Kao Thai  

Delight in the complexity of traditional aromatics

 

Dishing up delicious Asian delights, Kao Thai is so much more than it's quaint front of house demure. Owners John and Bee set up shop in late 2012 and have been busy ever since. The renovated space blends old with new and pays homage to Bee's homeland, Thailand. It's a family affair with Bee's brothers, Kin and Top, part of her Kitchen team. The trio know how to pack a punch with bold and subtle flavours and plenty of them. Staff are attentive and the atmosphere is warm and friendly. Among the hustle and bustle of Sydney Road, there is a real authenticity about this place.

  

Bee front of house

 

Eat: The menu is extensive and draws on Thai classics including curries, stir fries, seafood, salads, noodles and more. Ingredients are fresh and locally sourced. If you're after heat and fire, this place delivers on both fronts. All dishes, small and large, are good value and reflect a true understanding of the intricacies of well-balanced flavours. The peanut sauce is the stand out and well worth bottling as a take home. The steamed whole snapper was recommend and was by far the dish of the day. My sweet tooth rejoiced with many spoonful's of sticky rice and banana and coconut ice cream. Be sure to down at least one of Kao Thai's lemon or milk flavoured ice teas. The smoky flavour is like no other.

 

Fish cakes

Roti with peanut sauce (home-made)

Spring rolls (home-made) with chilli dipping sauce

Pad lemon grass with chicken and steamed rice (served separately)

Steamed whole snapper with mixed vegetables and coriander

Sticky rice with banana and coconut ice cream

Drink: The house speciality.

Kao Thai's lemon ice tea (home-made)

UPDATE: Saint Crispin replaces Cavallero on 21 June 2013.

Cavallero
Bet on this horse and you're sure to come up a winner

Whether it's the name, Cavallero, the jockey, Robert Cattanach or Kent Bell, or number, 300 (Smith Street), picking a wining horse is no easy feat. This cafe and wine bar was chosen among many in it's Smith Street race for its food direction, service simplicity and understated coolness.

For those fancying hops, there's a rotating microbrewery on single tap. Not forgetting the grape lovers, you will be pleased to note that local and independent, with the occasional international counterpart, would make a sommelier's palate water.

There's an uber sensibility about this neighbourhood cafe. The Scandinavian inspired interiors alone are worth dining in.

For homely and honest to goodness food, Cavallero delivers excellent odds as the Collingwood favourite to win!

Eat: The menu changes daily according to seasonal availability of local and national produce. Dishes are clean and simple with a European undercurrent. Appearances can be deceiving if eating with your eyes as large portions are lightly tantalising on the taste buds.

While you won't go home hungry, even if you order two sides ($15-20) in place of a main ($20-30), I found the dishes to be somewhat healthy and cleansing. Cue the quinoa. A long time admirer and first time taste tester, I was pleasantly surprised by it's subtlety in texture and flavour. The lamb was perfectly cooked, however an extra dollop of yoghurt wouldn't have gone astray. 

Fancy a good spud, the stack was silky layers of sheer goodness. The salad (apologies for the non descriptive type) was equally as delightful.

Salad (of some sort)

Potato stack

Quinoa lamb salad

Drink: Campari, of course.

Campari with aranciata rosa

Italy 528

Pizza and pasta, that's amore!

Walk in to this pizzeria e cuccina and walk in to descend on the Spanish steps of Rome. BJ deCastro's custom made painting adorns the wall, however is void of any people with the exception of a few.  Italy 528 aspires to fill its restaurant, like its steps, full of people to enjoy their food.

The modern fit out is homely, with family portraits lining the fireplace mantle. The white walls and high ceiling do wonders for the acoustics.

This casual suburban eatery is a hit among locals for its traditional dishes and use of seasonal produce.

Staff are warm and welcoming and prove helpful in guiding you through the pizza dominant menu - there are more than 20 varieties to choose from!

There is a sense of familiarity, yet nuance about this place.  Italy 528 is sure climbing the ranks of my favourite dining locale.

