in the area appears to have closed kitchens. It is great for those days you live a jet lagged existence, looking for lunch at 4pm after hopping off a plane.

Cafe Review: Chocolateria San Churro

Location: 277 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
Phone: 03 9419 9936
Link: sanchurro.com
Overall Impression: 5.5/10

Churros are one of my guilty pleasures. Sweet deep-fried dough sprinkled with sugar and dunked in copious amounts of chocolate. What’s there not to like?

So far, the best Churros I have ever had have been from Movida. But if you don’t want to have to visit a 2-hat restaurant every time you want some of these Spanish doughnuts, the much more casual San Churros might do the trick. The churros are pretty darn good and they come with a choice of four dipping sauces: white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate and caramel. As an avid dark chocolate eater, I have to say that Churros don’t go very well with dark chocolate but it’s good to know that that option is available.

The other thing that you can indulge in at San Churro is one of their decadent shakes. Pictured above is one of my favourites – Banana Lambada.  

Restaurant Review: Kanzaman

Phone: 03 9429 3402
Location: 460 Bridge Rd, Richmond
Link: kanzaman.com.au
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Overall Impression: 8/10

Kanzaman has been both J and I’s favourite Lebanese restaurant for eons now. We recently found out that our “son” (it’s a long story), Frank is best friends with the owner, which makes us now feel like we have family ties to this restaurant even though we really do not. The food however, certainly does have a strong sense of family. Hearty, rustic and smacked full of flavour, it is consistently an excellent dining experience. The service is friendly, warm and prompt. This occasion was no exception.

After looking through the menu and wanting to order everything, we opted for the banquet.

Hommus, Baba Ghannouj and Tabouleh served with pita bread

The dips were all delicious and had perfectly balanced flavours – The Tabouleh had the right hint of lemon juice, the Hommus was creamy and the Baba Ghannouj was deliciously smoky in flavour. It was an appetising start to the meal.

Falafel

Foreground: Sambousik - Mild feta cheese mixed with mint, onions and spices in filo pastry

Background: Lahem bi ajeen - Minced lean lamb, vegetables and spices wrapped in filo pastry

Chilli Scallops

Kraidis Bi Toum - Stir-fried prawns with fresh herbs, garlic and lemon juice 

Both the scallops and prawns were fresh, juicy and bursting with flavour. The concept of luscious, intense flavours is common to Lebanese cuisine and no one does it better than Kanzaman.

Ashtarout - Chicken fillets sautéed in a mixture of fresh coriander, garlic and finished with a squeeze of lemon

The Ashtarout, as always, was perfectly seasoned. It was an impassioned combination of flavours - fresh herbs and Middle Eastern spices.

Sultania - Lamb eye fillets sautéed in pomegranate molasses mustard seeds and herbs

These people really know how to cook a piece of meat. Without fail, this lamb dish is always perfectly cooked – beautifully seared on the outside and just the right hint of pink on the inside. Brilliant!

Samakah Harrah - Fish of the day seasoned with garlic coriander and walnuts, topped with tahina sauce and paprika

J has had this dish several times but this was my first time having the Samakah Harrah. As expected, the balance of flavours was classical and the fish was cooked with precision.

Suddenly an alluring Arabic belly dancing music fills the room… A delightful belly dancer quickly graced us with her presence.

The belly dancing performance was awkward in the sense that she was trying to gain attention from an extremely difficult crowd. It must be a tough gig being a belly dancer. She stares you straight in the eye and dances near you and “at” you, trying to convince you to dance along with her. I tried to smile back, all the while not being sure where to look. Is it rude to stare at her belly and bosom? Or is that how you compliment her? What exactly is belly dancing audience/diner etiquette? *shrugs* 

I was pleased that a fellow diner stood up to dance with her. He seemed very comfortable. Almost a little too comfortable. All the better, it made it more fun to watch.

Baklava

Turkish Delight

Mahalabia - A light and refreshing custard topped with pistachio nuts and a lemon orange blossom syrup

Our desserts soon arrived. It was a pleasant end to the meal. I particularly enjoyed the Mahalabia. It was precisely the description on the menu - “light and refreshing”.

Lebanese Coffee

What a banquet!

I recommend coming to Kanzaman for the delicious Lebanese cuisine and staying for the awkward but amusing belly dancing performance. And of course, join in if you dare!

Cafe Review: A1 Bakery

Location: 645 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Phone: 03 9386 0440
Link: a1lebanesebakery.com
Cuisine: Bakery, Middle Eastern
Overall Impression: 7/10

With a reputation that precedes itself, A1 Bakery is certainly a culinary gem.

For a few dollars, the spinach and cheese pies with delicious morsels of haloumi within them are a winner. The Lebanese pizzas are also very enjoyable.

The baklava is perfect. For once the sweetness is not overpowering so you can enjoy the subtleties. The baklava rustled like leaves as I picked it up - that is how thin and delicate the layers are! It smelt of butter and toasted nuts.

No frills. The food is simple, to the point and irresistible. 

Restaurant Review: Hargreaves Hill Brewing Company

Location:25 Bell Street, Yarra Glen
Phone: 03 9730 1905
Link: hargreaveshill.com.au
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 7/10

Hargreaves Hill is not your average pub. It is a gastro pub in a league of its own. Serving perfectly executed pub fare alongside Modern Australian cuisine, it is a place J and I have consistently been pleased with. Expect the crackling on your pork to be deliciously crisp, and the mashed peas on your pie floater to be freshly made.

Parmesan crusted scallops on the half shell with celeriac remoulade

Slow Roasted pork belly with parsnip and apple mash

Slow braised lamb pie with rosemary and thyme, mashed potato, and mushy peas