I-Spicy

Location: Hawthorn and Richmond (details below)

Overall Impression: 5/10

With one restaurant in Hawthorn and the other in Richmond, I-Spicy is a reasonably good Thai dine-in and takeaway that serves authentic Thai food at fair prices.

Event: Claremont Tonic opens its doors to raise funds for Think Pink

Claremont Tonic will open its doors tomorrow (30th April 2013) to hand out complimentary dishes to raise funds for Melbourne based charity Think Pink and showcase its new lunchtime offering.

Restaurant Review: Grill'd has a brand new music festival themed restaurant

Location: Next to V/Line ticket booth at Southern Cross Station, Melbourne
Phone: 9670 4100
Link: http://www.grilld.com.au/
Cuisine: Healthy burgers, salads
Overall Impression: 7/10

One of our favourite purveyors of fine burgers, Grill'd has debuted a brand new music festival themed restaurant in the heart of Melbourne’s bustling transport hub, Southern Cross Station.

Cafe Review: Freestyle Espresso

Location: 6 Union Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9696 4396
Link: www.freestyle-espresso.com.au/
Cuisine: Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch, Bakery
Overall Impression: 6/10

Freestyle Espresso is a lovely cafe in South Melbourne.

Event: Cinco De Mayo @ Acland St Cantina [May 1 - May 5]

Acland St Cantina celebrates 'Cinco De Mayo' with a 5 day Mexican Fiesta.

Restaurant Review: U-Village

Location: 1/29 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda
Phone: 03 9537 1129
Link: http://www.u-village.com.au/
Cuisine: Asian, Malaysian, Thai
Overall Impression: 8/10

A successful chain in Malaysia since 2003, U-Village has now landed in Melbourne.

Having opened 6 months ago, U-Village aims to satisfy Melbourne’s unquenchable thirst for South East Asian cuisine in the heart of St Kilda.

Circa’s month-long pop-up Yakitori Bar [available only in April 2013]

Location: 2 Acland Street, St Kilda,
Phone: 03 9536 1122
Link: http://www.circa.com.au/
Cuisine: Modern Australian, Japanese, Asian

Gastrology bloggers were privileged to be invited to the launch of Circa’s Pop Up Yakitori Bar (which will only be around for the month of April) at Circa, The Prince.

In conjunction with the excitement of the Pop Up launch, Circa showed off a more permanent addition - its sleek new bar. The new bar has an indoor outdoor feel, with fairy light wrapped foliage hanging from the ceiling, and natural light streaming through sky lights.

Restaurant Review: FOG Bar and Restaurant

Location: 142 Greville Street, Prahran
Phone: 03 9521 3155
Link: http://www.fog.com.au/

Cuisine: American, Modern Australian, Wine Bar, Breakfast/Brunch

Overall Impression: 9/10

It's a Friday night and FOG Bar and Restaurant is bustling. While most are toasting to the end of another working week, the work is just beginning for the FOG team. 

Restaurant Review: Ayatana

Location: 97 Chapel Street, Windsor
Phone: 03 9533 8813
Link: http://www.ayatana.com.au
Cuisine: Thai, Asian
Overall Impression: 8/10

It is a Friday night on Chapel Street and Ayatana is bustling and vibrant. Filled to the brim with diners, we were lucky to get a table.

Restaurant Review: Mr Mason

Location: Tenancy 10, 530 Collins Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9614 4500
Link: http://www.mrmason.com.au/
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

Starting at $15 for one course and an extra $5 for a glass of wine, the express lunch at Mr Mason represents good value.

Restaurant Review: Acland St. Cantina

Location: 2 Acland Street,  St Kilda
Phone: (03) 9536 1175
Link: www.aclandstcantina.com.au
Cuisine: Mexican

Overall Impression: 9/10

With so many budding restaurateurs jumping on the Mexican bandwagon, the prospect of one that is actually worth raving about is exciting! 

We first experienced Acland St. Cantina (ASC) during the restaurant's launch party. We were impressed then, but experience has shown us that great food at a launch party doesn’t necessarily translate when you move to a sit down dinner. Thankfully, in this case, it did. The food was fabulous.

Restaurant Review: Kolbeh Persian Restaurant

Location: 751 Doncaster Road, Doncaster
Phone: 03 9078 5350
Link: http://www.kolbeh.com.au/
Cuisine: Persian, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

Serving unique and exotic Persian food, Kolbeh is a welcome new addition to the Doncaster/Templestowe dining scene.

Restaurant Review: Demitri's Feast

Location: 141 Swan Street, Richmond
Phone: 03 9428 8659
Link: http://www.demitrisfeast.com.au/
Cuisine:  Breakfast/Brunch, Greek, Coffee
Overall Impression: 7/10

Demitri’s Feast is a trendy little café in Richmond. The menu features brunch and lunch items alongside a few sweets. 

Romantic Yarra Valley rendezvous (Chandon, Chateau Yering and Rochford)

In addition to the stunning scenery, J and I love the Yarra Valley for its beautiful food and, of course, spectacular wine. 

So it was no surprise that we were back again. Our recent trip began with a visit to Chandon.

Restaurant Review: Red Spice Road (QV)

Location: 31-37 Artemis Lane, Melbourne

Phone: 03 8660 6300 

Link: http://qv.redspiceroad.com/ 

Cuisine: Asian, Thai, Vietnamese 

Overall Impression: 7/10

The verdict is out - Red Spice Road QV is just as delicious. J and I were there recently to try their express banquet menu  and it was an absolute delight.

Restaurant Review: Sushi Monger

Location: 17/ 309 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 0899
Cuisine: Sushi, Japanese
Overall Impression: 7/10

Believe the hype. With an appropriately simple and fresh menu, Sushi Monger ticks all the right boxes. With an emphasis on fresh and high quality ingredients, it certainly aims to please and does! Their house-made miso soup is certainly commendable and a notch above the average MSG-ridden stuff.

Melbourne Comedy Festival event review: Girl Going To Hell

Gastrology bloggers attended a show by New York stand-up Abigoliah Schamaun tonight. Schamaun has been making quite a splash with her Melbourne International Comedy Festival show, “Girl Going To Hell”, receiving great reviews last weekend in Herald Sun, Yawp and Crikey.

Restaurant Review: Best Food Gallery

Location: 599 Station Street, Box Hill
Phone: 03 9897 1448
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Overall Impression: 5/10

While it is hardly a “Best Food Gallery”, the food is of a reasonable standard and incredibly well priced.