food & the goods guide in Melbourne

Name	Type	Price	Recommended Dish	Location
Top Paddock	Brunch	$	Hot cakes, porridge	Richmond
Tall Timber	Brunch	$	Pumpkin bruschetta, poached pear & figs oatmeal, brekky on board, cured ocean trout, smashed avo	Prahran
Pillar of Salt	Brunch	$	Buttermilk pancakes w fresh mango, green tea jelly (15.5)	Richmond
Cumulus Inc	Lunch/Dinner Restaurant Bar	$$	Foie Gras Parfait With Toasted Brioche (19) Tuna tartare w crushed green pea salad (32) house smoked trout, gribiche & potato rösti(17) Ricotta dumplings, zucchini & pinenut 25 Sher Wagyu rump, rocket & bone marrow Lemon madelines ..Whole Slow Roast Lamb Shoulder To Share ($73)	Flinders Lane, CBD
Industry Beans	Breakfast/Brunch	$	Rosewater watermelon w panna cotta Coffee custard pudding The steel cut oats	Fitzroy
Hammer & Tong 412	Breakfast/Brunch	$$	Pavlova yogurt salad Parfaits Peanut butter french toast	Fitzroy
The Kettle Black	Breakfast/Brunch	$$	Coconut chia pudding Hotcakes The kettle black bun	South Melbourne
Sushi Burger	Quick Lunch	$	Sushi burger; aburi (7)	CBD
Chuckle Park	Lunch/Dinner - Bar	$	Burgers, Cocktail jugs	CBD
The Grand Trailer Park Taverna	Lunch/Dinner - Bar	$	Burgers, alcohol	CBD
Taxi Kitchen	Lunch / Desserts	$	smoked petuna ocean trout (22), lemon meringue pie, choc parfait	CBD
No 35 Sofitel	Lunch - Fine dining	$$	2 courses- 45, 4 courses- 60	CBD
Purple Peanuts Japanese Cafe	Quick Lunch - Japanese	$	Tsuke don- salmon sushi salad	CBD
Sezar	Dinner Top rated Restaurant in Melb.	$$	dessert platter, cocktails Braised lamb neck – kaitaifi wrapped with sesame mayo ($16)	CBD
Tipo 00	Restaurant/ dinner	$$	Squid ink tagliolini, rigatoni, gnocchi, pana cotta	Flinders Lane CBD
Cookie	Popular Thai restaurant- Dinner	$$	Giant cocktail,thai food,	CBD
+39 Pizzeria	Fancy pizza, Italian- Dinner	$$	Crudaiola, polenta chips, pappardellea lporcini	CBD
Dex2rose	Dessert - Ice cream	$	"mist in the woods" chocolate set	CBD
Coda	Dessert Restaurant	$	Petit fours dessert platter	CBD
Conservatory @Crown Towers	Dessert	$$	Continental Buffet: $29.50 per person Full Buffet: $39.50 per person Weekday Lunch$55 per person Dinner 85 Afternoon 70	CBD
Zumbo	Dessert	$	Macarons	CBD
Market Lane Cafe	Coffee	$	Coffee- cute take away cups	CBD
Brother Baba Budan	Coffee	$	Coffee.. has chairs on the roof.
League of Honest Coffee	Coffee	$	Coffee..
Patricia Coffee Brewers	Coffee	$	No1 on Beanhunter	CBD
Slater St bench	Coffee	$	Coffee.	CBD

Burger Project CBD Sydney Review

A pretty big burger joint located at World SQ, the menu consists of sides and shakes and $10+ a burger. It was packed inside, with small grey tables and we were really squished in which gave it the atmosphere I think ?

I ordered the "American cheese, when I got it I was a bit disappointed because it was quite small like a Maccas cheeseburger, not really aesthetic. It tasted like the Cheeseburger's cousin, the more better, more handsomer version. The patty was medium rare or something, juicy, moist and it tasted high quality which did make up for it. The 'large chips' wasn't even large. Mo chips! The price was probably expensive for a single burger. However, if you're a simple man and like soft buns and great meat, you might like it.

But I didn't care for the burgers that much to be honest.

3/5.

 

Aqua S Review

You see insta posts of this ice-cream everywhere. Walked in and surprised to see no line! Ordered the sea salt & matcha cone with no toppings ($4). and add on $2 for toppings such as a ridiculous cloud of fairy floss, popcorn, grilled marshmallow.. So delicious, I wanted another one.

SEA SALT ICECREAM? hell yeah bitches, it actually tastes so unique on ma tongue

the blend between the matcha and sea salt was good too! interesting flaver!

they do other flavours once in a while so keep an eye out

This place gets busy really quickly!

5/5!! 

