Address: 167 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9650 9877
JUDGE THE FOOD, NOT THE NAME
Do not be fazed by the name of this restaurant, the food is actually very nice. The food here is cooked by Japanese people and it shows.
The signature dish here is sushi burgers. It sounds tacky I know, but I encourage you to put away your doubts for a moment and try it. The usual filling you get in sushi handrolls is instead sandwiched between two rice patties. To ensure it all stays together, the 3 layers are then wrapped with seaweed.
There are several flavours of sushi burger which are mostly made to order however they do have some on pre-made for the lunch rush hour. My favourite is the yakiniku burger which is filled with thin slices of shaved beef which has been fried with onions, teriyaki sauce and japanese mayonnaise (a little sweeter than the normal one). It is a bit expensive at $6.50, but the flavour combination (sweet v salty) is a classic. It is also made to order, and only takes about 5 minutes if you are in a hurry.
A not so successful burger is the soft shell crab burger, which contains far too much grease from the deep-fried crab. However the other burgers which I have tried like chicken and avocado and vegetable tempura have been great. Both of these burgers also had teriyaki sauce in them which really helps lift the flavours.
This place is now a staple for my mid-week lunch. See you there.
Rating: 15/20
Aug 22, 2010
Nov 28, 2008
Orexi Souvlaki Bar Cafe
Address: 18 Eaton Street, Oakleigh
Telephone: 9569 1151
BEST SOUVLAKI IN MELBOURNE
I haven't been to all the souvlaki places in Melbourne but I challenge you to find a better place (and if you do let me know :) I was brought here to the Greek quarter of Melbourne by a friend who promised me it was as good as the souvlaki he had in Greece. Quite a big boast to make, but one that I felt was met.
The decor is modern and simple inside, with a menu to match. Only souvlaki is sold here, no burgers or other nonsense. There are a few options, but it is hard to go past the lamb souvlaki. If you do go here, make sure to get the open souvlaki for $0.50 extra ($9.50 in total). A bit more expensive than standard souvlakis to be sure but it is matched by the quality of the food.
For the money you get a plate heaped high with fresh iceberg lettuce, slices of tomato and sweet white onion. It is accompanied by lashings of creamy tzatziki. Next to it is a small mountain of lamb shavings, with good quality lamb being used, not the gristly overcooked bits you get at inferior places. You also get 4 or so quarters of house-baked pita bread. This is where Orexi shines. The bread is warm, slightly fluffy and not at all tough and chewy like the supermarket variety pita bread.
To conclude, go here if you like souvlaki. We went during a Tuesday lunchtime and the place was heaving. From what I gather, this is normal even slightly before and after lunch. Do not go here expecting to get a seat without waiting. On the plus side, if you don't want to wait they of course do take-away.
Rating: 15/20
Telephone: 9569 1151
BEST SOUVLAKI IN MELBOURNE
I haven't been to all the souvlaki places in Melbourne but I challenge you to find a better place (and if you do let me know :) I was brought here to the Greek quarter of Melbourne by a friend who promised me it was as good as the souvlaki he had in Greece. Quite a big boast to make, but one that I felt was met.
The decor is modern and simple inside, with a menu to match. Only souvlaki is sold here, no burgers or other nonsense. There are a few options, but it is hard to go past the lamb souvlaki. If you do go here, make sure to get the open souvlaki for $0.50 extra ($9.50 in total). A bit more expensive than standard souvlakis to be sure but it is matched by the quality of the food.
For the money you get a plate heaped high with fresh iceberg lettuce, slices of tomato and sweet white onion. It is accompanied by lashings of creamy tzatziki. Next to it is a small mountain of lamb shavings, with good quality lamb being used, not the gristly overcooked bits you get at inferior places. You also get 4 or so quarters of house-baked pita bread. This is where Orexi shines. The bread is warm, slightly fluffy and not at all tough and chewy like the supermarket variety pita bread.
To conclude, go here if you like souvlaki. We went during a Tuesday lunchtime and the place was heaving. From what I gather, this is normal even slightly before and after lunch. Do not go here expecting to get a seat without waiting. On the plus side, if you don't want to wait they of course do take-away.
