Saturday 30 June 2012

Derby Thai

4 Derby Rd
Caulfield East, VIC 3145


Exam Lunch Number Two. As nice as Uzu is, I am glad not to be braving the crowds there today. Instead, we are at Derby Thai, an equally small but slightly less busy eatery right next door. Most people are here for takeaway (which happens to be a dollar or so cheaper than eating in), but the small handful of tables there are have a rapid turnover, ensuring that a seat was available within a matter of minutes of placing our order. It’s impressive how friendly the staff manage to be despite the busyness of the lunch hour traffic.

Chicken Pad Thai ($10)
 
It just ain’t Thai without Pad Thai (chicken, $10), which had a pleasing lick of fire from the wok, and noodles as gratifyingly chewy as well-cooked rubber bands, in the best way possible. The chicken was cut up into large, manly chunks that were well-marinated and trimmed of all fat. However, the flavours in this dish were much too westernised, being excessively sweetened and lacking in sharpness, though it was infinitely improved by the freshness of the sprouts and lemon. At any rate, Chris enjoyed the sweetness, so I suppose they have their target audience right.

Seafood Fried Rice ($12)

Unfortunately I had broken my tongue on some m&ms earlier in the week, so I was forced to steer clear of the spices and fun. The Seafood Fried Rice ($12) seemed like a safe bet, as it was described to be ‘soft’ by another blogger. It was indeed soft and comforting, with a generous serve of seafood (calamari and prawn and mussels and scallops and fish balls) and crispy veggies. It was thankfully less sweet than the Pad Thai, though another notch (or two) lower would have been much appreciated. 

Derby Thai doesn’t so much serve the authentic Thai cuisine they advertise; rather, they are more of a Thai take-away spot that’s westernised to cater to the masses. That’s not to say the food isn’t nice though. It is, and the portions are generous, especially the amount of seafood you get in the fried rice. You’d be better off going elsewhere if you’re after the spices and heat traditional Thai cuisine offers, but this hits the spot as a quick pre-exam feed.

Rating: 12.5/20 – westernised thai.


Derby Thai on Urbanspoon

Tuesday 26 June 2012

Dognation

Shop 2, The Causeway
Melbourne, VIC 3000

I love clever puns. And Dognation is a really clever pun, clever enough to send me rushing to their brand new kennel of a store to try out their gourmet hot dogs on a frosty Tuesday morning.


Preferring to perfect their small but inventive menu, Dognation offers just five different hot dogs, each with their own ethnic slant – Japanese, Mexican, German, British, and of course, Australian. There is also a drink corresponding to each nationality, though I find it odd that the token Australian beverage is Thank You Water, as opposed to say, Kirk’s Creaming Soda. Mmmmm-mm.

London Dog ($8.9)

 Chris’ London Dog ($8.9) was the traditional British meal of bangers and mash, served on a squidgy white bun instead of a plate. It tasted exactly like you would expect it to – a meaty, juicy beef and pork sausage with a snappy casing, topped in creamy mash, gravy, and vaguely sweet peas. It was pleasant to have in the cool morning air, but aside from the sausage, the flavours in the bun were mild to the point of blandness.

Tokyo Dog ($8.9)

Gunning for the most adventurous creation, I chose the Tokyo Dog ($8.9), which is a conglomeration of sausage wrapped in nori seaweed, miso mushrooms, wasabi Japanese mayo, and okonomiyaki sauce, all stuffed into a hearty wholemeal bun. One bite and I was reeling from how quintessentially Japanese the taste is. Another bite and I was reeling from the generous amount of wasabi in the mayo. In fact, I had to put down my hot dog a few times just so I could tear up and clutch my burning sinuses in peace. Eventually I gave up and just scraped all the topping off and ate the lovely pork and beef sausage instead, which funnily enough, tasted different from the beef and pork sausage in the London dog.

Dognation Potato Mash and Gravy ($2.9)

The Dognation Potato Mash and Gravy ($2.9) however, was fluffy and buttery perfection. I would be happy to drop by this little hole in a wall just to grab some to keep myself warm on a cold day. 

Maybe I just expected too much. After all the fabulous reviews, I was expecting the hot dogs from Dognation to blow my mind. Instead the London dog only just hit par, and whilst the flavours in the Tokyo dog were great, the sheer amount of wasabi got in the way of me enjoying it fully. I guess I’m just not cut out for the gourmet hot dog trend. But give me a cup (or two) of their mash and gravy any day. 

