Franco Choo’s, Prahran

Quality over quantity and you eat the food Franco likes. 3 courses, 2 dishes each. Limited choice, maximum flavour.

3.5 / 5 yums! 
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Where? 179A High Street, Prahran, VIC

Jacques Reymond, Prahran

Jacques Reymond is the current blue ribbon holder of Melbourne dining. Deservedly so, as it’s been hovering in that upper echelon for like, forever. When no water or bridge views are available, housing the fine restaurant in a suburb that no New- South Welshman can pronounce, Victorian style mansion will do just nicely. Immediately going through those big black doors on the side, there’s a grand sense of occasion. The place really does have a presence that just oozes class and commands respect. It’ll be fair enough to expect only the best, and you won’t be disappointed with the delicious food that draws inspiration from Thai, Japanese, Chinese cuisine while combining classic European techniques. See below:



Lemongrass, spinach and rock lobster soup in a shot glass, Tiger prawn, sweet potato and turmeric ice cream: each element marvellous but something that stains the brain in unison, an introduction to the textures and temperatures to come.



Spanner crab, mirin and fresh wasabi jelly with a pastry crisp, Petuna ocean trout lacquered with a Teriyaki like reduction, black bean and sweetcorn dressing: Japanese flavours employed cleverly.



Barramundi topped by an almond caramel, kaffir lime and lemongrass foam: that’s some fragrant spit.



Medium rare slices of “Peking Duck” minus the scorched skin, plump medallions of scallops, crispy rice, a slither of peppery marshmallow: firm, soft and spongy soft, a new way to enjoy spice.



Venison carpaccio, more like a Bambi tataki comes with a traditional pairing of chocolate in a not so usual fancy French doughnut (beignet) and horseradish mustard dressing.



Suckling pig and tamarind, dashi apple veil: a meaty slab was surprisingly hard work to get through.



Layered pineapple, pureed banana, passionfruit coulis crowned with liquorice ice cream and crunchy honeycomb: a dip in ice water refreshing, flavours that need to be tattooed to my tongue. The highlight of the two desserts.



A quartet of quenelles: white and dark chocolate mousses, Caribbean chilli and praline ice creams, sheltered by a strip of tempered chocolate: JR’s own multi textures of chocolate?

So now that I’ve been to what’s regarded as THE spots in the rival cities, there’s a question to be answered. And there’s a touch of Tiger Woods in me when I reluctantly admit… Sydney 3 hatters might just have the edge over Melbourne.

Maybe it’s because I’m over the degustation thing and I don’t have the fitness for marathon eating sessions. When there are that many courses, you expect each and every single one of those to be amazing. Don’t get me wrong, Jacques was more than arousing. But Quay evokes schoolgirl gushing.

There. I’ve said it. And I now I need a shower.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 78 Williams Rd, Prahran, VIC
What? Degustation $170

St Ali

“I’m a loser baby… so why don’t you kill me” – Beck

Those words from the wise man hit me like my mum does over the back of the head when I don’t wash up. He might have sang that to himself because he felt he was the worst rapper in the world. I sing that because I was never one of the popular kids like the ones who were invited to secret societies. Grade 6 first team Danish rounders. The Baby-Sitters Club. Bandidos. Why? I guess preferring to spend my spare time on this blog doesn’t help.

Like the song, St Ali is an instant classic and literally a hidden gem amongst the residentials of South Melbourne. It’s like the naughty kid that doesn’t want to be found because they’d split Milo over daddy and mummy’s new lounge room carpet. So quiet it could be mistaken for a library, no signage, just a Colgate white painted shop front, you’d probably drive right through the little lane it lives on if they hadn’t opened up the rollers to allow the exhaust in.

Step inside the converted warehouse, extension cords web the ceilings from which the light globes dangle, the large rustic communal tables provide the eating spaces, a few smaller ones for 2 or 3, the coffee roaster peers from the back where the beans are roasted in house and said to be some of the best in Melbourne. Big call… but more than worthy to the claim with a strong, flavoursome blend that could lead to caffeine poisoning if your discipline is low. Lucky you can distract the brain with the glorious menu that’s heavily influenced by the Middle East that simultaneously floods the conscious with electrical pulses of guilt because you feel like a thief at the prices they are requesting. Those feelings are soon forgotten once you chow into the delicately poached eggs, sesame, white sesame and pistachio flecked on top, slices of fresh tomato on a round Turkish roll and rocket provide the sideshow. A very veggie option comes in the form of sautéed mushrooms and labna on the same roll, more rocket and buttery stewed zucchini with a touch of lime. Ali’s take on the big breaky shows it’s not how big it is but how you use it, again the roll is topped with a sunny side egg, chorizo and a lovely salsa of tomato, Spanish onion, cucumber that’s herbed and a delicate tang. The dish to reinforce the minds of normal people that meat is a good thing, the meatballs, mounds of veal and pork cooked in a tomato based herbed stew that could give nonna’s best a run for it’s money.

Be honest when you settle the bill for the staff don’t record the order (though cheekily later on the computer), but strangely know exactly what you got as they place your dish in front of you. Ali’s is a steal, literally and metaphorically, if so you make it.

4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 12-18 Yarra Place, South Melbourne
What? Under $15

Borsch Vodka Tears

Bohemian grudge is what you’ll find at this Czech/Polish watering hole. It’s aged, worn features and fittings make you feel like you’re in one of those European country side drinking taverns that’s been there for donkey’s years. There’s a distinct yellow tinge to everything, caused by the antique light shades, creating a warped feel that doesn’t help by what you’ll consume.

Boasting over 100 varieties of vodka and a fine selection of beers from Eastern Europe, this is the place to go for an alternative night of drunkenness. Eating is cheating, but the food is inspired by the same region must be tried. It’s a solid nourishing affair, with the beef goulash, a stew of coriander and peppercorn, the Schabowy, chunky pork schnitzel with purple cabbage sauerkraut and the Pierogi, Polish dumplings of spiced beef and paprika. Dessert then takes on a three powerhouse countries, the Gundel crepe, my favourite, velvety thin pancake encasing warm dark chocolate, a Russian crepe of apple, strawberry with a raspberry vodka coulis and a poppyseed strudel.

With a lined stomach, but the potential of a rainbow coloured expulsion, the brutality can begin. A mind-bottling list of cocktails showcases many of the vodkas but even better, have the multitude of differently infused vodkas straight. Fruits, chocolates, gold, there’s plenty to get through, though not recommended in one night. The 80% alcohol content, dubbed “Rocket Fuel”, is appropriately named. It’s a burning sensation from start to end that sends you to the moon and back. Give yourself five minutes and this place start to look funkier. Enjoy!

3 / 5 yums!

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Where? 173 Chapel Street, Windsor

What? Average Main, 20, dessert – 10, vodkas $8

Left to Right : Goulash, Pierogi, Schabowy, Soup, Gundel, Russian Crepe, Poppyseed Strudel