A Gastronomical Voyage in Melbourne: Restaurant Reviews

Dinner @ Tea House - Punt Hill Apartments

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 13:06:37 GMT

Neatly disguised inside Punt Hill Apartments

Beef Brisket with White Radish, Ginger in a Clear Broth

Baby Spinach Stir-Fried in Chilli and XO Sauce

Salt and Pepper Calamari with Deep Fried Spinach

All great dishes...

Ratings

Food: Fantastic Cantonese Cuisine, similar to Flower Drum quality

Top Dish: Salt and Pepper Calamari with Deep Fried Spinach

Atmosphere: Elegant and cozy

Service: Speedy service with knowledgable staff who can all make recommendations.

Booking: Recommended but not essential

Kenzan Decades of Memories

Fri, 16 Mar 2007 04:51:18 GMT

…Seeing how fast one can drive down the spiraling passage to the Regency car park in Mum’s e-Class

… green and white summer school uniform against the high sushi bench chairs

… practicing my limited Japanese with the always smiling and energetic sushi chefs, including Daisuke

… piping hot tempura prawns that burn the roof of your mouth if you’re not careful

… toro sashimi flown (and probably hand carried) from Japan

... Mum treating us to Japanese bento after high school for lunch

Over two decades, my family and I have frequented Kenzan Japanese Restaurant for many afternoons and evenings. Many things have changed but the soul of Kenzan never changes. It is a small world…. One of the lovely onejian that worked there is now one of our dear friend’s partner…. What a small world….Many of the chefs have moved on to better and greater things… and you could say that they have trained a lot of chefs who bring such a greater variety and depth of Japanese food to Melbourne… There weren’t many authentic Japanese restaurants back in the day… but there was Kenzan (and Suntory of course).

Changing of time, changing of ownership, but the food remain authentic and of the highest quality.

Our usual meal consists of a combination of starters and mains… rarely do we get to order many of the mains as the starters and entree dishes are exceptional. We always order from the Special menu first and supplement it with the normal dishes in the a la carte menu. All this time, the a la carte menu has not changed but the Special Menu has becoming noticeably adventurous. Of course, there are dishes that we always order, such as the stuffed fried mushrooms, sashimi and sushi moriawase, the tempura moriawase and what our dad likes to call “chicken nuggets” – tori karaage. Depending on the season and our collective appetite, we might add to the bill, agedashi tofu, grilled fish, chawa mushi, pipi soup, and nabeyaki udon.

Salmon belly, a new recommendation recently received by one of the sushi chef, is definitely going to be a staple addition to the bill, especially if toro is not available. Out of all the sushi and sashimi, this one is the one to fight with the other patrons for. As soon as you sit down, you should ask the waiter/waitress whether there is toro or salmon belly available…. before they are all gone.

Ratings

Food: Quality authentic Japanese food

Top Dish: Salmon belly sushi

Atmosphere: Homey

Service: Generally okay especially the drinks maestro. It used to be better when turnover was lower.

Booking: Recommended (especially for the sushi bar) but not essential

Kenzan Japanese Restaurant

Collins Place

45 Collins Street

Melbourne 3000

Tel: 03 9654 8933

Ito Japanese Noodle Cafe

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 04:26:03 GMT

Ito is our usual restaurant of choice when we're catching up with Joel, Rumi, Kevin and Priscilla. Yesterday was no exception. However, we forgot the fact that Kevin was now working in the suburbs without a car, so he had to catch a train back into the city. Oh boy did he complain about the walk.... But that's another story.

For dinner, Ito is usually crowded with students and families whom have made their home in the city. Surprisingly, it wasn't that full yesterday and we had the whole of the back upper floor to ourselves.

First off – drinks! I love their variety of drinks ranging from frothy iced macha, Grape Calpico, to Tsunami – a sparkling lycee sake cocktail. For entree, we ordered a large plate of sashimi. This time it was better, more variety, more radish, and seemingly fresher produce. There was tuna, mackerel, squid, octopus, and prawns for the eagerly awaiting bellies. Each of us also ordered our own mains, which were the standard Japanese fare. The standout dishes were the Nabeyaki Udon – a traditional winter dish of prawn, chicken, vegetables and egg with udon noodles in a dashi clear soup, served in a iron hot pot; and the Tempura Soba – Mixed tempura accompanied by cold soba noodles. The tempura was crunchy and buttery and the light batter made the seafood and vegetables taste so good. Unfortunately, my Salmon Foil Bake (Salmon fillet and with onions, tomatos, lemon and carrots wrapped in foil and grilled in its own juice, served with a green salad with ponzu sauce) was not as flavoursome as I had hoped. It would have been better if it was baked in dashi or stock. However, it has given me an idea to try to replicate the dish and improve it at home.

Oh my goodness, I just remember that we forgot to have dessert there! Oh well… my friends' children were a bit tired so we had to leave…Ito’s variety of dessert is extensive. They have the simple Macha ice-cream that any decent Japanese restaurant should serve, but they also have the Ogura ice cream (vanilla ice cream with red bean paste), black sesame ice cream, ice platter (which is a sample selection of the ice creams) and the delicious Mitsumame (with mixed fruits, green tea ice cream and red bean paste) – this is my favourite.

Mind you, the service is not great, and you tend to have to wave down the speeding waiters and waitresses but the food is not bad for the price. You could happily have a three-course meal for $30 J And don’t forget to order your Tsunami!

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Ito Japanese Noodle Café Melbourne

122 Bourke St, Melbourne, 3000

Telephone: (03) 9663 2788

Website: http://www.itocafe.com.au/

Tipbits: They own GoGo Sushi on Swanston Street too… The sushi at this sushi train restaurant isn’t bad and it’s a healthy fast eat and run type of place. Last order 9p.m.

