310 Flinders La
Melbourne 3000
VIC Phone: (03) 9620 1881
Website: www.hako.com.au
This week I had lunch with 3 of my friends who I hadn't seen in a while, Chantel, Patches and Madeline. Chantel told me she felt like eating Japanese food, so we decided to go to Hako. I believe Hako has now become the default catch up lunch destination for Chantel and I.
I really like the simplicity of the decor.
45 Flinders La
Melbourne 3000 VIC
Phone: (03) 9650 1445
Website: www.cumulusinc.com.au
I had actually planned to come to Cumulus Inc a week ago, but instead my friends decided that they wanted to have some Vietnamese rolls from Collingwood instead. Although Cumulus has been around for a while now, I had never gone... even with my friend Tofu constantly raving about it!
15 Warburton La
Melbourne 3000 VIC Phone: (03) 9602 2273
Website: www.portellorosso.com.au
After seeing Claire's Portello Rosso review at Melbourne Gastronome, I just had to go. Especially to try out the chocolate pudding that she raved about!
Upon arrival, I can already sense that I'm going to like this place. The atmosphere of the joint is very laid back and the waiters are very down to earth and friendly. We opted for a seat upstairs.
252 Swanston St
Melbourne 3000 VIC
Phone: (03) 9663 7660
Website: www.cookie.net.au
Last week I was reading Tomatom's where I stumbled upon his post about Anthony Bourdain's - No Reservations episode in Melbourne, Australia. First off... I love to watch Anthony Bourdain's show, he's a darn funny guy and he'll just give it to you straight. So I didn't waste any time to watch the episode, heck I watched it like 3 or 4 times that night!
Since watching the episode, I have piled up on restaurants for my to go to list. First on my list was Dainty Sichuan. I personally do not really understand my tolerance level as of yet for spicy food. But after seeing Bourdain and Tam dive into those dishes of what it appeared to be a 90% dried peppers, I myself was salivating. As Tam said, "This is what you call sexy food". So I quickly organised for my friends and I to go there on Thursday. However, just as lunch time was about to strike, I received a call from my friend telling me that Dainty Sichuan had relocated to Toorak Road. Yes... can you imagine my reaction? "NOOOO WHAT!? You're kidding me! NO WAY! Oh my god." Yes, I have now learnt my lesson... do more research before you go out to eat!
So there we were, 8 of us standing on Swanston Street outside China Town, wondering what we were to eat instead. I know you're all probably thinking, it's not that hard to just find some place to eat. But keep in mind, everyone has different budgets, time constraints, like to eat different things and sometimes its just hard to find a place that will take 8 people for lunch without reservation in the city. Especially if the place is known for good food. We decided we'd just go for dumplings because we were just too hungry to think, but on the way I saw Cookie and immediately went upstairs to see if there were any spots for the 8 of us. Luckily, there were!
Upon arrival, my friends didn't waste anytime to get some beer. One of them even had 3 beers during the entire meal. I guess if you're at Cookie, why not?
7 Alfred Pl
Melbourne 3000 VIC Phone: (03) 9631 4000
Website: www.comme.com.au
If I had started this blog a month ago, I would have 3 Comme Kitchen posts by now. But because I didn't I'm missing quite a few photos of the dishes here and there, so bear with me!
As some of you may know, I couldn't get reservations at Comme for Chantels' dinner mid May, so I decided to have lunch there instead with Kaelyn since it was so close to her work.
On my first visit there with Kaelyn, we each ordered 2 entrees and 1 main, and shared a desert which totaled to $29 dollars each. The waiter even halved the chocolate tart for us and gave us an extra scoop of their malted ice cream which was to die for. With that sort of an experience, who wouldn't go back for more? Great food, great service and a great venue!
I'm sorry that the photos aren't that great this time around, I'm still a beginner! :)
2 Malthouse La
Melbourne 3000 VIC
Phone: (03) 9662 1632
Website: www.thefrenchbrasserie.com.au
A bunch of friends my friends went to The French Brasserie to celebrate our friend Chantel's birthday mid May. Chantel was pretty busy, so I offered to look for a restaurant for her for her birthday. Originally I had Comme Kitchen and The Italian in mind, however they were both booked out, so I decided to go with The French Brasserie as my third option.
In terms of making a reservation, it was quite a breeze, considering there were 13 of us in total. They even offered to seat us upstairs as we had a larger group so that we would have more freedom. When I walked into the restaurant that night, I immediately noticed the two story glass windows that go along the side of the restaurant. The venue has a nice feel to it.
While waiting for everyone to arrive, I asked the waiter for a mocktail, something tropical and bubbly! Although mocktails weren't on the drinks menu, they were kind enough to whip me exactly what I asked for! The drink was very refreshing with plenty of fresh strawberries in it. Chantel and Maddie ended up ordering one each after trying mine. :)
For starters we got a basket of fresh bread which the guys quickly demolished seeing they were quite hungry.
ENTREES
