I Carusi II – Just like Mamma used to make…but even better!

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

I Carusi II - thin, crispy crust, delicious gourmet toppings ... you can't ask for more that that!

I Carusi II is Pietro Barbagallo’s second installment to his outer Brunswick pizzeria, i Carusi. This St Kilda counterpart is tucked away around the corner of Acland Street on Barkly; so don’t walk too quickly as you can miss unassuming restaurant and its best pizza that I’m sure you will taste in your life (outside of Italy of course!).

In Melbourne, we tend to associate a great pizza with as much toppings as we can cram onto our pizza base. We need to give that expectation a re-evaluation. For me, it’s not the quantity but definitely the quality of the ingredients and how thin and crisp the base is that makes or breaks a pizza.

I Carusi II is the benchmark for Melbourne’s greatest pizzas and the full tables both inside and out of this cosy abode are proof to this claim.

I Carusi II - starch white tablecloths without the butcher paper and understated surrounds. The focus: pizza!

Barbagallo’s simple advertising strategy is his patronage. I Carusi II will spark your interest after spending half an hour trying to find a parking spot and as a result, having to park ten minutes away, only to find a crowded eatery with windows that open out onto the street. You won’t spot a big neon sign with i Carusi’s name on it. Instead you will spot the handwritten menu stuck on the window offering primi, insalata, pizza, pizza dolce and gelato.

At 9:30pm on a Sunday, i Carusi II is far from retiring for the night as patrons like me have their tastebuds set on a satisfying and delicious pizza. Without a waiting list to adhere to this late at night, I sat by the French windows next to a couple of Italian tourists at the table beside me. To top this off, the waitress greeted us in Italian and romantic Italian music played softly in the background.

Square wooden tables are dressed with starch white tablecloths (thankfully minus the butcher paper), offering a clean palette for the scrumptious selection of antipasto, 24 savoury twelve inch pizzas, five mouth-watering six inch dessert pizzas and gelato.

After perusing the menu, my stomach was set on Pizza for a Friend and Genovese ($17 each). With large white plates to eat the pizza on, together with sauvignon blanc vino from Italy, I was set. Both pizzas were aplenty for two hungry pizza lovers and were delicately decorated with gourmet ingredients including: white mozzarella, roasted pumpkin, pinenuts, rocket and goat’s cheese for the former, and tomato, goat’s cheese, pesto, roasted peppers and prosciutto for the latter. Each ingredient complimented the other and with a base that was crisp without a hint of sogginess, this was pizza perfect.

My wishlist for my return visit (which will definitely be soon) will be indulging in antipasto favourites of prosciutto, fried olives, sopressa and bocconcini as well as the gamberi picante ($18) pizza, not to mention sampling a glass of Italian wine. Bueno!

I Carusi II
231 Barkly Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
Ph: (03) 9593 6033
Open daily 5-11pm
Fully licensed
No cards

Enris Restaurant – The Flavours of Latin America…

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

Melbourne boasts an ever-increasing array of Spanish and Latin American restaurants that serve the ‘real’ food of their region. As a keen enthusiast of Latin American cuisine, I stumbled upon Enris restaurant as I was window shopping down Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn one day.

With my mind set on eating paella and churros washed down with sangria, only one of my three wishes was fulfilled at Enris. At 7.30pm on a Saturday night, there was already a table of four sipping on wine. Impressed by the low-lit, mid-sized restaurant of no more than a dozen tables, the atmosphere at Enris was relaxed. However, for a Saturday night when restaurants are expected to be their busiest, one waiter and one chef seemed undeniably understaffed.

Upon perusing the menu, the waiter revealed that paella is only served on Sundays (no exceptions here even for larger groups); cooked vegetables were unavailable but garden salad would be served instead; all meals would be served with fries instead of potatoes, as the menu read; and lastly, there were no churros on the dessert menu. And for those interested in the fish of the day, grilled salmon was served with none other than Asian greens – go figure!

