At a glance - Day of the Dead

Day of the Dead is a Mexican Spanish Tapas Restaurant Bar  in the centre of St Kilda on Fitzroy Street with an extensive cocktail list. 

The restaurant had a wide variety of spirits on display at the bar with the back drop of an eye catching piece of artwork on the wall. 

To start with, we enjoyed a cold refreshing light Argentinian Beer which was perfect after a hot day. 

The buffalo wings (of which we chose the spicy option) was tender and packed full of flavour. The thyme and citrus infusions along with the special homemade wing sauce provided an excellent start to the meal. 

The Nachos were filled with the usual ingredients of guacamole, jalapeno, generous cheese, black beans, capsicum and corn which was served in the ceramic bowl it was cooked in. A generous serving of this classic dish was also accompanied with sour cream which provided us with a refreshing contrast. 

A quartet of tacos were   served on blue corn tortillas with deconstructed toppings. The fish taco was well cooked which resulted in a light and tasty taco. The slow cooked beef taco was a delight topped with homemade cheese. The chicken taco was also a great dish which was refreshing with the slaw served in it. 

Overall, Day of the Dead was a nice casual place to relax with some great food and extensive drinks list. 

By Helena Lea.

Morgan’s Beach Shack

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Morgan’s Beach Shack.

Since opening its doors in January last year, Morgan’s Beach Shack has swiftly established a firm following among locals and travellers alike.

Led by seasoned hospitality veterans, Julian Gerner and Paul Olynyk, who also co-own the Royal Saxon in Richmond, the venue continues to be a hotspot for its fresh food, great atmosphere, live music and endless games of ping pong.

With panoramic views of the Mornington Peninsula, Morgan’s Beach Shack has a very distinctive visual narrative that pays homage to its enviable seaside setting. Designed by award-winning Six Degrees Architects, a firm whose iconic style has defined the face of some of Melbourne’s most renowned venues, the interiors are layered with recycled materials: lobster pots are turned into lampshades, lifebuoys are suspended from old timber beams, and a pair of rowing oars sits against sandstone bricks. The effect is playful, relaxed and contemporary.

Rare Beef salad

The menu takes cues from Baja-style cuisine, a Californian take on Mexican. We loved their moreish kingfish ceviche, fresh salads and stunning tacos.

Kingfish ceviche, Cured kingfish, fresh peppers, chilli salt, fennel + tendrils

The ceviche was our favourite dish. Displaying technique and skilful restraint, the kingfish was beautifully presented and accompanied by a citrus-based marinade that cured the kingfish. It was a wonderful mélange of salinity, sweetness and acidity.

Baja battered soft shell crab w. sweet corn salsa, jalapeno crema + fresh herbs

We adored the beautifully crispy and juicy soft shell crab. The deep fried crustacean pieces were coated in a semi-thick crisp batter that encapsulated firm, sweet flesh. With a touch of spicy jalapeno crema and freshness from the sweet corn salsa and fresh herbs, it was a playful and delicious dish.

Ancient grain salad

We enjoyed both our ancient grain salad and rare beef salad. The ancient grain salad in particular was a stand out. An enlivening salad of chicken, farro, quinoa, chia, chickpeas, roasted almonds, tendrils and creamy goats curd brought together with an olive oil dressing, the salad was a medley of exciting flavours and textures.

With uninterrupted views overlooking one of Australia’s most famous bays, Morgan’s Beach Shack is a spectacular place to take in what Sorrento has to offer.

Location: 1-3 Esplanade, Sorrento, VIC

Phone: (03) 5984 3121

Link: http://beachshacksorrento.com.au/

Cuisine: Mexican, American, Burgers, Steak

Touché Hombre

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Touché Hombre.

3 years on, Touché Hombre is still pleasing the crowds with its LA street style and Mexican taco culture.

The scene is clearly set – Touché Hombre is trendily and impeccably restrained “grungy“. The tables, shelving and the bar top are adorned with wood salvaged from Princess Pier. Naked bulbs hang from the ceilings and the splashes of neon at the entrance create a distinctive chaotic night time feel that compliments the Mexican street inspired menu.

