Sheni's Curries - So good I went 2 days in a row

On a search for good Indian food in the city, I came across Sheni's Curry. Although the address says Collins street, the entrance to the little shop is from Russell street (directly opposite the carpark entrance to Grand Hyatt Melbourne).
Ordered the Sri Lankan special - red rice, fish pickle curry, jackfruit curry, green salad, dhal curry, chutney, chilli and poppadom.  I fell in love with this dish from the first mouthful.  Just the right amount of spices, just enough heat to make me look forward to the next mouthful.
This dish reminds me of a local rice salad dish I love back in Malaysia called nasi kerabu.
The next day, I had coconut milk rice with lamb curry which was also on special.  The consistency of the rice was pudding-like. Was different but delicious. Goes very well with the lamb curry.
This joint is gonna be my regular haunt...

161 Collins street, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

(Enter from Russell street)

Biz hours: 11am to 4pm

Izakaya Hachibeh - feels like I'm in Japan

I'm starting to feel I'm addicted to this restaurant.  Tonight, it was a feast for 3.  Fried soba noodles was tasty with bits of beef slices, cabbage and capsicums. Grilled eggplant with special miso sauce was done to perfection. Grilled sanma had a strong fishy smell when it was set on the table but once we squeezed the lemon juice on, it was delicious. 
The nabeyaki udon with chicken, 1 prawn tempura, sliced fish cakes tasted exactly like the ones in the land of the rising sun. Sashimi platter - 1 word, fresh. Highlight of the meal for me was  the beef tataki. Lightly grilled and complemented with a special soy sauce. Meat was tender loving good.
We also had a mio sake which tasted like a fruity sparkling wine. The hokkaido beer is perfect as it is light so I don't feel too full compared to a dark ale. Awesome!

143-145, Bourke street, Melbourne 3000

Victoria, Australia. 

Tel: 03 90789909

Krimper - A new find in a lane way

I'm excited.  I can post my reviews from my mobile! This morning, I decided to try a new cafe which supposedly has a killer burger.
Obviously, I ordered the Krimper burger (Krimper is the name of the cafe). A latte to go with it. They use coffee from Proud Mary. Verdict:
Burger ($18) came on a block with hand cut chips and aioili sauce. What I like about the burger is the bun. A seeded brioche bun. Patty was juicy, cooked just right, medium rare. The whole combination was very good. I wouldn't rate it exceptional because it just lacked something and I can't make out what. 
Coffee was good when it was hot. It had a hint of cough mixture taste after it cooled down.  Not sure if it was because of a reaction to something in the burger, I don't know.
I would give this place another try.

Krimper
20, Guildford lane
Melbourne 3000
VIC Australia

Bowery to Wiiliamsburg - Not the typical sandwich

I have been curious about the hype behind Bowery to Williamsburg, a little cafe in a lane. As I had a brunch date, I took the opportunity to try this hidden gem.
When we walked along Oliver lane, my friend asked if I was selling her to a dodgy syndicate...duh!
We found the cafe. The interior was pretty with a communal table that filled at lunch time.
We ordered the reuben and the sausage & chorizo which was on the specials board. We exchanged half for half. Oh, we ordered the set which came with pretzels, a gherkin and a side. We picked mac n cheese and tabouleh. Set is $16.50. Sandwich only is $12.50.

I was sold. The reuben was tasty with just the right amount of sauerkraut and cheese in between rye sourdough slices. It was moist, with the perfect balance of salty, sour and cheesy.
The sausage and chorizo was delicious with the tomato base. Packs a punch with melted cheese on top. These were in between a mini baguette.
Coffee was good and I would go back. Yes. Definitely.

Bowery to Williamsburg
16, Oliver lane
Melbourne 3000

JooMak is my Korean favourite

Let's start the spring with a little Korean goodness. Joomak is a hidden gem (literally) in the Melbourne CBD. It opens from 5pm till wee hours of the morning daily and I have seldom seen it without customers. Tables are normally fully booked dinner time as I never seem to be able to get a table if I walked in anytime between 7pm and 9pm.
To ensure a place at this basement restaurant, I called to reserve a table for 2. Fast forward to the food, ordered cheesy spicy seafood ($25), kimchi tofu soup ($18-comes with a bowl of rice) and a grilled mackerel. I must say, this visit was a bit disappointing as only the soup and the condiments were delicious. I suggest you stay to the original menu and avoid swaying towards their specials which we ordered.
I can say the kimchi tofu soup was spicy, packed a punch in kimchi flavour and hot, perfect for winter. Oh, and their Soju cocktails are awesome too. Any flavour is fine by me.

This place is always packed with students, and please make a booking if you want to guarantee yourself a table. Happy hunting!

407-409, Swanston Street, Melbourne 3000 VIC
Tel: (03) 9663 7123

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Eat faster than I post

It is a wonder that this blog is still available considering my inactivity for nearly a year. I have been blessed with lots of food adventures, but have not had the time to post them online. I think it could also be the fact that the idea of taking photos of my food before I eat them has been daunting. It is reflective of a typical Asian (as my cousin's partner puts it... "again??"). Anyways, my resolution from this point forward is to try to update this blog as often as I am eating all those wonderful food Melbourne and world has to offer. Till then, look forward to posting the next blog again.

Eat, eat and eat...

Comments/views shown are purely personal, and has no link to anyone or any corporation whatsoever.