A blackboard of imported tinto (red) and blanco (white) vino from Argentina was reasonably priced, but the drink that caught my attention was the jug of homemade sangria ($22). This was exactly what I ordered in Spain – the staple addition to any meal of the day. A smallish jug of this red wine and fruit concoction arrived, delicious with fruity flavours.

With this restaurant renowned for garlic, steak, dancing on tables and owner/chef Greg Turner mingling with his diners, the only memorable ingredient was the garlic that lingered on my breath.

Credit is due where it is deserved. The chorizo ($10.50) was a homemade sausage full of flavour and made with blended herbs and spices, served with Chimichurri sauce – Argentina’s most traditional sauce made from onions, parsley, oil, vinegar and spices. The Langostinos ($17.50) – a prawn dish cooked in a sizzling cauldron and smothered in Salsa de Ajo – a garlic-based sauce incorporating more garlic, salt, garlic, Tabasco and more garlic – seemed insufficient in size with only 4 prawns per serve.

The Asado de Tiro ($24.75) – beef ribs described on the menu as slow cooked and grilled, the waiter offered a different view, describing the dish as a little chewy, but suggesting that he serve them with two different sauces. Still eager to give it a go, I ordered the beef ribs and found them to be tasty, a little tender and a little chewy, served without the recommended sauces.

Enris is memorable for its waiter with arrogance; a menu that is well overpriced; food that is served without the accompaniments listed on the menu; tasty meats and seafood; and decent sangria! Now for my churros fix at Chocolateria San Churro…

Enris Argentinian Restaurant
789 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn 3122
Ph: (03) 9815 1778
Open for dinner Tuesday to Sunday 6pm to late.
BYO wine; licensed

Florina’s Greek Tavern – a taste of Greece in Melbourne …

eview as featured in Only Melbourne

With the biggest Greek community outside of Greece, Melbourne definitely has its fair share of Greek Taverns. Located in the heart of Glenferrie Road in Malvern, Florina’s Greek Tavern makes you feel as though you have stepped foot in an idyllic oasis.

Its décor is rustic; prints of Greek islands adorn the restaurant walls; tables are furnished with crisp white tablecloths and white plates – the kind that are thrown at Greek weddings.

In order to sample the many traditional items on the menu including dolmades and saganaki, it is best to opt for the special set menu ($39 per person) that will leave you far from hungry. All four courses are great to share between a minimum of two people or even for a large party.

Course one – prepare yourself to taste a selection of mixed dips including taramasalata (the exceptional caviar dip), saganaki (fried Kefalograviera cheese), dolmades (marinated vine leaves stuffed with rice) and whitebait (tiny fish in light batter) all served with crisp hot bread.

Take a five minute break and the waitresses are already bringing course number two – seafood. At what looks like curly fries, the calamari strips are lightly battered and served together with a platter of grilled blue eye fish and chargrilled barbeque prawns which are definitely mouth-watering. A bowl of Greek salad with its specialty ingredient of salty feta cheese was sublime.

And it all that wasn’t enough, the third course was especially dedicated to all the meat lovers. The chef’s selection of chargrilled meats including beef rissoles, tender lamb skewers and succulent chicken was served with roast potatoes that were cooked to perfection in the oven, in a tomato and eggplant-based sauce.

For dessert (the final course), homemade Baklava (chopped nuts on filo pastry) and Bougatsa (a warm custard cake with filo pastry) accompanied the mud-like Greek coffee. What a way to finish off a traditional Greek feast than to burn off all those calories by dancing the Zorba!

Florina’s Greek Tavern
209 Glenferrie Road, Malvern 3144
Ph: (03) 9509 1762
Open: Monday to Saturday, 6pm to late
Group functions available
BYO and fully licensed

Melbourne’s Best Creperies …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

If you’re in the mood for French but can’t afford the steep prices associated with this cuisine, why not indulge in a crêpe or two? Crêperies in Melbourne have received a popular following, after all, who can resist the supple, tender and delicate flavours of the crêpe – sweet or savoury.

