stickyfingers's Profile
Moderately priced restaurant recommendations in Melbourne CBD
@brewers_wife knows her stuff! I've also heard good things about the food at Temple Brewery and also love The Royston Hotel which is a pub specialising in craft ale and micro brews. Tuesday nights is meet the brewer night. You can try @brewers_wife's beer there too.
My passion is the farmgate-to-plate dining, and here's my pick of venues, in no particular order:
O'Connells
The Wayside
Rose Diner Bar
The Vine
Pei Modern
Pope Joan
Next Door Diner
Huxtable
Gorski & Jones
LivingRoom
The Albert Park Hotel
Need some help with Melbourne
Such a difficult question to answer! Melbourne is teeming with venues.
Here's a list of the HOT venues in my city.
Attica is rated 53rd in the San Pellegrino top 100 but would need to be booked well in advance
Vue de Monde is also innovative has the best views in melbourne and is likely the most expensive. though they have some 'express' deals. If you can't get a reservation have a meal in the salubrious bar and try some of their inventive coctails
Embrasse is intimate and innovative with a focus on produce grown by the venue's chef
The Estelle is in a similar vein
Chef Andrew McConnell has three Mod Oz venues considered the places to be seen, as well as a Gastropub. The food is interesting and of a consistent standard:
Cutler & Co
Cumulus
Golden Plains (Asian leanings)
The Builders Arms (pub)
The famous ponytail - Neil Perry - has two venues at Crown Casino:
Rockpool Bar & Grill
Spice Temple (Spicy Asian dishes)
There's also a Nobu in the same complex and a super luxe Atlantic seafood restaurant, unbeloved by locals but popular with visitors.
Masterchef's George Calombaris' most innovative venue is Press Club but his has fingers in other places too.
Movida is well regarded as innovative Aussie Spanish food, there is also Movida Aqui and Movida next door (tapas)
Chef Paul Wilson is doing modern local sustainable produce driven food at his casual and fashionable pubs:
Circa at The Prince
The Newmarket Hotel
The Albert Park Hotel
The Middle Park hotel
We have also a rich vein of produce driven pubs and Bistro's that focus on heirloom,heritage and principals of slow food with modern interpretations. In no particular order:
O'Connells
The Wayside
Rose Diner Bar
The Vine
Pei Modern
Pope Joan
Next Door Diner
Huxtable
Gorski & Jones
People queue for hours to go to the fashionably noisy, Chin Chin (Thai) & Mamasita (Mexican)
But the reality of Melbourne is that we are a melting pot of immigrants who enjoy the food of 54 other cultures. For example, when in town, David Chang and Anthony Bourdain love Dainty Sichuan for firey Central/South Western Chinese food. We also have some excellent Japanese food that uses our wonderful seafood as its centrepiece, there are a number of izakayas to enjoy.
All over town are great Malaysian venues, Chillipadi is one of the more gentile - others are cheap and cheerful. In Richmond we have our 'Little Saigon' But stay away from Lygon's Street's 'Little Italy'. There is better Italian food to be found at places such as The Stokehouse - which also has sea views and The Italian downtown. For classic French go to PM24 and innovative French at Jacques Reymond.
For something fun go to Naked for Satan for Pintxos. Modern Middle Eastern can be eaten at Gigibaba and Rumi - and their unusual pizza place, The Moors Head.
There's tons more on offer but that should keep you going ;)
Looking for southern Tassie recommendations
Actually I think it is a good idea because a lot of businesses in the Huon aren't open on Sundays. You may find if there has been a great deal of rain leading up to your trip, the oyster farms will be closed.
Yes Patty, dinner is different at Red Velvet Lounge. It's more grown up. Take a peek at a menu - it does vary based on seasonality and local producers.
http://www.theredvelvetlounge.com.au/our-food/dinner-menu.html
I also wrote about it on my blog ages ago:
http://deepdishdreams.blogspot.com.au/search?q=Red+Velvet+Lounge+
That was before Australia's Gourmet Traveller magazine discovered him and before he became Australia's Regional Chef of the Year. Each time we've been back it is better and better. Last year we even attended a night devoted to roasted rare breed pigs cooked in his enormous antique wood fired Scotch Oven and served with locally brewed cider. The Huon is famous for its apples in particular.
