Laksa Me, Melbourne

I think the problem is that there’s such evenness to the quality of the typical Malaysian favourites in stock that you can’t distinguish the good from the really good.



Laksa has a good curry flavour without the excessive fatty coconut.



Hainanese Chicken Rice. Pretty. Messy.



Wan dan hor fun could have done with a little bit longer on the wok but otherwise a nice eggy gravy.



Standard char quay teow.

Fine for what it is. And being standard isn’t a bad thing.

3 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 1/16 Liverpool Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Most around $12

Sushi Monger, Melbourne

Judging by the line that averages 25 people during peak lunch hours, this sushi dealer has the addicts on the hook. It’s a cute space about the size of a large bedroom that pumps out the good stuff, from dons, soup udons and handrolls.



Teriyaki Chicken



Katsu Curry – a mildly spicy smooth roux over crispy crumbed meat.



Salmon Avocado – fluffy, slightly vinegary sushi rice, well proportioned avocado and fish.

My crack is the Salmon and Tuna Mix Chirashi Zushi with dollop of mayo, a sticky sweet soy sauce over the rice, marinaded sliced shitake and wakame seaweed with a spicy salmon roll. I can’t wait for my next fix.


4 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 309-325 Bourke Street Mall, Melbourne, VIC
What? Around $10

Brioche, Melbourne

After a trip to Philip’s brioche bakery, the delightful croissants and pastries will make the Tim Tam or donut that goes with your morning, mid morning or afternoon coffee leaving you re-evaluating all those years of prior naughty accompaniments.


3.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 99 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Around $5

Mamasita, Melbourne

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one YEAAAHHHHHH! ….. BOOOOOO… members stand sucks. That’s the sound of the Mexican wave that took over the smart space that was the Recorded Music Salon top end of Collins Street. Despite the no bookings policy, people have been lining up since its conception for a taste of the awesome Old El Paso it so isn’t.



Ceviche – prawns, scallops, green apple, cherry tomatoes, zesty lime and coriander hit the mouth like a crisp Corona.



Tostaditas de Carnitas – mini tortillas topped with slow braised pork shoulder with encuridos and jalpenos: bonus slithers of crackling where four discs is just not enough.



Taco de Res y Chorizo – braised beef & chorizo with coriander & orion.



Quesadillas de Pollo – chargrilled chicken with ‘pico de gallo’, coriander & queso fresco.


4 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 1/11 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Small dishes $10-16, Large dishes $18-28

Turf Bar, Melbourne

Heavily reeking of a typical British pub, you’d bet the sticky floorboards of sport fan’s armpit and spilled booze could recite Liverpool’s “You’ll Never Walk Alone” if you rolled it through a musical box. White collar corporates by day, rowdy British backpackers by night, the stodgy fare requires a coldie to wash the grease down.



Pizzas with that charred taste.



Cajun crumbed chicken strips won’t save your expanding hips.



Same for the well greased batter encasing the fish and chips.


2 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 131 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC
What? Mains around $15

Earl Canteen, Melbourne

Earl Canteen’s product is probably Melbourne’s pinnacle in the one hand meal. Baguettes, sangers and wraps aren’t meant to be this good. But they are when they are stuffed with fillings that could scraped from the bread, plated and served at a fine bistro.



Pork Belly: crisp skin Otway pork belly, apple, cabbage & fennel coleslaw, wilted silverbeet



Sticky Lamb: braised lamb, peas, cauliflower, cheese crumble

With others such as gorgonzola pumpkin, wagyu meatball and lime poached chicken, one trip to the Earl won’t be enough.

4 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 500 Bourke Street (enter via Lt Bourke), Melbourne, VIC
What? Baguettes $12-16

Shira Nui, Glen Waverley

Glenny is probably more known for it’s Asian cheap feeds than a culinary destination. Yet there is one place that’s managed to outlive KFC on the Siberia strip of Springvale Road. It is Shira Nui, a modest Japanese restaurant with a master sushi artist at the helm of an open sushi bar which stages the construction of tasty parcels that will be delivered to your mouth.



Cod, Lemon Juice, Fish Roe



Grilled Salmon – a peppery, herb mixture lightly coats the red flesh



Marinated Mackerel



Grilled Beef – a typically Japanese salty-sweet marinade flavours the meat



Arc Shellfrish, egg yolk vinaigrette



Spicy Tuna Tartare, avocado, Fish Roe



Seared Tuna Steak



Marinated Kingfish Belly



Oyster mornay



Black Sesame Crème Brulee, Green Tea Ice Cream

I wouldn’t count on exactly the above being served the time you visit, because the fun thing about the bar is that it is a chef’s selection and you tell him when to stop the savouries (subject to dietary requirements). If only I was a bottomless pit.


4 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 247 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley, VIC
What? Chef menu at least $60