Rating: 15/20
Jul 12, 2008
Monsieur Truffe
Address: Stall 118, Prahran Market, Commercial Rd
Well, it really has to be something pretty spectacular for me to update this blog nowadays, but this is it. This is not a restaurant per se, but a store selling the finest in artisan chocolates made by Frenchman Thibault Fregoni.
I have heard it said that here you can purchase the best truffles in Australia, and I do not think that statement is far wrong. The truffles have a bittersweet dark chocolate shell and are dusted with cocoa, which provides a nice counterpoint to the soft chocolate centres which are sweet, but not overly so.
The truffles themselves are available in a variety of flavours, most of which are cut up into petite squares ready for tasting. From memory, the flavours are Grand Marnier, Plain, Mountain Pepper, Lime, Raspberry, Passionfruit. Try the passionfruit truffle - an unusual pairing with chocolate but certainly an astute one. The tangy, summery fruit goes extremely well with the dark chocolate. A bit pricey at $7 for 6 but it is GOOD (also available in a 12 pack). They did not last 24 hours in my house.
Be sure to refrigerate the chocolates if you are not going to eat them immediately, as they contain no preservatives, and per Monsieur Thibault's instructions serve them at room temperature.
They also stock many different single origin chocolate bars which I have yet to sample.
Well, it really has to be something pretty spectacular for me to update this blog nowadays, but this is it. This is not a restaurant per se, but a store selling the finest in artisan chocolates made by Frenchman Thibault Fregoni.
I have heard it said that here you can purchase the best truffles in Australia, and I do not think that statement is far wrong. The truffles have a bittersweet dark chocolate shell and are dusted with cocoa, which provides a nice counterpoint to the soft chocolate centres which are sweet, but not overly so.
The truffles themselves are available in a variety of flavours, most of which are cut up into petite squares ready for tasting. From memory, the flavours are Grand Marnier, Plain, Mountain Pepper, Lime, Raspberry, Passionfruit. Try the passionfruit truffle - an unusual pairing with chocolate but certainly an astute one. The tangy, summery fruit goes extremely well with the dark chocolate. A bit pricey at $7 for 6 but it is GOOD (also available in a 12 pack). They did not last 24 hours in my house.
Be sure to refrigerate the chocolates if you are not going to eat them immediately, as they contain no preservatives, and per Monsieur Thibault's instructions serve them at room temperature.
They also stock many different single origin chocolate bars which I have yet to sample.
Feb 12, 2008
Shira Nui
Address: 247 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
Tel: 9886 7755
SOPHISTICATION IN THE SUBURBS
It is a far too common occurrence in the suburbs that one enters Japanese restaurants only to find them staffed by waiters, and far worse, chefs, from Hong Kong or China. Sushi shops are the new juice bar and it seems as if everyone is trying to cash in on the craze, even if it means substanddard food.
Shira Nui suffers no such downfall. Upon entering this little 30 seater restaurant in Glen Waverley, one is immediately greeted by calls of 'irashaimasu' (welcome in Japanese). The chef, Hiro Nishikura proudly displays his certifications and credentials behind the sushi bar. As time would reveal, these were well earnt.
We went on a weekday for lunch and had no trouble securing a booking the morning we were going. However I would suggest booking as the restaurant is small, and does attract the business element from around the area. When we were there, it had no trouble filling up all 30 or so seats by 1 pm. The reason for this became apparent. The sushi lunch menu offers exceptional value for around $15-20. There is also hot food available, but undoubtedly the strength of this restaurant lays in its sushi/sushimi.
We had the $20 lunch set which included 2 small entrees, miso soup, chawan mushi, and a bowl of sushi. The entree included a few pieces of gently poached eggplant in a pool of dashi broth topped by Bonito flakes. Most definitely a highlight of the meal - simple, yet the flavours worked well together. My dining companions agreed. The cold noodles in a light mayonnaise with rocket were nice but not spectacular.
The chawan mushi was an eggy custard served warm with flecks of fish at the bottom. This custard had a suitably silken texture however one minor complaint is that it was a touch salty.
The sushi spread consisted of a couple of pieces each of Salmon, Tuna, Eel, John Dory (and another white fleshed fish I can't place) and egg served on a bed of sushi rice. The fish was firm and tasty, with none of the fishy taste one associates with fish that has past its sushi use by. The eel had a lovely fatty flavour to it that was only enhanced by the way it was cooked.
