Laurie Dee's

Shop Re 03 Urban Diner Epping Plaza

Epping, VIC 3076

http://www.lauriedees.com.au/

From what I’ve heard, being a pharmacist in America is a super lucrative job. I would be earning 6-figures right out of the gate, and given that I’m currently working for peanuts, that’s some pretty good incentive to pack up and move overseas. However, whilst I’m seriously considering going to England down the track, I would never, ever move to America for the following reasons: one, I’ll have to learn to drive on the right (aka wrong) side of the road; two, I’ll have to re-do my pharmacy degree on my own dime; and three: there will be places like Laurie Dee’s beckoning on every street corner.

Melbourne has seriously upped its burger game in the last couple of years, and I’m honestly not sure if that’s a good thing, as I’m now spending approximately 82% of my time attempting to resist the lure of hot beef and melted cheese. But considering that I couldn’t remember my last burger, I felt that a trip out to Epping with Daniel was justified to try out what was dubbed by The Burger Adventure as Melbourne’s best-kept secret.

If Laurie Dee’s had opened closer to the city, business would be booming by now. Instead, it does a quiet but steady trade for what I’m guessing are a mix of locals and burger enthusiasts. It’s a cross between a diner and a fast food restaurant – you order at the counter, and pick your food up when your number is called. 

The Laurie Dee Double ($10.95)

Having come out this far, trying the signature burger was a no-brainer. I settled for The Laurie Dee Single ($8.45), whilst Daniel indulged in The Laurie Dee Double ($10.95). 

The Laurie Dee Single ($8.45)

I couldn’t vouch for the double (though Daniel really enjoyed it), but I thought that my Laurie Dee Single was pretty great. The American cheese melted lovingly into the crumbly, smash-styled patty and its crispy edges, and the generous amount of the Special ‘D’ Sauce meant that each mouthful was creamy and delicious. There was just enough salad and pickle relish to keep the burger fresh, and I really enjoyed it, but I couldn’t help but crave a little for the fatty, beefy goodness that was the double. 

Chilli Cheese Fries ($8.95)

Luckily, I had let Daniel talk me into getting the Chilli Cheese Fries ($8.95), and whilst these didn’t look mind-blowing, they were actually pretty close. The sticky mix of mild beef chilli and cheese sauce was delicious is a sinful, fast-food sort of way, whilst the diced onion made me feel a little better about myself. One thing definitely worth mentioning though was the special seasoning on the fries; I couldn’t tell what it was beyond a subtle herbs and spices mix, but consider me hooked. 

Banana Pecan Pie Sundae ($6.95, single)

Even if I had been full, I wouldn’t have been able to resist the Banana Pecan Pie Sundae ($6.95, single), made with not ice cream, but frozen custard. I have to say, frozen custard is a fantastic idea – it is undeniably rich and creamy like ice cream, whilst retaining the silky smooth mouth-feel of soft-serve. Layered with crumbly short bread, warm caramel fudge, crunchy pecans, and freshly sliced banana, this was as decadent as it sounds.

After that very satisfying meal, Daniel and I agreed that whilst we wouldn’t drive across town like we did for the burgers at Laurie Dee’s, we absolutely would drive a good 20 minutes, and if we lived in the area we would be there every week.

Rating: 14/20 – so hungry right now.

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

Dex2rose Nitrogen Gelato

377 Little Bourke St (Access through Racing Club Lane)

Melbourne, VIC 3000
http://dex2rose.com.au/

Who even eats ice cream these days? With Melbourne becoming more urbane by the day, Paddle Pops have long since been replaced with scoops of sticky gelato in creative flavours. After all, what’s not to like about denser, more concentrated ice cream with lower fat content? 

With the advent of nitrogen gelato however, frozen dessert enthusiasts have taken their love of gelato one step further. The gelato mix is flash-frozen by liquid nitrogen for even smaller ice crystals, resulting in an even smoother texture. And Dex2rose Nitrogen Gelato is the new kid on the block – just look for the colourful chalk drawings on the pavement. 

We went down the laneway to find a cafe with smiling faces, freshly churning gelato, and – let’s be honest; this is what everyone comes to see – dangerous-looking vats of liquid nitrogen. That said though, it may be science, but it’s definitely not clinical. The whole vibe is very Melbourne, and very laid back. Instead of the hit-and-run feel of most gelaterias around town, Dex2rose is a little oasis, encouraging you to sit down, pull out the paper, and take a breather from your day. 

