Heirloom

131 Bourke Street, Melbourne

As a modern style izakaya and sake bar, Heirloom offers many differing types of Japanese dishes as well as one of Australia's largest collections of Japanese whiskey. As sister restaurant to Shoya, one of Melbourne's most recognised Japanese restaurants, I was excited to try their more modern variations on traditional Japanese cuisine.

Melbourne's Bourke Street

Red and black interior tones

Oysters with tosazu foam & tobiko / Yuzu jelly & chopped wasabi $16.00

The oysters on offer had flavour combos which sounded absolutely lovely, which made it hard to decide which I wanted. To my delight the waitress informed me that I could simply choose to have both of the flavours. However, although the concept behind the dish was great, the execution was disappointing. The oysters were huge and lacked the fresh and sharp flavours which I expect. This problem was only amplified by the sheer volume of the ingredients added on top, which masked the flavour of the oysters and also made it quite hard to eat.

Hokkaido crab croquettes $8.00

The Hokkaido crab croquettes would have been a great dish if they were just served on their own. The addition of the orange and balsamic reduction gave it a strange and bitter flavour, which completely overpowered the delicate crab croquette, as well as ruining parts of the crispy coating.

Swordfish yuuanyaki $28.00

The redeeming factor of the entire meal would have to be the main dish of swordfish yuuanyaki. The yuzu soy marinade emanated a lovely sweetness that danced on the palate, while the light acidity of the yuzu pickled daikon helped cut through some of the fattiness.

The food at Heirloom had a lot of ups and downs. Although the concept behind a lot of the dishes seemed to be well thought out, the execution left something to be desired. The saving grace of the night would definitely have to be a combination of the swordfish main as well as the impeccable service throughout the night.

Food Rating 6.5/10

Overall Rating 7.5/10

YOMG

67 Kingsway, Glen Waverley

Originally a frozen yogurt store in Mordialloc, YOMG has since expanded to 4 more locations including Mornington, Malvern, Cairns and Glen Waverley. Last year when they expanded to Glen Waverley they also expanded their food menu with a selection of 11 burgers, topped fries, wings and a range of shakes.

Glen Waverley's Kingsway

Clean and bright interior

YOMG

Shang-fry $10.00

The Shang-Fry is in a weird place in terms of size, where it is not quite big enough to be a meal by itself, but is too much when ordered with a burger. However the flavours and and balance of the Shang-fry as a snack is perfect, the only problem being that you have to eat it quickly in order for the chips to not get soggy.

Luau Luau $14.50

When visiting a burger joint I don't usually order chicken burgers as I haven't had great experiences with them, however the Luau Luau sounded almost irresistible and I was also in the mood for something different. The burger itself was lovely, the chicken was nicely cooked and tender while the flavours were enhanced by the saltiness of the bacon and the sweetness of the grilled pineapple. A small problem I found with the burger was that the huge slices of pineapple had some of the core left in it, causing the burger to be a little hard to bite through.

The laid back atmosphere, friendly staff and range of food really make YOMG a great hangout spot. I will definitely be back to try their frozen yogurt and shakes.

Food Rating 8/10

Overall Rating 8/10

Hwatu

173 Lygon Street, Carlton

As one of the only Korean restaurants open on the predominantly Italian Lygon Street, Hwatu does not have any direct competition, however they have to compete with the business of all the other restaurants on one of Melbourne's most famous culinary hotspots.

Hwatu

Assorted side dishes

Kimchi pancake $9.80

The appearance of the kimchi pancake left us quite disappointed as it appeared quite burnt on the outside. Luckily our expectations were proven wrong, as the charred appearance did not impart any unpleasant bitterness to the pancake. Apart from the small appearance issue though, this kimchi pancake was one of the best that I have tasted.

Budae hotpot $34.60

Budae jjigae, also known as the army base stew, is a stew first created using surplus ingredients from US army bases after the Korean War, such as spam, sausages and ham, which are then incorporated into a spicy soup base. Although the hotpot itself was very standard, something I found quite odd was that the addition of the cheese made the soup have a powdery texture which was not very pleasant.

Jap chae $16.20

Although a tasty dish overall, the flavours of the jap chae at Hwatu were a bit different from those that I have tried at other Korean diners. The heavier emphasis on soy sauce combined with the extra sweetness of the dish created a strong resemblance to the Cantonese dish, beef hor fun.

Although the food served at Hwatu was only average in comparison to the many Korean restaurants you can find around Melbourne, I would definitely come back if only for the big serving sizes and lovely service. We even managed to have a nice chat with a fun staff member as we were paying and leaving.

Food Rating 7/10

Overall Rating 8/10

Mappen Ramen

2/168 Bourke Street, Melbourne

Ramen restaurants are already abundant within the Melbourne CBD, so those looking to open a successful ramen restaurant will need to bring something new to the table. This is the approach Mappen Ramen took when opening their first Melbourne store less than a month ago. Although the first of its kind in terms of ramen, the concept has already been adopted by various udon and donburi restaurants in Melbourne, such as Udon Yasan and Rice Workshop.

