French $ A popular place for cheap classic French food, in a chic modern restaurant. Had the beef bourguignon. We also didn’t understand french measurements and ordered bottles of iced tea instead of a glass! Good to try, but felt slightly bland, could’ve used a bit more flavour. (Visited June 2019) 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝7/10
Author Archives: emhua
Artisan De La Truffe Marais (Paris)
Truffle restaurant $$ Stumbled across this restaurant walking to Châtelet–Les Halles, a great find! We had truffle pasta, a truffle burger (complete with truffle mustard and truffle ketchup!) then dessert with truffle chocolate. Great quality food, absolutely delicious! We liked the truffle chocolate so much we bought a box on the way out. (Visited JuneContinue reading “Artisan De La Truffe Marais (Paris)”
Pain Vin Fromage (Paris)
Fondue $$ A tourist staple, definitely worth a visit if in Paris. Fun trying/cooking the raclette! Not the best food I’ve had, but worth the experience. (Visited June 2019) http://painvinfromages.com/ 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀8/10
Pottoka (Paris)
French $$ Small authentic French restaurant, with simple dishes but French at it’s best. Chicken was tender and delicious. Not touristy. (Visited June 2019) 🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘9/10
Tim Ho Wan (CBD)
Cantonese/Yum Cha $ One of my favs in the city. Michelin star yum cha food, great quality, don’t expect the friendliest service but who cares, the foods that good. And at pretty decent prices! Can’t go here without trying the baked bun with BBQ pork, and the rice with chicken, sausage and mushroom. Possibly theContinue reading “Tim Ho Wan (CBD)”
La Bottega del Buon Caffe (Florence)
Tuscan $$$ One of the best restaurants we went to in Italy! Next to the river, this restaurant has a series of delicious and creative courses. A must if you’re visiting Florence. (Visited June 2019) 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝10/10
Mercato Centrale (Florence)
Food market $ What a find! Diverse food market with really high quality ingredients, with one stall for each type of food. Pasta was delicious! Great for a cheap lunch, and heaps of stalls to roam around. (Visited June 2019) mercatocentrale.it 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝9/10
Le Cappelle Medicee (Florence)
Italian $$ Great authentic local restaurant. Decent charcuterie board and pastas. (Visited June 2019) https://www.lecappellemedicee.it/it/ 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝7/10
Chianineria Trattoria dall’Oste – Duomo (Florence)
Steakhouse $$ Had never heard of a Florentine steak till we came here, and how my life was changed! So tender and flavoursome, and the sauces that came with it took it to the next level. If in Florence, you cannot miss this place. (Visited June 2019) 🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩🥩10/10
Venchi (Florence)
Gelato $ Popular franchise for gelato, you’ll see it everywhere! Delicious and heaps of flavours. They do added melted chocolate and nuts as well. (Visited June 2019) https://eu.venchi.com/our-gelato 🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨9/10
Senz’Altro Bistrot (Florence)
Italian Bistro $$ When you’ve had enough pasta and pizza to last a lifetime, this is a great place to go for a delicious break for some non-pizza/pasta Italian food. (Visited June 2019) 🧆🧆🧆🧆🧆🧆🧆🧆🧆9/10
All’antico vinaio (Florence)
Italian $ Believe the hype! This place is just as amazing as they say. Always a line of locals and tourists alike, for cheap but very large and filling sandwiches, with great quality Italian meats. They are not afraid to overstuff, which is fantastic. (Visited June 2019) 🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪🥪10/10
Gelato g Italiano (Rome)
Gelato $ Hands down the best ice cream I’ve ever had! Pistachio was unworldly, a must try if you’re in Rome, and very close to the Trevi fountain. (Visited June 2019) 🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨🍨10/10
Fraschetteria (Rome)
Italian $$ Decent meat and cheese spread, and can’t go too wrong with carbonara!(Visited June 2019) 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝7/10
Rione XIV (Rome)
Italian $$ Right outside Vatican city, classic pizza and pasta. Meatball pasta was amazing! (Visited June 2019) 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝8/10
Il Pagliaccio (Rome)
Italian $$$$ Decided to try a fancy place in Rome. Lots of courses, and generally tasty, but wouldn’t say it’s worth the money. (Visited June 2019) https://www.ristoranteilpagliaccio.com/ 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝7/10
That’s Amore (Rome)
