White Mojo

As of late there have been a fair few new additions to the Melbourne CBD brunch scene with White Mojo being one those that recently opened. It is located on Hardware Street, which you could call the brunch centre as there quite a few cafes around this part of the CBD.

D and I went late on a Sunday afternoon so we had no problems getting a table. We were whisked in and seated straight away. Rather than getting a coffee, we decided to get a smoothie bowl to share. We ordered the Green Matcha Super Power. This was a heavy smoothie made up of coconut water, avocado, spinach, kale, matcha, green apple and honey topped off with goji berries, dried coconut and almonds. There is a generous dose of matcha in here, and even with all the other things in it, this is the standout flavour of the bowl (a good thing). It is not too sweet but very heavy, and it is almost a meal in itself. Be prepared to wait as well. It was the first thing we ordered but the last thing we got. The bar/drink area was very busy, so be prepared to wait.

For the main, D really wanted the Cauliflower Pannacotta but they had sold out for the day (the downside of going late to avoid the queues). Instead D opted for the Pork Benedict. This was crispy pork belly, kale, two poached eggs with hollandaise sauce and chorizo dust. This is a heavy meal as the pork belly is quite fatty, but the pork is done very well. The apple and the hollandaise sauce helps to cut through the fattiness nicely. A good dish overall.

As usual I went for something sweet, to balance out the usual savoury dish that D orders. I had a hard time deciding between the Chia Pudding and the Eton Mess, and in the end I decided on the Chia Pudding because I saw someone have it next to me and it looked pretty (yes I am a total sucker for ordering what others have ordered). The chia pudding was made with white chocolate, freeze dried berries, white chocolate gel and fresh berries. I had to say I was disappointed with this dish - a week before I had an amazing chia pudding at The Kettle Black so I was somewhat expecting something similar. However, it was nothing like the one at The Ketlle Black as it was a completely different flavour base. The white chocolate felt a bit too sweet for my liking as a brunch option. Also, whilst I might be bias here, I didn't enjoy the freeze dried fruit. I would have preferred more fresh fruit to cut through the white chocolate sweetness. Overall a let down.

The doughnuts that I keep seeing on Instagram were sold out so I didn't get to try it. (insert sad face)

Overall I liked the creativity in the menu and I would go back to try other things on the menu.

 

Hawker Hall

Hawker Hall is the newest addition to the Chris Lucas' family of Asian fusion restaurant. This is Lucas' take on Malaysian and Singaporean street food. I saw it pop up at the night noodle market a few months ago and ever since it's been sitting on my "to visit" list for awhile...... and I finally reached it!

I decided to ditch D and instead have a girls night out with my long time friend P.  She is full of energy and loves a good time, and I love good food, so Hawker Hall was the perfect placefor us. P got there around 6pm on a Friday and managed to get a table at the kitchen bench, I arrived later ataround 6.30pm, and as I was entering I could hear people being told of a 1-2 hour wait before they could get a seat. So my advice? Go there early or be prepared to wait a long time!

To start we ordered the Prawn and Ginger Dumpling. This was served with soy and black vinegar caramel. It's the Lucas version of the classic Har Gow. I was surprised with the texture of the prawn filling, it wasn't mushy as I expected. It was soft but not too soft, and had some bounce.

Second was the Gado Gado. This is a classic in my mind, each time I visit a Malaysian restaurant with mum, she is guaranteed to order it. Bean sprouts, fried tofu, coriander, egg and sweet potato served with a satay peanut sauce. The sweet potato is not something I see in Gado Gado often, but I quite enjoyed it. It did make the flavour more modern compared to the classic potato you normally get.

Third was Mee Goreng. Besides Indomee, I seldom eat/order Mee Goreng; it's one of those dishes that just never really grew on me. However P wanted to try it and I was prepared to step out of my comfort zone. This came with a generous amount of prawns, pork, squid, cherry tomato and bok choy. Served with hokkien noodles and sambal sauce, it had a nice kick to it. It was not as oily as I expected. Based on the other dishes we ordered I found that it worked quite well. I found myself putting more on my plate than I expected. Good choice P!

