Moroccan Soup Bar, Fitzroy by Bureaucrat

The Eat and Be Merry Crew convened at the Moroccan Soup Bar for dinner a little (i.e., long!) while ago.  With 12 or so of us, we were able to make a booking for a table and didn't have to join the queue of hungry diners and line up for a table.

I've known about the Moroccan Soup Bar for the longest time now... I know it's an institution and it's famed for its soups and vegetarian menu.  But unlike some of the Crew, I've had never gotten around to trying it - it's a local eatery for Foghorn Leghorn, Big Fil has been there before, and it brings back memories of her roaring 20s for Obelix.

There's lots of photos for this review but the review itself will be rather short.  Namely, because none of us really had a clue as to what we were eating as this was a "spoken menu" (i.e., whatever dishes they had prepared for the day).  Further, the rules of dining here are rather strict... (the Seinfeld character of "the Soup Nazi" was mentioned more than once).  There's basically three options for dinner: set menu A, set menu B or soup.  You can't mix or match the options; and as far as we can tell, the only difference between the two set menus is that you got may be one or two extra dishes for set menu B.  We chose set menu A, or rather, we were told by the staff that they will serve us set menu A.

So, without further ado, here are some colourful pics of various vegetarian dishes.

This was a selection of dips, pickled veg and flat bread...

Miyako Japanese Cuisine & Teppanyaki, Southbank by Bilby Blue

A cultural immersion at the Art Book Fair at the NGV left Benny and me in the mood for a proper sit-down lunch (ie not the food court) but we didn’t want to spend too much. Although there are heaps of eateries in the Southbank precinct, it was also getting very late for lunch and options were becoming more limited as the lunchtime services were coming to a close.

Miyako has a reputation for being expensive, but a quick study of the menu displayed by the door showed that with careful planning (namely, go for lunch rather than dinner) it is definitely possible to dine there for a reasonable price. Plus if you manage to score one of the tables by the window – as we did by lunching very late – your meal will come with a spectacular view over the river.

Baby octopus with sansho pepper and soy sauce kushi

The best suggestion for the hungry and budget conscious: look to either the “sets” or the bento boxes. These are great value for money as they give you a number of separate dishes that will make up a very substantial meal. An added bonus for those unfamiliar with Japanese food is that these options will also ensure that the flavours of the different dishes complement each other, giving a great introduction to Japanese cuisine.

Hogan's Cafe Bar Restaurant, Wallan by Obelix

The Wallan Old Time Market has been a veritable new find for me.  Interesting and quirky stalls, friendly locals makes for a pleasant morning spent in the country.  Which leads me to lunch at Hogan's Cafe Bar Restaurant, a stone's throw away from all the action.

I had the Olds and Kiddo in tow who were hungry from bargain hunting and demanding a feed. Lucky for me, Hogan's have a Seniors Special as well as Kid's Menu so they were well accommodated for.

The Olds both had the Seniors Menu which consisted of two courses for $14.  This consisted of an entree and main for one of them and a main and dessert for the other.  The entree was soup of the day which was a creamy chicken and vegetables.  As they were both taking nibbles off each other's plates, both reported the soup was hearty with chunks of chicken breast.

Ultimate Melbourne winter's night out at Melbourne Central (by invitation)

I've always loved Melbourne Central - from when it housed Daimaru in the 1990s (and I had a very soft spot for the Paul Bocuse bakery which had the most amazing ham and cheese croissants), the futuristic conical tower and that big golden clock that always gets me choked up when it chimes Waltzing Matilda on the hour (plus, as a teenager, it provided a source of constant amusement among my friends and I as we'd imagine how we'd abseil down from the tower in the middle of the night to steal said clock a la Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible).

Oh-my-god!

So when Melbourne Central invited the Eat and Be Merry Crew to its ultimate Melbourne winter's night out, I was there with bells on!

TGI Fridays, Melbourne CBD (by invitation) by Bureaucrat

Continuing our ultimate Melbourne winter's night out at Melbourne Central, we headed onto TGI Fridays for dinner.  Perhaps we're showing our age, but the Lawyer and I really enjoyed our time at TGI Fridays as it transported us back into 1990s - the cushy booths, the great rock hits from the 80s and 90s blasting out from the speakers and the super-friendly staff made us remember when life was simpler and when eating out wasn't about trying and bragging about the latest foodie fad.  It seemed like we weren't the only ones thinking like that - as the place was impressively full for a weeknight with diners and those chilling out with friends over a couple of drinks on the open-air balcony that overlooks Swanston Street.

We (wisely) decided to skip entrees and start with our main dishes.  The Lawyer chose an epic 400 gram rib-eye steak, which came with cheddar cheese mashed potatoes, veggies, onion rings and gravy.  While he enjoyed the juicy steak, mash and onion rings, the veggies were a tad over-cooked.

Bagelicious, Hawthorn (by invitation) by Bilby Blue

When it comes to bagels, I am a traditionalist. Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and maybe some onion (depending on who I might be seeing later that day). It’s a classic, and for good reason. Nonetheless, we are always willing to try fresh ideas and so when Benny and I had an opportunity to check out the new Night Menu at Bagelicious, we were up for the challenge.

Cinnamon and raisin bagel with Nutella, tiny marshmallows and pretzels 

Bagelicious in Hawthorn opened a year ago, while its Elsternwick parent has been around for about six years. Close to Swinburne University, the Hawthorn outlet is popular with students (discounts are available on presentation of a student card and there is free WiFi). Inside is bright and cheery, with the exposed brick walls adding a warming element to the modern fitout. Seating is available both inside and outside on the footpath with a gas heater to keep the evening chill at bay. We were also pleased to see that the building’s original small leadlights had been retained.