Rating: 12.5/20 – wasabi BURNS.


Dognation on Urbanspoon

Sunday 24 June 2012

Fonda Mexican

248 Swan Street
Richmond, VIC 3121



I am very Fonda Mexican food. Awful puns aside, I do count the traditionally fresh and bright flavours of this cuisine to be amongst my favourites. Guacamole, tostadas, ceviche, tacos – you name it, and I can’t get enough of it. So I was pretty stoked when I heard about this small Mexican cantina in Richmond that embraces the concept of a fonda – a family home turned restaurant, open to anyone passing by. ‘A place for the community to congregate and enjoy mama’s cooking straight from her kitchen’, says their website.



Getting into Fonda Mexican at lunchtime (and I assume dinner too) is a battle, but service is fast and friendly, and most of the crowd is here for take-away, so don’t let the queues scare you off. The food may be casual fresh Mexican but unlike Mamasita, there’s much less waiting and much more eating.

Horchata ($4.5)

After ordering at the counter, I squeezed my way back to our table, clutching a generous jar of Horchata ($4.5), which I’ve wanted to try ever since that Vampire Weekend song. This light and sweet brew was served with a shiny ice cubes and a whimsically retro straw. It tasted like vanilla ice cream in drink form, with a hint of cinnamon. It is SO good, on par with chocolate milk at the very least.

Charred Corn ($3.5)

The Charred Corn ($3.5) at any Mexican restaurant is a must-order for me, and this version is sweet, creamy and juicy. I especially liked the fluffy ricotta salata scattered on top, though a bit more char action on the corn, and maybe a scattering of chilli would have gone a long way. It’s excellent and delicious, but the Mamasita version is still my one true corn.

Chicharones ($6)

I actually screamed PORK SCRATCHINGS!!!! when I saw it on the menu. No joke. It’s not often I have a reason to eat a whole packet’s worth of pork rinds so there was no way I was passing this opportunity up. The Chicharons ($6) were piled high in a big bowl and looking for the world like giant popcorn. They were airy, crunchy, and left a dusting of salt on our lips – all the things that are so good, but so, so bad. But they didn’t hold a candle to the guacamole they were served with; chunky and creamy with a generous squeeze of lemon, I may or may not have eaten it with my fingers once we ran out of scratching.

Fish Taco ($6)

Fonda Mexican’s infamous Fish Tacos ($6) lived up to their reputation. A little pouch with cubes of golden crumbed fish, crunchy pickles, and a generous smear of smoky chipotle aioli was the perfect harmony of flavours with a prominent overtone of freshness. We unanimously agreed that this was our favourite dish of the day.

Braised Beef Brisket Taco ($5)

The Braised Beef Brisket Taco ($5) consisted of fall-apart tender beef sitting in a pool of its own juices, topped with sour poblano peppers and the crunch of radish cubes. It’s a hearty, earthy taco that is perfect for the cold days where you need something rich and spicy. Just make sure you have a plate to catch the copious amount of drippage.

Mushroom Quesadilla ($12)

By the time we got to the Mushroom Quesadilla ($12), we were already rather full, so it wasn’t the best time to be presented with the overwhelmingly decadent flavours of meaty mushrooms, corn truffle, and queso fresco. And whilst the freshly pressed tortilla (dough sourced from Abbotsford Convent Bakery no less) was smooth and pliant, the copious use of cooking spray has made them rather greasy. Not even the spicy sourness of the salsa verde could cut through the oil in this dish. An unfortunate end to our meal. 

Fonda Mexican is not especially fancy, and the menu is fairly small. But it exudes genuinely homely warmth, and is a stellar choice if you want a bite of authentic Mexican food without premium prices, long waits, and 42 types of tequila a la Mamasita.  

Rating: 14.5/20 – mi casa, su casa.


Fonda Mexican on Urbanspoon

Thursday 21 June 2012

Uzu

2 Derby Rd
Caulfield East, VIC 3145


Exams are pretty depressing. Food is significantly less so, and one minute I’m focussed on eating and taking photos is one minute I’m not spending freaking out. Having been past Uzu 8 times each year for the last 2 years, a visit to this quaint little Japanese corner eatery is long overdue. 