Finally we got to dessert. P told me she had decided to quit sugar so I decided to soldier on without her. I ordered the Many Treasure Jelly to cap off my meal. It came as colourful layers of red and green. The layers contained coconut, pineapple, lychee and hibiscus. It was quite sweet, but given the spiciness in the Mee Goreng previously, I didn't mind it too much. Any other time and it would have been too sweet for my liking.

Overall great ambiance and service. P mentioned to me that while she was waiting for me, the wait staff made sure she was looked after and made recommendations to her. The food also stuck to its roots but also that touch of modern Melbourne in it. Another Chris Lucas success!

Morning Tea with Poh Ling Yeow by Papparich Nunawading

MissyNess was lucky enough to be invited by PappaRich to have private dining session with Masterchef season 1 runner up Poh. She is my mum and my all time favourite Masterchef. Mum ecstatic when she found out. Poh is the very first ambassador for Papparich Australia so it was a real privilege to be there. I have a Malaysian mummy so she had always loved the idea of someone taking Malaysian cooking to the next level and showing the world how delicious it is, like how she showed my sister and I, as we grew up.

 When we sat down, I started with my favourite soy milk with grass jelly and mum got her kopi o.

Papparich spoiled us and gave us an array of things to feast on. I got the fish fillet noodle soup. This was  delicious milky like soup base with many pieces of deep fried fish fillet. Great alternative if you feel like something not so coconutty.

Mum got her favourite curry laksa. This had the signature creamy laksa soup base loaded with lots of ingredients. Can't go wrong with this one.

There was also the wat tan hor. Very similar to a sa hor fen, with heaps of egg gravy and goes perfectly with green chilli.

We were also give satays and rotis to try. The satay chicken was served with a peanut sauce that was just right. Not too spicy.

Roti kaya is a favourite of mine. Fluffy warm roti bread and coconut jam.

Roti planta, buttery roti bread served with curry sauce, sambal and dahl.

Towards the end there was also dumplings too. Just in case we weren't full enough, there was prawn dumplings and vegetarian foo jook rolls.

As we were all entering our food comas, Poh was such a darling and signed all our aprons and made sure she got a photo with everyone.

Not long after, mum and I followed her into the shopping centre where I got to stand behind the stage for her cooking demonstration.

Thank you Papparich for inviting us to this great event.


 

Pappa Rich - Knox City

Last Saturday I was fortunate enough to be invited as a guest along with D to taste some of the dishes the new Pappa Rich in Knox City had to offer. Located in the Ozone area, Pappa Rich had a fast pace buzz and a small queue of people at the door around 1pm. With an array of authentic Malaysian dishes to choose from, Pappa Rich is just one of those places you go when you want a no frills, good Malaysian feed. Perfect catch up space between shopping.

To start, satay was passed along the table for all the guest to try. D and I arrived late so there wasn't much left by the time we got ours. D had one and said it was tasty and well cooked.

For my main dish I ordered the Chilli Pan Mee. This was a noodle dish served with ikan bilis (fried anchovies), mince meat, spinach, chilli paste and finished with a soft boiled egg. To eat it, I popped the egg yolk and mixed everything up. This had the small kick from the sauce and wonderful balance of textures.

D got the nasi lemak, coconut rice with curry chicken, ikan bilis, egg and prawns. I consider this the perfect after school feed. 

Then there was dessert. The sago pudding was in a bowl of coconut milk, palm sugar, topped off with read bean.  All classic elements of a Malaysian dessert in one bowl.

The egg sago pudding was a small egg pudding surrounded in a pool of coconut milk sago. Nothing to fault in this, except I wish I had more!

Overall 13.5/20. This is good, trusty reliable Malaysian food but it hasn't reached the same 'high' as their other stores, though it is still a store I would happily visit for lunch or dinner if I was around Ozone for a movie or shopping. 

