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Thanks for reading, eating and commenting,

Adrian

Details: Level 3, Melbourne Central, Cnr La Trobe Swanston Streets Melbourne VIC 3000 ph: 9663 1940

Surroundings: Right around the corner from Hoyts Cinemas, Tomodachi’s open plan approach gives you the choice of either hopping on the choo choo train or having an intimate meal amongst the many booths.

Sushi/Sashimi Train: The overall selection on offer is fresh, reasonably priced and varied. I love it when there is an abundance of fresh homemade pickled ginger..not the average pink variety that you’d find in the majority of take away joints.

What sent me to Food Rehab were the Sesame Seed Prawn and Avocado sushi and the Fried Goyza Dumplings served with sweet soy. If I had only eaten these two babies the whole night, it would have been as equally satisfying as beer is to Homer Simpson…but I’d suffer from bloating rather than burping… aye curumba!

Dessert: I wish….but tummy says no..

Bring a date here? Would make a great first date

Night out with friends here? Go for it yo

Service: Courteous and friendly.

$$$: Sushi train from from $2.50 – $7.50

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

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Years later, a new wave of cupcakes emerged from households into the mainstream. Long gone are the boring muffin standards of just blueberry or choc chip. Since bakeries around the globe such as Magnolia Bakery in New York (which I didn’t get to go too on my last visit..dang!) started popping up like ferrets, there are now more varieties than there are fruits, not to mention taking on a new art form.

Like my Curry Laksa Battles, I’m now on a quest to find the most flantastic cupcakes- the kind which defies the traditional rules of both presentation and ingredients. The kind that makes your eyes bead wide open when you see them in the window display and am really hoping for some surprises upon the first bite. Am I asking for too much? Am I setting my standards too high? Hell yeah!

And the contenders are…

The Cupcake Bakery

Details: 495 Collins St, Melbourne.

Cupcakes devoured: The Hummingbird. The Cupcake Bakery’s version didn’t reach the heights of a true Hummingbird which is supposed to be moist with banana, pineapple flavours throughout, pecans and topped with soft, creamy cream cheese icing. However, despite being a little dry, it was nice and I know this place will solve all the 3pm sugar cravings for the abundance of office workers nearby.

Choc Choc- the buttercream was granule. The cake was good but I expected something better than the sort you’d find in a packet of 4 at Coles. You feel me?

$$$: 11.50 for 3 cupcakes.

Food Rehab Verdict: Still sane (good, not great but check it out if you’re in the area) – Orangelight

Little Cupcakes

Details: Shp7/ 250 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000 (03) 9077 0413

Cupcakes devoured: Red Velvet- yes, the cupcake species here are little as the name suggests, but I’m all about the quality than the quantity. This little beast packed a punch. The cake was moist but the cream cheese icing was the real winner with a hint of vanilla throughout.

Teddybear- was also great with a dense chocolately filling topped with buttercream and a tiny teddy.

Jaffa (seasonal) – lucky I was in time for this beauty. The orange teamed up with the decadent chocolate cake was sublime I tell you! It had also been ages since I had Jaffas- they’re so oldskool, I love it. mmmmmm….

As you can see in the picture, I gobbled down many other varieties and had definitely hit my sugar peak for the day…perhaps the week! Help me….someone….anyone?!

$$$: 4.00- 5.00 each

Food Rehab Verdict: The Winner! Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

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Details: 96 Glenferrie Rd, Malvern, VIC 3144. p: (03) 95093699

Surroundings: Although a warm and inviting atmosphere, this place gets packed quickly. With only a few seats, it is best to simply feast your eyes on the many European sweet and savory items and take it away. No one could resist the exterior window display of pastry land.

Liquid consumption: Latte was great- Vittoria Coffee – my 2^nd favorite bean!