Cold Pressed Juice ($5.95)

I try to never let salespeople catch me in the street, because I am a sucker for coercion. Case in point: despite planning to save room for the gelato, we were quickly persuaded into trying their Cold Pressed Juice ($5.95), made in-house with seasonal fruits that change every couple of days. On the day we visited, we were treated to a mixture of watermelon, Granny Smith apples, and Royal Gala apples. Cold press may sound like a marketing gimmick but I’m telling you, it is real. The juice was astoundingly fresh and delicious, and tasted much cleaner and more vibrant than juices made in a blender. 

Cold Brew Coffee ($4.95)

Next thing I know, I’ve been sweet-talked into trying some Cold Brew Coffee ($4.95), despite it being after 3pm. This is a great alternative to sweating it out over a flat white on a hot day. Though I like it best with a splash of milk and sugar syrup, it is just as easy to drink black, the taste of it nutty and smooth with barely any acidity.

On a side note, how cool are those bottles? Like every good cafe, Dex2rose is environmentally conscious, packaging their beverages in reusable bottles. If you like them so much and want to take one home, you can always pick them up for a couple dollars each. 

Maybe it's Mapeline ($5.95, small)

Sometimes a dish is so cleverly named that you have to try it, and Maybe it’s Mapeline ($5.95, small) is definitely one of them. The creamy gelato, sweetened with grade A Canadian maple syrup, was chock-full of candied walnuts and topped with whipped cream. The mixture of sticky gelato and crispy nuts was downright addictive, and because it wasn’t overly saccharine, I could eat scoop after scoop without it being cloying.

Salty Camel ($4.95, small)

Salty Camel ($4.95, small)

Most dessert places have something salted caramel flavoured, and Dex2rose is no exception. However, in this case it’s actually a Salty Camel ($4.95, small), and like its name, it’s just a little bit different. Whilst the gelato itself is smooth and indulgent with salted caramel, it is churned through with glossy shards of crunchy home-made toffee. The result is a dentist’s nightmare that is full-on in both flavour and texture – just make sure you brush your teeth afterwards!  

Salty Camel ($4.95, small)

The Salty Camel was also the flavour that really showcased the gelato’s texture. Each spoonful pulled away in sticky, stretchy strands, and was silken and rich on the tongue. 

Fash Pash ($4.95, small)

On the lighter end of the spectrum was the Fash Pash ($4.95, small) – an upside-down passionfruit cheesecake gelato with a very Aussie name. This was an ideal summer treat, the gelato packed full of tangy, tropical passionfruit flavour, topped with a biscuit crumb.

Strawberry on a Beach ($4.95, small)

Making one last valiant effort, we tried the Strawberry on a Beach ($4.95, small), which was once again, a traditional flavour with a bold twist. The gelato itself was fruity and not overly sour, but the most striking feature is the whipped cream, which was infused with a fragrant mixture of coconut and floral rosewater. And this delicious little concoction is dairy free, gluten free, and vegan, so all you poor souls with allergies, rejoice! 

Though nitrogen gelato has been at the forefront of the dessert scene ever since N2 Extreme Gelato showed up in Melbourne, I feel that it’s stagnated somewhat as of late. The focus of some stores (not N2 – N2 is fantastic) has been more on the theatrics rather than flavour, and some of the ones I’ve tried tasted no different to fancy toppings mixed into ice cream. Thus, Dex2rose comes as a breath of fresh, innovative air, with Jesse at the back brewing up new concoctions to be released every fortnight. There’s a super exciting flavour coming up on the menu that I’m not allowed to give away but, it contains bacon, so keep your eyes peeled!

Rating: 14.5/20 – rosy.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Dex2rose Nitrogen Gelato. 

Frozen by a Thousand Blessings

Melbourne Central

Level 2 Shop 209a

Melbourne, VIC 3000

Frozen by A Thousand Blessings opened a new branch in Melbourne Central, and I end up walking past it several times a week, wondering if and when I’m going to give the newest frozen yoghurt on the market a go. The chance finally came along after a light dinner at Snag Stand that left us with enough room in our stomachs for dessert, as opposed to having to pull out our emergency dessert stomachs, which I really dislike doing. 

Frozen by a Thousand Blessings distinguishes itself from the get-go, but not as you would expect. Instead of going the well-trodden health-conscious-organic-route, they offer up a full 6 flavours of yoghurt at a time, and a veritable rainbow of toppings to customise to your heart’s content. And because it’s self-serve at $2.9/100g, the only person stopping you from plying your yoghurt with $10 of chocolate brownie pieces is yourself. 

I like to think that I was fairly reasonable. I started with a base of Coconut Frozen Yoghurt, and then proceeded to top it with chocolate brownies, roasted coconut flakes, mini macarons, red bean mochi, lychee pearls, Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups, and butter toffee popcorn, and the end result came to $6.65. The froyo was richer and sweeter than I was expecting, being used to lighter and tangier variants. The roasted coconut flakes were a fantastic idea, and we wondered out loud if we could buy the chewy gooey brownies by the gram, sans-yoghurt.