All in all it was a great meal that was only marred by the slightly inattentive but well-meaning staff.
Rating: 17/20
Tel: 9886 7755
SOPHISTICATION IN THE SUBURBS
It is a far too common occurrence in the suburbs that one enters Japanese restaurants only to find them staffed by waiters, and far worse, chefs, from Hong Kong or China. Sushi shops are the new juice bar and it seems as if everyone is trying to cash in on the craze, even if it means substanddard food.
Shira Nui suffers no such downfall. Upon entering this little 30 seater restaurant in Glen Waverley, one is immediately greeted by calls of 'irashaimasu' (welcome in Japanese). The chef, Hiro Nishikura proudly displays his certifications and credentials behind the sushi bar. As time would reveal, these were well earnt.
We went on a weekday for lunch and had no trouble securing a booking the morning we were going. However I would suggest booking as the restaurant is small, and does attract the business element from around the area. When we were there, it had no trouble filling up all 30 or so seats by 1 pm. The reason for this became apparent. The sushi lunch menu offers exceptional value for around $15-20. There is also hot food available, but undoubtedly the strength of this restaurant lays in its sushi/sushimi.
We had the $20 lunch set which included 2 small entrees, miso soup, chawan mushi, and a bowl of sushi. The entree included a few pieces of gently poached eggplant in a pool of dashi broth topped by Bonito flakes. Most definitely a highlight of the meal - simple, yet the flavours worked well together. My dining companions agreed. The cold noodles in a light mayonnaise with rocket were nice but not spectacular.
The chawan mushi was an eggy custard served warm with flecks of fish at the bottom. This custard had a suitably silken texture however one minor complaint is that it was a touch salty.
The sushi spread consisted of a couple of pieces each of Salmon, Tuna, Eel, John Dory (and another white fleshed fish I can't place) and egg served on a bed of sushi rice. The fish was firm and tasty, with none of the fishy taste one associates with fish that has past its sushi use by. The eel had a lovely fatty flavour to it that was only enhanced by the way it was cooked.
All in all it was a great meal that was only marred by the slightly inattentive but well-meaning staff.
Rating: 17/20
Jan 23, 2008
Casa Iberica
Address: 25 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Tel: 9419 4420
Casa Iberica isn't a restaurant per se, but it does supply exceptional produce and for that reason it is mentioned here. For anyone seeking Spanish ingredients / cookware, this should undoubtedly be your first stop. Upon entering the store, one's attention is immediately captured by the wagon wheel sized paella pans dominating the wall. Next to it hang legs of jamon and strings of chorizos. The smell of salt cod permeates the air, and the aisles are filled with paprika, olives, anchovies and other great food.
However without a doubt the most popular section of the store is the deli area located in the back of the store. If you come here on a weekend it is not uncommon for the store to be packed with crowds of locals doing their weekend shopping. Perhaps most heartening is the fact that Spanish can be heard to be spoken between the owners and the customers, surely a positive omen.
Food not to miss at this store include the jamon (Australian $50/kg, Spanish $70/kg, jamon iberico de bellota $230/kg). Pay the extra for the Spanish stuff...it's worth it! Much sweeter and with a more complex taste then the Australian jamon. Also I would suggest lightly frying the jamon, just a few seconds on either side on medium heat to bring out the flavour and aroma. Serve that with olive oil and a few slices of toast and there you have the makings of a very tasty but expensive breakfast.
Another recommendation are their Portuguese custard tarts (3 for $4.50) - the best in Melbourne. If you know of better, I would love to hear about it. These are far superior to their yum cha counterparts in that the pastry is not dry and crumbly, and also their filling is sweeter and more custardy.
Last but not least are their chorizos which are reputed to be the best in Melbourne. I find their small chorizos too fatty for my liking, however having said that the one's they use for sandwiches are magnificent and I would recommend you try putting one in a sandwich with green olives and cheese. It is also possible to put anything else they sell in the deli into a sandwich, however I have not, as yet had the pleasure of doing so.
Tel: 9419 4420
Casa Iberica isn't a restaurant per se, but it does supply exceptional produce and for that reason it is mentioned here. For anyone seeking Spanish ingredients / cookware, this should undoubtedly be your first stop. Upon entering the store, one's attention is immediately captured by the wagon wheel sized paella pans dominating the wall. Next to it hang legs of jamon and strings of chorizos. The smell of salt cod permeates the air, and the aisles are filled with paprika, olives, anchovies and other great food.