Previously Passionflower

 Mappen Ramen

 Self-serve fried items

After first taking a tray and choosing your ramen style and toppings, you move along to the section with fried items and sides. With a variety of options to choose from I found it difficult to resist having at least one of the fried items. The fried chicken was cooked well and very juicy, however due to the nature of the self-serve counter, I ended up finding a stray hair on my chicken.

Large Miso Dragon $9.90

The Dragon ramen was different from any other ramen I have had before. The chilli side of the broth had flavours reminiscent of Szechuan cuisine. The strong flavour was quite penetrating and overpowered any hint of miso that would have been found in the broth. While the problems were small, when coupled with the fact that the noodles were far too soft, they left me unsatisfied and looking for more.

The one upside of the experience was that the staff were very friendly and helpful as I was ordering. While there were quite a few disappointments, none of them were particularly large and with some small improvements I could see Mappen Ramen attracting more people with their niche of fast and affordable ramen.

Food Rating 6.5/10

Overall Rating 6.5/10 

11 Inch Pizza

5B, 353-359 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

As you may have already guessed from the name, 11 inch pizza is a restaurant that specialises mainly in pizzas, but also has other Italian classics such as calzones and foccacias. Being hidden down one of Melbourne's laneways made it slightly difficult but also exciting find, as the bustling lunchtime crowd and lovely aromas of pizza drew me in.

Busy laneway lunch

Small and cosy interior

Margherita $15.90

Whenever I go to a new pizza restaurant I always try their Margherita pizza before anything else. Although the Margherita pizza is the most typical type of pizza served nowadays, as well as a being a more basic type of pizza, it is by no means easy to perfect. The Margherita at 11 inch pizza was possibly one of the best pizzas that I have had  based on my recent memory. The base was thin and crisp which held the flavourful sauce and cheese well, which combined with the balance of the toppings and slight drizzling of olive oil on top made for a wonderful eating experience. 

Although the service was a bit lacking as they were very busy during their lunch hours, I still enjoyed the experience very much and would definitely come back for some of their other offerings.

Food Rating 8.5/10

Overall Rating 8.5/10

Grain Asian Cafe

Shop 46 Box Hill Central, Main Street & Station Street, Box Hill

As a resident of the eastern suburbs, Box Hill has become somewhat of a hangout area for my friends and I. For as long as I can remember, Grain Asian Cafe has been serving Chinese food in Box Hill's Box Hill Central Shopping Centre, which has long been a central hub for both the Asian community and Asian restaurants.

Box Hill Central Shopping Centre

Jumbo chicken bun $4.50

With a love for all kinds of different buns and after seeing their impressive display, ordering one of these was a must. With a good amount of filling and not too much of the dough, the jumbo chicken bun was definitely not a disappointment.

Squid with special sauce $5.00

Assorted stuffed vegetable noodle soup $11.80

The noodles are a dish that I remember eating many times when I was younger. I used to look forward to eating the noodles with toppings I could choose for myself every week, however after the brief sensation of nostalgia passed by, I realised that this did not have the same quality of food that I once expected from Grain Asian Cafe. The only part of the dish I enjoyed was stuffed okra, everything else especially the hokkien noodles was overcooked to the point of where it was falling apart.

Not only was I disappointed by the food, but the standard of service has also dropped by a fair amount since I last visited. I sincerely hope that this was just a once off bad day for them, as I have many fond memories of Grain Asian Cafe, but with so many great restaurants around the Box Hill area I can not see myself returning.

Food Rating 5/10

Overall Rating 5/10

The Black Toro

79 Kingsway, Glen Waverley

The Black Toro first opened in July of 2012 where it was spearheaded by Glen Waverley locals Garen Maskal, Aret Arzadian and Sasoon Arzadian and provided Kingsway with an exciting new experience from the diverse cuisine of Latin America. Since then they have opened another restaurant in the heart of Melbourne's CBD which offers a modern approach to Armenian cooking techniques and flavours, which they describe as New Armenian.

We were lucky enough to be invited to share in celebrating their 4th anniversary with their dynamic new Hispanic menu. As I am always dining around Glen Waverley I jumped at the chance to dine at The Black Toro, as I have heard great things about them from many people. 

Glen Waverley's Kingsway

Bar and kitchen area

The Black Toro

Miguel's Angel

Great wine recommendation

Spanner crab tostada / yuzu, smashed avocado & wasabi tobiko

Our entrees started off with the spanner crab tostada with yuzu, smashed avocado and wasabi tobiko. This dish was perfect as a starter to the banquet as it was full of light and refreshing flavours which aided in getting our appetites ready. The wasabi tobiko was a great touch as it provided a counter note to the otherwise light flavours.

