7 Grams, Richmond

Some might say that 7 Grams on Church Street has the best coffee in Melbourne town. There’s a magnetic force that could only be put down to the smooth, yummy caffeinated blend pumped out at this humble café. It doesn’t have the cool of a joint in South Melbourne or chairs on Little Bourke and for me, but for me, the dark drop is in the same class, albeit just behind. Some will disagreed with me. By some, I probably mean a lot.

3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 505 Church St, Richmond, VIC
What? Under $10

Lindos, Ringwood

One of Ringwood’s finest has recently gone through a Madonna facelift that’s one part Mediterranean tan, one part inoffensive modern. Splitting the two is a totally awesome (read like a teen American high school bimbo) bar to rival Glen Waverley’s Shine so the cool kids of the outer east won’t have to travel via the Nightrider. Unfortunately it does nothing to make up for the multicultural menu that satisfies hunger but disappoints the taste.

If you must have a platter, get the meat with the BBQ ribs and skewered kofte meatballs over the generally fried seafood that doesn’t leave much of the natural flavours. Risotto of salty smoked salmon and chicken fettuccine suffers from a heavy hand on the cream.

Lindos might look good, but the family friendly food doesn’t quite hit the mark. The facelift shouldn’t just stop with its looks.


1.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? 295-305 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood, VIC
What? Around $20

Giant Steps / Innocent Bystander

Wine. Cheese. Breads. Pastries. Grub. This Yarra Valley hotspot doesn’t need any more spruiking.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 336 Maroondah Hwy, Healesville VIC

Glen Waverley Chinese BBQ

It might be Rock Kung II but I much prefer this place. Cleaner, room to push your chair back and conversation that won’t get remixed into a new language. As you’d expect from any suburban Chinese joint, they’ve got serviceable roast meats, crab, noodles, whole fish and other dishes such as taro and pork hot pot and salt and pepper pork ribs.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? 31 Railway Pde, Glen Waverley, VIC
What? Around $20

APTE

Just because I’m hanging around APTE doesn’t mean I’m a stalker right? Yup, I’m loving the food that’s given rise to an unhealthy obsession. This quaint corner foodstore somehow manages to make a really bare white room homely with a few branches in a vase, framed scenic photos and a feature designer lightshade. Scan the menu and you’ll won’t find anything too out of place from a regular menu, but somehow they are extraordinary.

All components of a big breakfast are carefully prepared without a hint of black burn, feta gives the pea and corn fritter a smoother texture and brings out a savoury flavour, a good contrast to the smoked salmon, peppery rocket, dill sauce and avocado. Veal, tomato and basil get to know each other really well in a ragu that smothers just cooked penne. Finish off your lazy brunch with a delicious coffee and selection of baked sweets.

This is not just a place to eat. Judging by the crowd in here it’s THE place to eat.


4 / 5 yums!
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Where? 538 Heidelberg Rd, Alphington, VIC
What? Around $15

Riverland

So we don’t have a harbour, but we do have a Yarra-side bar that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg for drinks at a premium location. With the weather warming up, under the Princes Bridge is a golden place for a booze up. What more could you want with a beer in one hand and a juicy duck, pork and pistachio, lamb, quandong and coriander or chilli bratwurst with onion and sauerkraut straight from a sizzling barbie in the other?

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Vaults 1- 9 Federation Wharf (Under Princes Bridge), Melbourne, VIC
What? Cheap

Chong Qing Hot Pot

If their aim is making something that resembles volcanic lava then they have succeeded with a steamboat soup that is a sea of red dried chilli and Sichuan peppercorns. Only until this was filtered and mixed with the clear stock that it became bearable. Yes I like spicy. No, not to the point it where it begins to erode my insides. Poor insides.

There is no escaping the aromas from the simmering pots due to a lack of vents, but you can choose normal flavours from the kitchen menu. All options are rated, and the 3 chilli cumin spiced pork ribs flecked with chilli flakes and seeds don’t disappoint on a ringing ear front. Mapo tofu is a tame affair and doesn’t excite, thin slices of fatty pork is cooked twice in a mild chilli oil a must and will get you hearing again. Kung Pao Chicken a highlight, small diced cubes of the poultry meat is stir fried in a sweetish wine marinade with plenty of chilli, spring onions, Sichuan peppers and roasted peanuts.

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Village Walk Shop 18, 52 O'Sullivan Road, Glen Waverley, VIC
What? Around $20