However without a doubt the most popular section of the store is the deli area located in the back of the store. If you come here on a weekend it is not uncommon for the store to be packed with crowds of locals doing their weekend shopping. Perhaps most heartening is the fact that Spanish can be heard to be spoken between the owners and the customers, surely a positive omen.
Food not to miss at this store include the jamon (Australian $50/kg, Spanish $70/kg, jamon iberico de bellota $230/kg). Pay the extra for the Spanish stuff...it's worth it! Much sweeter and with a more complex taste then the Australian jamon. Also I would suggest lightly frying the jamon, just a few seconds on either side on medium heat to bring out the flavour and aroma. Serve that with olive oil and a few slices of toast and there you have the makings of a very tasty but expensive breakfast.
Another recommendation are their Portuguese custard tarts (3 for $4.50) - the best in Melbourne. If you know of better, I would love to hear about it. These are far superior to their yum cha counterparts in that the pastry is not dry and crumbly, and also their filling is sweeter and more custardy.
Last but not least are their chorizos which are reputed to be the best in Melbourne. I find their small chorizos too fatty for my liking, however having said that the one's they use for sandwiches are magnificent and I would recommend you try putting one in a sandwich with green olives and cheese. It is also possible to put anything else they sell in the deli into a sandwich, however I have not, as yet had the pleasure of doing so.
Nov 18, 2007
Inkr7
Tel: (03) 9534 6011
Address: 7 Inkerman St, St Kilda 3182
CLASSICS WITH A TWIST
This is buzzing little bar/cafe on Inkerman Street was a pleasant change from the usual breakfast fare. The eggs benedict ($14) eschewed conventional muffins in favour of sourdough bread, and added lime to the hollandaise as an additional twist. The two perfectly poached eggs on top of the dish were accompanied by pancetta wrapped asparagus. Overall the concept for this dish was good, and it has lots of potential.
Sadly the dish was let down by a sub-standard execution. The pancetta was sliced too thickly and did not acquire a crispy texture, and also lacked the saltiness usually associated with cured meat. Furthermore the 'roasted asparagus' seemed to have been sitting in a steamer for the last day or so. It's texture was reminiscent of baby food. However this was redeemed somewhat by the astute use of lime hollandaise which was an effective foil to the creaminess of the egg and the richness of the pancetta.
The chai latte was possibly the best I have had outside of India. The spice was adequate without being too overpowering. A very worthy proposition for $4.
The service was friendly and efficient, however some may construe it as overly casual. As for the ambience, it was very pleasant, with our group being seated in the rear courtyard section under the shade of a fig tree. Larger tables would definitly have been appreciated.
Rating: 12/20
Address: 7 Inkerman St, St Kilda 3182
CLASSICS WITH A TWIST
This is buzzing little bar/cafe on Inkerman Street was a pleasant change from the usual breakfast fare. The eggs benedict ($14) eschewed conventional muffins in favour of sourdough bread, and added lime to the hollandaise as an additional twist. The two perfectly poached eggs on top of the dish were accompanied by pancetta wrapped asparagus. Overall the concept for this dish was good, and it has lots of potential.
Sadly the dish was let down by a sub-standard execution. The pancetta was sliced too thickly and did not acquire a crispy texture, and also lacked the saltiness usually associated with cured meat. Furthermore the 'roasted asparagus' seemed to have been sitting in a steamer for the last day or so. It's texture was reminiscent of baby food. However this was redeemed somewhat by the astute use of lime hollandaise which was an effective foil to the creaminess of the egg and the richness of the pancetta.
The chai latte was possibly the best I have had outside of India. The spice was adequate without being too overpowering. A very worthy proposition for $4.
The service was friendly and efficient, however some may construe it as overly casual. As for the ambience, it was very pleasant, with our group being seated in the rear courtyard section under the shade of a fig tree. Larger tables would definitly have been appreciated.
