Melbourne - The Eating Thread
Nov 28, 2022, 2:35 pm
#46
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
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Posts: 923
Thanks, JClasstraveller. I have Nomad once in each city because we are doing The Feast in Sydney so I thought that it might be interesting to try ordering a la carte in Melbourne. But to your point, if something else really screams out "Eat Here!" in Melbourne, I have plenty of time to change our reservation.
And I appreciate the reminder about Tipo 00. I had looked at that near the start of this culinary adventure, thought the menu was just OK, and kept looking. I took another look after your comment--not sure if they changed the menu, or my mindset changed, but I'm far more intrigued now than I was originally. Adding that to my short list.
And regarding the Andrew McConnell restaurants, I've noticed that in both cities the number of different high-quality restaurants that are under a single restaurateur's umbrella is quite surprising. But it does give a prospective first-time diner a higher comfort level knowing that if you loved restaurant A & B from a certain restaurateur, then the odds are good that restaurant C will live up to the same high standards.
In the US, this reminds me of the Stephen Starr Restaurants group, but his empire is even bigger: 30+ restaurants, almost all of them different concepts, stretching along the east coast from New York to Miami, plus one outstanding co-owned small bistro in Paris. If you're ever in Washington DC, be sure to dine at Le Diplomate, his hommage to Parisian bistros (or perhaps more accurately brasseries), which has been going strong for 17 years. Food, wine, & service are consistently first-rate, which is why even with 300 seats it's still a difficult reservation to obtain without advance planning. https://lediplomatedc.com/
And I appreciate the reminder about Tipo 00. I had looked at that near the start of this culinary adventure, thought the menu was just OK, and kept looking. I took another look after your comment--not sure if they changed the menu, or my mindset changed, but I'm far more intrigued now than I was originally. Adding that to my short list.
And regarding the Andrew McConnell restaurants, I've noticed that in both cities the number of different high-quality restaurants that are under a single restaurateur's umbrella is quite surprising. But it does give a prospective first-time diner a higher comfort level knowing that if you loved restaurant A & B from a certain restaurateur, then the odds are good that restaurant C will live up to the same high standards.
In the US, this reminds me of the Stephen Starr Restaurants group, but his empire is even bigger: 30+ restaurants, almost all of them different concepts, stretching along the east coast from New York to Miami, plus one outstanding co-owned small bistro in Paris. If you're ever in Washington DC, be sure to dine at Le Diplomate, his hommage to Parisian bistros (or perhaps more accurately brasseries), which has been going strong for 17 years. Food, wine, & service are consistently first-rate, which is why even with 300 seats it's still a difficult reservation to obtain without advance planning. https://lediplomatedc.com/
Was tasty though.
Mar 18, 2023, 2:01 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I’ll be in Melbourne next weekend, Friday, Saturday, and am looking for lunch and dinner place recommendations. Leaning towards Asian or Modern Australian primarily, but not exclusively. Hole-in-the-wall joints and up are all acceptable. I’m staying in the CBD and relying on public transportation. Main requirement is very good food.
I want to give a big thank you to bensyd who provided me with the below link in the Adelaide wine tour thread. It’s a bit daunting with the large list, especially since it’s my first time in Melbourne, only there for two days and four meals.
https://www.agfg.com.au/awards/sa#l5294
I’d appreciate any help you can offer.
I want to give a big thank you to bensyd who provided me with the below link in the Adelaide wine tour thread. It’s a bit daunting with the large list, especially since it’s my first time in Melbourne, only there for two days and four meals.
https://www.agfg.com.au/awards/sa#l5294
I’d appreciate any help you can offer.
Mar 19, 2023, 8:16 pm
#48
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: RSE
Programs: AA Exp|VA Platinum
Posts: 15,506
I’ll be in Melbourne next weekend, Friday, Saturday, and am looking for lunch and dinner place recommendations. Leaning towards Asian or Modern Australian primarily, but not exclusively. Hole-in-the-wall joints and up are all acceptable. I’m staying in the CBD and relying on public transportation. Main requirement is very good food.
I want to give a big thank you to bensyd who provided me with the below link in the Adelaide wine tour thread. It’s a bit daunting with the large list, especially since it’s my first time in Melbourne, only there for two days and four meals.
https://www.agfg.com.au/awards/sa#l5294
I’d appreciate any help you can offer.
I want to give a big thank you to bensyd who provided me with the below link in the Adelaide wine tour thread. It’s a bit daunting with the large list, especially since it’s my first time in Melbourne, only there for two days and four meals.
https://www.agfg.com.au/awards/sa#l5294
I’d appreciate any help you can offer.
I was in Melbourne a few weeks ago on business. Ended up at Supernormal. I really enjoyed it. It's sort of Pan-Asian fusion. I also at at France Soir which was also pretty good. I don't know how popular Butcher's Diner is in Melbourne, but it's pretty good, and cheap, at least compared to Sydney. The thing I like about Melbourne is restaurants aren't scared of things like offal, unlike in Sydney.
Mar 19, 2023, 10:28 pm
#49
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
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Posts: 923
Higher Ground is very good.