Kobe Jones - Californian Cuisine

Mon, 26 Feb 2007 01:18:27 GMT

The weather has been really humid and hot these past few weeks in Melbourne. Last week, a few of us had set a date to go out and dine somewhere that we’ve never been to and I suggested Kobe Jones or Rockpool.

Everyone had a look at Kobe Jone’s website and voted for Kobe Jones.

Kobe Jones is as chain of Californian Japanese fusion restaurants in Sydney, Bangkok, London and Melbourne. (Funny that they don’t have one in Los Angeles.. hmm…)

From the website, it looked to be ideally situated on the banks of Waterfront City (fancy name for an area in the Docklands) looking out to blue skies and blue waters. I thought, that it would be a great place for a hard day of work. You can feel like you are miles away.

Since booking the restaurant, a friend that I was catching up with for lunch also recommended Kobe Jones. She was going there for Valentine’s Day...

On the day, luckily we had Chris with us. Otherwise, we would have gotten lost in the Docklands. We parked in a large open air car park in Waterfront City and walked out to the boardwalk. There was a large function at The Beach Club and we found Kobe Jones right door next to it.

Arriving at the restaurant, two friends were already there spread out across the waiting couch - frowning. “They don’t have a booking for us” sarcastically declaring that “We won’t be able to get a spot”. The place was not very full… we easily got a table facing the water.

The waiters were very giggly and couldn’t really help us with any recommendations, but pointed us to The Kobe Jones Signature Dishes. We ordered mostly from that and ordered mostly entrees, two rolls and two mains. Standout dishes were the Mushroom Medley Tobanyaki (Oven Baked Assortment of Exotic Mushrooms in a Cream Sauce) and the Number One Special (Crab Salad with Avocado Wrapped in Snapper and Baked with KJ’s Cream Sauce). The Mushroom Medley Tobanyaki was everyone’s favourite, we just couldn’t get enough of it. It was creamy, juicy, sweet and flavoursome. I suspect that there was either Ponzu sauce or Balsamic vinegar in it that surprising enhanced the flavours of the mushrooms.

The dessert menu looked fantastic too, ranging from trifle, pannacotta to more traditional Japanese dishes like Yokan. We couldn’t decide, so we had the Ama Ozen (A Tray of a Sample of Each of the Desserts). The dessert tray came with a mismatch of small ceramic and glass bowls filled with colourful desserts. Resting on one of the bowls were a pair of giant chocolate chopsticks. At first I thought they were real chopsticks for us to use, odd as the desserts were mostly in cream form.

We could eat no more.. and were very satisfied after dessert.

Even better still, Kobe Jones was having a 25% off the total bill for The Entertainment Book members. So it ended up being a very reasonable and delicious meal, under the warm orange sun.

Three One Two

Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:16:32 GMT

Fortunately for us, 312 was kind enough to rearrange some tables to accommodate our booking a few Thursdays back. There was just the four of us, Hoshika, Joobi, me and it was a nice light meal for Michael before he left for Singapore.

When we arrived at the unmarked restaurant, we were greeted and led upstairs to our table. All the tables were simply laid out with white linen, small ceramic candle display and in the centre a Tord Boontje deep plate, which we later found out was for our endless slices of bread.

The menus were printed on waxy brown paper with antique motives in the back. The 8 or 10 (can’t remember as none of us went for it) Degustation menu was printed on a separate piece of paper. None of us went for the Degustation, and by now, I can’t clearly remember everything that we ate. (Not much of a restaurant review – I know) However, I remember that we were given complimentary “cigars” made from a crispy paper-thin pastry filled on one end with cream cheese and on the other with olive paste. They were served to us in a Cuban cigar box. Nice touch.

I remember having the oysters from Moonlight Flat Oysterage, which was divine. The oysters came with side dishes of pickled cucumber slivers and dressings. I remember wanting more than the 6 that came. Yum!! (My photo of the side dishes looks dodgy I know, looks like I've taken it with a spy camera. Well sort of.. I took the photo with my mobile phone's camera)

I remember having the veal, which was light and flavoursome.

If you have nothing else at 312, you must have their dessert:

*Fresh white peach and champagne granite, raspberries and almond milk

*Fig caramelised pastry and chocolate ganache with Armagnac cream

*Yoghurt & cardamom cream with sylvan estate berries steeped in rose geranium syrup

*Chocolate jelly & fresh lychee with coffee oil and vanilla milk sorbet

Don’t they all sound divine?? They were. We ordered one of each and every one of them was absolutely out of this world. Maybe the one hat was for the dessert .

I bought my Tord Boontje Table Stories bowls in a design shop called Propeller in Hayes Valley, San Francisco last year and have since been looking for more of the Table Stories pieces. So I had to ask 312 staff where they got theirs. Apparently there is a few places you can get them. They got theirs from Dedece…

Three One Two

312 Drummond Street, Carlton

Tel: 03 9347 3312

Tempura Hajime

Wed, 07 Feb 2007 03:20:48 GMT

Pssst… I’ve been deciding whether to write a review of Tempura Hajime since I ate there on Monday. I guess I take comfort in one of the rare opportunities to review a restaurant that no one else has reviewed on the internet as of today! No internet website has even hinted of this restaurant, even the White pages has the name wrong! (Hajimer instead of Hajime).

Recommended by the owners of Tokyo Mart, Tempura Hajime is as discreet as Yu-u. Not surprising as it is the new venture of the former Yu-U owners Daisuke and Noriko. Daisuke wanted to bring back his own experience at a tempura restaurant in Tokyo and at the same time have a small restaurant so that he can chat and get to know his customers. He felt that Yuu was getting too big and too tiring for him.

