Laksa King - Eat like a Windsor in Flemington

It is always a bit challenging to visit all of the places that you either read about in the usual press that are a bit inconvenient to get to. Laksa King in Flemington is one of those places only because I didn't want to take the train to Newmarket to enjoy a laksa of all things when the cost of the fare would equal that of the food in some cases. However I used my latest trip to Costco to give me an incentive to make a detour to Flemington so I could finally ascertain what the hype with this place is all about.

Frankly I was shocked to find such a clean restaurant that was air conditioned where the manager not only takes you to your seat but will take your order and bring your food. He was all business and I appreciated that. My first impression with the brick wall, plants and the types of tables and chairs was that I was at a Brisbane RSL however the extensive menu of Malaysian and Chinese inspired fare removed those thoughts in quick fashion.

There is no pomp and circumstance here. The chicken roti rolls that we ordered to start appeared in about five minutes. They were much larger and flavoursome than I expected them to be. Once again probably because I went with low expectations, I was easily impressed in every area that I find important. They are known for their laksa, so I ordered the king prawn variation and what was delivered after a reasonable about of time was just massive in both quantity and taste. The kitchen took the time to remove the heads, tails and the poop chute from the prawns which I found to be a nice touch and once again was not expected. The laksa was a cornucopia of flavours and products so every taste was slightly different but also special. I was impressed and I am not much of a consumer of laksa.

Leaving is a bit of a chore though as the server, in our case the manager, needed to announce what table we were at so we could pay at the kiosk. They do not except credit cards but conveniently have a generic ATM right next to the kiosk for your use. It is quite clever of them so they can operate a cash-based business and pass on the fees to the customer directly to withdrawal cash instead of the banks charging the business for the pleasure of accepting my used and scratched American Express. It is quite clever of them and fortunately between us we found legitimate currency and tendered it so that we could make an exit without guilt or any surcharge for a cash withdrawal.

Clean, efficient, different tastes and a substantial amount of food would get me to go back and actually take the train for the pleasure next time and not simply just use the fact that I was visiting Costco an excuse to frequent the area.

Laksa King

Link to review

6/10-12 Pin Oak Cres., Flemington VIC 3031
(03) 9372 6383

http://www.laksaking.com.au

My Rating: 13.25/20

Service: 3.25/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Quality: 3.5/5

Value For Money: 3.5/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 89% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Laksa King.

Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Collingwood

In order to postpone any desire to enjoy a balanced breakfast which I planned to have as the 20/20 cricket was on in the evening as I knew that I was going to be enjoying tasty alcoholic beverages whilst we attempted to win the ridiculous short-form game, not only did I end up at the gym but also walked to Oxford Street in Collingwood to enjoy lunch at Proud Mary with one other. By the time I turned up at the restaurant, I would have eaten a chair I was so hungry (and thirsty) so it was with gratitude that I learned that the wait was a mere 20 minutes for a table.

Proud Mary is known for its all-day breakfast options, limited lunch menu, teas and extraordinary coffee. As it was a great day weather-wise in Melbourne, I was ecstatic when we were offered one of the four tables outside. Inside is a very lively and loud room where it is difficult to have any sort of pleasant conversation because of the sheer volume of noise. Not to say that it is off-putting if you are in the mood for such a jovial atmosphere however on this occasion I was extremely pleased to be able to enjoy the serenity of the street. As the restaurant is off of Smith Street, there is limited traffic and on-street parking available in a neighbourhood that has an industrial feel.

After being seated it didn't take long at all for water to arrive. A few minutes later a happy member from the service team turned up to consult on the menu. I had a few questions about the coffee that was on offer and I found service to be very informed and happy to guide me down the path of enlightenment. I ended up ordering a single origin coffee from El Salvador and also a blood orange granita ($6) to accompany a McIvor farm pork ragu ($17) - 24 hour braised pork and fennel ragu with house made pappardelle and shaved parmagiano. It did not take long for the various beverages to come out and just before I was about to take a bite out of my table, my lunch arrived. My dining companion ordered the Avacado ($16) which is avacado on farmhouse toast, charred corn and quinoa tabouleh with goats cheese and chilli oil. I was jealous of this as not only did it appear amazing but when I begged for a taste of it, the taste was also amazing. My pork ragu was a bit flavourless with the exception of the shaved parmagiano and the pappardelle pasta was a bit undercooked. It didn't stop me from eating it all but I was disappointed in my selection just because of the lack of flavour. The pork was tender and there was an adequate portion of it included in the ragu with relieved my immediate hunger and certainly tasted better than my other option, being the table I would suspect, however the small taste of the Avacado dish made me regret my decision. I would certainly come back to enjoy that.