Here are my favourite Crêperies that I’m sure will make you lick your plates clean – Bon Apetit!

Fräus Crêpes & Chocolat, 345 Victoria Street, North Melbourne 3051, (03) 9328 8999, http://www.fraus.com.au
When sisters Alex and Sonia Marciano traveled to Tuscany, Fräus was discovered. With a passion of serving dishes with quality ingredients, the Fräus experience is definitely memorable. Choose from a selection of wheat and gluten-free galettes (savory) and crêpes (sweet), and not to mention their chocoholic’s dream – thick, traditional Italian hot chocolate.

The savoury dish of choice is the smoked salmon galette filled with melt-in-the-mouth salmon, rocket, capers and sour cream. And if you can stomach dessert, the apple and cinnamon crêpe is simply delightful.

Choix Crêperie Café, Shop G22, Liberty Lane, 620 Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9629 1883
If you’ve never been to France but have reminisced about the day you wonder down a cobbled laneway towards a chic eatery that serves an abundance of fresh crêpes, then Choix is for you – but good luck finding it! Nestled in a hidden laneway, this cozy crêperie is adorned with kitsch décor from a bygone era and a handful of wooden tables.

The best dish in this petit salon is the duck galette, where succulent pieces of Peking duck are encased in soft decadent silk-like dough and garnished with plum sauce and a sprig of spring onion. Très bien!

Breizoz French Crêperies, 139 Nelson Pl, Williamstown 3016, (03) 9397 2300; or
Cnr. Gertrude and Brunswick Streets, Fitzroy 3065, (03) 9415 7588, http://www.breizoz.com.au
Bringing you a selection of buckwheat and wheat crêpes from recipes that originated from Brittany, Breizoz offers an authentic menu and atmosphere at two buzzing Melbourne locations. As owner and pastry chef Jean-Marie Blanchot suggests, his crêpes are best enjoyed with a glass of apple cider à la Brittany and Normandy.

For those with a grumbling tum, look forward to the selection of nearly 50 crêpes, not including their daily specials. My favourite is choosing one of their half a dozen les crêpes flambées varieties including: Grand Marnier, chestnut and rum and the delicious praline and Cointreau … a flaming experience that definitely lingers on the taste buds!

Roule Galette – French Crêperie, Scott Alley, 241 Flinders Lane, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9639 0307, http://roulegalette.com.au
Let Michel and his staff bring a little bit of France to you as soon as you step foot in his très chic crêperie. If you are fortunate to indulge in a crêpe on a sunny Melbourne day then sit outside in the laneway and enjoy the sounds of Michel singing French or playing French music as you watch the passers-by.

The menu is nearly all French but don’t despair if you are not up to scratch with your pronunciation as Michel will relay your orders in his ‘typically’ French accent. The chêvre galette is do die for, filled with farm goat’s cheese, sun-dried tomatoes and covered with fresh spinach. The escargot galette is simply that, a traditionally Bretagne buck-wheat flour crêpe filled with eight snails and smothered in a white sauce with garlic and parsley – that’s one to build my strength up for!

Ichipan Crêpes, L1, Shop 148 Knox Place, Melbourne Central, Melbourne 3000, (03) 9654 9775
Although Ichipan may stick out like a sore thumb in terms of not being typically French cuisine, it is definitely Japan’s take on the crêpe! Situated in one of Melbourne’s newest laneways in Melbourne Central, Ichipan brings back my happy memories of Tokyo’s Crazy Crêpes – a tiny booth fronted by display cabinets filled with plastic models of every crêpe variety you can possibly fathom!

Ichipan Crêpes is just as quirky and colourful as its Japanese counterpart and even serves the myriad of crêpe varieties – strawberries with nuts, chocolate and cream; Nutella with chocolate ice cream, chocolate sauce and nuts; banana and chocolate; and not to mention the savoury crêpes including chicken, cheese and virtually any other combination you want to concoct.