Omah's Malaysian Cuisine

Located on Burwood road towards the Glenferrie road corner, this is a cute local Malaysian place that offers chilli crab. Yes, Chilli crab! If you have ever been to Singapore, had chilli crab, came back to Australia craving the same thing and failed to find it... this is really good news!

We had a groupon which offered us a 5 course and we added a chilli crab on the side.

As an entree we started with soft shell crab, duck sang choy bao and roti with peanut sauce. The soft shell crab was generous with seasoning, almost too generous in my opinion but no one else on the table didn't seem to mind. The curry powder on the chilli crab was new to me, I didn't mind it but I still think I prefer Japanese styled fried soft shell crab.

The duck sang choy bao has an abundance of sauce in it. The duck was tender and cooked just right. Sadly they were too heavy handed with the salt.

The roti with peanut sauce was nothing special, it wasn't freshly made roti.

We got buttered chicken, chilli prawn and balachan beans, as our main. The butter chicken was a lovely surprise, it was deep fried with a creamy buttery twist to it. I was expecting something more of a curry butter chicken and it was nothing as I imagined. I kept going back for more.

Chilli prawns had an amazing sauce with tanginess of tomato sweetness and chilli burst. The sauce had egg whites laced in for extra smoothness. The was prawn infused with flavour.

Balachan beans had great prawn fragrant in it, sadly the beans were too soft and overcooked for my liking. Still it's a good dish

Finally it came time for the chilli crab. We got one crab to share between four people which was enough given how much else we ordered, it was just right. The sauce in that crab was unbelievebly good, it taste sweet and tangy at first, then the spiciness hits you after. The crab meat was sweet and fresh, went together beautifully with the sauce. I just wish they would offer a noodle base option. That sauce with noodles would have been perfect. The sauce was so good, D got a container to take away the remaining sauce.

For dessert there was pandan sago (hot or cold) and mango pudding. 

The pandan sago was in a not too sweet coconut milk with gula malaka in it.

The mango pudding was smooth and cream in flavour, but nothing amazing about it.

As drinks, the boys went with beer, K and I got Teh Tarik and we found the size difference between the hot and cold to be quite funny.

Overall, 13.5/20. The food in general was alright. The crab was the highlight. Service levels could be better, wasn't attentive on a quiet night. Felt we got a bit of the "oh that table is using a groupon" vibe. The waitress forgot our crab order, took ages to get us our drinks and looked very lost. Another waitress just appeared lazy to me. In general, feels like the waiting staff could do with more training and dedication to their roles.

Masak Masak

I found a scoopon for laksa hot pot at Masak Masak and given the very cold weather in Melbourne of late, I didn't need much convincing.

If you are unfamiliar, hot pot is an Asian style of eating where a group of friends/family cook out of a pot of broth. It is a very popular style of gathering in Asia once the weather gets cold.

For the hot pot in Masak Masak, they offered a traditional hot pot with laksa broth, heated on charcoal. It came with an assortment including dried wontons, prawns, crab, enoki mushrooms, bok choy, noodles, fish cake. I love the flavour of the laksa base, it wasn't too creamy or watery. 

As a side there was also the buffalo wings with onion sambal, saucy, succulent meat with just the right hint of spice for those who can't take the heat. We could smell the satay as they were cooked on charcoal but regrettably we didn't order any.

We also go the chicken rice to share. This came with a generous serve of half a chicken and a bowl of rice. Underneath the chicken there was a lot of beanshoots and sweet chicken soy sauce. It was a real shame, when this came to the table, the chicken was a bit cold. The rice had a beautiful fragrant and flavour to it, but the grains were still quite hard. Personally I would consider that rice under cooked.

For dessert we got the coconut kaffir lime sorbet, this was a good way to finish off the meal

Overall 12.5/20. We used the scoopon deal which gave us the hot pot, wings and sorbet for $19. The hot pot is normally $33 and that would serve 2 people. I was very happy with the hot pot so I would go back.