With only 12 seats in this minimalist restaurant, you can chat to Daisuke to your heart’s content and vice versa.

As you arrive at 60 park street, there is no distinct landmark to suggest that there is any restaurant or retail space. Your eyes however hone in on the soild wooden door (see photo), which seems quietly out of place amongst the opaque glass. Look through the small porthole on the door and you see a neatly written sign announcing that you are in the right place.

Open the door, and you are in a small corridor joining a slate walled room similar the high-end bars in Tokyo. You are then asked whether you would like to sit and have a drink at the bar or to proceed into the dining room. We opted for the dining room. In contrast to the bar, you walk through the sliding door to arrive at a well lit small dining room with a tempura counter (see photo).

There is no a la cart menu, it is a Degustation menu with a small appetizer, tempura seafood and vegetables served fresh from the frying bowl, ochazuke or the dry version of ochazuke, dessert, and tea. Their selection of sakes were limiting but of good quality. We had cold sake with our meal – don't remember which one. Surprisingly filling, we struggled to finish the ochazuke. The apricot yogurt pannacotta was a nice touch to finish off the meal in a happy mood.

I really love the plates and bowls that they use, all from a specialty street in Tokyo, one of the owner’s favourite shopping places.

Don't tell too many people as I want to be able to get a table next time! And if they ask you on the phone who recommended you, tell them “Karen” sent you!

Tempura Hajime

60 Park Street

South Melbourne

Tel: 03 9696 0051

Another Dromana Weekend

Mon, 05 Feb 2007 02:15:52 GMT

A bunch of us went to Dromana last weekend, coinciding with the Red Hill Market, to relax and enjoy the sunshine. The Red Hill Market occurs on the first Sunday of every month and last time round we missed it. It's worth the drive, if you are into crafts, wine and the freshest produce from the region. I bought 5 pots of herbs for $10, passionfruit butter, for $4, a heat pillow for $5, and a gigantic bacon, eggs and sausage roll for $3.60. Nice family day out.

After that we headed off to the holiday house and waited for everyone to arrive. We were hoping to go into Portsea to have fish and chips at this popular eatery. But at 3pm, there wasn't much lunch left. So we snacked on crisp chicken and pies and saved our stomach for dinner at the Portsea Hotel.

Got to say, Portsea front beach is just beautiful. The water was clear, shallow and not too crowded. Portsea Hotel was fantastic as well... so picturesque! The place was packed with locals and funky people when we arrived but luckily we found an al fresco table overlooking the sea. The menu was extensive, we took ages just to decide what to get. Between the 9 of us, we got a variety of entree, sides and main:

Twice Cooked Duck Breast, served on a bed of Roasted Root Vegetables with a Gin and Juniper Berry Jus
§ Oven Baked Osso Bucco topped with Parmesan Mash
§ Portsea Chicken Parmigiana topped with Roasted Roma Napoli, Shaved Ham, and Mozzarella Cheese served with Fries and Salad
§ Calamari Rings Lightly Fried and served with Chips and Tartare Sauce
§ Chargrilled Marinated Chicken Fillet Served with Greek Salad, Tzatziki, Hommus and Charred Pita Bread
§ Grilled Trevally Fillet served on Seasonal Vegetables with Parisienne Potatoes and a Lemon and Wine Butter
§ Poached Tasmanian Salmon Fillet tossed through Portsea Caesar Salad $19.50
§ Grilled chicken caeser salad
§ Local Mussels Poached in Curry and Chilli

It was such a lovely meal with lots of wine, beer and laughster.

The next table had the "Fisherman's Catch For Two" with Natural Oysters, Fresh Crab, SA King Prawns, Basket of Fried Fish, Scallops, Calamari and Prawns served with Chips. That looked massive but looked delicious.

Back at the "Ranch", we had more beer, more wine, watched Borat on a labtop screen, got hooked on sudoku and told stories from our travels. We were all very exhausted when we went to bed.

The next day after Anna’s gourmet breakfast of grilled chorizos, corn bread, scrambled eggs with herb, grilled tomatoes and toast, we went to Sorrento for a dip. We wanted somewhere where there was going to be shade from the 38C heat. Another beautiful sunny day and the water was so warm and shiny.

For late lunch, Michael grabbed us some fish and chips, and calamari rings from the Koonya Hotel. Expensive ($40) but oh so yummy!

All in all, a weekend of indulgence.

Thanks Anna and John!

Portsea Hotel

3746 Pt Nepean Road PORTSEA 3944

TEL: 03 5984 2213

Koonya Hotel

1 The Esplanade SORRENTO 3943

TEL: 03 5984 2281

Da Noi

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:37:47 GMT

Yesterday night after a big dinner at Pacific House South Yarra, we went to Da Noi down the road. We drove and didn’t really have to as it wasn’t that far. Such a nice little Italian restaurant.

I’ve heard good things about their Sardinian dishes but have never been. Apparently, it is up to the chef what you eat but they do enquire about your dietary preferences.

At least, last night we got to try some of the desserts there. We ordered a tasting menu that turned out to be one of the three menu desserts except for the biscotti.

First time I had Grappa as well… it smelled like Muscat but definitely didn’t taste like Muscat. It was beautiful though… a bit strong at around 45% alcohol but nice grapy after taste.

Back to the dessert, the meringue was lovely, and the mint and chocolate tart was balanced and delicious.