Aya Japanese Restaurant – food that’s worth a pedicure! …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

If you’re after a quintessential Japanese dining experience in a specially crafted Tatami Room, then Aya Japanese Restaurant is for you. But be prepared to take off your shoes and show off your perfectly manicured toes as you sit at low tables, where rooms are partitioned with traditional Shoji screens and paper lanterns.

With a Teppanyaki Grill at the back of the restaurant as well as a traditional menu of Japanese dishes from sushi to Shabu Shabu, you will be pleasantly surprised with the appointment of Head Chef, Masa Uchida who reveals a fresh change to the previously standard Japanese menu.

Aya serves exquisite meals in both presentation and flavours; your first visit there will only be one of many in order to get through their decent-sized menu of entrée’s, salads, sushi and sashimi, Aya’s special rolls, mains, set menu’s and desserts.

Edamame - salty, soft and definitely addictive!

A Japanese dining experience should always be kick-started with Edamame – green soya beans succulently steamed in pod with a sprinkle of Maldon sea salt ($8). For a Popeye dish with a twist, the Horenso Mentaiko is a beautifully presented spinach dish resembling a bird’s nest and served with sesame dressing and Mentaiko mayonnaise with prawn ($13.50). Kani Mushimono is a flavoursome dish of steamed crab dumpling balls that are wrapped in crispy noodles and served with mustard – seafood with a tang!

Kani Mushimono - crispy noodle crab dumplings

Aya boasts over a handful of special rolls ($14.50-$17.50) that are mouth-watering and definitely filled with fresh ingredients like soft shell crab, tiger prawns and grilled eel. With names like spider, tiger and dragon rolls, there will definitely fulfill those with an adventurous streak.

Sukiyaki - cook yourself at your table

The Sukiyaki is the meal of choice for a minimum of two people. Succulent beef slices are marinated in Aya’s own sukiyaki sauce and served in a cast iron bowl atop an electric stove. Fresh vegetables of cabbage, carrot, shitake mushrooms and vinegary tofu are delicately marinated and accompanied with glass noodles all in the one pot ($26 per serve).

For those after a minimum of four courses, it’s best to opt for the range of three Omakase (set menus). Choose from four courses ($51 per person), five courses ($59 per person) or six courses ($70 per person) and be treated to an array of Japanese delicacies including: the chef’s appetizer, sushi and sashimi, soup, main and dessert.

For dessert, anything with green tea is highly recommended and will satisfy your palette to a T. Don’t forget to try a glass or two of Japanese plum wine served on the rocks. Itadakimasu!

Aya
1193 High Street, Armadale VIC 3143
(03) 9822 9571
www.ayarestaurant.com.au
Open: Tuesday to Friday 12-3pm, Tuesday to Sunday 6-10:30pm

Borsch, Vodka & Tears – a slice of Eastern Europe in Melbourne …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

Located at the Bohemian end of Chapel Street is Borsch, Vodka & Tears, this low-lit, warm and cozy watering hole and eatery. With a mix of hearty and traditional Polish and Russian dishes, the best way to begin your BVT (as the regulars call it) experience is to warm your throat with a Polish Bitch. This vodka shot is one of their most popular concoctions and only one of their 100-plus imported, house-infused and ‘special release’ vodkas, not to mention their extensive list of European beers and wines as well as their diverse cocktail list.

Once your first shot of vodka is down the hatch brace yourself for typical European fare; where the kitchen serves a variety of dishes to share or devour alone irrespective of the time of day or night.
For starters, the Zakuski is a tapas-style plate, jam-packed with Polish delights including: herring, potato salad, salami and other mouth-watering treats. To top it off, this is all served with a basket of the best rye bread in town.

As the name implies, Borsch is served both Polish and Russian-style. Choose from either the Polish variety of clear beetroot broth, with the option of adding some uszka (beef or mushroom dumplings), and then there’s the Russian version with beans, vegetables and sour cream. If that’s not enough choice, try the Gypsy Soup of ham and smokey sausage.

