The World Loves Melbourne Blog

Lord of the Fries, always innovative, have introduced the Eco City Burger in their array of fine cuisine. This is their most sustainable burger yet and is full of locally sourced ingredients and is the official burger of the Sustainable Living Festival.

LOTF do exciting stuff and this is no exception. 

I was invited to test out this burger by LOTF and felt it was a triumph. The Eco City Burger consists of beetroot dip (so tasty), pickles (not to be underestimated as a key component), lettuce, mozzarella cheese (well done LOTF on a great vegeterian cheese), aoli (this is a superb one) and the LOTF pattie (healthy and seasoned well).

I loved the flavoursome nature of the burger, the softness of the bun, the Aussiness of the burger with its beetroot component, the balance of the flavours (combines so well) and the burgers' uniqueness. To be honest I'm a big carnivore but I turn for the brilliance of LOTF. It may be a cliche but I found the Eco Burger to be absolutely delicious.

As part of the 2013 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the Dandenong Market will host the Dandenong World Fare on Sunday 3 March. A favourite on the MFWF event calendar, the Dandenong World Fare will see the market emerge as an urban bazaar of earthly delights, unique produce and stand-out entertainment from the four corners of the globe.

Stallholders and food vans will fill the Merchandise Hall and Market Square creating a delightful array of authentic aromas. Experience a delicious abundance of cuisines as market vendors serve plates of traditional morsels from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East including:

Davis Yu is taking Melbourne by storm when it comes to imaginative dining and a sense of fun. You don't get same old, same old. You get reinvention and a modern twist.

Claremont Tonic in South Yarra is launching a new Yum Cha menu to be featured every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 3pm. This is Yum Cha new style. You won't get stern looking waiters peddling trolleys with traditional offerings of pork dumplings and chicken's feet. No. Chef Dylan Roberts and the Claremont Tonic team turns Yum Cha on its head.

We were privileged to be at a media lunch to preview the new style Yum Cha (note the disclosure). No hype, it was simply brilliant. While some Yum Cha is eaten in a bite or two, these offerings are more substantive than most Yum Cha I know.

Borsch Vodka and Tears is one of the best vibes in Melbourne for those looking for an edgy night out. There's an amazing Eastern European ambience as you step into a restaurant that seems somewhat like a club. I caught up with a good friend from Adelaide here at a table with Engineers with an Eastern European background.

The place was buzzing at 8.30pm on a Thurday night and you couldn't get a seat. it was a wonderful cacaphony of taste, colour and loud conversation. It had the feeling of a European restaurant. 

8 Days Cafe is pleasing many a coffee lover and brunch devotee in classy Armadale. Surrounded by galleries and antique shops on the High Street 8 Days Cafe is a shining light in a precinct crying out for a serious cafe and coffee haven. 

I ventured there to meet up with my business extraordinaire friend. When you are into big business you need to take clients to an impressive cafe or restaurant. 8 Days Cafe delivers on ambience with a modern fit out and plenty of space. They make good use of their tables on the pavement although I had to be careful not to lean back into the flower garden...

As we discussed matters of importance the wait staff came and warmly engaged us, as they did throughout, starting with my favourite line "Would you like to start with a coffee?" 

One of my favourite gastropubs in Melbourne is the Baden Powell Hotel, steeped in sporting and scout memorabilia, but also kicking goals in terms of its cuisine and ambience. My third visit to this iconic pub on Victoria Pde was so enjoyable as I settled in to sample the new Chef's traditional Italian pizza with his signature hand made dough. That's right, no machines or even a rolling pin.

The pizzas have always been great at Baden Powell Hotel but now even better as they stick to Italian methods of great dough and less but quality ingredients. The Gambari featured large tiger prawns and just the right amount of oil. Of course I added some hot chilli oil to the equation. A glass of Belgian Blonde guest tap beer was just the right thing for the pizza action.

