Moonee Ponds, VIC

restaurants

Taksim Square

Taksim Square in Moonee Ponds was my first venture into Turkish food – having tried a handful of Middle Eastern restaurants before, but none so specific to Turkey. It was definitely a worthwhile experience, from the moment we stepped into the spacious restaurant, with all its beautiful furnishings and the open plan kitchen, we knew we were in for a journey into Istanbul from the heart of Melbourne – in Moonee Ponds. A restaurant of all occasions, we saw business partners, families, couples out for date nights – if you’re in the Moonee Ponds area then you’re in luck! If not, it’s worth checking out anyway! The good fat: PITA PITA PITA – how can you have Middle Eastern food without these warm, thin and flaky pieces of bread on the side? We were offered to try the Cacik (yoghurt + cucumber), Hummus and Shakshouka dips. Taksim Square’s shakshouka was very interesting for me as I had never experienced it cold as a dip, only as a hot, baked eggs dish so it was a nice contrast – with the flavoursome tomatoes and capsicums accompanying my pita. The ABSOLUTE STAR of the show was the Turkish Adana – a traditional style of char-grilled seasoned lamb mince, served on warm pita, and veggies, straight from the owner of Taksim Square’s hometown in Turkey. This was SO DELICIOUS – one of the most unique styles of lamb I’ve tried. The mince was quite compact, seemingly like a mixture between steak and kebab – whilst the seasoning was so hearty and full of flavour. It’s hard to pinpoint the tastes exactly – you just have to try it! Needless to say, one of the best lamb dishes I’ve ever tried. It’s no wonder that this dish is so popular that the Moonee Ponds restaurant can’t even sell it on Saturdays… so if you’re heading there make sure you pop over on a non-Saturday to try this! The Turkish kisir, a blend of wheat, parsley, peppers in a cous cous – salad like texture, on the side of our whiting was delicious! Small, crumbly and full of a blend of tomato and spice-based flavours. I can’t end without mentioning the Turkish desserts. Kunefe, a crispy baked cheese-filled dessert with pastry soaked in sweet syrup, is the most unique I’ve EVER tried. It was crispy on the outside with a fried-like texture, whilst the inside was filled with finely shredded pieces of cheese, partly solid, partly melted with that pizza cheese-stretch quality. It was sweet from the syrup, but hints of saltiness came from the cheese and the icecream on top cut back on the sweetness whilst contrasting the warmth. WOW! I would definitely try this again. The Kazandibi is a milk pudding with burnt caramel toffee on the bottom – a jelly kind of cool consistency reminding me of some Asian desserts. It wasn’t sweet, but just so light and milky that I could probably eat it non-stop! The bad fat: Taksim Square even has a trolley going around explaining all their Turkish hot mezzes, and we really would’ve loved to try a sample of those because they all sounded so unique! I guess it just means we will have to go back 😉 The dips were quite average, and didn’t particularly stand out for me. The whiting was also little on the blander side, but it makes for a lighter meal contrasting to the other heavier flavours. FAT-O-METER: 4/5