I have every reason to assume that when it’s less busy, Uzu is a darling of a spot with well loved cushions and a cheery little brazier in the corner. But add in hoards of students hankering for a pre/post-exam feed lining up out the door, letting the draught in and trekking water across the floor reduces the cosy factor a bit. It took a while for a couple of bench seats to free up, but there was no way we were going to be sitting outside. Not in this weather. At least the crowds mean we’re in the right place though; the take-away sushi certainly looked delectable. 

Beef Udon ($8.5)

It might just be the rain lashing at the windows speaking, but the Beef Udon ($8.5) was sensational. Thick tubes of chewy udon noodles slithered around in a beef and onion broth that’s alternately sweet and savoury from the mirin and dashi in the stock. But the noodles were overshadowed (albeit only just) by the delicate poached egg, with a yolk as golden as sunshine, and whites as tender as a baby’s bottom. Slurp and slurp and slurp, then burp and burp and burp.  

Kaisen Don ($11.5)

I was angsting over what to order until my eyes set upon the Kaisen Don ($11.5). The most expensive item on the menu, it consisted of thinly sliced sashimi (salmon, tuna and calamari) draped over a crunchy daikon salad, underneath which was hidden two disks of tofu on a bed of sushi rice scattered with seaweed shavings. What a lovely and fresh lunch this was, especially the pale, translucent pieces of calamari that snapped against the teeth with a twang. My only minor gripe was that the sashimi came drizzled with a wasabi soy sauce, which is fine if you like the combination, but not so much if you don’t. 

Uzu appears to be a firm favourite with the students at the nearby Monash Caulfield, as well as the exam crowds at Caulfield racecourse, and it’s not hard to see why. With a good variety of fresh yummy food, and prices that haven’t changed since... ever by the looks of it, it meets the holy trinity of being easy on the tastebuds, the waistline, and of course, the wallet. 

Rating: 14/20 – slurp’n’burp.


Uzu on Urbanspoon

Sunday 17 June 2012

Panned Pizza

234c Russell St
Melbourne, 3000
www.pannedpizza.com.au

We don’t visit Panned Pizza nearly often enough. Food blogging reluctantly keeps me away from their delectably thin bases and fresh toppings. 

Bacon and Egg Pizza (small, $8.5)

Giving into Chris’ nagging, we ordered a Bacon and Egg Pizza (small, $8.5), which was their version of an Aussie. This is unfortunately the most disappointing pizza I have had from Panned Pizza. Whilst all of the other ones I’ve had were light, crisp and packed with flavour, the bacon and egg pizza was soggy in the middle (probably due to the egg that was cracked in the center), and the toppings were, dare I say it, bland? Definitely give this one a miss and try the Panned Special instead.

Poutine (regular, $4.5)

But the Poutine (regular, $4.5) is as glorious as ever. This Canadian classic is a savoury treat of piping hot batons of potato soaking up the meaty gravy, with webs of stringy cheese clinging to each magnificent morsel. There is no other way I would rather have my potatoes.

 
And a tree. Cos it’s purrrrrty. 

Rating: 14/20 – POUTINE.

Friday 15 June 2012

Red Spice Road

27 McKillop St
Melbourne, VIC 3000


Fine Dining and Good Value are as far from each other on the ‘occurrings of the universe’ spectrum as you can get, really. At least it was until Red Spice Road came along. Biting its thumb at the notion of a $3.5 potato chip, it offers a three-course (out of a possible five) banquet lunch with mounds of jasmine rice and a delightful little appetiser for a mere $25 per head. We would’ve happily gone for all five dishes for an extra $5 each, but that level of gluttony is restricted to parties of 6 or more.




A moderately-sized room with two long banquet tables gives way to a huge, cavernous space at the back, housing two crescent shaped communal dining tables that are watched over by three lovely paintings of three lovely ladies. The bar that sits to the side sees plenty of action, even during lunchtime. Some people might find the dining hall-like space a bit impersonal, and at worst like a feeding barn, but I actually really liked the relaxed and open atmosphere it provided. Plus, novelty.




What’s most astounding about the banquet is how much value it offers, especially when you look at the a la carte menu. Entrees are around $15, whilst mains hover in the mid-high $30s. The waitresses were pretty keen on pushing for drink orders, which is understandable – they have to make their money somehow.

Betel Leaf with Chicken, Chilli, Lemongrass and Coriander

To start off, we were served a small appetiser of Betel Leaf with Chicken, Chilli, Lemongrass and Coriander. A small pinch of smoky chicken wrapped in a velvety betel leaf packed a big punch of flavour. It was sour and spicy and full of herbs, perfect for tingling the tastebuds and whetting the appetite.