Mamak

Finished work late and needed a cheap feed. I've been to Mamak in Sydney many times and thought it was time to finally try the one in Melbourne.

At 8.30pm on a Friday, the wait wasn't too bad. We managed to get a seat without waiting too long.

Between D and myself we got the roti chanai, maggie goreng and roti planta. 

Roti chanai came as a big fluffy ball, it was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. I am not sure if it was because I was so hungry but the serving size felt quite small compared to how I remember it from Sydney. The curry was a bit hot but I like it with a kick, I can see it being too spicy for people who cannot take their spices

Roti planta was quite heavy but very buttery on the inside. It went very well with the dhal and a bit of sambal.

The maggie goreng really hit the spot in my hungry belly that night. Hot wok tossed with fish cake, prawns, eggs and maggie noodle. Just wish they didn't give me a dried up lime and I could have actually squeezed some lime juice on to the noodles


Milo ice and teh tarek is a must have. A bit of milky tea or milo to wash down all that spice and curry.

Overall 14.5/20. It is the perfect, cheap and fast feed.

 

Date Night Resturants

So you have a date night coming up but no clue on where to go? Maybe this can help!

If you are after a fun, casual night:

• Gami is great for a first date. It’s casual and if your date hasn’t tried Korean fried chicken before you'll introduce them to something deliciously new. If they already know about it, then even better! Who doesn't like fried chicken (if your date really doesn't like fried chicken.... what are you doing with him/her?? jk)
•   Sushi Hotaru is a small and cozy kinda place. The big plus here, is you get to sit pretty close to your date and have a  train of food go right past before your very eyes! No need to fuss over a menu or wait for your food because it's all before your eyes. With the price set for most plates, you won't have to worry about a nasty shock when the bill comes either!
•   Hutong is the place to go if you want to impress your date with good dumplings. Their Xiao Long Bao are famous and for a good reason too. It's a fast paced restaurant so you can get a good feed before you move onto the next part of your date
•  N2 is not exactly a restaurant, but it's a pretty easy way to kill an hour or so for $6 a pop or as a post dinner date. Your date will be amused by the way the gelato is made, while you get to enjoy the smooth yummy texture in a whole array of different flavours! The best part about N2 is that their menu changes every week – always different, always interesting and may even quickly become your favourite date spot.
• Gypsy and the Pig specialize in Japanese pork dishes. It’s a small cozy place and you will spot a pig whichever way you turn your head. The offer pork belly dishes done in a variety manner from crispy to stone pot or in a sushi.
• Mrs Parma is as the name suggest, all about the Parma. Your date will get a wide selection of different types of parma and sauces. It’s very casual and heaps of cider and beers to choose from.

If you are after a semi romantic night

-       Meat Wine & Co is situated by the Yarra River, so you can enjoy a good steak with a lovely view. After your meal, you and your date can go on a post-dinner stroll and watch the fire display outside Crown.

-       Koko really hits the spot for some great Japanese, but my tip when venturing here is to ask for the window seat. You will get an amazing view of Melbourne and maybe have to jump a stone or two to cross the water feature in the middle of the restaurant.

-       Cumulus Inc is the perfect place to get to know your date with great food and romantic mood lighting. Conversations will flow over their tuna tartare with green pea salad. Being on the quiet end of the CBD, it gives you and your date the perfect opportunity for a nice walk back into the city (for that cheeky post-dinner drink) if you plan to hit a bar or two after.

-       The Point at Albert Park is another favourite for steak where you get a beautiful view of Albert Park Lake and then follow it up with a nice drive. The venue is beautifully lit at night and the food won't disappoint either. I suggest the carved on the table option, just for the beautiful meat and it’s extra topic to talk about during dinner.

-       Takumi is a small Japanese BBQ restaurant with great mood lighting. You can opt to pick from the BBQ options (I would recommend the Waygu and Ox Tongue) or their yakitori. Just make sure your date knows in advance that it’s a BBQ date and not to wear their tux or silk dress. Their cuts are generally higher quality than your average BBQ restaurant so if your date likes their meat, they should walk out happy.

