Twenty Pho Seven

Often places in Melbourne that are open until the early hours of the morning don’t generally impress on taste and/or quality - Twenty Pho Seven (which is literally open for 24 hours a day) is not one of those places. Offering incredibly fresh, fragrant and delicious Vietnamese inspired cuisine - Twenty Pho Seven actually offers up one of the best bowls of pho I’ve had in Melbourne. 

The beef brisket pho is not to be missed - with a fragrant broth and meat that melts in the mouth, the pho is served complete with fresh chilli, picked onion (love this touch!) and the usual culprit accompaniments.



The prawn spring rolls and the Bo la Lot Beef skewers were also incredibly delicious -  the prawn spring rolls were light and not overly greasy, and the skewers offered a delightful array of textures and flavours.

Leaving Twenty Pho Seven, both my side kick and I commented that we wished we had as much passion for our job as our waitress did. Telling us that she asked to work there after falling in love with the pho, her passion for the food was nothing less then contagious. I can't wait to go back.

Food: 4/5

Service: 5/5

Venue: 3.5/5

Total: 12.5/15

Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

The New Fave dined courtesy of Twenty Pho Seven

 

DOC Pizza and Mozzarella Bar

Looking for fresh ingredients and authentic Italian flavours - then look no further then the DOC group. With venues in Carlton, Mornington and Albert Park - DOC’s menu has a focus on good quality deli meats and delicious Italian cheeses. 

On this occasion we visited the Albert Park venue situated on Victoria Avenue.  With a small scattering of outdoor seating, and plenty indoors, the venue has a relaxed casual vibe - so relaxed it was tricky to get anyone's attention even though the restaurant was nearly empty being a Monday night - indeed when I tried to catch one of the staff's eyes with a smile, she asked "Are you okay", and then seemed shocked that my answer was that we would like to order some wine (which she wasn't able to help us with). 

Whilst many of DOC's pizzas look incredibly appetising (including the tiger prawn pizza with fresh chili) we couldn’t go past ordering the classic Margherita, the Porcini Pizza with truffle oil, mozzarello in bianco and grated pecorino cheese, and the Rucola salad with rocket, pear and Sardinian pecorino. The Rucolo salad was surprisingly a standout - presented beautifully, the ingredients were fresh and vibrant, and paired well with the flavours of the pizzas. 

The Porcini Pizza was however the stand out - although how can you really go wrong with lashings of truffle oil and cheese.

Whilst the service was a bit of a mixed bag, if you’re looking for an authentic pizza in Albert Park then DOC is worth a try.

Food: 4/5

Venue: 3/5

Service: 2.5/5

Total: 9.5/15

Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some point 

Dumplings Plus

Dumplings Plus on Swanston Street in the CBD was nothing short of a pleasant surprise.  Whilst it doesn't have the lines of Shanghai Dumpling, or the wait of Hutong Dumpling House, it is by no means inferior.

What set this place apart? The quality of their dumplings.  Both the incredibly plump pork and prawn dumplings, and the pork xiao long bao, came out steaming hot, and had the taste and texture of freshly home-made dumplings.

Although the fried chilli tofu was another win - the dish was incredibly rich with spice and flavour.

Often the test with a dumpling house is how ill you feel afterwards.  Both my fellow diner and I commented at least twice that evening how great (and light) we felt after our dumpling feast - a true testament to the quality of the food. One of the best dumpling joints I've found in Melbourne, I'll definitely be back soon.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 12/05
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon.

Dosa Hut

Looking for some cheap and incredibly delicious Indian food, then look no further then Dosa Hut. Whilst there are a number of Dosa Hut venues around town, on this occasion we attended the West Footscray venue. With a no frills, relaxed kind of vibe (think paper cups and cutlery in tins), the service at Dosa Hut in West Footscray is incredibly helpful and friendly, and the food off their extensive menu (it will take you at least 5 minutes to make your way through it!) is inexpensive but still incredibly fresh, vibrant and delicious. 

With a name like Dosa Hut, you’d expect their dosa to be pretty outstanding - and luckily for us it was. With a flaky outer casing stuffed with a deliciously fragrant filling - the Chef's Special Dosa filled with a combination of masala, paneer, chicken and lamb is not to be missed.

The somosa chaat and the chilli paneer (which was close to being my favourite dish of the night - I mean, how can you go wrong with fried cheese!) are also menu items not to be missed.

But the star of the show for me had to be the crispy goat - with the goat still incredibly tender, the dish was bright, textual and full of flavour. 

If you’re anywhere near West Footscray, Dosa Hut is definitely worth a try! 

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Venue: 3/5

Total: 11/15

Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon 

The New Fave dined courtesy of Dosa Hut

https://www.dosahut.net.au/indian-restaurant-footscray/

 

Burger Project

The Burger Project is Neil Perry's take on the fast food scene.  Potentially stemming from his famous "Rockpool Burger" (still one of the best burgers I've had in Melbourne), unsurprisingly from the name, Burger Project specialises in serving up a range of beef, chicken and veggie burgers.

Using whole muscle cuts of Tasmanian Cape Grim grass fed beef in their burgers, it only takes one bite to notice the difference in the taste of Burger Project's burgers from many other burger joints.  Using fresh and top quality ingredients, the Double Burger comprised of two patties of beef, cheese, onion pickles, tomato, lettuce and secret sauce, is actually one of the better burgers in town going around.

The chips and chicken bites, however, were smothered with lashings of salt - so unless you want to wish for a saline drip all afternoon, perhaps ask them not to go so heavy on the salt.

Whilst there a few Burger Project venues scattered across the Melbourne, on this occasion we visited the Bourke Street venue, which unfortunately could be described as cold and sterile (but like literally cold, like take your jacket  type of cold).  But at least there is plenty of indoor and outdoor seating for the CBD lunch rush hour.

Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 2.5/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 9/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point

Homi Noodle Bar

It's been a long time coming, but I have finally come across the New Fave.  Situated on Queen Street, this relatively new Vietnamese inspired restaurant ticks all the right boxes - with its incredibly attentive staff, mouthwatering food, delicious wine and reasonable price tag, I dare you to try and leave this place without a smile on your face.

The venue's marriage of neon lights, white tiles and both bar and table seating, gives the venue a trendy, but modern Melbourne-esque vibe.  Already famous for its baos, Homi Noodle Bar also offers a variety of Vietnamese inspired small plates, share plates, noodle dishes and sweet treats.

And it doesn't take long to see why their baos already have a name for themselves - stuffed with what felt like half a chicken, the dish was the perfect blend of crunch, creaminess, zest and spice.  The lime beef salad, punching with well balanced fragrant flavours, is another dish that cannot be missed.

Giving the classic loaded fries a run for their money, Homi's HSP is a plate of tater tots loaded with sliced beef, pho mayo, pickled shallots and siracha. Whilst resembling something you would pick up from King Street at 3am in the morning, with its crispy tots and flavoursome toppings, this dish is far worthier (and delicious) than a 3am drunken eat.

And if you're anything like me, where you are actually too full for desert but you just want to keep eating as the food is so damn good, the Eton Mess is your perfect option - light, fresh and full of flavour - it's the perfect end to a delicious meal.

Incredible food, incredible service and incredible price tag - Homi Noodle Bar should definitely be number one on your To Do list.

Service: 5/5
Food: 4.5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 13.5/15
Verdict: The New Fave - put it as number one on the To Do List.