OMAH's at Hawthorn***

Omah's Hawthorn

338-342 Burwood Road 
Hawthorn VIC 3122 
Australia 
T: 03 9818 7777 E: hawthorn@omahs.com
W: http://www.omahs.com/hawthorn/about.html 
Opening hours:  from 12pm till late 7 days a week. 



The website explains that OMAH'S mean grandmother in the Malay language in Malaysia and it serves authentic Malay/ Peranakan food. Truth be told, I have never heard of them and this is the first time I dine was last week and how wonderful it was. Some of my friends asked me whey is there not a place where one can fine dine Malay food. Well, I can say this is the closest but it has also a mix of South East Asian Chinese/ Singaporean and Indian food  as well. This place is HALAL too, so it gets even better!


Last Sunday, we went to the Hawthorn Branch of Omah's for Deb's Birthday dinner. This is their second branch that started from Port Melbourne. I say having 2 branches means you are doing well and so they are, as the joint was packed with people in big groups and of course majority are there for their famous Crabs mains. We were there for the same thing. Debs pre-ordered  2 crabs and we decided to cook them in Salted Eggs and Chilli Crab ala Singapore style. Instead of expecting Mantou bread with our crabs, as it is more Malaysian based, we got Roti chanai or better known as prata in Singapore instead. That does not compromise the meal, I say! :) The crabs cost about $40 each and are of medium size. 

The Salted eggs sauce crab was not as salty and extravagant like the ones in Singapore where the egg yolk is turned into slushy gravy and the crab kinda soaked in it. Over here, it is more like the eggs was matted with oatmeal and deep fried. Hence the taste is subtle and quite delightful. 

The Chilli crab on the other had was not so hot and spicy but tasted like Assam Pedas with strong lemon grass flavour.  

We also ordered mixed entree platter ($12.90), gado-gado($14.90), buttered prawns($24.90) and also ginger flower duck ($22.90). 
The platter consisted of a selection of Loh Bak, Chicken Satay, Curry Puff, Spring Roll and Silken Tofu. 

Gado-Gado- Malaysian salad of steamed seasonal vegetables, tofu and egg served with peanut sauce. was more of their own style which is totally different from what I grow up with but still good. 

Buttered Prawns -Australian wild prawns coated in golden egg fluff flavoured with curry leaves and spring onion were amazing with strings of yolk that is skillfully prepared in hot oil- which non of us could master and 

Ginger Flower Duck- Half a deboned duck pan fried to served with a piquant sauce of chilli, bunga kantan (ginger flower) and a dash of lemon juice was the extension of Peranakan style food. The ginger flower paste was like a cross between Sambal Balado  and Chicken Rice Chilli. very interesting flavour. 


Overall service was excellent, ambience was beautifully South East Asian with the walls decorated by asian artists' work on sale for anyone but starts at a whooping $4000!!! AS it was Deb's Borthday, we brought a cake and there was no surcharge! They even put candles and gave us plates and cutleries to eat  it. WOW. I say. :)


UPSIDE
1) Beautiful food
2) Meal sharing concept
3) Beautiful Interior
4) Very Friendly staff- good with kids and toddlers
5) No surcharge for bringing in cakes during Birthdays! 
6) HALAL!***

DOWNSIDE
1) Parking, have to park near the train station during busy times
Rate:
Price- medium- high
Food- 3.8/5
Service- 5/5
Ambiance- Contemporary/Funky/Asian-Chic Melbourne
Accessibility- 5/5

CHIN CHIN, Contemporary Thai with a twist!

CHIN CHIN RESTAURANT 
125 FLINDERS LANE 
TELEPHONE 8663 2000
OPEN 7 DAYS - LUNCH + DINNER
web: chinchinrestaurant.com.au

The name is catchy and the restaurant is definitely fancy. Newly opened since June 11', It has already garnered a steady number of clientale and followers. What strike me immediately when I walked into the restaurant was how it reminded me of COOKIE. At the same time, It also, like Cookie has a bar and serve Thai. It also sort of fused a lot of different Asian influenced into the cooking. As an Asian, I am always particular on how Australian cook Asian. I say in this situation, they did quite well.

