The World Loves Melbourne Blog

Below are ten points you need to know about Shawcross Pizza - 

1. Brought to Brunswick Street by the Phat Brats boys
2. Whole 12 inch pizzas or $5 New York-style slices from a massive 22 inch pan (GF & veg options available)

3. Six "kick-ass" salads, as well as nachos & dessert
4. BYO until their license kicks in (hopefully within next month)
5. Vegetarian options that tempt carnivores
6. A pizza called Notorious P.I.G 

7. Coffee by St ALi
8. Outdoor seating

9. Takeaway available (local delivery coming soon)
10. Retro American fit out

Hook Line and Sinker is surely a contender for best fish and chip shop in Melbourne. The food is excellent for a start, and the range comprehensive. It's important to me to have great fish and chip shop options in my part of the city. Bravo Hook Line and Sinker!

Walk in and be impressed. The shop is clean, even artistic - with ever popular exposed brick walls and concrete floor. Check out the menu on the large board. The tables are not too close together for a fast food joint. In fact the vibe is more of fine dining than fast food.

The service is exceptional and friendly. Our waitress was even able to help out the kids with some colouring in materials...

Raramen is a recommended destination for families wanting to dine out on a budget. Even when it comes to value dining you still need the food to be above par. Raramen delivers in my opinion. We had a great family night at Raramen with both adults and kids satisfied.

Raramen has two restaurants - Glen Waverley and Box Hill. The fit out is modern with upmarket tall chairs and chunky tables. The longer tables are perfect for groups. The walls are plain without artwork - unlike other Asian restaurants. Staff greet you and hand out menus. They are trained to be attentive and will wait just back from your table during the dining experience.

It didn't worry me that I had to go and get my bowls and cutlery from a table at the back of the restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised that the kids (and adults if you want) get free slurpies, and there is also free Chinese tea - again just help yourself. My kids love the Chinese tea as well as the slurpies.

Spring St Grocery is an exciting new development in one of Melbourne's most iconic precincts with Italian influences on Spring St. The excitement is in the quality gelati, the coffee and simple menu items, as well as in the staged expansion of the grocery concept including florist and gift shop. The ultimate will be in the cheese room (being developed at the back in a basement).

Spring St Grocery is a place to come for your fresh juices and gelati... You can take away or dine in (limited seating at this stage). Friendly staff engage and there is a great culture from related businesses such as The European and City Wine Shop.

The fit out is all class with extravagant flooring and decor in the European style. These guys don't do anything by half measures!

Sake is a Sydney sensation that has entered the Melbourne scene next to Hamer Hall. It plays all the right notes and is a great choice for dining pre-show (as we did). Having been delayed by traffic we only had 20 minutes to eat which limited our options.

The staff at Sake are adept and flexible and accomodating our crazy time frame was met with ease. I highly recommend Sake at any time but its the perfect place to visit before a show/event/performance. Also check it out on a sunny Melbourne day - superb by the river...

Sake offers a sharp and chic fit out with great use of different textures, colour and a leaning to Japanese styles. Either experience the Japanese atmosphere inside or enjoy the tables overlooking the Yarra and city landmarks (does it get any better?).

The Merrywell is a fabulous spacious restaurant in the Southbank precinct near the Crown that serves up American style diner dude food.  It's a stylish establishment that also exudes a sense of fun.

The Merrywell is a great place to meet up with people over a drink and a burger - as we discovered. When we arrived at around 4.30pm on a weekday it was relatively busy then it seemed to explode in the next half hour as over 100 people streamed in (at the end of the work day). Suddenly the place was packed with cityworkers clustered around the bar and around the tables overlooking the promendade... The noise levels rose and it was a happening venue...

Not only is there a burger wave/trend in Melbourne but a trend towards the American diner concept. Having been to America I understand the excitement over burgers. I'm grateful we have moved from burgers mainly at fast food joints and local fish and chip shops - to the gourmet offerings of today. 

Green Refectory is one of the most ambient, reasonably priced, hipster cafes in Melbourne and thrills with its home made creations. The large blackboard teems with interesting cuisine from the famous Breakfast stack (remarkable $10) to wraps, burritos and chunky home made pies. The line up here at 4.30pm on a weekday was akin to Gate 3 at the MCG during a final. These guys are superpopular and for good reason...

Enter and grab yourself a bottle of water from the fridge then sit down at one of the chunky old timber tables and admire the Amor artwork, the exposed brick walls, floral arrangements, the staff rushing around, the chandelier and other quirky pieces and art. Even the table/order marker is a quirky small piece of square canvas. Here we have quirk and mismatch that works in a shabby chic kind of way...

