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. 

El Sabor

500 Victoria Street 

North Melbourne, VIC 3051
http://www.elsabor.com.au/

They say hindsight is 20:20, and it’s only now that I’ve gone back to working full time that I realise that I took my time off from employment for granted. Instead of lying at home like a sack of dog food when I’m not looking for work, I could’ve taken the time to really de-stress and enjoy myself. On the plus side though, post-work dinners have regained their shine, and it was with great anticipation that I stepped into El Sabor, a-hankerin’ for a good Mexican meal. 

I felt instantly toastier when I walked through the door; the luridly orange walls reminded me incessantly of all things warm, and the decorations of a summer festival. The restaurant was mostly filled with happy locals who braved the moody Melbourne weather to get their fiesta fix. 

Having travelled extensively around Mexico, the owner of El Sabor, Dhi, knows what’s up with Mexican food. There is incredible passion for bringing a real taste of Mexico to Melbourne, and the food Dhi serves is what he loves to eat himself. Considering the fact that we could not stop salivating at the smell of the enchiladas at the next table, he is on to something good. 

Pozole

To start off, our stomachs were warmed with a bowl of traditional Pozole – not yet on the menu, but keep an eye out as the weather cools! Despite looking thin and unremarkable, the soup was a chorus of bold flavours that expanded on the palate in a burst of warmth, having been bravely seasoned with the heat of 2 types of chilli.

Pozole

Hidden beneath the surface was a jumble of chewy hominy kernels that soaked up the broth, and shredded pieces of slow-cooked chicken and pork. This is the ultimate in comfort food that brings frozen fingers and toes back to life. 

Tres Salsas con Totopos ($10)

We were served some Tres Salsas con Totopos ($10) in conjunction with the soup. Chris loved the ripe sweetness of the salsa, and the cooling of the sour cream, swirled into his pozole. I on the other hand lavished my attention on the generously zesty guacamole.

Calamari Fritos ($15)

The plate of Calamari Fritos ($15) was tantalisingly shallow-fried in a batter glowing with spice, and the calamari itself was the most tender I’ve ever had; it all but disintegrated on the tongue. Unfortunately the overall effect is a little dull, even with the addition of aioli and guacamole. After all, how can anything measure up to a spicy bowl of pozole?

Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs)

The Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs) on the other hand were anything but boring, despite its demure appearance.

Tamales de Pollo ($18, 3pcs)

The first thing that’ll tip you off is the smoky aroma exuding from the corn husk. Peel that back and you’ll find a soft corn dumpling stuffed full of spicy pulled chicken. All permeated with the smouldering aroma of corn on a grill. The condiments on the side were served in the colours of the Mexican Flag. Contrived? Maybe. But it is infinitely endearing. 

Alitas ($10, half dozen)

I love a good chicken wing, and its extra nice when they’re rubbed with spices and scorched with grill marks, like these Alitas ($10, half dozen) were. Each piece was succulent and smoky, and cut through with a cool drizzle of sharp jalapeno mayo.

Pescado Taco/Res Taco ($12, 2pcs)

I tend to judge a book by its cover, and a Mexican restaurant by its tacos, so this is what I had been looking forward to the most. The Pescado Taco ($12, 2pcs) consisted of large pieces of white fish in a sheer coating of corn-based batter, wrapped in a fragrant tortilla with the simple accompaniments of guacamole, chipotle mayo, and lettuce. The result was a light but moreish taco that I found thoroughly enjoyable.

Meanwhile, the Res Taco ($12, 2pcs) was the warm, earthy counterpart to the freshness of the fish. The giant wad of pulled beef was juicy and spicy, generously flavoured with chilli and cumin. Just make sure you eat this one first though, as the gravy does soak through the tortilla. 

Churros ($15, 5pcs)

Aside from dessert tequilas and cocktails, the menu contained three sweet options: crème caramel, corn cake, and Churros ($15, 5pcs). Whilst churros would normally be my last resort, I am so glad I wasn’t the one making decisions for once. The fingers of pastry were briefly fried for a crisp exterior and a gooey centre, but their full potential was not unleashed until it was dipped into the chocolate sauce. Consisting of a mix of Mexican chocolate, dark chocolate, and a slick of cream, the sauce tasted of nothing but sugar for a second or two, before the soft explosion of cocoa hit. It was a perfect balance of sweet and bitter, its creamy richness heated by the coating of powdered cinnamon on the churros.

In the end, El Sabor made good on its promise of delicious and authentic Mexican food, and I had serious food envy over the saucy enchiladas at the next table. And the best bit? They do deliveries within about a 7km radius, and Dhi told me for a fact that they often deliver to the staff and patients at my hospital. Now there’s a good option for lunch.

Rating: 14.5/20 – hospital fiesta.

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

Sweet and Sour Fork dined as a guest of El Sabor.

