Cookie

Situated in the Curtin House (home to The Toff,  Rooftop Bar and Messe Verde), and serving up Thai cuisine, Cookie could definitely be classified as a Melbourne institution.

Offering formal-ish, bar or 'beer hall' seating, the venue has a colourful, fun, surely-it's-Friday vibe which is suitable for any occasion. The bubbly, attentive staff only add to Cookie's value, making you feel right at home the minute you walk through Cookie's doors.

The roti and the green curry with chicken and corn meatballs were the dishes of the night for me - the green curry was rich, creamy and punching with flavour, and the roti buttery and flaky.

On this occasion, however, unfortunately the chicken in the Pad Thai was quite fatty (which was such a shame as the rest of the dish was incredibly delicious and full of flavour) and the salt and pepper squid limp and verging on soggy.

Nonetheless, with its cheerful vibe and reasonably price tag, I'd definitely still be willing to give Cookie another try (especially if it's a Friday with the Toff just up the stairs!)

Food: 2.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some point.

Maedaya

Maedaya had been on my To Do list for quite some time, and thank goodness I finally got around to trying it. Whether it was the menus served up on ipads, or the semi-private dining booths for 2-3 patrons, there was definitely something incredibly unique and charming about this venue.

Situated on Bridge Road in Richmond, Maedaya serves up a delicious array of fresh and affordable Japanese cuisine. On this occasion, we couldn't help but stuff our faces and tried the okonomiyaki with cheese, the crispy prawn bao, the double salmon roll, the agedashi tofu and the potato and cheese croquette.

Whilst everything was incredibly delicious, the agadashi tofu was my fellow diner's favourite dish of the night, where as I couldn't go past the freshness and flavour of the double salmon roll.

 

If looking for something on the richer side (and not watching the waistline), the okonomiyaki with cheese and/or the potato and cheese croquette are both excellent options. And for those who have a sweet tooth, the prawn bao with its oozing sweet chilli sauce is just the dish for you.

The service was just as impressive as the food - friendly, attentive and informative, they were an absolute pleasure from the minute we walked through the doors.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4.5/5
Total: 14/15
Verdict: The New Fave

398-400 Bridge Road, Richmond

The Winey Cow

Usually it's a good sign when a café is jam packed and you actually have to wait for a table. However, I quickly learnt that this is not always the case if you are heading somewhere down Mornington Main Street in the peak of summer.

Whilst filled to the brim, The Winey Cow was, in a word, "disappointing". I ordered the 'Brunch Stack', which consisted of two poached eggs, bacon, potato rosti, avocado and haloumi with rocket and lemon hollandaise. Unfortunately, the eggs were rock hard (not even a tiny bit runny), the rosti floury and the worst part, the avocado didn't even taste like real avocado - it tasted like the cheap avocado dip you can get from the supermarket.

The service was also incredibly slow - taking about 20 minutes for anyone to take our order, and then a further 30 minutes for our coffees to arrive. Being busy in a "busy period" is no excuse for poor service.  It should have been no surprise that they were going to be busy over the summer holidays and in response they should have put on more staff.

It surprised me when looking at The Winey Cow's other reviews that most people had come away speaking of quite a positive experience. So perhaps it was just a bad day for The Winey Cow team - but still, no excuse -  it was such a disappointing experience, I will not be back.

Food:2/5
Service: 2.5/5
Venue: 3/5
Total: 8/5
Verdict: Don't bother

Coda

After my previous flawless dining experience with Coda, this Asian inspired restaurant quickly became one of  my 'New Faves' in Melbourne. Unfortunately, on this occasion of dining, the same praise of 'flawlessness' could not be said.

Situated in the foodie precinct at 141 Flinders Lane, and sister to Tonka and Oter, Coda is a Melbourne institution. On this occasion we ordered the calamari, green papaya and cucumber salad with nahm jim, peanuts and crispy anchovies, the sizzling plate of Moreton Bay bugs, mussels and XO sauce, the roasted yellow duck curry and the buffalo mozzarella zucchini frittera with mint and pea salad.