The Food: Almond Biscuits- As usual, I didn’t stop at the cake- so I went right ahead and bought some almond varities. I promised myself that if got them take away, I would wait until after dinner to eat them. Boy…who the hell was I kidding?! I ate them all as soon as I got in the car!! I definitely went to Food Rehab on these babies.

The Sugared Orange Peel biscuit was the prime suspect – texture was perfectly chewy and light with the added bonus of a tangy kick that belts your senses one by one until the orange aroma finally travels through the nose. Inhale…exhale. Now I’m better. It was arrested and devoured as punishment.

Plum Slice The prize winner. I’d usually drive down this end of town just for a slice of this beautifully crafted and freshly baked cake.Its abundance of tangy plums are juicy sitting on top of scrumptious, fluffy buttery layers, ensuring each piece you happily devour simply melts in your mouth. No need to chew.

Bring a date here? Why not (if there’s room). Otherwise, take the sweets away- just don’t eat them in car on the way home like I did.

Get together with friends here? Definitely

Service: Courteous, polite

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to Food Rehab – greenlight

Times revisited: Whopping 12- updated July.

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My ideal Laksa should be fragrant with the right balance of coconut milk and broth, paste that is not too hot, thin rice and thick egg noodles are mandatory, laksa leaf (daun kesum), mint leaves, tofu, chicken and shrimp. I’m not fussed if bean shoots are missing.

aaahh..drooling! Now I can’t stop thinking about having one right now- happens everytime…..

So the quest begins and the contenders are……

1. Monk and Me

Details: Monk and Me. 9 Evans Pl, Hawthorn East 3123 VIC. Next too Borders/Dick Smith.

Surroundings: Cosy with dark chocolate wooden furniture, communal tables in the centre. Jazz music stirs the appetite.

Curry Laksa: Served with vermicelli and hokkien noodles (relieved!) fried bean curd puff, fish cake, chicken, bean shoots and fresh crunchy string beans. Now this is what I call a damn Laksa- the delectable blend of fresh ingredients and Malaysian flavours being sweet, sour and spicy that all team up to play footy with the tastebuds.

The soupbase was creamy and pulled off the kind of charm that makes you smile after the first spoonfool. To us fellow Foodies, this is the sure fire sign of many repeat visits and recommendations.

The only downfall was the end of the meal.

I was actually thinking “Do I go on without shame and lick the bowl?” Luckily for my embarrassed friends, the bowl was actually quite deep. Dang! Too bad…

Service: Was personable and friendly. Thumbs up.

$$$: 14.00

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

2. Laksa Me

Details: Laksa Me. Shop 1, 16 Liverpool Street, (laneway off upper Burke Street), Melbourne (03) 96399885

Surroundings: Industrial/warehouse. Brick walls, concrete floors- chili during the colder months.

Curry Laksa: My Mum’s Laksa. Presentation wise, this was a winner being decorated with all the necessary trimmings that make a great laksa- the chicken, tofu, mint leaves etc. Well…that was until I took the first anticipated spoonfool. First of all, what happened to the coconut milk?! There was hardly any. This could have saved the overly spicy, sour, watery and granular broth.

Also discovering that it only came with thin rice vermicelli did not help.

Service: Service was prompt but in terms of friendliness, it was ok. Not a smile or thank you to be found.

$$$: 9.50

Food Rehab Verdict: Still sane (good, not great but check it out if you’re in the area) – Orangelight

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Details: 27-29 Crossley Street, Melbourne (03) 9662 4200

Surroundings: Dark black bamboo panels covers from wall to ceiling and micro spotlights create an amazing night sky effect.

Entrées: Spiced Swordfish Tataki- served with coconut cream and pickled cucumber best described as Japan meets Thailand. The infusion here works well- a thin crunchy satay exterior and a soft delicate centre.

Green Papaya Salad- perhaps should have been called Green Chilli Salad. I love my chilli, but this was simply overkill. The poor papaya was overshadowed by way too much spice. Pass the damn water!!

Mains: Lime and Galangal basted Chicken: served with peanut tamarind caramel. Chicken was a little dry but being a huge fan of sweet Tamarind combined with chilli, this dish had some balls. Aye Curamba!

Sweet & Sour Pork Belly: with cherry tomato and peanut salad came well presented thinly sliced and ready for the taking. However, the dish was too small too share, sour/acidic and lacked the sweetness to help neutralise.

Just a like a blind date, it looked great on the surface and you saw some potential…only to sigh in disappointment.

Dessert: Spiced Pear and Tapioca Dumplings- oooooooh, these were  good. Luckily we had our own dessert each, otherwise we’d all be fighting over this one like seagulls to chip- I’d be all “Oh No you didn’t!” Favourite part of this finale, was the young coconut syrup combined with the coconut ice cream.

Bring a date here? Yep. Bringing the date to a place with a romantic sense of being under a night starry sky will only add to those brownie points for not doing the dishes during the past few weeks.

Night out with friends here? Yes, but book.

Service: Not the best. Also slow on clearing the tables with our entree dishes still left after the mains. I had hoped for something better from an establishment with this sort of  price tag on “hawker” style cuisine which I grew up eating.

$$$: Total 200.

Food Rehab Verdict: Still sane (good, not great but check it out if you’re in the area) – Orangelight

Times revisited: 0

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Details: Horoki. 19 Liverpool St (laneway off upper Bourke Street), Melbourne (03) 9663 2227

Surroundings: L shaped bar gives full view of the kitchen where you can watch the skilled chefs prepare your delectable’s or group tables are available underneath soft ambient light allowing yourself to exhale after a hell of a day.

Entrées: Pan Seared Salmon Sushi- was perfect with the right amount of wasabi served on a delicate bed of rice all made in front of your eyes.

Fried chicken wings filled with a gyoza (Seasoned pork mince) mix: This dish made me yell! (In delight) Where the hell did this dish come from? I really do feel for my tastebuds for waiting so long- sorry guys.. Anywho, back to the dish. It was amazing. The best way I’d describe it is imagine a traditional Gyoza Dumpling but encased with a mouth watering, juicy, well seasoned and marinated fried chicken wing.

I ate this thing to the bone or did I end up eating that too?!……..

Mains: BBQ Lamb cutlet: two generous quality cutlets pan fried in all their goodness and lightly treated in BBQ sauce served on a fresh bed of melt in yo mouth mashed potato. I’ll keep it nice and simple. Crispy. Juicy. Finished it and nearly licked the plate within 3 minutes. Oh, and I forgot to offer some to my friend who was looking at me in disgust.

Roasted octopus in garlic butter: wow..presented very impressively, totally did not expect it. Each bit of octopus was positioned in its own little pod bathed in a rich buttery and garlic concoction. If you’re like me who would start devouring this straightaway- don’t. It’s like molten lava. I’d recommend dipping the bread in the sauce until the cool down occurs.

Dessert: Green Tea Icecream: definitely tasted homemade with bits of green tea leaves present. The right blend of bitterness and sweetness teamed up resulting in one of the best green tea ice-creams I’ve had in Melbourne.

Bring a date here? Would make a great first date

Night out with friends here? Yes, but book.

Service: Courteous and friendly.

$$$: Bill came to 55 for two- excellent value.

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

This place just kept on coming out with the goodies. It felt like Christmas with Santa pulling out all stops to fulfill my every food desire. I don’t think he’ll be back to visit me in December though..

Times revisited: 0

Details: 190 Wells Street South Melbourne Phone (03) 9686 1109

Surroundings: Little picture frames with black and white animated characters adorn the walls, sweetly casual and sociable atmosphere.

Liquid consumption: Green Tea Latte- smooth and an excellent alternative to the traditional latte.