Da Noi

95 Toorak Road, South Yarra VIC 3141

TEL: 03 9866 5975

Red Silks Restaurant & Bar

Wed, 31 Jan 2007 03:28:45 GMT

I saw a review on Red Silks somewhere that it was a decent Chinatown hangout, and it was timely that Yuki called yesterday to say that she was going to be in the city. I haven't seen her for a while since I left for my holidays, so I eagerly saved my packed lunch for the next day to go out for lunch with her. She wanted Chinese food and I didn't mind HK cafe food, so Red Silks jumped to mind.

The open air balcony atop the Midcity Arcade is simple with wooden floors, chairs and tables, surrounded by glass fence and "money" plants. We sat outside because the inside looked more like a bar than a restaurant. The menu is extensive... In the end, I ordered my Lemongrass grilled chicken with fried egg on a rice , and Y ordered the Hainanese Chicken Rice. For drinks, we ordered the Apple Cidres imported from Taiwan: Yum - brings back childhood memories .

The service was good if you can wave them down My grilled chicken was disproportionate to the big mountain of rice, while Y's hainanese chicken looked generous. Both our meals were nice, and good attention to detail, e.g. my dish came with a dish of fish sauce, which was lovely with the grilled chicken. Y's dish came with a large portion of special chill sauce, which she devoured.

Unlike in any HK cafes, we didn’t feel rushed, so we had a good yak. Definitely will go back to try all the rest of the dishes and drinks.

Red Silks Restaurant & Bar

101. 1^st Floor 200 Bourke Street Melbourne 3000

TEL: 03 9663 9922

Kura Sake Bar

Tue, 30 Jan 2007 05:55:11 GMT

Have I made an entry about this? I must have!! as it is the second time that i've been there.. I always forget about this lovely bar when I am looking for a nice relaxing place to drink and eat with my friends. If you like Japanese sake, shoju (Japanese vodka), plum wine etc.. you must go to this place... it's has a massive seletion of Japanese spirits and knowledgable staff to help you select the right ones for your meals. Dishes are to compliment drink, rather than the other way around. Dishes such as Chigimi - an okonomiyaki with spring onion, teriyaki salmo with mushrooms, tofu and cod roe salad, tako wasa (octopus in wasabi sauce), maguro yukke and much much more...

My favourite dish would have to be: Cod Roe Agedashi Tofu. So delicious!. Favourite drink: Apple Chuhai.

Kura Sake Bar

1 Malthouse Lane Melbourne VIC

TEL: 03 9654 7454

Wedding Bellies

Mon, 29 Jan 2007 02:44:25 GMT

Our foodie friend from Malaysian came down for a few weeks mainly to attend a mutual friend's wedding. It's always a treat to hear him talk so passionately about food, in fact, he knows more about the restaurants in Melbourne than I do!!!

The night before the wedding, we met them after their dinner at Taxi and had wonderful desserts there. As M was to drive the bridal party around, B & S agreed to pick me up the next day.

After the ceremony, which we arrived just in time to rush in before the bride, we headed off to have brunch at MART 130 in Middle Park under B's directions. We actually went to Pearl first but were too late for their brunch, which ended at 12pm. It was 12:45pm

MART 130 was a treat! It felt like I was in a lego cafe, somewhere surreal. The location itself is surreal - a tram stop in Middle Park. The breakfast is simple and straight-forward, the service simple and friendly. We ordered 3 of the four breakfast eggs numbered dishes: Poached eggs with bacon and avocado on toasted sour dough; poached eggs with chorizos, onions, tomatoes with a side of bacon; and poached eggs with smoked salmon, chives etc... All delicious and in generous serves. Definitely will go back again to this quirky little cafe

After that, even after a fairly full stomach, we headed off to South Melbourne for some cakes at Let Them Eat Cake. I must say, their special occasion cakes weren't didn't look very spectacular but the bread and butter pudding and dates pudding was fantastic, especially the dates pudding. The brown sugar and the caramelised coconut slices on the cake just danced in your mouth! The atmosphere was nice as well for a summery afternoon. Highly recommended the decorative gingerbreadmen there as well

Oh yes and there was the wedding reception at Zinc after that....

MART 130

107A Canterbury Road, Middle Park

TEL: (03) 9690 8831

Let Them Eat Cake

147-149 Cecil Street, South Melbourne

TEL: 03 9686 0077

Overeating at Murasaki

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 23:05:45 GMT

We went out last minute to celebrate our dear friends engagement last night. It's was an interesting proposal where the girlfriend proposed infront of a crowd of 80-90 people in a "Life Changing" forum. Very touching story aside, they were too hungry to decide what to eat so we suggested Japanese. T

he nearest Japanese restaurant was Murasaki, which my family frequents. It's so true - never order when you're four hungry adults. Oh boy, we had a large Sushi & Sashimi combination boat, large main course tempura combination, sweet and chilli prawns, gyu takaki (raw beef), unaki (grilled eel), butter scallops, rice.. and over the hill came the Yosenabe for two (a hot pot of vegetables, seafood and tofu in a clear seaweed broth). My friend commented that the Yosenabe on its own would have been sufficient for a couple's dinner. We made good progress with the yosenabe none the less. But we could have been very comfortable without the it and the chilli prawns. Couldn't fit dessert - very disappointed.

They have a good teppanyaki section that serves a variety of dishes - worth a try as well. But don't expect any acrobatic performance here.

