Restaurant Review: Red Spice Road

Location: 27 McKillop Street, Melbourne

Phone: (03) 9603 1601

Link: http://www.redspiceroad.com/

Cuisine: Asian, Thai, Vietnamese

Overall Impression: 7/10

Check out our review of the Red Spice Road bar (where we enjoyed a few yummy cocktails) here and our first visit to Red Spice Road here.

Betel Leaf with Chicken, Crab, Coconut, Chilli and Kaffir Lime

Red Spice Road continues to draw in the crowds with its South East Asian influenced offerings. While the food on offer is perhaps not entirely “authentic”, the menu boasts South East Asian cuisine that thankfully retains authentic characteristics like robust flavours and the generous use of spices. A year and a half from our first visit, we are pleased to see that Red Spice Road has continued to deliver on all fronts.

 

We particularly enjoy their banquets which are great value and a brilliant introduction to Modern South East Asian cuisine for first timers. 

Ocean Trout Tartare

Twice Cooked Lamb Ribs with a Tamarind and Coconut Relish

Pork Belly with Apple Slaw, Chilli Caramel and Black Vinegar

 

 

The Red Spice Road pièce de résistance, the famous pork belly continues to please. Each morsel bursts of flavour. The pork belly skin is delightfully crispy and the meat is tender and succulent. That pork, the tangy black vinegar marinade, paired with the accompanying luscious caramel sauce with a dash of heat from chillies is a match made in heaven. 

Prawn, Snowpea, Baby Shiso, and Red Radish Salad and Lemon Grass

Beef Cheek Massaman Curry with Kipfler Potatoes and Baby Onions

Crispy Fried Chilli, Turmeric Chicken with Beansprouts and Cucumber Ginger Relish

Pandan Cream with Coconut Jelly, Peanut Praline, Puffed Wild Rice, Tapioca Pearls and Coconut Ice Cream

 

 

Their desserts are delicious.

Choc, Chilli, Mint Parfait with Salted Peanut Caramel, Rice Puffs and Pineapple Sorbet

 

 

My favourite dessert so far is the Choc, Chilli, Mint Parfait with Salted Peanut Caramel, Rice Puffs and Pineapple Sorbet. The parfait is perfectly smooth and indulgent. The salted peanut caramel layer has the right balance of saltiness and sweetness and the hint of chilli is invigorating.

Ice Cream Sundae – Black Rice Ice-Cream, Coconut Jelly, Zen Liqueur, Papaya and Honeycomb

 

Red Spice Road offers a menu that is incredibly fresh, vibrant, full of flavour and beautifully presented. The communal dining style ensures your palate is treated to a variety of tastes and flavours which is great for those who enjoy trying a bit of everything.