Thursday 29 January 2015

Snag Stand

Cnr Latrobe And Swanston St 
Melbourne, VIC 
http://www.snagstand.com.au/


The following facade is surely familiar to anyone who’s spent any time at all in the city in the last few years. One of the forerunners of the fairly short-lived gourmet hot dog craze, Snag Stand has stood (see what I did there) the test of time with its collection of gourmet dogs.


Wagyu Beef Dog ($8.9)

Wanting to have dessert later in the night, Chris and I opted to share a Wagyu Beef Dog ($9.9). The moment I lifted the lid, I could smell the herbs in the gravy – a promising start. The toppings of mashed potato and fried onions wouldn’t be out of place in a roast lunch, and the sausage itself was meaty and satisfying, but also delightfully light and clean-tasting. It was all wrapped up in a toasted brioche bun, sating the hot dog craving without the self-loathing.


Chilli Cheese Fries ($7.9)

Chilli Cheese Fries ($7.9)

If you’ve read more than about 2 posts on this blog, you’ll know that I love potatoes, especially in the form of Chilli Cheese Fries ($7.9). The one at Snag Stand is rather decadent and rich, the beef sauce packing loads of flavour. The additions of smoky paprika and chilli aioli gave it a Spanish twist, bringing to mind the classic dish of patatas bravas.



And look at how swank the packaging is! Seriously impressive.

I’ve always thought the selection offered at Snag Stand was rather tantalising, but it’s taken me ridiculously long to actually try the dogs, despite the convenient location. I think it just comes down to the fact that hot dogs don’t excite me as much as some other trends. But now that I’ve tried the Wagyu Beef Dog, I can see myself stopping by every now and then to give one of the others a go.

Rating: 13/20 – hautedog.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Snag Stand on Urbanspoon

Monday 26 January 2015

Malaymas

320 St Georges Rd 
Fitzroy North, VIC 






Hainanese Chicken Rice ($11.9)



Fried Kueh Teow ($11.9)



Ice Kacang ($6.5)





Malaymas on Urbanspoon

Thursday 22 January 2015

Oppa Kitchen

271 Swanston St 
Melbourne, VIC 


About an hour after I got home from dinner at Oppa Kitchen, mum casually mentioned that I have a dentist appointment tomorrow to get my wisdom teeth out. Um, what? There goes the blogging for a week or so.



In any case, I’m glad I managed to fit in a visit to the newest, shiniest addition to Swanston Street (and brunch with the girls) before my procedure (I’m going the route of local anaesthetic – eek!). As Swanston Street is so populous, it was impossible to miss the opening of Oppa Kitchen, which turned out to be a modern Korean restaurant with a scaled back menu, specialising in fried chicken, grilled meats, and bibimbap. The atmosphere is a fun one, and the warehouse-style outfitting, plus the neon lights reminded me a lot of Chin Chin.


Original Korean Fried Chicken ($5, small)

It’s hard to say no to Original Korean Fried Chicken ($5, small) when it comes in such a reasonable portion. The serve looks larger than it actually is, on account of the potato wedges bulking it up. The chicken itself was average, on the bland side though not tasteless, and the smaller pieces were a bit dry. I did however like the bonus pickles and cabbage salad on the side, and the crispy rice cakes.


Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11)

Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11)

The Grilled Bulgogi Beef Steak ($11) came with an enticing pink centre and a smoky aroma. Though satisfyingly beefy, the bulgogi marinade faded into the background, making for a tasty but unmemorable meal.


Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13)

The Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13) was the winner of the two. Aside from the smokiness, the pork ribs came with a mild spiciness, and just enough fat for flavour. However the meat suffered from inconsistency, with the bonier pieces a bit parched. 


Grilled Spicy Pork Spare Ribs ($13)

The salad in the meal buckets was a good one. The leaves were fresh, and instead of a squeeze of lemon, the orange dressing was a pleasant surprise.



When we went for dinner, Oppa was practically full, so it was lucky that there’s a slightly quieter upstairs section. I doubt most people come here because the food is fabulous – the dishes don’t even come with banchan! With that said however, the food is sufficient, the location is convenient, and it’s just cheap and easy all round.

Rating: 12/20 – oppa kitchen style (im so sorry)
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Oppa Kitchen on Urbanspoon

Monday 19 January 2015

Peko Peko

199 Smith St 
Collingwood, VIC


I went to Peko Peko for dinner the other day. No, not this Peko Peko, this Peko Peko. If you ask someone from Japan, ‘peko peko’ is the sound your stomach makes if you’re hungry. Given that, it’s no surprise that both restaurants have a Japanese influence to some degree, despite being completely unrelated.