A second round of drinks and high quality service made for a relaxed early afternoon. With the summer of cricket coming to an end, I will have to return to Proud Mary again very soon to sample more of their breakfast menu so that I am prepared for the abuse that the West Indians will give to our bowling attack and I will not only request a table outside but happily wait for it.

Proud Mary

Link to review

172 Oxford St  Collingwood VIC 3066
(03) 9417 5930

http://www.proudmarycoffee.com.au

My Rating: 12.75/20

Service: 3.25/5

Ambiance: 3/5

Quality: 3.25/5

Value For Money: 3.25/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 87% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like the Proud Mary.

Builders Arms Hotel - The Life of Fish Pi

Recently I have been taking refuge in Andrew McConnell's properties more often. On this occasion, I undertook a good brisk walk to Fitzroy so I could enjoy the Builders Arms Hotel on Gertrude Street which is much closer in comparison to my last few journeys to Golden Fields in St Kilda.

You could mistake The Builders Arms Hotel for any corner pub and probably be misled into thinking it is just another drinking hole if you didn't know any better. There is a bar area that is very welcoming and you could easily pull up a stool and spend a few hours drinking Cricketers Arms Lager and be virtually unaware that through a connecting door, a bustling restaurant awaits that flows to an outside terrace area. Fortunately for us, we were not distracted by the beautiful sound of beer pouring into jugs and the soft murmur of friendly voices in the pub and when we presented ourselves at the restaurant, the aroma of bread and the sounds of pleasant conversation distracted me sufficiently from my dry mouth.

Service was happy to take us to a table even without a reservation. The restaurant retains a hotel-pub feel and an ambiance which was inviting. the tables are far enough apart so that you are not distracted by other diners. In typical Andrew McConnell style, there is a minimalistic design. There is little art to distract or even annoy which is refreshing which in turn encourages you to have pleasant conversation with your dining partners and be enamoured by the food and beverage on offer.

We ordered in a convoluted way that saw us requesting Claire de Lune oysters ($3.50/each) along with olive toast with Ortiz anchovies and peppers ($4/each) as appetizers and cold poached chicken with English cream and breakfast radish ($16) paired with the seared tuna, celery, potato and white anchovy ($16) as entrée plates to share. Murray's Whale Ale was offered in a jug ($25) so I thought it would be a convenient way to start proceedings with the demon drink.

Although the oysters tasted a bit alkaline, with a bit of lemon and of course the beer, the meal started off well. I really enjoyed the olive toast with the single Ortiz anchovy as I am a huge fan of the brand. Frequently I will stop around at Cumulus, Inc. and just order a beer and Ortiz anchovies and enjoy them at the bar however for this appetizer, I found the pairing of the anchovies with the olive element to be excellent. It would have been easy just to order 24 of these and sit around and drink beer all day, but I knew that there were more exciting things in store.

I like the concept of having a few entrée plates to share. The English cream that is poured on the poached chicken when it arrives is a winner and when combined with the radish made for a wonderful combination of tastes and is certainly a good light dish. The seared tuna was just that. A bright magenta colour and when sliced down the centre and combined with the celery, potato and white anchovy, made it my favourite dish from the experience. I just couldn't get enough of the little soft cubed potatoes and the introduction of the salty anchovy ultimately made the tuna taste even better.

Another jug of beer was ordered along with mains. The fish pie which had smoked trout, prawns, rockling and sorrel ($32) and and offering of steak tartare ($24) which included chips seemed appropriate to order considering the beer. The pie turned out to be deceivingly large with a big bulbous top crust however once you slice into it, you find that it is not completely filled with product and there is a a fair amount of air however you do find a fair amount of fish and the pie is really enjoyable. My dining companion could not stop raving about the steak tartare and insisted that it is one of the best that he has had and put it in the same league as what you get at Movida. I ordered a tomato salad ($14) to accompany my pie and I was happy that I did.

