GRAM Magazine: January 2012 // Edition 12

MELBOURNE

ISSUE 12

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Gram magazine is a free monthly publication

Melbourne strips and venues in Melbourne’s CBD and inner city

dedicated to promoting this exciting and

suburbs, our readers can enjoy the magazine over a meal, a coffee,

diverse food culture that Melbourne has

a drink or a snack.

become renowned for.

And while the author of each featured blog has their own unique

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This month

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Summer has now well and truly kicked off and that means cherry

Gram magazine provides you with a snapshot of articles, opinions

season! Not only does this delicious stone fruit taste delicious, it is

and reviews that have been published online by local food

also jam packed with nutrients too. Within the pages of this issue

bloggers, bringing the online world into the physical world.

you’ll find blogs on venues that include Vue de Monde, Fandango,

As the magazine is distributed to over 1000 outlets in prominent

Vegie Bar and St Katherine’s Danielle Gullaci, Editor

GRAM is Food Culture. Compiled.

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SCAN TAG FOR MORE INFO ON vue de monde (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

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Vue de Monde Rialto, Level 55, 525 Collins Street. Ph: 9691 3888 Words and photos by Agnes Hon

ABOUT AGNES HON I LIKE TO EAT. SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

I LIKE TO COOK. I LIKE TO BAKE. I LIKE TO BLOG.

(DETAILS ON PG. 3)

I LIKE THE WORD SPORK.

WWW.OFFTHESPORK.COM

I love a lunch deal. So when I heard that Vue de Monde was doing a $60

ham and cheese doughnuts. Bread came out in a black (natch) bag, with

one hour express lunch that ended in November, I hurriedly booked in a

a heated stone in the bottom to keep them warm and was refilled during

lunch date with I-Hua and Maz.

our meal. And butter… the unseasoned French butter was scooped out in quenelles from a big wooden bucket. We (well, mainly Maz) oohed and

Maz and I cleverly scheduled a day off work, while I-Hua snuck out for a

ahhed over the butter. If you could marry butter, Maz would’ve married it.

long lunch. We weren’t aware of exactly how long a lunch it was going to

Failing that, she might’ve considered marrying the butter guy, because as

be. One hour stretched into two hours… which extended to three hours.

the waiter remarked, “Everyone loves the butter guy.”

(Sorry, I-Hua’s company!)

Chips, doughnuts, bread and butter – it was like we’d had a mini meal We were a bit early for our table, so we were directed up to the Lui Bar via

before our actual meal even started.

the snazzy nightclub style elevator. At the Lui Bar, we spread out on their couches, admired the view, and decided that: nope, 1pm was definitely not

For entrées, Maz opted for the beautifully presented ox tongue salad.

too early for a Negroni cocktail – not too early at all. And what a Negroni

The tongue had been lightly pickled, and was served with several types

– with a massive, singular ice cube sphere. So swish.

of thinly sliced radishes, with a combination of dehydrated and steamed vegetables. Shannon Bennett told us that the inspiration for this dish was

After 30 minutes, our table was ready, and we were shown into the

from a very old recipe, which mostly they had kept the same – apart from

restaurant. Man cave alert (which isn’t a negative – it is what it is). The

the addition of dehydrated vegetables (do you like how I just casually

restaurant is black, black, black – black walls, black floors, black chairs,

name dropped there?).

and tables covered in black kangaroo leather. And where it wasn’t black, it was shiny metal, glass orbs, and the occasional chair back covered in soft fur. Somehow, it all works together to create a very unique fit out. And the view. Yes, the view up there on the 55th floor is indeed lovely. If you weren’t enjoying your dining companions, you could always just watch Melbourne down below.

Upon being shown the menu, we were given a quick bite to eat – super thin, almost translucent, chips that came with a dipping sauce. If all chips were as good as these, I would never eat anything else.

All tables had a selection of rocks and twigs laid out in the middle. We discovered during the meal that they all had a purpose – from bread

I-Hua and I both had the grilled shrimp for our entrée. Shannon Bennett

plates, to salt, pepper and butter holders and cutlery and knife stands.

brought the dish over and personally blow torched our shrimp at the table, just giving them a light char and torching some of the herbs. I wish I could

Upon being shown the menu, we were given a quick bite to eat – super

say that we received special treatment because of our awesomeness, but

thin, almost translucent, chips that came with a dipping sauce. If all chips

it looked like he did the rounds at each table. I must say that it was really

were as good as these, I would never eat anything else.

nice to see him there.

As mentioned previously, we were there for a 2 course express lunch. The

Shannon aside, the dish was absolutely delicious. Served with a savoury

menu offered two choices for entrée, main and dessert, and we asked

fresh oyster sauce on the side, and avocado underneath, it was creamy

whether we could add a third course. This was possible, at $15, so we went

and delightful. Definitely the winner out of the two entrées.

ahead for 3 courses and made our selections.

After entrées, our table was set for mains and a palate cleanser. We Before bread, we then received another delicious complimentary bite –

wondered what the big wooden item was for.

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The palate cleanser came out initially as a bowl of herbs and lime

It looked amazing, and as expected it was light and fluffy. However,

flowers. Then a waiter came around and poured liquid nitrogen over

it was also incredibly, incredibly sweet. Delicious, but too high on the

them to freeze them.

sweet scale for me.

The purpose of the wooden thing was then revealed – we used it as a

Maz had the cheese, which came with several accompaniments – three

pestle to mash up the frozen herbs.

types of jam (fig, strawberry and onion) plus rhubarb, apple, pear and a couple of breads. Unfortunately, while the accompaniments came out

A scoop of cucumber sorbet was then placed on top. Ta dah! Palate

quickly, it took a long time (at least 15 minutes) for the cheese trolley to

cleanser! And what a palate cleanser: fresh, cold, slightly sweet, with

be wheeled over.

bursts of basil and mint, it was very refreshing.

When it did make its way to our table, Maz selected four cheeses from For mains, I-Hua had the fish. She didn’t share it with us, so she must’ve

the rather large selection. They were very generous with the portioning

enjoyed it! Maz and I both chose the waygu beef. Scattered around the

– it could’ve easily been shared amongst two or three people.

main piece of beef were tender braised pieces, a mustard sauce, and onions done two ways: fried and pickled.

We ended our meal with coffees for Maz and I, and tea for I-Hua. Vue de Monde has a tea sommelier, so she came over for a chat to help I-Hua

The mains also came with sides. One side was fried potatoes, which

select a tea.

came out cutely wrapped in newspaper and twine. And the other was a smoked cheese and watercress salad with discs of red cabbage.

And finally, we received a selection of petit fours. At the back were minted marshmallows with a tiny sprig of thyme and Vue de Monde’s

We then moved on to a second palate cleanser – a small glass of

own golden gay times. And at the front we had raspberry lamingtons

passionfruit liquorice beer and frozen coconut balls. The passionfruit

and gin jubes. I loved the little gaytimes. So cute.

beer was quite sweet and fizzy, but it had a strange mouthfeel. We loved the frozen coconut balls though.

The raspberry lamingtons were amazing – squares of chocolate mousse covered in coconut with a small amount of fresh raspberry sauce. A

The palate cleanser came out initially as a bowl of herbs and lime flowers. Then a waiter came around and poured liquid nitrogen over them to freeze them.

great end to a fab meal.