The impression I get of Frozen by a Thousand Blessings is that it’s just as much, if not more about the toppings than it is about the yoghurt, which to be honest I think is fairly average. Though I will always be loyal to the light and organic frozen yoghurt at Cocao Green, Frozen by a Thousand Blessings makes for the occasional nice change for all those times where I’m feeling a little more adventurous.

Rating: 12.5/20 – let it go (im so sorry – again)

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

Breizoz Creperie

2/49 Brunswick St 

Fitzroy, VIC 3065

http://breizoz.com.au/

Chris and I both earning a decent salary for the last couple of years has made me complacent. I’ve almost completely forgotten how to feed two people on the budget of a single second year uni student. But when life threw a bunch of expenses at me at the same time, I was left digging through those dusty-long-neglected skills. Surprisingly, I managed to piece together a dinner date that was not only delicious, but cheap too.

After sharing a drink and some $1 pinxtos at Naked for Satan, we walked the few blocks down Brunswick Street for dessert at Breizoz Crepes. It’s odd that I haven’t heard about this creperie until earlier this week, considering how well regarded it is, and how long it’s been around.  In my defence, aside from the small sign and the smell of butter, it looks very much like a run-of-the-mill cafe.

The inside of the cafe is cosy and pleasantly cramped, filled with waiters with throaty French accents and European charm to match. Despite that, it was the street-side seating in the leafy shade that won our hearts.

Though maybe these two cuties at the next table had something to do with it too.

Apple and Chocolat ($9.5)

The crepes on offer extend over an entire page, going from the simple butter and sugar to elaborate confections of flambé Cointreau with praline. I was in no mood to capture a gust of flame on my crepes however, so instead we opted for a simple Apple and Chocolat ($9.5). 

Apple and Chocolat ($9.5)

The parcel was soft and pliant, filled with apple puree. The dark chocolate sauce on top was delicious, its a dark richness a loving contrast to the light tanginess of the apple. 

Chestnut ($8.5)

But it was the simple Chestnut ($8.5) crepe that stole my affections. Despite its plain appearance, the crepe was indulgent down to the last mouthful, the pastry infused generously with butter and sugar. The edges were crisp and waffly, becoming velvety and pliant in the centre, layered with chestnut spread. 

Large Meringues ($3ea)

Large Meringues ($3ea)

On my way to pay, I spied the Large Meringues ($3ea) sitting under a glass cloche, and I was lost. These turned out to be almond flavoured, the crust crumbling rapidly to reveal a stretchy, chewy centre that melted in a waft of sugar and sweet roasted nuts. 

I am so, SO smitten with Breizoz Creperie and their shameless use of butter and sugar. I could feel the stress leaving me with each sweet and salty bite of perfectly textured crepe. No wonder the French live so long.

Rating: 14.5/20 – vive la france!

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

Southgate Movable Feast

If you’re anything like me, meals definitely do not need to be constrained to just one location – why settle for an unexciting dessert after an excellent dinner when you can go somewhere else and get precisely what you’re craving? Southgate Moveable Feasts take that same idea, but stretch it just a little bit further – literally. It spreads out your entrée, main and dessert over three separate venues all within the Southgate complex. Unable to resist the opportunity, Chris and I joined a group of similarly eager food-lovers one Sunday to see what Southgate has to offer.

ARTUSI

Upper level, Southgate Complex

3 Southgate Ave, Southbank, VIC 3006

http://www.artusi.net.au/

Our first stop was Artusi, a newly opened Italian restaurant right at the Hamer Hall end of Southgate. The interior was bright and pretty with a modern look, as well as a view overlooking the Southgate walkway.

As we looked at the selection of entrees available for our feast, the owner came forward to speak to us about Artusi’s menu and to explain the entrees available. He explained how they aim to mix the old and the new by providing traditional flavours with a twist – which starts with making their bread and almost all of their pastas completely in-house. We were eager to see how this would translate to our entrees.

Along with our menus had come a glass of wine each, so we chose one each of the red and white wines available for us to try. The red was fruity, spicy and juicy, and although the white smelt musty and warm, it was actually sweet on the body with a bright, crisp finish.

House-made Sundried Tomato and Basil Bread

Upon ordering, we were served some of their House-made Sundried Tomato and Basil Bread. It’s no secret that I love my bread, and this bread was delightful – the exterior was as crunchy as a good potato chip, whilst the middle remained fluffy and light. When they came back to offer us more, there was no way we could refuse, despite wanting to pace ourselves for the meal.

