Taxi Kitchen

Boasting some of the best views, food, wine and service that Melbourne has to offer, Taxi Kitchen has established itself as one of Melbourne’s prime dining destinations.

The menu encourages sharing and showcases fresh and local produce as hero ingredients to create communal and fun dishes. 

The Sake washed tuna, soybean pesto and daikon salad were one of the highlights from our visit. The soybean pesto dressing was refreshing and flavoursome without being overpowering, thereby preserving the integrity of the beautifully fresh, delicate slices of tuna. 

Another memorable from the menu is the dish of Candied pork, coconut salad and red nam jim. This dish was a triumph, both in terms of texture and flavour. The tender slices of beef were dressed beautifully with an expertly judged blend of textures and herbs.

Desserts at Taxi are wonderful examples of restrained elegance - the Dark chocolate parfait was decadent and exquisitely textured while the Passionfruit Souffle was picture perfect, beautifully light and fluffy. Each made for an indulgent end to a wonderful meal. 

Taxi Kitchen impresses with smart, contemporary dining that boasts a fun, approachable and communal flair.

Location: Swanston Street & Flinders Street, Melbourne 

Phone: 03 9654 8808

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

Cuisine: Modern Australian, Contemporary

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Taxi Kitchen.

Saturday nights @ Woolshed Pub

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Woolshed Pub.

Overlooking the picturesque water and city lights, Woolshed is the quintessential waterfront venue offering innovative cuisine in a relaxed environment.

Located within a heritage building, the venue boasts sun-drenched dining areas during the day and romantic and beautiful views spreading across the boardwalk at night.

The menu showcases pub favourites as well as modern Australian cuisine with subtle Mediterranean influences with a variety of share plates and a la carte options standing alongside a thoughtfully selected wine list. The weekday specials offer exceptional value.

Chickpea kofte, tahini, sumac, lemon 

The chickpea kofte was beautifully made. Wonderfully crisp and combined with sumac to provide a delicious salinity to the dish, a squeeze of tart lemon juice ensured the dish had requisite balance. It was a simple dish executed perfectly.

Cured ocean trout 

The cured trout was delicious. A wonderful mélange of sweetness and acidity, the cured ocean trout slices were embellished with aioli, thinly sliced onions and pickled cucumber which produced an enlivening combination of flavours.

Chilli salted squid, parsley, salsa romesco 

The squid was very tender and was coated in a well seasoned, light and crisp batter. The smearing of salsa had a sharp tartness which complemented the fried squid.

Seared Kingfish, Fennel, Green Bean and salsa

The seared kingfish was a dish ordered from the specials menu and was delicious. The accompanying fennel and green bean added freshness and texture to the dish. The star of the dish, the kingfish was cooked to perfection. The flesh was succulent, delicate and had a rich buttery flavour.

Wagyu beef cheek braised in red wine with celeriac puree & gremolata 

Comfort food at its best, the beef cheek was very tender and fell away easily with the weight of the fork. Coated with a rich red wine braising sauce, it was absolutely delectable. This dish went very well with the ​celeriac puree which was delightfully creamy.

Nougat pistachio praline parfait, candied orange, dried figs, biscotti 

The nougat praline ​parfait ​was well made and accompanied by sweet ​candied orange and dried figs which were each bursting with flavour. The biscotti added a lovely crunchy element to the vibrant combination of flavours. 

Sticky date pudding, butterscotch sauce, vanilla bean ice-cream 

​T​he sticky date pudding was wonderfully ​light and fluffy​. It was​​ ​an​ exemplary ​​​execution of the classic dessert​. D​ecadently coated in copious amounts of ​rich butterscotch sauce, it was an absolute treat when eaten with the dense vanilla bean ice cream.

The Woolshed is the perfect spot to unwind with a cocktail, a glass of wine or a beer from the extensive beverage list over good food and stunning views.

Location: t18/161 Harbour Esplanade, Docklands
Phone: (03) 8623 9640
Link: www.woolshedpub.com.au
Cuisine: Modern Australian