Murasaki

24 Russell Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Tel: 9654 5437

Pie in the Sky

Thu, 23 Nov 2006 23:21:25 GMT

Gold Medal Home-made Pies

On the first day after my wedding, we took a day trip to The Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley with my relatives and family friends from overseas. After feeding the rosellas, we headed off to Orlinda for our own lunch at Pie in the sky. Gosh they have the best pies... notably award winning! The Pie Floater (which is a steak and mushroon pie placed in a bath of pea and ham soup with a dollup of mash potato) was fantastic.... and reputed to be the best pie floater east side of Adelaide. It's a favourite with locals... and you can get lovely buttery scones here with rasberry jams and fresh creme as well with your tea. We ate too much and napped well on the tour bus

Pie in the Sky
Main Street
Ph: 9751 2128
Open: Breakfast - weekends (from 10:00am); Lunch - 7 days; Dinner - Tue-Sat; Afternoon tea - weekends.

Middle Brighton Baths

Tue, 14 Nov 2006 04:09:37 GMT

Last Friday our dear friends took us to a lovely restaurant on the bay. Middle Brighton Baths is situated on the water, overlooking the sea baths of Brighton. We didn't see anyone swimming but we did catch the sun setting over the horizon. It is absolutely breath-taking.

MBB is really a great location to enjoy the sun, a view of the sea but be safe from the elements. From the look of the menu, the food was decidedly Modern Australian. We asked for the dessert menu in advance so that we can decide how much mains and entrees we should have if something entices us from that.

M ordered two entrees for us to share, one was the delicious duck liver pate and melba toast and I think daily special. Our friends had the large entrees of stuffed artichoke flowers etc. M & I got the Grilled tuna with steamed prawn and bokchoy dumpling, tamarind broth, sesame, and the Eye fillet of beef with potato and porcini lasagne, roast onion and balsamic jus butter as our mains, with side dishes of fries and seared spinach , pine nuts, sultanas and white balsamic to share. Then we had the petit brulees and churros with chocolate sauce. Our friends had the Baked peach croustada, stone fruit gratin and sweet basil ice-cream and Sticky date soufflé with caramel sauce and ginger ice cream. Theirs looked delicious as well.

All in all a satisfying meal over entertaining conversation. Service could have been better - I never like to strain for attention. However, I would definitely go back for the view.

There is a café downstairs which we were told serves a nice breakfast / brunch.

It is also on this year's Entertainment Card.

Middle Brighton Baths
251 The Esplanade
Brighton 3186 VIC
Phone: (03) 9539 7000

Hako - Surprisingly Refined

Mon, 13 Nov 2006 00:29:04 GMT

Hako - Surprisingly Refined

Went to pick up my wedding photo proof today and was thinking of having dinner out that way in Fairfield... but my sister emailed and asked
whether we wanted to catch up for dinner.. So I decided on somewhere close but a place that we've never been to before and wanted to try. We choose Hako, 250 Flinders Street, off Degraves Street in the City.

We had difficulty finding it, walking straight past it on Degraves Street. But we got there just a few minutes late :) The specials were
written roughly on white butcher paper and those dishes not available were covered haphazardly with white pieces of paper. We got a table next to the door, not ideal for a chilly night but luckily the food and service was worth it!

We ordered mainly from the special as we didn't get to see the normal dinner menu. But I do recommend to start off with the specials and get dishes from the normal menu to complement them.

We ordered the ebi tempura with crispy batter, main size sashimi, chan chan yaki (which was oven-baked Salmon in miso based sauce), beef tenderloin with ponzu sauce etc. My favourite was the ebi tempura with feathery crispy batter that was just melt in your mouth yummy! Sashimi was a close second - fabulously fresh and delicious! We had sake with this lovely meal and was in heaven.

Only one type of dessert though - 3 scoops of green tea ice-cream!

The place is really small, so if you don't want to be disappointed, book in advance and get there on time. In the time we were there, there were a few people popping in to buy takeaway. Obviously a favourite takeout place for the locals.

Our bill came to be over $100 for the three of us... but I think it's worth it!

I am told that they are moving next year. So if you enjoyed your meal, make sure that you leave your email with them :)

Hako

250 Flinders Street (Enter via Degrave Street)

Melbourne VIC 3000

9650 0207

Note: BYO and Sashimi/Sushi not available Monday.

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 05:13:01 GMT

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ - Best Charcoal Korean BBQ in Town

Great choice Yuki! That was a fantastic dinner that we had last night and it didn't break the bank - far from it.

We ordered the Korean spring onion and seafood pancake and two dishes for BBQing - Beef tenderloin marinated in sweet soya sauce (highly recommended) and chicken breast marinated in mild chilli sauce. Ox-tongue was not available that day. If the rest is anything to go by, will definitely order the ox-tongue next time.

There is no electric grill in the centre of the table, instead you get a hot pot of brightly burning hot coal. They then proceed to put a grill
on top of it and then lowering the long-neck exhaust pipe, hanging above each table, close to the grill. Amazingly, we didn't come away from the whole experience smelling like BBQ. The grill grid was a little bit big though, because I kept thinking that my sliced beef was going to end up in the coal. We had Cass beer to go with the meat... can't have soft drink, got to have beer with Korean BBQ.

We sat next to the window looking out to skyscrapers, reminiscent of an Asian cosmopolitan scene. We are so grateful for what Melbourne is
now... so diverse.

The whole place is huge, yet comfortable and homey with lots of wooden benches and tatami areas. Staff were friendly, though a little bit
slow...probably due to it being a new restaurant.

We were surrounded by Koreans young and old - so this must be the new place to be for Korean BBQ! All they need now is a few rooms for
karaoke! Hahaha

Melbourne Hwaro Korean BBQ
Ground Floor 562 Little Bourke Street (Near the corner of King Street)
Melbourne VIC 3000
Tel: 03 9642 5696

Sydney Degustation

Tue, 17 Oct 2006 05:58:47 GMT

M and I had planned for this trip to Sydney since March. Even then, we couldn't get a table for dinner at Tetsuya on a Saturday. So we had to settle for Tetsuya for lunch. Dinner was going to be at Rockpool.