I say..DO IT! you got nothing to lose and everything to gain

 

Buttermelt Cafe Review

Went to Buttermelt cafe in Strathfield aka Koreatown, the interiors looked very chic simple and cute.

My mission was to try the famous Buttermelt pancakes, we ordered at the counter, the girls were friendly.

I ordered the earl grey latte, it was good but it didn't have that pizzaz. However I do not regret it because it was actually quite enjoyable

My friends ordered the eggs bene w salmon and crab meat bruschetta, they said it was yummy (but got sick of it)- same w every other foods basically- and it was yum! and the eggs bene had lots of brocchini which was delicious. You get your money's worth bc the dishes were REALLY generous. all the items on the menu were around $15 which isn't that bad considering Brisbane brunch food is expensive asf

Hold and behold! the almighty! These Buttermelt Pancakes were delicious and I do not regret a single calorie, travelling to Sydney was well worth the trip so ya'll can go home now. The outside was crunchy and inside was soft. In literal heaven while you're eating these, just remember to loosen your belt if you're gonna eat it all in one seating like i did

4/5 stars

 

FOOD & THE GOODS GUIDE IN SYDNEY

A photo posted by John Smith Specialty Coffee (@johnsmithcafe) on Nov 7, 2015 at 12:32am PST

Here's my list, for the best, aesthetically pleasing and instagram worthy:

1. Cre Asion, CBD- Matcha green tea latte, pancakes
2. John Smith Cafe, Waterloo- Poached eggs, pear cous cous salad, quinoa sweet corn fritter smoked trout
3. XS Espresso, Wetherill- CRAZY Milkshakes
4. Bao Stop, Peking duck fries, fried chicken bao- fish, duck, pork
5. Hello Kitty Diner, Chatswood- Cute place.
6. Devon Cafe- Black forest french toast, little lost bread, cookies and cream
7. Blaq Pig- Pandan pancakes
8. 360 Bar and Dining, CBD- (for the view)
9. THE LOCAL MBASSY- Red velvet pancakes, 
10. Cho Cho San- Aesthetic interior, Sashimi plate, wagyu beef w shallot salad, petuna trout, agedashi tofu, steam bun, Cocktails, green tea ice cream
11. Orto Trading Co, CBD- aesthetic interior, scotch egg duck egg, coffee, fried eggs benedict
12. Skittle Lane Coffee, CBD- coffee, aesthetic interior
13. Gelato Blue Newtown- Vegan icecream sundae
14. Romolo.espresso.cucina, CBD- Cannoli Shake, 
15. Six Braxton Chocolate Bar- 
16. Green Peppercorn Civic Hotel- Pandan waffles w pandan sauce, poptails, thai food
17. Piccolo Me, CBD- the piccologato, nutella bomb
18. Sadhana Kitchen- Salads
19. Black Star Pastry- Water melon cake
20. Petal Met Sugar- aesthetic interior, desserts, Choc candy bar and terranium, peach oolong cake
21. Venus Whole foods- almond milk Chai latte for two ..in a beaker,aesthetic interior, amazing salads
22. Gratia- coffee, aesthetic interior
23. Speedos Cafe Bondi- Pitaya bowl,
24. Haven tailoring coffee joyously, Surry hills- Eton-messfogato, specialty coffee, aesthetic interior,
25. Blacksmith, Surry hills- French toast w caramelised banana, soft shell crab burger,
26. Four.ate.five- the 485 breakfast of champions-boiled egg hummus pickles radish feta, amazing salads, 
27. Mr Crackles- pork crackling viet roll. 
28. Lot 1- king salmon bruschetta
29. Daisy's milk bar- fairy bread milkshake, MILSHAKes, Cute interior
30. The Vogue Cafe- Maltereon!
31. Bare Grill & cafe- Fatties burger- double patty!
32. Nook urban fresh bar, CBD- eggs!
33. Aqua S- ice cream insta worthy
34. Burger Project World Sq- burgers, fries,
35. Reuben Hills, surry hills- aesthetic interior, brunch, swordfish tostadas
36. The Boathouse Palm Beach- 10/10 views of ocean, cocktails, lunch
37. Circa Espresso- french toast, coffee, brunch
38. Chanoma Cafe- Parfaits, matcha cups
39. Laduree- High tea, macaroons
40. The Copper Mill- kanye west brown paper bag crossoint, 
41. The Potting Shed at the Grounds- desserts
42. Brewristas- Lemon lime bitter frappes, matcha, drinks
43. The Milk Bar by Cafe ish- the barnyard burger, donuts,
44. Coffee Alchemy- COFFEE
45. The Rabbit Hole- Teas, matcha latte, aesthetic interior, lavender shortbread, blackberry & basil sparking green tea, 
46. The Reformatory Caffiene Lab- $20 coffee
47. Ippudo - Ramen
48. Gelato Messina, Bondi- Gelato
49. Harry's Bondi- Ricotta hotcakes
50. The Grumpy barista- raspberry and figs on brioche,italian hot pot,nutella & oreo injected cronut, tasmanian salmon salad plate,
51. Jacks Newtown- cheese burger double
52. Park Hyatts hotel dining-  fancy, cocktails, by the harbour bridge views

2-Ingredient Microwave Banana Oat Balls Recipe

These are so quick, simple and easy to make. Only requires two key ingredients and a microwave. And you can change it up every time.

balls

Assemble ingredients. 