Pancia di Maiale al Vincotto

Not long after, our entrees arrived, and the first I tried was the Pancia di Maiale al Vincotto, aka Berkshire pork belly. I was unsure what to expect from pork belly at an Italian restaurant, but this turned out to be very crisp and indulgent – even rivalling the pork bellies of Asian restaurants with its unabashed fattiness. The pomelo and endive salad on top was a loving contrast of the fresh and the bitter, making this dish a great start to our feast.

Lingua di Bu

The other entrée we ordered was the Lingua di Bu – ox tongue slow-cooked for 16 hours and served with quail eggs and salsa verde. Unfortunately, this didn’t live up to the standard set by the pork belly – the ox tongue was quite bland and rather oily combined with the salsa verde. A sprinkling of salt helped to pep up the flavour, and the quail eggs were a welcome creamy treat, but the dish was still a bit disappointing overall, especially following in the wake of the pork belly.

AMAROK

Mid Level, Southgate Complex
3 Southgate Ave, Southbank, VIC 3006

We sat chatting for a short while after finishing our entrees, but soon our host had returned, ringing a bell to signify it was time to move on. A short walk later, we arrived at Amarok, a restaurant and bar with a North American and Inuit theme, reflected in its mock ski-lodge interior, its menu, and the fact that it’s damned cold inside. This is attributed to the ice bar located just next to the dining area, and although I’m sure it’d be a nice place to go in summer, I’d be lying if I said I appreciated the low temperatures on a rainy winter's day.

Stout, Pine Needle, and Acorn Roasted Chicken Breast

After a long wait, our mains arrived, the first of which was the Stout, Pine Needle, and Acorn Roasted Chicken Breast. The appealingly large chicken fillets were rather dry, but this was offset by the sweet and malty jus spread over the plate, which added a nice dash of flavour as well as moisture to the dish. The winner here, however, was the potato bake with blue cheese that the chicken was served upon – the blue cheese making the humble potato bake into something more unique and even more addictive.

Pouched Baked Salmon

Pouched Baked Salmon

Our second main was the Pouched Baked Salmon, cooked in a foil bag with a side of salad. To be honest, the salmon tasted rather pedestrian, and there was nothing more to it than met the eye. It was also slightly overcooked and under-seasoned. Meanwhile, the salad was quite a refreshing mix of greens with quinoa in a light mustard dressing, with an added burst of sweetness from the grapes. It may not have been amazing, but it is also the first salad I’ve had that Chris also enjoyed, so that’s a plus.

BLUETRAIN

Upper Level Southgate Complex

3 Southgate Ave, Southbank, VIC 3006

http://www.bluetrain.com.au/

After a quick tour of the (literally) freezing-cold ice bar, our host was along yet again to escort us to the considerably warmer Bluetrain. Bluetrain is more of your traditional restaurant and café, with a focus on modern Australian cafe-styled food, but of course we were limited to their dessert menu for the afternoon.

Flat White/Hot Chocolate

We kicked off dessert with a Flat White and a Hot Chocolate. I’m afraid to say I can’t speak well of either of these; the coffee was awful and had no flavour beyond a limp bitterness, while the hot chocolate similarly tasted like hot milk with a shadow of chocolate-y taste.

 Duo of Creme Brûlée

Our desserts fared better: I was first to try The Duo of Creme Brûlée, a pairing of chai tea and New York cheesecake styled brûlées. The chai was rich and spicy, while the New York cheesecake had a lighter taste that allowed the cheese flavour to show itself after a moment or two of tasting. Both were nice and creamy with a crisp toffee shell.

Childhood Memories

The Childhood Memories presented itself similarly to a deconstructed snickers bar, incorporating all sorts of delectable treats from your (the chef’s, as he later admitted during a quick chat) childhood onto one plate. The fairy floss was a particularly welcome element to the dish, and although I’d not thought of Milo ice-cream before, it was a definite hit for my tastebuds. And whilst I wouldn’t call the mix of chocolate cake and peanut brittle very imaginative, it’s very hard to complain about a dessert that hits the spot with such simple elements.

On that note, our Moveable Feast had come to an end. We left quite comfortably full, though thankfully not stuffed due to the drawn-out nature of the meals. We enjoyed the experience, but it’s a slight shame that I actually enjoyed each successive venue slightly less than the last – it’s not to say that the later venues were bad, but I definitely found Artusi to be the highlight of the meal. The event also seemed slightly disorganised, our host arriving late and some small mix-ups at the venues. Hopefully they can iron these wrinkles out as they run future events, but regardless it was an enjoyable afternoon, perfect for a slightly different date.

Rating: you tell me!

This rating reflects my personal experience at the time of visit. 
Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of Southgate Movable Feasts, Artusi, Amarok, and Bluetrain.