28 Feb

Taking over the site of the well-rated but now sadly closed Mamame, Sabai presents to us another Thai offering just off Swan St. Sumalee Sae-tang and Manpreet Singh are first-time restaurateurs, but experienced chefs. They've done much of the hard work for this massive undertaking themselves, designing the interior, creating the menu and running the kitchen. [caption id="attachment_11617" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Thai Milk Tea ($4)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11619" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Wok-tossed tofu, herbs, salted chilli, fried shallots, poached prawn served on top of prawn crackers ($14)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11624" align="aligncenter" width="600"] House made vegetarian...

21:58 / Food / Restaurants / Richmond / Sabai / Thai
19 Feb

In the middle of a small shopping strip next to the Manningham Council offices, Kolbeh Persian Restaurant is a simple and modest place offering traditional Persian dishes. We visit on a Friday, and though live music is usually happening every Friday and Saturday night, unfortunately we didn't get to hear any on the day. [caption id="attachment_11436" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Kashk-o Bademjan - Mashed eggplant, fried onion, herbs, and garlic,dressed by kashk (whey) and walnut ($11.50)[/caption] [caption id="attachment_11435" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Persian Dips - Salad Olovieh, Cucumber Yogurt, warm grain dip ($9.50)[/caption] We begin...

22:36 / Doncaster / Food / Kolbeh Persian Restaurant / Middle Eastern / Restaurants
15 Feb

After an unexpectedly early finish to my day, I found myself in the outer eastern suburbs with nothing to do and it wasn't even noon yet. What better thing to do than have a food adventure? A quick search led me to The Firehouse - a smart but unpretentious and informal cafe and restaurant not far from Eastland. The building was a fire station in its former life, hence the name. The seasonal menu is largely Mediterranean. An all-day brunch is available, with the lunch kicking in at...

14:33 / Cafe / Food / Mediterranean / Ringwood / The Firehouse
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
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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