Melbourne Restaurant Tips by xuessium

Restaurant Name: Degraves Street

Hunting for a good hearty plate of Aussie Breakfast? Miss the warm seductive whiffs of roast coffee? Wanna chomp down a fulfilling bowl of hot soup?

Well well well, look no further than Degraves Street, a small little tight alley, squeezed snuggly in the block fronted by Flinders, Elizabeth and Swanston Streets. So chic; so European. It does not feel a bit like Australia. Cafes squeezed so tightly to each other, you can see the recipes of the cook next door....or the smell of your neighbours next table if you are really unfortunate.

No Asian food here folks, so those hunting Asian staples...go elsewhere. But if you want a little of "old world" atmosphere, chomping down western and fusion chow, hey, let you feet carry you here!

Favorite Dish: Aussie Breakfast? Coffee? Moroccan Lentil Soup?

Duh.

I did mention them did I?

And lots more of course.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Degraves Street

Restaurant Name: Lygon Street

Now there you go, despite distractors claiming that it is all over commercialised now, this is the street with the highest concentration of Italian eateries anywhere in Melbourne and Australia.

Lygon Street, to the Northeast corner of the city, has always been the main Italian artery of food in Melbourne. It has its origins in the early immigration of Italian migrants to Melbourne and owes much of its growth and popularity as an eating out destination to the students from Melbourne University, who frequented the street long before it became fashionable with business people. It is the first suburb in Melbourne to promote eating outdoors and tables and chairs on footpaths.

The street has evolved in recent years, an evident Asian presence had crept in, again, in answer to the large Asian student presence. So now, competing with the many Italian so-spoilt-for-choice restaurants, you'll find Thai, Indian and Chinese eateries co-existing in perhaps the most cut-throat of competition.

Favorite Dish: Walk, look, smell and go with the flow.

I had good, I had alright and I had abysmal.

Luck of the draw!

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Theme: Eclectic/International

Address: Lygon Street
Directions: City northeast.

Restaurant Name: Universita Bar & Ristorante

1999: Me & my mates fell into University Cafe simply this was a place packed with our peers and well, we could not really afford the posh prices of the other restaurants along Lygon Street.

The atmosphere was ear-shattering buzzling - my guess was that many budget travellers and students from the nearby RMIT must be holding court in here.

Typical cafe; nothing too fancicful nor bland. Manned by a young team (students?). Found a slightly quieter spot in the cafe cum diner just to drink all the buzz in.

The food was hearty in their usual Australian sized servings (then in 2000; goodness knows what happens now) and very tasty. I had the pasta (Blackpepper Seafood Aglio Oilo) and a slab (no, not a slice) of double fudge cake. The richness of the cake almost killed me with its luxury!

Favorite Dish: 2008: Still the same hearty food but with 1 sour puss waiter whose smart aleck comments is going to get a retort from me soon. The other staff are wonderful though so my guess is that, either he is a racist pig or one who spit on tips. My comments? Don't let one bastard ruin a chance to try out this place.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 93472142
Address: 257 Lygon Street
Directions: Along Lygon Street
Other Contact: em: bookings@unicafe.com.au

Restaurant Name: Shark Fin House

"Yum Cha" is the Cantonese way of pronouncing the Chinese Art of Dim Sum.

My colleague brought me here and suddenly I was engulfed in a Cantonese ocean as orders and instructions flew above my head in the dialect. I hardly see a non black hair anywhere. It's surreal, considering this is Melbourne!

The chef is supposedly from Hong Kong, the land of which the skills of Dim Sum you could only whisper about.

The decor is modern Chinese tea house - tables where you can seat 10-12 tucked into every possible nook and crevice. Heck, don't ask me about the decor. I'm too busy between mouthfuls to bother.

Favorite Dish: My all time favourite - "Har Kow" (steamed prawn dumplings) was succulent, fresh and juicy and rolled around my tongue bursting with richness. The braised chicken legs (or Phoenix's feet) was done perfectly. You can gently suck the elasticity of the skin off the bone.

Even the chilli oil, usually the most neglected of items, is done well, with just a lovely splash of fried shrimp and scallop to complement the Dim Sum dishes most wonderfully.

