I do love a tick sheet ordering system (there's not enough of them in the UK for the novelty to have warn off yet. I ordered the tiger prawn green mango rolls, a bbq pork bun and the special sesame tuna tartare. Then a lychee and cucumber frozen young coconut crush to wash it all down.
Only problem with watching the kitchen is that you can see them make good things that you haven't ordered... Like the sauted shitake enoki and shimeji mushrooms, I might need to start rethinking my opinion on fried mushrooms.
The Vietnamese rolls were good, standardly delish and fresh, plus super generous size! The Bun was super fluffy and the filling moorish. Steamed buns are one of my favourite things ever!
All food super fresh and simple, the kind of place which wouldn't overkill, under flavour or make greasy spring rolls (which I avoided to order in case.)
The Tuna tartare was a bit of a random choice - I dont eat raw fish all that often, I love raw red meat (as much as you can 'love' something so rich that a small plateful is often enough.) The fresh lime squeeze added a nice touch. It has an odd texture, a bit like a ripe tomato flesh; quite light and springy with a gelatinous shine.
The light fishy taste went surprisingly nicely with my coconut smoothie which finally arrived. Like a wacky asian answer to a big mac and vanilla milkshake. Beautifully sweet and refreshing, it was the perfect thing to calm my shirachi overkill spiced mouth! Could easily wake up to one of these everyday, though I dread to think of the sugar content
With my food mountain nearly conquered, I looked around to weigh up my choices. The rice/noodle salad bowls did look really good, I had avoided ordering as I meant to order small because I wanted a big brekkie! I think one of those would have been a more sensible spend of money than the tuna tartare. But then it would have filled me up so much I wouldnt have a chance to sample. Good to know I could have gotten dinner for about $20. I may have to come back nearer the end of my time here when I'm not feeling so flush
The kitchen closed at 9, boo melbourne is such an early city. It probably didn't help that I landed on a Monday I preorderd a custard bun for dessert. I think I'll make breakfast more like brunch tomorrow... Plus an early start!
Another thing which dawned me too late is that there is probably a good reason why tuna tartare is a share dish, it is super rich! Still, rather that than the pho.
The custard bun is not a particularly attractive thing to photograph. And as I bit in, I realised that it was very similar to a doughnut, a baked good that I was trying to avoid now after Brisbane. (Cronuts, cruffins,... Now I see what all the fuss is about!)
I'm not sure about the texture of the shiny bun. Relived to find the custard centre on my second bite. Oh gawd, so good! Super vanillary and eggy. Goody!
Note on eating by yourself in restaurants; I can't tell if it's better or worse to be alone when you drop food on yourself. I'm feeling the latter, like I'm too inadequate a human to get food into my mouth let alone go on a date. At least I can blame it this time on the chopsticks.
I'm not risking it on the custard bun; handled and eaten like a donut.
Price: $32, so £16. final words:
Well, that will keep me going till brunch!