The cocktail list continues to offer Touché’s famous super-sized chicken jug filled with ‘La Margarita Del Tommy’ and other delicious concoctions such as the Kafir Lime & Chilli Margarita made with tapatio reposado infused with kafir lime, chilli, ginger and citrus.

The food itself is of a high standard. It is Mexican soul food – simple, to the point and executed well. The flavours on every dish are well balanced and full of flavour. It was clear that quality ingredients had been sourced. The menu boasts a selection of tostaditos, grilled corn, fresh ceviche and a wonderful list of delectable tacos. 

Our favourite savoury dishes from our visit were the Mejilla tacos and the Touché fried chicken. 

The Mejilla tacos were filled with melt in your mouth slow cooked pork cheek and complemented by milky habanero cream, and fresh BBQ corn salsa. 

The fried chicken was tender, juicy and distinctly flavoursome. We loved how this crispy bar staple was done impeccably well without compromise.

Our evening concluded with their lovely ice cream sangas. The chocolate ice cream sandwich was divine. The slight spiciness of the chilli in the biscuit complemented the luxurious peanut butter ice cream. It was a match made in heaven.  

A restaurant bar with a party vibe and street art style with its own soul of fresh cantina style dishes by and a seductive spin on traditional cocktails, Touché Hombre continues to be one of Melbourne’s favourite Mexican joints.

Location: Cnr Tattersalls Lane & Lonsdale St, Melbourne 

Phone: 03 9663 0811

Link: touchehombre.com.au

Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American 

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

Recipe: Murray Valley Pork Mole

Gastrology bloggers received the product courtesy of Murray Valley Pork.

Mole is a popular spicy Mexican sauce which has a decadent taste from being made with chocolate.

The pulled pork mole is one of our favourite Mexican dishes. Here is our super easy cheat's pulled pork mole recipe using Murray Valley Pork Topside. 

Ingredients

1.4 kg Murray Valley Pork Topside, rindless (cap-off)

450g Mayordomo Black Mole

Instructions

1. Prepare the mole according to instructions in a saucepan. 
2. Brown the pork in a separate saucepan.
3. Slow cook the pork in a slow cooker for 8 hours on the "low" setting.
4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the meat from the slow cooker to a board, leave to cool a little, then use forks or your fingers to tear into shreds.
5. Serve!

We served our pulled pork mole with some brown rice and a fresh rocket salad.

Holy Mole(y)! This dish was simply delicious. The pulled Murray Valley Pork meat was tender and delicious with the perfect hint of heat. We loved the taste of the rich mole chilli-chocolate sauce which had developed a delicious depth of flavour from being cooked with the pork. The hint of sweetness from the moles was cut beautifully by the fresh salad, and the brown rice brought the whole dish together.

Get your hands on some Murray Valley Pork -> Find your nearest stockist here!

Four Chefs @ Ms Collins

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Ms Collins.

Combining good food, fashion, music and art, Ms Collins is pushing the boundaries for Melbourne bars. 

The venue, which occupies the former Silk Road site at 425 Collins St, Melbourne, is the latest venture for Roar Projects, an established hospitality group responsible for Alumbra in the Docklands. 

Comprising four primary partners – Hatem Saleh, Simon Digby, Sami Saleh and Tony Perna – Roar Projects has a portfolio of experience that positions the team to successfully deliver a world-class night venue.

The venue is sexy and bold with luminous material against a dark backdrop.

Ms Collins proudly showcases her four identity chefs Jacques Reymond, Paul Wilson (Icebergs), Daniel WIlson (Huxtable) and Riccardo Momesso (Valentino) and beverage partner, Veuve Clicquot.

We indulged in eight dishes which were served with matching wines (two dishes from each chef) as well as desserts over a cheeky espresso martini.