Potato, jalapeno & cheddar croquette / whipped goats cheese

Usually when I try croquettes at other restaurants they are one dimensional in flavour, so the prospect of trying croquettes does not particularly excite me. This was not the case for the croquettes at The Black Toro. The wonderfully crisp outer layer was a great contrast of textures with the fluffy potato, just as the potato and cheese proved to be a great contrast for the jalapeno kick, which elevated the dish above any croquette I have tried before.

Coconut kingfish ceviche / young coconut, tomato, cucumber & chilli

The coconut kingfish ceviche was the standout dish of the night. Ceviche is a popular dish in the coastal regions of Latin America. The dish is typically made from raw fish which is cured in citrus juices with different toppings. The coconut kingfish ceviche at The Black Toro chooses to forgo this preparation method and instead uses a broth of young coconut as the base to the dish, which proved to be an amazing change, as the broth imparted a lovely fragrance throughout the entire dish. Aside from the broth, the rest of the elements were very fresh and vibrant in both flavour and colour. The only thing I disagreed with on the dish was the angel hair chilli placed on top of the dish as it did not have any particular flavour profile but instead had a strange texture.

Wagyu beef sliders / shaved iceberg, American cheese, cucumber pickle & TBT special sauce

Although a tasty treat, the wagyu beef sliders did not have as much of an impact as the dishes that were served before it. We felt that although the wagyu beef was well cooked and seasoned, it did not stand out among the other supportive ingredients so it ended up lacking the flavours that a dish should be based upon.

Spicy pulled pork taco / soft corn tortilla, shredded cabbage, onion & sour cream

I absolutely love both pulled pork and soft tacos, so I was very excited for this dish. The pulled pork in the tacos was very tender and the spiciness of the sauce danced on my tongue while the sour cream mellowed out the overall taste of the dish. A memorable way to finish off the entrees as we moved on to the main course.

Crispy pork hock / masterstock braised pork, guajilo chilli caramel, green apple salsa verde & butter lettuce

The main dish of the banquet was the crispy pork hock with guajilo chilli caramel. When the dish arrived at the table it was quite imposing. The large chunk of pork which was served on top of a glistening pool of the guajilo chilli caramel and topped with the apple salsa verde proved to be a quite a feast on its own and the two of us had trouble finishing it. The butter lettuce served with it as an accessory to the meat was very necessary as the pork was a little overwhelming when consumed on its own. 

Dessert tasting plate

After the main course of the banquet we chose to take a break while enjoying our drinks, as we were both ready to burst at the seams. When the dessert arrived though we were instantly ready for more. 

The beautiful arrangement of The Black Toro's dessert menu which lay before us on a board was almost mesmerising. It included a deconstructed peanut butter cheesecake with chocolate ice cream and honeycomb, a passionfruit tart with toasted meringue and berries, a chocolate parfait with hazelnut caramel, salted caramel popcorn and vanilla bean ice cream and finally the arroz con leche which was a coconut rice pudding with saffron spiced pear, cinnamon and walnut. Each of the desserts had their own unique combination of flavours which made them stand out from one another. My favourite dessert of the arrangement would have to be the chocolate parfait as I love the combination of chocolate and hazelnut, however we felt that some of the desserts while just a little too sweet for our tastes.

The entire evening from the moment we entered the door was an absolutely lovely experience. The banquet displayed masterful skill in showcasing a wonderful range of flavours and textures in different dishes, while the service made us feel welcome while imparting knowledge about the different dishes throughout the night. The Black Toro showed us a wonderful dining experience and I would definitely love to visit them again!

We were invited and dined courtesy of The Black Toro.

Food Rating 9/10

Overall Rating 9.5/10

Pho Dzung

234 Russell Street, Melbourne

A good bowl of pho has traditionally been hard to find within the Melbourne CBD. Many restaurants have tried to replicate the food and the look of the well known Vietnamese restaurants you would find in Springvale and Richmond but few have succeeded. 

Bright and clean

Thai basil, bean sprouts, lemon and chilli

Medium sliced rare beef and beef balls $11.00

Small sliced rare beef $10.00

Although they serve a variety of different Vietnamese dishes, the only thing I ever order when I come here is the pho. The broth has the deep flavour of spices you expect from a good bowl of pho, while retaining the clear colour. It is one of the few Vietnamese restaurants in the city which serves pho similar to the kind you would find in Richmond or Springvale.

However, as the food here is reminiscent of the food from the popular local Vietnamese restaurants in Richmond and Springvale, the service is not. While we were dining here, we were not acknowledged at all. We had to find our own table when we walked in and after we flagged somebody down to order, the only recognition we received was a nod to acknowledge our order. If you are only looking for a quick and tasty meal and do not mind having basically no service though, then this is definitely a place you should give a try.

Food Rating 8/10

Overall Rating 7/10