Fitzroy, VIC

restaurants

Tahina Fitzroy

I’m always on the hunt for unique Melbourne cafes or restaurants and Tahina Bar certainly hits the mark. With hearty, flavoursome meals that stay true to its Middle Eastern inspiration, as well as all-round affordability, it’s no wonder Tahina Bar in Fitzroy is now its second store, with the first one being in Northcote. I cannot recommend the roasted eggplant enough! But this Melbourne restaurant is seriously the best spot for adventurous foodies, vegan foodies, or those just looking for the perfect Winter hearty meal. The good fat: We started with the roasted eggplant and that was definitely the highlight from our entire meal of deliciousness! It absolutely melted in the mouth, complemented by the groundedness of the tahini and hummus, with lightly salted kale chips for an extra crunch. A perfect, PERFECT entree! Next, came our falafel salad and shakshuka. We tried to be adventurous, going for the green shakshuka that had more of an emphasis on mushrooms rather than the standard tomato like most standard Melbourne cafes with a Middle Eastern twist – and turns out it was the right choice! The shakshuka was an incredible blend from the subtleness of mushrooms with the slight hints of goats cheese for an added creaminess. The falafel salad contained a mixture of both green and red falafels, with the red falafel balls featuring a stronger kick of chilli and providing a great contrast especially when placed on a bed of hummus and salad. Just when we thought it couldn’t get better, we were treated to their incredibly light, and delicate, Malabi. The lightness of the coconut milk pudding allowed the subtle sweetness of the rosewater and maple syrup to shine, with the layer of pistachios on top for the necessary nuttiness. Each spoonful, as my friend described it, was like eating nectar and ambrosia – the delicate food of the Gods! The bad fat: The only slight issue was that the salad underneath the falafel balls was incredibly soaked with sauce, and quite simple, with only lettuce and tomato etc. and perhaps I was expecting a bit more substance or excitingness from the salad itself. SHOULD YOU GET FAT HERE? YES! This place is unique, affordable and all-round an incredible Melbourne cafe! FAT-O-METER: 5/5

South Yarra, VIC

bar • cafe • restaurants

Middle South East

A vibrant restaurant with not only brunch, but also a separate lunch and dinner menu, Middle South East is along a popular stretch of Chapel Street with the vibe to merit all sorts of occasions. Their dishes range from classic brunches, to those with a Middle Eastern, spicy twist. A special feature would definitely have been their amazing smoothies – fresh with the unique addition of dried nuts, or crunchy goji berries on the side were delicious! The good fat: The chunky flatbread was slightly spice with herbs and garlic, that was great in soaking up the chilli heartiness of the sauce. The sujok sausages were ymmy and packed a great savoury punch and the feta was a crumbly yum! It was lovely to have the salmon and avo on the side just to freshen everything up. The bad fat: The sauce was a little one-sided as instead of being chilli scramble, like these dishes typically are, the poached eggs couldn’t offer much contrast in flavour to work with the chilli sauce. The flatbread also could’ve been lighter and fluffier in texture. Fat-o-meter: 4/5

Melbourne, VIC

restaurants

Miznon Melbourne

A 7 month old Israeli tapas-styled bar up on the vibrant street of Hardware Lane, Miznon is sure to become a popular hearty, Middle Eastern joint with drinks to spare and vibes to enjoy. We were treated to a wide range of dishes on their menu, as everything is quite small in portion and designed to share between. They cater to all eaters, with quality options for vegetarians, seafood-lovers and meat-lovers, offering a journey through the Middle East in all their dishes! The good fat: The stand-out would definitely be the Hraime, Cabbage Cake, and Minute Steak Pita. Hraime was a tender, juicy double portion of barramundi fin fillet, coated in a delicious, slightly spicy tomato based sauce and a dash of tahini on the side. The sauces were perfect in not obscuring the freshness of the fish, working as the perfect complement. The pita bread here is a must – a cute, fluffy pocket of bread so light that it just melts in your mouth, with the slightest hint of natural sweetness but also soaking in the lovely sauces from the multitude of Middle Eastern fillings. The pickles, onions and tahini created a juicy, bursting-to-flavour pita bread, filled with tender, thin slices of steak. Cabbage Cake – who would’ve thought? We were thoroughly surprised by how tasty an unseeming piece of baked cabbage would be. Instead of a bitter, “cabbage-is-too-healthy” mentality, cabbage cake was quite life changing. It was so smooth and melt in your mouth – the texture was complemented by the freshness of the sourcream, and the unique juiciness from the buttery, charred juices that had run off from being baked then pan-fried. You really have to try it and see for yourself! The bad fat: The Sabich and Ratatouille were not outstanding, despite being such quintessential Middle Eastern delights. I found the chilli quite strong, and the tahini a bit runny and sour, not the slightly thickened, grounded sesame aroma that has made my mouth water on previous occasions. However – the egg plant was cooked to an amazingly tender consistency whilst still preserving its intrinsic moisture. Fat-o-meter: 4.5/5 SHOULD YOU GET FAT HERE? YES – Middle Eastern dining is quite rare in Melbourne, but Miznon is in the perfect location with the perfect atmosphere to make a real impact on the foodie trend here FAT-O-METER: 4.5/5