Suggestion: if you feel like another vodka shot perhaps try an uplifting dose of Wild Bee Honey Vodka which speaks for itself.

My favourite main is the generous serve of Porcini Mushroom Pierogi – flavoursome dumplings that are made with a real delicacy and served with a delicious side of red cabbage salad. Other Pierogi to choose from includes: meat, sauerkraut and cheese and potato.

The Golombki (stuffed cabbage rolls) are filled with tasty meat and simmered in a tomato-based sauce. For a traditional hunter’s stew, try the Bigos of meat and sauerkraut in a piquant sauce. But leave room for dessert and of course, more samples of BVT’s vodka varieties.

For dessert, the cherry-filled Pierogi or Cheese Blintzes (crêpes) are to die for and best accompanied with a shot of Hot Mountain Tea that is best sipped slowly.

Sample a true slice of Eastern Europe at BVT anytime of day. Nazdorowy!

Borsch, Vodka and Tears
173 Chapel Street, Windsor 3181
Ph: 9530 2694
Open: Monday to Friday 8am-3am; Weekends 9:30-3am
Fully Licensed
Kitchen closes 10:30pm every night

My chocolate love affair …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

With an influx of chocolate temptations in Melbourne, I have made it my duty to select the places that I have come to have chocolate affairs with. Whoever said that a dog is a man’s best friend? Chocolate is everyone’s lifelong friend…

Koko Black
Shop 4, Royal Arcade, Melbourne, Ph: (03) 9639 8911, www.kokoblack.com
Since 2003, Koko Black has been hand crafting exquisite hand-made chocolates in Melbourne’s historic Royal Arcade. Here visitors can watch as Koko Black chocolatiers work couverture into an incredible array of truffles, moulded pralines and bars, in the finest European tradition. Other Koko Black stores can be found in Carlton, Camberwell, Chadstone, Collins Street, and the recently opened second store in South Melbourne.

Max Brenner
Australia wide, Ph: (02) 9318 6000, www.maxbrenner.com
A cult following has ensued after chocolate by the bald man, Max Brenner entered our shores to provide chocolate lovers the ultimate feast. Whether its chilli hot chocolate served in their famous Hug Mug, or strawberry fondue that one wishes goes on to eternity, Max Brenner is not just for the kids, it’s for the big kids too.

Hot Chocolate Coffee & Chocolate Bar
Level 3, Shop 318, Melbourne Central (located within BlueFire), Ph: (03) 9663 6466
1, 439 Docklands Drive, Waterfront City, Docklands, Ph: (03) 9642 1818, www.hotchocolate.net.au
If you’re after the ‘real’ hot chocolate à la the kind Juliette Binoche serves in the film Chocolat, that is, the pure quality chocolate melted down and served as a deliciously rich hot beverage, then this is your place. Other indulgences include: home made ice cream, sundaes, chocolate molten pudding and warm chocolate tart.

Langham Hotel’s Aria Lounge
One Southgate Ave, Southbank, Ph: (03) 8696 8888, www.langhamhotelmelbourne.com.au
For a scrumptious chocolate afternoon tea experience, visit the new Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel’s Aria Lounge. Featuring a chocolate fountain, freshly made chocolates, and unlimited visits to the Chocolate Bar, the dark and decadent afternoon tea experience is held every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Did I mention unlimited?

Cocoa-le-art chocolates
356 Little Collins Street, Ph: (03) 9642 4277, www.cocoa-le-art.com.au
Hand-made in Melbourne by Swiss Chocolatier Silvano Widmer, the Cocoa-le-art collection combines the best European chocolate traditions – Belgian dark chocolate that is made Swiss-style with soft centre ganache fillings, and high-end French presentation.