It was so worth the day off – we had a very enjoyable lunch and had a fantastic time. Though I must say, service was a touch…stiff? Not terribly impressed with us? It was hard to gauge whether it was us or whether they were always like that! They were efficient (apart from when it came to the cheese) but just not that friendly. Personally, I think if you’ve got a

There were two choices on the dessert menu – the first was a chocolate

table of people who are laughing their heads off and obviously enjoying

soufflé, and the second was cheese. I-Hua and I both decided on the

themselves, you can afford to crack a smile or two. Or even a joke. Ho

chocolate soufflé. When it was brought out, the waiter poked holes

hum, never mind. We had a great time despite that and I’m still keen to

around the side and poured in vanilla creme anglaise.

head back for the full spectacle one day.

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SCAN TAG FOR MORE INFO ON ol’ school fish ‘n’ chips (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

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burger review: Ol’ School Fish ‘N’ Chips 566 Brunswick St, Fitzroy North. Ph: 9489 9083 Words and photo by The Burger Adventure

About the Burger Adventure The Burger Adventure is a blog that reviews the best burgers from Australia SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE

and around the world. Created by four guys with a passion for beef, buns, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, egg, bacon & sauce.

Authors: Brendan Kennedy, David Silcock, George Vafeas & Zenon Predecki.

(DETAILS ON PG. 3)

www.theburgeradventure.com

SUMMARY When you arrive, what greets you is an imposing black exterior that leads inside to a large feature wall covered in graffiti, and judging by the chill dudes behind the counter, it was probably graffed by them. It’s

It’s the kind of place where you’ll find most locals ordering by just walking in, nodding and saying, “The usual thanks”.

the kind of place where you’ll find most locals ordering by just walking in, nodding and saying, “The usual thanks”. They may be “New School”

was nicely melted and creamy. The bun was just a traditional burger

by appearance but it’s in their methods of cooking that the “Ol’ School”

bun that was slightly burnt, but still didn’t take away from the burger.

part of their name really becomes apparent. Of highest praise amidst

All in all, a good fish ‘n’ chip experience by a crew that were hospitable

the neighbourhood are their chips, which are hand-cut and deep fried

and had a killer dress sense that you would find in a Beastie Boys video

for just the right amount of time, making them nice and crunchy. Chips

clip circa 1992 – keep it up lads! Chips were good – nice, crispy and

aside they offer a pretty familiar fish ‘n’ chip shop menu, ranging from

well seasoned.”

battered fish to Chiko rolls. We, of course, went for the hamburger of 100% Angus Beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, a sesame-seed bun, and then

Z- “In a world full of goody two-shoes, 99% fat-free, wannabe gourmet

added cheese, egg and bacon for good measure.

burgers, these guys are like Lex Luthor. From the get-go you know what you’re about to consume will be a classic burger that most of

COMMENTS

us would’ve grown up ordering with a dimmy and potato cake. The

D- “This is one of the biggest and thickest beef patties I’ve had on a fish

only difference with these guys is that they’ve gone for a higher quality

‘n’ chip style burger. The beef was ground really tight which made for

Angus beef pattie – which would probably explain the New School fish

a dense and rough texture. Nothing really stood out about this burger

‘n’ chip price. But it is what it is. The beef was simple and flavoursome

either good or bad. It was exactly what you would expect from a fish ‘n’

but could’ve been cooked a little rarer. It had a sweetish note to it

chip shop and served its purpose well: you’re hungry and it fills you up.

too, like it had been cooked with soy sauce or ketchup. Although my

With Danny’s around the corner I’m guessing most people come here

cheese wasn’t melted, which is usually a turn off for me, the flavour

for the fish and not the burger, however, the chips were great.”

that it produced when mixed with the egg was so superbly creamy. I would’ve loved to have seen the egg a little runnier, but on the plus side

G- “Just a straight-up, uncomplicated, unpretentious, basic fish ‘n’ chip

it resulted in a pretty ‘mess free, no sliding bun’ kind of meal. Overall

shop burger. The pattie was simple and well seasoned, and the cheese

quite enjoyable, especially coupled with their killer chips.”

BURGER:

SERVIETTES:

DRESS CODE:

SLEEPINESS:

WOULD WE RECOMMEND:

PRICE:

Hamburger plus cheese,

2

Casual

15 minutes

If you’re in the area

$10.50

egg, bacon

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SCAN TAG FOR MORE INFO ON fandango (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

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Fandango 97 Errol Street, North Melbourne. Ph: 9329 0693 Words and photos by Brunch Addict

About Mr LB and Miss SL Two people in Melbourne who love food set about a journey to find the best brunch in town. Scouting out new brunch places weekly for you to try is our quest. Don’t worry – coffee quality is just as important to us as the food.

SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

www.brunchaddict.com

Opening Hours:

occasion, the head was very faint and had already broken away upon

Tues-Sat: 7:30am-3pm

serving. Initially there was a real musky taste to this coffee, however this

Sun-Mon: Closed

may have been attributed to the coffee being unusually hot. Once the coffee had settled and cooled, there was a crisp taste on the back palate

Coffee: Coffee Supreme

whilst very soft flavours came forth to the front.

Mr LB: “We all have that denoted ‘to do list’. Written on this list is a

Looking at the brunch menu at Fandango, you may draw the conclusion

number of jobs which usually starts with number 1: ‘Create a to do list’.

that the food is as simple as their menu titles. With a title like Avocado

The funny thing about a ‘to do list’ is that they rarely go away and ever so

and Tomato – with basil pesto and cracked pepper on toasted sourdough

easily accumulate. It could be that unfinished Bunnings idea that you saw

[$13.50] – add bacon and poached egg [19.50], there wasn’t much

on the ‘Renovators’ or a number of brunch reviews to complete. Here at

excitement. Well my prejudice sure served me wrong!

Brunch Addict HQ, there is an extensive and constantly evolving list of cafés to blog and Fandango has been on our radar for quite some time.

With that being said, it has taken us a whopping two years in the making to have the opportunity. This is not because it’s an arm’s length away from Auction Rooms or Di Bella and we get side tracked. Rather, every time we made the effort to go to Fandango it always seemed to be closed. Fandango is a café which believes that Sunday and Monday are

The quality of the meal was second to none with all produce being fresh and prepared perfectly. The pesto was crunchy with pine nuts, which was perfect when spread on the fresh sourdough.

the days of rest – and they practice what they preach. However, don’t be deterred by this. As we quickly discovered, while this little café lies

I usually make notes as I eat my dish to jog my memory when I write-

amongst heavy competition, it sure packs a punch.

up, however there was no notes written on this occasion. There was no need – my meal was flat-out amazing. The quality of the meal was

Fandango has been on our radar for quite some time... As we quickly discovered, while this little cafe lies amongst heavy competition, it sure packs a punch.

second to none with all produce being fresh and prepared perfectly. The pesto was crunchy with pine nuts, which was perfect when spread on the fresh sourdough. The bacon comprised of the right texture outside and soft juice middle and the eggs were poached perfectly. It was firm on the outside, but once pieced it oozed a lovely yellow colour. Whilst simplistic ingredients have been used, the quality of the ingredients and the preparation made this dish amazing.

Their coffee is supplied from Coffee Supreme, which we have tasted and

Brunch dessert is always a consideration, however there are some

reviewed in previous blogs. Whilst, in the past I have expressly outlined

instances when it’s just impossible. Once we were seated I had noticed

that it isn’t my favorite, it appears to be growing on me. This isn’t to say

the sweet looking pear muffin [$3.60] next to the barista station and

that it is a remarkable blend, but there seems to be improvement. On this

from that moment I knew it was mine.