Rating: 12/20
Oct 20, 2007
Horoki Casual Dining Bar
Location: 19 Liverpool Street, Melbourne
Tel: 9663 2227
TASTES OF THE WANDERER
Don't be fooled by the Japanese name. Horoki, whilst staffed by Japanese (read: not Chinese/Malaysians/people from Hong Kong PRETENDING to be Japanese) defies being pidgeon-holed. It draws influence from as far away as Italy and Spain, as well as more regional sources like China. Chef Kenji Higuchi does a brilliant job of fusing these flavours together in a harmonious blend that justifies repeated visits to this tiny city restaurant.
The drinks list is very reasonably priced and Asian beer is well represented including favourites such as Tsingtao, Asahi and Tiger. However these are all just distractions to the main event which is the food of Kenji Higuchi. I ordered the Daikon Salad with Sashimi ($13.50) and the Baby Octopus Roast in Garlic Butter ($13.50). Both were excellent, although the Daikon Salad was a real standout. A large dish was liberally filled with cos lettuce, cherry tomatoes and topped with julienne of fresh daikon then julienne of deep fried daikon and seaweed. Around the edges were laid gleaming tiles of tuna, swordfish and salmon sashimi, all liberally covered with tobiko. The dressing was appeared to be a balsamic vinaigrette. The contrast in textures between the fresh and fried daikon was fantastic, whilst the lashings of tobiko eliminated any need for soya sauce with the fish. All in all, a brilliantly conceived and executed dish.
The Baby Octopus was served in a clay dish bubbling with garlic butter. It would not have been out of place in a Spanish restaurant. However, the dish was marred slightly by the chewiness of the octopus, which can probably be attributed to overcooking but this is only a small complaint.
In addition, we had the smoked salmon nigiri, which was served after having had a blow torch run over the surface, leaving a nice charcoal flavour to the sushi. In my opinion, the freshness of the fish and the quality of the cooking put this sushi up there with Shira Nui, the undoubted king of sushi in Melbourne.
My dining companions had the soft shell crab, swordfish tataki and steak tartare, and all received similar rave reviews.
As my dining companion (who had been here on previous ocassions) very astutely pointed out, it is hard to make a bad choice at Horoki. I will definitely be making a return to this very fine restaurant.
Rating: 18/20
Tel: 9663 2227
TASTES OF THE WANDERER
Don't be fooled by the Japanese name. Horoki, whilst staffed by Japanese (read: not Chinese/Malaysians/people from Hong Kong PRETENDING to be Japanese) defies being pidgeon-holed. It draws influence from as far away as Italy and Spain, as well as more regional sources like China. Chef Kenji Higuchi does a brilliant job of fusing these flavours together in a harmonious blend that justifies repeated visits to this tiny city restaurant.
The drinks list is very reasonably priced and Asian beer is well represented including favourites such as Tsingtao, Asahi and Tiger. However these are all just distractions to the main event which is the food of Kenji Higuchi. I ordered the Daikon Salad with Sashimi ($13.50) and the Baby Octopus Roast in Garlic Butter ($13.50). Both were excellent, although the Daikon Salad was a real standout. A large dish was liberally filled with cos lettuce, cherry tomatoes and topped with julienne of fresh daikon then julienne of deep fried daikon and seaweed. Around the edges were laid gleaming tiles of tuna, swordfish and salmon sashimi, all liberally covered with tobiko. The dressing was appeared to be a balsamic vinaigrette. The contrast in textures between the fresh and fried daikon was fantastic, whilst the lashings of tobiko eliminated any need for soya sauce with the fish. All in all, a brilliantly conceived and executed dish.
The Baby Octopus was served in a clay dish bubbling with garlic butter. It would not have been out of place in a Spanish restaurant. However, the dish was marred slightly by the chewiness of the octopus, which can probably be attributed to overcooking but this is only a small complaint.
In addition, we had the smoked salmon nigiri, which was served after having had a blow torch run over the surface, leaving a nice charcoal flavour to the sushi. In my opinion, the freshness of the fish and the quality of the cooking put this sushi up there with Shira Nui, the undoubted king of sushi in Melbourne.
My dining companions had the soft shell crab, swordfish tataki and steak tartare, and all received similar rave reviews.
As my dining companion (who had been here on previous ocassions) very astutely pointed out, it is hard to make a bad choice at Horoki. I will definitely be making a return to this very fine restaurant.