Chocolateria San Churro
277B Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Ph: (03) 9419 9936,
143 Acland Street, St Kilda, Ph: (03) 95349819,
150 Chapel Street, Windsor, Ph: (03) 9529 7559, www.sanchurro.com
This Spanish-inspired chocolate store serves churros, or Spanish doughnuts made to order and served with melted couverture (white, milk, or dark). They are a decadent indulgence for dessert or whatever time of day you need that chocolate fix.  Melbourne’s most expensive chocolate can be found here – the Truffa del Oro, costs $490 for four truffles. Each truffle contains 70% Venezuelan single origin chocolate, Moet & Chandon Vintage champagne and is enveloped in 23 carat edible gold … indulge your heart out!

Cacao
52 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda, Ph: (03) 8598 9555, www.cacao.com.au
Cacao is an impressive café/retail outlet dedicated to all things chocolate. The huge display cabinet offers a great selection of moulded, filled and jelly chocolates, which can be purchased individually or in mixed boxes. If your timing is right you’ll be able to see chocolates made in the store.

Monsieur Truffle
Stall 118, Prahran Market, Commercial Rd, South Yarra, Ph: (03) 9866 2922
Thibault Fregoni’s stall at Prahran Market sells intensely flavoured yet well balanced chocolates. The softly spoken Frenchman has a background as a pastry cook and his chocolate creations are just as delicious – try the passionfruit, raspberry, native pepper, marzipan or orange truffle.

Chocoholic Tours
Ph: (03) 9686 4655, www.chocoholictours.com.au
Chocoholics, sweet tooths and travellers alike can discover Melbourne’s world of chocolate and desserts, and experience hidden charms of the city’s streets, lanes and arcades, all in one tour.

Ocha Japanese Restaurant – my five star treat …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

Although Ocha has been awarded One Chef’s Hat by this year’s team at The Age Good Food Guide, their status has definitely not gone to their head. This unassuming, blink and you’ll miss it Japanese restaurant is perched at the end of Pakington Street in Kew.

Décor is simple and understated. Tables are covered with Ocha’s stamped fish logo on butcher paper that rests on white starched tablecloths. With only 10 tables which seat a maximum of four people, the ambience is relaxed and calm – the perfect prelude for a taste of modern Japanese cuisine and service from Yasu, Michelle, Paul and the Ocha team.

Ocha prides itself on bringing out the best in quality, fresh local produce that is best enjoyed when different tastes and textures are shared among friends in a banquet-style meal which is the highlight of the Ocha experience.

Upon ordering my staple Japanese beverage of plum wine, my dining partner and I were treated to an octopus seaweed salad, a perfect appetiser to influence my course choices as I perused the menu.

With caviar on the specials board, I tried the Salmon Caviar Sushi ($5.50 a piece). Slowly picking each bead of caviar hoping that it wouldn’t disappear, I decided to devour into this small delicacy and remember the lingering flavours.

Our waiter Paul was happy to suggest ordering entrée sizes if we planned to share so next up was the Soft Shell Crab Roll ($15). Presentation was done to perfection with ingredients screaming with freshness. The soft shell crab was crisp and not overcooked, which many Japanese eateries tend to do.

For mains, two entrée’s of Teriyaki Duck ($21) and Lemon Soy Seared Scallops ($22) were ordered with the Wagyu Vegetable Hot Pot ($32) left for my re-visit. The Teriyaki Duck breast was cooked medium-rare with a hint of pink flesh and thinly sliced. Its tenderness could be enjoyed by those without chompers. Served with steamed greens, this melt-in-the-mouth duck was so far the best duck I have had.

Next up was the seared scallops in lemon soy sauce served with a rocket salad. These baby scallops were impressive little delicacies with muscles intact – a rarity these days in many restaurants. And bitterness of the rocket complimented the sweetness of the scallops to a T.

Dessert was definitely the final dish to seal this degustation. The Lemon Sugar Crêpes ($12.50) were beautifully presented with a dusting of icing sugar and lemon sugar syrup and served with the creamiest of ice cream. We succumbed to Paul’s description of the dessert special, and ordered the Banana Fritter ($13). Unlike the typical battered banana that is traditionally served in Chinese restaurants this banana fritter of course stood out for the better. Deep-fried in tempura batter, the banana was fried perfectly and served with fresh cream and green-tea ice-cream.

