Third Wave Cafe

Third Wave Café serves as a timely reminder not to judge a book (or indeed a restaurant) by its cover.  When I heard that Third Wave Café was THE place for ribs, I was a little taken aback by the name which sounded more appropriate for a cheap touristy café serving up stale sandwiches.  With its maroon walls, sprawling chairs and dirty table tops, this impression unfortunately was not altered when I walked through the Port Melbourne venue's doors.

But when I tasted the food, oh the food, it was everything that was promised and more! The pork ribs ($29) were absolutely incredible - sticky, juicy, mouth-watering ribs which were covered in a finger lickin'  BBQ sauce.  Whilst the serving size below looks small, it is deceptively filling - none of us were able to finish our plates. $29 also includes a side of your choice so we decided to share the coleslaw and the spicy chicken wings.  Yes, I did just admit to ordering double meat, but we were so glad that we did as the wings were just bursting with flavour and impeccably cooked.

Whilst we were all full as a boot, we couldn't go past the pecan pie with vanilla ice-cream and coffee cream ($13).  Tasting as good as it looks, it had the most perfect ball of ice-cream on the top which I had ever seen.

Third Wave Café's menu also showcases Russian fare, offering the likes of Cabbage Rolls, Pelemeni and Blintzes.  Whilst I can't see how anything could taste as good as their sticky pork ribs, I would definitely be willing to give some of there Russian cuisine a try.

Venue: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Food: 4.5/5
Total: 10.5/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon.

Kalamaki

It's fair to say that Melbournites are spoilt for choice when it comes to delicious Greek cuisine - so there were high expectations going into Kalamaki Greek Street Food Café.  Situated at the end Hardware Lane near Lonsdale Street, the café has a casual but yet welcoming vibe, with its benches being lined with baklava and spanakopita, and pictures of Greek scenery adorning the walls. Unfortunately the staff were not as welcoming as the décor - and the food didn't get much better. 

The bread on the chicken souvlaki (with tomato, red onion, lettuce, chips, mustard and mayo) was light and fluffy, however the chicken was chewy (and concerningly pink) and the overall dish was dry. The trio of dips were also disappointing - lacking in flavour, they were barely touched by the three of us.

 

The chips, however, were incredible - soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and beautifully seasoned.

However, with so many other amazing Greek restaurants to choose from in Melbourne, Kalamaki does not rate high on my recommendation list.

Food: 2/5
Décor: 3.5/5
Service: 2/5
Total: 7.5/15
Verdict: Don't bother - not when there are so many other incredible Greek places around.

Madame K's Vegetarian

Whether it be fried, cheesy or stuffed full with cream, there is something about eating vegetarian food which makes me feel wholesome. Madame K's Vegetarian café is no exception, serving up not only vegetarian cuisine, but healthy (but still hearty) cuisine at that!

The original plan was to head to Yong's Green Food on Brunswick Street in Fitzroy.  But unfortunately, due to a horrific fire next door, Yong's was temporarily closed.  So off we trotted across the road to try Madame K's Vegetarian café for the first time.

Offering Asian inspired fare, the menu consists of items such as wheat protein duck and mushroom made lamb.  Now, I had never tried fake meat before, so I approached a few of my meals with quite some trepidation.

The BBQ wheat protein chicken which accompanied the pawpaw salad and sticky rice ($21.50) was actually quite nice and had a similar texture (and indeed flavour) to that of tofu.

However, the "mushroom lamb" in the Lamb Madras Curry ($16.90) was not such a hit, having a chewy, almost grisly, texture.

The dish of the night for me was the roti bread with peanut sauce ($6.00) - simple, but delicious. The chive dumplings ($6.90) were also up there as a favourite.

The betal leaves ($9.00) were my dining companion's favourite, but the raw onion was a bit too much for me and I wouldn't recommend this dish if you are going home to a hot date.

Unfortunately we were too full to try any of the deserts but, as a word of recommendation, I would highly advise saving room for one of their scrumptious treats as the desert menu did look incredible!

Food: 3/5
Décor: 2.5/5
Service: 4/5
Total: 9.5/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point.

Oskar

Move over D.O.C and +39, there is a new pizzeria in town.  Well, Oskar's is not exactly new (and has probably been around for awhile), but it was the first time that I had tried this quaint little Italian establishment and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that I had found my 'new fave'.

