Outpost, South Yarra

Only the people at St Ali would have the vision to bring the warehouse edge synonymous with their brand DNA to a lobby of a swank commercial real estate. There’s certainly some symmetry in this venture: from the open kitchen café that splices the home eco room and science lab of a 1960s secondary school, it pumps out food that’s typically modern that thumbs their noses at the norm. But I’m sure foodies will appreciate in such delights as grilled asparagus with truffled mascarpone, free range eggs done your way, spatchcock roasted with paprika, sage and garlic or the ultimate steak sanger. And if that doesn’t interest you, the coffee sure will. Just like at Yarra Place South Melbourne, there’s plenty of things you’ll find the same at the Yarra Street South Yarra outpost.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 9 Yarra St, South Yarra, VIC
What? Breakfast $10-18, Lunch $17-25







Left to Right : Poached eggs and sides, Grilled Asparagus and Truffled Mascapone, Chicken and Mushroom Pie

Ichimaki, Docklands

Ichimaki provides the folk at Docklands a convenient Japanese lunchtime escape that’s probably close enough to waddle your office chair too. Also known as ANZ cafeteria. It might very well be O-Bento rebadged, for the menu carries the same dons, noodles, sushi roll and packs, with the upgrade of a bain marie filled with the pre-cooked. Try the curry katsu don, the mildly spiced roux more of the stewed down potato kind that’s fine for a quick eat before Mike sees you slacking off.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Shop 10 / 833 Collins St, Docklands, Melbourne
What? Around $10

Ah’Loys Malaysian Restaurant, Brighton

To avoid any confusion with the Korova Milk Bar, this stylish, clean, white room in Brighton is smartly titled “Malaysian Restaurant”. So there might not be any milk laced with drugs, but judging by the lack of empty seats, the menu of typical hawker fare of kuay teow, nasi and mees with a few shared dishes is highly addictive.

Though having been spoilt by a few choice places in the east and south-east, it’s hard to look past the minor flaws of the otherwise reasonable renditions. Hor-Fun had a good wet egg sauce but lacked the char on the flat white noodles. Same with the mee goreng but it had the salty sweetness of kecap manis and chilli sauce heat. Laksa had more chilli bite than curry depth than one you’ll find in Kensington.

I can’t say that I share the enthusiasm of the Brightonites for Ah’Loys. I’ll get my Malaysian fix from another dealer.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 278 Bay St, Brighton, VIC
What? Individual mains around $12





Left to Right: Hor-Fun, Laksa, Mee-Goreng