Entree: Just Wings- golden battered wings with the flavours of five spice salt was unbelievably addictive. I could have eaten ten of these myself….but of course, I had kept my cool in front of my peeps…little do they know…

Main: Pros: The menu here is hilarious. It separates the meals according to your appetite from small – large dishes with quirky dish names like Pop Chicken (v. Popular), Chicken Dance etc… Cons: This place is a 2 minute walk from my residence, possibility it can send me broke!

Crispy Honey Beef (bento box)– fried mini strips of tender battered beef, then wok tossed with fresh vegetables and an amazing honey soy sweet sour sauce. This literally, bursts in your mouth, with immense flavour that makes you boast about how good your meal is compared to those of your friends. Side condiments include spring rolls, fresh green beans, steamed rice and sweet dipping sauce.

Dessert: If only…

Bring a date here? Yes, hurry up.

Night out with friends here? Yes, but if there are 4 or more of you, perhaps book yo.

Service: Prompt and friendly.

$$$: Large mains 11.50, Entree: 8.00

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

Times revisited: 16

Details: 130 Bourke Street Melbourne 9662 1100

Surroundings: Funky, chocolate wooden benches and backless chairs.

After dinner at Match Bar and Grill nearby, we all had a craving for green tea icecream. Although Ajisen Ramen cooks up decent main dishes (their Char Grilled Steak Ramen is amazing), dessert was the only thing on our minds.

Dessert: Green Tea Icecream was perfect and refreshing. The right balance of bitterness and sweetness offering the perfect dry’ aftertaste you get from from the tea leaves. The thing I love most about it is the ‘no guilt feeling.’ Not sure about you, but somehow, knowing it has green tea, it doesn’t seem that bad if you have seconds! ……right? Anyone?

Bring a date here? Yes

Night out with friends here? Yes, casual and sociable atmosphere

Service: Prompt and polite.

$$$: 4.00. This place is cheap for the value it delivers.

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

Times revisited:7

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Details: 230 Dorcas St Melbourne, 3205 (03) 9696 2192

Surroundings: Simple, wooden theme- polished floorboards and furniture, red walls with traditional artworks, casual atmosphere that lets you appreciate the food.

Liquid consumption: Traditional Sweet Iced Tea was a winner and went well with the spices.

Entree: Tempe Goreng Tepung- Thinly sliced Tofu pieces/Soya Bean Cake dipped with seasoned flour then deep fried. Nothing I’ve ever tasted and was excellent. Crunchy exterior, soft and fluffy filling with a great seasoning – sweet chili dipping sauce optional. Sate Chicken Skewers- served with satay peanut sauce. The chicken was moist and nicely barbecued.

Main: Ayam Bakar (Grilled Chicken) with rice was definitely the highlight. The chicken so juicy and well marinated that you can taste the abundance of flavours of garlic, lemongrass, coconut milk, cumin and lime teaming up with the finger licken sweet soy and crispy skin. Side condiments are chili paste and a hot/sour soup. By the time you’re done with this, you’ll be begging for more.

Sop Buntut ( ox tail soup)- This is similar to my favourite Filipino dishes Kare Kare and Sinigang that both use ox tail. What was once so rare and cheap in the markets, Ox Tail is widely used in many Asian cuisines. When cooked correctly (which takes hours of boiling), the meat should be tender and juicy.  Garamerica pulls his dish off quite well. The broth is hearty with hints of garlic and ginger with generous amounts of ox tail and the celery and tomato added towards the end of the cooking process allowing them to remain crisp.

Dessert: No room

Bring a date here? The wine selection is reasonable and the atmosphere on a weeknight is intimate. So, yes.

Night out with friends here? Casual and sociable atmosphere with bars and other hangouts along Clarendon for after dinner drinks like The Butterfly Room, Groove Train and Honey. Yes.

Service: Prompt and polite. No need to ask for water.

$$$: This place is cheap for the value it delivers. Mains start from $9.90 and Drinks 2.50

Food Rehab Verdict: Sent me to food rehab (book this place now! Wowzer) – Greenlight

Times revisited: 8