Service remained very attentive throughout the two hour extravaganza. The team were always coming around to swap out dirty plates, utensils and to make sure that our table was clean. There was always water available and we never waited long to have our supply of alcohol replenished. I liked the casual feel of the place but also the professional flare. My very enjoyable meal set the foundations for further beer consumption at the Gertrude Hotel down the road and was certainly a stand-out experience in the recent past.

Builders Arms Hotel

Link to review

211 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy VIC 3065

(03) 9417 7700

http://www.buildersarmshotel.com.au

My Rating: 14.25/20

Service: 3.25/5

Ambiance: 3.50/5

Quality: 3.75/5

Value For Money: 3.75/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 72% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like the Builders Arms Hotel.

Chingón Cantina y Taqueria Richmond - Torn

Another week and another Mexican restaurant. They seem to pop up in Melbourne faster than I can frequent them these days. OK, that is a bit of an exaggeration as Chingón Cantina y Taqueria on Swan Street in Richmond has been open for around six months now. I first inspected it on the same day that I ate a queer tasting kangaroo burrito at Fonda, which is in the same neighbourhood. I held out with a formal blog post on Chingón (loosely translated as using the "F" word emphatically, like Lleyton Hewitt would use the word after winning a hard fought set, but not in the same way that David Warner uses the word toward the match umpires)  as I was waiting for them to secure a liquor license. How can one turn up and have "authentic" Mexican street food and not be able to enjoy a bottle of beer or a shot of tequila? I will have to wait even longer for the pleasure it would seem as they still have not secured it.

My patience wore out and despite seeing the application for the liquor license affixed to their front window, we made ourselves known and took a seat at one of the tables. I took pause and looked around thinking that you could find this hole in the wall in Mexico with the erratic fit-out, faux exposed brick, exposed pipes and the smoke alarm on the ceiling that has no cover or battery, but also because I thought the place was dirty. The alligator clips that affixed the paper on top of the table cloth had some dried salsa on them (not just the table I was sitting at) and after looking at the long bench against the perimeter wall, I noticed food on it too. Still, fitting in with the whole Mexican theme it works, as that is what you find in Mexico.

As there is no list of tasty alcoholic beverages to choose from, water was served in branded paper cups. I can't say that I am the biggest environmentalist but in this day and age where everyone is carrying on about recycling, I would have thought that others would have demonised the restaurant long before me for serving water in paper cups. The taqueria also tries to deceive you as they do have a bar but it is stocked with empty bottles of liquor.

The menu is short. You have six tacos to choose from (4 tacos for $20) and three types of dips ($10 each) so I opted for the guacamole to start. When you order you are advised that they only accept cash so we dug in our pockets and found a total of $60 in reserve so decided to enjoy eight tacos and that single order of guacamole.

Despite being anxious and all signs up until then when the guacamole being served demonstrated that I was going to be disappointed and sullen, it turned out to be really nice. There was a fair amount of warm chips provided and the guacamole had a bit of a creamy zing.  The tacos later came out on a bastardised plate that was made out of bamboo and you are provided a small oblong piece of bamboo with some shredded cabbage to use as your personal drip plate to consume the tacos. First off, the tortillas were just awesome. Nothing like I have tasted before and obviously pressed on-site as they are so unique. Very light yet robust and they did not crack or fall apart when I manhandled any of my targets. The salsa that is provided in a bottle resembled what I make at home but was just less spicy, so when added the to first fish (pescado) taco, it went down my gob like a charm. My biggest irritant when it comes to Mexican food, especially tacos, is that the tortilla can not handle excessive amounts of ingredients, especially juices from meat and fish. Although the fish was a little dry, I would rather have that instead of juicy fish that would have dripped all over my hand and destroyed the taco. The remaining tacos, had a unique charcoal flavour which I can never achieve properly at home and frankly, haven't had the pleasure of coming across anywhere else in Melbourne. I really liked the pollo (chicken) taco especially because there was a hint of guacamole, the asada (beef) taco also was charcoaled well and once again did not destroy the tortilla and finally, my favourite, the tacos al carbon with the primary taste of pineapple was fantastic.