Pork Belly with Chilli Caramel, Black Vinegar, and Apple, Cabbage, Mint Salad

The Pork Belly with Chilli Caramel, Black Vinegar, and Apple, Cabbage, Mint Salad is the only dish that never changes on the banquet menu. Most likely due to the threat of unavoidable mutiny by their patrons, as it is the most popular dish at Red Spice Road by far. And it’s not hard to see why. Hidden beneath the greenery were four hefty cubes of pork belly, twice cooked and deep fried to yield a crispy exterior that gave way to insides so soft and caramelised that the fat practically melted in our mouths. And it only gets better, soaking up the flavours of the sticky chilli caramel, and drizzled with a small pot of black vinegar. The salad is equally as stunning, though for entirely different reasons. The sweet-sour crunch of the apple and cabbage slivers, liberally doused in fish sauce and garnished with mint, was the perfect ying to the pork belly’s yang. 

Lamb Rendang - Malaysian Lamb, Potato and Coconut Curry

Considering how great the pork belly was, it’s a surprise to find that the Lamb Rendang – Malaysian Lamb, Potato and Coconut Curry was bland and uninspired. One blogger accurately (though slightly harshly) described it as ‘insipid drivel’. To be honest, the flavours weren’t actually half bad, but they were so muted they may as well have not been there at all; even a salt shaker could have done it worlds of good. It’s a disappointment really, especially considering that it looked so rich and delicious when it was put onto our table.

Barramundi, Watermelon, Cucumber, Chilli and Coriander Salad

The Barramundi, Watermelon, Cucumber, Chilli and Coriander Salad sat somewhere between the pork and the lamb. It was a deliciously refreshing salad with some great flavours, but it didn’t wow like the pork belly did. We enjoyed the crispy nuggets of barramundi, tossed in with a savoury fish sauce that contrasted nicely with the sweetness of the watermelon. The overall crunchiness of the salad was a definite win.


And rice enough for three. There was a lot of food, easily enough to feed an extra person. When we finally rolled out of the door, half of the rice, and most of the lamb rendang was still left on the table. There was no way we would have been able to fit in dessert, even if it was only an extra $5 each. 

Rating: 14.5/20 – fine dining value meal


Red Spice Road on Urbanspoon

Tuesday 12 June 2012

Petaling Street (Box Hill)

600 Station St
Melbourne, VIC
3128

Petaling Street has always been a go-to place for me when I want something comforting, hearty and cheap. The food has always been consistent and tasty (if a bit lacking in finesse), and the broad Malaysian hawker menu offers plenty of choice, but not enough to cause pangs of indecision. And now that they have 6 locations across Melbourne, a cheap Malaysian feed has never been easier to get to.



The inside of Petaling Street is a lot bigger than the small store front would suggest. The wooden furniture is polished to a shine, the interior is warm and welcoming, and the chefs can be seen commanding the woks in a half-open kitchen. There’s even an upstairs section to accommodate rush hour traffic.


As tissue guzzlers, we were about to lament the lack of serviettes when the waitress pulled open a little drawer at the side of the table, revealing a treasure trove. I think this is a fabulously adorable idea; cleaner than serviettes in a stack on the table, nicer looking than a metal box (or heaven forbid, a tissue box), and easier than having to ask the busy staff.  

Combination Hor Fun ($9.2)

Being very experienced with portion sizes here, we ordered one plate of Combination Hor Fun ($9.2) to share, which came out in less than 5 minutes still steaming from the wok. A generous amount of slippery egg gravy was doused over a plate of rice noodles fragrant with wok hei, topped with an assortment of seafood, some very tender chicken pieces, and crunchy bok choy. It’s the kind of comfort food that you can slurp and slurp until there’s nothing left but a smile on your face.  

Ice Kachang ($4.5)

Of course, we had to leave room for the Ice Kachang ($4.5), a gravity-defying tower of ice crystals coloured with bright green pandan syrup and creamy coconut milk, crowned with a single lychee. Digging into the bottom of the bowl, we found an abundance of red beans, grass jelly, and my favourite creamed corn. We ate until our mouths were numb with cold. And then we ate some more. 