Xeôm

194 Smith St 

Collingwood, VIC 3066
http://www.xeom.com.au/

As a pharmacist (and someone with common sense), I totally understand the need for the Food Safety Standards, but I can’t help but feel a little resentful that as a result, the closest we get to street food is the burger truck. As a result, I spend most of my time scurrying between, and trying to find new restaurants that serve street-styled food because hey, it’s cheaper than flying overseas. 

A while back, on my way to Peko Peko, I spied with my little eyes Xeôm – a shiny new Vietnamese street-food restaurant in the heart of hipster country. Before too long, I was back on a warm afternoon to try their selection of rolls, salads, and noodles. It seemed  like a lot of people had the same idea as me, and the hip new restaurant filled up before too long. 

I was a little disappointed to discover, upon closer inspection, that the menu was more along the lines of Vietnamese staples marketed as street food. After all, rice paper rolls are still rice paper rolls, even if you rebrand them as ‘sexy rolls’, mark up the price, and serve them in a chilled-out restaurant decked with shelves of Vietnamese canned foods. Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and I was still eager to see what Xeôm had to offer. 

Grilled Chicken and Spring Rolls Vermicelli Noodle Salad ($13)

Our first dish was the Grilled Chicken and Spring Rolls Vermicelli Noodle Salad ($13), aka bún. The presentation certainly won it some points right off the bat – the salad was scrubbed squeaky clean and divvied out into little portions, and the large chicken chop had tantalisingly charred edges. 

Grilled Chicken and Spring Rolls Vermicelli Noodle Salad ($13)

When mixed through with fish sauce, this was your classic Vietnamese vermicelli salad, albeit with more care taken with the ingredients. The chicken was stand-out – hot and juicy with a hint of lemongrass, but the spring rolls were disappointing in that they weren’t the crunchy rice-paper kind, but the frozen cocktail kind. The overall flavour was a bit less punchy than you’d expect for Vietnamese food, and unfortunately the only herb was a small pinch of wilted mint. Thankfully, the overall impression of the salad was of delicacy, rather than blandness.

Combination Pork and Prawn Crispy Vietnamese Pancake ($14.8) 

Combination Pork and Prawn Crispy Vietnamese Pancake ($14.8) 

The bánh xèo – or as it’s called here, the Combination Pork and Prawn Crispy Vietnamese Pancake ($14.8) – is Vietnam’s answer to crepes. Except instead of sugar and butter, the crispy rice-based pancake is seasoned with turmeric, and stuffed with protein and bean shoots. 

Combination Pork and Prawn Crispy Vietnamese Pancake ($14.8) 

Combination Pork and Prawn Crispy Vietnamese Pancake ($14.8) 

This is one of those dishes that’s as tasty as it is fun. Sure you could eat it with a knife and fork but the best way to go about it it is with your hands. Rip up a piece of the pancake (make sure to get the meat and veggies as well), wrap it in a lettuce leaf, add as much or as little of the herbs as you would like, and dip it into the fish sauce. Though not mind-blowing in any aspect, this is a dish that’s just plain enjoyable to eat. 

Though I don’t do this very often, I had to double back and get my camera so I could take a snap of this awesome sink set-up.

I’ll be honest – the food at Xeôm is more or less the same as what you’d get at a halfway decent Vietnamese restaurant, except the prices are higher, the portions are smaller, and the tables are cleaner. All that said though, I was surprised to find that I actually quite liked my meal at Xeôm, because sometimes it’s nice to eat traditional Vietnamese food without worrying about why the tables are so sticky.

Rating: 12.5/20 – worth a try.

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

Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria

339 Victoria St 

Brunswick, VIC 3056
http://www.los-hermanos.com.au/

There’s nothing like a restaurant that makes a Monday feel like a Friday. It could be the crepe paper banners and candles burning in alcoves, or it could be the beer garden and music that makes you want to shake your hips (Mexican remix of Oasis, anybody?). No matter how you look at it, Los Hermanos Mexican Taqueria is a place for a party. 

Though I’m sure the range of bottles – some of them rather dubious-looking – get a few motors going, my attention is reserved exclusively for the small menu scrawled onto the blackboard covering an entire wall of the restaurant. Despite being a bar, there are also tacos aplenty for all involved – a sure sign that the food is as good as the drink. Spoiler: they were out of the ‘el flan’, and yes, I was disappointed.

Totopos ($5)

I always find Totopos ($5) hard to resist despite knowing that I probably shouldn’t, but ever since discovering ‘real’ tortilla chips, my chip-and-dip experience has never the same. These were unfortunately just ok. Though thickly cut and mostly crispy, I found some parts of the chips to be greasy and stale. And whilst the jalapeno salsa and chipotle mayo made for an interesting change, I would much rather a fresh bowl of tomato salsa.