Situated on Errol Street in North Melbourne, Oskar's is in the ideal spot for a bite to eat for before heading to Melbourne's iconic Comic's Lounge.  Offering mainly pizza's and a handful of mains, the menu isn't extensive, but definitely offers some mouth-watering looking Italian cuisine.

To eat we shared the San Daniele Prosciutto Pizza ($26.50), the Berkshire Sopressa Salami Pizza ($24.50) and the Pear, Pecorino and Rocket Salad ($9.50).

 

The base of the pizza's were thin and crispy, the toppings fresh and flavoursome and the salad was the perfect accompaniment - all in all, pretty much perfection!

The staff were as amazing as the food - friendly, welcoming and full of smiles. There is also an abundance of outdoor seating, making it an attractive Summer's night option. Oskar's - I will definitely be back!

Food: 4.5/5
Décor: 4/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13/15
Verdict: The New Fave - put it as number one on the 'To Do' list

Mama's Buoi

Mama's Buoi is a Vietnamese restaurant tucked away in Melbourne's GPO.  Brought to you by the creators of Roll'd, Mama's Buoi is the more 'up-market' counterpart, offering the likes of cocktails and authentic curries (as well as the usual Vietnamese favourites), all at very reasonable prices.

The food menu itself is extensive and drool-worthy - the hardest part of the evening being which dish (or indeed dishes) to choose!

To eat I ordered the baby beef pho ($8.00), the vermicelli noodle salad bowl with BBQ Chicken ($16.00) and the coconut pancake with coconut ice-cream ($14.00).

Unfortunately, whilst the broth of the pho was quite pleasant, the beef itself was very fatty (indeed, about a quarter of each piece of beef was made up of fat).

I did not like my vermicelli salad.  Indeed, I only ate half of it which, for those of you who know me, is definitely a big event.  There was an element of the dish which tasted like hay.  Seeing as the hay flavour seemed to have saturated the dish, my guess is that it lurked in the dressing.

The desert, however, was exceptional.  The coconut pancake was warm, the ice-cream was cold, and the fresh strawberries added the tartness that was needed to balance out the dish.

Whilst the desert was delicious, there are so many other amazing Vietnamese restaurants that have the ability to deliver on the whole menu. 

Food: 2/5
Service: 3/5
Décor: 3/5
Total: 8/15
Verdict: Don't bother - head to one of Melbourne's other amazing Vietnamese eateries.

Brighton Schoolhouse

To the shock and horror of many of my friends, brunch is  not my favourite meal of the day - whilst I appreciate a perfectly poached egg, I would much prefer a plate of chicken and salad.  That being said, I finally found a breakfast dish worth craving for - Brighton Schoolhouse's Mr Miyagi's salmon.

Brighton Schoolhouse is situated on St Andrews Street in, you guessed it, Brighton.  With its brick exterior and substantial outdoor seating (think picnic tables and barrel chairs), the café has a trendy school fete feel to it (which may also have something to do with the fact that it is situated right next door to a magnificent looking church).

Offering the likes of Ja'mie's private school's heirloom tomatoes (tomatoes, avocado, ricotta, basil pesto, olives toast, popped grains and poached egg) and Principal Skinners bad boy brekkie (thick cut bacon, pork & fennel sausage, potato and leek hash, confit tomatoes, fried eggs and sourdough), the menu is not only quirky but looks mouth-wateringly delicious.

Mr Miyagi's salmon at only $19.50 was absolutely exceptional.  The salmon was silky, the potato and leek hash crunchy, the zucchini pickled and the goats added an element of rich and creaminess to tie all of the other elements together - Flawless!

With the vibe of a trendy school fete, and with food the quality of fine dining, I have definitely found my new favourite brunch spot.

Food: 5/5
Décor: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 14/5
Verdict: The New Fave - put it as number one on the to do list

The Press Club

The Press Club is George Columbaris's premier restaurant and, with capacity for only 30 diners, one of Melbourne's most exclusive.

With the main dining area being cordoned off by a thick blue curtain, the restaurant has an air of exclusivity the minute you walk through the door.  Unfortunately, on this occasion, we were told that we would have to wait half an hour before we were able to sneak a peak behind the curtained wall.  Our booking had been for 8:45pm, but due to our table not being ready, we were only seated at 9:15pm. To the benefit of The Press Club, they did take us down to the kitchen for a quick tour while we waited - an extraordinary event for any foodie.  However, we were one of the lucky parties who were able to wait inside, with many of the other bookings being turned away to wait outside in the cold whilst there tables were being re-set.  It also would have been a nice touch if the drink we were offered for our half an hour wait was complimentary!