But whereas Peko Peko in South Melbourne is mostly Taiwanese with a bit of Japan thrown in for fun, this Peko Peko in Collingwood is full-blown Japanese. The interior was endearingly oriental, including the unique little upstairs section that opens out to the main restaurant, but it just can’t shake the hint of grunge so characteristic of the Melbourne inner-north. It was a good bit of fun, watching the Japanese chefs rub shoulders with backpacking waitresses. 


Hiyayakko ($6)

Heaps of people I know complain about tofu because it’s bland without any seasoning, which I think is entirely unfair. I mean really, you can say that same about rice or pasta – it’s MEANT to be had with seasoning. Anyway, aside from being a fan of tofu with century egg, Hiyayakko ($6) is another favourite way of mine to have tofu. The flavour palette of this cold dish was spot on, the soy sauce and bonito flakes a lovely combination of umami, whilst the surprise addition of grated pickled ginger added a zesty heat. Unfortunately it was let down by the tofu, which instead of being fresh and silky, has started down the road to being clumpy and spongy. 


Makizushi ($10, 8pcs)

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Makizushi ($10, 8pcs) was a generous serve of salmon and tuna hand rolls. Though nothing special, it was nice to be given a chance to down a large serve of sushi, with plenty of pickled ginger between bites to clear the palette. 


Currydon ($16)

The Currydon ($16) was listed under the ‘big food’ section, but I wasn’t prepared for just how substantial a bowl filled to the brim with curry and rice was. 


Currydon ($16)

When mixed through, the rice and sauce was rich and sticky, and the large pieces of chicken extremely tender. There was the addition of several unorthodox, but welcome vegetables such as capsicum and spinach. What I discovered very soon however, was that this was an extremely oily curry – within minutes, a small pool of oil had collected in the spoon that I had left in the rice. That certainly explained why this was even more filling than a standard curry.

I can’t quite put my finger on it, but Peko Peko felt different to all of the other Japanese restaurants I’ve been too. Either way, regardless of what that difference might be, a good solid meal can be found here; it may be a little more expensive than what you’re used to, but the portions are certainly generous, and the flavours are pretty close to the real thing. 



Oh, and look at this awesome piece of graffiti art I found down the road!

Rating: 13/20 – grumble grumble.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Peko Peko on Urbanspoon

Thursday 15 January 2015

Golistan Take Away

768 Station St 
Box Hill North, VIC 






Manto ($12, 7pcs)

Manto ($12, 7pcs)

The Manto ($12, 7pcs) definitely sits closer to being Indian. The soft, silky parcels were filled with a mixture of spiced lamb and onion, before being steamed and doused in a mixture of spicy tomato sauce and yoghurt. It is bold and full-flavoured, and the sauce perfect for mopping up with bread, or dipping meat into. 


Mixed Tikka ($15)

And of course, a plate of Mixed Tikka ($15), grilled to order over a charcoal fire. The meat was cooked absolutely perfectly, sizzling and spitting over the flames. I couldn’t decide which I liked more – the smoky pieces of marinated chicken, or the tender, juicy chunks of lamb. Or maybe the piece of bread laid out underneath the skewers to catch the delicious delicious meat juices. 



And the bread. Oh goodness the bread. It was soft and crisp and chewy all at the same time, its just-baked aroma absolutely irresistible. Even though we couldn’t even finish the serve we were given with the tikka, I still got an extra one to take home – a whole metre of bread (basically what’s in the picture here) for a mere two dollars!

Well I guess I’m never moving out.

Rating: 14/20 – go to bread.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Golistan Take Away on Urbanspoon

Monday 12 January 2015

Jackson Dodds

611 Gilbert Rd 
Preston, VIC 

I don’t have brunch near my place, but I do have yum cha, aka Asian brunch. At least, I did until the place reopened as a Malaysian restaurant. So now I don’t even have that. So it completely baffles me why Chris doesn’t have Sunday brunch at Jackson Dodds every  day of the week. 



Things haven’t changed much since my inaugural visit a couple years ago, but the menu is now two pages long, and more temping than ever. And that’s not even including the specials and the muffin of the day. Despite its success however, Jackson Dodds has retained its homely, family-friendly feel. The staff are still down-to-earth, and the smell of bacon is still all-pervading. 



And yes, the ceiling-trike is still there. 