Microwave Banana Oat Breakfast Balls

• 1/2 cup oats 
• 1 banana 

Optional:

• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon 
• 1/2 tbsp maple syrup/honey
• 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1tbsp milk
• various seeds/nuts
• choc chips
• nutella
• peanut butter
• coconut oil
• desiccated coconut
• whatever you want. 

Method:

1. mash banana with fork
2. Combine all, mix it all together. aw yeah.
3. Shape into balls/cookies. dont be afraid to really grab the balls with your hands
4. Microwave 1 minute. *drizzle your balls with melted nutella/peanut butter.
5. DONE! 

Kingsfood Restaurant Review

It's pretty hidden from Sunnybank's Market Square because you have to cross the road to get to it. The interior was very simple, just a typical Asian restaurant.

Bean. Cafe

Went to Bean Cafe for the first time with some friends. I always walk pass it when I'm walking to uni. The outside is just a small industrial-looking area with graffiti walls with a huge truck parked on the parkway. But if you dodge it and head left, you go down a a small set of stairs and it takes you into the place.

I would consider this to be a "hipster cafe". Hidden, underground, obscure lane-way.  TICK.

When you go in, it's actually really quite comfy and quaint with various artworks. Also, pepe memes. We sat down on the couch.

I ordered a flat white (small, $3.50), and my friends ordered a coconut hot chocolate and cappuccino. 

The group next to us ordered cocktails (which I was a bit jealous) and then a dude came out from the back and entertained them by his knowledge about cocktails.

The coffee was good (but it was not as hot as I expected). You could play various board games with your friends. We played Jenga.The blocks had really funny writing on it.  The group next to us was playing "Never Have I Ever- Gossip Girl edition", it was quite funny eavesdropping. 

Overall, I think it's a chill place with good vibes. The service was very friendly as well and the coffee was good. Reminds me of a friendly cafe version of Brew.

3.5/5.

Ondam Korean Cuisine Review

Went to the newly opened Odam for lunch on Saturday (to celebrate exams) with some friends. I'm usually not a big fan of Korean food. (I don't enjoy kimchi- yeah suE m3.).

It is just a small casual outdoor area with a roof with wooden tables and black metal chairs and some plants. There was only us (and a couple) sitting next to us.The menu was around $15 for a main.

The sides were a small serving of kimchi and this flavourless jelly-flour-water block with seaweed.

The dishes arrived fairly quick and THEY WERE HUGE. Giant. Filled with lots of food.

We obviously got destroyed.

 OK I'M NOT KIDDING WHEN I SAY HUGE. THE BIGGEST SERVINGS EVER. A MEAL FOR GIANTS.

I ordered the crispy pork cutlets with rice. ($13.80). There was a lot of meat and one bowl of rice. I couldn't finish all the chicken. At first I'm like ?? Isn't that Japanese katsu curry?! But it isn't. The meat is the same. It was indeed very crispy and crunchy. But the sauce was not curry, it was a sweet-sour BBQ sauce which made the chicken less crispy. Too much sauce I think. At the end I just got tired and it was very SWeet and SouR and..The salad dressing was some sort of apple puree which was pleasantly different but weird. It would be good if something there to mute the amount of flavour I was tasting. Besides the gigantic plates and serving of food, the quality of food is quite average.

Beef dish.

Edited.

Overall, very generous servings, reasonable prices (a bit on the expensive side for subpar Korean food) and expect to get very, very full.

3/5
 

Alfredo's Pizzeria Review

Decided to try this place out at the Valley. I believe it was made by the same people as Doughnut Time & Chester St. Doughnut times is just beside it. It was about 7.30pm on Friday and we were seated in a table, my chair was a stool (I didn't like it but the guy working asked me if I wanted to swap, but I said no) (hehe). The atmosphere was good, the lighting was good, nice and dim that's how I like it but horrible to  take photos in. And The Amazing Spiderman was playing on the TV behind us so that was a conversation topic, BTW HOW TRAGIC IS PETER PARKER'S FAMILY AND WHAT HAPPENED TO UNCLE BEN IN THE ORIGINAL LIKE OMFG THATS ACTUALLY DEVASTATING. Anyway, I think it may be a good first date place, since it was quite loud and the music is loud but not loud enough to hear the person talk, and not awkward enough if there's a silence. So overall, great atmosphere.