Italian $$ Quintessential tourist spot, complete with heart shaped pizza, but doesn’t stop it tasting great! I’m a sucker for carbonara. (Visited June 2019) https://www.thats-amore.it/ 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕8/10
Osteria Barberini (Rome)
Italian $$ Couldn’t go to Europe without trying truffle! Had to try this restaurant that specialised in it. Food was very tasty, but don’t think I love truffle enough to go there again next time. (Visited June 2019) 🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝🍝7/10
Pizza e Mozzarella (Rome)
Pizza/Takeaway $ Cute little takeaway pizza place. Fantastic quality with lots of topping options, and great if you’re on the run/tired from a long day of roaming. (Visited June 2019) 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕8/10
Ristorante Trattoria Tritone 1884 (Rome)
Italian $$ So many great places to go, but this was a good start for our first day in Italy! Authentic Italian pasta with lots of cheese and bread; lot of tourists around as it was in central Rome, but nonetheless delicious. Apparently wine is cheaper than water in Italy! 🍷 (Visited June 2019) http://www.trattoriatritone.com/Continue reading “Ristorante Trattoria Tritone 1884 (Rome)”
Bread Club (North Melbourne)
Bakery/Brunch $ Possibly the best sandwiches I’ve ever had, had this everyday for a month. Cute little hipster cafe with excellent bread. Even during covid there was always a line. Different sandwiches everyday. Also have excellent giant cookies. Opening another one in Albert Park, yay! Favourite bites: Eggplant parmigiana sandwich, mortadella sandwich, salted caramel darkContinue reading “Bread Club (North Melbourne)”
Shortstop (CBD)
Donuts/Dessert $ Can’t go too wrong with a donut. As expected, delicious. But pricey. https://www.short-stop.com.au/ 🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩🍩8/10
Co Do (Sunshine)
Vietnamese $ Traditional Vietnamese, great quality, delicious and cheap! Definite go-to on the Westside! Best dishes: Bun Bo Hue (traditional Vietnamese style chilli beef soup), Bun Bo La Lot (rice vermicelli with beef wrapped in vine leaf) 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜8/10
Grain Asian Cafe (Boxhill)
Chinese $ For all your dim sum and Canto cravings. My go-to for congee, baos, and cheung fun (steam rice rolls). Not the cheapest, but always lots of Chinese customers so you know it’s the real deal. 🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚🍚8/10
Layla (CBD)
Mediterranean $$ Had the set menu for $45, such a great range of food. Couldn’t even finish it! Didn’t feel too heavy as lots of tasty veges included. In a nice outdoor marquee in the CBD. 100% would go again. https://www.laylabar.com.au/ 🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗🥗10/10
Hibiki (Camberwell)
Asian Fusion $ One of the best brunches I’ve ever had. Mix of traditional Japanese food and fusion. Dinner menu is similar and just as delicious! Best dishes: Scattered Sushi Bowl with Shiozake Salmon, Japanese Curry with Chicken Katsu, Curry Gratin, Chirashi Zushi https://www.hibikimelbourne.com/ 🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣🍣10/10
Capitano (Carlton)
Italian $$ Absolutely delicous, true Italian food. Simple but brilliant. One waiter was rude. Best food: ‘Carbonara’ suppli, Classic Cheese Pizza, an Vodka Sauce Rigatoni https://www.capitano.com.au/ 🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀9/10
Shanklin Cafe (Hawthorn East)
Brunch $ Decent suburban brunch. So much peanut butter in the acai bowl! 🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞🥞7/10
Coda (CBD)
Asian fusion $$ Fantastic modern asian. Fancy but won’t break the bank. Best dishes: Salmon Gravlax, Hervey Bay Scallop, Steak Tartare, Yellow Duck Curry 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜10/10
Palermo (CBD)
Argentinian $$$ A rustic restaurant in the CBD with chill vibes and excellent South American flavours. https://www.palermo.melbourne/ 🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟🥟9/10
Louis (Fitzroy)
Vegetarian/Vegan $ Off the main road, an accidental find ended up being a very cute an decent vegetarian brunch. https://www.cafelouis.com.au/ 🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯🥯7/10
Bistro Guillaume (Southbank)
French $$$ Beautiful French restaurant in Crown. Steak tartare and cheese souffle were divine. Fish of the day was simple but perfectly cooked. Definitely want to return to try their cheese menu. https://www.crownmelbourne.com.au/restaurants/premium/bistro-guillaume/ 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 🧀 10/10
Morris Jones (Windsor)