If you are out to impress

•  Rockpool is well.... Rockpool, it would be rare to find someone who is not impressed with what Neil Perry has to offer. Highly regarded in Melbourne for its quality menu, the steaks are their specialty and I wouldn’t leave without having their amazing passionfruit pavlova. Their tables are spaced out enough to give you privacy and no one can eavesdrop on your conversation. I am happy to third wheel on your date!
• Cutler & Co in Fitzroy is a place most foodies would have heard before. Impress your non-foodie date with Cutler & Co’s innovative menu (like their grilled beef rib with sesame) and lush decor. Or if you prefer something traditional, let them wow you with how good roast chicken can taste.
•  The Press Club is still around, it has just gotten smaller and moved next door to make room for its sister store Gazi. This is where George does his best work and innovation comes out and the layout is very modern and chic to match the food style. It's a mix of contemporary and Greek.
• Attica is a world ranked restaurant (21st in the world to be exact) and winner of the coveted three chef hats. Menu is definitely on the innovative side (think fish cooked in paper bark). Ben Shewry loves to experiment with flavours, delighting and exciting your senses (some of the produce he uses comes out of his own garden). But make sure your date appreciates good (and adventurous) food, otherwise you might get a WTF reaction for some of their offering. Oh and book ahead.... not weeks more like months!
•  Grossi Florentino is not just fine dining but it’s also an experience. Impeccable service from taking your coat to giving you a goodies bag to take home to continue the food journey at home. Creative pieces between meals as compliments from the chef (yes that’s sometimes Guy Grossi himself) and mains that you will have difficulty faulting.

If you are just after something fast and easy (cheap)

•   Laksa King is by far the best laksa I've had in Melbourne Australia. What they have to offer speaks for itself and it's cheap too. Even if you don't like laksa, their other Malaysian dishes won't leave you with food envy either (mmm that satay chicken roti wrap yummmmm).
• Snag Stand is great if you want a pre-movie bite that's fast and leaves room for dessert. With plenty of different hot dog combinations and tasty chips too, it beats other fast and easy options  like Maccas.
•  Shanghai Street is where you can great dumplings without the hefty price tag. There is a massive queue out the door for a reason! You need to eat fast here and this place is definitely not one to take your date to if you plan on having a serious long conversation. Their chili oil, peanut wonton is delish, if you can handle spicy.
• Mamak is good for fluffy roti and satay sticks. No frills and can get you full for under $20.
• Don Too is small place that specializes in Ramen at night. They do a thick broth the option to upsize and add more char siu and runny egg.

Chef Lagenda

I was always told that this place was opened by the old chef from Laksa King. Back about a year ago when I visited them, I must say their laksa use to taste very very similar and almost equally as good as Laksa King. Now fast forward a year later and I try them again....

Whenever I head towards Flemington, it's normally because I have a laksa craving. So without a doubt.... laksa was one of the dishes we ordered. The combination laksa I got was not as creamy as I would like it to be and more spicy than I remember it. The overall flavour wasn't that bad but I think with it being next to Laksa King, it's hard not to compare and when I compare it, I would choose Laksa King.

We also got the roti canai with beef rendang. The roti could have been fluffier but I guess they are not a curry house or a place that specialises in roti. The curry was good but not exceptional or anything that would make me want to go back for more.

Finally there was also the belachan green veges and shrimp on rice. Personally I love belachan spinach, as it's a traditional Malaysian dish and that was what I asked for. They do either sambal spinach or belachan green vegetable. They also won't let me change it, which already started it off on the wrong foot. Anyway in the end I went with belachan green vege which was lady fingers and green beans. The belachan flavour was great but the lady fingers were a bit overcooked.

Overall I think it's not a bad Malaysian restaurant but just not good enough for me to want to visit again. 10/20