Flat White ($3.5)

Unable to shake my coffee habit even after a weekend sleep-in, I indulged in a Flat White ($3.5). Though the layer of froth looks suspiciously thick for a flat white, the coffee itself was great – rounded, nutty, and golden. 


Fresh Orange Juice ($4.5, regular)

Chris meanwhile had a Fresh Orange Juice ($4.5, regular), which as promised, was freshly squeezed and delicious. Whilst Chris and I disagreed on whether orange juices tasted better with pulp (it does!), we both agreed that this OJ would’ve tasted even better chilled.


Seasoned Avocado ($16) with Bacon (add $3)

I get a bit greedy when it comes to brunch, but I can’t help it when brunch insists on being so delicious. I ended up settling for a brunch classic – the Seasoned Avocado ($16) with Bacon (add $3). 


Seasoned Avocado ($16) with Bacon (add $3)

And life is beautiful. The thickly mashed avocado is delicious, flavoured with feta and chunks of tomato blended in with a hint of lemon. Cutting into the egg released a golden river of yolk over rashers of perfectly cooked bacon. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: the bacon at Jackson Dodds is amazing, cooked to that sweet spot where they’re crispy but still meaty and satisfying. 


Sausage Omelette ($16)

Sausage Omelette ($16)

In comparison, the Sausage Omelette ($16) looked like child’s play – but that’s not to say it’s small, not even close! The golden folds of egg were fluffy and light, and in its embrace were spicy slices of chorizo and dollops of melting feta. Not only was the execution brilliant, but inspired too by the addition of mint, which brought out a middle-eastern flavour to what was originally a traditional breakfast.  


Seasoned Avocado ($16) with Bacon (add $3)

After all the brunch I’ve had, I think I’ve come full circle back to simple dishes cooked with flair. Jackson Dodds has definitely held onto its stellar reputation, and it’s by far the best brunch I’ve had this year. Mind you, this is only the second or third brunch I’ve had in the year, but even if it wasn’t, it would still take an incredible competitor to knock off its crown.

Rating: 16/20 – Jackson dooda.
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Thursday 8 January 2015

Table by S

156 Peel Street 
North Melbourne, VIC 
http://www.tablebys.com/



Table by S and I are star-crossed lovers. Though I’ve fallen for it from the moment Sam told me about it back in April, each and every time I have wanted to visit so far has fallen on a Monday. Guess which day of the week Table by S takes a break? The chemistry however, is undeniable, and I finally found myself with a hankerin’ for some Korean-Italian fusion tapas on a Friday.




Table by S sits just a little bit further up from the strip of Korean restaurants opposite Victoria market, and came as something of a surprise. Instead of being a warm, dark den characteristic of the Korean restaurants in the locale, Table by S was bright and intimate, manned by a bubbly crew. And how adorable are the Christmas decorations?


Banchan

Our meal started traditionally enough with a trio of Banchan. The obligatory kimchi was less tangy, but with a stronger taste of red chilli. The cubes of marinated potato were unremarkable, but the pickled onions were crisp, sharp, and lovely. 


Kimchi Aranchini ($15.9, 4pcs)

Then the surprises started coming. The first was the Kimchi Aranchini ($15.9, 4pcs). Lightly fried and coated in creamy dollops of blue cheese sauce, they were bona fide Italian until the first bite. Instead of ragu, the exterior crumbled into mouthfuls of tangy kimchi fried rice! The combination of creamy cheese and pickled vegetables was downright addictive.



Premium Rice Cake Gratin ($12.9)

The rice cake aspect of the Premium Rice Cake Gratin ($12.9) was hardly groundbreaking, but when they’re baked in a spicy sauce with a crust of melted cheese and bacon bits, the whole dish took on a wonderfully indulgent and European twist. 


Simmered Premium Pork Belly ($15.9)

Though listed as a tapa, the Simmered Premium Pork Belly ($15.9) was big enough as a main for one, at least. This dish was a lot more traditional, and was essentially a kimchi pork belly stew, served deconstructed. 


Simmered Premium Pork Belly ($15.9)

Two large, decadent steaks of tender pork belly swam in a light, gingery broth. I found that the soup needed the kimchi to perk it up, but once I slid the vegetables into the pot, every bite was comforting goodness.

Table by S is unlike any Korean restaurant I’ve ever been to; indeed, its unique style of Korean fusion is in a category all of its own. Add that to the lovely atmosphere and attentive service, and you have a restaurant that’s bound to impress.

Rating: 14/20 – who is S?
This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Table by S on Urbanspoon