Eat: The a la carte menu is well balanced with Antipasti ($8-22), Le Pizze ($13-23), and Insalte ($8-15). Artisan favourite, Pizza Daniele ($19) is recommended. Ask to hear the pasta (imported from Italy) dishes of the day, it will be worth your while. If dining in is not your thing, there is an equally impressive takeaway menu. Fancy a glass of vino with your pizza?  Enjoy both for $25 from Tuesday-Thursday. Leave room for dessert and expect Italian favourites rich in cultural history.     

The menu which also serves as a place mat.

Pizza Zucca
Fiore di latte, roasted pumpkin, rocket, goat's cheese and pine nuts

Penne bolognese

Collingwood People's Market

Pop up entertainment at its best

 

The only place where everything goes, the People's Market (PM) in Collingwood is sure to meet your every art, music, food, drink, workshop and retail need.

 

Open until 28 April, "the visual anchors of the PM were its tapestry of interwoven refurbished shipping containers, which are lovingly redesigned, and customised to suite vendors bespoke detailing and requirements".

 

PM is a community, a dynamic hub of hipster culture. 

 

Right when you enter the site, you’re confronted with four incredible gallery spaces called Containers of Modern Art (COMA). The art schedule is on a monthly rotation and will always feature four artists.

 

The food is diverse and vast and features an array of options from fusion lettuce cups to meatballs and vegan soul food. Check out PM's food section for featured chefs, cuisine and menus.

 

PM is a market dream for northerners and visitors alike. Popping up in a neighbourhood near you, this out of the box trend is (temporarily) here to stay. 

 

 

Eat: We ventured out on a Thursday night and there were only a handful of food vendors open. Tip, secure yourself a seat and initiate a tag team approach to getting food.  There's no saving seats here.  Dona Tona provided a Mexican fix in the way of handmade blue corn tortillas, sopes, empanadas, tostadas and huaraches using mum’s original recipes from rural Michoacan, Mexico.  They're tiny, but pack a punch.  I recommend getting four to share. The Street food philosophy continued with American-inspired vegan fare created by South Soul Food.  Salivate over a pulled BBQ pork and corn bread ($10-ish)– and all of it 100% meat free. The side wedge of watermelon offered a refreshing relief. Finish off with seasoned crispy french fries ($6) and wash the whole lot down with a PM summer breeze ($10).

 

Taco @ Dona Tona

 

Pulled BBQ pork and corn bread with a wedge of watermelon
@ South Soul Food

Seasoned crispy french fries

Pei Modern
Bistronomy at its best

Nestled in among Collins Place is Pei Modern, Mark Best's first foray on the Melbourne food scene. Reeling off the success of Bests' Sydney restaurant Marque, his Melbourne counterpart equally celebrates fresh and uncomplicated cooking with modern elegance.

Architects delight as the former post office interior has been redesigned (by Helen Rice from Rice Architecture) to reflect a common familiarity, a place where food can shine. Head chef Matt Germanis (ex MoVida and MoVida Aqui) dazzles with fresh produce and polished cooking techniques.

Pei Modern is not pretencious. Named after architect  I. M Pei (responsible for the Louvre’s glass pyramid), there is an innovative sleekness about the place.

I arrive fashionably late, a restaurant faux pas when a booking has been made, and am set at ease by 2013 Maitre d of the year, Ainslie Lubbock. Both manager and sommelier, you're guaranteed the full service of this consummate professional. As I perch myself at the bar, order a Watermelon Who Haa, I observe Ainslie glide across the restaurant floor with ease.

A modern masterpiece, this bistro is truly deserving of its 'Paris end' location in town. Bon appetite!

Eat: Menus change daily to reflect market produce. The dinner menu is concise, with six entrees ($18-24), four mains ($32-37), with four offerings from the wood fire grill ($25-39), along with sides and desserts. In a hurry? The Eat! Pei! Quick! (or Eat! Quick! Pei!) menu ($39pp) is available daily for lunch or pre theatre dining. Let Pei decide with a five course dinner degustation ($80).