The bagels are proper New York style bagels – boiled then baked. Don’t get me started about the utter travesty of bread rolls that claim to be bagels because they have a hole through the middle. A good authentic bagel has a completely different texture and taste to those of regular bread – dense and chewy, but not too heavy.

Cafe Amba, South Yarra (by invitation) by Obelix

Situated directly opposite The Jam Factory on Chapel Street, Cafe Amba is well appointed for a quick coffee grab or a leisurely breakfast or lunch.  Its interiors are warm and inviting with exposed brickwork, smoky mirrors, wall mural and even an upstairs dining area complete with chandeliers.  The bouquets of fresh flowers strewn throughout was a fragrant touch (scroll down for photos!).

Ms A and I tried out their lunch menu after a stint of shopping.

billies at Mt Erica Hotel, Prahran by Benny

When someone with serious culinary credibility declares that he is going to create the best burgers in Melbourne, you really have to sit up and take notice. Melbourne, after all, has a thriving burger culture, showcasing lots of innovation and culinary flare. “Best burger in Melbourne” is a very bold claim.

Chicken pinchos

That Sunny Gilbert, head chef at the Mt Erica Hotel, has culinary credibility is beyond question. Formerly head chef at MoVida Next Door, his marvellous food has been a key part of the rejuvenation of AUSTiNS, Mt Erica Hotel’s flagship restaurant. So one lazy Sunday morning Bilby Blue and I head off to billies for an early lunch, with burgers firmly on our minds.

Southgate - Winter dining events 2016

Get warm this winter by loading up on carbs, protein and mulled wine (always in moderation, of course!).  Our dining friends at Southgate have special events and new winter menus to entice your taste buds.

Spit-roast pork at Hophaus

Hophaus Winter Party - 17 June
Celebrate winter in German style! Get there by 6pm for the Tapping of the Keg - there's free beer until the keg runs out. Kick back with shots of schnapps, bratwurst, mulled wine and live music.  If you're planning on having dinner at Hophaus (carnivores will love the food here!), bookings are recommended, phone: 9682 5900.

Trei, Glen Waverley by Obelix

We have circled the relatively new Trei with much curiosity and with a slight tinge of sadness as Trei has replaced our beloved Swiss Patisserie.  But with the attractively put together al fresco area and a menu which featured acai bowls and other seemingly healthy offerings, my sister and I were willing to come out of mourning and give it a go.  

Being a pescatarian is sometimes a bit limiting when it comes to cafe dining.  I invariably end up with avo on toast, smoked salmon on toast or some variation thereof.  I was delighted to see Spicy Cauliflower Fritters with cumin, labneh, peperonata and poached egg ($17.50).  Envisaging cauli fritters like the Indian Pakoras, light and crispy coating with nourishing cauliflower florets within. I was really looking forward to my dish.  

However I was a bit disappointed with what came.  The fritters were more like patties of stodge.  They were similar to hot cakes with more binding agent - I suspect flour rather than much cauli.  They were also under-seasoned and not at all spicy as advertised.  The labneh and peperonata were delicious but they were the side act.  Perhaps the fritters would have been less dry and brick-like if the poach eggs tenderly oozed their yolks over it.  However the eggs were well done and no ooze was to be had.  

Eat'aliano by Pino, Windsor (by invitation) by Bilby Blue

I love Italian food. There is something truly wonderful about a culture that celebrates and shares the joy of food and its natural ingredients. So an invitation to the launch of a new Italian restaurant in Windsor was not to be missed.


Lamb cutlets, served with roasted orange and purple carrots

The eponymous Pino Russo, who is also co-owner of La Svolta in Hampton, aims to serve authentic cuisine from regional Italy – in particular from Naples. And as everyone knows, one of the specialities of Naples is pizza. At Eat’aliano you can be confident that you are eating authentic Neapolitan style pizza, as the restaurant is a member of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, the official Naples-based organisation that promotes and protects the traditional pizza. And the pizzas are ready in a flash – Pino has installed an amazing white tiled pizza oven from Europe that bakes a pizza in just 50 seconds!

The Fish House, Burleigh Heads (QLD) by Foghorn Leghorn

There are two things you should know about the Fish House in Burleigh Heads: it's expensive; and it's always full. Many places are one or the other, but very few are both, so evidently the Fish House is providing something that keeps people coming back to pay the steep prices. It could be the view, but across the road there are two restaurants with a better view, and they've been offering specials to fill their seats. The Fish House doesn't offer specials, so it's most likely about the food, and that's why we decided to devote some hard-earned shekels to eating there.

I'll say at the start that it was worth the expense. At the same time, we were surprised to find that the food experience fell down in a couple of ways that we didn't expect.


Caramelised Patagonian toothfish with spring onion

One thing that the place offers, rarely seen elsewhere, is Patagonian toothfish from the Heard Island fishery. Before readers go all eco-warrior about this, I looked it up before we went. The Heard Island fishery is well-managed, and the catch quotas are set at a precautionary level. So this was a fish we definitely wanted to sample.

Gramercy Bistro, Prahran by Bureaucrat

In keeping with the goal of dining in suburbs that we don't usually go to, we picked Gramercy Bistro for a family birthday lunch.  As with our family dinner earlier this month at Cafe Florentine in Brighton, we made good use of the Gold Card, which comes with the 2016-17 Entertainment Book.  For this meal, we got 25% off the total bill up to a value of $50 (which equated to getting one of the main dishes for free).  (Click on these links to find out how we're raising money for FareShare by asking our Aussie readers to buy a copy of the 2016-17 Entertainment Book).

For me, I picked the grilled hangar steak with watercress salad, Bearnaise sauce and fries.  I asked for the steak to be well done and it was still quite tender and juicy.