Sofia’s, Camberwell

I’ve got a guilty pleasure. I like Sofia’s… and after an absence that stretches as far back as seventh September two thousand and four, I’d forgotten how enjoyable the place was. It won’t get Michelin Star recognition but if they did for value Sofia’s would surely get three. So it’s a little daggy, the wooden tables and chairs well worn and has experienced the health scare that a Vietnamese bakery knows all too well. But how could you not smile when they bring out the platter of crumbed fried calamari that glistens and has more rings than a Zamels store. Being Italian there’s the usual Western selection of pastas and pizzas with toppings that are more than generous. Then there’s dessert, where gelato is served like they are forever indebted to you in these disproportionately small stainless steal sundae bowls. This guilty pleasure is gonna take another 5 years and 145 days to work off the weight.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 857 Burke Road, Camberwell, VIC
What? Pastas around $14, Pizzas $17

Auntie’s Dumpling, Carnegie

Auntie’s Dumplings brings to mind that old dilemma… Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Whether you had your dumpling cherry popped at the popular Glen Waverley spot or the Carnegie relative, you're confronted with the same delicious options. Be it the fried pork or chicken and prawn dumplings, the braised pork belly in noodle soup or rice, fried sliced rice cake or xiao long bao, they are destined to please. There might be a stark contrast in skin tones and eye shapes in the clientele of the two suburbs, but it goes to show the love for the mighty dumpling is highly desired by all nations.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 68 Koornang Rd, Carnegie, VIC
What? Under $10

Espresso Elements, Hampton

Having something at Espresso Elements might give you a Sherlock Holmes moment. One, read menu and navigate special blends. Two, deal with indecisiveness to place order. Three, receive coffee. Four, pick up beverage and place to lips and consume. Time to gratification: instant. Time in memory: a bloody long while. Serving coffees and real hot chocolates that are right up there with Melbourne’s elite, you won’t be complaining about their methods. Chance of return: highly likely.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 305 Hampton Street, Hampton, 3188
What? Coffees, Teas Chocolate between $3-5

Glick’s, Malvern

Ugly Betty might just shade this proud kosher bakery that’s substance over style. Behind a logo of copperplate font and a Mr Glick caricature is an institution that’s synonymous with gold star bagels, breads and dips. It might not look like much and the sweet cookies and cakes are a little old fashioned, but those rings of boiled then baked dough are Tiger Woods unrivalled without the naughtiness. Choose plain, seeded or garlic bagel with pre programmed fillings of salmon pattie and salad; smoked salmon, cream cheese and capers or choose your own adventure. Fasting near impossible with stuff this good, but I can appreciate the reward for the wait.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 153 Glenferrie Road, Malvern, VIC 3144
What? Bagels + Fillings $5 - 8.50

Chimmy's Bread & Pastries, Richmond

This cute bakery and café has the warmth of dying ember, the speed of a Myki rollout and pub grub value. So the service might be a bit tardy, and a little mouthy, but the mains under $20 are worthy of a shot of leniency. Beautifully seasoned and caramelised lamb chops sit on a bed of herbed cous cous and chopped dried apricot and ricotta dumplings about as fancy as it gets. Safety first eye fillet beef with mustard seeded mash and port shallot gravy cooked as requested won’t displace too many tastebuds. Reliable as the Metcard.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 342 Bridge Road, Richmond, VIC
What? Mains $18







Left to Right: Lamb Chops, Ricotta Dumplings, Eye Fillet, Angus, Veggie Risotto

Fish Tank, Brighton

So how do you make the daggy fish and chips fashionable in the shopping strip that’s about as self-conscious as a young ballerina at her debut performance in front of parents who could care less except for her own? Cool logo… check. Display fresh produce… yup. Sell gourmet tid bits, sleek menu design uh-huh and duh.

Basically this is everything your suburban fish and chippery ain’t. Ultra cool. For all the superficial, it duly delivers. Your joint around the corner has no hope. Salt and pepper calamari could have spent more time on the paper towel, but the fried batter encapsulating the fresh fish perfectly cooked, the chips well drained and crunchy. Healthy vibrant salads and grilled or baked options for the fat conscious.

Fish and chips that ain’t daggy at all. Everyone’s doing the lines at Fish Tank.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 20 Church St, Brighton, VIC
What? Daily catch pack $8.90, salt and pepper calamari $7.90

Barbagallo Trattoria E Pizzeria, Melbourne

The mere fact that people seem more than happy to eat in quarters close enough to start picking on your neighbour’s plate say something about this pizzeria. And what better way to attract the masses than combining all the fine things Melbournian love, dim light, a wine bar, casual bentwoods, a quirky renaissance painting or two and an open kitchen pumping out quality Italian.

Their gnocchi with gorgonzola pillows of potato smothered in the rich cream cheese the type of dish you’d have no trouble sleeping in but for the temperature. A great selection of baked bread plates to choose from… it could be sliced pork and fennel snag with hints of chilli; enoki, swiss and king brown mushies; prosciutto and rocket, or salami, olives and roasted peppers. Bases that are thin, crisp, wheaty tasty with ample crusts, though the topping’s flavours suffer from a generous mamma’s heavy hand spreading the tomato sauce. Trio of chocolates in the calzone and lemon pannacotta quality dolce to finish.

Sound yummy? Speed on down to 103 Lonsdale VIC and not Wanneroo WA.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 103 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Pastas $20, Pizzas $17, Desserts $11









Left to Right : Gnocchi and Gorgonzola; Enoki, Swiss, King Brown Mushrooms; Pork and Fennel Sausage; Prosciutto and Rocket; Salami and Peppers; Pannacotta; Calzone