3.5 of us went to have late lunch at CHIN CHIN on a weekday. The restaurant at 2pm, was still buzzing with people- corporates mainly, due to its placement. We were greeted by a super funky Asian maitre-D with a Punk Cropped hair and casual Punk attire. With a toddler in tow, she recommended us a big table with a little bit of moving space near the door. :)

When we were seated, we waited for the menu in which was only for drinks. It took us a while to realised that the thick Paper funky placemat has the menu on the other side. AAaaaaaahhh. I wondered why it was not flipped the other way so that we can see it?

After much browsing we decided to have a separate meal each although it is a sharing sort of restaurant. My friend ordered Chin Chin special Fried Rice with pineapple, the other Pad Thai with King Prawns, Banana Blossom and dried shrimps and me the Hobson's River Beef Brisket with Noodles and herbs. For starters we had Kingfish Sashimi with lime, chilli, coconut and basil.

Kingfish Sashimi with lime, chilli, coconut and basil 

The starter was exquisite. Such an odd combination sashimi: Japanese style raw fish drizzled with coconut cream with chilli and basil, all so well harmonised. We could actually taste all the flavours individually but enjoy it as a whole. This starters is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Hobson's River Beef Brisket with Noodles and herbs

 Chin Chin special Fried Rice with pineapple 

Basically, the fried rice is a typical Thai fried Rice, The Pad Thai is a pad thai but with ginormous prawns and the Beef brisket is also known as Sen Lek Neua- Typical Village Thai Beef Noodles but with a special beef from Hobson's river.

It took a while before our meal came, probably about 30 minutes, It was partially busy and perhaps most of the patrons are also busy socialising at the bar before their meal to notice the time. We wondered if there were only 2 chefs in the kitchen. When the food came, the presentation was beautiful. The amount is quite decent, perhaps designed more for tasting menu style. But the fired rice was quite substantial.

Palm Sugar Ice-cream Sunday with salted Honeycombe and Lime Syrup- 

It might not look like it but it is the bomb!

From the time I looked at the menu, I was already caught up with its desserts side. I so badly wanted to try its Palm Sugar Ice-cream Sunday with salted Honeycombe and Lime Syrup. O_M_G it was divine- so so decadent. Choosing Palm Sugar as an Ice cream flavour is so rad but adding salted Honeycombe? I was totally in love- currently it is quite IN for anything sweet with an addition of salt, like those crazy salted caramel. So this was a winner for me.- HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

To conclude, I felt that the mains are contemporary version of the Classic Thai mains but its the experimental starter and dessert won me over. Will I come back? Yes, for desserts, coffee and perhaps light nibbling.

UPSIDE
1) Beautiful starters and dessert
2) Meal sharing concept
3) Funky Interior
4) Very Friendly staff- good with kids and toddlers

DOWNSIDE
1) Thai Mains were not adventurous enough for a funky contemporary thai fusion. If you expected proper THAI, go to a proper thai place.
2) Long wait for food to come- 30 mins, If you have hungry kids, not the place to go.

Rate:
Price- medium- high
Food- 3.8/5
Service- 4/5
Ambiance- Contemporary/Funky/Chic Melbourne
Accessibility- 5/5

Broadsheet Cafe-The Premises, Melbourne

Broadsheet Cafe-The Premises
24 Crossley Street, Melbourne

As we continue our blog journey of indulgence with Melbourne's Food and Wine festival, I bring you today, a blurb about the temporary 'Broadsheet' cafe with special appearances of THE PREMISES.

Background: Broadsheet is actually a news/publishing company that champions everything Melbourne; from food to art to design and very very hip stuff. You can find them online and sometimes in print. This year, to celebrate the festival, Broadsheet decided to bring Melbournians a temporary little hole in a wall amongst dumpsters and cool retailers on Crossley St, to enjoy sinful caffeine from a variety of Coffee connoisseurs and Baristas from around the vicinity.