Which brings me to the point - Baden Powell Hotel has an awesome beer, cider and wine list. The depth seems to have no end. Plenty of local and international beers to choose from and some lesser known but brilliant craft beers.

Refreshed and re-opened on 1 February, Trunk Diner has grown up. The popular city lunch and breakfast joint has a hip new contemporary open-air fit-out, new menu and is now open 7 nights a week.

Ayatana is a modern Thai restaurant and Bar in a classy precinct of Chapel St in Windsor. Come here for a fine dining Thai experience with a modern twist. You won't find the usual Thai menu of chicken skewers, pad thai and traditional dishes. What you will find is a creative modern version of Thai fare with strong punchy Thai flavours still to the fore. Dishes are not predictable but bold and creative and the mantra of hot, sour, salty and sweet is very much in play says Tony (one of the owners). 

And an Ayatana you will discover an incredibly comprehensive wine list with pages and pages of wines from most significant Australian and New Zealand wine regions. I looked across and saw an iconic Leconfield Merlot at the next table. Tony is a wine enthusiast and really knows his wines. With many Thai restaurants offering house wines and a small selection of wines I found the extensive list at Ayatana to be a winner.

Church Street Enoteca continues to impress with its creative modern twist on Italian cuisine. It exudes charm and finery and has been a consistently acclaimed dining experience in Melbourne for many years. This is not a stodgy Italian pasta and pizza experience but the menu brims with flavour, freshness and imagination.

Church Street Richmond has a growing culinary scene but the icon is still Church Street Enoteca in its historical and elegant building (ex Steelworks and luxury cars). Come here for a great lunch or dinner but also this place also lends itself to the "special occasion". In fact while we were there the couple at the next table got engaged... (If you ever read this, all the best!)

Chef Sebastian is a passionate chef who chases the seasons using quality fresh ingredients, makes everything from scratch, keeps a simplicity, shows loads of technique, focusses on regions and is not afraid to make changes to the menu. He has built up relationships with quality suppliers - even the fish comes with a docket of when and where the fish was caught, and the name of the fisherman...

We started our dining experience (as guests at Church Street Enoteca) with some appealing entrees such as the Vitello Tonnato - Veal girello poached in vino bianco, lemon and garlic with seared Albacore tuna and smoked garlic aoli.  The combination of veal and tuna was compelling. Not to mention the Tasmanian sashimi grade tuna was pretty fine. Great textures, flavours and presentation.

Yes it's that time again...  With Valentine's Day only a couple of weeks away here's some great options for your romantic interlude...

Enter Louie, an all-day eatery, bar and coffee house, open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner as well as coffee and snacks. 

Set on Domain Road in South Yarra, Louie takes in views of the Royal Botanical Gardens, which has had a strong influence on the restaurant’s food and beverage offering and vibe. 

The Gardens are inviting and unpretentious, used by all manner of people in a myriad of ways. Louie was born of the desire to create a place for the local community, which draws on the lack of pretension the gardens elicit, a place to lounge over the paper, laugh with friends, enjoy dinner with the family, have a business lunch or grab something on the run. 

The food is interesting, inventive and approachable. The menu delivers simple, beautiful dishes built on the quality of the ingredients that are sourced in season and from Victoria wherever possible. Each dish is characterised by uncluttered, clean flavours. 

Shandong Mama is an exciting addition to the Melbourne culinary scene in Mid City Arcade and can lay claim to the best dumplings in Melbourne. Mama is a retired ex accountant from China who spent years cooking for friends in her social circle in Shandong Province. She's had the courage to start this homely restaurant with her delightful family here in Melbourne. Friends and relatives are part of the scene. Mama has a passion for healthy, delicate cuisine. It's exciting to see a Shandong Restaurant (one of the 8 major Chinese cuisines) in Melbourne.

Mama is particular about process and having the best ingredients. You may find her at Footscray or Springvale markets sourcing the finest ingredients for her dumplings. The fish dumplings include expensive mackerel in the filling, for example, hand picked by Mama.

