Restaurant Review: Shanghai 1930

Location: 959 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill

Phone: 03 9899 8666
Link: http://www.shanghai1930.com.au/
Cuisine: Chinese
Overall Impression: 7/10

J and I recently had a 10 course banquet dinner at Shanghai 1930 that featured delicious Chinese delicacies like lobster served with noodles and ginger sauce abalone. 

Restaurant Review: Man Tong Kitchen

Location: Southbank Crown Entertainment Complex, 8 Whiteman Street,  Southbank
Phone: 03 9686 9888
Link: http://www.mantongkitchen.com.au/
Cuisine: Chinese, Yum Cha, Dumplings
Overall Impression: 7.5/10

Sister restaurant of Hu Tong, Man Tong is a fabulous new addition to the Crown casino restaurants precinct. Meaning “full house” in Chinese, the restaurant celebrates the Chinese tradition of having a house full of family members and friends sharing in a feast together. 

Event Review: FOG's American Regional Cuisine Monthly Dinners

Location: 142 Greville Street,  Prahran
Phone: 03 9521 3155
Link: http://www.fog.com.au/
Cuisine: Modern Australian, Wine Bar, Breakfast/Brunch
Overall Impression: 8.5/10

Just off Greville Street in Prahran, FOG Bar and Restaurant (FOG) immediately transports you to a world of old school luxury, combined with a dash of the ultra-modern.

Acland St. Cantina Launch

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

“Not another Mexican restaurant!” I hear you say. But far from being just another new Mexican eatery serving average fare and cashing in on the trend, Acland St Cantina is the real deal.

Restaurant Review: Afghan Masala

Location: 247 Thomas Street, Dandenong
Phone: 03 9791 2226
Link: http://www.afghanmasala.com.au/
Cuisine: Afghan
Overall Impression: 6/10

I recently had a conversation with a taxi driver who informed me that Dandenong has amazing Afghani food. According to him, all I had to do was visit “any” Afghan restaurant in Dandenong and it would be great. So, when J and I found ourselves in Dandenong on our drive back from Mount Martha, we knew we had to stop by for some Afghan cuisine.

Restaurant Review: Beasley's Tea House

Location: 196 Warrandyte Road, Warrandyte
Phone: 03 9844 1777
Link: http://www.beasleysteahouse.com.au/ 
Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch, Modern Australian, Coffee
Overall Impression: 7/10 

Set within a nursery in leafy Warrandyte, Beasley's Tea House is a welcoming restaurant that exudes an air of calm and tranquillity.

Restaurant Review: Fu Long

Location: 942 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill
Phone: 03 9890 7388
Cuisine: Chinese
Overall Impression: 5/10 

Fu Long continues to draw in the crowds because of its value for money proposition. The yumcha carts are filled with generous serves of dumplings and other deep-fried favourites that are all very well priced. 

The Wise Tapas Bar & Restaurant Launch

Location: 173 High Street, Prahan
Phone: 03 9533 7791  
Link: http://thewise.com.au/ 
Cuisine: Spanish, Breakfast, Coffee, Tapas 

Located just off iconic Chapel Street, The Wise is Prahran’s newest tapas bar and café. 

Cafe Review: 2Pocket Fairtrade Espresso Bar

Location: 277 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
Link: http://www.twopocket.com.au/
Cuisine: Coffee, Bakery, Organic
Overall Impression: 6/10

2Pocket Fairtrade Espresso Bar and Store is one of Melbourne’s most exciting new cafes. With the aim of supporting disadvantaged producers improve their lives through business and commerce, this cosy little café has an ambience as lovely as its purpose.

Cafe Review: Snow Pony

Location: 95 Whitehorse Road,  Deepdene (Balwyn)
Phone: 03 9816 8911
Link: http://www.snowpony.com.au/
Cuisine: Breakfast/Brunch, Modern Australian, Organic
Overall Impression: 5.5/10

Snow Pony is a trendy little café in Balwyn.

Review: Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat & The Argus Dining Room

Location: 124 Main Road, Hepburn Springs
Phone: 03 5348 4199
Link: http://www.theargusdiningroom.com.au/
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Peppers Mineral Springs Retreat is located in and amongst scenic Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.

Restaurant Review: Gekkazan @ GPO

Location: 28g Postal Lane, 350 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 7767
Cuisine: Japanese, Vegetarian, Sushi
Overall Impression: 8/10

From the people that brought you Kenzan on Flinders Lane, Gekkazan @ GPO is a delight.

WIN A DOUBLE PASS TO 'AROUND AUSTRALIA IN SIX WINES' AT CHADSTONE!

To celebrate Chadstone running Masterclasses from February 15 – 17, 2013, Gastrology and Chadstone are giving away one double pass to AROUND AUSTRALIA IN SIX WINES which will be presented By Ben Knight of benandwine & Boutique Le Vin. 

Restaurant Review: Chin Chin

Location: 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Phone: 03 8663 2000
Link: http://www.chinchinrestaurant.com.au/ 
Cuisine: South East Asian, Thai
Overall Impression: 6/10

Chin Chin Restaurant needs no introduction. Its increasing popularity is clear for all to see. With their no booking policy (all groups of less than 10 people are on a walk in basis), avid fans are willing to wait for up to 2 hours to indulge in their delicious South-East Asian fare. 

Foodie Masterclasses at Chadstone

Chadstone is running Masterclasses from February 15 – 17, 2013. This series of hands-on cooking classes allows participants to learn how to create restaurant quality dishes at home thanks to the help of Celebrity Chef Martin Boetz of Longrain, Chris Badenoch from Masterchef and Chadstone Fresh Food and Dining Chefs.