The dish of the night was surprisingly the zucchini frittera. A dish epitomising spring, it was fresh, vibrant and full of flavour.

The calamari papaya salad was the biggest disappointment - the calamari was tough and incredibly fishy, contaminating the enjoyment of the rest of the meal.

The Moreton Bay bugs and the yellow duck curry however, were cooked to perfection, with the duck mouth-wateringly shredding off the bone.

Whilst always crowded and sometimes booked out weeks in advance, on my previous visit to Coda, you wouldn't have guessed that they were filled to the brim with the staff being incredibly attentive. However, on this occasion the service was slow and we found ourselves having to waive down someone to place our food order and to fill up our wine.

Nonetheless, with its incredible food, and in light of my precious dining experience, I would definitely be willing to give Coda another chance.

Service: 3/5
Food: 4/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon

Touche Hombre

 

Not only is Touche Hombre in my opinion the best Mexican restaurant in Melbourne, it also serves one of the best plate of nachos I've ever had.

With a casual, eclectic 'day of the dead' vibe, the place oozes character and Melbourne charm. And the staff are just as charming - warm and welcoming, they are an absolute pleasure from the minute you walk through Touché Hombre's doors.

There are three nachos varieties, or 'chilaquiles' as they call them. However, with its lashings of topping and juicy pulled pork packed full of flavour, whilst probably one of the ugliest dishes I have ever had, the braised pork hock and beans nachos is definitely one of the best nachos I've ever had.



The tacos are also a must. Coming out looking as festive as the vibe, and packing more punch then the usual taco seen by the likes of Paco Tacos and Newmarket - the pork, fish, beef brisket or sweet potato are all excellent options.

 Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, an extensive tequila list and an impressive array of hot sauces - Touché Hombre should definitely be on your short list for a night out in Melbourne.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 13.5/15
 Verdict: The new fave - put it as number one on the to do list.

 

Little Ramen Bar

Little Ramen Bar epitomises many of the things I love about Melbourne's "budget eats" scene - cheap price tag, warm and welcoming venue, friendly staff and, most importantly, incredibly delicious food.

You won't be surprised from the title that Little Ramen House specialises in, well, Ramen. Although, it would be a mistake to come here and just order their signature dish of ramen - their veggie gyozas are absolutely sensational and some of the best gyozas I've had in a long time.

There's a range of Ramen to chooses from - from your classic ramen to Hokkaido Ramen. For me, I couldn't go past the spicy miso Ramen and I'm glad I didn't - the sauce was rich and full of flavour, and the dish itself was packed full of noodles and veggies.

Situated on Little Bourke street right near GPO, this cosy little venue is so small you'd be forgiven if you blinked twice and missed it. However, during lunch and dinner times it's packed to the brim and it's pretty hard to miss the place with its line of hungry patrons waiting outside its doors - a true sign of any good Melbourne budget venue.

Food: 4.5/5
Venue: 3/5
Service: 3.5/5
Total: 11/15
Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon

The Crux and Co

Often breakfast/brunch menus with their eggs benedict and smashed avo on toast are victims of being 'same same but different' - but not Crux and Co! Pushing the boundaries on brunch items, Crux and Co offers the likes of elderflower yogurt and squid ink toast.

For me I couldn't go past the Bisque Benedict with tiger prawns, poached eggs and a lobster bisque hollandaise served on squid ink toast. Whilst slightly nervous to order prawns for breakfast, it absolutely worked! With its perfectly cooked seafood, rich and creamy sauce, and much needed textual crunch to the dish, this benny was an absolute delight. 

 

 

Situated opposite Melbourne instigation The Kettle Black, Crux and Co definitely faces some tough competition. But with its edgy menu, great coffee and friendly service, Crux and Co is a Melbourne café which is likely to stick around for awhile.

 

Venue: 3/5

Service: 4/5

Food: 4/5

Total: 11/15

Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

 

35 Albert Road, South Melbourne