Rating: 18/20
Sep 13, 2007
Paradise Indian Restaurant
Location: 190-200 Jells Road, Wheelers Hill Shopping Centre
Website: http://www.paradiseindian.com.au
Tel: 9561 6661
THE QUIET ACHIEVER
I have often wondered about how this unassuming little suburban Indian restaurant survives. The shopfront appeared small and few customers could ever be seen leaving or entering. However, upon entering the restaurant I was surprized to find it bigger than it appeared from the outside. Despite it being a Monday night, the business was still reasonable.
For drinks my dining companion and I had mango lassi, on which Paradise had put their own twist by adding a pinch of cinnamon. It was not too thick unlike some other lassis, and cinnamon worked well without being too sweet.
With regards to the mains, we had butter chicken ($14) and lamb kesari ($13) served with naan ($2.50) and steamed rice ($3.50). The chicken was nicely presented in a clay pot, and it was even better to see they had refrained from using lashings of butter as is common with many suburban Indian places. The lamb kesari was very competently executed with the yoghurt and onion complementing the lamb as opposed to overpowering it. Any traces of saffron evident in the dish were too subtle for my admittedly insophisticated palette to detect.
In summary, this is a very reasonably priced restaurant that I would have no hesitation going back to. The service was polite and friendly, but a touch inattentive when it comes to matters such as water which pulls this restaurant down slightly.
Rating: 15/20
Website: http://www.paradiseindian.com.au
Tel: 9561 6661
THE QUIET ACHIEVER
I have often wondered about how this unassuming little suburban Indian restaurant survives. The shopfront appeared small and few customers could ever be seen leaving or entering. However, upon entering the restaurant I was surprized to find it bigger than it appeared from the outside. Despite it being a Monday night, the business was still reasonable.
For drinks my dining companion and I had mango lassi, on which Paradise had put their own twist by adding a pinch of cinnamon. It was not too thick unlike some other lassis, and cinnamon worked well without being too sweet.
With regards to the mains, we had butter chicken ($14) and lamb kesari ($13) served with naan ($2.50) and steamed rice ($3.50). The chicken was nicely presented in a clay pot, and it was even better to see they had refrained from using lashings of butter as is common with many suburban Indian places. The lamb kesari was very competently executed with the yoghurt and onion complementing the lamb as opposed to overpowering it. Any traces of saffron evident in the dish were too subtle for my admittedly insophisticated palette to detect.
In summary, this is a very reasonably priced restaurant that I would have no hesitation going back to. The service was polite and friendly, but a touch inattentive when it comes to matters such as water which pulls this restaurant down slightly.
Rating: 15/20
Sep 10, 2007
100 Mile Cafe
Location: Level 3 Melbourne Central, 211 La Trobe St
Tel: 9654 0808
Website: http://www.100milecafe.com.au
CHAMPIONING LOCAL PRODUCE
Sustainable living is gaining increasing importance nowadays, and it was only a matter of time before this translated into sustainable produce making an appearance in restaurants. The 100 Mile Cafe eschews half-measures in this regard, sourcing their produce entirely within a 100 mile radius of Melbourne. Many would regard this as something of a handicap, but the 100 Mile Cafe manages to pull it off with style and panache.
We had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table despite a booking, which did not give me a positive first impression of the restaurant. However, the food more than compensated for the initial wait. For starters we shared woodfired bread covered with Mont Morency mushrooms. It was a rustic pita type bread generously covered with mushrooms. The flavour from the mushrooms was intense, with just enough salt and a slightly meaty taste. Fantastic.
Not so fantastic was the half-hour wait until the rest of our entrees arrived. I had the eel mille-feuille ($17) and I must say, it was worth the wait. 3 big chunks of gently roasted eel were sandwiched between two layers of golden puff pastry. The eel was sweet and succulent whilst the puff pastry was nice and crispy. On the side was a salad of endives with apple and sultanas, with an artful line of what I took to be sweetened balsamic vinegar separating the eel from the vegetables. The combined sweetness of the apple, sultanas and balasamic matched the eel perfectly. Overall a very well-thought out dish and competently executed.
My dining companions had the house smoked duck sushi ($5 / piece). Whilst this wasn't cheap, the quality of the local produce and the cooking was reflected by the speed at which the sushi was devoured. The duck itself was gently smoked and then covered with a light glaze of teriyaki. A simple and elegant combination that was very comptently executed.
