8bit.

8 Droop St 

Footscray, VIC 3011

http://www.eat8bit.com.au/

For a suburb that’s not known for being either hip or rad, 8bit. is a breath of fresh air in Footscray. Not only are they serving up diner classics gone wild gourmet in an area more known for its cheap and cheerful ethnic cuisine, they’re doing so with a retro twist. And within weeks, their milkshakes (and burgers) are bringing all the boys (and gals) to the yard.

Admittedly, 8bit. was not what I expected. Having only seen photos of the exterior, I was expecting something grungy; sort of like the kind of thing you’d find in Fitzroy, which was where I had originally thought 8bit. was. What we found was actually more akin to a cafe, if not for the all-pervading smell of sizzling beef. And as promised, an old-school arcade machine sat at the back of the restaurant, though one joystick was disappointingly broken. 

8bit with Cheese ($8.5)

8bit with Cheese ($8.5)

The namesake burger, the 8bit with Cheese ($8.5), was all technicolour glory. The first bite was an explosion of tangy sauces and melted cheese, and whilst the patty was a little on the thin side, the edges were crisp and salty, transitioning to a beefy, juicy centre. It reminded me an awful lot of Huxtaburger, albeit with a less sugary bun.

After the 8bit with Cheese however, I was at a loss for what to order. Everything was so whimsically named  after game references that I was tempted to order based on that alone; I mean, c’mon – a mushroom burger called the 1-up? I was still trying to decide on one of the hog dogs (wonder boy or fatal fury?) when Chris, who has previously visited with co-workers, told me that the dogs were actually rather run-of-the-mill. So that’s how I ended up ordering the Golden Axe ($9.5).

Golden Axe ($9.5)

Like the characters in the game, the Golden Axe was one juiced-up burger. Appearances can be deceiving however, and a few bites showed that this muscle-man was actually a big softie. The fried chicken fillet, though hefty, was actually surprisingly tender and juicy, combining with sriracha mayo and a thick wedge of American cheese for a rich, creamy experience. It’s a lot less in-your-face compared to the 8bit with Cheese, but definitely much more filling. 

Chilli Cheese Fries ($7.5)

And because it was Monday, we also had some Chilli Cheese Fries ($7.5). Though I’m no connoisseur of the diner classic, it’s hard to imagine it getting much better than this. Sloppy beef mince and a (un)healthy serving of sticky cheese sauce coated each and every chip, which held up remarkably under the onslaught and remained subtly crunchy, with a fluffy centre. The chopped scallions add lightness, and there was a satisfying amount of diced jalapenos to give it that promised heat. 

After ordering the chilli cheese fries, we had no way of justifying one of the milkshakes. Not to worry though – 8bit has teamed up with Free is Better, the world’s first free bottled spring water company, to slake the beef-and-cheese-induced thirst. 

If I had eaten at 8bit. a couple years ago when gourmet burgers were only just popping onto the scene, I would’ve pranced around it and sung its praises. These days however, a burger of 8bit’s quality is a lot easier to come by. Still, there is no denying that they offer a solid burger with some fantastic sides, and I won’t pretend that I’m not at least a little jealous of the people who live nearby.  

Rating: 14/20 – professor oak: now is not the time to use that.

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

Dinknesh (Lucy) Restaurant and Bar

227 Barkly St 

Footscray, VIC 3011
http://www.dinkneshlucyrestaurant.com.au/

I don’t give the Western suburbs enough credit. When I think west, I think Footscray. When I think Footscray, I think Vietnamese. And why on earth should I go out that far for Vietnamese when I’m a 20 minute straight-line drive from Springvale? What I’m always forgetting is that, aside from an abundance of Asian food, Footscray also specialises in a colourful cuisine rarely seen elsewhere in Melbourne (and definitely not in Springvale) – African cuisine.

Dinknesh (Lucy) Restaurant and Bar is a little bit away from the central hub of Footscray. It’s very bare bones, the space simply furnished and sparely decorated, though the air carries a strong smell of spices. We were the only customers on a dreary Monday evening.

Injera

All meals came with the African staple dish of Injera. Large as plates, even larger than platters, the rounds of fermented bread were rolled up like soft, warm towels, ready to soak up any sauce that comes its way. The intensity of the injera always surprises me. It carries a sharp, fermented tanginess that belies its mellow appearance. I find it too strong to eat on its own, but it’s absolutely perfect when dipped into rich sauces.