Longrain is an impressive Thai restaurant that pleases with its sexy fit out, high calibre cuisine and exceptional service. It brings fine dining to the Chinatown precinct. Longrain was an impromtu venue to catch up with fellow members of The TV Dinners new wave band that thrilled audiences in the 1980s.

The lads were in town from Adelaide to see the resurgent Sunnyboys (who the TV Dinners once supported) at the Corner Hotel in Richmond. As new wave rockers we were into driving guitar, seedy venues and loads of anarchy... We looked to bands like The Clash, The Buzzcocks and The Jam for inspiration.

The anarchists JL and Tony (aka Johnny Dynamo and Fab Charisma) are now lawyers and professionals but still love to rock out... We were also joined by a Melbourne filmmaker. Crazy stories of rock and roll and filmmaking over sophisticated Thai dinner...

This slightly grainy photo (no pun intended) is not unlike the lighting conditions when the band played. It features our first course of pork on pineapple - great combo and delectable...

Great news for burger lovers. Tree of Us has launched its new Mexican Burger in North Richmond...

I just had to taste this Mexican Burger as the Steak Burger at Tree of Us is one of my favourites in Melbourne. Ex Rockpool Chef Shane does the business on all menu options but the burgers here basically rock...

This burger is a winner with super fresh ingredients, killer brioche bun, quality meat patty and the right amount of heat with jalapenos... Check it out.

See my review on Tree of Us here.

The Aylesbury is a gastropub full of atmosphere and an oasis in the CBD with its fine rooftop and views and high calibre cuisine and bar area. The chic fit out combines the modern with old world charm. It's more than pleasant to sit at the chunky timber bar and imbibe the artwork, exposed brick, white walls and large windows...

Immediately I was greeted by the publican and engaging staff and shown to a bar stool. The Aylesbury boasts excellent menu options but we were here on a mission to experience the much talked about Rabbit burger.

I ordered the Rabbit burger and a bowl of Pork fat roasted potatoes and was glad to receive this bread and oil starter... 

Coda is an exciting chic hatted restaurant just off Flinders Lane in a groovy basement that serves up innovative sharing style with Asian influences including Malaysian and Vietnamese. Walk down into the basement and grab a stool at the bar and watch the culinary team at work. Or grab a table in the various dining spaces. Funky lighting (wire covering is a talking point), cool art and large windows welcome natural light and a view of the bustling CBD above.

Head chef and co-owner Adam D'Sylva's menu dances all over fusion with Asian and European influences. Sometimes Vietnamese. Sometimes Korean. But a cacophony of styles and tastes and combinations that excite!

The staff are engaging and helpful when it comes to menu choices. The menu is so flexible so grab choices from the around 20 smaller tapas style dishes and a main or two, including the legendary Roasted Yellow Duck Curry...

Rockwell and Sons provides American style soul (comfort, dude) food in Smith St and has one of the most acclaimed burgers in town with the Double patty smash burger. Another contender for best burger in Melbourne but not the mainstay of their imaginative menu.

Rockwell and Sons has a modern fit out with chic timber framing, funky lighting  and exposed brick walls. Rockwell also pours a mean latte...

Maha Restaurant from the Made Establishment stable and Shane Delia, is one of the most popular restaurants in Melbourne - with cuisine that dances on the taste buds, impeccable service and chic ambience. This is Middle Eastern fare with a modern twist featuring Chef Shane Delia and his enormous kitchen prowess. Maha also lays claim to Melbourne's best express lunch with its current promotion. You can elect to go the serious Sultan's degustation or go the signature Soufra plates approach (banquet style and Chef's choices for the table)...

Maha has an attractive ambience with spacious dining areas, interesting decor and textures with Middles Eastern styles, open kitchen, and sensory delight of fragrant incense. Waiters smartly dressed in black attend enthusiastically.

Meatball and Wine Bar is all about fun, humour, new concepts, great cuisine and a chic fit out. Meatball and Wine Bar has just launched its anticipated breakfast menu including some fine breakfast balls. Can breakfast balls be a hearty meal?

The verdict - Meatball and Wine Bar has already created a fine impression with its meatballs for lunch and dinner. For mine the breakfast version is a winner - not meatballs as such - but gourmet egg balls that are sumptuous and filling.