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With that said, I was quite satisfied after my amazing meal and left with

During my wait I was spying on some people’s dishes which made my

a brown paper bag. When my appetite had returned, I can confirm this

choice very easy once seated – Beetroot Eggs – poached eggs with

muffin was of a high standard. It was well crafted and shaped without

beetroot and feta relish served with spinach on toasted sourdough

crumbling. The fresh pear pieces brought out the perfect level of

[$15.50], add mushrooms [$18.50]. Kitchen service was efficient in

sweetness to mix with the naturally light muffin. The muffin represents

comparison to a lot of other high-quality cafés, with food served in

Fandango – while not being flamboyant with its size or decor, the taste sure

approximately 15 minutes and boy, was it magnificent looking!

delivered what every café should aim for – a no compromise to quality.”

The beetroot and feta relish was such a simple concept and yet so Miss SL: “Ever since our first visit to Auction Rooms, Mr LB and I have

refreshing and tasty. I couldn’t believe it wasn’t something I’d had

been talking about going to Fandango, two doors down. That was two

before. The feta was creamy and the beetroot zingy and juicy, creating

years ago. Every time we seemed to be in the area or passed the place

a beautiful cohesion of flavours. The purple-red juices stained the relish

it was closed. We were beginning to think that it would be a bit of a

and added a burst of colour to the dish. My eggs were perfectly cooked

challenge to find a day that it was opened!

and dripped with yolk once pierced.

The feta was creamy and the beetroot zingy and juicy, creating a beautiful cohesion of flavours.

The purple-red juices stained the relish and added a burst of colour to the dish.

My sourdough was thick and crunchy and didn’t become soggy with the egg and the relish. The spinach and mushrooms made this vegetarian breakfast complete. The mushrooms were sautéed in butter, but perfectly done so that the butter was not overpowering.

Fandango was the best brunch I’d had in a long time. It felt like forever since I’d been out to brunch somewhere where I’d walked away thinking ‘that place was amazing’.

Knowing that it was closed on Sundays, we made a special Saturday attempt to have brunch there. Auction Rooms was packed and the line

If they had a larger outlay (and maybe switched to a better coffee bean)

looked to be a good 30 minute wait. In comparison, the wait at Fandango

they could definitely give Auction Rooms a run for their money. Watch

was only 15-20 minutes. The interior was kitch and cosy, looking like a

out Melbourne, there’s a quite achiever sitting amongst the big guns.”

converted 1980s/90s hair salon. The limited seating space was a real down-fall to this place, although there was a courtyard out the back

Final Thought: “Quiet achiever that could take on the big guns. A

which looked just perfect for a sunny day.

must try.”

ss The art of Porchetta Cla m

11 March: 10:30am - 1:30p 5 March: 5:30pm - 8:30pm, n Street, North Melbourne Casa & Bottega 64 Sutto LITTLE ITALY IN NORTH MELBOURNE st roa to make the perfect 7DAYS BREAKFAST & LUNCH The art of porchetta (or how y, cuts, preparation and tor his ing lud inc , le) Sty n lia pork, Ita ditional roast pork lunch cooking, culminating in a tra 64 SUTTON STREET or dinner.

NORTH MELBOURNE 9322 4750 r casabottega.com.au ch, $55.00 class and dinneCasa & bottega logo 3 colour lun d an ss cla 0 5.0 $4 st: Co au m. .co ga tte SCAN TAG TO facebook.com/casabottega Website: casabo FIND OUT MORE Bookings: 03 9322 4750

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Recipe: Roast pumpkin, caramelised onions and feta pizza Recipe and photos by The Pink Leopard

About the pink leopard The Pink Leopard is an heroic, moral cat with pink fur and the manners of an English aristocrat. She only becomes flustered or angry at obtuse or offensive humans who try to disrupt her existence, or at troublesome gadgets, rodents, or insects. In most of her life, she stumbles into a difficult situation and stoically endeavours to make the best of it. All the while cooking.

SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

www.thepinkleopard.net

The Hairy One and I are on the health wagon again. (He just said that I’m

warmish place. Leave for about an hour until the ball has doubled in size.

on it again – apparently he never got off. Fair enough…)

Place your dough on a floured chopping board and knock the air out of it. Divide into however many pizzas you want, then roll. I hand pressed

We have been watching a load of documentaries about health, nutrition,

my dough, but for a thin crust, a rolling pin is best.

dietary requirements, raw food movement and OJ Simpson. Ok, that last one is unrelated (although OJ/Orange Juice/nutrition? Never mind…) but

Pizza topping:

we have been watching a lot of documentaries and it gets a girl thinkin’.

1 onion, sliced thin ½ teaspoon brown sugar (or white)

It would be great if we could somehow permanently loop these shows in

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

every room of the house, because it’s easy to lose sight of what is good

Half a pumpkin, cut into little cubes (or mandolined)

for you in this crazy world we live in.

100g feta cheese Cheddar cheese, grated

We have decided to reduce our meat and dairy consumption – as a bit

Dried oregano to sprinkle

of an experiment. I’ve done this before and the results are astounding.

Handful of rocket leaves

I’m less tired, less grumpy, loads more energy. My weight slowly starts to

Olive oil – best quality please.

decrease, but I think that’s also because I don’t feel so bloated.

Roast your pumpkin in a hot oven (220°C) for about 20 minutes or until Ironically there is a bit of a movement in the States called meatless

just turning black – yum.

Monday; have one night a week where you are meat free. We are swapping that around to maybe have meat once a week if at all.

Place sliced onions in a saucepan with a little olive oil and cook for about 10 minutes or until soft. Add the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar and

There are some foods that are so filling and dense that you wouldn’t

cook for a further 10 minutes or until its all sticky and brown and luscious.

even know you are ‘missing out’. This pizza is one of them. I pilfered the idea from a slice of pizza I had a food hall last week, but as always

Once you have made your pizza bases (don’t forget that good old

homemade is sensational! Please try it and let me know what you think.

Lebanese bread/lavash works just as well), spread your roasted pumpkin over your base, distribute your onions evenly and crumble over

Pizza base:

feta cheese. Sprinkle oregano over the top and add a bit of cheddar,

1 kilo ‘00’ flour

if you desire.

1 tbsp sea salt 3 x 7g sachets of yeast

Bake for 15 minutes on 200°C until crunchy and golden. Drizzle some

1 tbsp sugar

olive oil over the top and serve. YAY!

650ml tepid water I also put my rocket, dressed with some olive oil in a separate bowl Dissolve yeast in the tepid water – this takes a few minutes. Sieve flour

and let my guests (i.e. myself – Hairy doesn’t like caramelised onions –

and salt into a mixing bowl. Make a well in the middle, tip in the sugar

sheesh) serve themselves.

and then pour in the yeasty water. Gently work the dough together until you have a big lush ball of dough. Cover with a tea towel and let sit it in a

Easy, delicious and about 1/8 of the calories of that hideous burger.