It’s rather surprising to see all the negative reviews of Petaling Street floating around. I don’t know if I’m just lucky, but I’ve never had a bad experience at any of the branches, despite being a regular since the first opening in Glen Waverley approximately 5 years ago. Yes the service is lacking (though not unfriendly), and the food can be a bit heavy-handed. But if no one complains about getting a deflated burger, lukewarm fries, and no table service when ordering an eight dollar Big Mac meal, then there’s no reason to complain about an actual meal brought to your table for less than ten. 

Rating: 13.5/20 – haters gonna hate, potatoes gonna potate.


Petaling Street (Box Hill) on Urbanspoon

Friday 8 June 2012

Toodouri

260 Victoria St
North Melbourne, VIC 3003


Exams are looming, and one very busy Ming has her head buried in pages of notes, diagrams and slides featuring words that would make your tongue roll up the moment you look at them. So that means one thing: it's me, Chris, here to take her stead for a blog post.


Last time I filled in for a blog post I believe it was Oriental Spoon, and so it should make sense that I'm back for another Korean restaurant, this time featuring Korean BBQ: Toodouri, just across the road from Vic Market.


We walked in armed with a voucher we had acquired via Groupon – entitling us to 2 plates of BBQ meat, one main, one soup, and a drink each. The somewhat small space smelt strongly of BBQ even though they had literally just opened – upon arriving we were the only two there, but others soon followed and the place began to fill up.

Red Bean Rice ($2pp)

Though not covered by the voucher, we opted for two servings of Rice with Red Beans ($2pp) to accompany the meal. We're really breaking the bank for this one, aren't we.

Hite ($6)/Coke Zero ($3.5)


Shortly after we ordered, out came our drinks- some Hite ($6) and, since I definitely don't count myself a fan of beer, a simple Coke Zero ($3.5). Following these was a pot of burning hot coals which was placed in the centre of our table, ready for BBQ-ing. Boy would I hate to be the one responsible for bringing that out safely.

Soft Tofu Soup ($14.9)

While waiting for our meat, we began to dig into the Soft Tofu Soup ($14.9) – a combination of soft tofu, seafood, and fresh vegetables in a spicy soup. This hot brew was a nice assortment of chewy seafood morsels and crunchy vegetables, the soup with a slight kick that was nice on its own.

Sam Gyup Sal ($14)

Sam Gyup Sal ($14)

Sam Gyup Sal ($14)

The first of our meats to arrive was the Sam Gyup Sal ($14), which was a plate of thick slices of succulent pork belly. Once thoroughly cooked right in front of us, each piece was an enjoyable shot of meaty goodness, tasty without any fancy garnishes or sauces. Just make sure not to grab these too quickly once they're cooked or you're liable to burn your mouth a little.

La Galbi ($18)
La Galbi ($18)

After the pork came the La Galbi ($18), marinated slices of beef rib with special soy sauce. Ripping the well-marinated meat off the bone with your teeth was as good as it sounds.

Stir-Fried Baby Octopus ($15.5)

The last of our dishes to arrive was the Stir-Fried Baby Octopus ($15.5), a sizzling plate of (you guessed it) stir-fried baby octopus and vegetables in a spicy sauce. The octopus was practically slathered in the sauce, making sure it had its share of punch along with its chewy self.

I know it's practically no different from eating any typical meats, but somehow eating a whole baby octopus puts me off somewhat. Perhaps it's because it makes it a lot easier to imagine a little baby octopus squirming in front of you before you bite its head off. I also made the mistake of saying that very sentence to Ming whilst she had a mouthful of octopus – not good timing.

Banchan

Of course, as with any typical Korean meal our food was accompanied by a small set of bean sprouts, fresh and crispy kimchi, and a creamy pasta salad (which I must say, I haven't encountered before as a typical Korean side). I'm normally not big on the banchan at most restaurants, but I'll admit I found myself picking at the pasta salad intermittently.

I certainly can't call myself an expert on Korean food (let alone Korean BBQ), but Ming and I have been to a good few places so far, and this leads me to think that the food at Toodouri was good but not the best Korean I've had. I think part of its to do with the style of Korean BBQ – I'm the sort of guy who typically prefers to have a big bowl of a particular dish in front of him ready to dig into, as opposed to a number of dishes which can be each had in small doses at a time. Perhaps this style of eating throws me off just a little bit, but nevertheless I enjoyed the meal and definitely wouldn't mind going there again to try some of their other dishes.

Rating: 13/20


Toodouri Korean BBQ on Urbanspoon