Monday 30 June 2014

Mr Big Stuff

16 Meyers Pl 
Melbourne, VIC 
http://www.mrbigstuff.com.au/


Though soul food isn’t known for its health benefits, I am entirely convinced that an occasional meal of soul food is, as its name suggests, good for the soul. In a lifestyle that is often heavy on the stress and light on the self-pampering, I dare you to find a more agreeable moment than one where fried chicken is involved. And whilst the name Mr Big Stuff was an unwelcome reminder of just exactly what I would look like if my diet consisted of more than the occasional rack of ribs, the lure of traditional African-American food on a Friday afternoon was too good to resist.




Though not generous on space, Mr Big Stuff has managed to nab themselves a very fashionable spot in the CBD, and decked out the interior to match. Topping off the warm and spontaneous vibe was an in-house DJ, mixing up tunes that matched his kick-ass dreadlocks. 


Egg Cream ($8.5, non-alcoholic)/Wicked Watermelon Kool-Aid ($8.5, non-alcoholic)

I was sold from the first page of the drinks menu, where an amazing selection of traditional beverages that can all be made with or without alcohol beckoned. From the dozens of iced teas and kool-aids, I eventually decided on the Wicked Watermelon Kool-Aid ($8.5, non-alcoholic), a crisp watermelon juice cold-pressed to retain a glistening freshness, fused with a hint of spritz and a squeeze of lemon.

Then there was the Egg Cream ($8.5, non-alcoholic), which was like a chocolate milkshake but so much more. Instead of a frothy milk and chocolate confection, we were served a drink so thick with cream that it was an effort to get it up the straw. The cherry on the cake was the splash of carbonated water, making for an indescribable flavour that has to be tasted to be understood.  


Pickled Okra ($4) 

Whilst we sipped on our drinks, we were served up a couple of snacks to nibble on. The Pickled Okra ($4) whetted the appetite with its tang and crunch, and a smoky tingle from the house-made habanero sauce. 


Pig’s Ear Chips ($8)

The Pig’s Ear Chips ($8) is the ultimate in beer food. Not only did they taste like moreish strips of salty crackling, they had the added crunch from the thin band of cartilage, and the fattiness of caramelised gelatine.


Fried Chicken And Waffles ($19) 

The Fried Chicken And Waffles ($19) floated out of the kitchen born on a cloud, rainbows trailing in its wake. The batter fell off the chicken the moment I touched it, but I wasn’t expecting the way the meat fell off the bone too. Marinated overnight in buttermilk and a spice blend of black pepper, cloves, and cayenne pepper, the chicken was sweet and spicy, and unlike any other fried chicken I’ve had before. 


Fried Chicken And Waffles ($19) 

On the side were crisp, fluffy waffles with deep pockets for maple syrup. Infused with cheddar cheese and pungent rosemary, the slightly savoury waffles were amazing with the slightly sweet chicken. 


Mac and Cheese ($12)

Mac and Cheese ($12)

On the side we had a small pan of Mac and Cheese ($12). Served piping hot, the chewy elbows of pasta languished in a mixture of three cheeses, topped with crunchy breadcrumbs and a crust of more cheese. Words can’t even begin to describe how luscious this was. 


Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32)

After all that decadence, we decided to finish up our savouries with something lighter; well, as light as soul food can get. Our Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32) was proof that food doesn’t need to be thrown into the fryer to taste good. The flaky brick of fish was encrusted in an explosive mixture of spices, pan seared, then finished in the oven for a smoky aroma heavy with mustard seed.


Corn Bread ($6)

Blackened Snapper and Clams ($32)

The fish was served with skillet Corn Bread ($6); we were assured that it was absolutely perfect with the snapper. The corn bread was fluffy and fragrant with corn husks, its sweetness unbelievably delicious mingling with the brininess of clams infused into the buttery sauce. It was, as promised, absolutely perfect. 


Apple Pie ($10)

We had paced ourselves for the first time on record, and ended up with just enough room for Apple Pie ($10). Though not as pretty as a slice of pie would’ve been, these individual little pockets of buttery pastry were coated in flurries of cinnamon sugar, the filling as tart and juicy as the outside was sweet and crispy.

I have a confession; the first time I checked out the menu online, I felt like I should’ve emailed the owner and asked him to retract his invitation, as Mr Big Stuff was bound to skyrocket to popularity without an ounce of blogger help. Still, I am incredibly glad to have the chance to confirm that suspicion myself. This meal was worth every gram of fat that migrated to my thighs.

Rating: 16/20 – big stuff.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.
Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Mr Big Stuff.

Mr Big Stuff on Urbanspoon


Thursday 26 June 2014

Fonda Flinders

31 Flinders Lane 
Melbourne, VIC 


Mexican food is made for Fridays, and as I have said before, I am awfully Fonda Mexican food. And when I ended up working more than an hour overtime on a Friday afternoon with no extra pay, a Mexican pick-me-up from Fonda Flinders was exactly what I needed. 




