Tank Fish and Chips

The "healthy" fish and chip store concept has been around for a while - with the likes of Hunky Dory, Hooked and Saltwater Grill entering the scene, no longer are we stuck with just the good old potato cake and dim sim.  However, from all of the 'healthy' fish and chip stores that I have been to, Tank Fish and Chips has been far my favourite.

Why you ask? Well to start with, they offer up one of the best fish burgers I've had.  With its cheese, lettuce, lightly crumbed fish and lashings of sauce, this little beauty sandwiched in a fresh fluffy burger bun is fish burger heaven. The chips, however, while  okay, are not the best chips going around (a touch on the dry side).

Tank also offers the usual suspect of fish with chips, or fish with salad and rice.  However, distinguishing itself from the usual brown rice on offer, Tank's brown rice is deliciously seasoned.
The calamari is also a must - sold by the strip, it's deliciously seasoned and so tender you could cut it with a fork.

Located at both Emporium and Lygon Street, Tank Fish and Chips is definitely my recommendation if you have healthy fish and chips on the mind - especially seeing as they also serve wine!

Food: 4/5
Service: 3/5
Venue: 3/5
Total:10/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

149 Lygon Street, Carlton,

The New Fave dined courtesy of Tank Fish and Chips

The Waiters Club

The story goes that, many years ago, the Waiters Club Restaurant was a small, no frills hole in the wall restaurant where Melbourne waiters used to go after their shifts for a hearty and delicious Italian meal.

True to the story, on climbing the stairs to enter this Meyers place venue, I was definitely greeted by a no frills kind of room which could have easily been the setting of a school camp dining hall (although a very small one at that).  The Waiter's club doesn't even mess around with menus - the daily offerings written up on a chalkboard with no price tag in site.

But what a menu it is - from Spaghetti Bolognese to Veal Parmigiana, it has all the Italian favourites. On a recommendation from our waitress, I couldn't go past the Tagliatelle Al Pollo. Ordering a creamy pasta is not usually a no-no - it's hard not to giggle at people who feel ill after a giant bowl of carbonara and claim that they are lactose intolerant - no darling, you just ate a ginormous bowl of cream, carbs, eggs and cheese - of course you are going to feel unwell!  However, The Waiters Club All Pollo fell far from this category - light, flavoursome and incredibly moresish, it was one of the best bowls of pasta I have ever had.  

Whilst the venue was no frills, the service was by no means lacking - friendly, attentive and up for a banter - they will make you feel like a welcomed guest in their family home the minute you walk through the Waiters Club's doors.

It's the simplicity of the Waiter' Club concept - incredibly delicious food at an incredibly reasonable price - which makes the Waiter's Club restaurant the New Fave.

Food: 5/5

Decor: 2.5/5

Service: 4/5

Total: 11.5/15

Verdict: The New Fave - get around to trying it soon

20 Meyers Place, CBD

Belleville

Situated in China Town, you could almost blink and you'd miss the entrance to Belleville on Globe Alley. However, on climbing a flight of stairs and walking through Belleville's doors, you quickly realise it's not your usual China Town venue.  Set up in an old warehouse, with its graffitied walls, exposed beams, eclectic array of artwork and furniture, and a DJ pumping out the tunes from as early as 6pm, it definitely epitomises Melbourne's laneway culture.

Famous for its rotisserie salt water brined free range chicken, Belleville serves up quarter, half or whole chickens - I couldn't exactly pay Belleville a visit without trying at least a bit of their chook.  To share we ordered half a chicken ($17) with the miso butter glaze.  For the sauce, whist usually a lover of all things spicy, I would highly recommend passing on the "Hot as F*$K" fireball sauce, and going for the medium sauce of coriander, ginger and chilli ($1.50) - whilst not having any spice factor, this sauce is packed full of flavour.

Voted by Urban List as one of the best poutine's in Melbourne, Belleville's poutine ($11) is not to be missed. Smothered with delicious cheese, gravy and hot sauce, it's the sort of dish which dreams are made of.

Aside from the poutine, other highlights of the night for me were the sticky pork hock with red papaya salad ($15.50) which was fresh, fragrant and deliciously sticky, and the lobster mac'n'cheese croquette with Japanese mustard and bacon jam ($4.50) which was rich, creamy and an absolutely decadent treat.

The disappointments of the night were definitely the char grilled lamb ribs ($12), and the beef meatballs stuffed with cheddar ($10). The ribs were unfortunately mostly fat (I think between the three of us, only one of us got a skerrick of meat) and it was like a treasure hunt to find the cheese within the meatballs which were overall uninspiring.