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SCAN TAG FOR MORE INFO ON The farm café (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

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The Farm Café 18 St Heliers St, Abbotsford. Ph: 9415 6581 Words and photos by Little Eats

About Little Eats The Little Eats website serves up a healthy dose of Melbourne’s famed café culture... but for little ones. Little Eats provides Melbourne Yummy Mummies and Daddy Cools with reviews on the latest and greatest kid-friendly cafés around – for brekkie, brunch, lunch, babycinos and even din-dins. They have sought out Melbourne’s best cafés that offer an environment where

SCAN TAG TO COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE (DETAILS ON PG. 3)

little ones are not just merely tolerated but welcomed and catered for. www.littleeats.com.au

Opening Hours:

is pretty much all out doors so the kids can run around and you don’t have

Mon-Fri: 9am - 4pm

to worry about them making a mess. The staff were all pretty friendly too.

Sat-Sun: 8am - 5pm Highchair: Yes Change table: Yes Pram access: Yes Separate kid’s menu: Yes Normal menu suitable for kids: Yes Friendly staff: Yes Play area for kids: Yes, the whole farm!

The Farm Café is just perfect for kids, babies and families as they have everything. There are highchairs, a change table, ample room for prams, and even a dedicated kid’s menu with tasty treats.

Activities provided for kids (eg: crayons): No Vibe/atmosphere: casual, earthy, organic, very relaxed

There are plenty of tables and seats scattered around, and we managed

Prices: standard/reasonable

to find a table (well half of one, as there was another couple with their

Other: Parking next door, $4 all day

little one at the other end) in the shade of a big old tree over near the chicken pens. It’s best to grab a table first, then send one person to line

Sit back, relax, and pretend you are in the country on your own farm, get

up, order and pay. My husband lined up for about 15 minutes, which I

some fresh air, eat some tasty healthy food, and let the kids run wild… all

think felt like longer as he was in the hot midday sun, then we probably

still within a few kilometres of the city.

waited for about another 15 to 20 minutes for our food to come to our table. We didn’t mind that wait part so much as The Farm Café had such

The sun was shining on a lovely Sunday… so the three of us decided to go

a nice relaxed vibe, and we were happy just chatting, chilling and people

for a spot of lunch at The Farm Café located at The Collingwood Children’s

watching… and sipping on the chocolate milkshakes they had already

Farm. As soon as we parked in the car park next door (which only costs $4

brought over.

for the whole day), we felt as if we had gone on a day trip for an outing in the country, as opposed to driving for only 10 minutes from one inner city

I had the Goat’s Toast, which was divine and perfectly suited to my

suburb to another.

tastebuds especially as I am a veggo. It was a very generous serving of sourdough toast, beetroot relish, baby spinach, avocado and marinated

We strolled down the boardwalk path to the Farm Café, which is located

goat’s cheese. Finished off with a squeeze of lemon and some freshly

at the entrance to the actual Farm, and were greeted with families

cracked pepper, it was simply heaven. You can also add an optional

everywhere – prams, pushers, strollers, babies, toddlers, kids, bikes, a

poached egg too. My husband (who is definitely NOT a veggo) had the

couple of dogs (on leads) and breastfeeding mammas… all eating and

Super BLT, a step up from the standard BLT as it also included avocado,

enjoying their lovely Sunday afternoon with their families.

caramelised onion, cheese and mayo.

The Farm Café is just perfect for kids, babies and families as they have

We will definitely be back again soon as there were just too many yummy

everything. There are highchairs, a change table, ample room for prams,

things on the menu. My sweet tooth nearly did win out again as the

and even a dedicated kid’s menu with tasty treats – eggs on toast, sausage

Blintzes caught my eye – crepe parcels filled with lemony ricotta, served

rolls, half sandwiches, toastie soldiers, and even a kid’s drink menu –

with baked apple, rhubarb and cream, however as it was lunchtime I went

babycinos, hot chocs, and smaller sized milkshakes and iced chocolates. It

for the savoury option instead… but there is always next time.

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Vegie Bar 380 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. Ph: 9417 6935 Words and photos by Allan Huynh

ABOUT ALMOST ALWAYS RAVENOUS A twenty something year old Melbourne-born food lover, with the perpetual struggle of juggling his life between a demanding day job, an insatiable appetite to eat and satisfy a fastidious palate, and still find time to write a culinary journal and lead a somewhat normal life.

More often than not, the ravenous stomach prevails!

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www.almostalwaysravenous.wordpress.com

I am generally not the biggest enthusiast for civilised vegetarian dining

but also tofu and herbed fetta. An acidic tomato/pineapple based relish

alternatives when more primeval carnivorous options are available. It

comes with it.

is therefore not surprising I rarely visit solely vegetarian spots on my own accord.

Vegie special smoothie: This is a sweet and wholesomely satisfying concoction of banana, honey and bee pollen.

In most cases, it would be a futile mission to try to persuade me otherwise.

I actually baulked when someone from work suggested vegetarian for an

Yogizen pizza: For a thin based pizza this was incredibly filling. Although

after work dinner, but grudgingly conceded.

maybe I ate too much before this arrived? A little Asian twist with Indonesian tempeh, that brings with it tamari, ginger and chilli. Loads of

Walking inside this 20 year old eating house and bar, you find yourself

roasted pumpkin, field mushrooms and baby spinach to keep your health

surrounded by an eclectic mish-mash of the new comfy dining furniture

in check. Too bad you have a lot of mozzarella to ruin all that hard work.

almost clashing with the old tattered walls plastered in posters and

cream and guacamole.

inside this 20 year old eating house and bar, you find yourself surrounded by an eclectic mish-mash of the new comfy dining furniture almost clashing with the old tattered walls.

Duo: Roti bread & steamed brown rice with a duo of chickpea dalh and

Being very full to the brim with food already, there was a moment’s

potato/lentil curry served with a side of minted yoghurt.

faltering. But ultimately given the complete lack of meat at this occasion,

advertising. The space is, needless to say, warm, loud and energetic.

Mexican burrito: Tortilla bread with refried kidney beans, spinach, onion and mushrooms, served with rice, topped with melted cheese, chilli, sour

there was no way (we) I was going to pass up some sweet additions…

Sprouted chickpea and cashew hummus: With a little olive oil, lemon juice and pine nut sour cream, toasted sesame seeds. Give me a box of

Rhubarb crumble: Soft cuts of rhubarb with not so much as a scant

those gluten free crackers any day, and I’ll be happy!

scatter of crumble mixed in. More crumble please.

Gyoza dumpling: These little steamed dumplings filled with a blend of

Sticky date pudding: The sticky, moist tower of sticky date with a flowing

carrot, peas, coriander, cabbage, onion and ginger, whilst okay, seriously

pool of caramel was a satisfyingly deadly final blow to the stomach.

lacked the meaty juices of the carnivorous varieties.

Rating: Yummy. The place is packed full, and bookings are difficult. But Stuffed mushrooms: These really looked more like falafels than

all is forgiven (or at least forgotten) when the food is up to scratch. Vegie

mushrooms, but on biting you find not only piping hot button mushroom,

Bar serves honest, relatively healthy, and very affordable food.

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St Katherine’s 26 Cotham Road, Kew. Ph: 9207 7477 Words and photos by Second Helping

About Second Helping I believe the only way to be truly happy in life is to identify what you are really passionate about and do something about it. For me it was easy. I am passionate about food and all that goes with it. My blog is an outlet through which I share my passion. The name, Second Helping, embodies both my hunger for food itself, and for more knowledge and experience. If

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you haven’t yet worked out what your passion is, it’s that thing you want more of. www.secondhelping.com.au

Six months ago, there wasn’t a lot of reason to venture to Kew for any

tins, it is the latest and largest venture in the Made Establishment’s

sort of culinary experience.