When we told D about our dining plans, who was also in Sydney for holiday and golf, he told us that we were mad to have two fine dining experience in one day. We didn't think so but he was right in the end...

We had little or no expectation for both restaurants, except that my parents though that the service at Rockpool was a bit slow. We didn't know that it was degustation menu only at Tetsuya, even for lunch! It was a set menu at both establishments (though for Rockpool we had some choice.) Were we disappointed? Not at all, even considering the pace of the service.

The 12-course degustation menu at Tetsuya's was $180 per person - very reasonable really for the items and servings provided. We were greeted warmly by staff dressed in crisp white shirts and tailored black pants. The entrance is reminiscent of a grand Tokyo residence. Lucky for us, we received a table next to the window overlooking the Japanese garden with its miniature water falls and tiny lizards. The service was attentative and friendly. When you order sparkling mineral water, it is per person, and they refill all through the course of your stay. I say "stay" because we were there at 1pm and left at 4pm. Having a meal at Tetsuya cannot be rushed, it is a day-trip to indulge with friends and family. (See photos for Tetsuya's Entrance and view from our table).

12-Course Degustation Menu
- Tasmanian Pacific Oyster with Rice Vinegar (optional but worth it)
- Shellfish Consomme
- Tartare of Tuna on Sushi Rice with Avocado
- Tetsuya's Signature Dish - Confit of Petuna Tasmanian Ocean Trout with Konbu, Daikon & Fennel
- Seasonal Green Salad
- Ravioli of Lobster & Crab with Shellfish Essence
- Twice Cooked De-Boned Spatchcock with Braised Daikon & Bread Sauce
- Grilled Wagyu Beef with Asian Mushrooms & Lime Jus
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Beetroot and Blood Orange Sorbet
- Floating Island with Praline & Vanilla Bean Anglaise
- Coffee or Tea & Petit Four

Tetsuya's is Japanese fusion. We ordered oysters, which we shouldn't have because I was full by the fifth course! They remembered to print the menu for me as a souvenir, which I was very impressed with. Good overall impression and would definitely go back. Also wait for the petit fours - they are really yummy! Fantastic food and great ambience.

Given that there wasn't much time to digest our food before our Rockpool reservation at 7pm, we called up and told them that we would be one hour late. We got to The Rocks early to find a car park and to walk around the beautiful area.

Rockpool was not what I expected. Rockpool's décor is more of a diner cross with the interior of a cruiseliner. We were seated upstairs, again next to the window, this time overlooking George Street. Again the staff were friendly and attentative. Mineral water was also charged by per person. We opted for the five course set menu (at $150) because we were still digesting our lunch feast. You can choose every single dish, and there were a few gems in each categories to make you really have to think hard about what you wanted to eat and how to balance the elements in your dinner. I also chose from the vegetarian menu.

M & K's Selected 5-Course Degustation Menu Course
- Hand Picked Spanner Crab Salad with Green Mango, Pomelo and Cashew Nut - Lime and Chilli Foam
- Salad of Abalone, Mussels, Clams, Tea Smoked Oysters and Fine Noodles with Truffle Oil and Mushroom Soy Dressing Course 2
- Salt and Pepper Silken Tofu with Green Mango, Pomelo and Cashew Nut Salad
- King Prawn and Pumkin Agnalotti with Prawns, Lemon Oil and Burnt Butter Course 3
- Sautee of Veal Sweetbread, Artichoke, Olive and Tomato
- Saffron Pappardelle with Spicy Seafood Sauce and Aioli Course 4
- Blackmore Wagyu Marble Score +9 Minute Steak with Barley, Spinach Puree and Parsley Sauce
- Confit of Suckling Pig with Blood Orange Jelly and Spiced Carrot Sauce Course 5
- Strawberry Mille-Feuille with Strawberry Ripple Ice Cream
- Passionfruit Souffle with Passionfruit Cream Coffee & Sweets
- Latte & Short Macchiato with Toffee Candies, Passionfruit Marshmallows, Strawberry Marcones, and Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles.

Wait for the sweets with your coffee, especially the Passionfruit marshmallows, they are divine... we took some home :) ... That was not the end of our feasting in Sydney.

On the Sunday we took a leisurely drive out to the Hunter valley, to taste some wine, enjoy the fresh air and generally relax. The day was wonderful (33C degrees). We started around 10.30 at the vineyards and then went to an absolutely charming restaurant in the Hunter Valley - Robert's Restaurant for lunch. The cuisine is Modern Australian, but set in a large historical residence with beautiful wooden floorboards and high wooden beams. We had the Calamari, black lipped mussels, pippies & prawns, tossed in pesto cream with Linguini as a shared entrée, M then had the Twice roasted duckling with braised savoy cabbage and pear glaze with a fantastic sweet/spicy sauce. I had a main size of the Lasagna of Wild Porcini with sautéed mushrooms and spinach. The Lasagne was an entree size but I decided to get a main serving, it was a mistake. The Lasagne was good however considering all the food we had experienced over the weekend it was a bit too rich in the main serving.