Please note that the difference between this kind of venue and Garagistes is that Steve lets the produce speak for itself backed with classical techniques. Garagistes is experimental, hit-&-miss, but exciting for the adventurous eater.
Looking for southern Tassie recommendations
Whenever we've gone in Winter we've found many regional places are closed. Tourism drops off significantly and I think the locals use it as a chance to go north to warmer climes. To avoid disappointment, it's best to check with the venue/attraction before driving there.
What we've found when visiting Hobart is that the locals eat around 6 - 6:30pm. We tend to eat at around 8pm, so there was never an issue getting a seat at Garagistes. The tables are all communal and you are seated on stools, the room feels a little like a bunker so quite casual and a fitting after a day at MONA.
We and several other friends have had disappointing meals at The Moorilla restaurant above MONA, but the wine bar there is certainly worth going to, as well as the cellar door where you can have both a wine(Moorilla) and beer(Moo Brew) tasting.
Our favourite Hobart breakfast/casual lunch spot featuring local and seasonal artisan produce is Pigeon Hole and we go regularly to Jackman and McRoss Bakery/cafe for great daytime food.
In the Huon you can't beat The Red Velvet Lounge for superb local produce cooked exceptionally by Steve Cumper. Whether it is a casual day time meal or afternoon tea of spectacular homemade cakes or a special weekend evening meal you can't go wrong.
Peppermint Bay's Tourist centre and restaurant is also highly regarded and while you're there go down to Grand Vewe for cheese. The Smokehouse on Bruny Island has beautiful produce but may be closed at that time. Bruny Island Cheeses may however be open.
Tastespotting... oh noes!
Just to clarify, I wrote the post on The Tastespotting Stalker
http://deepdishdreams.blogspot.com/2008/01/tastespotting-stalker.html
after he - Charles Treuter a convicted felon, stalker and internet troll, suffering multiple personality disorder spammed the Pie blog I write with Purple Goddess and KMH. Banned from a number of forums he began to use Tastespotting to leave rude, violent, bigoted and lewd remarks. We deleted his comments once we realised what was going on, he offended a few readers and I became suspicious. I researched him online and confirmed my suspicions.
Since the closure of Tastespotting I have noticed that all information about him has disappeared from the internet making me wonder if legal action or charges have finally been taken against him.
I subseqently wrote Tastespotting is dead...
http://deepdishdreams.blogspot.com/2008/06/tastespotting-rip.html
...and in the comments section, I have listed some of the sites popping up in Tastespotting's wake.
sushi in melbourne
Of course you are - hehehe! I grew up in MW and drag the parentals in there as often as I can when I visit them. Mind you they eat at most of the Chinese restaurants around there every other day so it's also tough not to get distracted in GW or hop off to Springy for Viet/Laos/Cambodian or Syndal for Malay. So much to eat....so little time!
Barossa Valley/Tanunda recommendations?
We are hitting 'The Barossa' in the first week of November. Does anyone have any recommendations of places to eat?
As an avid Gastronaut I am determined to find some good dining venues. If nothing is forthcoming I shall resort to going to the farmer's market and Maggie Beer's Pheasant farm to stock up on goods to cook up a storm for our trip companions - whose palates are less educated.
Thanks in advance...
(my blog; http://deepdishdreams.blogspot.com/)
Who makes the best "burger with the lot"?
I'll second that and the Burgers at Urban Burger. Facebook has a fan group devoted to Andrew's Burgers in Melbourne...mmm...hmmm!
sushi in melbourne
Also Yu-U in the city
http://www.miettas.com.au/Australia/Victoria/Melbourne/YuU.html
Murasaki - an institution
http://www.murasaki.com.au/
Cheaper and funky - Horoki
http://www.miettas.com.au/cgi/srch.cgi?id=12669
My absolute favourite and worth the drive/train ride to Glen Waverley is Shira Nui - OMG! Purple Goddess if you haven't been you should go.
http://www.miettas.com.au/Australia/Victoria/Glen_Waverley/Shira_Nui.html
No Mexican in Melbourne
A Thornbury friend mentioned last night that Mi Corazon Cantina in Lygon Street, Brunswick was quite good. They also have a huge selection of Tequilas and sometimes live music. We got dragged to Montezumas last week - I never want to look at franchised Tex/Mex food for at least 5yrs, even if I'm hungover....eeeoooorh! I think I'll stick to my home made Ceviche, tamales and empanadas followed by chilli chocolate in future.