Ocha is perfect for a special night out, but it’s best to book in advance, especially on Saturday nights. It’s also worth noting that 6 o’clock booking need to leave by 7.45pm, which is still plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed dinner.

Ocha Japanese Restaurant
156 Pakington Street, Kew 3101
Ph: 9853 6002
Lunch: Tuesday to Friday 12noon – 2:30pm
Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 6:00 – 10:30pm BYO: Wine only ($5 corkage per head)

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

The Age Good Food Guide 2009 …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

Melbourne is renowned for its variety of truly outstanding restaurants and is fortunate that the team of 55 discerning staff at The Age Good Food Guide rate them.

This year, more thank 500 restaurants were reviewed with 270 city restaurants and 185 country eateries receiving a nod of approval.

The annual Age Good Food Guide rates the top Melbourne dining establishments with one, two and three hats (Chef Hats of course), together with a handful of other notable recognitions.

The Age Good Food Guide Awards:
•    RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR – Attica
•    CHEF OF THE YEAR – Frank Camorra of MoVida
•    BEST NEW RESTAURANT – Bistro Guillaume
•    COUNTRY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR – Royal Mail Hotel, Dunkeld
•    BEST NEW COUNTRY RESTAURANT – Tea Rooms of Yarck
•    WINERY RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR – Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander, Healesville
•    BEST BACCHUS – Bar Lourinha
•    YOUNG CHEF OF THE YEAR – Chris Donnellan of Gingerboy, and Justin Wise of The Press Club
•    OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – Con Christopoulos
•    DISH OF THE YEAR – Smoked trout broth, crackling, basil seeds and fresh smoke at Attica
•    WINE LIST OF THE YEAR – Circa The Prince

It was the year of a more subdued, casual dining experience serving great cuisine, instead of the economically, hard-hit fine dining restaurants that usually reign.

The largest cuisine category was Contemporary Australian followed by Italian, French, Mediterranean and Japanese.

Communal eating at long dining tables are on the rise and shared dishes have become more popular among diners.

The only two dining establishments who remain at the top with 3 Hats are French restaurants, Jacques Reymond and Vue de Monde.

The Age Good Food Guide 2009 Awards:
City hats
3 Jacques Reymond, Vue de Monde
2 Attica, Bistro Guillaume, Botanical, Cafe Di Stasio, Circa the Prince, Donovans, Ezard, Flower Drum, Grossi Florentino, Interlude, Matteo’s, MoVida, Pearl, Rockpool Bar & Grill, Stokehouse, Taxi Dining Room, Three One Two, Verge
1 Abla’s, Bacash, Becco, The Brasserie by Philippe Mouchel, Cecconi’s Cantina, Church St Enoteca, Cicciolina, Comme Kitchen, The Court House, David’s, Esposito, Estivo, European, Gingerboy, Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons, The Grand, Il Bacaro, The Italian, Kenzan, Koots, Ladro, Longrain, L’Oustal, Maha, Melbourne Wine Room, Ocha, Oyster Little Bourke, Paladarr Thai Issan, The Press Club, Red Emperor, Sarti, Shoya, Tempura Hajime, Yu-u
Country hats
2 Lake House (Daylesford), Merrijig Inn (Port Fairy), Range (Myrtleford), Royal Mail Hotel (Dunkeld), Simone’s Restaurant (Bright), Stefano’s (Mildura)
1 Annie Smithers’ Bistrot (Kyneton), Bellbrae Harvest (Bellbrae), Eleonore’s at Chateau Yering (Yering), Healesville Hotel (Healesville), Montalto (Red Hill South), Neilsons (Traralgon), The Outpost Retreat (Noojee), Pettavel Winery & Restaurant (Waurn Ponds), Royal George Hotel (Kyneton), Tea Rooms of Yarck (Yarck), Teller (Mooroopna), Wardens Food & Wine (Beechworth)

The Age Good Food Guide 2009 ($29.95) is available for The Age Bookshop and all good book stores and newsagents.