We started with a recommended entree of peppers de padron, octopus and garlic puree ($20), which burst with freshness. Two mains followed, casarecce chicken dumplings and reggiano ($32 and allow 25 minutes) and whole snapper ($42), which reflected a great combination and balance of flavours. A side of butter beans, almonds and white anchovy ($9) completed this shared dinner for two.  Leave room for dessert as we didn't.  This only meant that a return visit would be imminent.

Peppers de padron, octopus and garlic puree

Casarecce chicken dumplings and reggiano

Whole baby snapper

Drink: Watermelon Who Haa Cocktail ($18).



Mama Baba

Cute cafe culture
embraces nostalgic flavours

By George he's done it again! Calombaris and Made Establishment (the group behind Maha, Hellenic Republic  PM24, St Katherine's and The Press Club) bring you a taste of old world Greece (Cyprian) and Italian (Sicilian) in their latest venture, Mama Baba. 

The dining room, a former industrial space, is informal and inviting with little reference to Calombaris' heritage - the notable glass pasta room the exception. Staff are friendly and attentive and bring to the table some modern fun.

My favourite in his ever expanding culinary collection, Calombaris has returned to his old school charms with Mama Baba.

Eat: The dining menu is simple and digestible. With a feature glassed-in temperature-monitored cool room, pasta is the way to go. At the helm is chef Dominic Pipicelli who is the master of pasta.

Mama and baba know best with their very own selection of distinct dishes drawing on their cultural roots. From Mama's (pasta) side the Tortellini ($28) are morsels of prawn saganaki, fried chickpea, jamon, feta which are lovingly embraced in silky, handmade pasta. The recipe for this signature dish can be found here. Baba (pasta), Orecchiette ($29) is tenderly served with braised wagyu, peas, lemon, and pangrattato.

In the vain of many new restaurants hitting the scene, the wave of accessible food is gaining trend.  Can't decide? The Mama Baba menu ($55pp) eliminates any choice with four banquet style courses. The group menu is set, however does allow scope for seasonal produce.

Bread basket with butter

Tortellini with prawn saganaki, fried chickpea, jamon and feta

 



The Merrywell
Fun, yet daring with a twist

Sharing is caring at The Merrywell, with American duo Sammy De Marco and Grant MacPherson bringing their casual American cuisine to Melbourne's Crown Casino.

 



Paying homage to their American roots, this merry gastro pub is a tribute to cool burgers, old school faves re-invented and more.

Dishes are designed for sharing across two levels of expansive dining spaces. Upstairs, you'll find table service, sitting room style nooks and an outdoor balcony with city views. Downstairs, a burger bar serves up as the name suggests, burgers. This is real dude food!

Add a DJ on deck spinning tunes, good times are on tap at the Merrywell.

With Americanised fare gaining popularity in Melbourne, this pub is a destination for all things delicious - with flavours you will remember. Reserve your seat today!

Heading out west, check out The Merrywell Perth, the newest addition to the ever increasing plethora of restaurants at Crown Perth.

 

Eat: There are several menus on offer with the upstairs dinner menu sampled on this occasion.  Select from grazing plates (for 2 or more), salads, pub grub or something from the grill. The fish (rockling) and (skinny) chips with tartar sauce ($28) is beer battered and oven baked with love. The Angus pub burger with pork belly, egg and lemon aioli ($26), is more of an over sized open sandwich. Nevertheless it will take a mean feat to get your gob around it for the first bite. A side of Merrywell chips or french fries wouldn't go astray.

For the KAPOW factor, allow 40 minutes and go the caveman 1200g aged rib-eye, wet aged (for 2) served with crisp onion rings and house steak sauce ($99). The Fred Flintstone portion of meat is presented to you at the table, dinosaur bone and all, before being taken away for plating up. 

Fish & chips with tartar sauce
Photo: M.Elizabeth

 

Angus pub burger
Photo: M.Elizabeth

Drink: The novel 1-2 lt jugs of sangrias ($30-45) are something to been seen and tasted.

