Park Street Pasta and Wine

What makes a good local? Somewhere modern but still inviting is a good start, delicious and nourishing food is a must, and warm and friendly staff (who are passionate about what they do) is non-negotiable.  If the owners just happen to be rather good looking too, well that's just a bonus. Park Street Pasta and Wine, one of the latest eateries to join the South Melbourne food scene, manages to tick all of the boxes.

Offering authentic Italian cuisine, the menu is nothing less than drool worthy.  With its fresh flavours and generous portions of seafood, the home made fettuccine with prawn and mussels is absolutely divine.

If your looking for something on the heartier side (and don't worry, it doesn't actually come with that much cheese, the staff were just graciously appeasing my parmesan addiction), the casarecce with wagyu beef cheek ragu is a must.

Whatever you do, make sure to save room for desert. Whilst I don't generally have a sweet tooth, the bombolini, lemon curd, marscapone and passionfruit is definitely worth saving room for.

However, it's really the small touches that sets this place apart. No boring bread and better dumped on your table in sight - instead you will be offered warmed herbed focaccia with whipped lardo.  Also, too shy or sophisticated to lick your plate clean (and trust me, you'll want to)? No worries - they will offer you even more complimentary bread to mop up the delicious juices.

When you leave a place already planning when you'll return, you know it's a good sign. Watch out the likes Tipo 00 and Grossi Florentino Grill, you better watch your back - there is clearly a new contender in town.

Food: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Venue: 4.5/5
Total: 14/15
Verdict: Love - get around to trying it soon

Le Clec

Le Clec in Hawthorn ticks all the right boxes - Incredible staff who are personable and passionate about what they do, an incredible venue that offers a modern, light filled courtyard out the back with heating for the colder months, and a unique but drool worthy menu that gives most brunch venues menus a fair run for their money (no standard eggs benny in sight at Le Clec). But what really sets Le Clec apart is the small touches - I'm talking complimentary sparkling water for the table (which let's be honest, won me over immediately) and the fact that the Courtyard out the back is pet friendly. 

But what about the food I hear you ask? Well lets just say the LFC (Le Chic Fried Chicken Burger with apple slaw, apple jam and kewpie) was hands down the best fried chicken burger me and fellow diner have ever had (huge call, I know - especially for those who know how much I love my fried chicken).



The chilaquiles (oven baked blue corn tortillas with shredded pork, black bean frijoles, avacado, fried egg and sheep's fetta) were also packed full of flavour and tasted as good as they look (although unfortunately the corn tortillas didn't last the distance and were already soggy by the time the dish was served).



But make sure to save room for one their home made sweets. Whilst not looking anything incredibly spesh - this white chocolate, coconut and apple cinnamon muffin was actually one of the best muffins I've ever had. It was dense but still clearly fresh, and wasn't overly sweet even though it was filled with delicious chunks of apple and white chocolate - only made better by a quick zap in the microwave.



With all of this talk about best this, and best that, you'd be forgiven for thinking I hadn't eaten for a week when I visited Le Clec. But do yourselves a favour and give Le Clec a go so you can see for yourself why it's the New Fave.
727 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

 Food: 4.5/5
Venue: 4.5/5
Service: 5/5
Total: 14/15
Verdict: the new fave - put it as number 1 on the to do list

The New Fave dined courtesy of Le Clec

White Rabbit

Do you ever get the feeling that you're eating at an entirely different restaurant to the one that has received so many positive reviews? I mean, this place was in the green on Zomato if you know what I mean.  White Rabbit on Bay Street in Brighton scores a hefty 3.6 on Zomato - however my experience there was nothing more than underwhelming.

To eat I ordered the Spicy Chicken Wrap with spicy chicken balls, jalapenos, lettuce, bbq sauce and avocado. The chickenballs had the consistency of mush and tasted like cardboard (also, definitely not spicy) and the overall wrap was soggy and flavourless.

My friend had the chilli mussels in white wine, Napoli, chilli, garlic and lemon zest - they came out cold.

The chips were cooked well - but how hard is it to put some potato in the deep fryer, so you're not getting too many bonus brownie points for that.

All in all, other than the chips (oh and the Presecoo - that was good too), it was a very disappointing dining experience.

Food: 1.5/5
Venue: 3/5
Service: 2.5/5
Total: 7/15
Verdict: Don't bother - it's not worth the calories

Spirit of India

It never ceases to amaze me how places like Spirit India, which are situated in prime positions, manage to keep open when they seem to be always completely empty.  However, to my absolute surprise, whilst the décor hasn't changed since the 1980s, there are still Christmas decorations up, and there is only one person running the show (which was fine after about half an hour when we became the only people in the restaurant), their food is actually really delicious.

As there were another two tables filled when we arrived, service was quite slow to start with (and expect to pop open your own bottle of bubbles).  But our waitress was certainly friendly, and thinks definitely got moving when we became the only people there.

To eat we started with the vegetable samosas (delicious) and followed with the butter chicken, lamb rogan josh, vegetable curry, Kashmiri pulao rice and a side of roti.  Whilst the lamb rogan josh could have done with some extra bite, the curries were all delicious and the proteins were cooked well.  The highlight of the night though had to be the roti bread - warm and flaky, it was absolutely delicious.

Whilst I walked into Spirit of India thinking I was walking into a drug front, I walked out pleasantly surprised.  Delicious Indian food, with a very inexpensive price tag - I will definitely be back to Spirit India again.

Food: 3.5/5
Venue: 2.5/5
Service: 3/5
Total: 8.5/15
Verdict: Like - get around to trying it at some point.

Cheeky Monkey

When a café is packed to the rafters, with a line out its doors, its always a good sign.  So I was pretty confident when I walked through Cheeky Monkey's doors. Situated on Smith Street, Cheeky Monkey offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and shares its venue with a florist which not only gives the place an incredible aroma (imagine the money you'd save not having to pay fresh flowers each week!), it gives it a distinct homely charm. 

Whilst every cafe seems to have its own take on eggs benedict - Cheeky Monkey serves theirs on a potato and chive waffle Whilst the waffle itself was quite bland and could have done with more chives, salt, pepper (well, really any kind of seasoning), the eggs were poached well and the hollandaise sauce was delicious.

 

 

My dining companion went for the avocado on toast with bacon and grilled mushrooms. Whilst it certainly wasnt the prettiest dish going around, my friend seemed to enjoy it.


 Decent food, good venue - if you're in the area it's worth a try.

Food: 3/5
Service: 3.5/5
Venue: 3.5/5
Total: 10/15
Verdict: like - get around to trying it at some point