Camberwell, VIC

cafe • restaurants • shopping

Dish & Spoon Camberwell

This is a chic and popular brunch spot in the Eastern suburb of Camberwell – boasting not only a beautifully designed interior, but also a lovely outdoor section in the back covered with a patio. Dish and Spoon also features a seasonally changing menu with Middle Eastern twists on certain classics – which is always a favourite of mine to try! The cold drip coffee was delicious (my first time trying and I loved the roasted, slightly sweet after taste) and the meal itself was hearty, refined, making it a very enjoyable brunch experience for me. The good fat: This was our waitress’ recommendation (her favourite smoothie) and I was definitely in the mood for a berry smoothie this morning. Being not a huge fan of mint, I appreciated how it was just on the side, as a decoration and it wasn’t a predominant flavour within. The berries were blended together to create a very refreshing juice with seeds here and there from the strawberries that preserved its authenticity. I could taste subtle hints of the honey which gave it a delicious sweetness. The bad fat: Being in a slender glass, this was a little small in terms of portion size (but gorgeous presentation nonetheless) Fat-o-meter: 4/5

South Melbourne, VIC

restaurants

The Left Handed Chef

The Left Handed Chef is a cosy brunch spot in a peaceful, residential area of South Melbourne. Its menu has a unique addition to standard brunch places, with a growing collection of “Things from Home” – that is, warm and hearty dishes from Israel, where the head chef and owner, Ehud Malka, is from. With friendly service, and generous portion sizes without compromising on quality, LHC gave us a chance to leave with a growing appreciation for Israeli food and very, very full tummy. Not to mention, we found their coffee delicious and aromatic, whilst the watermelon juice a refreshing side to the heavy main meals. The good fat: Gorgeous presentation in the pan and the wooden chopping board, which complemented the variety of fresh colours! The potato at the bottom was thinly sliced and cooked softly, allowing it to act as a base to soak up the juices of the vegetables above. The eggs were poached perfectly, with the yolk acting like a sauce to cover everything. The eggplants were roasted perfectly, smooth to bite into and full of Israeli spices. A refreshing, slightly crunchy touch came from the juicy tomatoes whilst the parsley and chives on top added to the complexity. I thoroughly enjoyed how each of the vegetables contributed their own variation of flavour to the dish, making it an overall, hearty and yummy meal! Last, but certainly not the least, a huge shout out to the delicious pita bread on the side – the homemade pita was so delicious, especially when it came out warm at the beginning of our meal. It was slightly sweet, airy on the inside with a bit of toughness surrounding the edges and it was beautiful to just simply pull it apart. The bad fat: After having discovered my love for tahini at Moor’s Head , I was so excited to see that it was going to be on the sabich. I was a little disappointed that they didn’t have a lot of tahini on this, just a small dollop on the side that wasn’t very strong in sesame taste or the aromatic earthiness I had just experienced a few days before. Would love this to be stronger + more quantity! Also – just because we loved the pita so much it would’ve been fantastic to have a little more on the side as we ran out when trying to soak up the juices at the end. Fat-o-meter: 4/5

Thornbury, VIC

restaurants

The Moor’s Head

Super excited to do this review because we just had such a fantastic time dining here! Moor’s Head in Carlton is a newly opened branch off the 11 year old Middle Eastern restaurant, Rumi, in Brunswick – which has hosted world class chefs such as Anthony Bourdain, and Heston Blumenthal. Needless to say, we were very excited to come here! The specialty of Moor’s Head lies in its tagline: “Inauthentic Pizza” – this means that traditional pizza toppings of mozzarella and tomatoes are replaced by warm and heart Middle Eastern flavours and spices instead – definitely one of its kind in Melbourne! Tucked away in a lofty, timber-panelled bar-like restaurant just off the busy Lygon Street, Moor’s Head did not only stand out in terms of its exceptional customer service, but also its carefully selected, unique combination of Middle Eastern flavours permeating through each of their dishes that left us with craving for more (if we had not been food coma-ed). The good fat: The more I have halloumi chips, the more I’ve grown to like them – especially when they’re fried to perfection like these ones. The texture was delightful! Golden and crispy on the outside, you might almost expect it to taste like an ordinary potato chip. What you don’t think of is the salty chewiness of the halloumi hidden within. I particularly enjoyed how these ones weren’t too fat and chunky, so that the golden crunch of the outside wasn’t lost amidst the richness of the cheese. This is a hearty entree, served with thick, smoky salsa with the slightest hints of spiciness coming through. The bad fat: These are perhaps a little on the salty side, so make sure you have a drink handy! (We had delicious Turkish pomegranate and sour cherry juices to cleanse on the side) Fat-o-meter: 4.5/5

