Lady Carolina

Boasting vibrancy and creative Latin gastronomy, Lady Carolina has been the talk of the town since its opening in September this year. The swarm of after work drink seekers ensures a buzzing atmosphere in this Latin influenced bar/restaurant. With high quality cuisine and a wide range of cocktails to match, Lady Carolina’s success is no surprise.

Owner Alby Tomassi (Feast of Merit and YGAP) and creative director Paul Wilson have teamed up to create a Latin feasting experience, highlighting fresh and creative ingredients that shine in playful dishes and cocktails inspired by Peruvian, Mexican and Cuban cuisines.

Clever partitions create distinctly different areas with their own unique feel within the venue. The Paladar Dining Room is the main restaurant while the Carolina Back Bar is a place to kick back relax and enjoy delicious street food washed down with complementing cocktails.

Guacamole - From left: Green Goddess (Spring Verduras / Tomatillo Verde), Super Soulful (Cancha / Pepitas / Goji Berries); Chicharrones (Bacon / Pomegranate Mojo) 

Our dinner commenced on a high with a trio of decadent guacamole - Each unique and full of flavour. The Chicharrones guacamole was incredibly appealing. Boasting large chunks of pork crackling this guacamole wantonly disregards the current trend towards healthy eating and, as a result, is abundantly flavoursome – the slightly sweet flavour of the Pomegranate Mojo is enhanced by the delicious Bacon and liberal helpings of pork fat. Not to be outshone is the Green Goddess guacamole which is deliciously healthy and possesses an expertly balanced level of spice and flavours. Coupled with perfectly crunchy tortilla chips, the guacamole make for the perfect bar snack or appetiser.

Smoked kingfish

The Smoked kingfish ceviche was another highlight. The thick slices of very fresh kingfish were served with horseradish, finger lime and pecan. The dish was notable for the quality of the kingfish and the interplay between the tartness of the lime and the richness of the horseradish cream. It was a simple but well executed dish.

Anticuchos grilled Peruvian skewer

The Anticuchos grilled Peruvian skewer was wonderfully flavoursome and displayed a delectable outer charring courtesy of having benefited from the perfect time on the grill. As the inherent richness of the sausage makes this dish relatively heavy, sharing this dish with a dining companion would not be unwise.

Lechon Asado – Heritage suckling pig with Orange Mojo

The Lechon Asado was addictively good. A pork dish, made from a whole suckling pig and then roasted for hours, this dish is comfort food at its best. It’s got it all - crackling, tender meat and amazing flavour.

Salted caramel & sweet corn sundae

We concluded our visit with the Popcorn and salted caramel sundae - absolutely stunning. Each layer had a wonderful flavour intensity that worked beautifully together. We savoured every spoonful.

Lady Carolina showcases Latin authenticity with its outdoor bar serving creative street foods and the indoor cevicheria which will take you on a journey to explore the depth of Latin cuisine, while highlighting cultural fusions of Peru through Chifa and Nikkei blends. 

Location: 175 – 177 Lygon Street North, Brunswick East
Phone: 03 9381 0898
Link: www.ladycarolina.com.au

Cuisine: Latin American

Upcoming events

Lady Carolina is set to host two major events this November, as well as feature at Melbourne’s Night Noodle Markets as a part of Good Food Month.

Lady Carolina will host renowned chef Diego Muñoz, head chef of La Barra, Casa Moreya and Astrid y Gaston, recently voted 14th in The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2015. Munoz spearheads the recent surge in Peruvian cuisine, famous for its cosmopolitan flavours and ingredients, the cuisine is the living legacy of a rich history.

La Barra with Diego Munoz – Sunday 22nd November
Time: 7pm – 10pm
Cost: $120 for a seated shared dinner paired with cocktails and wine 
Venue: Lady Carolina Cevicheria, pisco bar and the paladar

Join Diego Muñoz as he creates muy rico dishes from his restaurant La Barra, renowned for its modern Peruvian fare. Expect to find refreshed Chifa and Nikkei dishes showcasing native Australian produce, local super foods and Amazonian like tropical fruits and vegetables from the hinterlands. The shared dinner hosted by Lady Carolina includes all dishes and accompanying beverages.

Crop Up! Peruvian Talk – Sunday 15th November
Time: 6pm–8pm
Cost: $17.00 adults/children free
Venue: Immigration Museum 
Bookings: museumvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/

Diego Muñoz will join Pastuso's head chef Alejandro Saravia in a panel discussion as part of Good Food Month about the significance of seeds, grains and berries in various cultures. Diego talks about his fusion of Peruvian and Asian flavours that he will be showcasing at the Lady Carolina pop up stall at the Night Noodle Markets.

Night Noodle Market - November 12–29
Venue: Birrarung Marr, Melbourne
www.melbourne.goodfoodmonth.com/noodlemarkets

Paul and Diego will go head to head in a battle between Chifa vs Nikkei. Be a part of the audience to taste which of these Peruvian-Asian cuisines will win!

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Lady Carolina.

Mr & Mrs Howell

Combining a unique modern and relaxed dining experience and a firm focus on affordable hospitality, Mr & Mrs Howell impresses.

The restaurant has been drawing in the crowds since April 2013 on Brunswicks’ Sydney Road with its fresh seasonal produce matched with a range of boutique beer and wines.

The ambience is warm and inviting with comfortable furnishings and fittings, exposed brick walls and accents of timber. 

The kitchen is in safe hands with Chef and owner Mark Brozics’ leading the charge. The menu comprises an eclectic array of dishes inspired by a variety of international fare in particular Middle Eastern, Asian, European and African flavours.

From left: Almond crusted goats’ cheese; House made charcuterie

We started with the almond crusted goats’ cheese and house made charcuterie. The goats cheese was luxurious while the house made charcuterie was a respectable assembly of cured meats which were each excellently prepared.

Duck spring rolls

An Asian take on the cigar, the mouth-watering pastry rolls were delightful. Biting through thin, crunchy exterior pastry, our taste buds were greeted with a flavoursome concoction of tender duck, pine nuts and currants. 

Tasmanian scallops, sweet corn puree, ginger, soy sauce

The scallops were perfectly seared and bursting with natural flavour, a flavour further enhanced by the restrained sweetness of the sweet corn puree and the slight bursts of heat from the ginger.

Indian spiced chicken with mango chutney and saffron rice

John Dory with macadamia nut satay sauce and seasonal vegetables

The quality of the John Dory was exemplary. The skin of the fish was perfectly seared to be very crisp while the flesh was delicate and moist. It was a wonderfully simple dish that allowed the natural subtle sweetness of the fish to be enjoyed.

From left: Mini doughnuts with salted caramel; Hokey Pokey cheese cake with ginger biscuit 

The desserts at Mr & Mrs Howell were similarly well devised. 

Lemongrass pannacotta with fresh mango and coriander

The Lemongrass pannacotta was excellent. A texturally perfect rendition, the pannacotta was silky smooth with the perfect hint of aromatic lemongrass. Just barely holding its shape, it was quivering on the plate.

Steamed lemon pudding with berry compote and ice cream

The steamed lemon pudding is another must-have from the desserts menu. Mastering the perfect amount of sweetness and tartness, this dessert was a truly ambrosial version of the classic steamed lemon pudding. The pudding was well made and decadently topped with a generous serve of luscious ice cream.

Mr & Mrs Howell offers uncomplicated, affordable, masterfully executed Modern Australian dishes within a highly contemporary fit-out which combines the best of old and new. 

Location: 173 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Phone: 03 8657 8571
Link: http://www.mrandmrshowell.com/
Cuisine: Modern Australian

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Mr & Mrs Howell.