Restaurant Review: Wat Da Pho

Location: 212 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne

Phone: 03 9696 5605

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

Cuisine: Vietnamese

Overall Impression: 7/10

Wat Da Pho is the relatively new kid on the block in South Melbourne. Having opened only a few months ago, Wat Da Pho has already garnered a considerable following.

Restaurant Review: Josie Bones

Location: 98 Smith Street Collingwood
Phone: 03 9417 1878
Link: http://www.josiebones.com/
Cuisine: Tapas, Pub/Bar Food
Overall Impression: 6/10

Set along Smith Street, Josie Bones has become a highlight for beer lovers during Melbourne evenings. Josie Bones features a wide range of beers from popular boutiques to lesser-known imported options - some even aged in whisky casks.

Melbourne Dumpling Tour

Last week, Gastrology was invited by Walk Melbourne to attend one of their Melbourne dumpling tours. Being keen dumpling enthusiasts, it was an offer too good to refuse.

Spins, Spits and Swallows @ Royal Saxon

Location: 545 Church Street, Richmond,
Phone: 03 9429 5277
Link: http://www.royalsaxon.com/
Cuisine: Italian, Pub/Bar Food, Coffee
Overall Impression: 8/10

Lazy Sundays at Royal Saxon are now even more alluring with the launch of Spins, Spits and Swallows. Every Sunday from 12 pm to 8 pm in July and August, the Royal Saxon serves up succulent suckling pig pannini from the courtyard spit and a special 2 course, Sunday Spit Roast set menu on top of their delicious a la carte menu. 

Media Release: Neighbourhood cafe culture on Greville Street

By pioneering a culture of food, St Edmonds, has helped to develop a neighbourhood vibe in what is now a thriving hub. Greville Street, two years on, is alive with a bustling breakfast, brunch and lunch trade. Adopting a chilled Greville St culture, St Edmonds is joined by newer venues including Oskar Cooper, Cup of Truth’s Pardon Café and Ladro which are ready and waiting on a new influx of clients from soon to be complete residential developments. 

Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers [1 - 31 July 2013]

Gastrology bloggers joined Coonawarra winemakers as they delved into their cellars to showcase rare, aged and back vintage wines throughout the month of July. This is the nineth consecutive year that Coonawarra Cellar Dwellers is being held. It was certainly a unique opportunity to taste and purchase Coonawarra wines not available or seen anywhere else.

Some of our favourite Melbourne brunch spots...

Start your day right with a selection of Melbourne's best brunch spots...

Restaurant Review: Kokoro Ramen

Location: 157 Lonsdale Street,  Melbourne
Phone: 03 9650 1215
Link: http://www.kokororamen.com/
Cuisine: Japanese, Noodle Shop
Overall Impression: 7/10

Kokoro Ramen is a Japanese noodle house centrally located on Lonsdale Street. As the name suggests, the focal point of this café is ramen – Japanese wheat noodles.

Restaurant Review: Spirit of India

Location: 401 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9682 6696
Link: http://www.spiritofindiamelbourne.com/
Cuisine: Indian, Vegetarian
Overall Impression: 5/10

Spirit of India is a reliable eatery with a vast dining area and friendly wait staff.

Restaurant Review: Oriental Tea House

Locations: 4 (see below for details)
Link: http://www.orientalteahouse.com.au/
Cuisine: Chinese, Tea, Yum Cha
Overall Impression: 7.5/10

Oriental Tea House is one of Melbourne's most highly regarded premier tea and yum cha destination.

Restaurant Review: Garamerica

Location: 230 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne
Phone: 03 9696 2192
Cuisine: Indonesian
Overall Impression: 7/10

Garamerica dishes up authentic Indonesian cuisine with friendly service.

Gloria Swanston's Kitchen new menu launch @ Lounge

Location: 243 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9663 2916
Link: https://www.facebook.com/gloriaswanstonskitchen
Cuisine: American

Gastrology bloggers were privileged by an invitation to attend Gloria Swanston’s new menu launch. The restaurant is named after Gloria Swanston, an American model, actress, and dancer whose number one passion was food.

Dine Hear Cafe Review: Coin Laundry

Location: 61 Armadale Street, Armadale
Phone: 03 9500 1888
Link: http://www.coinlaundrycafe.com.au/
Cuisine: Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch
Overall Impression: 7/10

Coin Laundry's name pays homage to the good old days of self-service laundries, where people met (and even fell in love) and life was a little simpler.

Dine Hear Restaurant Review: D.O.C. Pizza & Mozzarella

Location: 295 Drummond Street, Carlton
Phone: 03 9347 2998 , VIC 3053
Link: http://www.docgroup.net/
Cuisine:  Italian, Pizza
Overall Impression: 9/10

Named D.O.C. after ''denominazione di origine controllata'' (an identification given to food product meeting the requirements of production in a certain region of Italy), the pizzas at D.O.C are as authentic as you can get in Melbourne.

Dine Hear Restaurant Review: Rose Garden BBQ

Location: 435 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne
Phone: 03 9329 1560
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Barbecue
Overall Impression: 6.5/10

One of the most popular restaurants in Melbourne, Rose Garden BBQ is both cheap and cheerful. $10 goes a long way here and the service is friendly and prompt.