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