(formerly called The Press Club Group) stable of six.

Now, you can go to Ora for breakfast and get a thoughtful offering of

On both occasions I embraced the plates in the middle of the table and

sustainable and seasonal options accompanied by well made, great

had the six course shared menu. It is a good way to eat your way across

coffee; head to Mister Bianco for southern Italian inspired cuisine in a

the breadth of the menu, is not too damaging to the wallet and you

comfortable but stylish setting; or go to St Kat’s.

will certainly not leave hungry. The menu changes regularly, showing some consideration to seasonality and availability of produce, with a few

Situated right in the heart of Kew junction, it seems to have captured not

anchor dishes for which St Kat’s has become well known.

just the local market, but lured those prepared to travel to suburbia for the cachet of chefs, Shane Delia and George Calombaris. St Katherine’s

Expect the shared menu to start with some dips, a vegetable dish and

delivers a mix of modern Mediterranean interpretations, from Modern

a couple of items from ‘Stuff’. On my most recent visit we had red lentil

Greek to Middle Eastern and Turkish.

kofte. Great flavour, but I actually prefer the crunchier texture of the ones I make at home based on the recipe in Greg Malouf’s Turquoise.

Most of the menu is built around the semi-open kitchen with an enormous wood-fired oven, 14-spike rotisserie and a custom made Turkish grill that’s almost the length of the kitchen pass. The remainder is ‘Stuff’ (appetisers), ‘Side Stuff’ and ‘Sweet Stuff’.

I have dined twice at St Katherine’s, once as a party of two and later in a group of nine. On both occasions, the balanced attentive service from the staff on the floor stopped the large space (it seats 140) from feeling

On both occasions I embraced the plates in the middle of the table and had the six course shared menu. It is a good way to eat your way across the breadth of the menu, is not too damaging to the wallet and you will certainly not leave hungry.

more like a cafeteria than a restaurant. Full of blonde wood furniture, brightly coloured ceramic plates and cutlery presented in old tomato

On each visit there has been a vegetable dish amongst the starters.

The dish of slightly pickled carrot with plump beans was lifted by the

Most of the menu is built around the semi-open kitchen with an enormous wood-fired oven, 14-spike rotisserie and a custom made Turkish grill that’s almost the length of the kitchen pass.

addition of dried mint and a hint of cumin. Not the prettiest to look at, but the simplicity and honesty of its flavours made it stand out.

One of the aforementioned anchor dishes, is indubitably the Turkish lamb dumplings – tender spicy lamb parcels with the tangy lemony hit of sumac and creamy garlicky yoghurt. I wasn’t taken by these on my first visit, I almost left these to the others at the table. This time, I am glad I

21

The wood fired oven gets a workout with the savoury pides. Peppered figs, ricotta, mint and haloumi was one of the star combinations.

Other welcome tastes were sujuk and bastirma.

of slow roasted succulent meat. If you embark upon a shared menu at

didn’t because second time around they definitely hit the mark.

syrup, with mint jelly cubes and cinnamon accented labne was one I

St Kat’s, leave room for this. It will probably never win any accolades for creativity or ingenuity, but damn it tastes good. It was served with a simple salad that I couldn’t get enough of and a wonderfully nutty and fluffy pilaf.

Desserts are rarely my thing, but the watermelon ‘salad’ doused in arak would go back for. Sadly, it’s no longer on the menu, but hopefully it will

The wood fired oven gets a workout with the savoury pides. Peppered

make a return.

figs, ricotta, mint and haloumi was one of the star combinations. Other welcome tastes were sujuk and bastirma.

Hot cherry jam filled doughnuts on chocolate ‘gravel’ atop a chocolate mousse that sits happily above a whiskey jelly. If you have a sweet tooth,

A beautifully cooked piece of fish presented me with a dilemma. It tasted

this is for you. It was too much for me to devour after the feast that

magnificent and the slight charring of the meaty flesh was balanced by

had gone before, but there were plenty of takers at our table to help

the zing of fresh lemon and good olive oil. So where is the problem? It

me finish.

is swordfish, a fish on Greenpeace’s redlist, and on most sustainability experts in the Asia Pacific’s ‘Say No’ list. In checking the St Katherine’s

Go to St Katherine’s with a group, it’s more fun and you won’t feel as lost

website today whilst writing this, I noted that it has been replaced with

in the large space. You will also get to taste more of the family friendly,

‘Grilled Market Fish’ – and a choice between John Dory, Flathead, Black

designed to be shared menu.

Bream and Baby Snapper. Bream is your best option here, I would think twice about the others.

Surely this meat is what rotisseries were made for? If you eat meat (and clearly I do), it can be hard to go past the mouth watering tenderness

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If you eat meat (and clearly i do), it can be hard to go past the mouth tenderness of slow watering roasted succulent meat.

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Albert St Food & Wine 382 Sydney Road, Brunswick. Ph: 8354 6600 Words and photos by I-Hua Lim

A Food, Travel and Entertainment Blog Based in Melbourne A HR professional who enjoys living in Melbourne and spends a lot of her time trying not to let life get the better of her.

This blog is mostly about food… with a bit of travelling, concerts, books, movies and occasional writing thrown in.

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www.msihua.com

Hark, the Dessert Queen has returned!

message option either.

Although, she probably doesn’t like that title at all. However, her last stint

We decided we would take a walk around Sydney Road to buy some time.

at Il Fornaio was when Masterchef featured her and made her ‘Snickers’

After 30 minutes, we walked back to their doorsteps and saw 2 people

dessert a household name. But she was already famous in her own right.

standing at the bar!

Back from some time off to develop recipes for her recently published

Much hand signalling ensued and we were told that they would open

cookbook, PS Desserts, Philippa Sibley has returned following high

at 12pm.

anticipation.

Rather disheartened, we waved goodbye to the staff and made our Where would she go next? What would her next dessert creation be? Will

journey back to the South East (not before stopping by for a quick brunch

she go back to savoury cooking?

at nearby Pope Joan instead).

During the recent Taste of Melbourne event, the Boy and I were one of the

Now, we could have gone two ways here.

lucky few event goers who managed to catch Ms Sibley in action doing a

A) Leave and never return and forever grow to hate them.

cooking demo. She announced (at the demo) that her next venture would

B) Give them another chance and understand that they were still trying to

be a restaurant named Albert St Food & Wine and that the opening date

find their feet and return later that night for dinner.

would be some time in December.

Obviously, we chose the latter option and returned. Before we left In the month leading up, the Boy was constantly refreshing (on a daily

however, I rang the restaurant up to triple check that they were indeed

basis) the Albert St F&W Facebook page and finally on the second week

open for dinner.

of December, excitedly exclaimed that it was OPEN! He declared, “We have to go there now!”

When we returned, we were greeted with open arms and brought to a table overlooking the old bank vault (now a wine cellar), bar and kitchen area.

And so we did. We woke up really early (earlier than usual) last Saturday as the website mentioned that they would open from 9am to 1am.

We got there close to 10am for breakfast. Lo and behold, it wasn’t opened.

We figured they were running late as it was their very first weekend since opening on that Thursday after all.

Apart from the amazing desserts we had that night, this soup was the most decadent and delicious liquid gold we have had this whole year.

