The Sneaky Pidge headed east coast the other week and here's a tipple of what I nibbled, noshed and got critical on...
MoVida Aqui.
MoVida. It's a no-brainer. And MoVida Aqui ("here") is just as worthwhile - if not better. While its not the original, it is certainly the most lively and spontaneous venue.
Deeeeelicious cooking start to finish. The standout was the braised beef cheek - unimaginably tender meat in Pedro Ximinez (Spanish sherry) on a smooth bed of creamy cauliflower puree. Don't miss this dish.
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| Scallops |
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| Beef cheek, Pedro Ximinez, cauliflower puree |
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| Scampi |
I don't know how they managed to fashion even more imagination and deliciousness from that kitchen- but the desserts somehow trumped the savoury dishes. So make some room for the sweet stuff!
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| Caramel banana, liquorice ice cream, chocolate something |
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| Strawberry jelly, strawberries, homemade ice cream |
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| Homemade ice creams, fig bread |
Cumulus Inc.
We booked the Chef Selection $75pp. That was $75 money well spent! There was an endless flow of delicious and inspiring food. Even the garlic brussell sprouts were hard to rest on - ah I loved these!
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| Spiced eggplant, pomegranate, sheeps milk yoghurt cheese |
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| wagyu bresaola, truffle cream, artichoke |
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| Gazillion hour slow roasted lamb shoulder |
Highlights were the hero dish- the incredible fall-off-the-bone lamb shoulder that felt like it had been slow roasted for a decade; and the unassuming precursory nibbles- spiced almonds to start - very more-ish. I declared love for the spiced eggplant (like a Baba Ganoush!) and the 'cracked wheat, freekeh salad with preserved lemon and almonds'. I couldn't forget the incredible zing from the Apple sorbet on the dessert dish either.
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| cracked wheat, freekah salad |
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| John Dory, artichokes barigoule, nettle |
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| apple sorbet, burnt butter custard, almond |
Izakaya Den
Big call, but this is my new favourite venue in Melbourne. The food was fantastic but it was the contagiously cool atmosphere that won me over. We arrived excitedly around ten to seven and were told for a group of five, it would be a two hour wait. I was determined. We said we'd bare the wait, which I think the Maitre'd wasn't expecting. I called his bluff and it worked! twenty minutes later we had scored a spot at the long table at the far end of the restaurant. Result!
Sexy place, huh?
'Izakaya' is what they call a Japanese pub. I hesitate likening Izakaya Den to a pub however; as this place has ounces more 'cool' than any regular pub! Just take it that there is late night drinking with eating. The 'Den' part comes from the underground location.
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| Duck, plum |
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| Sweet corn 'kaki-age' |
The atmosphere is what I'd like to get amongst every Saturday night. Funky, sultry and casual all at once. After digesting the funky music, novel deer printed cups and nifty digital wall art, we narrowed in on the menu of Japanese tapas. Everything was new to me and sounded delicious. I didn't know Japanese could be so exciting. Forgive me for not recalling the particular names of these dishes but I can tell you that you MUST order the Sweet corn 'kaki-age' - a tasty, tasty surprise!
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| Apple Mille-feuille |
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| Green tea mousse, ice cream and sponge |
LuxBite
If you have an affinity for the sweet stuff and experimental food - this is the place for you! It is my number one spot for sugar in Melbourne. LuxBite specialise in creative and exotic desserts - macarons, cakes, slices, eclairs and anything else they can make a sweet avant-garde masterpiece out of. Whats on offer changes regularly with different themes and specials. This visit they had a range of eclairs on show. We tucked into the Peanut Butter, chocolate and raspberry variety. Oh, my!
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