I am torn about this place. Sure, it does look like a place you would come across in Mexico, however some of the drawbacks are inherent with that style more indirectly. $50 for eight tacos and guacamole is a bit much but then again the quality was very good and I enjoyed everything that I ate. Sadly, I wasn't able to consume any alcohol and enjoy the experience at a heightened level but if I had, I would have wanted to pay with a credit card. They do BYO ($5 corkage) so perhaps next time around I will bring in a Rioja (spanish wine or even a six pack of Tecate) and appreciate it for what it is - good street food.

Chingón Cantina y Taqueria

Link to review

413 Swan Street, Richmond VIC 3121

(03) 9429 5695

http://www.chingon.com.au

My Rating: 12.25/20

Service: 3/5

Ambiance: 2.75/5

Quality: 3.75/5

Value For Money: 2.75/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 70% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Chingón Cantina y Taqueria.

The Aylesbury (Rooftop) + La Belle Miette = Cheap Monday

After a week of visiting hatted restaurants like Coda, Golden Fields and Spice Temple, it looks like I have opted for cheap options as of late. Perhaps it is just timing but in the last week I have found some pleasure in discovering quality inexpensive and cheerful venues around Melbourne.

After The Aylesbury announced that they were making a lunchtime menu available daily on their rooftop, it certainly did not take me long to get up there via their lift and enjoy the sun on a remarkably beautiful and warm day, listen to the chilled beats playing (not really my thing, but they were soothing) and of course visit the bar that is the focal point and really the motivation for any rooftop experience.

The actual rooftop space is really not that big. There are two tables where eight people could fit comfortably around each and stools border the perimeter which offers 270 degree views of office buildings and the Marriott on Exhibition Street.

After we found seats in the sun, menus and water were provided. The staff were very enthusiastic to explain the tapas menu and verify that you knew what you were about to experience. I would assume that some may have been put off after ordering a smoked eel croquette ($3.50) and probably were disappointed because it is just a single morsel, the size of a potato gem. I wasn't disappointed though as I expected this although it probably would cause some consternation for some it still provided great flavour and cleansed my palate.

The "bocadillos" or Spanish for sandwich has six entries on the menu. I opted for the braised beef cheek, oloroso and peppers ($10) and my dining companion ordered the crispy calamari, gem, alioli ($10) and we both agreed that we were satisfied with the ingredients where I thought the braised cheek was tender and fantasic, but the bread itself disappointed. It turned out to be a bocadillio that you really needed to use a fork and knife to cut up and fair amount of force for that matter to cut the bread. If you tried to eat it naturally, you would need to exert so much force using your teeth, that the pressure would expel the ingredients out of the bread and onto the plate. I really didn't mind using the fork and knife however I hope that in the future that they re-evaluate the bread that they serve.

An order of patatas bravas ($10) which are white potatoes cut up into smaller morsels and bathed in a tomato sauce was also ordered. This was the highlight for me probably because it was "easy eating" and the sauce had a mild spice that complimented the fresh fruit sangria ($9) which was not only quite potent where the white rum was noticeably provided in abundance (no complaints!) but a fair amount of fresh fruit was in the sangria glass which you are encouraged to eat after being provided a small fork. The restaurant treats this as a dessert but I found it perfect to have with the meal and it cooled me down as I dined in the direct sunlight. We would later move inside under the air conditioning and enjoy another sangria just because they were so good.

Given the price of the bocadillos and ensaladas (salads) do not exceed $10, you can have a cheap and cheerful lunch on this rooftop if you do not get excited and order additional things off the menu like what we did. Besides the bread, I found everything to be good. Food and drinks came out quickly so if you are slave to the clock, you will not be disappointed by the speed of service.

There is a completely different menu downstairs at The Aylesbury so I will reflect on that at a later time in a different post.