The cleaning lady was there, other customers like us were peering through

I also opted for a glass of the 2010 Xabregas Riesling Mount Barker,

their doors to see if there was any sign of life. Alas, apart from a few lone

Western Australia ($7.50), to start off the night.

figures in the kitchen, there wasn’t much activity to be seen. We tried ringing the restaurant, but no one was answering and there wasn’t a voice

We were given warm crusty sourdough bread with basil infused oil

25

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whipped in butter. The Boy found this truly enjoyable.

and enhanced by the creamy sweetness of the panna cotta.

Unsure of what to order from the mostly Mediterranean optioned menu, the

The poor Boy who is not a great fan of truffles at all, struggled with this

Boy and I consulted the wait staff who gave us a helping hand. We asked if

dessert and I ended up taking over this dish from him.

the Heirloom Carrot Soup, Vin Santo, Scallops ($16.00) was worth a try, and he said that it was.

And boy were we glad that we did. Apart from the amazing desserts we had that night, this soup was the most decadent and delicious liquid gold we

Just as our luck had it that night, the Dessert Special of the Day was the famed Snickers and we obviously had to order it.

have had this whole year.

Just as our luck had it that night, the Dessert Special of the Day (dessert Rich, creamy and not stingy with the scallops, if you do find yourself at

specials from Phillipa Sibley’s new cookbook change daily) was the famed

Albert St F&W, do not go past this soup.

Snickers and we obviously had to order it. When it arrived, I nearly died from ecstasy. It was better than I recalled and it tasted richer than I remembered.

We wanted to try the Salt Cod Fritters, but were told that it had sold out during their lunch service.

This truly is an amazing dessert and nothing else can compare, although Neil Perry’s Chocolate and Peanut Caramel Parfait would probably be the next

Instead, our waiter recommended we try the Sardines on Grilled Bread with

best thing.

Capers, Currants and Pinenuts ($15.00 – entrée size) instead, which I found to be very good. The richness of the sardines was beautifully paired with the

How did I feel about my whole visit? I would most definitely return for

salty-sourness of the capers and the sweetness of the currants.

entrées and desserts.

To be honest, after such rich dishes as our entrées, we were quite full but also

I do understand that dining on the very first weekend (in this case, third

looking forward to the mains that were making their way to us. If starters

day) since opening might mean that not everything will go smoothly in

were that good, we couldn’t wait for the mains! I still ache and crave for

the kitchen and that flavours may not mesh as well or appeal as much to

the mouth-watering lamb ragout from Il Fornaio when Philippa was still the

some customers.

head chef there.

Service was excellent and everyone was looked after well. Water glasses I ordered the rather lovely sounding Roasted Rump of Lamb, Soft Polenta,

were topped up consistently despite the restaurant and bar picking up the

Melted Tomatoes, Olives, Marjoram ($32.00). And somehow, I wasn’t fully

pace during the later part of the evening.

blown away by the dish.

Overall, it was a great dining experience given the circumstances that I could see where the flavours were going with this dish. The olives and

they are still new. I am truly happy that Philippa is back guiding the helm in

melted tomatoes brought a rather sharp acidic and sweet explosion to the

the kitchen.

palate, but I found the soft polenta a little bit too overpowering. I struggled to finish this main.

*Disclaimer: All food ratings & review are purely based on my own experiences and how I feel about the service, food and quality at the time

The Boy, upon hearing the Special of the Day which was a Tri-Tip Wagyu

of visit.

Beef ($37.00), instantly placed an order for it. The tri-tip of the wagyu beef is one of the most tender parts of the beef (we were told) and for this version,

Food/ Cuisine: Mediterranean

it was pan seared to medium rare and served with capers, garlic, anchovies,

Dining Style: Restaurant & Wine Bar

mushrooms, parsley and sautéed potatoes.

Overall Food Rating (based on the dining style): 7.25/10 (9.5 for the Snickers!)

Knowing and having experienced Philippa’s genius in the kitchen in terms of

Restaurant ambiance: 7.5/10 (Large wide open space)

desserts, we knew to save some room for our last course. We had previously

Service/ Attitude: 7.5/10

agreed to order one dessert to share between the both of us, but due to the

Value for money: 7/10 (Although food was a tad pricey and slightly above

heavy rain outside, we decided to change our plans to bide our time whilst

the average, the price of wines was definitely a hoot and very reasonable.

waiting for the rain to subside.

The wine carafe would be highly recommended as well)

Hence we placed an order for the very very, very rich Truffled Honey Panna

Opening Hours:

Cotta, Candied Cashews ($12.00). Seriously, if you are a truffle fan (and

Monday to Thursday: 9am – 12am

I most definitely do not mean chocolate truffles), you have to order this

Friday to Saturday: 9am – 1am

heavily infused truffle flavoured panna cotta. It is utterly rich with the fungus

Sunday: 9am – 11pm

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Life on Mars 842 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn. Ph: 9078 8663 Words and photos by I’m so hungree

ABOUT IM SO HUNGREE I am a Melbournite with a penchant for sweets, eating my way around Melbourne (and the world!). I love good food and photography. I also suffer from ‘Oooh Shiny Thing!’ syndrome.

My blog is my pretty eating diary and focuses on eating out experiences. I hope you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoy sharing!

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Life on Mars. It had me at its name, which is named after the David

Brad opted for poached eggs hollandaise with mushrooms and spinach.

Bowie song of the same name (thanks Claire!). I’m quietly (or maybe not

His eggs were cooked perfectly, although he did comment that the

so? You tell me!) affectionate for quirky little things. It makes life more

hollandaise tasted a little vinegary. I didn’t taste it so I can’t comment to

interesting that way y’know? I also had a running joke with high school

confirm or not. Otherwise we loved the mushrooms too!

friends that I am actually in fact, a martian, since I was always the weird one. Apparently.

And you must understand why, I was much too busy getting stuck into my duck egg frittata. Frittatas confuse me. They’re slightly different

Anyway, so into Brad’s Nissan space ship we climbed one weekend and

everywhere you go. At home, our frittatas are like vegetable and egg

away to Mars we went.

cakes. Or as big at least and so you can cut out a fat slice to indulge in.

So Mars can apparently be found on Glenferrie Road, close to the Barker

At Life on Mars, it’s obviously much thinner and not quite what I am

Street end. Wait... it didn’t take light years to get here...

accustomed to, although it is still quite delightful. There was cheese on the frittata that although subtle, was totally moreish, giving the duck egg

I was quite surprised that it wasn’t too busy this morning, so we were

a slightly richer flavour. I quite enjoyed it.

immediately able to get a seat. Life on Mars is quite cosy, with a mish mash of different coloured wood, freshened with some wall hanging pot plants… slightly akin to Axil just a bit further down the road.

As always, latte for Brad, soy chai for me – although it did take a little while to come to us, considering the place was fairly quiet. Maybe time on Mars is counted differently?

On the way out, I freaked out when I saw that they sold Macarons by Josephine, which I had last at Friends of Mine with Bryan and promptly bought a few on the way out which I scoffed down in Brad’s spaceship.

Brad commented that his latte was quite good, and good it did look, with what looked like perfectly creamy and bubble free milk.

On the way out, I freaked out when I saw that they sold Macarons by Josephine, which I had last at Friends of Mine with Bryan and promptly

My chai wasn’t too bad, the milk was indeed quite full and well frothed,

bought a few on the way out which I scoffed down in Brad’s spaceship.

but it was, unfortunately, made with vitasoy and lately I have been spoilt on bonsoy. I wouldn’t have minded my chai to be a little spicier as well,

All in all, I’m curious to see how well Life on Mars will do. Although I didn’t

just a touch more flavour would have been good!

feel it has the ‘hip’ factor that many of the popular cafés do, the food and coffees are, overall, good quality. Only time will tell and maybe next time,

The menu selection at Life on Mars is fairly small and succinct.