Whilst Belleville didn't necessarily hit a home run with all of its dishes, with its trendy and buzzing vibe, welcoming staff and some superstars on its menu, Belleville will definitely still go on my recommendation list.

Food: 3/5
Venue: 4/5
Service: 3.5/5
Total: 10.5/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

Globe Alley, CBD, Melbourne
 

Hibachi Japanese Grill

Hibachi on King Street faces some tough competition. Serving up Japanese cuisine, it sits somewhere between the casualness of Takitori and fine dining feel of Hanabishi.

To start with we were served a complimentary dish of beanshoots soaked in what may have been miso? Whilst not exactly a treat on the eyes, it was actually a lot more tastier than it looks.

For the main fare I ordered the chicken katsu curry (which for some strange reason appeared on my menu, but not on the menu of two of my fellow diners). It was actually one of the best chicken katsu curries I have had in a while - the chicken was tender and juicy, the sauce flavoursome and the salad on the side was a nice accompaniment.

 

If you're in the mood for some Katsu Curry, Hibachi Japanese Grill is definitely an excellent option.

Food: 3/5

Venue: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Total: 9/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point

Ionio

Looking for the best Saganaki in Melbourne? Well then look no further than Ionio. After the longest run of chewy, rubbery fried cheese, I was starting to think that my idea of a good Saganaki was just a delusion - but then came Ionio, with its deliciously-bitey cheese which was crisp on the outside and oozing on the inside.

Slightly off the beaten track for some, Ionio's is situated in the Westfield shopping centre in Doncaster. Although walking through its doors, you wouldn't think you were situated inside of a shopping centre, with Ionia's having a warm, family-friendly feel.

My number one suggestion would be (well, number two after my suggestion that you have to get the Saganaki) to go on a hungry stomach. The serving sizes are huge and incredible value for money. To eat on this occasion, we were served a 'mini' version of the banquet (although it was hardly small), although the normal size banquet will only set you back $36. As part of our banquet we were served:

Olives

 

Trio of dips and pita

 

Rosemary and fetta chips

 

Saganaki

 

Fried Calamari

 

Spit fired chicken and lamb

 

Grilled haloumi jewelled salad

 

The warm pita, dips and olives were all delicious starters, with the beetroot dip being a clear stand out for me.

Although, as delicious as the dips are, make sure to save room for the main events. Served with even more warm pita, both the chicken and the lamb were incredible tender and juicy, and had a delicious charcoal flavour. The chips were also cooked to perfection  - crunchy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside, the sprinkling of fetta and oregano on the top finished the chips off nicely. 

For anyone who says you don't make friends with salad surely hasn't met the grilled haloumi jewelled salad with mixed salad leaves, thyme, grapes and pomegranate. With the tang of its pomegranate, creaminess of haloumi and sweetness of its grapes - this is a ridiculously delicious salad.

The calamari was the only let down of the meal, with some of the peices being quite tough and chewy. But the midly spiced sauce that was served beside it was definitely a highlight.

If you ever find yourself in Doncaster looking for a Greek feast (or any kind of feast in fact) make sure to head to Ionio's.

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Venue: 3.5/5

Total: 11.5/15

Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon.

Westfield Doncaster Shopping Centre, Level 2, 619 Doncaster Road, Doncaster, Melbourne       

The New Fave dined courtesy of Ionia's
 

Cheerios

Cheerios in Richmond definitely has an air of cheerfulness. With tables out the front to accommodate man's best friends, and filled with regulars who know all of the wait staffs' names, this quaint little establishment definitely has a 'local' feel.

It's  the little touches that sets this venue apart - including offering Aesop soup in the toilets which is always a big tick in my books. Cheerio's is also an ideal place to visit after a big night - within seconds of being seated, I was offered a berocca and was recommended just the breakfast to cure my hangover - the sticky ham hock with fresh Asian herbs, chili black vinegar, tamarind hollandaise and poached egg on sourdough toast - and boy it was good. The ham hock was tender and juicy, the hollandaise tangy and the overall dish was packed with flavour.

Thank you Cheerios for curing my hangover with your delicious and inexpensive food (the sticky ham hock delight will only set you back $16.00) - you have earned yourself the title of The New Fave.

Food: 4.5/5

Venue: 4/5

Service: 5/5
Total: 13.5/15
Verdict: The New Fave - put it as number one on your to do list.

323 Lennox Street, Richmond