restaurants and cafes

HOT: Cacao Fine Chocolates and Patisserie, 52 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

May 28, 2009 ⋅ 3 comments

St Kilda’s favourite artisan chocolate shop Cacao has sprouted more branches since I was last in town, which is a happy indicator of Melbourne’s ever-expanding appetite for beautiful handmade chocolate treats – even at $1.95 a mouthful. Cacao’s chocolates are made with the finest Belgium couverture (naturelement) and I like their brightly decorated avant-garde designs. [...]

HOT: Baker D Chirico, 149 Fitzroy St, St Kilda

May 28, 2009 ⋅ 2 comments

Daniel Chirico’s small brightly-lit bakery/cafe has been producing quality sourdough for Melbournians for many years, but today was my first visit. The apron-clad staff looked happy, healthy and like they were in love with bread. After a bit of discussion, I decided on the $6 raisin loaf (light, white, organic sourdough packed with juicy fruit) [...]

HOT: Panama Dining Room, Level 3/231 Smith St, Fitzroy

May 24, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

When I first dreamt of living in Collingwood, I dreamt of living in a huge warehouse apartment with lofty ceilings and huge windows like those in the Panama Dining Room. This dimly lit and palm-fronded dining room was buzzy on a Sunday night as we settled down for a low-key dinner with friends. The menu [...]

HOT: Corner Store Cafe, 100 Scotchmer Rd, Fitzroy North

May 22, 2009 ⋅ One comment

The gaudy plastic strips hanging over the door, mismatched formica tables and the stream of regulars trailing kids and dogs really do make the Corner Store Cafe feel like the low-fi neighbourhood hangout. Our large lunch plate ($13.50) contained one of the day’s specials (our choice was the large red capsicum stuffed with risotto) served [...]

HOT: Loafer Bread, 146 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North

May 22, 2009 ⋅ One comment

If you’re going to visit two bakeries in the same area, then it’s only right that you should conduct a comparison visit of the third bakery. Cheerful Loafer Bread seemed to specialise more in cakes, pastries and pies than bread, and their window display of delectable pastries convinced me to try a walnut scroll ($3.50). [...]

HOT: Dench Bakers, 109 Scotchmer St, Fitzroy North

May 22, 2009 ⋅ 5 comments

Midday at family-owned Dench Bakers, and their fruit loaf was already sold out! Undeterred, I decided to taste-test one of the fruit buns instead and it was the kind of sticky-glazed bun pressed with buttons of fruit that I’d imagine featuring in an Enid Blyton book. Personally I thought it was nice but not particularly [...]

HOT: Natural Tucker Bakery, 809 Nicholson Street, Carlton North

May 22, 2009 ⋅ One comment

RM loves scones, but he is also deeply suspicious of anything organic, vegetarian or heaven forbid, vegan. When I spied the fruit-packed vegan scones lovely stacked at counter of the Natural Tucker Bakery ($1.50), I thought I’d take an epicurial risk anyway – and let me tell you, we agree that they are possibly some [...]

HOT: Old Kingdom, 197 Smith St, Fitzroy

May 17, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Another day without a fridge meant another chance to explore our local takeaway establishments. This time, Old Kingdom, a slightly shabby (and thus authentic) Chinese restaurant which serves up well-priced Cantonese dishes. On a Sunday night they were bustling with large tables of Chinese families digging into the restaurant’s speciality – Peking duck. You have [...]

HOT: Hutong Dumpling Bar, 16 Market Lane, Melbourne

May 15, 2009 ⋅ One comment

Hectic Hutong Dumpling Bar is probably the hottest joint in Chinatown right now, with strong word of mouth and a glowing review in The Age. Plus, no one can afford to eat at its neighbour Flower Drum anymore (as evidenced by rumours of financial problems at the esteemed establishment). We tried to get in at [...]

HOT: Flora, 238A Flinders St, Melbourne

May 14, 2009 ⋅ Post a comment

Flora is a no-nonsense Indian cafe which has long been serving Indian people, international students and moi with its cheap and filling food. The decor is spray-wiped spartan and the stark flourescent lights don’t encourage lingering, so there’s a high turnover of diners day or night. This also means that the curries in the bain-maries [...]