Unfortunately, it was another half-hour before the mains arrived. This was disappointingly slow service from a restaurant that otherwise had everything going for it. The ambience was smart but not too stifling, with the polished wooden rafters lending a slightly rustic charm to the restaurant. The food was good and the service was polite and attentive. A shame about the long wait between courses.
For mains I had the King George Whiting tempura style. 4 small golden fillets of whiting arrived buried under a mound of capsicum, ladies finger and pumpkin. Accompanying it was a small bowl of tentsuyu sauce. The fish was well-cooked, with a light coating of crispy batter coddling the sweet whiting. The batter perfectly preserved the juiciness and texture of the fish, allowing the freshness of the produce to shine through.
The braised ox cheek my dining companions had also garnered significant praise.
Given the length of the wait between courses, we did not bother with dessert. Despite the tempting menu, it did not justify a further half hour wait.
Rating: 16/20
The food was great and deserved a higher mark, too bad the service did not match it.
Tel: 9654 0808
Website: http://www.100milecafe.com.au
CHAMPIONING LOCAL PRODUCE
Sustainable living is gaining increasing importance nowadays, and it was only a matter of time before this translated into sustainable produce making an appearance in restaurants. The 100 Mile Cafe eschews half-measures in this regard, sourcing their produce entirely within a 100 mile radius of Melbourne. Many would regard this as something of a handicap, but the 100 Mile Cafe manages to pull it off with style and panache.
We had to wait for about 20 minutes for a table despite a booking, which did not give me a positive first impression of the restaurant. However, the food more than compensated for the initial wait. For starters we shared woodfired bread covered with Mont Morency mushrooms. It was a rustic pita type bread generously covered with mushrooms. The flavour from the mushrooms was intense, with just enough salt and a slightly meaty taste. Fantastic.
Not so fantastic was the half-hour wait until the rest of our entrees arrived. I had the eel mille-feuille ($17) and I must say, it was worth the wait. 3 big chunks of gently roasted eel were sandwiched between two layers of golden puff pastry. The eel was sweet and succulent whilst the puff pastry was nice and crispy. On the side was a salad of endives with apple and sultanas, with an artful line of what I took to be sweetened balsamic vinegar separating the eel from the vegetables. The combined sweetness of the apple, sultanas and balasamic matched the eel perfectly. Overall a very well-thought out dish and competently executed.
My dining companions had the house smoked duck sushi ($5 / piece). Whilst this wasn't cheap, the quality of the local produce and the cooking was reflected by the speed at which the sushi was devoured. The duck itself was gently smoked and then covered with a light glaze of teriyaki. A simple and elegant combination that was very comptently executed.
Unfortunately, it was another half-hour before the mains arrived. This was disappointingly slow service from a restaurant that otherwise had everything going for it. The ambience was smart but not too stifling, with the polished wooden rafters lending a slightly rustic charm to the restaurant. The food was good and the service was polite and attentive. A shame about the long wait between courses.
For mains I had the King George Whiting tempura style. 4 small golden fillets of whiting arrived buried under a mound of capsicum, ladies finger and pumpkin. Accompanying it was a small bowl of tentsuyu sauce. The fish was well-cooked, with a light coating of crispy batter coddling the sweet whiting. The batter perfectly preserved the juiciness and texture of the fish, allowing the freshness of the produce to shine through.
The braised ox cheek my dining companions had also garnered significant praise.
Given the length of the wait between courses, we did not bother with dessert. Despite the tempting menu, it did not justify a further half hour wait.
Rating: 16/20
The food was great and deserved a higher mark, too bad the service did not match it.
Sep 9, 2007
Colmao Flamenco
Location: 60 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Tel: 9417 4131
Website: http://www.colmaoflamenco.com/
BYO Wine - Corkage $5
CHURROS FROM THE HEAVENS
Undoubtedly any Spanish restaurant in Melbourne will draw comparisons to Frank Camorra's Movida. Colmao does not disappoint.
The food is simple, honest Spanish fare - no tricked up foams or dry ice here. The menu is extensive, with numerous shared entrees, and mains including game, seafood and of course, paella. Hidden in the back of the menu is a list of attractively priced set menus. We ended up going with Set Menu III. Coming in at $43, it was more expensive than the tapas degustation at Movida, so expectations were high.