Day 5, we celebrate the coffee making skills of a cafe from the burbs' of Kensington called The Premises. I came in about a little before noon and the place is already packed with Everyone. The deco is simple: a nice big community table, a few variable chairs and stools with the machine at the end of the space. Coffee starts at $3.80 and are chic-ly contained in special takeaway cups with the Broadsheet logo and the 'cafe of the day' branding. I was also impressed by the nice little coffee coasters that are available to rest your paper cup on.

The coffee served today is very exotic, I cannot really remember the full details but I saw a 'TORAJA' brew in it which reminds me of coffins inserted in limestones mountains and cannibals of that region of Borneo. Taste was strong with a tinge of bitterness, maybe a reflection of the rawness of where it came from. The beans were happily supplied by Seven Seas, a local Coffee Roaster around the corner from the city.

I am excited of this project. Its like an installation for beverage. Do check Broadsheet cafe when you are in the city. Coffee technicians change daily so it will always be a surprise.

Broadsheet Cafe Operator Schedule

Fri 4 - Seven Seeds
Sat 5 - Five Senses
Sun 6 - Dead Man Espresso
Mon 7 - Market Lane
Tue 8 - The Premises
Wed 9 - Seven Seeds
Thu 10 - Five Senses
Fri 11 - Proud Mary
Sat 12 - Dead Man Espresso
Sun 13 - Proud Mary
Mon 14 - Market Lane

Auntie's Dumplings, Carnegie

Aunties dumplings is one of those places where it caters to both Asian and Western demographic.


The exterior on Koornang Road


Yummy Boiled Chicken and Prawn dumplings, 'auntie' and a waitress in the background.


Vegetarian Noodle Soup

68 Koornang Road
Carnegie
Phone: 95686641
Open 7 Days

Chinese restaurants have been around in Australia for a long time. They can be found in any suburb and used to be catered to the Western taste. Aunties dumplings is one of those places where it caters to both Asian and Western demographic.

When we first started going over to Auntie's dumplings in 2008, we were intrigued how a huge bowl of noodles cost only $6.50. Both Chris and me have absolute love for noodle soups and to find that here we have more than 5 types on a single menu, its heaven for us.

Auntie's dumpling is located on the main street of Suburb,Carnegie and is one of the many Asian eateries along it. One can say, its the only one that is always full. I think I have to blame Matt Preston for his review of the place in 2009 in The Age. Now, if we arrived a little too late, we would have to wait in queue for at least 10 minutes.

Of course we come back not for the service or the ambience. The decor is no frills and the 'auntie' herself, for all these years, I have only seen her smile once.

Its more because of the food. Chris feels its one of the healthiest meals you can get at $7.50 and also delicious. Its basically our unofficial quick fix hang out, and takes us less than 10 minutes to get there. Our usual selection are meals number 8. Boiled Chicken and Prawn dumplings(10 pieces), $8.00 and 38. Vegetarian Noodle soup, $7.50, off their yellow menu. We have also ordered their fried noodles, Roast Duck, Mapo Tofu, fried rice and many more in the past. All very good, we have no complaints. They also have quite a variety of different Chinese food from different provinces from China, there is a lot to explore.


UPSIDE
1) Cheap, generous amount and healthy
2) Open till late - 9pm
3) Good accessibility to venue and Wheelchair Friendly

DOWNSIDE
1) CASH ONLY, although there is ATM machines and banks on the main road.
2) No smile from Auntie
3) Always Crowded during Peak time


Rate:
Price- low- medium
Food- 4/5
Service- 2/5
Ambiance- no frills but very clean
Accessibility- 5/5


**Suitable for small to medium size groups
**Train stop- Carnegie station - heaps of buses pass by as well.

Nobu Restaurant, Crown Casino, Southbank

"You can tell how much fun a city is going to be if Nobu has a restaurant in it.” -Madonna

Grilled Black cod with miso
Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno
Tempura baby tiger prawn with creamy ponzu
Sake bottles on the wall
Dessert tasting menu
Japanese trifle, raspberry and vanilla bean ice cream.


