Christmas @ LuxBite

Gastrology bloggers attended LuxBite's Christmas party receently where guests indulged in LuxBite's fancy fusion treats that were as beautiful as they were delectable.

A round up of this month's hottest foodie news

NIGHT NOODLE MARKETS

The Night Noodle Markets, positioned alongside the Yarra River in the stunning Alexandra Gardens, concludes tomorrow.

Good Food Month (and beyond) @ New Gold Mountain

Location: Level 1, 21 Liverpool Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9650 8859
Link: http://www.newgoldmountain.org/
Cuisine: Pub/Bar Food
Overall Impression: 8/10

In classic Melbourne style, New Gold Mountain is hidden down a laneway and bustling behind a concealed door. Beyond this seemingly innocuous and normal looking exterior lies a slice of Old-world Shanghai, a glamorous yet debaucherous space reminiscent of an opium bar from a time long forgotten.

Eureka Skydeck Experience

Located beside the Yarra River in Southbank, Eureka Skydeck is one of Melbourne’s most popular tourist destinations. Being the highest viewing platform in the Southern Hemisphere the views are awe-inspiring.

Restaurant Review: Teppankai

Location: 34 Bray Street, South Yarra
Phone: 03 9827 8822
Link:  http://www.teppankai.net/
Cuisine: Japanese, Teppanyaki , Tapas
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

Located in South Yarra, Teppankai is a lovely restaurant which features contemporary Japanese cuisine.

RAB Bar & Restaurant @ The Grand Hotel

RAB Lounge Restaurant & Bar is located within The Grand Hotel, a four and a half-star, heritage-listed apartment hotel. One of the most impressive buildings in Melbourne city, the building is beautifully restored to retain the style of the 1880’s, making the dining experience quite special.

Cafe Review: Vintam's Bakery Café

Location: Shop 109, 111 Merchant Street, Docklands

Phone: 03 9670 0116

Cuisine: Asian, Bakery, Vietnamese

Overall Impression: 7/10

Vintam churns out cheap and cheerful Vietnamese delights such as banh mi and pho.

Grill'd has a new Fairfield location

Location: 126 Station Street, Fairfield

Phone: 9481 2566

Link :http://www.grilld.com.au/

Cuisine: Healthy burgers, salads

Overall Impression: 7/10 

A new Grill’d Healthy Burgers restaurant has opened on Station Street.

Cafe Review: Magic on Ferrars

Location: 286 Ferrars St South Melbourne

Phone: 0414 991 556   

Link: Facebook

Cuisine: Organic, Breakfast/Brunch, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10

A new cafe darling of South Melbourne, Magic on Ferrars is all about exceptional service, coffee and food.

'Laurent Perrier' 6 Course Sharing Menu @ Spoonbill Restaurant and Bar

Location: 637 Chapel Street, South Yarra
Phone: 03 9040 1333
Link: http://www.artserieshotels.com.au/olsen/spoonbill
Cuisine: Modern Australian, Tapas
Overall Impression: 8/10

Regarded as Australia’s greatest living painter, Dr John Olsen funded his early art career in Europe as a chef in Majorca, Spain. At Spoonbill Restaurant & Bar, guests of The Olsen hotel and South Yarra locals are given the unique opportunity to experience Olsen’s love affair with food recreated with stunning produce from around Australia.

Nationally Commended Chef @ HQ's on William

Located on the ground floor of the Radisson on Flagstaff Gardens Melbourne, HQ’s Restaurant and Bar impresses guests with their seasonal menu.

A Porky Christmas: Murray Valley Pork Cranberry & Almond Loin Roast

It is really easy to master the art of the tender roast with Murray Valley Pork's Cranberry & Almond Loin Roast.

Huxtaburger has a new Prahran location

Huxtaburger celebrated the grand opening of its Prahran location on the 13th of November. 

Melbourne's first ramen burger @ Shizuku

SHIZUKU opened quietly a few months ago. Named after the traditional word for droplets, this Japanese restaurant pays homage to the day-long process of preparing ramen from scratch, where every drop counts. 

Crust's new Upper Crust Pizzas

Crust Pizza has unveiled their newest additions to the Upper Crust Pizza menu which turns your favourite sandwiches into pizzas. 

This range is inspired by current Australian food trends and draws inspiration from South American cuisine.

Good Food Month @ Southgate [1 Nov - 30 Nov]

Gastrology was invited to discover 2 of Southgate's restaurants for Good Food Month. As part of the experience, we “road tested” Miyako and Pure South’s signature dishes and uncovered the unique personalities of these two riverside eateries. 

Product Review: CARTE NOIRE (& some great coffee-making tips)

France's number one coffee brand, CARTE NOIRE, has just launched in Australia. 

High Tea @ LuxBite

LuxBite in South Yarra has taken the tradition of High Tea and decorated it with a sprinkling of pop culture. In true LuxBite style, Tea for 2 is all about giving you a unique LuxBite experience filled with bright coloured, bold and exotic flavours.

Event Review: 1806 turns 6

Gastrology bloggers recently attended 1806's 6th birthday event where we celebrated the 6 years since those iconic flashing red lights were turned on for the very first time. 

Restaurant Review: He Says She Says

Location: 1101 Toorak Road, Camberwell
Phone: 03 9077 7866
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Link: http://www.hesaysshesays.com.au/
Overall Impression: 8/10

He Says She Says offers patrons a perfect destination to catch up with family and friends for a meal, impress a client over a business lunch or simply sneak in an after work glass of wine. 

A Taste of the Taste Kitchens @ Bomba Tapas Bar + blog giveaway!

Melbourne’s premier restaurant festival Taste of Melbourne arrives for 2013, once again gracing Pelican Lawn at Albert Park, November 14 – 17. The food and wine celebration sees Melbourne’s favourite restaurants return, as well as new movers and shakers on the dining scene including Bomba Tapas Bar.

ASC's New Spring Menu

Location: 2 Acland Street, St Kilda
Phone: (03) 9536 1175
Link: www.aclandstcantina.com.au
Cuisine: Mexican
Overall Impression: 9/10

The chefs at Acland St Cantina bring a polish and precision to Mexican cuisine that is rare in Melbourne - every dish we have ordered from our numerous visits has been perfectly seasoned and consistently excellent. The new spring menu is no different. 

Restaurant Review: BangPop

Location: 35 South Wharf Promenade,  South Wharf
Phone: 03 9245 9800
Link: www.bangpop.com.au/
Cuisine: Thai
Overall Impression: 7/10

In a market where casual dining is in vogue, BangPop assimilates perfectly.

Restaurant Review: Akachochin

Location: 33 Dukes Walk, South Wharf
Phone: 03 9245 9900
Link: http://www.akachochin.com.au/
Cuisine: Japanese, Sushi
Overall Impression: 7.5/10

An elegant and modern Tokyo-style bar, Akachochin serves authentic Japanese cuisine presented in a modern way.