Unlike the branch at Richmond, the baby of the group, Fonda Flinders is enormous. But it’s not impersonal; not only is the down-to-earth feel of the original restaurant retained, they even managed to inject an extra shot of festivity into the air. It could’ve been the wide open space full of happy voices bouncing off the walls, or it could’ve just been the fact that everyone was looking forward to a long weekend, but I felt instantly happier the moment we stepped inside. 


Horchata ($6)

My love affair with Horchata ($6) began at Fonda Mexican, and now we’ve come full circle. This is definitely the best place to get horchata in Melbourne; clinking with ice cubes, the drink was sweet and faintly milky, sweetened with condensed milk and whole sticks of cinnamon. 


Tortilla Crisps ($7)

I’m definitely a grilled corn sort of gal, but I won’t say no to good Tortilla Crisps ($7) either. The tortilla chips were thick and crunchy, lovely with the tangy guacamole, but not so good with the salsa, which was watery and had a funny taste to it. I’ll admit I didn’t pay the most attention to them though, as Chris and I were busy making calf’s eyes at each other. 


Fish Taco ($7)

Fonda does some of the best tacos around town, and no matter how many tacos I eat, the Fish Taco ($7) will always be one of my favourites. It’s not just the delicate cubes of fried rockling, the generously spicy chipotle mayo, or even the crunchy pickled vegetables on top. It’s the way the three elements come together to form one delicious package that delights the palate with a whole spectrum of flavours and textures. 


Braised Pork Taco ($6)

The Braised Pork Taco ($6) had a distinctly more tropical tone to it; the fat wad of pulled pork was juicy and spicy, topped with honeyed chunks of pineapple. It was so juicy in fact that the soft tortilla split in two halfway through. There is no way I would dream of faulting how the tortilla itself tasted but, maybe a little work on structural integrity guys?


Wagyu Shin Taco ($6)

Since my last visit, Fonda seemed to have upgraded the braised beef taco to a Wagyu Shin Taco ($6), and the outcome was rich and succulent. The entire taco exuded warmth and heartiness, the smoky beef draped with plump strips of green poblano peppers, and sweet croutons of jicama, aka Mexican yam. 


Grilled Chicken Quesadilla ($14)

I usually make a pretty good guess at what is and isn’t a winning dish on a menu, but after the disastrous mushroom quesadilla from my last Fonda visit, I gave in and let Chris choose the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla ($14). And I have to say, it tasted almost as amazing as it looked. The tortilla was crisp and darkly smoky, sandwiching grilled chicken and oozy strands of cheese, best eaten dipped into the lemon mayo on the side. It looks like second time was the charm.

The menu at Fonda Flinders is exactly the same as what you’ll find at their other restaurants, and this visit served as a reminder as to just why Fonda will always have a special place on the Mexican scene. They’re not afraid to go bold with their flavours, and it’s just such a fun, relaxing place to be. It’s impossible not to be in a good mood after eating here; go on, I dare you to prove me wrong.

Rating: 15/20 – still fonda mexican.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Fonda Flinders on Urbanspoon

Monday 23 June 2014

Laksa Bar

108 Little Lonsdale St 
Melbourne, VIC 







Skinny Kampong Laksa with Soft Shell Crab ($14.9, regular)



Skinny Kampong Laksa with Soft Shell Crab ($14.9, regular)



Grill'd Chicken Vermicelli Salad ($10.9)

Grill'd Chicken Vermicelli Salad ($10.9)




Laksa Bar ( CBD ) on Urbanspoon


Thursday 19 June 2014

Pacific Seafood BBQ House

213 Lonsdale Street 
Melbourne, VIC 






Mixed Roast on Rice ($12) - BBQ Sweet Pork/Roast Pork

Mixed Roast on Rice ($12) - BBQ Sweet Pork/Roast Pork







Pacific Seafood BBQ House on Urbanspoon

Monday 16 June 2014

Fukuryu Ramen

Level 1 22-26 Corrs Lane 
Melbourne, VIC 

When Fukyuryu Ramen came along, the whole Melbourne foodie community stopped. Melbourne is notorious for not being able to get ramen right when Sydney, and even Brisbane has been slurping up deliciously porky noodle soups for years. But Fukyuryu Ramen looked like the real deal, and it exploded in popularity almost overnight thanks to social media and word-of-mouth.



The first impressions of Fukyuryu Ramen were very welcoming. We could hear the shouts of ‘irrashaimase’ echoing down the stairwell as we climbed the two flights to the restaurant, and the place itself is a slick and spacious dining hall, showcasing the open kitchen and steaming soup pots. 