M's choices were excellent and very generous too. I do recommend the pasta as well - it is fantastic! (See photos for interior and exterior of Robert's)

...Of course we finished the day and ended up with a dozen different bottles of wines from the Hunter Valley... More of this to follow :)

Cafe Vue

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 06:18:27 GMT

I have been told that the lunch box at Cafe Vue, attached to Vue De Monde, is fantastic. So as I walked pass Cafe Vue towards Berllini's where I was going to meet my friends for lunch, I plotted how I was going to convince my friends to go to Cafe Vue instead.... I briefly glanced over and saw that the cafe was not very occupied...good! Then I quicken my steps to Berllini's. Luckily my friends were open to trying something new.. so we headed over to Cafe Vue and found a table outside. The bench chairs on one side was very high so two of us squeezed into the lower bench chairs. The menu sounded delicious and they had french onion soup! Image having french onion soup for lunch - delightful! Anyhow, we opted for the lunch box... which contained a number of things that I couldn't remember even after getting the waiter to repeat it all twice. So I am not sure what I was eating but it was delicious... By taste and sight, I know that today's lunch box contained a delicious duck and baked bean confite with lots of butter, a type of dip with buttery fingers of toast, potato salad with smoked salmon and a heavenly dark chocolate tart with a generous dusting of choclate powder. Although the food was apparently prepared way in advance, it was still very special . The meal came in a gorgeous red paper box almost the size of a shoe box and each item was individually wrapped. We felt like we were having Happy Meals for Adults! So much fun! (Apparently you can order their meals for your Qantas flights, I will investigate this further)

Cafe Vue

430 Little Collins Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

9691 3888

Pizza Napoli

Tue, 19 Sep 2006 01:00:12 GMT

I wanted to write a entry about Pizza Napoli, my local pizza and pasta joint because I am never disappointed each time I go there. When I crave pizza or pasta when I am at home, this is the place that I go. And guess what.... having found their website, I realised that it is the very first pizza restaurant in Australia, 37 years ago. The owners and the chef are still the same. I'm really impressed by their website as well! Who would have thought that my local Pizza place has such history!

My usual, their minestrone soup is fantastic.... they give you lots and lots of fresh parmasean as well. I love their calzone and their special pizza. I know I should try other things too... will do and let you know.

Pizza Napoli

122 Russell Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

9654 7127

City BBQ Restaurant

Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:01:23 GMT

BBQ pork were not all made the same, there are the good - crispy yet juicy, and the bad - dry and tasteless. City BBQ makes the yummy ones. Last Sunday, I had to get a bunch of chinese takeaway for my friends and decided to go to City BBQ. My friends who were prodominantly Cantonese, know their BBQ roasts. They ordered variation upon variation of roast duck, roast pork, roast spare-ribs on top of cantonese egg noodle, fried noodles (the crispy kind), flat rice noodles and rice... All I could think of ordering was BBQ pork on rice.... Doop! Theirs looked so yummy against my boring BBQ pork on rice. I think I'll try the Seasonal vegetable fried noodles with the lot (the lot meaning all sorts of meat and vegetables in a thick sauce) next time.

City BBQ Restaurant

178 Little Bourke St

Melbourne 3000

9663 2311

Hog's Breath Cafe

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 03:39:10 GMT

M and I went to Dandenong to look at carpet - very boring... Since we were in the area, we got the chance to have lunch at a steakhouse that I've always wanted to go to - Hog's Breath Cafe.

Their aged prime ribs have been recommended to me by my colleague.... and we were not disappointed... but if you are going for lunch, better to share one dish as they are massive! The place reminds me of a country version of Hard Rock Cafe, the waitresses were very nice, and if you really want to, you can come home with your very own Hog's Breath Cafe outfit...

What would I recommend on the menu - Aged primed rib of course! M had the garlic mushroom version with green salad and mash potatoes, while I had the black pepper version with lots of calamari rings, fried potato curls and steamed vegetables... Very indulgent of us . Mmm just thinking about it makes me hungry.

There is four Hog's Breathe Cafe in Melbourne at the moment: Chadstone, Dandenong, Knox City, and Ballarat.

Let me know what else is good on the menu!!

SOS

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 03:30:38 GMT

A few weeks back, after watching an early session of "Thank You for Smoking" at Melbourne Central, we decided to try the mysterious SOS restaurant. It is the strangest place to have a restaurant, opposite Tomotachi and near the La Trobe and Swanston Street elevators. The first time that I came across the secret entrance, it reminded me of a Japanese karaoke lounge bar.

Entering from a black sliding door, you are immediately in a short doorway that reminded me of a marble forest. I can't remember whether there were bird recording overhead. But they might as well have had. Then you enter a colour dining area with bar on the left side and long benches on the other.

I read on Melbourne Citysearch that they specialise in organic seafood and vegetables. But they don't serve meat. I forgot to tell M that, otherwise he would not have entered. Everything on the menu, sounded delicious. As I had a large box of popcorn, I wasn't too hungry so I went for the Carpaccio and tartare of Australian salmon with black olive sauce citrus fruit and basil, while M had Scampi with wild mushroom ragu and fregola. We ordered a side of Spinach, turnip tops and chicory sautéed with muscatels and pine nuts - which was absolutely delicious! Topping it off, we had the Chocolate and lemon Pannacotta - interesting combination.

The service was attentative and friendly, which made the whole dining experience relaxing. I still don't like the bench sharing concept, especially not for fine dining. Would I go again, yes I would but could I drag M to go with me again there - probably not. Any takers?!!

SOS

Level 3
Melbourne Central
211 La Trobe Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000

P 03) 9654 0808
F 03) 9654 1080

Ay Oriental Tea House - Lt Collins Street

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:55:32 GMT

I've heard that Ay Oriental Tea House was serving yum-cha. I wasn't convinced that it would be spectacular but yet I was curious. So Sunday, M & I went down to the Lt Collins Street one to check it out.

We were first seated customers there, while others in the shop, tasted and smelled teas.

The menu was more extensive than I expected, prices are okay, a little dearly than SHark Fine, Westlake and the likes. But when they came, they were served on fairly new bamboo steamers, well presented and tasty. The new bamboo steamers added to the fragrant of the dim sims.