For this price we received 4 types of tapas, paella, and churros. The tapas was particularly noteworthy. Arriving in close succession were:
Chorizo sausages with aioli
Button mushrooms cooked in a claypot with white wine, garlic and rosemary
Fried spinach tossed with garlic, sultanas and lemon wedges
Potato wedges with a spicy salsa
Meatballs with a tomato based sauce
The chorizo sausages were particularly well done, with the juicy pieces of chorizo having just the right balance of saltiness and heat from the paprika. The creamy aioli complemented this dish nicely. As for the spinach, after a couple of tenative mouthfuls I found myself pleasantly surprized - and this is coming from someone that usually doesn't like spinach. The creaminess of the spinach matched well with the garlic, and the sultanas provided a great counterpoint to the savoury flavours. Don't forget to add a squeeze of lemon - the sweet, sour, salty combination really works for this dish.
Next up was a VERY generous serving of paella mixta. A wagon-wheel sized pan of paella studded with king prawns, mussels, calamari and chicken was placed in front of us. The serving size was for 4, but could easily have served 6. The paella itself was good, and I would have been happy to get it in any other restaurant. However, it did not live up to the standard of the tapas . The paella had a gummy consistency that suggested overcooking, and taste wise could have used a touch more salt.
Paella for 2 pictured below.
As for dessert, the churros were magnificent. Crisp golden twists of pastry that were still soft and fluffy on the inside. These doughnuts were served piping hot and dusted with cinnamon and served with a dark chocolate sauce. Sweet, but not too cloying. They were without a doubt the best churros I've ever had. An excellent finish to a great meal.
Rating: 15/20
It would have scored higher but for the slow service. In addition, the waiters, whilst well-meaning and polite were forgetful and sometimes inattentive. However, having said that the service did pick up towards the end of the meal.
Tel: 9417 4131
Website: http://www.colmaoflamenco.com/
BYO Wine - Corkage $5
CHURROS FROM THE HEAVENS
Undoubtedly any Spanish restaurant in Melbourne will draw comparisons to Frank Camorra's Movida. Colmao does not disappoint.
The food is simple, honest Spanish fare - no tricked up foams or dry ice here. The menu is extensive, with numerous shared entrees, and mains including game, seafood and of course, paella. Hidden in the back of the menu is a list of attractively priced set menus. We ended up going with Set Menu III. Coming in at $43, it was more expensive than the tapas degustation at Movida, so expectations were high.
For this price we received 4 types of tapas, paella, and churros. The tapas was particularly noteworthy. Arriving in close succession were:
Chorizo sausages with aioli
Button mushrooms cooked in a claypot with white wine, garlic and rosemary
Fried spinach tossed with garlic, sultanas and lemon wedges
Potato wedges with a spicy salsa
Meatballs with a tomato based sauce
The chorizo sausages were particularly well done, with the juicy pieces of chorizo having just the right balance of saltiness and heat from the paprika. The creamy aioli complemented this dish nicely. As for the spinach, after a couple of tenative mouthfuls I found myself pleasantly surprized - and this is coming from someone that usually doesn't like spinach. The creaminess of the spinach matched well with the garlic, and the sultanas provided a great counterpoint to the savoury flavours. Don't forget to add a squeeze of lemon - the sweet, sour, salty combination really works for this dish.
Next up was a VERY generous serving of paella mixta. A wagon-wheel sized pan of paella studded with king prawns, mussels, calamari and chicken was placed in front of us. The serving size was for 4, but could easily have served 6. The paella itself was good, and I would have been happy to get it in any other restaurant. However, it did not live up to the standard of the tapas . The paella had a gummy consistency that suggested overcooking, and taste wise could have used a touch more salt.
Paella for 2 pictured below.
As for dessert, the churros were magnificent. Crisp golden twists of pastry that were still soft and fluffy on the inside. These doughnuts were served piping hot and dusted with cinnamon and served with a dark chocolate sauce. Sweet, but not too cloying. They were without a doubt the best churros I've ever had. An excellent finish to a great meal.
Rating: 15/20
It would have scored higher but for the slow service. In addition, the waiters, whilst well-meaning and polite were forgetful and sometimes inattentive. However, having said that the service did pick up towards the end of the meal.
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