Nobu Restaurant
Crown Casino
8 Whiteman Street
Southbank
Phone: 9292 7879
web:http://www.noburestaurants.com/melbourne/experience/introduction/

Madonna could not say it better. Melbourne being a food paradise and a fun cityis deserving of Nobu. One of the earlier arrival of Star Chefs' restaurant, it is a chain which can be also be found in other hip cities of the world as well. Nobu is the chef that started a restaurant of Japanese and Peruvian fusion in New York and strongly endorsed by non other than Mr R. De Niro himself. He loves the food so much he decided to take the brand everywhere. I remembered it was a big deal when it first open in Melbourne and people crowd around Crown to catch a glimpse of the Big Daddy himself.

Its exterior is simple, you cannot see much going on due to its exclusivity. Once inside, you will pass by a row of neon light sake and wine bottles on the eye level which then lead you to an openness of dining rooms of perfect Japanese and western balance of natural wood stylings, coupled by beautiful hanging abstract fishing basket chandeliers under special lighting, creating a textured and exquisite ambience. The use of slate and wooden flooring gives it a natural feel of a comfortable Japanese rural habitat as well. The bathroom is as dark too with beautiful origami flowers arrangement near the washing basin. Every detail is well thought of. In the daytime, lunchers will get to sit by the windows with natural light shining through its surround glass windows.

We had lunch over there a couple of times. Expensive but sure worth the experience and the taste. With a big group, we get to eat different type of food or one can order a set menu, starting at $45 for lunch. The menu changes but its signature dishes remains the same.

The signature dish includes Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno,$19(now they only have it as starters), wagyu beef strips with bonito flakes(there's a different version now), Tempura baby tiger prawn with creamy ponzu,$17, Ochuco chicken- 2 pieces kebab style, $11, and Grilled Black Cod with miso, $43.50.

I have to say all the dishes listed above is beautifully cut and presented. The taste was fresh and very different. The mix of Peruvian twist in some of them really bring the food taste to a different level. The yellowtail sashimi taste sweet and with jalapenos on them which seem inconceivable made it was divine- who would have thought they are such good combination? The Ochuco chicken kebab is also relatively different from the other kebabs I've eaten, it is East Asian with the use of corriander, rather beautiful and spicy.

This is definitely one of the most exquisite tasteful Japanese I've ever had. Its hard to go to another Japanese and have the same expectations afterwards.

The desserts were all so exciting, we decided to order the tasting plate of 4 different desserts they had. The dessert menu changes a lot. My favourite is actually the Japanese trifle, raspberry and vanilla bean ice cream. They have a different trifle now on the menu at the moment which sounds beautiful too.

UPSIDE
1) Clean and design orientated interior with a flash of Japanese decor
2) Beautiful presentation of food and good portions.
3) Very professional and knowledgeable waiting staffs to explain to you the exotic menu clearer.

DOWNSIDE
1) Bookings in advance is essential to get a place
2) You cannot meet De Niro. He comes to check in only once a year.


Rate:
Price- high
Food- 5/5
Service- 4.5/5
Ambiance- Exclusive and Dressy
Accessibility- easy. Walking distance from Flinders Station.

*Suitable for small to big group

Upcoming Food Festivals in March, Melbourne

Melbourne is passionate about her food. Very much so that there are always small or big scale food festival all year round. Their variety and numbers have significantly grow with the discovery of different exotic food culture of new migrants of Australia.This is what makes me excited living in this city. There is never a dull moment in my historiography of consumption.

This March, a new festival arrives and this one excites me to the bones!


SBS Food Journey Festival
The Royal Exhibition Building
Carlton Gardens
4 - 6 March 2011
http://www.foodjourney.com.au/

Opening Hours:
Friday
10:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday/Sunday
10:00am - 5:00pm

'Food is intricately linked to who we are. In a multicultural melting pot which is Australia, food represents where we have come from and how Australia has developed as a nation today.

SBS has a commitment to telling the story behind the food. This food festival will bring to life and showcase the expertise and knowledge of the SBS food talent whilst highlighting how Australia's food is some of the world's best.'
- An extract from their website.




And also the mother of all food fest here, the annual and exciting programs of:


Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
http://www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
4-14 March 2011
Happening at venues allover Melbourne.

Each year, the Festival unveils a world-class program of more than 250 events over two weeks – a true expression of Melbourne’s infamous love of food and wine that captures the attention of food-lovers in their hundreds of thousands.