The food and wine was absolutely impeccable.  However, after opting for the five courses with matching wines ($215) it would have been nice to come out feeling a touch fuller!

The night started off with a cleverly presented nibble - home made chips on a mini clothes line contraption.

The menu was substantially comprised of seafood, being served prawn saganaki with grilled watermelon, calamari with poached egg and Hellenic XO sauce and one of the most beautiful pieces of salmon I have ever had -  having the consistency of butter, it was my favourite dish of the night.

The only red meat of the night was a small piece of beef hidden under a quaint array of carrots - delicate but mouth-wateringly delicious.

The palate cleanser was a clever take on the much beloved "Super Dooper" and the desert itself (rice pudding with fresh fruit and sorbet) was a light but refreshing way to end the meal for the night.

The venue itself is reminiscent of a 1980s Greek Cruise ship.  Rather than rows of formal white table-clothed tables, the venue is made up of cosy booths situated underneath retro light features, creating a homely but extravagant vibe.  The staff are also an attribute to the restaurant - clearly having a comprehensive grasp on The Press Club's food and wine menu, they all still had smiles on their faces well after 12:00am.

Whilst not "the new fave", with such exceptional cuisine, I look forward to coming back to The Press Club to try a different (and hopefully more filling) menu.

Décor: 4.5/5
Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Total: 13.5/15
Verdict: Love - rush out and try it soon

Banoi

Melbourne CBD is not a stranger to Vietnamese cuisine.  Indeed, there appears to be a Vietnamese eatery popping up on every corner - so it's safe to say that in order to survive, you better be a good one.  Banoi, in my view, is one which will stick around for awhile.

Situated on Little Bourke Street in the Legal District, it's the ideal spot for a mid-week lunch if you're wanting somewhere casual to eat that still serves alcoholic options. The venue itself has a trendy hawker-style feel, and the menu is absolutely drool worthy.

To eat I ordered the chicken pho.  Fresh, fragrant and flavoursome - it is definitely an excellent option.

However, my friend ordered the Cao Lau Noodles (thick wheat flour noodles served with sliced sticky soy glazed pork loin, prawns, Vietnamese croutons, grilled green chilli and fresh Asian greens) which was rather disappointing. Whilst it definitely wasn't unpleasant tasting it lacked the flavours and presentation (i.e. the wow factor) that the other dishes coming out of the kitchen had (resulting in my friend having incredible food envy) and I would not recommend ordering this dish if coming to Banoi.

Another annoyance was that all the meals did not come out all at the same time (indeed, they were about 10 minutes apart). 

Otherwise, with its friendly service and fantastic value, I will be back to Banoi to try other items from their menu.

Décor: 4.5/5

Food: 3.5/5
Service: 3.5/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point

L'Altro Mondo

Whether it be a Wednesday night steak night or a Tuesday night Parma night, I tend to have a soft spot for night-specific deals. So when I walked past L'Altro Mondo's Sunday $29 pasta night, I found it hard to resist.

L'Altro Mondo is a quaint (but elegant) Italian restaurant situated on Victoria Avenue in Albert Park. On Sunday's, $29 will get you a piece of bruschetta, choice of pasta and a glass of wine or beer. 

Now, the thought of bruschetta has never really overly excited me (I may be slightly scarred by years of stale bread and soggy tomatoes) but this bruschetta was deceptively delicious. The mixture of incredibly fresh ingredients and simple but elegant flavours made this dish a delightful start to the night.
 

For the pasta I chose the beetroot tortellini filled with ricotta and spinach. The pasta was cooked well and the beetroot pasta dough was an interesting (and delicious!) touch.  But the serving itself (just the four pieces as shown below) was too small for my liking, being more akin to the size of an entrée. 

At least, however, the small serving of pasta left room for the panna cotta which almost looked too beautiful to eat! 

With its friendly service and exceptional food, L'Altro Mondo definitely deserves a return visit (however, I wouldn't suggest the $29 pasta special if you have a very hungry stomach!)

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4/5
Décor: 3/5
Total: 11.5/15
Verdict: Love - rush out and try it soon