London, England

cafe • shopping

Kahve Dunyasi

I’ve had my fair share of English/Melbourne Cafes, but this Turkish cafe was definitely a unique experience. Having never tried a Middle Eastern type dessert place, I was very excited to try this out and could not have been happier to have done so! In a brightly lit, cosy place on Piccadilly, right in the middle of the grand, classy area of Mayfair, Kahve Dunyasi is definitely a cafe that I wouldn’t hesitate returning to. They have a lovely display of Middle Eastern desserts, with an area out the front full of colourfully wrapped chocolates, Turkish coffee and hot chocolate powder for customers to purchase. We were greeted by their lovely manager, who provided us with extremely warm and friendly service, offering us a sample of their specialties. We left with a newfound appreciation for Turkish coffee, and a cosy warmness despite the chilly London winter winds. The good fat: I’ve actually never been so impressed with cafe drinks before – only the caramel macchiato (which is one of their best sellers) was pretty standard ordinary but the other 3 drinks all had their own unique highlights that surprised me! Starting with the Turkish coffee, it was fascinating to learn how that instead of using roasted coffee beans, Turkish coffee is made by bringing it to the boil on a stove, leaving it with a powdery texture that some people aren’t a fan of. We were warned before hand to stop drinking once you hit the bitter, powder residue at the bottom so don’t forget otherwise it might just completely ruin your experience. The texture was a little grainy, but I mostly enjoyed the slight bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste – a very delicate blend of coffee flavours that I haven’t experienced before. The Salep is their famous Christmas drink, with a delicious, warm mixture of orchid plants, Middle Eastern-esque spices, and a surprisingly thick, smooth texture. I’ve never been a huge fan of spice-based drinks e.g. chai, but the creamy and milky blend of this drink with soft hints of spice made a beautiful balance of flavours and absolutely perfect for a snowy Winter’s day in Europe Christmas time 🙂 Hot chocolate is one of the best drinks to use as a standard comparison across many cafes, and this is definitely up at the top of my list now! It had this amazing quality of being dark and rich without being too sweet. We were told that the hot chocolate was made from melted chocolate to give it that rich, roasty flavour that just left me wanting more! The bad fat: After 3 such amazing drinks, the caramel macchiato wasn’t anything special and I felt that the caramel syrup wasn’t mixed in very well so there were very sweet chunks here and there. Fat-o-meter: 4.5/5

Melbourne, VIC

shopping

The Borek Bakehouse

An extremely popular stall at Queen Vic during any time of the day, the Borek Shop is known for its cheap, tasty and filling boreks that serves up a hearty lunch on the go as you wander around the market aisles or a sizely afternoon tea. We weren’t disappointed! There is a limited choice of flavours, ranging from the popular spicy lamb, to spinach and feta, to the sweet, Nutella option which makes it easy to either try all of them or make a quick decision! The good fat: The quality for the price is outstanding! The pastry was soft and flaky, but chewy on the inside and almost gelatinous-like, giving it a complex range of different textures. The filling inside was satisfying, and I was very happy that it actually went throughout the whole pastry, so there weren’t huge areas of bland pastry without filling. Warm and filling lunch to share with room for more market goods 🙂 The bad fat: The filling itself was a little bland in my opinion. The spinach and feta both give a very subtle flavouring and it would’ve been nice to spice it up a bit with stronger herbs or salt. Fat-o-meter: 4/5