Mama is not keen to use electric kitchen tools to stir the dumpling mixture, but she throws her shoulder into every batch. These dumplings have the perfect (thin) casing, exciting fillings and broth. There is more imagination here than most other dumpling houses in this city.

Bao Now is a refreshing and quality value bao haven for those looking for an exciting change to stodgy lunches. I get bored with croissants and rolls and pies and the like. In fact I rarely eat them. I want something more interesting, great value and even healthy. Bao Now ticks the boxes.

Bao Now is passionate about what they do, ever evolving and adding to their impressive menu selection. This is surely one of Melbourne's best lunch selections with the supreme packs priced at $10-$12. Or $10 will get you 3 bao, a salad and a drink! The flexibility is superb with choice of supreme boxes, lettuce cups, rice bowls, or individual bao...

For months Bao Now perfected their culinary processes. They brought in talented chefs and pastry cooks to get it right. The dough on the bao is wonderfully soft - they are unique in perfecting moist fillings that don't cause the bao to go soggy. Hats off to those Hong Kong pastry chefs.

To celebrate Australia Day, Grill'd has created the world's first Coat of Arms burger (that we know of) allowing hungry Australians to eat their national emblem. The unique burger features a delicious blend of lean kangaroo and emu, along with with a host of other premium Australian-sourced ingredients - including award-winning Meredith Dairy goats cheese, bush tomato relish and native thyme mayo.

I rocked up by invitation to the store at 369 Little Bourke St on Friday to partake of this exciting new Grill'd (limited time only) offering. We had to give a code name to the kitchen staff to get a free new Coat of Arms burger (we are young and free)...

I admit I already enjoy Grill'd burgers as being tasty, healthy and great value. The result for the Coat of Arms was a resounding "yes" for freshness, creativity and a balance of flavours that works. It's great mate!

The kangaroo and emu patty was tasty but not overpowering with "gaminess". I enjoyed the fruity relish and spicy mayo and am always a fan of Meredith Dairy goat cheese. These complement the patty well.

Pud Thai v Pho is another winner in Docklands with a splash of authenticity and a location with fine views. The name of this place gets to the point - 2 fine Asian dishes that most of us consume bucketloads of. Vietnamese and Thai influences. I used to be a Pud Thai bloke but Pho has arrested me in recent times.

With quirky pieces throughout the restaurant (including an "On Air" sign) there is a sense of fun and character. The fit out is modern and its pleasant sitting outside as well as in.

City of Melbourne Hot Spots summed this place up well - 

"I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!" said the White Rabbit. De Mad Hatter is a ever popular cafe in Docklands precinct that pleases with its cafe style cuisine, excellent coffee and cheery service. The fit out is modern and relaxed with large windows onto Collins St and a spacious feel. A concrete floor, Rabbit's timepiece large clock face, low ceilings and large communal table greet patrons. Not to mention the obligatory exposed brick at the counter.

Amusing is the Alice in Wonderland theme. As a corporate entering the cafe its unusual to see items on a menu such as Alice's Brunch and the Wonderland Big Breakfast. Then again many corporates can identify with a fantasy world where things aren't quite as they seem...

Maybe this cafe speaks of corporate restructures... "Off with their heads!" said the Queen of Hearts.

Pok Pok is a standout restaurant in Docklands with superb Thai cusine that's a celebration of the owners favourite flavours of his home country. Many city workers from surrounding offices stream to Pok Pok for its coffee (yes it's good), breakfasts and its fabulous lunch/dinner menu.

According to their website, 

Working in Docklands I visited Pok Pok for both breakfast and lunch. I have to say lunch is better but the breakfast serviceable with fine coffee and simple options such as the Pok Pok eggs (would prefer toasted bread to untoasted)... Also try the free range egg and bacon sandwich for take away.

The fit out is modern and attractive with high ceilings, plants, artwork, pleasant upstairs dining with large communal table and pink stools, as well as downstairs quick service.

 — at Digital Media Month at Colour Box Studio.