I’ll eat my words at it not being as ‘hip’ and not be able to get a table…

29

WINE REVIEWS Words and photo by Krystina Menegazzo

ABOUT KRYSTINA MENEGAZZO La Donna del Vino is the pseudonym of this young lady from Melbourne who completed her winemaking degree whilst being a gypsy working in vintages throughout Australia and Italy. Finally she decided to return home and sell wine instead. In her spare time she cooks, eats, drinks buon vino and is a self-confessed Neb Head (someone really into Nebbiolo).

www.ladonnadelvino.com

HODDLES CREEK ESTATE Pinot Blanc 2010

asked, gazing down at me with his warm brown eyes. He held a bottle of the

Upper Yarra Valley, Victoria. RRP $35

Cristo di Campobello ‘Laluci’ Grillo. Perching himself by my side, he began pouring the wine into a glass when… I woke up. I was back in Melbourne.

If there is one thing I have learned about Hoddles Creek Estate wines, it’s that

What a gem of a story that could have been if it were true. I bought the wine

you better snap up their bargains when you get the chance. After working

from a wine store. But fear not! The thrill of this wine lies in its capacity to

the grape harvest there back in 2006, I realised there was, and still is, a fair

offer the classic grillo grape vibrancy to that gaping hole between the ears.

amount of hype about their wines. Why? Perhaps it is because they offer the

This Grillo holds a tight line with its lemony acidity and more citron-like

best in value for their Victorian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. However even

bite, but this quality means it extends a generous, mouthwatering element

their Pinot Blanc, a newer addition planted in 1997 with its first vintage only

at the same time. This juicy palate completes a picture postcard summer

in 2008, already has a loyal following. Hence I made sure to snap up a six-

day seated in, say, a flowering courtyard, or if you’re really lucky, with a

pack as soon as it went on sale in March last year. The great thing about six-

gorgeous Sicilian by the beach, with its acacia florals and orange blossom

packs or dozens is that with patience, you get to witness a wine’s evolution.

honey nuances. I’ll work on the latter for next time.

This may be somewhat askew, but I could not help but think of Hans Christian Andersen’s beautiful story, ‘The Ugly Duckling’ [1844], as a way of describing

QUERCIABELLA Chianti Classico 2008

the development this wine has been displaying.

Tuscany, Italy. RRP $30

Upon receiving my delivery, I ripped open the box to find six youthful, slender bottles gazing up at me. My babies. The first night and I had already

There is something to be said for the winemaking craft and how to obtain

cracked the seal on my first ‘duckling’. It had only been hatched from its tank

that coveted balance, especially in not so desirable vintage conditions. In

into bottle a few weeks earlier so was dulled from the shock of this process.

some areas, the 2008 Tuscan vintage falls under that category with the bout

As a result, it had a prickly, unkempt feather texture that stood out against

of summer drought. I’m not sure what the team at Querciabella did that

the food. Not ugly in the least, but in need of a little time to build structure

year to cope, whether it be their low harvest yields, organic/biodynamic

into its wings.

vineyards or blending expertise of predominantly Sangiovese with 5%

Some months later I brought my next ‘duckling’ over to a friend’s place for

Cabernet Sauvignon, but they did it expertly.

dinner. This time, the bottle’s contents were calmed and the wine eager

The syncing of the various components in wine had me harking back to

to please. The palate had lost the awkward spiking sensation and instead

family summer days by the beach. I would tread the sand towards the water,

displayed feathers that were soft, dry, and gently brushing the mid-palate

smile on my face, hair whipped back in the wind. Once I was knee-deep in,

with white nectarine and subtle wintersweet flavours.

out of the corner of my duck-like peripheral vision, I would suddenly detect

Only last week, I arrived at what I thought was the third ‘duckling’ and as

my two dear brothers five metres away on either side, bracing themselves

the story goes, discovered that I had actually brought forth a beautiful swan.

with fistfuls of wet sand. It was a combination of their timing, direction,

Wings assertively spread wide, with delicate white florals and white peach

determination and my lack of agility that allowed them to get me every time.

aromas proudly enveloping its drinker, its mature feathers finally swathed

Querciabella’s combination has worked here too. This is a redolent wine

through the mouth like silk. Good things do come to those who wait.

expressing a delightful bouquet of black forest fruits, nutmeg and raspberry vincotto. This Chianti has structure, but is not dominated by its use of oak.

CRISTO DI CAMPOBELLO Grillo ‘Laluci’ 2010

Instead there is a beautiful balance here with black cherry and plum fruits,

Sicily, Italy. RRP $30

ground coffee beans against a thread of vincotto, finished by a characteristic gentleness that good quality Chianti brings when placed in the right hands.

I closed my eyes, lifted the glass of crystalline Grillo wine to my lips and

These days, I no longer fear being bombarded with wet sand, but I too

heaved a deep sigh. There I was, sunbathing on a foldout chair surrendering

no longer fear for the future of good quality Chianti – especially when there

myself to the warm Mediterranean sun on the southwest coast of Sicily. A

are producers like Querciabella, or even Castello di Ama, Poggerino and

handsome, young Italian waiter had sashayed over after noticing that I had

Isole e Olena, who are making their distinctive and beautiful mark on the

been fanning myself. “Would la signora like a glass of Sicilian Grillo?” he

Tuscan landscape.

31

NOTICEBOARD

Family-owned manufacturers of premium quality antipasti including dried, char-grilled and marinated vegetables and olives, pestos and marinated cheese

“From our kitchen to your table” Ask for our products at your favourite deli/supermarket and for additional hand made specialty products come and see us at our shop located at: 11 Norwich Ave Thomastown Vic Ph: 9462 2207 Fax: 9469 3787 www.palomba-antipasti.com.au Wed-Fri 9am-3pm and Sat 8.30am-12.30pm

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Packed with authentic regional recipes, wine reviews and features on Italian restaurants and chefs both in Italy and Australia.

NOW ONLINE italianicious.com.au Italianicious Magazine

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Gram is available at 1000 venues around Melbourne CBD DISTRIBUTOR LIST BLOCK PLACE

Bistrot D’Orsay

Lord of the Fries

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Brown Sugar Café

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Box on Collins

Spiga

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EXHIBITION STREET

Aljisen Ramen

Egons Café Bakery

1806

Banc Café

Feeling Fruity

65 Degrees Café

Bertha Brown

Bottega Restaurant

Gadjo

Café Multitude

Desi Dhaba

Butchers Grill

Gloria Jeans

Coopers Inn

Kikoo Sushi

Ca De Vin

In A Rush

Decoy Café

Kitaya

Café Euro

Koko Black

Eleven 37

La Stazione

Café On Bourke

Lindt Café

Es-X Café

Nandos

Café Tono

Macchiato Sushi Bar

European Bier Café

Phoenix Bar

Cafenatics

Momo

Locanda

Press Club

Caffee Gauge

Morgan

Schnitz

The Forum

Carlton Club

Negroni Bar and Grill

Tower Sushi

Degani’s

Paris End Café

Sushi Burger The Maj Café (Her Majesty’s Theatre)