This couple was holding hands and I'm like "they're going to propose". and we laughed. Anyway, WE WAITED A LONG PERIODODICALY TIME FOR THE PIZZA TO ARRIVE. *sees waitress with pizza coming our way*  *omg it;s coming!* *changes direction* "ARGH! fuck.".

It finally arrived, we ordered the Prosciutto and rocket pizza with tomato and mozzarella ($24). It was an expected size.  So overpriced though (but pretty average for "gourmet" type pizzas), it was OK, tasted very fresh and quality, but it was kind of boring after 4 pieces. The crust was very good though, but still $24.... I'm sure there are better pizzas out there for half the price. And again, the wait was long.  Now wondering if I just ordered the wrong pizza (should have looked up Zomato reviews!)

3 stars/ 5

Chester St. Bakery

Decided to go to Chester St. with the family + Nadi for Sunday brunch simply because we saw some yummy-looking fairy-floss milkshakes on Instagram. The place was sorta "in the middle of nowhere". There was a line and we had to wait approx. 20 minutes which was terrible. However, the place itself seemed pretty small with an outdoor dining area, inside area and a group table inside the bar area.

Look at the cake displays! also the ice cream sandwiches looked legit.

We ordered the Raspberry & Cream cake for $9 a slice. It was so good. Wasn't dense nor airy, not the best cake I've tasted but definitely enjoyable and satisfying for a sweet tooth.

We wanted to order off the chalk menu. I got the Tim Tam milkshake ($10.50), it was SO GOOD and looked SO GOOD. (but a bit overpriced obviously) but it was sooo goood?? And look at that lil' fairy floss resembling Donald Trump's hair.

It was way better than the Strawberry Doughnut milkshake (also $10.50) btw. Also the Tim Tam cheesecake was legit ($9) it's small but with all the dessert stuffs you kind of get sickenly sweetened-up.

I think it was a nice yummy dessert place. (Expensive for real brunch though). The milkshakes are worth checking out. Service was pretty bad though. But again, yummy dessert!

3.5/5 stars

Cicada CBD Restaurant

Went to Cicada located near King George Square with a group of friends on Friday night at around 8pm, not a great spot for dinner since it was quite bare inside in the sense that you'd expect more people to be inside, (99.9% sure we were the only people inside) and a bustling atmosphere... (like going into a club and there's just one dodgy DJ with a matching adidas sweatsuit yelling "PUT UR HANDS UP IN DA AIR" and lazer lights are flying across the room but there's no ppl there) but nevertheless, great outdoor area for a drink and affordable food prices near the CBD with prices around $11-$25.

Ordered the angus beef burger ($18) with cheese, pickle, white onion, mustard, ketchup and fries. Was not the best. Missing sauce! It was so dry to eat. But it was nicely presented and was very big and filling. It was just normal, no wow factor. Just note that that's one big pickle (inserted in the skewer).

The service was below average, person serving me did not seem pleased as I asked where the food menu was, they didn't even answer me, just pointed at me like "here it is peasant". And I'm pretty sure the girl who presented me the food slammed the plate down on the table *cough* what happened to professionalism?

Overall

• Dont get the angus burger. its so basic. so dry. 
• Fair prices tho
• I feel like it's not meant for dinner- more for brekkie/lunch or late night drinks at the bar
• Poor service!! like ..wow.

★★☆☆

2.2/5

 

Funnyfunny Korean Resturant

Went to a Korean place called "Funny funny" at George St. at the CBD as recommended by a friend. There was actually a lot of space since it was also a bar, however, we were there for lunch. The walls were all covered in the writing and graffiti and you can also write your own message, not a huge fan of it but there were some drawings of penises so you could say it was "funny"..funny. (see what I did there). All very casual.

We ordered from the lunch special menu- mostly around $10. I got the Hot Stone Bibimbap with beef ($9.90). And my friend got the same but with rare beef (but she got an egg!). 

It came with bulgogi beef and carrot ..and other vegetables. Very filling. 

Fun fact: Bibimbap: the word literally means "mixed rice"

So basically, I'm a amateur at Korean food, but basically to eat Bibimbap..you just mix everything all together while the dish is still hot, and the rice will form a crust for texture and stuff...and so it's sorta like cooking your own food. 

As far as I'm concerned a lot of Korean food has to do with rare meat and cooking your own food though (like kbbq). And then add the sweet-chilli sauce thing in the bottle to your own tasting.

The dish itself was just okay, it wasn't very special but it was reasonable for it's price.

Overall

• Ok-ish, not special, might/maybe/maybe not go here again, still $10 is pretty cheap for food in the CBD.

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