Entering its 19th year, the Festival’s prestigious reputation attracts the world’s biggest culinary and wine personalities to its door to participate in a program that also showcases Victoria’s own celebrated chefs, restaurateurs, winemakers, sommeliers, producers and artisans.

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival is when Victoria’s love of food and wine comes alive, join in.
- An extract from their website.

Lastly, every summer, The Queen Victoria Market in the corner of Elizabeth and Victoria street hold the infamous SUZUKI NIGHT MARKET'. This means that every Wednesday evening, bands , and food stalls operated till late to quench the thirst and hunger of food lovers. This local market is very fun too. There are also craft and goodies stalls for you to browse and buy.



Every Wednesday until 2nd March
5.30pm to 10.00pm
Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne.
Pedestrian entry from corner Queen & Therry Streets & Peel Street
FREE ENTRY
Parking: The rate is a flat fee of $6.00 from 5.00pm to 10.30pm.
*** Yes, you can find HALAL food here. :)






I HEART FOOD. :)

Simon's Peiking Duck Restaurant

15 pieces of DUCKS, 15 pieces of pancakes, 15 pieces of spring onions, 15 pieces of cucumbers and a bowl of beautiful PLUM SAUCE!


So the pancake is like a clock's face. Placed everything at 3oclock and then fold in the 12, 6, 9 after one another to make a pocket and eat!


The slicing technique. Clean and fast!


Debs and Simon. (check out his ROLEX) :)


Simon's Peiking Duck restaurant
197b Middleborough Rd
Boxhill South Vic 3128
Phone: 03 9898 5944
http://www.simonpeikingduck.com/news.html

Ducklovers, this is one of the ultimate Peking Duck Experience in Melbourne. Simon, the owner is a Timorese who learnt the Art of peking Duck at Dragon Seat restaurant and later migrated to Old Kingdom in Collingwood. This is where he built a culinary reputation of his DUCK and given the nickname DUCK NAZI. He later left the restaurant as they were compromising his DUCK quality. This my friends, is a true passionate artist who love his Art.

I, a DUCK obsessed-fan since young became even more passionate since I moved to Melbourne. Here, again we can find many Peking Duck places in Melbourne. But this one is quite exceptional. Again its a little more pricey than your average resto but what this guy provides is HIGH QUALITY, entertainment and nice roasted duck at its best.( the duck prep takes 2 days!!!!!)

When Deb, Charmaine and me went over on a Monday night and the joint was packed and this is a good sign- it means its popular! One would have to order the duck at least 2 days in advance. We called in on Friday and were told they only do 2 seating for dinner. Its either at 630pm or 8pm but lucky us, we managed to get in at 730pm.

There are 2 duck menu options. A duck is good for 2-3 people. Price is about $55 for the 3 course option which is soup, duck and stir fried beansprouts. Then there's the choose your own noodle option replacing the beansprouts- cost $63.


So, why the DUCK NAZI?

1. He flips the pancake skin onto your plate from a corner and you have to catch it!
2. He then tells you the appropriate way of wrapping your duck using the face of the clock!
3. You can only have 15 pieces of pancake and duck. No more and no less.
4. If you asked for more.... well, i think nobody dares to do so! LOL

Upside
1) Cleaner looking than most Chinese Restaurant
2) Possibililty of being served by Simon himself, which we had and it was entertaining as hell. Its worth the $$$ seriously.
3) Timorese food on the MENU!
4) I am unsure if this is a up or downside BUT they serve Soup last! Apparently its good for your digestive system this way!

Downside
1) Cash only policy. So make sure you bring lotsa cash!NO ATM in sight except for a block down where there is a gas station. I was too lazy to walk there after eating, seriously!
2) The normal bad service by Chinese waiting staff at any Chinese restaurant in the world! hehehahah
3) More accessible by your own private transportation.
4) You get only 1 regular plate of noodles for the meal.( No you cannot ask for more!)
5) Limited parking

Overall, Its a great place and have a good mix of clientale. I would definitely be back in a couple of months!