Perhaps it was because I had the taste of white rum on my palate, I felt the need to refresh it with some macarons. Given that I wasn't about to commute out to South Yarra and hit up my new favourite place for desserts, LuxBite, I called into La Belle Miette on Hardware Lane. This is a small shop that has a single case of macarons, but some of them are laced with alcohol. Personal favourites are the "Bastille" - 'Kir Royal' Moet et Chandon and Blackcurrant ($2.80) and the Pimm's & Pomegranate ($2.50) which certainly vanquished the taste of rum out of my mouth. Although I can't help but always order a Raspberry Chocolate - single origin Madagascar ($2.50) and the 72% Cocoa Chocolate - single origin Venezuela ($2.80) which although forced me into the gym after consuming these delectable delights, the pain and sweat was certainly worth it.

The Aylesbury (Rooftop)

Link to review

Level 5,103 Lonsdale St., Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9077 0451

http://www.theaylesbury.com.au

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

At the time of this post, 89% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like The Aylesbury.

La Belle Miette

Link to review

30 Hardware Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9024 4528

http://www.labellemiette.com.au

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 94% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like La Belle Miette.

Dukes Coffee Roasters + Brother Baba Budan - Walking in My Shoes

Following my stop at LuxBite in South Yarra we walked 2.2km through the heart of Prahran via Chapel Street and found the entrance to Dukes Coffee Roasters near High Street on the border of Windsor. Summer, Sunday mornings and televised cricket matches have encouraged me to eat a balanced breakfast mainly in order to prepare myself to scream and shout about Micheal Clarke's frivolities as he runs between wickets in the afternoon so this seemed to be a suitable stop.

I was rather hungry by the time I got to Windsor by foot. I knew that Dukes was a popular place and a bit of a haunt for the locals in the area however I was very pleased that people were not spilling out of the restaurant and onto the footpath and ecstatic that there were a few seats free. I was even happy to take up residence at one of the communal tables near the front of the place in order to keep an eye on the wayward souls that roam Chapel Street however the newspaper and the attentive service would ultimately thwart my nosiness.

Quietly happy that the morning had evolved into the afternoon and despite Dukes offering an all-day breakfast on the weekends (they close at 4:00 PM) I got stuck into the lunch menu. Secretly I was pleased that I did not have adhere to best practices for my body and instead ordered a Cuban pulled pork sandwich and some coffee.

The name of the business says it all. Besides selling food and drink, they also produce coffee and flog bags of beans. The wood and steel industrial ambiance with exposed ceilings and the benefit of air conditioning provides a working backdrop when you visit and the fresh flowers scattered on various tables is a nice touch.

Although the place remained consistently busy with a soundtrack playing that was barely audible over the buzz, the service operated like a well maintained BMW M3. You get the pleasure of making the acquaintance of multiple members of service as each one apparently serves a specific role. One fills water, one takes your order, one delivers beverages, one delivers food and a different one will bring the bill. The last time I saw so many people attend to our needs, which frankly were quite basic and banal, was at Jacques Reymond.

Everything fit into place and was good enough that I would stop around if I am in the area again to reacquaint myself with service and their coffee. Although Dukes has alcohol on offer, we decided to suppress our thirst and instead retreat to the Lucky Coq Bar, which is a few metres away instead.

On the topic of coffee, although it was not a destination on this epic wander around our great city, yesterday I found the most interesting place that sells the best coffee in the Melbourne CBD in quite some time. Although I am a fan of Toby's Estate and now Dukes Coffee Roasters for that matter, Seven Seeds are flogging their beans at Brother Baba Budan on Little Bourke Street near Exhibition Street. It is a small shop and not really suitable to having a meeting or doing any business but hipsters and students have found a way to hang out there. Chairs dangle from the ceiling and there is a steady flow of traffic ordering what is perhaps the most intriguing tasting coffee that I have experienced yet in a very indie setting. The person that I was with ordered an iced coffee and said that it is the best one that he had the opportunity to enjoy in Melbourne. Regardless, Brother Baba Budan is worth a visit if you are in the CBD and need a hit of caffeine. The details for this place are at the conclusion of this post.

Dukes Coffee Roasters

Link to review

169 Chapel Street  Windsor VIC 3181
(03) 9521 4884

http://www.dukescoffee.com.au

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

At the time of this post, 92% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Dukes Coffee Roasters.

Brother Baba Budan

Link to review

359 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9606 0449

http://www.brotherbababudan.com.au

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 94% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Brother Baba Budan.