Modern Australian $$ Asian-inspired menu with a great modern indoor decor. Within the young hipster parts of Windsor, it’s a selfie-lovers dream with an indoor flower wall and Instagramable food. Got the set menu; dumpling and sushi entrees were great, beef for main was a little overcooked. Dessert was overly sweet. Overall though a greatContinue reading “Morris Jones (Windsor)”
Roule Galette (CBD)
French $ Delicious sweet and savoury crepes in a cute alleyway in the CBD. https://www.roulegalette.com.au/ 🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐🥐9/10
New Shanghai (Chadstone)
Chinese $$ Best place for Xiao Long Baos, and excellent crispy chicken noodle soup. Both the steamed Xiao Long Baos and the pan fried are top-notch; very juicy and flavourful. https://www.newshanghai.com.au/ 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜10/10
Isabella Cafe (Parkville)
Great coffee, and fantastic bagels. Desserts are a little dry. One of the best baristas I’ve ever met works there, such great service and has such an excellent memory, can remember all his regulars’ coffee orders. Great vibe. Favourite dishes: Ocean Drive Bagel, Chicken Soup ☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️☕️9/10
Grain (Sydney CBD)
Bar $$ Hotel bar connected to the Four Seasons hotel, beautiful bar with delicious cocktails. 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸8/10
Shine Cafe (Mount Waverley)
Brunch $ Cute cafe in a little walkway in Mount Waverley. Standard brunch menu, not a lot of flavour. 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳5/10
Rice Paper Scissors (CBD)
Modern Asian $$ One of my favourite places to eat in the city. Best value modern Asian I’ve had, they have 5 dishes to share for $34. They also have great desserts. Fantastic place for groups! 🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢🥢10/10
One by One (East Keilor)
Brunch $ Casual brunch place on the north west side. Modern deco, food was standard but nothing too memorable. https://www.onebyonecafe.com.au/about 🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳🍳6/10
Corniche (Docklands)
Lebanese $$ Randomly walked by on day in Docklands, stopped by for dessert. Great atmosphere, next to river. Had delicious cheese spring rolls and tried kneffe, a traditional Lebanese dessert. Want to come back for a proper meal! https://cornicherestaurant.com/ 🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘🥘8/10
Thai Tide (CBD)
Thai $ Huge menu! Small dishes though, good to get a few to share. Desserts were a highlight. https://www.thaitide.com.au/ 🍲🍲🍲🍲🍲🍲🍲🍲8/10
Straight Outta Saigon (CBD)
Vietnamese $$ Great value for the ‘A Bit of Everything’ menu. If you’re after upscale Vietnamese food and don’t mind paying a bit more, this is the place to go. Entrees were flavoursome and delicious, but the flat rice noodles were quite bland and disappointing. https://www.straightouttasaigon.com.au/menu 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜 6/10
Cupcake Central (CBD)
Dessert $ Looks better than it tastes, but still mostly sugar so can never go too wrong! Has both basic and quirky favours. Got a delivery, came really late. But when you feel like cupcakes, you feel like cupcakes. https://cupcakecentral.com.au/ 🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁🧁6/10
The Rice Cooker (North Melbourne)
Asian Restaurant $ If you’re after Asian, this is the place. Has sushi, noodle soup, roti, poke bowls, curry, nasi lemak; a bit of everything! Great quality, large portions as well. Favourite dishes: Poke Bowl with Chicken Katsu, Fish Ball Noodle Soup, Singapore Noodles http://thericecooker.com.au/ 🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜🍜9/10
Mochimelb (online)
Asian Dessert $ A great Asian alternative for donuts! Mochi donuts have a gelatinous rice consistency and a great range of flavours, which change over the year. On the more expensive side for donuts, but have always been a hit for parties! You can order then via Facebook or Instagram. They do deliveries to certainContinue reading “Mochimelb (online)”
Eat’aliano (Windsor)
Italian $ A decent small Italian place off the main craziness of Chapel St. Good parking in a quieter part of Windsor. Good pasta, wouldn’t suggest getting the Pippa pizza, sounded cooler than it tasted! 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕7/10
Lukumades (Windsor)
Greek Dessert $ One of the many dessert places on Chapel St. Definitely hits the spot if you’re craving doughnuts/sweet stuff, and don’t want to wait in line for Messina. Many different flavours to choose from. Wouldn’t recommend the icecream, could be better! https://www.lukumades.co/ 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 🍩 6/10
Taco Bell (Hawthorn)
Mexican/Fast Food $ Tried to see what the fuss is about. Not bad, came out extremely fast, but wouldn’t get again. 🌮🌮🌮🌮4/10