Resisting the Love Tea, we ordered the Jasmin and Lycee tea instead. Got to say, I couldn't really taste the lycee in the tea.... oh well.

If you like yumcha but quietly, this is the place for it. Largest table can sit 6 people so you can bring the noise

No need to book as yet, they are not that busy, especially on Sundays. I suspect that they cater for the business lunchtime crowd.

Ay Oriental Tea House

Lt Colins Street

Melbourne

Bamboo House

Wed, 23 Aug 2006 10:51:19 GMT

During the Melbourne International Film Festival, a friend from Japan was down for a visit, so we decided to go for peking duck somewhere in the city, close to the cinemas. Peking duck tends to be expensive in Japan... I only really had three choices, Flower Drum, Da Hua Peking Duck Restaurant and Bamboo House. Flower Drum would have been the closest but it wasn't a place for a quick meal before a movie!

We decided on Bamboo House, and we were not disappointed. Between the four girls, we ordered a whole Peking Duck, which resulted in 5 pieces for each person and enough meat leftover for handmade fried noodles. We also had a seasonable vegetable dish stir fried with garlic. The peking duck was definitely the highlight of the meal. The skin was juicy and crispy and the meat, tender. The pastry that wrapped the meat was warm and not floury and there was sufficient sauce, cucumber and spring onion to be had (unlike some joints we know - but we won't name names).

The meal worked out to be around $35 each. And guess what, we went back again last night

Bamboo House

47 Lt Bourke Street

Melbourne VIC

Tel: 96621565

Libertine

Mon, 31 Jul 2006 01:19:42 GMT

For our belated anniversary dinner, on impulse, we decided to go to Libertine in South Melbourne, by the recommendation of Melbourne Citysearch. Luckily, we got the last table on Friday night.

We got lost getting there on time because I thought it was North Melbourne instead of South Melbourne. But parking was not to hard to fine either in North Melbourne.

Libertine started about two months ago, "the love child" of chef Nick Creswick (ex-Attica) and wife Zoe Ladyman, until recently sommelier at Ezard. Apparently they share a love of France, French cuisine and wine, so the direction of their own place was more or less pre-determined. The review described it has having "the interior of 19th century opulence and sensuality". I particularly like the vintage chandeliers.

Finally, somewhere that serves Cassis on the menu! I ordered my favourite drink - Cassis and Orange for appertif. We ordered the foie gras first, it came with four pieces of toasted bread not enough for the serving of foie gras but we had lovely warm bread to go with it. Not too over powering so I would definitely recommend that dish to everyone. For entrees, we went for the soup options - seafood bisque and garlic soup with truffle souffle (off the Degustation Menu). For mains, we had the roast duck breast with quince and chestnut, on a bed of pumpkin puree (which M loved surprisingly), eye fillet with a scoop of foie gras and slice of truffle, and a side of green salad.

While we waited for our pear and praline creme brulee, we looked around and could see that everyone was having either a special occasion or romantic dinner. I guess the place and cuisine lends itself to a quiet tête à tête meal with your love ones.

The meal was fantasticly satisfying, however my steak was well-done eventhough I asked for medium. I will have to emphasis that next time. Yes there will be a next time. Booking is essential as it is a small restaurant.

Libertine

500 Victoria Street

South Melbourne

Tel: 9329 5228

Grand Taipei Restaurant

Fri, 28 Jul 2006 05:21:18 GMT

Yesterday night ,while my sister was in Box Hill, she offered to buy takeaway dinner for me from the Grand Taipei Restaurant. Of course I leaped at the chance and readily answered "I'll have the pork chop rice please!". Even in a plastic takeaway container, the meal was satisfying and delicious.

Grand Taipei has been there since we were in University (10 years ago) and when Box Hill was really taking off as an Asian suburb. There has been other Taiwanese restaurants that have sprouted around Melbourne, but in my mind, this is still the best one. They are also continuously added fresh Taiwanese hawker style dishes to their menus. And it is always a pleasure to go there. Mind you, the place is a little bit "worn" after so many years and little change to the pink fixtures and furnishing, so it's not for everyone. But the food and their soya bean milk is still fantastic.

They open late as well. I remember getting a meal at 10pm , no other people there thought, but they still gave me friendly service.

Grand Taipei Restaurant

Station Street

Box Hill

Tel: 9898 8860

Horoki Casual Dining and Bar

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 00:19:50 GMT

My partner and I have fell in love with Horoki....

By recommendations from the Epicure liftout of The Age as well as confirmation from a Japanese friend that the food is meant to be excellent, we decided to try Horoki last night. As predicted, the food was amazing, surprising and palette - entertaining.

We had 8 dishes ranging from spinach and bacon salad to rice noodle with spicy cod roe and seaweed (my favourite Japanese dish!) and spicy tuna makis with sesame. As the restaurant is fully licensed, you get a wide selection of Western and Japanese cocktails and wines. I had the sparkling apple chu hai, while my friends had Asahis and lemon lime bitters. Each dish came quickly while each was devoured comfortably behind. Every dish we tasted was different from the last in so many levels. Yet there are still so many others I want to try! The lovely meal was topped with complimentary taster of Green Tea Pannacotta drizzled with a little sweet red bean sauce. When M & I heard that we were getting that for our dessert, we shouted "Wooo! Pannacotta! Pannacotta!" - that word warms my heart.

Ken Higuchi, owner and chef, was visibly concentrating on his cooking behind the counter in his open kitchen... and the smells coming from the kitchen was scrumscious! Thanks for feeding us Ken!

Horoki

19 Liverpool Street

Melbourne VIC 3000

Ph: 9663 2227

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