Donatos Café

Plane Tree Café

Toby’s Estate

Young and Jacksons Pub

Earl Canteen

Roozervelts

Trunk Bar and Café

Elephant and Wheelbarrow

Sheni’s Curries

Urban Deli

Florentino Bar

Silk Road

Gloria Jeans

Spice Market

EXPLORATION LANE

GPO Café

Strozzi

League of Honest Coffee

HARDWARE LANE

Hudson’s

Summit Café and Bar

Imperial Hotel

Switchboard Café

FLINDERS LANE

Aloi Na

Ito Noodle Café

The Brazilian Bean

101 Café bar

Basic Bites`

Izakaya Hachbeh

The Kitchen Cat

Adelphi

Campari House

Korova

The Sherlock Holmes

Bisq

Charlies Bar

La Tazzina

The Trust

Bluestone

Creperie Le Triskel

La’More docklands

Treasury Rest and Bar

Breadwell

Khokolat Bar

Lanes Edge Bar

Tutti In Piazza

Brunetti (City Square)

La La Land

Langleys Café

Zuffa

Bull and Bear Tavern

Max Café Bar

Movida Terrazza

Zuroona Café

Café 53

POP Restaurant and Bar

Café Rema

Settebello

Nando’s

FLINDERS STREET

Waterside Hotel

FRANKLIN STREET Miss Libertine

Affogato

Nixon Hotel

DEGRAVES STREET

Cafenatics

Tastebuds of Melbourne

Nudel Bar

Barber on Degraves

Cecconis

The Mill

Pellegrinis

Café Andiamo

Chin Chin

Vialetto Restaurant

Red Violin

Degraves Espresso

City Library Café

Romano’s

Grilld

Coda Bar Restaurant

Royal Melbourne Hotel

Issu

Coffee Eclipse

Misty

Salida

Little Cupcakes

Crema Espresso Bar

Movida

Shuji Sushi

Sea Salt

Cumulus

Society Restaurant

The Quarter

Friends Café

Spaghetti Tree

TOFWD Deli

Full Plate Café

Basement @ 350 Latrobe

Glicks

Blaq Café Bar

Spleen Bar

HOSIER LANE

LA TROBE STREET

Squires Loft Steakhouse

ELIZABETH STREET

Il Cubico Café

Breeze Café

Street Café

Café Scalletti

KCL

Café Nostimo

The Bund

Café Victoria

Lustre Lounge

Cafenatics on Latrobe

The Harbour Kitchen

Citi Noodle Café

Nighcat Bar

Club Chef

The Mess Hall

Coffea

Overdraft Café

Coffee Academy

Tuscan Bar Grill

Edelweiss Café

Papa Goose

Duke of Kent Hotel

Twenty Seconds Café

Food Inc

Purple Emerald

Frescatis Fine Foods

Watermark

Global Gossip

Roasted Coffee Bar

Internet Café

Hudsons

Rosati

Kanda sushi Noodle Bar

COLLINS STREET

Hudsons Coffee

Superfino

Klik Food and Drink

Alfreds Place Café

Jasper Kitchen

Swiss Club Victoria

Latrobe Café

Mr Tulk (State Library north)

Saki Sushi Bar

Oriental Spoon

NEWQUAY PROMENADE

Stellini Bar

Spicy Noodle Café

Café Medici

Tengo Sushi

William Angliss Bistro

Fish Bar

Terrace Deli

Liquid Bar Café

Un Caffe Bar

Live Bait

LITTLE BOURKE STREET Bar Humbug

Mecca Bar

Claypot King Crown Café Bakery Druids Café Bar Easy Way Tea GiGi Sushi Bar Gogo Sushi Hi Fi Bar and Ballroom

LITTLE LONSDALE STREET

The Lounge room

1000 Pound Bend

Café 600 (Hotel Ibis)

Vic Harbour Kitchen

166 Espresso Bar

Nando’s

Ishiya Stonegrill Dining

Waterside Oriental Bistro

Angliss Restaurant

Korean BBQ Buffet

Café 111

Old Town

Kri Kri

RANKINS LANE

Café 18

Oxford Scholar

La Di Da

Manchester Press

Don Too

Little B

Equinox

Soul Café

Longrain

RUSSELL STREET

Gianni Luncheon

Mezzo Bar and Grill

A1 Café Restaurant

Giraffe Café

Mrs Parmas

Bean Room

Horse Bazaar

Plus 39 Pizza

Blu Point Café

Il Vicoletto

Punch Lane

Café 294

Koukos Café

Scugnizzo

Chill On Café

Match

Section 8 (Chinatown)

Chilli Café

Modo Mio Café

Shuji Sushi

China Bar

Oddfellows Hotel

SMXL Café

Hawkers Café

Rue Bebelons

Softbelly Bar

Infinity Café Bar

Seamstress

Sorry Grandma

Ishikai Japanese café

Shop 7 Espresso

Sushi & Bon Apetit

Izakaya Den (Basement)

Strike

The Apartment

James Squire Brewhouse

Troika Bar

Vine Café Bar

King of Kings

York Café

Postal Hall

La Stradda Café

LONSDALE STREET

Red Hummingbird (doorway next to Baraki)

Metropolitan Hotel

LITTLE COLLINS STREET

Slate

Aspro Ble

Seoul House

The Mint

Basso

Babbo

Syn Bar

Bridie O Reilly’s

Baguette Club

Teppansan

QUEEN STREET

Brisq

Baraki

Two Fingers

Bellini (ANZ Building)

Cacao Fine Chocolates

Club Retro

Won Ton House

Chaise Lounge

Café De Tuscany

Colonial Hotel

Zmeg’s Café

Degani

Caffe e Torto

Degani’s

Champagne Lounge

Demi Tasse

SPENCER STREET

Michaelangelo

Chestnut exchange Café

El Gran

Carron Tavern

Muleta’s

Council House 2

Emerald Peacock

Pensione Hotel

Nashi

Elevenses

Encore Café Bar

Brother Baba Budan

Bar Lourinha

Exchange Coffee Famish’d Fiddler Pub

Melbourne Town Hall Nelayan Indonesian

Riverland Bar Starbucks Sushi Sushi The Lounge The Order The Wine Bar Three Below Time Out Café Transport/Transit Your Thai Rice Noodle Yoyogi WILLIAM STREET Illia Café and Bar

Mercat Cross Hotel

Nourish

Golden Monkey

SPRING STREET

Romano’s

Hikari Sushi

Appitizer Kubklam

Segafredo Speck

J Walk Café

Café 201

Gills Diner

Japanese Pub Shogun

City Wine Shop

Guava Bean

Kenny’s Bakery

Elms Family Hotel

Hairy Canary

LatteLove Café

Federici Café

Hudson’s

Le Traiteur

Hudson’s

Irish Times Pub

Legals Café Bar Little Café on Healeys Lane

Lime Café Bar

Kartel Kitten Club

Madame Kay’s

Mammas Boy

Urban Deli

SWANSTON STREET

Menzies Tavern

Wheat Restaurant Bar

3 Below

Oriental Tea House

MELBOURNE

ISSUE 12

FREE

The European

Beer Deluxe

Ortigia Pizzeria

MEYERS PLACE

Café Chinotto

Pony

Lily Blacks

Café L’Incontro

Quists Coffee

Loop

Café Mimo

Rare Steakhouse

Waiters Restaurant

Citi Espresso

There are an additional 780 distributors around Melbourne. For the full list, visit our website at www.gram.net.au.

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