My Current Hot 5 in Melbourne

Hi folks, I do apologise for being tardy and not writing for a while but I have been busy.. Busy feasting my way through some awesome restaurants in Melbourne, that is. Satiating my mad hunger and big appetite to counter the winter blues.

And so, I bring you my current HOT 5 in Melbourne. It's so hot right now you have to check it out pronto. Take my word for it.

1. Claypots

213 Barkly St St Kilda (03) 9534 1282

Claypots has got to be the best value-for-money joint for Seafood in Melbourne. The only grouse would be the no-bookings policy but so long as you get in early at 6pm you should be able to score yourself a table. Otherwise, hang out at the bar and enjoy the beautiful wines and cocktails whilst you wait for your table. The star of the show is the Shellfish Stirfry. For $60, this glorious platter of fresh crab (mud/swimmer/spanner - depending on the catch of the day), mussels & prawns on a bed of sticky rice feeds 2 ravenous people or even 3 smaller eaters. For the true-crab afficianados, the fresh chilli mud crab with giant crab claws is a must-have. Another signature dish here is the garlic king prawns - @$9 a pop, you need only order 1 per person but it is worth every cent. The freshness of each giant prawn should be slowly relished whilst every drop of flavoursome garlic sauce should be saved for bread dipping throughout the meal.

2. Rainbow restaurant

Lvl 2 / 206 Bourke St Melbourne (03) 9650 2188 

This place markets itself as an "Entertainment Plaza" with a Karaoke facility, a sportsbar and a restaurant all under one roof. Making your way into the plaza, one feels a surreal sense of being in a modern typical Chinese restaurant in Asia. A super-friendly porcelain-skinned petite Asian host at the base of the escalator (wired up with her earphones) comes up to greet you as you are led up the escalator, moving towards clean cool modern bamboos lined out the front; and then into contemporary warm lighting and wooden furniture within the entire "plaza".

We came here specifically for the yumcha and were totally blown away by the excellent service, the high quality fresh ingredients and the massive variety of dishes after dishes of dim sum. For $30 each, we ate like queens with a smiling lady with a push cart (cruising by every 5 minutes) bearing with her a vast array of hot steaming dumplings (with the likes of your siew mai, har gao, scallop dumplings and so on), fried calamari, hot steamed buns (char siew baos & super-soft and sweet custard baos), oyster mornay, black bean pork ribs, egg tarts, sweet soya bean curd, etc etc - you name it they got it. You get the picture. It's just a non-stop crazy food fest so make sure you go with an empty stomach so you get to try as much as you can. Guaranteed to satisfy the ravenous big-eater.

3. Rococo

87 Acland Street, St Kilda (03) 9525 3232

A popular eatery with the St Kilda locals, this modern Italian restaurant bar attracts a young gourmet-savvy crowd every weekend and it's little wonder why when after you make your way past the throngs of foodies and you finally manage to sink your teeth on the bountiful variety of fresh antipasti and thin-crusted pizzas. Expect a little wait on a friday night but sit by the bar and order some snacks whilst waiting. For $26, you could order 5 selected items from the comprehensive antipasti menu - including the eggplant dip with fresh crusty bread, grilled smokey eggplant, crumbed calamari with fennel salt, arancini balls & chargrilled asparagus. Afterwards, make sure you try the authentic wood-fired pizzas with only the freshest ingredients - from the simple but finest margherita to the scrumptious pumpkin, pine nuts and fetta pizza. Something for everyone.

4. Ichi Ni

12 The Esplanade St Kilda (03) 9534 1212

Rumour had it this Modern Japanese restaurant in my neighbourhood wouldn't disappoint with their medley of Izakaya-style snacks and bites. Indeed the grapevine was right as it turns out not only was the food delectable but was also served at lightning speed. No more than 5 minutes into ordering and our wines came out, no more than 15 minutes into arriving, we were served our first entree - thanks to the handy electronic ordering pads the friendly wait staff wield in their hands.  Specialising in yakitori, sushi, sashimi and Japanese tapas, Ichi Ni offers a casual, intimate and unique dining experience next to gorgeous Port Phillip Bay. Some of my personal favourites were the ebi mayo (crispy deep-fried tiger prawns in Japanese Mayonnaise), the tender juicy tsukune skewers (meat ball), luscious pan-fried pork gyoza oozing with broth per bite dipped in soy ponzu sauce, and grilled king fish marinated in orange soy, sprinkled with a touch of sansho pepper. Sip your sake and be entertained by the busy Japanese chefs showing off their knife skills in the open kitchen plating dish after dish off the counter.

5. Giuseppe & Sons

Crown Casino 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank (03) 9694 7400

G.A.S. - short for Guiseppe & Sons, dwells in vibrant Crown Casino. As you push open the heavy laden wooden doors and step into a warm cosy setting, you'll be welcomed as well by gregarious wait staff curiously adorned in butchers coats. Another no-bookings policy applies here but you can wait by the bar or alongside the bar sipping cocktails and snacking on giant-sized peanuts. A word of advice - if in doubt or less adventurous, order the more "traditional" Italian options - for instance, the Braised Veal Shank in Milk (as a twist)! (instead of your usual red wine jus), just make sure you order the crunchy potatoes roasted with fresh whole garlic and rosemary twigs as well to go with it. Another popular favourite and value for money option would be the Spaghetti“Arrabbiata” Crab, Tomato, & Chilli Baked in a Paper Bag ($33). Observe the wait staff showing off their "deli" skills by shaving fresh parmesan over your dishes whilst recommending fine wine to accompany your meal.  For the more adventurous and brave at heart, you might like to try the Parmesan Crumbed Lambs Brains & Spring Onions with G.A.S.' Version of an Italian inspired Tartare Sauce or even the “Zampone” Pigs Trotter filled with G.A.S.' House Made Cotechino, Celery, Marjoram, & Spinach!!  Certainly not for the faint-hearted. :)