MOROCCAN SOUP BAR

183 St Georges Rd,
North Fitzroy VIC 3068

If you have not yet eaten at the Moroccan Soup Bar do so immediately otherwise you may not call yourself a Melbournian! Places like this are one of the reasons I heart Melbourne so much. A vegetarian restaurant that doesn’t serve alcohol (or do BYO for that matter) is constantly packed out! Because the food is awesome, and cheap! The first time I ate the food was when a bunch of peeps got takeaway, and it came to something ridiculous like $5 each. These guys were also on the sustainability bandwagon long before everyone else, getting you to bring your own containers which they fill up with delicious food.

Oh yeah, the food – I’d better talk about that. Well I’ve never ordered anything other than the banquet, but why would you, it’s amazing, fills you up and is always super delicious! Dips, bread, salads, lentils, and that yogurt thing with the crunchy bits of pita bread in it! I love that, and always try to eat as much as I can without my friends seeing I’m secretly eating all of the best dish...I just can’t help myself!! I need to go back again soon.

TEMPERANCE HOTEL

426 Chapel St
Melbourne VIC 3000

The Temperance used to be my local (ie closest pub to my place of residence, not pub I went to all the time – that was the Flying Duck) when I first moved to town, and was it not located in a hotspot of unfettered boganity (that end of Chapel St and in close proximity to a very busy Ed Hardy store) it mightn’t be a bad place. Unfortunately due to aforementioned location I can’t possibly vouch for the clientele.



Having said that though, the Temperance does good food, has a nice layout and is great for people watching. I also love the stiletto staircase. The drinks are overpriced, but hey, the pub is located on Chapel St. What would you expect. The music they play is usually pretty rank Ministry of Sound type stuff (or even worse, a cover band that play Ministry of Sound type stuff) so make sure you are either so drunk you don’t notice or sitting outside.

ROYAL SAXON

545 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121

Ph (03) 9429 5277

So we all know the Royal Saxon is the place for the cool kids (ie AFL players) to be seen right now. I’ve driven past that place at 6:30 on a Saturday night and seen a line of ‘beautiful’ people going down the street. WTF? Call me old fashioned, but one of the reasons I like pubs so much is because you can sit down, relax, and have a few quiet (or rowdy, it’s up to you) bevvies. And not have to get dressed up in your best frock and stand around in heels getting sore feet.



Anyhoo, I digress. When a girlfriend organised a dinner there on a freezing cold Tuesday night I thought it would be the best time to suss the place out, as it wouldn’t be overly crowded and full of pretentious tourists, and therefore piss me off. One thing I will never do is line up to get into a pub – what a completely absurd concept!


So yes it is a very nice space, lots of outdoor areas. Good service and good food. Lots of plates designed for sharing which I always like. We had a few different pizzas (mushroom and a spinachy-ricotta looking one), tuna carpaccio, olives, bread and some salads. They were all great. And reasonably priced. I’d definitely recommend eating there during the week. I’ll have to post an update if I ever go there for a summer Sunday sesh or similar when I can see this establishment at its peak.

VEGIE BAR

380 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
Ph (03) 9417 6935
 
Vegie Bar is great. Another one of my faves. The food is cheap and delicious. I have to say though I never try new things on the menu, I always get the burrito. Every time, before I go to the Vegie Bar I give myself a little pep-talk...kinda like “now don’t go ordering the burrito this time, you should try something new and not be so boring”....and every time I look at the menu and go for the burrito. Meh...perhaps sometimes going with what you know isn’t such a bad thing! But seriously, this place is great, definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already.

LALA LAND - CITY

1/391 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne 3000
Ph (03) 9670 5011


Hmmm not as cute as the Windsor LaLa Land, the city one brings a different vibe. As they don’t do food they let you order pizzas in which feels a bit old school. I worked in a pub once that was like that. But yeah comfy couches, OK wine list, oh and it’s in a laneway. That should buy it some cred surely?

CARLTON CLUB HOTEL

193 Bourke St

Melbourne Vic 3000

Ph (03) 9663 3246

The Carlton Club Hotel is a cute space on Bourke St. The main bar and dining area has a cute fit-out, creepy taxidermy aside. And this place kills it in summer with a terrace AND a rooftop bar (Carlton Palmz). Monday nights sees half price food. So if you have a early week dinner scheduled, cruise in to the Carlton for some cheap tasty eats! Friday night drinks are pretty busy so get here early. Great place, definitely recommended.

MAHA

After the wonderful experience I had at Hellenic Republic earlier this year of course I was keen to try another of the jewels in the crown of the Calombaris empire, Maha. Situated off Flinders Lane, Maha has a more sophisticated feel than the laid-back vibe of Hellenic Republic.

I was dining again with two of my loveliest female friends, and we opted for a 5 course banquet. First off, one of the things I love about the place was that we didn’t have to spend any time at all mulling over the menu, we just ordered the banquet, gave our dietary requirements, and sat back and watched the delicious food start rolling out of the kitchen and onto our table!

Each ‘course’ was a banquet in itself, comprising of multiple generous dishes. The first course was a lovely soup. Seemed harmless enough. Then came course 2 which was a selection of dips, olives and butter beans in tomato and olive oil. All delicious. Then came mussels with chick peas and shaved coconut, zuchinni and chick peas with goats cheese and a large bowl of garlic mushrooms. OK, so even just these two were a huge meal in itself and we’re only up to course 3? Shit! I had stupidly worn tight pants to the restaurant, what a rookie mistake!

So after all this, course 4 comes out, consisting of SEVEN (albeit small, mezze size) dishes! Amazing Kingfish, ravioli, lentils, rice and salads. Oh dear lord I was full to bursting!

Of course you always have to leave room for dessert when you go to places like this! It was divine. The popcorn with salted caramel was my favourite. I loved how all the flavours combined when you ate the three layers of the dish all at once to create, and I’m sorry for saying this, a party in my mouth. And no you’re not invited!

The presentation of the dishes was beautiful, I especially loved the decorated tiles. You also leave with a parting gift, which I have in a box somewhere not yet unpacked. The service was impeccable, my only complaint (and it is a minor one) is that several times our conversation was interrupted so we could be told (at length) what each dish was, and where it came from. And yes I know we spent mere minutes mulling over the decision but thought it was a bit of an intrusion. Although it seems to be a growing trend so I’d probably do best to just get used to it.

Anyway, definitely recommend this place, get the banquet and come prepared. Eat very little during the day and wear loose clothing. I was in a food coma for several days after this one!