Shop 225

At first glance, you might think that Shop 225 is your usual token local pizza joint - you know, the one where the pizza isn’t all that great, but it’s close and easy so you’ll settle. But on one bite of Shop 225’s food, you’ll quickly realise that that’s not the case, and that Shop 225 sets itself apart from the rest.

Situated in Pascoe Vale, Shop 225 offers up a range of pizza, pastas, Italian inspired starters and salads in a no frills, casual setting.

If you ever see mussels on their special menu, the dish is definitely worth a try.  For a local pizza joint, the mussels were surprisingly fresh, plump and delicious, and were soaked in a sauce so good we asked for a spoon to finish it off.

Their penne bolognese – which is one of the most flavoursome bolognese’s I’ve had in Melbourne - is another excellent choice. And of course, it’s hard to go past one of their extensive range of woodfire pizzas. 

With such delicious food, it’s no wonder it was packed to the brim on a Wednesday night. Shop 225 is definitely on the recommendation list.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 4/5
Value for money: 4/5
Total: 16.5/20

Verdict - Love, get around to trying it soon

The New Fave dined courtesy of Shop 225

Pho Nung

The thing that surprised me the most about Pho Nung was that it was completely empty on a Wednesday night despite serving some of the most delicious Vietnamese in Melbourne CBD.Pho Nung serves up all your usual Vietnamese culprits (think rice paper rolls, pho etc) in a relaxed, highly casual setting.

Ordering one of the pork belly bao’s ($4.80) is a must. Think tender juicy pork topped with mouth-watering crackling, which is then smothered with a generous amount of their homemade chilli mayo and BBQ sauce.

Their Spicy Beef Noodle Soup ($14) is almost a must for anyone that loves a good kick of spice.  The fragrant soup was sweet, spicy and salty, and the beef was fresh and tender. 

 

 Despite its lack of any vibe due to it being completely empty, with its delicious food and great price tag, I’ll definitely be back to Pho Nung.

Venue: 3/5

Value for money: 4.5/5

Service: 4/5

Food: 4.5/5

Total: 16/20

Verdict: Love – get around to trying it soon

 

Marion

Situated next to Cutler & Co on Gertrude Street in Fitzroy, Andrew McConnell’s more relaxed wine bar Marion serves up an exquisite menu with the same exceptional service you’d expect from next door.

Marion’s complimentary warm flat bread will set the scene (and your tastebuds) for the delicious meal you’ll have ahead – you’ll be forgiven if you ask for a further serve.

The prawn and horseradish roll makes Andrew McConnell’s famous lobster roll seem like yesterday’s news, while the tomatoes with seaweed will make you question how a simple dish can manage to contain so many flavours. Both dishes are perfect pre-cursors to the agnolotti with goats cheese which will make even the biggest carnivores on your table drool.

Marion’s desert is worth saving room for, with the strawberries & cream being a textual delight with its sweet strawberries, crunchy meringue and rich cream to tie the dish together.

While the mark up on some of the wines is on the cheeky side, being a wine bar, the wine list is expectantly noteworthy, with the staff being completely across Marion’s offering.

Marion is the epitome of Melbourne’s first class foodie scene – which is what makes it the New Fave.

Food: 5/5

Venue: 4.5/5

Service: 4.5/5

Value for money: 4/5

Total: 18/20

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