Contact:
Attica, 74 Glen Eira Road, Balaclava, 3183. Ph 9530 0111, http://www.attica.com.au
MoVida, 1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 9663 3038, http://www.movida.com.au
Bistro Guillaume, Crown Casino Melbourne, 8 Whiteman Street, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 9693 3888, http://www.bistroguillaume.com.au
Royal Mail Hotel, Parker Street, Dunkeld 3294. Ph 5577 2241 http://www.royalmail.com.au
Tea Rooms of Yarck, 6585 Maroondah Hwy, Yarck, 3719. Ph 5773 4233
Giant Steps/Innocent Bystander, 336 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville, 3777. Ph 5962 6111, http://www.giant-steps.com.au , http://www.innocentbystander.com.au
Bar Lourinha, 37 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 9663 7890
Gingerboy, 27-29 Crossley Street, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 9662 4200, http://www.gingerboy.com.au
The Press Club, 72 Flinders Street, Melbourne, 3000. Ph 9677 9677, http://www.thepressclub.com.au
Circa The Prince, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda, 3182. Ph 9536 1122, http://www.circa.com.au

Melbourne Food & Wine Taste of Melbourne – Top 5 …

Review as featured in Only Melbourne

I had the ultimate taste test of some of the best cuisine that our city and its surrounds have to offer at the Taste of Melbourne! Arriving half an hour before the doors opened to my afternoon of feasting, I joined hundreds of other foodies queuing up in angst with Melbourne’s temperamental weather in tow in order to sample some gastronomic delights.

What better way to relish the day than with sweet sweet music

Upon entering, I realised that a booklet of 30 Crowns (equivalent to $30 cash) wouldn’t suffice for my tasting extravaganza so I headed to the Taste Bank to purchase a booklet and soon after tracked down the roaming Crown sellers for additional Crown vouchers.

Nobu - a real gastronomic delight for the discerning

My first port of call was Nobu and the first dish to taste was Beef Tataki – seared beef topped with onion ponzu, spring onions and garlic chips with ponzu dressing (12 Crowns). Ever heard of melt-in-your-mouth? This was exactly so. The culmination of amazing flavours made me yearn for more. So next up was Nobu’s signature dish of Alaskan black cod. No, the fish wasn’t black. Instead, it was perfectly presented as could be on a polystyrene plate, set upon a green leaf of some sort and garnished with a stick of radish (the kind you see only in Japan) and a small Japanese plum to cleanse the palate – now that’s clever thinking!

The Botanical - flavoursome, mouth-watering and succulent Wagyu!

The Botanical was my next stop. My mouth was watering at the thought of sinking my teeth into their signature Wagyu burger (12 Crowns), and although it was one of the pricier meals on the menu I realised that this was a taste festival so taste it was and a memorable one too. Although nearly bite size and representative of something you would get at a children’s party, the Wagyu burger was definitely adult in taste. A rich flavour of beef coupled with an intense relish was definitely money well spent and a tease at what this restaurant holds.

Chandon Bar - bubbalicious!

Smack bang in the middle of the hall was the hard-to-miss Chandon Bar. The dozens of lights drew me in to learn more about this boutique winery and sample a couple of its varieties. What a better way to wash down my burger than with a glass of sparkling!

Lizzy

After all these delectable offerings it was time for dessert. While wandering through the myriads of displays, Lizzy’s Chocolate Creations showcased a tempting window display of truffles. All truffles were handmade from the finest chocolates and ingredients and melted in the mouth.

The Lindt Chocolate Cafe - for all the chocoholics out to get their fix!

The Lindt Chocolat Café was my final destination. I opted for a dark chocolate hot chocolate – a perfect way to conclude my afternoon of tasting. Out of Crowns, stomach full – mission accomplished!

Nobu http://www.noburestaurants.com/melbourne/index.html
The Botanical http://www.thebotanical.com.au/
Lizzy’s Chocolate Creations Ph: (03) 9568 0689