Acknowledgement: Thanks to M. Elizabeth for food styling and taking the foodie pics.
 

Hot Chilli Thai

Thai-ed and tested

A popular Thai restaurant on the Mount Alexander Road strip, Hot Chilli Thai consistently serves up favourites including panang and massaman curries ($15-20), tom yum ($19-22) and pad thai ($15-20). Thai-style stir fries are plentiful with seven options to choose from ($15-22).

I've been coming here for years. The dishes are generous, aromatic and phuket, adventurous as only Thai food can be. 

The traditional Thai decor is cheerful as are the staff.

The Moonee Valley area has exploded with new eating haunts in recent years. It's easy to be drawn to this place for the name alone as it is sure to excite any chilli nut. Well worth a visit.

Eat: The dine in menu is vast with your choice of 15 entrees, 23 mains and 7 desserts. First time diners, go for the roti bread with peanut sauce, pad puk with prawns (ask for cashews to be added, trust me) and the chicken panang curry. There's a takeaway menu and for locals residing within 3km, home delivery. Fancy BYO tipple, it's $2 corkage fee per person. 

Pad Puk with prawns and coconut rice (side)
Photo: S.Spasojevic

Pad Satay with chicken
Photo: S. Spasojevic

Acknowledgement: Thanks to S. Spasojevic for taking the foodie pics when my camera was out of action.

Mamasita

This Mexican taqueria is one hot babe

Opening its doors in 2010, the former site of The Recorded Music Salon has transformed into an authentic and modern Mexican taqueria. Ever since, there has been a buzz about Mamasita with the growing popularity in Mexican fare.

 

 

Located in the Mexican quarter of the Paris end of Collins Street, bee line for the door at number 11 where you will be greeted by a staff member, with clipboard in tow. This hot babe is a walk in. Find yourself 8-10 dining companions and you may qualify for a group sitting. The reservations policy is detailed (check it out the website). Otherwise be prepared to wait, anywhere from 30-90 minutes. Brace yourself as the staircase that leads to the first floor dining room is tight. Conversations and iPads are rife. Alternatively, arrive early, 4.30-5.30pm to avoid the queues or opt for lunch from midday-4.30pm. For the night owls, the kitchen closes at 2am on Friday and Saturdays and midnight most other nights.

Melbourne's food culture is changing and the casualisation of dining has taken a stronghold. Think Baby, Chin Chin, and Longrain. Fancy foods make way for share-style dishes. Authenticity of flavours juxtaposed with contemporary offerings has favourably shaped the rapidly growing interest of Mexican cuisine in our city.

Eat: No selfies here, the share-style menu is as stated, designed to share. Staff are on hand to guide you the Mexican way. A primero to start. Half a cob of the most succulent and mildly spicy corn ($4.90) awaits. A board of tostaditas ($16), four per serve, follows. The bite sized tortillas with crab meat are our favourite. If only they made them bigger! Don your sombrero and dig into the tacos ($5-7 each) and split a quesadila ($14-16 each). The postres (desserts) draw on that old Mexican staple, tequila. The flavoured ice-cream ($6-10 each) is presented in a cone and stand which makes it interesting if sharing. Give the sweet stuff a miss and focus on the bulk of the menu, you cant go wrong.

 

L-R: Mamasita Margarita, de Cangero (crab meat, avacado, cucumber, tamarind mayo & habanero),  Elotes callejeros ("street style" chargrilled corn, queso, chipotle mayo & lime) 

de Huitlacoche
Huitlacoche, queso criollo, mushrooms, corn, epazote, pico de gallo & queso fresco

Flautas dulces de calabaza
Bluecorn flautas, pumpkin mousse & praline

Helado de maiz
Sweetcorn icream cone, caramel, popcorn

Drink: Tequila is liquid gold here and Mamasita proudly promotes this noble spirit. For an education on their extensive range along with a preview of  their other drinks, check out the drinks menu.