Lucy Meat Combination ($17)

We ordered the Lucy Meat Combination ($17), a platter of stewed meats and vegetables. We ate with our hands, revelling in the way the sauces soaked into the injera. The bozena shiro – chickpeas and beef stewed in clarified butter – was mild and aromatic, the addition of tomato and onion bringing to mind hearty Italian ragus. The ybeg wot (spicy beef stew) however was sharp and pungent with spices, a real contrast to the mild creaminess of the ybeg alicha (braised lamb).

Lucy Meat Combination ($17)

On the side were vegetable dishes; potatoes and carrots in turmeric, cooked cabbage, and – my favourite – potatoes sweetly braised in beetroot. 

Lucy Vegetable Combination ($15)

As opposed to trying to choose one other dish, we had the Lucy Vegetable Combination ($15). Instead of meats, this platter was a variety of richly spiced mashed pulses and grains, and a pinch of wilted silver beet. It is every bit as filling as its carnivorous counterpart and a joy to eat, bringing to mind an unfamiliar variation of pita and hommus.

I thought Dinknesh was enjoyable, but I thought it could’ve been a lot better given different circumstances. I imagine it would’ve been a better experience overall had we visited on a busier evening. Plus, then we may have gotten food that was freshly cooked, instead of re-heated in the microwave as so many other people complained of – the uneven heating of the different dishes were telltale. I like the spirit of Dinknesh, but I don’t know about coming out this far, especially not with Little Africa so much closer by.

Rating: 12/20 – if you’re in the area.

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

Nhu Lan

116 Hopkins St
Footscray, VIC

Forget gourmet. The humble banh mi remains, to date, the most delicious sandwich I’ve had. But maybe humble isn’t quite the right word here; 3 meats, 4 salads, and 3 spreads/sauces in a single sandwich is far from plain.

Nhu Lan in Footscray (and Fitzroy) is widely accepted as the best place to get banh mi in Melbourne. Being right in the hub of Footscray, right next to the train station, it’s predictably pumping any time of the day. I was seriously impressed with the variety of people who visit; living in Melbourne means that I’m used to a wide range of clientele but Nhu Lan really takes the cake, being equally popular with the old and the young, local and foreign, suits and low-slung pants.

It’s not only the sandwiches that make Nhu Lan famous; it’s their baked goods as well. K, who lives nearby, tells me that everything they make is delicious, even the bread rolls. But it’s hard to stop at the staples, with cabinets of pastries, cakes, and sweets both Western and Asian on display.

But of course, we’re here for the banh mi. I couldn’t get close enough to the counter to see exactly what they have on offer in the cabinets (I sent Chris instead), but I caught a glimpse of cold cuts, stewed meats, roasted meats, shredded meats, and a variety of fresh salads to top it all off. It took about 15 minutes to get our sandwiches, then another 2 to find the nearest bench.

Mixed Ham Roll ($4)

Despite being a food blogger, I often fall into the trap of ordering the same thing at different restaurants. But how can I say no to my beloved Mixed Ham Roll ($4)? To be honest, I don’t quite know how to feel about this roll. I have a place that does Vietnamese rolls near my house, which I frequent, not to mention Springvale not so far away. And whilst this roll was impeccable – bread that showered crumbs, crispy vegetables, flavoursome ham (including pieces mapped with tendon) – I can’t help but feel that it’s missing something. Maybe it’s because it’s a tad smaller with a tad less generous ingredients, maybe because there’s less oomph in the flavours, but I think I will still be getting my Vietnamese sandwich fix closer to home.

Roast Pork Roll ($4)

Chris on the other hand, lost his banh mi virginity with the Roast Pork Roll ($4). I really shouldn’t be surprised, but I was, when I found that this tasted very different from the mixed ham roll. Instead of peppery cold cuts, this was filled with warm chunks of roast pork, doused in a thick, plummy sauce. I didn’t like this as much as the mixed ham roll but Chris liked it a lot more – he insists that this is why we are such a great couple.

Custard Tart ($1.2)/Rice Cakes ($2.8)

So whilst Chris went to get the rolls, I stood there surrounded by sweets and treats. He wasn’t even remotely surprised when he saw me clutching dessert when he emerged from the small ocean of people – a Custard Tart ($1.2) for him, and Rice Cakes ($2.8) for me. The tart was big with a beautiful crumbly shell that almost (and eventually did) disintegrate in the hand, but the custard was unfortunately a bit bland in comparison.  As for the rice cakes? Well, they’re rice cakes – fluffy, slightly chewy, and very sweet.

Of course I liked Nhu Lan, and of course I know why people flock to it. With good bread, sandwiches and cakes, it covers all the bases a bakery should, then some more. But at the same time, I’m glad I have some good Vietnamese rolls near my house; I don’t fancy having to cross the city for my weekly fix!

Rating: 13/20 – viet rolls <3