Call first to make reservations.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 96631555
Address: 131-135 Little Bourke Street
Directions: Chinatown of Melbourne
Website: http://www.sharkfin.com.au/

Restaurant Name: EC Pot & Singapore Chom Chom

There are actually quite a number of such eateries in the city, considering the number of Singaporeans and Malaysians studying in Melbourne. Unfortunately, many of these eateries tend to serve half-past-six dishes that couldn't be claimed authentic. You paid 3Xs the price back home and left the place super "buay song". There had been many such horror places I have had the misfortune to encounter through my years travelling (and now working) in Australia.

I actually stumbled upon this little eatery tucked into a corner of QV Square (which by the way, is the place to seek out if you want a taste of home real bad). Don't expect ambiance, but considering the size it has to work with, it's pretty neat and service, mercifully, Asian efficient and fast.

It actually serves a number of Hong Kong and Taiwanese dishes as well, but on its menu, I found plenty of Singaporean and Malaysian hot work-styled offers.

Favorite Dish: My friend had the "Hong Kong Fried Noodles" while I had the quintessential "Char Kway Teow" (Stir-fried Rice Noodles). [If someone could tell me what the heck "Singapore Fried Noodles" is, I'll be happy. There is NO such rubbish in Singapore]

The HK Fried Noodles is surprisingly delicious and flavourful. I am not sure if it's the grass being greener on the other side, my dish entered my mouth with a punch and then disappointingly became lame though it almost brought tears to my eyes to see bean sprouts, fish cake slices and Chinese sausages. All that was missing are the crunchy bits of pork lard....I can dream can I?

Another place for home sick Singaporeans to seek out: Singapore Chom Chom along busy Bourke Street, after the Target Centre. I had the "Bak Cho Mee" (minced pork noodles), reasonably authentic!

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 613-96638319
Address: Shop 7, level 1, 200 Lonsdale Street
Directions: Level 1 (ground level) of QV Square (Lonsdale Street & Swanston Street intersection)
Website: http://www.ecpot.com.au

Restaurant Name: Pacific BBQ Cafe

Hong Kong Cafe style food is the rage in Singapore for quite some time now and there is something comforting to come to Melbourne and still be able to drop by an authentic joint to sip Hong Kong style milk tea and "Yuan Yang" (50% mixture of tea and coffee with milk) and chomp on wok stir-fries.

Thankfully, there are plenty of Hong Kong chefs to be found in Melbourne and they brought along their skills and expertise.

I walked past this cafe a few times and the aroma that escaped whenever the door opened is always a good indication of authenticity. As if the row of roast duck lining up against the glass window is not a good indication enough.

The interior is warm, clean and orderly.....certainly a more upmarket prim-washed version of the kind you may find in some dinghy alleys in Hong Kong. The team spoke Cantonese (duh) but thankfully don't come with the same old "Cantonese Supremo Complex" I suffered greatly in Hong Kong. In fact, I suspect some of the serving crew are actually from China....something you will never see in Hong Kong.

Note: There are 2 other branches in Melbourne: 1 in Toorak and the other in Richmond.

Favorite Dish: The milk tea and the "Yuan Yang" of course.

The souped rice vermicelli with roast duck and preserved vegetables was a hoot.

The "Singaporean Fried Noodles" (no such thing in Singapore) turned out to be thin noodles stir-fried with curry powder....weird but interestingly enough tasty.

No major disappointments so far.

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 61-3-96639288
Address: 213 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 3000
Other Contact: Fax: 61-3-96632020

Restaurant Name: Yoyogi & Don Don

Melbourne is crawling with Japanese restaurants, both highbrow and and those that would not blow money out of your wallet.

If you are looking for somewhere budget and yet sumptious, try this 2 out in the city:

YOYOGI
Along Swanton Street (Collins Street), this is a place very popular with the younger crowds - there was always a queue outside the restaurant/cafe during the popular dining hours. The price is economical and the servings very hearty (man, the bowl of rice!!), which probably accounted for the whys.

DON DON
Almost invisible along Swanton Street (Lonsdale Street) except for the few red chairs inside an enclosure along the pedestrain walk way, this is another fave student haunt for economical udon, soba and don. Unlike most other Japanese restaurants, this one is actually owned by a Japanese. Had a slurp of the soba, and despite the presence of lettuce in the soup, it really tasted rather authentic for its price ($8, circa 2008)

Both are not big shops (in fact, Don Don can be described as cramped) and their deco is faux Japanese. Both wins people over with its food.


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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Both along Swanston Street
Directions: City

Restaurant Name: Nelayan & 77 Es Teler

There are plenty of Indonesians in the city, especially students studying in the Universities. Thus it is of no surprise that you should find Indonesian restaurants clustering around the outer fringes of institutions such as RMIT.

The serving sizes are hearty so the price is going to be higher compared to back home but one can get reasonably authentic offerings at reasonable prices.

I tried both and the curious thing is that they are within walking distances from each other.

Nelayan adopted a more homely feeling - trays of dishes were displayed and you pick whichever that you wish to go with the staple (rice). The decor is more modern and warmer but the eatery has chosen to pack as many tables and chairs into a confined place so walking room may be a little wanting!

77 Es Teler is double-storeyed. You place your order on the first floor and then find your way to the second for the dining area...which I find to be much more spacious and comfortable compared to Nelayan. Unfortunately, the decor is mish-mash and the harsh florescent light does not flatter the place or anyone dining inside.

Favorite Dish: I had grilled chicken meals (Ayam Bakar) at both locations.

Both meals hovering around A$10, the serving size of 77 Es Teler is definitely more money worth compared to Nelayan's and they are more generous with the side condiments as well.

Nonetheless, I do find the taste at Nelayan better. The chicken is more juicy and the (kecap manis) sauce complimented the poultry better.

Guess you can't have them all!

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim

Directions: Near Melbourne Central Station, between La Trobe and Lonsdale Streets.

Restaurant Name: Mekong Vietnamese & the Springvale area

Vietnamese cuisines are one of the first Asian conquerors of Melbourne streets and today, there are so many of them littered throughout the city, giving anyone craving for Vietnamese a bountiful of choices.

Came here on the recommendation of a colleague who claimed that while the Mekong is still good, its standards had taken a dip. The decor is very bare, elementary table and chairs in a white washed environment with lots of mirrors (not in a good way) and the walls adorned with newspaper clippings of reviews and pictures of Asian and local celebrities.

There is only 1 page to the menu - hardly nuclear science stuff. Went for the simplest - Vietnamese Pho with mixed beef parts and a hot glass of "Vietnamese coffee". There is a canister of hot tea on the table for patrons as well as a tray of chilli sauce, sweet bean sauce and stuff. I shared a table with a total stranger, eyeball to eyeball.

NOTE: For folks really into anything Vietnamese, the suburb of Springvale is the place to go to for all things Vietnamese. Drop off at Springvale train station on the Pakenham line. Try Hoa Tran for starters for hearty servings of Vietnamese & Chinese cuisine. Almost there for authenticity.

Favorite Dish: Review for Mekong:
The coffee (A$3, 2008) was a disappointment. They had failed to serve it in the traditional way - in a drip sieve and the taste kinda reminded me of 3-in-1 instant coffee!

Despite not being very generous with the bean sprouts, basil and chilli, the broth of the Pho (A$8.50, 2008) was clear and flavourful and the glass noodles smooth and succulent. The beef pieces were tender and moist. Which kinda made up for the earlier disappointments.

I wouldn't crow that it is the best (I had better) but it will suffice any cravings for Vietnamese Pho.

Just don't order the "Vietnamese Coffee"!

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 03 9663 3288
Address: 241 Swanston Street
Directions: Mekong: Along Swanston Street, between Little Bourke and Lonsdale Streets.

Restaurant Name: The Greek Precinct

The blues and whites of Greece is never far from Melbourne, considering the huge influx of Greeks into Australia in the 60s-70s.

In Melbourne, you can find a cluster of them just off the intersection of Lonsdale and Lygon Street. You can't really miss the Greek Precinct as the area is being known as.

Waifed into the area seeped with the aroma of Greek coffee and the sweetness of Baclava. There are a handful of Greek restaurants to dig out to satisfy your hunger for Greek.

Favorite Dish: I stopped by for Coffee at this pastry cafe called "International Cakes Coffee and Ice Cream"...just....well to indulge in a little fond reminiscent of the days I spent in Greece.

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Theme: Other

Directions: The Greek Precinct - you will find it marked on tourist maps. Lonsdale Street and Lygon Street intersection.