Lux Foundry

The first thing you notice about Lux Foundry is the venue - situated in a heritage listed landmark, the once power station turned warehouse stays true to its character whilst offering a Brunswick-lux vibe.

Offering plenty of outdoor seating, Lux’s breakfast/lunch menu was made for the age of instagram - offering menu items such brioche French toast with espresso marscapone, dark chocolate crumb, poached spiced pear, fresh berries and salted toffee.

For me, my fellow diner and I couldn't go past the grilled calamari with herb salad, and the chicken and black bean tostadas. Whilst both dishes were fresh and full of flavour (and the calamari was cooked to prerfection!), the calamari salad was too sweet side for my liking.





A gorgeous spot to eat on a beautiful morning, Lux Foundry is worth checking out if you find yourself looking for brunch in Brunswick.

Food: 3/5
Service: 3.5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 10.5/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point

 

Mansae Korean BBQ

I used to think that Korean BBQs were a bit like Teppanyaki joints - a lot of show, without always the best quality and flavour. However Mansae Korean BBQ on A’Beckett Street in the CBD has completely changed my mind - fresh and full of flavour, I’m a Korean BBQ convert.

Whilst their menu is extensive, it’s hard to go past their BBQ meats. Mansae’s specialty is its wagyu beef - and after just one bite of the incredibly tender meat, it’s easy to see why. Served up with sauces and sides - the wagyu short ribs that are cooked before your eyes are an absolute must.

And for sides? There's a dish made of cheese and corn....need I say more.

Fresh and full of flavour - Mansae is definitely an excellent option if your in the mood for Korean BBQ.

Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 11.5/15
Verdict: love - get around to trying it soon


The New Fave dined courtesy of Mansae 

Shakahari Too

Shakahari Too is the sort of place that proves you don’t need meat in a meal for it to be tasty. Situated on Clarendon Street in South Melbourne, and sister to its more famous restaurant in Carlton, Shakahari Too serves up a variety of Asian and Italian vegetarian dishes. Whilst some may say that the combination of Asian and Italian on the same menu is confusing - I’d prefer to say varied. But the biggest highlight of the menu for me would have to be the absence of fake meat - why try to fake it when there are so many delicious real vegetables to choose from.

Our order for the night consisted of mushroom hempseed ravioli in broth, papaya salad, satay skewers and laksa. 

Whilst all the dishes were tasty, and clearly consisted of fresh ingredients, all the dishes were lacking any form of spice (even a mild spice would have given the dishes the flavour punch I love about Asian food) and came out lukewarm. 

The service however was the absolute highlight. Not only were they warm and friendly, they were incredibly accommodating - pre-dividing some of our meals into two bowls as they knew we were sharing.

With its warm service, fresh ingredients and tasty meals, Shakahara To is definitely an option for a vegetarian looking for a tasty meal in South Melbourne.

Food: 3/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 11.5/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying at some point 

 

Clarendon Melbourne

Located in South Melbourne in a heritage building that could be described as nothing less than magnificent, it would be easy to assume from the look of Clarendon Melbourne that it would specialise in pub meals, red wine, and comfortable seating in front of an open fire - and that's kind of place it was for the last 150 years - well up until recently that is. Clarendon Melbourne has recently been bought by the current owners who have given the main restaurant a Malaysian inspired menu.

Offering a variety of your usual Malaysian suspects (think Laksa and Malaysian Chicken Curry), as well less traditional options (think fries), the menu is varied and extensive.  The fried kuay teow, however, was the star of our dishes - not too oily and full of flavour.

Unfortunately our gyozas came out raw - a fact my fellow diner only noticed after I had swallowed a full mouthful (thank goodness it wasn't chicken - but still, it's enough to make you feel ill!). And even though the sauce of the beef rendang was rich and delicious, the meat was about 70% fat and we couldn't cut through it with our forks and spoons.

Whilst the staff were friendly, raw food and fatty meat is never great - we will not be back.

Food: 2/5
Venue: 3/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 8/15
Verdict: Don't bother

SUD Food and Wine

"That was the best meatball I have ever had" was the resounding sound across the table on trying SUD's pork and duck meatballs - but the praise for SUD Food and Wine doesn't stop there.  Situated on King Street in Melbourne CBD, SUD is a little slice of Italy.  Whilst some would call the venue outdated, I'd prefer to say it has charm - oozing with the elegance of old school Italy.

The starters are served up from a share plate by the waiter - which certainly gives the experience a warming sense of popping over to a friend's house for dinner - however, doesn't necessarily give the greatest photos.  The duck and pork meatballs are non-negotiable for a starter if they make their way on the specials board again, and the Caprese salad is also an excellent option.

For main, it's hard to go past one of SUDs exceptional pasta dishes - with myself opting for the pasta with spicy pork, spicy n'duja, tomato and red wine ragu.

With it's exceptional food, and even more exceptional service, there's no wonder this little slice of Italy has earned itself the title of "The New Fave".

Food: 5/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4/5
Verdict: The new fave - put it at the top of your To Do list.

Cupunda

Being situated at the bottom of student accommodation at the outer edges of town, let's be honest,  newly opened dumpling house Cupunda could have gone either way.  But to my pleasant surprise, the food at Cupunda was absolutely delicious. 

The xiao long bao were the perfect size - one of my pet hates is when they come out so big that you can't fit them in your mouth in one bite, meaning that you lose half the soup - but Cupunda's xiao long bao fit right in the mouth without feeling like a complete fatty. And being served in two stacks meant the soupy goodness in the bottom stack of xiao long bao stayed nice and warm. 

The Shanghai Vegetarian Fried noodles were fresh and flavoursome - tasting more than just soy sauce which is often the risk at dumpling houses.  The chicken and prawn pan fried dumplings were also full of flavour - having real chunks of prawn in each little morsel. 

And it wasn't just the food that impressed me - the venue itself was light, spacious and most importantly clean, the service was friendly, the fresh ingredients were out on display and the glasses of wine were so big each glass was basically a bottle. 

Definitely worth the trek to the outer edges of town. 

Food: 4/5

Service: 4/5

Venue: 3.5/5

Total: 11.5/15

Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon 

 

Carousel Cafe

You would be forgiven for thinking that at a place like Carousel Cafe, the food wouldn't be all that great.  I mean, as a cafe why would you even need to try when you are situated in such an incredible location overlooking Albert Park Lake. But Carousel Cafe's food and service came as a complete surprise - quick, delicious and all at a very reasonable price.

After seeing it being served up at the table beside me, I couldn't go past ordering the slow cooked lamb souvlaki with pita, lettuce, tomatoes, olives and chips with chili salt. The lamb was tender and juicy, and the chips were crunchy and well seasoned - overall an excellent choice.

My friend went for the tumeric roasted cauliflower with baked pumpkin, tahini and herb freekah salad and barberries, which she also said was an excellent choice.

It's the little touches at places like these that win me over - and for Carousel Cafe it was their water jugs filled with fresh lemon and cucumber - a delicious way to hydrate a lap of the lake.

Great food, great service and great view - I can't wait to go back to Carousel Cafe.

Food: 4/5
Service: 4/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 12/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon