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Delhi Streets

22 Katherine Place 

Melbourne, VIC 3000

http://www.delhistreets.com.au/

Delhi Streets opened in a little laneway near Southern Cross Station a month or so back, and I wouldn’t have heard of it at all if it weren’t for a long overdue catch-up dinner with a couple of lovely ex-co-workers, Ben and Aisling. 

I met up with the lovely duo in the snug little restaurant a tad past six. The staff were bubbly and welcoming, and before too long, the small 20 (or so) seater restaurant began filling up with punters craving an authentic Indian food fix. 

Pani Puri ($7, 5pcs) 

The Pani Puri ($7, 5pcs) were toted as a ‘must have’, and they were indeed one of a kind.

Pani Puri ($7, 5pcs) 

Nested in the hollow lentil puffs was a mixture of potatoes, onions, chickpeas, and herbs. But wait, there’s more! To finish it off, you fill the puffs with tangy tamarind water, and shove it all in your mouth for a crunchy, tangy taste explosion! 

Papri Chaat ($7) 

The Papri Chaat ($7) had me at Indian nachos, and the comparison was indeed apt. Delicate lentil crackers were topped with a sloppy, moreish mix of yoghurt, mint and tamarind chutneys, and soft potato pieces, and finished off with fresh coriander. This is one plate of nachos that won’t go to your thighs.

Dahi Vada ($7, 2pcs) 

Meanwhile, the Dahi Vada ($7, 2pcs) were indeed feather light, the fluffy dumplings soaking up the mixture of chutneys, yoghurt, and slow-cooked veggies. 

Aloo Tikki ($7, 2pcs) 

The unanimous favourite however was the Aloo Tikki ($7, 2pcs) – two fat mashed potato dumplings fried to golden perfection, topped once again with the tangy trio of (everybody together now!) chutneys, yoghurt, and veggies. 

Special Thali ($13)

For our mains, we had a traditional Special Thali ($13), which included 3 curries of our choice, along with a large mound of rice, naan, and crisp pappadums. The butter chicken was golden and creamy, tasting like a warm hug. Meanwhile the lamb vindaloo was all fire and spice, and the ideal curry to have with dollops of cool raita. Our only vegetarian choice, the paneer curry, was a good one, consisting of a warm mix of spices and squeaky cheese. 

Tandoori Chicken Pizza Naan ($9.5)

Of course, we had to try something from the Pizza and Wraps section as well, and we decided on the Tandoori Chicken Pizza Naan ($9.5). The naan was deliciously flaky and burnished, topped generously with smoky chunks of chicken, crisp veggies, and cheese that stretched for miles. 

Carrot Halwa ($5)

I hate carrots in every single incarnation, except as it turns out, the Carrot Halwa ($5). The mixture of carrots, sugar, and clarified butter was downright addictive, and I couldn’t keep my spoon away.

Gulab Jamun ($5, 2pcs) 

Gulab Jamun ($5, 2pcs) 

However, that’s not to say that the Gulab Jamun ($5, 2pcs) wasn’t a strong contender. These donuts were soaked through with hot syrup, their sweetness balanced expertly between sinfully indulgent and cloying. They would be stellar with a cup of strong mint tea.

Going by my relatively limited experience with Indian food, I would say that Delhi Streets is the real deal, or at least close to. We feasted like Sultans and Sultanas for just over $20 a head, and a good time was had by all.

Rating: 13/20 – chickpeas, lentils, and rice.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 

Isabella's at Rochford

878 - 880 Maroondah Hwy 

Coldstream, VIC 3770
http://www.rochfordwines.com.au/

Though I’ve yet to cultivate an appreciation for the mystery that is wine, I have always loved the concept of wine tasting. Right now my palate is limited to sweet dessert wines, and more recently, vermouth. With that said though, I constantly feel as if understanding is dancing teasingly at the tips of my fingers, and maybe the mystery of the grape will be laid bare for me with just one more sip! 

One thing I do understand however is food, and although I don’t think drunk-driving is crash-hot (see what I did there), there were no downsides to a trip out to the Yarra Valley to sample the autumn menu at Isabella’s at Rochford. 

Rochford is a beautiful country estate nestled amongst acres of vineyards. Though it was overcast, the panoramic view over the rolling hills was nevertheless enchanting, especially amidst the tinkling of cutlery in a wood-fire scented restaurant. 

Before getting to the restaurant however, we walked through the wine tasting bar, as well as a boutique that sold the best of what the Yarra Valley has to offer. There was everything from hand-poured candles to fat chunks of nougat, and cheeky aprons to go with a cheeky bar of chocolate. 

Multigrain Sourdough

The autumn menu came as a choice of Two Courses ($65) or Three Courses ($73) from a set menu, and being the greedy guts that I am, I insisted on the whole shebang. We whetted our appetites with a slice of warm Multigrain Sourdough, still steaming from the oven, and a frothy swirl of whipped butter sprinkled with the unmistakably earthy aroma of truffle. 

Crab Toast

The Crab Toast was first, a thin slice of toasted pumpernickel bread topped with shredded crab mixed with mayo and herbs. Garnished with capers and chopped tomato, it was a light but indulgent start to the meal. 

Panzanella Salad

Planning for the long haul, we chose the Panzanella Salad in favour of the corned beef sirloin, as we had some meat-heavy mains to come. Though simple, the combination of house-made ricotta, croutons, and tomatoes made for a surprisingly flavoursome salad.

Panzanella Salad

The tomatoes were like multicoloured jewels, ranging in hue from the palest green to a deep purple. The house-made herbed ricotta was smooth and creamy. The oomph in the salad came from the petals of pickled onion, and the overall result was delicate and refreshing. 

Monkfish Medallions, Baby Calamari, and Jamon Serrano

I have a confession: I only ordered the Monkfish Medallions, Baby Calamari, and Jamon Serrano because my stomach didn’t feel up to taking on suckling pig, but it was a good thing that I did. The monkfish fillets were firm but pearly, contrasting with the wrapper of smoky jamon, then interrupted again by a smear of sharp lemon puree. The calamari was similarly well done with a melt-in-the-mouth texture and a peppery batter. It was all served on a bed of wild rice and crisp broccolini florets, dressed with just a squeeze of lemon. Though clean and elegant, the jamon and the density of the fish made it a surprisingly hearty meal – an absolutely delicious transition from summer to autumn. 

Wagyu Wellington

There was a $10 surcharge on the Wagyu Wellington, but if you ask me, it was entirely justified. The medium rare wagyu was gorgeously succulent, paying the high-grade beef the respect it deserves. Slathered on top was an indulgent paste of mushroom and pate for an extra burst of earthy umami. The golden layers of pastry initially flaked, then melted as it soaked up the juices from the roast beef. It was all extremely decadent, which made the fruity Pinot Noir jus all the more apt. 

Rochford Cappuccino

It’s not often that we order two desserts, so I took the chance to order something Chris doesn’t fancy – the Rochford Cappuccino. It was a tiramisu served whimsically in a coffee cup, consisting of layers upon layers of thick custard, whipped cream, and fluffy sponge, finished off with biscuit crumbs. 

Chocolate Brownie

Meanwhile, Chris couldn’t stay away from the Chocolate Brownie, deconstructed and served with freeze-dried berries and chopped nuts. It was unfortunate that it tasted nowhere as good as it looked, with the only standout being the invigoratingly summery scoop of strawberry sorbet. Nevertheless, Chris mopped it all up because hey, warm brownies.

Though the food at Isabella’s was uninspiring, I still enjoyed the meal very much all up. Everything was well-cooked, and though there was nothing unexpected, everything was delicious, and I’m sure it would’ve been even better paired with a few wines. And if you’re not into wining or dining, you can always take a guided Segway tour of the vineyards.

Rating: 13.5/20 – the wellington was delicious, no doubt aboot it!

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Isabella’s at Rochford. 

Ayam Chef

67-69 Coventry St 

Southbank, VIC 3006
http://ayamchef.com.au/

When I make my fortune, I am going to buy a luxurious studio apartment in either South Yarra or Southbank and live the high life. The apartment will have 5 star hotel-worthy facilities, million dollar views, and be within walking distance of dozens of good places to eat. In the meantime, I’ll just settle for sleuthing out nice restaurants, and Ayam Chef makes a good point for Southbank.

When I think about Southbank, Malaysian food does not tend to follow. After all, what does the folksy street food of South East Asia have to do with an illustrious suburb in Melbourne? As it turns out, Ayam Chef fits right in with its bright and modern interior, fitted out with lots of sleek dark tables and a tropically-influenced mural. Though it’s a bit canteen-like, it doesn’t feel tacky at all, and is really rather welcoming. 

Soy Milk ($2.8)

Like most Asian restaurants, the menu is designed to share. Whilst I browsed through my choices, I sipped on a tall, sweet glass of Soy Milk ($2.8).

Crunchy School Prawns and Chives Pancakes ($6, 2pcs)

In the end, I asked our waitress to give me a hand, and she suggested that we try the Crunchy School Prawns and Chives Pancakes ($6, 2pcs). This dish gave a fantastically refined twist to the greasy chive pancakes of my childhood. Light and golden, they were embedded with crunchy school prawns, and absolutely mouth-watering when dipped into the sauce of lime and fresh red chillies. 

Lobak ($8, 2pcs)

Similarly delicious was our snack of Lobak ($8, 2pcs). Ensconced in the brittle parchment of fried tofu skin was a moist filling of minced pork. It was warmly seasoned with the unmistakable aroma of 5-spice powder, and the addition of finely chopped black fungus gave it an addictive element of crunch. Have it with or without the plum sauce – it’s all good.

Sambal Eggplant ($17) 

One look at the Sambal Eggplant ($17) and I knew it was going to be bursting with flavour. The plump strips of eggplant glistened with oil, and each piece was infused with the briny, exotic flavour of sambal – chilli, fried shallots, and shrimp. 

Sambal Eggplant ($17) 

For a little variance on the texture, the eggplant was stir-fried with slippery pieces of okra, and beans that still had their crunch. It was a quintessentially Malaysian dish that was perfect with rice. 

Coconut Butter Prawns ($22) 

The Coconut Butter Prawns ($22) was a more modern take on Malaysian cuisine. The massive prawns were quickly pan-fried before being coated with an aromatic buttered coconut crumb. The texture of the prawns was astounding; it was bouncy and succulent, and the freshness was exquisite. Though the serving had initially seemed small, the richness actually meant that I needed way less than I had expected. 

Kueh Dada ($7.5) 

Now that Chris has decided that he does like coconut after all, we have a much easier time choosing dessert at Asian restaurants.  The Kueh Dada ($7.5) was presented beautifully, the jade-green crepes wrapped around shredded coconut soaked in palm sugar. On the side were scoops of coconut ice cream, which was studded with pieces of frozen coconut and finished with a drizzle of chocolate. I felt that this dish suffered from an identity crisis, as it couldn’t decide if it wanted to be Asian or Western. However it tasted good enough, and looked lovely enough, that I couldn’t really bring myself to care.

My meal at Ayam Chef brought to mind one of the most delicious meals I had in Malaysia at a local seafood restaurant. It is quite a few steps up from the hawker-styled dishes you’re likely to find at the Malaysian restaurants around Melbourne, and showcases the flavours Malaysia has to offer beyond noodles and rice. Though the portions are slightly on the small side, it is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Rating: 13.5/20 – classy malaysia.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Ayam Chef.

JD's Burgers

85 Willsmere Rd 

Kew, VIC 3101

http://jdsburgers.com.au/

What does an 8-layer burger look like?

2kg Legendary Super Saiyan Burger Challenge ($50)

This. It looks like this. It looks like regrets and dreams stacked into a 2kg monstrosity of cholesterol and saturated fats. Thankfully I wasn’t the one who ordered this.

This guy was the one who ordered it.

Hidden away on a suburban shopping strip in Kew is JD’s Burgers, a small take-away burger cafe that is popular with locals, tradies, and people turning in their dignity for a chance at the glory of completing the  burger challenge. In comparison, the promise of Asian fusion burgers almost fades into the background. But I’m a little more conscious about the condition of my arteries, so instead of unhinging my jaw on the 8-layer monstrosity, I decided to check out what happens to burgers when east meets west. 

JD's Mighty Beef Burger ($12)

As great as fusion creations may be, what is a local burger shop if it can’t get the basics right? I tested JD’s mettle with their signature burger, the JD’s Mighty Beef Burger ($12). Though thick and juicy, the patty erred towards blandness, and the cheese was only semi-melted. The rasher of bacon on the other hand was intoxicatingly smoky, combining well with the glazed brioche bun. Despite its flaws, it was a satisfyingly sloppy burger that earned itself a generous pass. 

Japanese Curry Chicken Burger ($11)

Of course, I couldn’t leave without trying something weird and wonderful as well. Though there are influences from all over Asia, including Korea, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, I couldn’t resist the Japanese Chicken Curry Burger ($11), which combined two things I love to eat. Between the same glossy buns was, quite literally, a scoop of saucy chicken curry, complete with chunks of potato. It was accompanied simply by fresh salad and a smear of Kewpie mayo. Even though it was unusual, it was unexpectedly delicious, even when there was nothing but sauce and bun left.

Beer Battered Chips with Special Seasoning ($4.5, small)/JD's Homemade Aurora Chip Sauce ($2)/Aioli Dipping Sauce ($2)

I have a confession: I only went to the gym that morning so I could have an order of Beer Battered Fries ($4.5, small) without feeling guilty. They would’ve been worth it regardless, with their lightly seasoned exterior and mushy centre. We also sampled the two dipping sauces on offer – a thick and potent Garlic Aioli ($2) which I loved, and the tangy Aurora Chip Sauce ($2) made with mayo and a secret ingredient. I thought it tasted like a faintly Asian pickle relish but alas, my tastebuds weren’t clever enough to work it out.

Despite the novelty factor of the Legendary Super Saiyan Challenge, JD’s is still a legitimate place for a decent burger. They have their classics down pat, whilst offering a wacky range of fusion burgers for the adventurous. There are plenty of chicken, fish, and vegetarian options, and you can even build your own sandwich from scratch. Aside from the extremely health-conscious, there’s likely something for everybody here. 

Rating: 13/20 – kamehameha!!

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of JD’s Burgers

Kao Thai

347 Sydney Rd 

Brunswick, VIC 3056

I like relaxing on Friday nights with a good meal, but that’s often complicated by the need to blog said meal. And that’s why I find myself foregoing the fancy Friday night date more and more, in lieu of a simple and companionable dinner. The multi-course tapas blog post can wait for when I’m a little more awake. 

Though my love for authentic Thai food is undying, I have to admit I’ve developed a bit of a grudging soft spot for its mildly westernised incarnation. And despite plenty of reviews insisting that Kao Thai is the best and most authentic Thai food in Melbourne, I was pretty sure that at least the second part of that statement is a bit of a fib. Still, that doesn’t bother me as much as it used to, and I was happy to settle for something simple and delicious. 

Like most places along Sydney Road, Kao Thai is homely but incredibly cramped. There is however a quiet and pretty little walkway, which led to a quaint sheltered courtyard. Though everything was simple, it was all very welcoming, and none of it was gaudy or overdone.  

Thai Milk Tea ($3.5)

I’m a big lover of Thai Milk Tea ($3.5), but whilst this had the milky sweetness and enticing orange colour, it failed to deliver on the actual tea aspect. If you don’t like tea, you’ll love this tea. 

Pad Keemao with Beef ($13.9) 

Our plate of Pad Keemao with Beef ($13.9) was rather good. Though the wok-smoke and fish sauce made the rice noodles taste more Malaysian than Thai, the balance was shifted back by the distinct aroma of Thai basil and a small amount of green peppercorns.  It was actually very tasty, the mouthfuls of slippery rice noodles going down a treat with the crunch of vegetables and tender sliced beef. 

Red Chicken Curry ($14.9)

Similarly hearty and delicious was the Red Chicken Curry ($14.9). Despite my initial impression of ‘this is much too sweet!’, the coconut cream actually segued well into a deep, aromatic richness, with just a hint of spiciness. 

Red Chicken Curry ($14.9)

The gravy was well balanced between the warm and comfort of cumin and red chillies, and the sharper additions of lemongrass, kaffir lime, and peppercorns. The chicken was doled out in large chunks, and the vegetables were once again crisp and fresh. There was way too much curry there for a single serve of Jasmine Rice ($2.5), no matter how generously we scooped the sauce on, and I was left dolefully eyeing the remainder.

Despite only being semi-authentic, I liked Kao Thai way more than I thought I would. The food was unchallenging and delicious, and sometimes that’s really all I’m after.

Rating: 13.5/20 – easy blogging.

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit.