Chatty Vespa

Chatty Vespa may not be the next 400 Gradi/DOC/Ladro/ [insert-amazing-higher-brow-pizza-place here] but they are certainly causing a stir.

Delivering great quality pizza with a thin crispy base loaded with quality Aussie ingredients, for delivery and takeaway, to the people of Prahran/South Yarra/Toorak/Windsor, Chatty Vespa are a welcome addition to Melbourne’s pizza delivery scene.

We recently ordered in an Italian feast from Chatty Vespa to enjoy at through their delivery service and were pleased that our delivery arrived as scheduled in their GreenBox - a new eco-pizza box which has serving plates and a storage container built right in. 

Boc on baby pizza

Stepping up the stakes on the vegetarian pizza front, this pizza features simple and fresh ingredients. Fresh basil is layered with tangy tomato passata, juicy cherry tomatoes and all brought together by beautiful bocconcini.

Mary Mary pizza 

A tribute to Mediterranean cuisine, this pizza will have your mouth singing. Melt in the mouth and thoroughly flavoursome slow cooked lamb paired with chargrilled marinated eggplant, fior di latte, tomato passata, and finished with fresh rocket and a light drizzle of olive oil.

Stripper chick pizza

The Stripper chick pizza was delicious. The tender pieces of chicken breast were full of flavour. The artichoke hearts added a lovely hint of acidity and sweetness to the pizza. We loved the addition of oregano and fresh parsley.

The carnivore pizza 

Carnivores rejoice! This delicious pizza is served with generous amounts of homemade Italian pork sausage alongside caramelised onions, fior di latte, tomato passata, finished with a sprinkle of goats’ fetta and fresh basil.

We also enjoyed the Chatty pizzas over a bottle of Chatty Cab Shiraz which went down a treat with the delectable pizza selections. 

Currently delivering to Prahran, Windsor, South Yarra, Hawksburn, Armadale and Toorak (or not too further afield for an additional fee), Chatty Vespa is a wonderful and convenient way to experience some delicious pizzas with flavoursome toppings at home. The delivery is available for both lunch and dinner every day! Otherwise dine-in their cosy 20-seater dine-in area or drop in to take away.

Get Chatty Vespa to bring some Italian goodness to your door this week with its delivery service! 

When: Every day 

Where: Prahran / Windsor / South Yarra / Hawksburn / Armadale / Toorak (and areas nearby)

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Chatty Vespa.

Takeaway Review: Mr Loys | Ordered in via EatNow

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of EatNow.

We recently ordered in a Singaporean feast to enjoy at home via Eatnow through their Melbourne CBD delivery and takeaway page. We have visited Mr Loys on several occasions and have been consistently pleased by the quality of their dishes.

EatNow provides you with a quick and easy way to order food online from a network of 4,400 restaurants across Australia-wide.

Australian owned and operated business that was founded in 2010 by a few hungry Australians, with the aim to provide quick and easy access to great local restaurants in your local area, providing a takeaway and home delivery service. 

The order process is simple:

• Search for restaurants in your suburb.
• Browse by restaurants or cuisine.
• Filter results by user reviews, distance, latest deals/offers, minimum delivery.
• Order using the interactive menus – want extra spicy or hate mushrooms? No problem with our customisable options.
• Get real-time notifications and a confirmation of your order, letting you know how long your order will be.
• Enjoy!

Importantly, the payment options are secure and safe (PayPal, Visa, Cash) and you can order food from your mobile, tablet or PC.

We were pleased that our delivery arrived as scheduled.

Mr Loys menu features nostalgic gems of true blue Singaporean hawker dishes. We loved all the dishes we ordered from Mr Loys' thoughtfully-curated menu and were pleased with the irresistible flavours of their Singaporean specialities.

Of particular note is their "nasi lemak" which is served with crumbed chicken pieces. It was a proprietary mix of fresh green cucumber and dried ikan bilis, egg and sambal. The sambal was spectacular – it had the perfect level of spiciness and a beautiful flavour.

We couldn't resist throwing in a couple of Mr Loy's Signature Curry chicken puffs in our EatNow delivery order. Freshly made, the curry puffs contained aromatic and succulent chicken pieces. The pastry was absolutely beautiful - flaky and simply melted in our mouths.

An exemplary menu of Singaporean hawker classics, the food at Mr Loys is impeccable. With all their dishes at or under the $10 mark, it is a delicious option for an EatNow delivery which will hardly create a dent in your hip pocket.

EatNow.com.au provides you with a quick and easy way to order food online from a network of restaurants all across Australia. Download the award winning EatNow App from the App Store or Google play.

Koba Korean Street Food

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Koba.

Korean-Mexican fusion has taken off in the United States and it seems only a matter of time til it does the same here.

In the meantime, leading the charge is Koba, a unique representation of Korean-Mexican fusion in Melbourne. 

The menu is simple and to the point. You pick your burrito, taco or rice dish and pick your choice of protein and order some sides to share.

The korritos are a whole lot of yum.  Imagine a heap of savoury caramelized kimchi, a mound of sizzling bulgogi, cheese, tomato salsa all topped off with a generous drizzle of mayonnaise (plus more kimchi).

The kimchi fries are wildly popular. Like chilli fries but with an addictive twang, it is a great side dish to share or have on your own.

Koba’s rendition of the bibimbap is another winner. Not quite fusion but certainly hits the spot with crisp fresh vegetables, gochujang (chilli pepper paste) and goes extremely well when paired with their beautiful spicy pork.

Jump on board the Tex-Mex Korean fusion bandwagon at Koba:  fresh and original food in a joyful setting at an affordable price.  

Location: 119 Hardware Street, Melbourne

Phone: 03 9973 8425

Link: http://www.eatkoba.com/

Cuisine: Korean, Asian, Mexican

Melbourne confirms their love for dumplings with a twist

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Charlie Dumpling.

Charlie Dumpling has had a full house for lunch and dinner ever since its inception at the end of January and it is easy to understand why.

The menu is, quite simply put, sensational. Led by Executive Chef, Dylan Roberts (formerly Claremont Tonic, Ezard, Cutler & Co), Charlie Dumpling delivers a modern twist on dumplings and a new standard in fast casual dining. 

Consistent with Charlie Dumpling’s casual theme, its dining room features bright orange tabletops and a backdrop of thatched walls which engender an “outdoor” feel with modern flair. The informal nature is further enforced by the structure of the menu – the dishes offered are designed to be shared by the table. 

Charlies Fried Chicken Ribs, five spice honey, kewpie 

We commenced our meal with a bar staple: fried chicken ribs.  The meaty chicken ribs, more substantial and less finicky than chicken wing pieces, were crusted with a flavoursome spice mix and then perfectly fried to achieve a moreish crunchy exterior and drizzled with luscious five spice honey.  

Snapper, chilli, lime and blackbean dumplings

The velvety dumpling pastry was beautiful in texture and the accompanying sea of sweet soy, lime and dried chilli was pleasantly appetising. An expertly judged amount of heat brought this dish to another level. Bursting with flavour, exquisite balance and complexity, these dumplings are a must-have.

Pearly chicken dumpling, crispy skin, black vinegar

Boasting a tender and succulent interior encased by pearly rice, these dumplings harmonised a perfect balance of spices and sweetness. The accompanying black vinegar dipping sauce was delicious. Combined with the amazingly crisp chicken skin, it was intoxicating.

Peking duck dumplings, aromatic broth, tofu, Asian mushrooms

The dumplings consisted of fragrant and flavoursome duck meat within soft pastry.  The accompanying broth was a perfect example of the traditional tofu and mushroom broth – combining a perfect balance of sweet and savoury elements with malleable tofu and wonderfully fragrant herbs and spices.

Sugar braised beef short rib, hot and sour salad with steamed buns

The sugar braised beef short rib was stunning - Tender, falling off the bone, juicy and packed with flavour. A memorable dish combining flawless texture with equally superlative flavours, it was particularly noteworthy for its fragrant and complex beefy flavours. The crunchy hot and sour salad was the perfect accompaniment featuring  pickled  carrot, cucumber, a sprinkle of fried shallots and mixed herbs - all finished with a generous helping of Vietnamese-style dressing. The fluffy steamed buns were an eager canvas for the delightful amalgamation of flavours.

An exemplary display of Charlie Dumpling’s versatility, the desserts are also highly recommended.

Steamed pear and ginger dumpling, walnut caramel, iced cinnamon 

Milk chocolate dumplings with raspberry-chilli sorbet 

The dumplings had a beautifully crisp exterior and were filled with luscious milk chocolate. The raspberry and chilli sorbet boasted vibrant flavours of fresh fruit and a delightful kick. The elements harmonised cohesively together producing both a decadently sweet and novel end to our dinner.  

In a market where casual dining is in vogue, Charlie Dumpling assimilates perfectly.  Fortunately, unlike some other restaurants which implement a casual approach to the detriment of the food that they produce, Charlie Dumpling adheres to a very high standard. One which epitomises Melbourne’s unique dining culture of gastronomical excellence presented in a casual and pretence-free environment.

Location: 184 High St  Prahran,

Phone: 03 9510 4213

Link: http://charliedumpling.com.au/

Cuisine: Asian, dumplings

More Charlie on High! 

After just 7 months and an incredible welcome in its first restaurant location at 184 High Street Prahran, Charlie Dumpling is set to expand. 

With the high demand on the flagship restaurant, Charlie Dumpling has taken over premises a few doors away at 212 High Street, Prahran, which previously housed Vin Cellar.

The immediate upshot will be the launch of Charlie Dumpling Jr, a dedicated Take Away service, ensuring that Charlie’s range of dishes can be enjoyed any time. A Take Away app for online orders will be available in the coming weeks. The new locale will also be home to an exciting new bar and cellar concept along with additional function space – all under the one roof. 

The Pantry Delicatessen Re-opens!

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of The Pantry Delicatessen.

The Pantry Delicatessen is back with a stunning new fit out and a colossal selection of delicious and healthy take-home food.

The huge range of seasonal take-home meals provides for everyone. Salads, soups, pastas, wet-dishes, roast; the list goes on! Restaurant quality food, cooked by restaurant chefs, caters to every taste.

The Pantry Delicatessen offers dozens of sweet choices. Pantry pastry chefs custom design unique treats which are only available at The Pantry Delicatessen.

The Pantry Delicatessen offers a large range of gluten-free, vegetarian and dairy-free options which makes the Delicatessen the perfect option for a healthy, hearty meal – prepared with love daily by our dedicated and talented chefs.

Recipes inspired by the world’s best chefs are adapted to the season and feature fresh and high quality ingredients.

The stunning new interior features timber-clad walls and a slick silky charcoal theme throughout; the decorative props, a mix of new and vintage were sourced from as far as the south of France.

There are many exciting food collaborations to come this year at The Pantry Delicatessen. Some will take the form of interactive food experiences with others hosting Australian food icons.

During our visit we selected a few delicious items: Sourdough from Burnham Bakery Bread, Miso Salmon with soba noodles and 2 delicious sweet treats – a cinnamon tea cake and a lemon meringue pie.

We loved the sourdough which was made using traditional techniques and baked in state-of-the-art ovens. Featuring a lovely thick crust, it was delicious when served with generous splashes of extra virgin olive oil.

The salmon and soba noodles were a healthy and delicious option. The salmon was tender and juicy and had a lovely umami flavour from the miso. The noodles were slippery and flavoured well.

The cinnamon tea cake and lemon meringue pie was absolutely lovely. The cinnamon tea cake was moist and had just the perfect level of sweetness while the lemon meringue pie struck the right chords with an expertly balanced sweetness from the meringue and tartness from the lemon.

We loved this new comfort food destination and cannot wait to return and further explore what The Pantry has to offer.

Location: 1 Church Street, Brighton

Phone: 03 9591 0393

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