My Top 5 Fine Food

Having had a 6-month hiatus, I am BACK with a vengeance - armed with a hearty appetite and discerning eye, I have been on the hunt for my Top 5 Fine Food in Melbourne..ENJOY! :)

My Top 5 Fine Food in Melbourne

Fine dining is a luxury most of us can't afford. The majority of places that serve fine food can be stuffy and sterile. So, where would you go if you had $100 to spare for the month and wanted to treat yourself to some gourmet food, of the highest quality and flavor, prepared well and presented in an artful manner? Here's my top 5 take on fine food. Indulge, be decadent and feast away.

1. Cutler & CO

55-57 Gertrude St Fitzroy VIC 3065 (03) 9419 4888

Contemporary. Sexy. Modern. Artful. These are words I would use to describe my experience at Cutler & Co. Probably the best $100 I spent so far too. Bookings have to be made 2-4 weeks in advance for weekends to avoid disappointment. (I wouldn't try just walking in and attempting to get a table unless it's a weekday.) Don't undermine the grungy Fitzroy location as to my surprise, Cutler & Co offers a fine classy haven within the plethora of restaurants in the area. The interior is clean & cool with high ceilings, artistic hanging lamps, scrubbed unfinished brick and dark teak furniture. The only hint of it being an old metal work factory would be the historical building exterior. The waitstaff were friendly and greeted us up the front of the restaurant walking us in to our table and were only too keen to recommend the finest wines from their comprehensive wine list to complement our meals or kick start the night with.

Choose from the ala carte or the dugustation menu ($130 per person). The two of us chose a selection of dishes from the ala carte menu to share and were first served

a complimentary portion of light cheese crackers cooked with tapioca flour which tasted surprisingly just like prawn crackers with a hint of cheese. For our first entree we had thinly sliced cured kingfish layered with caviar, creme fraiche, beetroot and pickled cucumber - it was decadent with bursts of sweet, salty and rich flavours. Then followed the chorizo with pickled octopus, aioli, pickled garlic and pickled chilli - very flavoursome and appetising which left us begging for more. Throughout the meal, we were served an array of freshly home-baked warm breads of either sour dough muffin or rye bread. Next up, the indulgent mandarin duck braised fillet smoked cooked confit foies gras cigar - crispy succulent duck beautifully cooked to perfection with a soft salty centre as you sink into the cigars. Sweet carrot salad with walnut cream and middle eastern cheeses followed - a hommus like textured cheese gave the salad a real kick -with a crunch of walnut and a taste of cheese, it was a mish mash of wonderful flavours. Last but not least, we had a sweet end to the night with the candied apple and earl grey ice cream - popping

and flooding our mouths with sweet sweet bliss.

2. Maze

Level 1, Crown Metropol

Corner of Whiteman and Clarendon Streets,
Southbank, (0)3 9292 8300

So Gordon Ramsey got the winning formula. Perfect venue, beautiful decor and excellent food. Who could ask for more? We booked for lunch at this delightful restaurant and were impressed by the quality of food, service and ambience. We were taken by the casual atmosphere yet highly attentive waiters, who took our coats, hung them away and offered us 3 types of water - still, tap or sparkling. The warm dark teak interior, with floor to ceiling windows, featured hints of maze patterns on wooden screen dividers and walls. The giant bamboo lamps hung pretty amidst the showcase of wine and decanters. Palm leave plants added a hint of greenery amidst the modernity.

You could choose from either 3 courses at $38 or 4 courses at $49. I went with the 3 courses and had the beetroot goats cheese and quails egg, followed by the melt-in-your-mouth paddock fish (with flavoursome soup) and the tender ox cheek fillet. Throughout the meal, we were served tasty soft fresh bread with caramelised sea kelp butter and sea salt - an absolute beauty! I loved how the waiters poured sauce onto the meats at the table and thought how very novel and innovative that was. The ox cheek fillet, cooked medium rare, was succulent and juicy, the accompanying buttery mash perfectly seasoned with a hint of wasabi! I watched in envy as my friend ordered the divine and delicately elegant coconut and white chocolate pannacotta. mmm.. certainly a must on your list. Note that the menu changes with the seasons.

3. Duck Duck Goose

31-37 Artemis Lane QV 03 9005 0888

Don't be fooled by the silly name - it's not as frivolous as it sounds. This restaurant features modern French / Asian cuisine that packs up a punch. Featuring a busy kitchen run by Japanese chefs who trained under Iron Chef Zakir and headed by Head Chef Ryo

Kitahara who worked under Haru Inukai formerly Head Chef from Gal

ileo at The Observatory in Sydney, you can only expect the best from this classy restaurant.

Let's talk abit about the ambience. The dark "black" theme transcends the restaurant whilst the warm 'candle-lit' tables make for a cosy atmosphere. Modern music surrounds you whilst you observe the centre water feature for good feng shui. Be greeted by friendly wait staff who are highly knowledgeable about their food and wine from various regions to complement each course.

