26 Jan

A short daytrip up to Echuca meant we were in need of a bite to eat for lunch. The American Hotel had been mentioned by a number of locals, so we planned a visit to satiate our hungry bellies after a morning of water sports on the river. The food really was quite good and everyone enjoyed what they had ordered, from the hearty Texan braised beef chilli, juicy burgers and tacos to the giant servings of succulent pork ribs. Although some might assume pub food fare isn't the...

21:05 / American / American Hotel / Bar/Pub / Echuca / Food / Regional Victoria
24 Jan

China Spice is tucked on the corner of Little Lonsdale on Sutherland St, so could easily be missed on the way to the little sweets oasis that is Shortstop, N2 and Raw Trader.  It doesn't seem to garner rave reviews online, but sometimes ratings are misleading. My parents and a number of our family friends like it here so I was brought along for lunch one day. I noticed some menu items were more Malaysian, which was a bit odd. Perhaps the chef is Malaysian, but in any...

13:36 / China Spice / Chinese / Food / Melbourne CBD / Restaurants
23 Jan

It seems to be increasingly common to find food industry veterans teaming up to form new establishments. Short Straw is another of these, being hatched from the minds of Hugh Hindle, Steve Rowley and Matt Vero, whose combined resume features places like Homeslice Pizza, Coin Laundry, Tall Timber, Touchwood, Marquis of Lorne and Rustica Canteen. Finding the cafe itself can be a little bit confusing. Despite what a cursory glance of the official address might imply, the entrance is actually on Mary St (hence, the 'b' part of its...

14:10 / Cafe / Food / Hawthorn / Short Straw
18 Jan

Brenton Lang (Rustica Sourdough), Tristan White (ex-Head Chef of Ladro and Touchwood), and Matt Vero (Coin Laundry, Tall Timber, Touchwood, The Marquis of Lorne Hotel) have combined forces to set up Rustica Canteen. It takes on an industrial theme, going for a darker colour scheme with plenty of timber. Its drawcards are the delectable pastries a-la Rustica Sourdough on display at the counter, fresh bread available for purchase, and of course being a 'canteen', the food. Sandwiches will change every now and then, and will be filled with plenty...

12:49 / Bread / Cafe / Food / Melbourne CBD / Rustica Canteen / Sandwiches/Wraps
16 Jan

Thai food seems to have earned a special place in the hearts of Melbournians of late. Since 2013, The Piano has been serving contemporary Thai cuisine with a touch of finesse, brought to us by ex-Longrain chefs Tommy and Arte. Taking its place near the entrance is the eponymous German vintage piano, left behind by previous tenants, The Qualia Lounge. Not just a random fancy, the piano also pays homage to the site adjacent to the restaurant, which was operated as a piano maker in the 1800s. Like the piano,...

21:22 / Food / Restaurants / Richmond / Thai / The Piano Restaurant & Bar
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