The menu is short and sweet, focussing almost entirely on traditional and modern versions of ramen, and a scattering of sides. The noodles came in three sizes, and there were three types of water on self-serve taps – ambient, chilled, and sparkling, which was a nice touch. 


Signature Tonkotsu Ramen ($11.9, regular)

Everyone is here for the Signature Tonkotsu Ramen ($11.9, regular), the surface of which glistened promisingly with a dark slick of garlic oil. No doubt about it, this is definitely the best ramen in Melbourne. The pork soup is thick and sweet with gelatine, and the thin slices of pork streaked with fat. The noodles could’ve been chewier, but it soaked up the creamy soup exceedingly well. 


Shoyu Ramen ($11.9, regular)

Shoyu Ramen ($11.9, regular)

More for variety than anything, we got a bowl of Tokyo-styled Shoyu Ramen ($11.9, regular). The soy-based broth was predictably lighter, replacing the thick tonkotsu with a clear umami broth sweetened with scallions. Whilst the flavour wasn’t as indulgent as the rich porkiness of the tonkotsu, the chunkier noodles had a firm, satisfying bite to them that more than made up for it. 


Green Tea Soft Serve ($2.9)

I finished my meal with a complimentary Green Tea Soft Serve ($2.9) that was light and refreshing, and made my stomach hurt with its coldness, but it was totally worth it.

Whilst it is a bit disappointing that every ramen I’ve had outside of Melbourne exceeded this one by far, it’s still good to finally, finally be able to say that we’ve hit a vein of gold. I’m sure that Melbourne will eventually have authentic ramen on every street corner, and Fukyuryu Ramen is paving the way.

Rating: 13.5/20 – step by step.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Fukuryu Ramen on Urbanspoon


Thursday 12 June 2014

The Moat

Wheeler Centre, State Library Basement
176 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that I love books, but I seriously love books. The way I talk about them can only be eclipsed by the fervent manner I talk about food, and I smell my novels before I devour them. And that was why The Moat was such a no-brainer of a choice for birthday meal number two. 




And why is The Moat so perfect? It is actually located right under the State Library, and the vibe of knowledge carries through. The dining room is elegant and sophisticated, even without the poetry reading that was going on the night we visited for dinner. The crowd is predictably older and classier (the younger ones are sitting outside with a beer or two), but we were made to feel welcome with service that was warm, if not a bit slow. 


Cheese Fondue with Seasonal Vegetable Plate ($18)

Cheese Fondue with Seasonal Vegetable Plate ($18)

I’ve always wanted to try fondue, but have been a bit intimidated by the reportedly very alcoholic version offered at The Swiss Club. Thus, the Cheese Fondue with Seasonal Vegetable Plate ($18) seemed like the perfect way to dip my toes. The cheese was indeed a little alcoholic, but the sweetness of the alcohol mingled well with the salty Swiss cheese, resulting in a luscious dip for the garden of crisp autumn carrots and soft beetroot. 


Chipotle Spiced Chicken Ribs ($13)

Our second entree was a plate of Chipotle Spiced Chicken Ribs ($13). Though nothing special, the ribs were delicately flavoured with a faintly smoky chipotle rub, which went well with the drizzle of creamy aioli.


Soft Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragout ($18)

To leave room for dessert, we decided to share a main and a side. The Soft Polenta with Wild Mushroom Ragout ($18) was the ideal comfort food for nights that are rapidly getting chillier. The slab of polenta was smooth and buttery, soaking up the pool of lightly earthy mushroom broth. The tumble of assorted mushrooms varied in texture and flavour, and was simultaneously robust and elegant when paired with the gossamer of herb salad. 


Roasted Kipfler Potatoes ($8.5)

And of course, potatoes. These Roasted Kipfler Potatoes ($8.5) were unlike any we’ve had before, favouring a chewy crispiness over the usually preferred fluffiness. And whilst the difference in texture made the potatoes less hearty, they were generously flavoured with rosemary and whole cloves of garlic, imparting their pungent fragrance to the crunchy slices. 


Crema Catalana ($14)

Crema Catalana ($14)

It is well known by now that I can never turn down a crème brulee, especially not my favourite variety, the Crema Catalana ($14). Though a smidge grainy, I couldn’t fault either the eggy creaminess or the faint hint of citrus, and the light toffee shell was caramelised to perfection. The accompanying fingers of airy house-made biscotti dissolved on the tongue.

I’ll be up front and say that the portions at The Moat are quite small, and if it weren’t for my appetite being somewhat AWOL, we probably would’ve needed another medium-sized dish to be full. As it stands though, The Moat is a fantastic place for a quiet dinner; the food is seasonal and simple, but beautifully made, and the setting undeniably charming. Because of the price tag associated, I probably wouldn’t come back in a rush, but I know that when I do, I’ll be guaranteed a wonderful evening.

Rating: 15/20 – a very very unbirthday!
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

The Moat on Urbanspoon