Now the food. Talk about a generous portion. We started with home-made fresh & warm brioches, followed by red peach confit and foie gras parfait with cardamom - it was sweet, spicy and light. The combination of sweet and sour flavour pops in your mouth and creates an explosive flavour unlike any other. The tender venison was cooked to perfection, the truffle potatoes devine. My all-time favourite was the oxtail pastry that was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside - it was simply superb! Totally unexpected, the oxtail slivers was cooked to perfection, shredded off the bone and wrapped in delicate pastry. We ended it all with a sweet finish - the rich chocolate fondant with little creatures pale ale ice cream - it was a sour yet sweet experience but very surprising (in a good way). All in, an excellent dining experience and totally memorable. Highly recommended for the discerning gourmand!

4. Grossi Grill

80 Bourke Street Melbourne T. 03 9662 1811

This modern Italian restaurant is a Melbourne institution in its own right - owned and managed by famous chef Guy Grossi. You occasionally see the hands-on owner-chef serving and chatting with his guests, making them feel at home in his cosy restaurant. If you are after value for money, go for the pre-theatre dining. The pre-theatre dining occurs daily here between 6 - 8pm, unveiling a delectable array of courses at excellent value. For $35 –choose a 2 course dinner (either an entrée and main, or main & dessert, which comes with a glass of wine & coffee.) or $45 – for a 3 course dinner (entrée, main & dessert, with a glass of wine & coffee).

Be entertained as you watch the top chefs woo their guests with their winning performance cooking through the open kitchen, as lines of fresh bread baskets dance off the counter. In the first act, the tuna croquette whets the appetite with its crisp texture and subtle flavour, only upstaged by the star of the show, the tender, succulent lamb shanks in red wine jus. During the interval, the audience will be served a complimentary glass of wine and for the finale, coffee and biscotti for all. A typically ravenous pre-theatre diner will saunter out, full-bellied, satiated, shouting “bravo, encore!” knowing they will be back again soon.

5. The Point

Aquatic Drive Albert Park Lake 03 9682 5566

If there is one thing The Point is famous for, it's their succulent top quality steaks. Proclaimed on their website as "the best steak restaurant 2010 in Melbourne", you won't be disappointed by the range on offer. Walk up the flight of stairs into the The Point and be wowed by the hanging display of meats and array of cuts outside the restaurant. Step into the restaurant and be greeted by friendly wait staff and an awesome view overlooking Albert Park Lake.

Head there for the Express Lunch and you can enjoy fine dining at a fraction of the price - only $35 for 2 courses and a glass of wine! Choose from 3 different mains and 3 desserts. We were lucky to try the grain fed steak that day and enjoyed the tender porterhouse on a bed of mash and onion seasoned cabbage with a hint of squid ink. This was followed by the sweet chocolate lamington and coconut sorbet - all very delicate flavours.

I went back again for dinner another day and enjoyed the fresh oyster - cooked 2 different ways - Natural and Rockefella followed by a massive beef to share for 2 - 900g grain fed Clare Valley Rib Eye, baby gem salad, with pink peppercorn sauce, carved at your table @ $47pp! I wasn't disappointed of course and I think the portion was way too big for 2 but if you have a hearty appetite this would be to die for.

Enjoy! :)

Top 5 Cheap Eats Under $10 in Melbourne City

As a continuation to my earlier post, and with input from fellow foodie Vettie, here are our:

TOP 5 CHEAP EATS UNDER $10 IN MELBOURNE CITY

1. Es Teler 77

If you're wandering around Melbourne city and want a quick, appetising, value for money feed, this is the place to go! Serving up traditional Indonesian cuisine such as mee goreng, nasi goreng, and the like, their signature oxtail soup gets sold out fairly quickly so try to get in before 8pm or risk getting disappointed. They also have a branch in Malvern for folks living in the area.

2. Camy Shanghai Dumpling

Located in a dingy lane within Chinatown, Camy Shanghai Dumpling is a hidden gem dishing up a variety of juicy dumplings and Shanghainese fare. From pan fried dumplings to steamed dumplings, spring onion pancake, pumpkin cake, redbean cake and my personal fave "chinese spagetti" ie minced pork & buk choy noodles in spicy sauce, the husband & wife team combine their crowd control and hollering skills to ensure quick turnaround of both food and guests.

3. Nasi Lemak House

Fans of traditional Nasi Lemak (Fragrant Coconut Rice served with meat/fish & condiments) will surely love the food at Nasi Lemak House. As some say, "It's all about Nasi Lemak here". Its self service, so you need to race up to the counter to place your orders and then rustle through the crowds at peak hours to collect your meals too. However, you won't be disappointed with the crispy chicken drumstick, crunchy peanuts, fried anchovies, sambal chilli and aromatic rice. mmm...

4. Vietnam Noodle House

This is my friend Beckie and my favourite lunch venue on weekends. You can always expect quick service and scrumptious authentic Vietnamese food at reasonable prices. Try their thinly sliced beef rice noodle soup, prawn roll & fried mini spring rolls rice vermicelli and share the fried mixed spring rolls with your friends. You will enjoy the experience of wrapping the spring rolls in iceberg lettuce and dipping them in the sauce.

5. Nelayan

Another brilliant Indonesian restaurant that offers value for money dishes is Nelayan. Choose from a variety of dishes such as beef rendang, fried chicken, begedil (spiced meat & potato patties), sambal beans, sambal egg, sayur lodeh (curried veges) accompanied by rice and you will form your own Nasi Padang*! They also have a branch in Hawthorn.

*Nasi Padang originates from Indonesia - “Padang-food” in Indonesia (from Western Sumatra province and is named after the capital Padang).