To Melbourne and back...

Last week I was in Melbourne for work, and had to chance to check out some places there.  (And yes, I realised I not only have a eatability list for Sydney, but now, I think I have gathered one for Melb) 


1. Movinda 
1 Hosier Ln
Melbourne VIC 3000


Well, I did have hesitations about dinner here.  Not because I was worried about having Spanish tapas, but I was wondering whether there would be awkwardness! 
You see, I went to Melbourne for work, and thank God, another girl around my age went down as well.  So the conversation around dinner, and with the help that we needed to leave before the 2nd seating of the night, the night didn't turn out that bad.  
I read some reviews on eatability and the reviews on Grab your fork before heading there, except due to my bad memory, forgot what they recommended, so just decided to chose whatever I felt like.  

Special for the night: Oysters 

Viera: Roasted Spring Bay scallop with jamon and potato foam

Pulpo: char-grilled octopus with paprika potatoes

These are only some of the dishes that my table ate, but the lighting in the restaurant wasn't fantastic, so these are probably the only viewable pics available.  

I love tapas, so I loved this place.  The dishes were fantastic.  Scallop was cooked perfectly.  The octopus was good, flavours nice and subtle I guess.  

We did have the braised pork neck as well, and that was great.  Tasted like the Chinese style braised lamb with sweet plum sauce.  I liked it, not sure whether the Aussie counterparts did.  

Service was fantastic.  The guy was very friendly and nice, except we only received our spinach at the very end of the meal, which had to be eaten along.  But, it was worth the wait.  The flavours of the spinach was strong and flavoursome.  

My rating: 8.5  

Can't wait to go again.  It ended up being around $35/head with a jug of sangria, so decently priced meal.

2. Caffe e cucina 

581 Chapel Street
South Yarra VIC 3141

OMG.. I don't know whether its because I haven't had good italian for a long time, but this has to be one of the best pastas I've had.  

This place was recommended by a friend, who randomly stubbled in here after a long walk from shopping.  But, since I was here for work, and melb stupidly has their last night shopping nights on a Friday instead of a more sensible night of a Thursday.  But, we headed here after work on Thursday night.  

Started with a glass of wine at the bar, where the bar tender, and everyone else in the restaurant speaking to you in Italian, you really feel like you just stepped into Rome.  

Smoked yellow fin tuna carpaccio, with baby capers, lemon oil and fennel salad

Signature dish: Linguine with pipis, prawns, mussels and scallops, garlic, chilli and tomato baked in parchment paper

I was able to try a bit of this dish.  Pasta was great, but didn't try any of the seafood.  Not sure whether I would like all those thing baked.  But, I'm sure it would have been good.

Paccheri with spicy pork sausages, chilli, fennel and tomato ragu

Picture does not look appealing at all, given that it is smothered in parmesan cheese. But it was SO good that I finished the entire dish.  I guess it was a simple dish, and not unique.  But it was worth it.  

The bill came to $75 / head, one entree, 2 mains and one dessert with glasses of wine.  It was expensive.. which I didn't expect. 

I really enjoyed the food.  Was very authentic and fresh, but given, it wasn't a restaurant that I've heard of, and don't think I was warned about the prices.  I'm just not too sure whether the prices were justified.  So, would have been a 8.5, but the prices pulled it down a little, given that it was not exactly the value for money meal. 

Rating: 8

That's all for Melbourne this time around ... I think it will be Adelaide next.

xoxo michelle 

(decided to use my name, given my blog name says my name... bahhh.. haha)