Meatball and Wine Bar has a chic fit out and the coup de grat is the Meat Dept signage that glams up at night. The restaurant is infused with orange light. The ambience is also enhanced by the exposed brick walls, long bar and "meat" related artwork.

Rockpool Bar and Grill is a fine dining haven in the Crown Casino and is known for its spectacular meat dishes and the culinary genius of Neil Perry. The conversation around here is all about "dry-aged", "grass-fed", "rib-eye" and of course "wagyu". In fact it's the David Blackmore Wagyu that drew me here. Could this be Melbourne's best burger?

Rockpool has a modern fit out with high ceilings, great use of timber panelling, subtle mood lighting, large artwork tributes to the humble cow, several attractive dining areas and luxurious tables and chairs. What struck me about Rockpool was the finery and great use of textures. The ambience here is refined yet relaxed.

Waiters dressed impeccably attend to your dining needs and are engaging and knowledgeable. 

Hellenic Republic is a Melbourne Greek marvel just out of the city that captivates with its simple but expertly prepared cuisine, top flight service and relaxed appealing ambience. It's a taste of Greece in Melbourne and a credit to maestro George Calombaris. Having been several times for brunch and loved the experience we were excited for our family lunch at this iconic restaurant. 

With chairs on the wall, long tables, large hanging cray baskets, and Greek artifacts, Hellenic Republic has an almost rustic feel. The fit out is clearly a nod to Greece. Hellenic Republic buzzes at Saturday lunch time, something like an upmarket Greek tavern. A relaxed atmosphere where one can enjoy a convivial meal with friends is the main game here.

Rustica Sourdough is a sublime artisan breadmaker and bakery recently opened on Brunswick Street that is surely a standout in Melbourne. Come here for a superb cafe/restaurant experience as well as some of the best bread in Melbourne, as baked by Brenton Lang (ex Phillipa's) and his team. Rustica Sourdough serves up a cracker breakfast or lunch with a menu brimming with foodie options. I was invited here to sample some of the wares.

The breads at Rustica Sourdough are top class. I think I'll grab a Rustica loaf anytime I can get to Brunswick Street. I've savoured every bite of the Seedy Wholewheat Sourdough loaf I took home after my visit and absolutely loved it. I'm not easily impressed by breads - in fact I rarely like a bread from a supermarket and most bakers don't impress me. The bread was so good with excellent density, a sweetness of honey to balance the wholewheat flavour, an intensity and variety of seeds including sesame, linseed, sunflower and pumpkin - that I didn't need anything on it to enjoy it. Needless to say however I also added some Salmon steaks on top of the bread and it was a sublime combination.

I'm used to many a wine tasting but it was new for me to sit down to a bread tasting. The traditional Organic White sourdough was surprisingly light and airy, with a delicate sourdough flavour. I have to admit my love for butter and enjoyed this superb sourdough with loads of butter. This bread is versatile and great for sandwiches.

New York Tomato is another Melbourne treasure and Richmond icon with eclectic setting, excellent cuisine and engaging service. Typically Melbourne, this place sits back from the main road and is hidden in the heart of the suburb. Roller doors open up a wondrous courtyard which is also the main dining precinct. A smattering of potted plants and retro chairs and tables gives New York Tomato a great feel. One could be mistaken for thinking this place is an American diner with its name, but it's enjoying Mexican influences under its new owners.

New York Tomato boasts some excellent dishes including Corn and chick pea pancakes, NYT Spring eggs with smashed peas and Greek fetta, Baked eggs, Free range eggs on toast with a host of sides, and toasted pides.

But the star of the show is the Quesadilla as pictured above with refried beans, cheese, topped with jalapenos, salsa and sour cream and killer guacamole. I rate this as one of Melbourne's most satisfying breakfast dishes. Often with a Quesadilla you just get a thin offering with a few ingredients inside. New York Tomato gives you thick filling with the refried beans and cheese - and then serves up generous salsa and guacamole on the side. So it becomes a hearty breakfast and at a good price. 

Rowena Parade Corner Store has that authentic feel of a "local" and is a part of the iconic history of Richmond. I love how the milk bars of yesteryear are enhanced to cater for modern needs. This Greek influenced cafe is another Richmond classic. You don't have to be Einstein to see that the early morning crowd is made up of regulars who just love this place.

Rowena Parade Corner Store is a cafe and a store. There are food products on shelves along the walls to make for a colourful and appealing atmosphere. The staff are more engaging than most and regularly smile - yes smile! What's with that? Rowena Parade Corner Store is definitely a convivial happy place. And I love it.