07 Apr

From the outside, Pumphouse Hotel looks like a typical brown-brick pub, but once you walk through the doors you’re greeted with a neat and modern dining area and cosy bar. I have lunch in the bistro section, where the menu offers traditional pub fare as well as other seasonal dishes with more of a European-influence. [caption id="attachment_12009" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Chilli and citrus braised beef ribs - Herbed polenta, sauteed greens, citrus jus ($29.90)[/caption] I’m tempted by the linguini marinara special with salmon, scallops, squid, tomatoes, chilli and basil, but settle...

12:10 / Bar/Pub / Fitzroy / Food / Pumphouse Hotel / Restaurants
06 Apr

Hoping to grab a quite bite before heading in to work, I pop into Hard Pressed, situated within easy access by train and tram. The interior is dark and very retro, and despite the wet and dreary Melbourne weather they’re doing a good trade. [caption id="attachment_12016" align="aligncenter" width="800"] El Cubano - Orange braised pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, Dijon mustard ($15)[/caption] They’ve been known for their sandwiches, or tortas, but on my visit they seemed to have cut back on the torta menu and there’s only one. [caption id="attachment_12015" align="aligncenter" width="800"] El...

12:16 / Cafe / East Melbourne / Food / Hard Pressed
03 Apr

Right next to Camberwell station on Railway Parade, Coffeehead has been providing locals with a coffee-focused venue since 2011. Ash has over 30 years experience as a chef himself, training and working in London before coming to Australia and spending time under Gary Mehigan at Novotel on Collins. Through further work at Blue Train in Crown, he met Paul Mathis, eventually taking over Mathis' CoffeeHead. When Ash Nathan became the owner, he decided to start roasting his own beans on-site with their Probat roaster and retail them, providing...

13:33 / Cafe / Camberwell / CoffeeHead / Food
02 Apr

Frances Food & Coffee has bagged a spot right next to Queen Vic Markets, which is particularly handy for those on the way to or from market shopping, or an outing at Flagstaff Gardens. Most of the fresh produce used here does in fact come from QVM, enabling the brother and sister duo, Sofia and Stefan Soltys, to support local businesses. [caption id="attachment_12006" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Sauteed balsamic mushrooms with Persian feta, confit garlic puree, wild rocket and multigrain toast ($16)[/caption] The crispy pork belly with beetroot relish, chilli scrambled eggs...

12:14 / Cafe / Food / Frances Food & Coffee / Melbourne CBD
01 Apr

Of course, New Shanghai is famous for their dumplings, but they also serve a wide range of dishes that don’t involve those special bites of goodness. As much as I love their New Shanghai pan-fried dumplings, we decided save some stomach space in order to explore the other options on the menu. [caption id="attachment_11835" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Steamed 'Lion's Head' meatball in broth, crab meat and Chinese chestnut ($7.50)[/caption] We started with the steamed Lions head meatball in broth with crab meat and Chinese chestnuts. The broth was beautifully light yet...

12:47 / Chinese / Food / Melbourne CBD / New Shanghai / Restaurants
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