Our favourite dish was Paul Wilson's Empanadas de picadillo with mission fig mole. The wonderfully flaky empanadas were filled with melt in your mouth slow cooked lamb and drizzled with sweet mole sauce. Topped with pepitas for some added texture, the empanadas were just beautiful. Another crowd pleaser was Daniel Wilson's Southern fried chicken ribs with jalapéno mayo. A popular bar staple, 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. 

Ms Collins takes you on a journey of culinary and liquid experiences from France (Jacques Reymond), to Mexico (Paul Wilson), America (Daniel Wilson) and Italy (Riccardo Momesso). A lovely venue in which to immerse yourself in each global corner of the world over a cocktail (or five).

Location: 425 Collins Street  Melbourne

Phone: 03 8614 2222 

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

Cuisine: French, Mexican, American, Italian, International

La Condesa - Johnston Street's new Mexican Cantina and watering hole

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of La Condesa.

Gastrology bloggers recently attended the launch of La Condesa Cantina.

Originally Fitzroy’s ultimate balmy taco destination of summer, La Condesa popped up in Melbourne in the spring of 2013.  

Nestled on Fitzroy's buzzing Johnston Street, it began as a quaint taqueria for gringos locos to get their fill of tacos and tequila. Following the success of this stint, they decided to expand their operation to more permanent digs next door at 234 Johnston Street. 

We enjoyed sipping on Paloma cocktails and sampled several items form their menu which showcased traditional flavours with a Fitzroy twist. The corn and fried chicken dhishes were of particular note. We loved how the touches of spice cut through the sweetness of the corn and how perfectly battered and fried the chicken was.

La Condesa pays homage to the buzzing bohemian quarter and vibrant nightlife of Condesa in Mexico City, where the latest in food, art and culture is showcased and young artists and entrepreneurs - known as condechis, come out to play.

Location: 234 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Phone: 03 9419 5675

Link: http://lacondesa.com.au/

Cuisine: Mexican

Brunch @ Las Chicas

Gastrology bloggers dined courtesy of Las Chicas.

Las Chicas is the perfect embodiment of a thriving Melbourne café. It has rightfully earned its standing as a weekend brunch mecca, drawing in the crowds week in week out with its consistently excellent food, fantastic coffee and cheerful wait staff.

Las Chicas has succeeded in crafting a convivial atmosphere in which to enjoy a lazy weekend brunch. 

Left: Green goodness - Kale, spinach, spirulina, probiotic powder, cucumber, banana, dates, nuts & coconut water

Right: Nutrient enhancer - Kiwi, watermelon, agave & probiotics 

Field mushroom burger 

Yarra Valley feta, sundried tomato tapenade, kale, walnut pesto with taro chips

With a rich and succulent field mushroom, the burger had, sandwiched between two halves of a slightly sweet brioche bun, Yarra Valley feta, sundried tomato tapenade, kale, walnut pesto.  It was a modern yet classic veggie burger and was absolutely delicious.  The taro chips were crisp and perfectly seasoned. 

Sesame seared tuna 

Yellow fin tuna, purple carrots, cucumber ribbons, mint, coriander with a sweet mirin, ginger and soy caramel dressing 

This dish was well balanced, loaded with umami and complex. The ginger and soy caramel dressing cradled the fragrant mint and coriander and brought the whole dish together. The tuna itself was both beautiful and beautifully prepared.

The coffee at Las Chicas is excellent. The profound respect for the humble beverage is palpable.

Las Chicas uses AllPRESS Supremo – a sweet bold coffee with a taste of red berries and cocoa. The beans are sourced from Brazil, Colombia and Papua New Guinea and then prepared and served to patrons by adept baristas.

Melbourne has an ever growing brunch culture, making the café industry a particularly competitive and vibrant one. Las Chicas serves delicious, fresh and seasonal food, which makes it a cut above.  Given its popularity, we suggest that you visit, as we did, during the odd hours of the day to avoid excessive wait times during peak hours.

Location: 203 Carlisle Street, Balaclava
Phone: 03 9531 3699
Link: http://www.laschicas.com.au/
Cuisine: Mexican, International, Modern Australian, Coffee, Breakfast/Brunch