Supernormal is excellent as is Coda.
Getting a booking a week out might the issue.
If you like coffee, I’ll return with a long list.
Supernormal is excellent as is Coda.
Getting a booking a week out might the issue.
If you like coffee, I’ll return with a long list.
Mar 20, 2023, 4:39 pm
#51
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Mar 20, 2023, 9:11 pm
#52
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
I live in a city that enjoys their coffee and has one of the largest coffee roasting plants in the world. I have no idea what a “flat white“ is. I’m an outlier. 😁
Hmmm, did Melbourne have anything to do with the creation of Earl Grey tea? 🤡
Mar 20, 2023, 9:20 pm
#53
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I don't know if the bubble tea craze is a thing in Melbourne like it is in Sydney. Although that sort of "tea" would probably make Earl Grey roll over in his grave.
Mar 21, 2023, 1:51 am
#54
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Location: SYD, Australia
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Mar 21, 2023, 2:49 am
#55
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Mar 21, 2023, 2:30 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 73
The worst meal and experience I had in Melbourne was at Higher Ground a couple of weeks ago.
Booked, turned up on time (a couple mins early) only for the maître d' to give away our table to a walk-in in front of us - much to the shock and horror of the other staff member who was about to seat us.
Once we were eventually seated, the food was the worst we had in our time in Melbourne.
On a positive note, had wonderful food at Gimlet, Embla and a couple of (very long) lunches at Stokehouse.
Booked, turned up on time (a couple mins early) only for the maître d' to give away our table to a walk-in in front of us - much to the shock and horror of the other staff member who was about to seat us.
Once we were eventually seated, the food was the worst we had in our time in Melbourne.
On a positive note, had wonderful food at Gimlet, Embla and a couple of (very long) lunches at Stokehouse.
Mar 22, 2023, 5:17 pm
#58
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SYD, Australia
Programs: VA Silver, QF FF, Priority Club
Posts: 923
The worst meal and experience I had in Melbourne was at Higher Ground a couple of weeks ago.
Booked, turned up on time (a couple mins early) only for the maître d' to give away our table to a walk-in in front of us - much to the shock and horror of the other staff member who was about to seat us.
Once we were eventually seated, the food was the worst we had in our time in Melbourne.
On a positive note, had wonderful food at Gimlet, Embla and a couple of (very long) lunches at Stokehouse.
Booked, turned up on time (a couple mins early) only for the maître d' to give away our table to a walk-in in front of us - much to the shock and horror of the other staff member who was about to seat us.
Once we were eventually seated, the food was the worst we had in our time in Melbourne.
On a positive note, had wonderful food at Gimlet, Embla and a couple of (very long) lunches at Stokehouse.
Heard Gimlet is great (as is almost anything Andrew McConnell) but pricey!
Mar 25, 2023, 1:12 pm
#60
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 1,530
Lunch spots in Melbourne?
Hi once again, folks. A while back I had a number of posts and replies with the good folks on this board about dining in Melbourne. The focus at that time was primarily restaurants for dinner, and between your help and my research I think I've managed to assemble a pretty good list of the top dinner offerings, with a nice range of cuisines. I'm returning here now for a Part 2: Lunches.
Ideally, I'd like to find some spots that are easier on the wallet than some of our places booked for dinner, although price is not the primary consideration. So with that in mind, I'm wondering if anyone would care to offer up a few suggestions for places for casual, somewhat moderately priced lunches during our trip next month. All cuisines, pubs, cafes, etc welcome, good list of Australian wines by the glass a plus.
We are staying at the Crowne Plaza, and in three days won't be going too far afield from the CBD north of the Yarra, and the National Gallery to the south. My lunch list under consideration thus far: Hu Tong Dumpling, Din Tai Fong, Tim Ho Wan, Pastuso, Mo Vida. Anybody have a pub they would like to add? Ever had lunch at one of the places at Fed Square? (Asking due to its convenient location to the Ian Potter Centre.)
BTW, I'm posting a similar request on the Sydney dining thread, if anyone cares to share recommendations over there. Many thanks--and I promise a full report on both cities when we return!
Ideally, I'd like to find some spots that are easier on the wallet than some of our places booked for dinner, although price is not the primary consideration. So with that in mind, I'm wondering if anyone would care to offer up a few suggestions for places for casual, somewhat moderately priced lunches during our trip next month. All cuisines, pubs, cafes, etc welcome, good list of Australian wines by the glass a plus.
We are staying at the Crowne Plaza, and in three days won't be going too far afield from the CBD north of the Yarra, and the National Gallery to the south. My lunch list under consideration thus far: Hu Tong Dumpling, Din Tai Fong, Tim Ho Wan, Pastuso, Mo Vida. Anybody have a pub they would like to add? Ever had lunch at one of the places at Fed Square? (Asking due to its convenient location to the Ian Potter Centre.)
BTW, I'm posting a similar request on the Sydney dining thread, if anyone cares to share recommendations over there. Many thanks--and I promise a full report on both cities when we return!