Pho Victoria

With what seems to be a Vietnamese eatery on every corner of Melbourne at the moment, you would think that it would be easy to get yourself a ridiculously delicious bowl of steaming pho.  Unfortunately, that's not always the case.  However Pho Victoria, on Victoria Street in North Melbourne, is a great example of how it should be done. The broth had a full bodied flavour (and came out steaming hot), the sprouts and herbs were fresh and the meat was melt-in-your mouth tender.

The plates of fried rice and noodles coming of the kitchen out also looked delicious, and my dining companion was quite pleased by her choice with the chicken satay.

Pho Victoria is everything you'd want from a good pho place - friendly attentive service, clean venue, free flowing tea, and all your favourite pho condiments on every table - it's easy to see why this place was packed to the brim on a wintery Tuesday evening.

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

Sushi and Nori

Food court meals don't necessarily have the best reputation.  Indeed, throw Japanese cuisine into the mix and some would say you have the perfect recipe for food poisoning.  However, to my pleasant surprise, Sushi and Nori in the food court at Emporium was actually quite tasty.  Offering both quick take away options, and a seat at the sushi train, the highlight for me was definitely the free flowing ginger and wasabi.

As with most sushi trains, picking up dishes that are meant to be hot is always a risk. Unfortunately our agadashi tofu was stone cold - and could have been really tasty with some heat in it.  However, we were lucky enough to see the fried chicken placed freshly on the train - which was crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside, and absolutely delicious.

And of course, what sushi train experience would be complete without a serve of sushi - the tempura vegetable sushi being an excellent choice.

Really friendly service, free flowing wasabi and ginger, and tasty food - Sushi and Nori is definitely a good choice if you find yourself hungry at the Emporium.

Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Service: 4/5
Total:11/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point.

Radio Mexico

After eating at Radio Mexico, I was rather shocked by its high Zomato rating. Whilst Radio Mexico wasn't terrible, it was below average and just did not hit the mark. 

To start off, the service whilst friendly was slow - it took approximately 15 minutes of me trying to catch the waiter's eye (who was happily chatting away to various individuals) to get our bill to leave. 

And the food? Disappointing. The flavour in the Picoso Chilaquiles (spicy red chilli based red sauce with guacamole and crema on corn chips) was completely one dimensional (with the guac running out too soon), and got boring after about the second bite.  And whilst I personally love my spice (being known to eat jalapenos out of the jar like candy) this dish should have come with a warning for people with normal tastebuds, with my fellow diner struggling to handle the spice (which was extremely spicy).

The baja tacos (with pico de gallo and slaw) were just as disappointing - whilst the fish was cooked well, it was overall incredibly dry. 

Despite serving up top notch margaritas, I will not be back. 

Food: 2.5/5

Venue: 3/5

Service: 3/5

Verdict: Don't bother - there are better Mexican restaurants in town.

 

Izakaya Jiro

There's nothing quite like going to a restaurant where they serve you dishes that make you sit back in your seat and think "wow" - Izakaya Jiro is one such place. Situated on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn, Izakaya Jiro's exposed brick walls, dark wooden features and Japanese artwork, gives the place a casual but warm and inviting vibe.

Whilst Izakaya Jiro offers all of the usual Japanese culprits (think edamame and okonomiyaki) you'd be crazy to go past trying their assorted sashimi (which came out as pretty as a picture and was incredibly fresh) and the spicy crab ball (which couldn't have packed more flavour if it tried).

However, the dishes that really made us sit back and think "wow" were the tempura eel (the dish of the night for me - crispy on the outside, but rich and buttery on the inside) and the spicy salmon and avocado salad (if I could have salads this good every day, I would be half my size).

And another hot tip - try not to be the designated driver. Izakaya's range of plum wines and sake are not only extensive - they are absolutely delicious.

Delicious food and even better service - if you're in the mood for Japanese in Hawthorn than you can't go past Izakaya Jiro in Hawthorn.

Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4/5
Total: 13/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

The New Fave dined courtesy of Izakaya Jiro 

 

Cumulus

Andrew McConnell's Cumulus is Melbourne institution. Situated on Flinders Lane in the CBD, it's soon easy to see why this venue is still brimming with patrons after 10 years of service.

Whilst the venue is slightly cramped and quite noisy, you will soon by distracted by the food that is nothing less than exceptional. To start with we had the Tuna Tartare with goat's curd and crushed green pea, as well as the Foie gras parfait with toasted brioche. Whilst both dishes were exceptional, the foie gras parfait was without a doubt the best foie gras I've had in Melbourne, even giving Heston's meat fruit an unexpected run for its money.

And you can't go to Cumulus without trying their famous slow roasted lamb shoulder with almond and roasted pepper. Often appearing on lists along the lines of "Melbourne dishes to try before you die" and "You're not a Melbournian unless you've tried these dishes", it is clear to see why this dish has become as much of a Melbourne institution as the restaurant - tender, juicy and rich with flavour, it's the sort of dish that's easy to dream about. 

You know it's a good meal when you can't pick a favourite from an exceptional line of dishes - which is why Cumulus has earned itself the title of The New Fave.

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

Scarpetta

When thinking back to my experience at Scarpetta, the story of Goldilocks and the three bears comes to mind - Scarpetta isn't too fancy, it isn't too casual - it's just right. With staff that make you feel at home from the second you walk through the door, this Italian inspired restaurant in Albert Park serves food which can be described as nothing less than drool worthy.

Whilst it was hard to pass up ordering the fresh local scallops topped with a homemade Atlantic Salmon chive mousse, or the pork rib cutlet butterflied and filled with provolone and basil, crumbed in bread, cheese, herbs and then grilled, I couldn't go past ordering a couple of their incredible looking pizzas.

Both the Funghi pizza (with Fior di latte, exotic mushrooms, garlic, grana padano and truffle oil), and the Salame Piccante (with Fior di latte, hot salami, black olives, roasted capsicum and fresh herbs), are excellent options. Whilst I'm often told a traditional Italian pizza should only have a few toppings on it, the highlight of my meal at Scarpetta was the abundance of toppings on my pizzas - fresh, flavoursome and ridiculously delicious!

Great service, impressive price tag, incredible wine, and food to drool over - I will definitely be back to Scarpetta soon.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 4.5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 12.5/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

Jethro Canteen

When you see a bowl of crickets on the menu (for the bargain price of $6), you start to get a little bit nervous - is this cafe actually any good, or do they need to rely on the shock factor of serving insects to get people through the door? But luckily for me, on dining at Jethro Canteen, it didn't take me long to realise there was nothing to be nervous about.

Situated on Burnley street in Richmond, with it's exposed brick walls, internal archways, and lime green features, Jethro Canteen is rustic, character loaded, breakfast/brunch/lunch venue. Offering menu items such as 'Orange Waffles' with caramelised candied oranges, mandarin cinnamon pana cotta, honeyjoy crumble and dark chocolate sauce, and the "Buffalo Tray" consisting of mozzerella wrapped in prosciutto with roasted eggplant sugo, sourdough soldiers, poached eggs and basil oil, there's many options for both the savory and the sweet tooth diner.

On this occasion I couldn't go past the Old Bay Fried Chicken Burger on a black brioche bun with corn and chili mayonnaise and herbed salad. An absolutely delicious dish that I will definitely be back for. The best point of difference? It was served with tater tots.

With its delicious food and incredibly friendly service, Jethro canteen is definitely on my recommendation list.

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