LuxBite - The Unexpected Journey

People have been telling me for years that in order to live, let alone survive, you need a sense of balance. Being a hedonist, the scales are heavily tipped to my right and I will both seek out fun and live for the moment whenever I can. This ultimately leads to far too many hangovers and for the most part excessive calorie consumption. In the past I have alluded to the fact that I do attempt to go on very long walks (and recently added the occasional sprint) in order to keep some sort of fitness and also to repress my stomach as I do not want to emulate the appearance of an Oompa Loompa at my ripe and randy young age. In an effort to have some sort of balance, I incorporated my occasional long and meandering 18km wander with a few stops along the way to placate my wayward ways. The first being at LuxBite in South Yarra.

Walking to South Yarra from Southbank really isn't a big deal and it is actually quite pleasant on a sunny and warm day. Following the river past the rowers on our beautiful (sic) Yarra River and avoiding cyclists is a breeze and once you follow Punt Road to Toorak Road you will find LuxBite.

I was impressed with the very modern, bright and clean fit-out. You are immediately drawn to the desserts that that on display in a glass case, perfectly symmetrical in appearance with mirrors on the perimeter to overwhelm your senses as you are forced to choose if you are that way inclined. It would be just as easy to settle with a tea set for two ($48) which includes two finger sandwiches, two desserts, four macarons and two beverages but I had some other stops planned on this unexpected journey so I wiped the froth from my mouth and the sweat from the back of my neck and opted for some of the tasty desserts; a very attractive raspberry based morsel encased in macarons along with a banana-chocolate-toffee slice. Fortunately I did not have to indulge upon this goodness by myself but it would have been very easy to and also negate the health benefits of the walk however sitting outside with pleasant conversation, a cup of Toby's Estate coffee and watching the world go by with these beautiful desserts in a very relaxed and calm part of South Yarra is quite an indolent way to spend a lazy and late Sunday morning. The journey was not even close to being completed yet either.

There is a brunch menu ($15/each) with the highlights being the "LuxBite Pork Bun" 2 Ways - bamboo charcoal brioche bun, pulled pork, kimchi, house-made pork jerky and Kewpie but also the heart-killing "Cheese Fondue" which takes about fifteen minutes to prepare. If you are able to avoid the desserts, which is probably an impossible feat, the cheery service will happily serve you an egg on toast ($7.50) and throw in a few extras like roasted tomato or bacon for an additional $2.50/each.

Stop around to browse, indulge or just have a good coffee and whittle your day away.

LuxBite

Link to review

38 Toorak Road, South Yarra VIC 3141

(03) 9867 5888

http://www.luxbite.com.au

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 82% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like LuxBite.

Pellegrini's - Cheap and Cheerful

After visiting the gym for the first time in many blue moons, I was not only tired but ravenous. I thought it would make for a good opportunity to visit Pellegrini's as it has not only been on my list of places to try for some time but I thought the indulging upon heavy Italian food could be forgiven after the sacrifices that I made on the cross trainer in honour of the sweat that was shed.

Just north of Grossi Florentino and not far from Gingerboy on the corner of Bourke Street and Crossley Street on the Hill of Content, you will find the unassuming Pellegrini's. A Italian stalwart of the neighbourhood for years, you are not greeted by a host or hostess per se but by very busy staff making coffees and working the bar in a bustling small but quaint space. You essentially have three choices when you come to this place: order something to takeaway (food and/or drink) find a seat at the main bar where you have some space to dine or take a stool at the plank opposite against the wall where you will have half the space and will be sitting side-saddle like a lady from the Victorian era when you eat. Every seat is sought after by the starved and dehydrated but it was with luck that we were able to secure two seats at the end of the proper bar.

A wooden board hangs from the ceiling that advertises what is available. We ordered the meat lasagna special and two granitas to start. Within about 30 seconds you are given a plate with buttered bread and about one minute later, the lasagne appeared. The first thing that came into my head after I had a taste was it was home cooking and something that you would expect in some laneway in Tuscany or from the kitchen of Tony Soprano's mother. Commands and requests flew through the air in Italian from the bar back to the kitchen and whilst sipping the granita and later an espresso (to give me the strength needed to see Les Miserables) you have a chance to admire the memorabilia.

The staff have service down to that of a well-oiled machine and when the $44 bill came, I was a bit shocked that it was so inexpensive. Certainly good value for money with a quaint and almost quirky ambiance where you are almost fooled that you are no longer in the Melbourne CBD. I thought such characters found at this place could only be found in an episode of The Sopranos, but I was wrong. It was good fun and it certainly gave me the strength needed to get through Les Miserables (which wasn't such a chore really) so now I can sing the song for Pellegrini's - cheap and cheerful indeed.

Pellegrini's

Link to review

66 Bourke Street, Melbourne VIC 3000

(03) 9662 1885

no web site

My Rating: n/a

Service: n/a

Ambiance: n/a

Quality: n/a

Value For Money: n/a

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 83% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Pellegrini's.

Spice Temple (Melbourne) - I'll Leave You Numb, Part 2

This is the second part of a two part post. The first part can be found here which reflected on Spice Temple Sydney.

I always like walking through the Queensbridge entrance of Crown Casino. It is like living vicariously through the latest advertisement for the place there as the doorman tips his hat after you walk past a virtual showroom of motorcars after seeing Eddie McGuire (or any of the current popular AFL footy players) being whisked away in the lastest model Holden. If you aren't distracted by these themes, you will walk past Neil Perry's latest addition to the Rockpool Empire, Rosetta, and once you exchange pleasantries with the doorman for the Crown, you will be beckoned toward the entrance of Spice Temple.

After visiting the Sydney Spice Temple multiple times and it being a personal favourite, it wasn't until recently I got into Spice Temple Melbourne for lunch. The yum cha special remains a differentiating factor between the Melbourne and Sydney menus (the full menu is available for both lunch and dinner in Sydney whereas a special menu is available in Melbourne for lunch) and not only is it much heralded in the usual press, I really wanted to know whether it was better than the offerings that you would find at the Shark Fin Inn on Little Bourke Street. To make it simple, it was.

Unlike other yum cha offerings where you flag down a roving cart that is hell-bent on slamming into some unsuspecting patron's knee, you order directly off of a comprehensive yum cha menu from the attentive server. Whilst being refreshed by the Lord Nelson Three Sheets ($10) by the bottle, you have the opportunity to mull over the twenty items on the yum cha menu but that is just 25% of what is available. You do have limited access to the full menu, which I was very pleased to discover.

From the Har Gow steamed prawn dumplings ($11) to the boiled chicken and pork dumpings to the ominously red coloured king prawn wontons with aged black vinegar dressing ($11) on the menu denoting it is especially hot, everything was great. The staple BBQ pork buns ($12) didn't taste very common and in fact had the unique Perry flair whereas the chichen and crab xiao long bao ($12) had good complementary flavours.

One of the yum cha menu items has sichuan pepper - the crispy prawn wontons with hot and numbing sauce ($11) made my tongue go numb so I could slur as the result of the food instead of the alcoholic beverage for a welcome change.

Spice fried chicken wings with heaven facing chillies ($15) and tingling prawns ($24) rounded out the numbing experience. Although you needed to work for your food with respect to the chicken wings, it certainly beat the chicken feet that you will find at various locations in Chinatown.

Water views and a contemporary fit-out with sometimes quasi-traditional music and at other times more lively but strangely selected hip-hop provided the background score. After dining in the bowels of the Sydney location and becoming used to the darkness where the light guides you to the surface, it is really the polar opposite at the Melbourne location where you get to see the usual travellers of Southbank Promenade provide some tertiary amusement whilst you consume reasonably priced food full of flavour. Although I will still end up at Shark Fin Inn on occasion merely for the authenticity and sheer and utter commotion of the place, I reckon that Spice Temple yum cha provides a suitable alternative for lunch and of course with their full menu on reserve during the evening, it is indeed one of the jewels in the Crown. 

Spice Temple

Link to review

2 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182

(03) 8679 1888

http://www.spicetemplemelbourne.com

My Rating: 14.75/20

Service: 3.25/5

Ambiance: 3.5/5

Quality: 3.75/5

Value For Money: 4.25/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 70% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Spice Temple Melbourne.