Ratings
Food 4.5/5
Ambiance 3.5/5
Price 3/5
Accessibility 2/5
*Suitable for small to super big groups

Freshly baked Vietnamese Breads and Rolls

Front Window. Cute old men having coffee and bread!

Sandwich Rolls


Bread Counter. Check out the Yummy Cheese rolls at 70cents and Vienna at $2 in teh background!


Freshly baked Kaiser, French and Knot Rolls

MELBOURNE
Huntingdale Hot Bread Kitchen*
284A Huntingdale Road
Huntingdale, Vic 3166

A friend once told me that the French go to Vietnam to learn to bake their bread right. I was astonished by this but apparently after eating them for a couple of years, I totally get it.

In Melbourne, we are very lucky to have a huge multicultural population. When the Vietnamese refugees migrated over here in the mid 70s, we didn't know they would contribute so much to our table.

There are many Vietnamese bakeries scattered around Melbourne. Almost every suburb will have at least one. The ones that I have been patronising lately is the one in HUNGTINGDALE. Normally you will know its a Vietnamese bakery from how it looks. Normally very oldskool and a sign that says HOT BREAD:Croissants will be one of them listed on the glass, most definitely, as they make damn yummy one.

Best thing about them breads is the fact that they are always light, fluffy and extremely cheap. The ones I normally buy includes Croissants, French stick or Baguette, Kaiser rolls, French rolls, Dinner rolls, Knott rolls. Rolls started at 40cents, cheese sticks at 70 cents and croissants $2 each. A bargain in Melbourne. Normal bread starts at $1!

The difference with these bread when compared to the Western counterpart is the fact:

UPSIDE

1) They use a different sorta flour. Chris who is sensitive to Gluten and Wheat normally survived well with them.
2) Softer and fluffier, as most continental bread are usually hard.
3) Cheap and great to eat as it is, or with spreads for any meal of the day

DOWNSIDE

1) If you are late, there's none left
2) If you want something organic, gluten free or wholemeal, not many will have that wholesome varieties.

Something for lunch?

Vietnamese bakeries are also famous for their ROLLS- normally less than $5. Its basically a sandwich station like SUBWAY kind of style using special traditional Vietnamese sauces, meat and salads. I have friends who eat them religiously and no one ever complained but will end up with a big smile. Meat used normally are Chicken, Pork, Prawn or luncheon meat Viet style.


Rate:

Bread and Rolls- 4/5! :)

* If you live on an Asian strip or closed by to a Vietnamese populated Suburb, there will be one just around the corner. Be adventurous and venture around, you will be surprise what you can find just minutes away.

Shinssi Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant

Meat on the grill with the charcoal area embedded underneath the table.


The cold noodle with Boiled egg and Beef, vegies and soaked in apple or some fruit vinegar.Very sweet and perfect to cool you down on hot Summer days.

Shinssi Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant
(03)9670 2466

SHOP H 535 LITTLE LONSDALE STREET,
Melbourne, 3000
www.koreanbarbeque.com.au

Last Saturday, Jess invited us to celebrate her Birthday dinner at a 'ALL YOU CAN EAT' Korean BBQ restaurant in the city called Shinssi Hwaro Korean BBQ Restaurant. So far, I've been to more than 5 places and this one tops it in flavour. A little bit pricey than your average BBQ place but at $35.50 per person, it has its perks.

Upside:
1) Its charcoal BBQ, hence the flavour of the meat is different than the normal gas grill than you can find in most places. During our 2 hours dinner, our metal grill was swapped about 5 times and the charcoal changed twice. Meat includes Chicken, Beef and Pork.

Best meat to try- Marinated BEEF

2)You each get a main together under the price. There are 8 options to choose from, we had spicy beef soup, Cold noodles and Fish soup with rice.

3) We had about 6 choices of side dishes. It varies daily.


Downside:

1)No free corn tea

2)BBQ included 1 seafood choice only- OCTOPUS

3)No ventilation fan to suck up all that smoke


Rate:
Price- medium to high
Food- 3.5/5
Service- 4/5
Ambiance- 4/5
Accessibility- 4/5

*Suitable for small to medium size group 2-8 people.
*Train stop- Flagstaff station