De Carne ($5ea)/De Barbacoa ($6ea)

We ordered a fair bit of food, and they all came out in a rush at this point, leading to a mad scramble of photo-taking and taco-eating before the tortillas split from juices in the meat. Unfortunately I couldn’t quite make it in time to De Barbacoa ($6ea), a taco piled high with tender shredded lamb. Still, it was delicious despite the tortilla giving way, and we greatly enjoyed the hearty combination of grilled meat and salad.

De Carne ($5ea) on the other hand was a lovely contrast to the lamb taco’s richness. Twice cooked in chipotle salsa and topped generously with jalapeno sauce, this was a lighter but zestier option that really got the tastebuds going with its bright flavours. 

De Pescado ($6ea)/Mushroom Taco ($5ea)

My all-time favourite taco would have to be the fish taco at Fonda Mexican, and I always make a point of ordering it whenever I see it on a menu. To date, I’ve yet to find one that I like just as much, and unfortunately De Pescado ($6ea) wasn’t an exception. Still, that’s not to say the large fillet of battered fish on shredded purple cabbage and drizzled with chipotle mayo was no good. Though the fish was softer than I would like, the overall flavour is a familiar and fun one, the fish a perfect vehicle for the crunch of the slaw and the spice of the sauce.

Mushroom Taco ($5ea)/De Pescado ($6ea)

I love meat and I hate sour cream, so it was a wonder of wonders when I found the Mushroom Taco ($5ea) – the Spanish name was covered by a bottle of tequila – to be my favourite by far. The mushrooms, already thick and juicy, were tipped over the edge by crumbly goat’s cheese that’s ever so faintly caramelised by the heat. Even the sour cream played a part, providing each mouthful with a tangy coolness.

Gorditas ($6, 2pcs)

Gorditas ($6, 2pcs)

Having never seen Gorditas ($6, 2pcs) before, I had to have them. These crisp little pockets made from corn flour were filled with a gooey, creamy mix of refried beans and two cheeses (ricotta and mozzarella). On their own they weren’t remarkable, but it was a match made in heaven when paired with the sour, spicy, and very slightly nutty slaw.

I love Los Hermanos not only for the food, but for the wonderfully festive vibe as well. Every element of our experience conspired to make dinner feel like a holiday, with the cheap street-styled food being the ultimate clincher. Though, can you believe that Ethan lived nearby for the last year but has never told me about this place? He swears he has, but I’m onto him – he just wants to keep this gem all to himself.

Rating: 15/20 – you don’t make friends with salad!

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

KOBA

119 Hardware Street 

Melbourne, VIC 3000
http://www.eatkoba.com/

What happens when one person wants to eat Korean food whilst the other person wants Mexican? It sounds like a bad joke, and if it was one, the punch line would be: go to KOBA

I’m starting to think that the space KOBA occupies along Hardware Street is jinxed. In the last couple years, at least 3 different restaurants have come and gone, but it seems KOBA is here to stay. It’s a tiny place but it functions more as a takeaway than eat-in, though it does have a narrow bench lining the wall, and a couple of al fresco tables.

We arrived at about 7pm on a Friday (overtime again – my pharmacist and I turned over a whole ward!) to find a long line, and staff that were upbeat but scattered. It took a long time to get to the front of the line, and when we did, we found that they were out of fried chicken and sliders. On a 6 item menu. 

Tokpokki ($5)

Cutting our fried, delicious losses, we started with a bowl of Tokpokki ($5), which were pretty decent for the price. Though hardly subtle, the spicy bean paste was flavoursome, and soaked thoroughly into the sticky pieces of rice cake. The raw shredded cabbage on the other hand? Not so cool. 

Chicken Tacos ($7, 2pcs)

The Chicken Tacos ($7, 2pcs) sounded really good on paper, but once I saw that they were no longer in soft shells, their appeal diminished twofold. Seriously, who thought hard taco shells were a good idea? If I wanted that, I would’ve ordered nachos! Anyway, the toppings on these tacos were a tepid and unremarkable mix of grilled chicken, shredded cabbage, and spicy bean paste. I couldn’t taste the kimchi or salsa at all. For such a distinctive combination, the taste of these tacos was profoundly unremarkable.

Kimchi Fries ($7)

Topping off the lukewarm night was a box of lukewarm Kimchi Fries ($7). Once again, this was a study in wasted potential. The chips were too skinny to be able to get away with sogginess, and though the toppings of kimchi, cheese, onion relish, and sour cream promised to be a riot of delicious flavours, the reality was that they were rather bland, and had trouble attaching themselves to the chips.

I feel as if the meal would’ve gone quite differently had we been able to order the fried chicken and sliders that I had originally came to KOBA for, and what we ordered instead were poor substitutes indeed. KOBA not only made me sad with its long waits and subpar food, what disappointed me the most was all that wasted potential – Korean food and Mexican food have some of the most prominent and bold flavours, and a kimchi and grilled chicken taco could’ve gone so right, so easily!

Rating: 10/20 – sad face.

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