Acland St. Cantina - Little Prince

The corner of Fitzroy Street and Acland Street in St Kilda has had a few injections of botox over the last year. The wrinkles are there but they have been masked by some poignant changes at the Prince of Wales complex. Over the years, Circa has gone through a metamorphosis or three since Andrew McConnell (Cutler & Co., Cumulus, Inc., Golden Fields) moved on. Now in the place of the Prince Wine Shop (which now sits resolute off of Clarendon Street in South Melbourne) in the back bowels of the subterranean dungeon you will find the Acland St. Cantina, the latest culinary outpost from Julian Gerner's Melbourne Pub Group.

The rise of another Mexican cantina in Melbourne some may find boring or perhaps just feel that the market for this regional food is nearing saturation point however considering the offerings in the south, I think it is a welcome and exciting addition to the St Kilda edgy dining scene and compliments the other Melbourne Pub Group offering of seemingly Yucatan-Mexican inspired (read: suckling goat tacos) at the Cellar Bar at the Newmarket Hotel.

After being led through the catacombs under the Prince once you present yourself you could be confused and believe that you are actually in Mexico, just without the ethnic Mexicans, graft and cheesy gimmicks. Paul Wilson must have been inspired fully in his latest tour around Mexico and it shows in the design and the menu. Not only will you find the usual staple Mexican foodstuffs available everywhere and anywhere these days, a fair amount of space is devoted on the menu to those wanting vegetarian options which coincides with the demographic in and around St Kilda. Clever. The unintrusive Mole (no, not game on Moll!) - an ancient Mayan dish that features chillis, chocolate and sometimes complex flavours if prepared properly also stands out on the menu as a speciality where the punter can taste three Moles (with goat, pork and duck) for $30.

Although I was tempted to try the stuffed cactus relleno ($12) I really wanted to see if the foundations were intact so went for the cantina guacamole with chia and serrano chili salsa ($12) and lo and behold, it was perfect. Blasphemy was exclaimed out of happiness and more margaritas ($16/each) were ordered however in retrospect I should have ordered jugs ($32/each) which would have been better value for money, which I learned to do by default at Touche Hombre last month.

I have always been critical of Tacos Al Pastor, which the menu was advertising as "authentic" so it was with great fanfare and expectation that a few were ordered next ($7/each, minimum 2 p/p) and I was very impressed. Tender spit roasted pork merged with a pineapple salsa that was impressive as anything that I had at previously at Senoritas or Mamasita. Browsing the tequila menu, you are spoiled for choice. Besides the standard "Blanco" offerings, they have a few Reposado, Aneljo and my personal favourite, Mezcal in their vast inventory of alcohol however the bulk of it resides in their wine cellar.

Being critical and judgemental are fundamentally different things. Although I act like a pretentious wannabe food critic when it comes to Tacos Al Pastor, primarily because I just like them so much; besides the quality and construction of the fish taco ($7/each, minimum 2 p/p) my eyes always judge the way a restaurant prepares and presents carne asada as a benchmark for determining a success. Paul Wilson mixes up the status quo by making this main dish a user-assembled experience much like you would find if you ordered fajitas elsewhere; you construct your Oaxacan market style mixed grill of skirt steak, chorizo, assorted vegetables in a parcel of tortillas that are provided on the side. If Ed Sheeran was going to build a lego house, he would love making this one. It was a interesting way to present the dish which encourages more social eating however the volume of meat and vegetables are not proportional to the amount of tortillas that you are provided so we ended up needing to order more ($5) however it dragged out an enjoyable experience and enticed us just to order more maragaritas and enjoy the ambiance.

The service remained very cheerful and overtly helpful and when combined with the buzz associated with this place, both inside the cantina and out in the media, both St Kilda and the Melbourne Pub Group has another place to be proud of.

Acland St. Cantina

Link to review

2 Acland Street, St Kilda VIC 3182

(03) 9536 1122

no web site yet

My Rating: 14.25/20

Service: 3.25/5

Ambiance: 3.5/5

Quality: 3.75/5

Value For Money: 3.75/5

Twitter: @epicurean3006

e-mail: epicureanofsouthbank (at) gmail (dot) com

web: www.epicureanofsouthbank.com

At the time of this post, 85% of the reviewers on Urbanspoon also like Acland St. Cantina.