Melbourne's Best vs Sydney's Best
I suppose that this is not - as previously feared (LOL!) - a Sydney/Melbourne debate, but one of food snobbery. The opinions of those who require a certain ambience, toadying, and level of decor to match the menu, Vs those who genuinely pursue food with a passion regardless of the peripheral accoutrements.
Both Shannon & Tetsuya are amazing in their skill and inspiration. Both miles apart in style. Does that mean that one then judges who is better on the merits of decor, pastry and wine? Surely not? BTW VdM's acclaimed pastry chef has left for greener pastures.
On the matter of Tetsuya's Vs Flower Drum, I am also of Chinese heritage and know the former owner of Flower Drum. I have also taken classes with their head chef and current co-owner.
It is well known in the local Asian Community that Flower Drum is oriented to the Western customer not the Chinese foodie. The ingredients are well sourced and dishes produced in an efficient and technical manner, but the scope is limited by who they perceive is their core customer - the Occidental business man.
Similarly, Tetsuya's are well aware of the limitations of the Sydney businessman, and like it or not, they have different preferences. Friends in the hospitality industry who have moved north have had to quickly come to grips with this, especially in terms of wine lists and the Sydney perception of what is considered healthy eating over traditional flavours.
As an Oriental foodie, you could not conceivably say that Flower Drum has the best Chinese food in Melbourne, and it is definitely not on par with Tetsuya Wakada's cuisine in terms of innovation, preparation time and technical difficulty.
Certainly it has cachet and snob value for being mentioned regularly in The Good Food Guide by writers poorly educated in Oriental cuisines, and is one of the few 'upmarket' Chinese venues. But if your aim is for fine service and wine lists(wine is superfluous when it comes to Chinese dining), and you want to eat Chinese food from expensive porcelain, in fine surrounds that cost millions of dollars in the manner of Vue de Monde, then go to Silks at the Casino. There you will find all the affectations and pretensions that food snobs crave, in addition to a similar technical proficiency as FD.
To eat the best Chinese food Melbourne has to offer, one needs to drop the affectations and peruse some of many more humble outer suburban eateries in places such as Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Blackburn, Doncaster and Springvale. There you will find even the wealthiest local Chinese eating some of the best and most innovative Oriental food Melbourne has to offer, albeit without custom made utensils and architect designed decor.
Perhaps it is because I am not overly concerned with the peripherals that I say that one must compare apples with apples when it comes to restaurant comparisons. My personal preference is to examine signature dishes in a comparison, because it is the genius behind the cooking that I treasure.
I am equally happy - as I was last week - hunkered down on a low stool by a hawker stall, eating roast goose for one meal and at L'Atelier de Robuchon for the next - in so far as taste and service, both were exemplary experiences.
Cooking Class in Vietnam?
Hi Jane Doe,
I'm heading there in May and the most comprehensive list of classes that I've found online is at this URL:
http://www.guidevietnam.com/travel/vietnamese-food-cooking-courses.html
The Vietnam Cookery Centre in HCM offers half-day courses that include different aspects of food preparation, utensils and presentation. The school usually covers four to five dishes which are served as lunch to end the lesson. (please note: the school is not open on Saturday or Sunday)
I've heard that the HCM Park Hyatt has cooking classes and some tour companies also offer day courses.eg.
http://www.passionasia.com/trip_info.cfm/tripid/1673.htm
Have a great trip.
Melbourne's Best vs Sydney's Best
You can't have a best unless you compare apples with apples.
Tetsuya's style is Japanese fusion, Shannon Bennetts's Vue de Monde cuisine is a modern interpretation of French ... it's incomparable, both are incredible gustatory journeys in wonderful venues, to be enjoyed and ruminated over as landmark life experiences.
