During the past month, I’ve been receiving a few emails asking where the latest Melbourne Hotspots are. The kind of eateries that not only generates some buzz within the community, but also manages to live up to the hype by delivering the goods and providing value for your benjamins. This topic has also been raised in many social conversations which is why I felt so compelled to write this post. The dilemma? It’s becoming quite difficult to keep track of the many great eateries popping up like ferrets these days (not that I’m complaining) – not to mention my expenses!
It doesn’t take much to inspire me to take something to the next level and challenge myself- which is why after some long hours searching the web, twitterverse and the good old print media- I decided to hit up several of these hotspots in 1 day. Some say I have three stomachs, but last I checked I only had two. I will likely turn this into a series of posts considering the amount of places. To keep this fair, there are those that have been around for a long time, which I haven’t yet posted, that are still considered ‘hot’ – so I’ve included these in response to the questions asked. Oldies but still goodies!
Places I visited during the course of the day were:
1. Cafe Park Lane, South Melbourne (in this post)
2. Noodle Kingdom, Preston (in this post)
3. Sapa Hills, Footscray (coming up)
4. Olympic Doughnuts, Footscray (coming up)
5. Laksa King, Flemmington (coming up)
6. Sugo, Malvern (coming up)
Some seriously sexy noodles huh?
Topic #1: The latest hidden caffeine fix?
Café Park Lane
Details: 387 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne, 0435508583 Google Map
Recently, a friend was bragging on about this compact sized café that used to be storage space in my local area, South Melbourne, serving up some worthy coffee. Funnily, it’s actually situated off the same main road as St Ali- also a ‘must do’ if you’re serious about your coffee. With no large signage, Café Park Lane is the kind of hidden nook you would find along the CBD laneways. The kind of place where should someone actually ask you what the name was, you would reply with “oh, it’s near Flinders St and the laneway that leads into Haighs Chocolates and that record place..thing…” Hmm. Still, due to word of mouth, it has generated enough buzz to attract the crowds and create queues without any expensive PR launches.
The menu is simple with a mixture of items ranging from organic apples from their Red Hill Farm, dense muffins, bircher muesli to goats cheese, chunky avocado, tomato and basil on crusty sourdough. Knowing the fact I had a full day of eating ahead of me, well, enough to cause several bowel movements, I chose to try their fresh croissants. Two servings of course. They came toasted, clad with butter and toasted to flaky perfection.
The coffee? I would describe it as the type of coffee that leaves a lingering aftertaste that seems to coat the tongue and make its bed there. Seriously. Only few coffee houses I’ve tried thus far have achieved this glorious feat. It had the right amount of bitterness, a good temperature, smooth, milk not burnt (phew) and a perfect partner for the croissant as I dunked each piece like an Oreo. I’m no coffee expert, but I’d judged it based on its addictiveness. Cups had? Two. I can usually have more than the recommended daily dosage from St Ali, Pellegrini’s and Sugo. The blend used here is Five Senses 24/7 but of course its overall success was dependent on the skills of the talented barista.
oops, taking the lid off and stirring kinda ruined the Kodak moment here
Organic apples from their Red Hill Orchard
Topic #2: The best suburban Chinese noodle house?
Noodle Kingdom
Details: 469 High St, Preston, 3072 (03) 9478 8885 Google Map
You can’t get more local than finding out there’s a buzzing noodle house tucked away in the northern suburb of Preston. This was a fair drive from where I live, but I can’t seem to shake off the amount of recommendations I’ve heard about the freshly made oodles of noodles made at the premises at Noodle Kingdom.
Upon arrival, the window theater provided us with some eye candy or should I say, Noodle Porn as we watched in amazement at the sheer amount of noodles lightly pounded and ‘shwatted’ about ensuring even stretching and thickness. The other thing to notice is that not only is there a dedicated noodle master, but also spotted next to him is what I referred to as the Dumpling Princess. We watched as she made Shanghai dumplings with such delicacy and precision.
We were like kids in a bloody candy store…and we hadn’t even stepped inside yet!
Although the place is quite large and can accommodate more than few group bookings, as soon as lunch hour struck, it was like watching musical chairs. But don’t fret just as yet. I hear that there is a Noodle Kingdom opening up within the CBD which is rumored to have several levels in addition to the current Russell St outlet. However, it was suggested that I slurp out Preston over the Russel Street.
Now, back to the food. I didn’t drag my friends all this way just to stare at noodle and dumpling making. I immediately ordered their signature dish, a bowl of Authentic Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup.
Lanzhou is the capital of Gansu province in northwestern China. Arriving in a bowl large enough to feed a family of four, the aroma of the broth (simmered 24 hours prior) brought back childhood memories in the kitchen. Isn’t it funny how your mum would always tell you off if you ever left the stove on? But when it came to making broth, mum would go to the market, do the shopping and come back 8 hours later with the stove left simmering?! I digress.
It came served with a generous handful of fresh coriander, spring onion and bok choy. What can I say? The broth was hearty and full of flavour from the bone marrow. The type of noodle here is La Mian. It is made by taking a lump of dough and repeatedly stretching it to produce many strands of thin, long noodles.
Also great was their tender Beef Brisket in Noodle Soup
If you’re a fellow foodie and love your Pho type stocky soups, then the trip to the other side of town is definitely worth it. If you already reside in the area, and have been, please let me know which dish to try out next time.
Keep updated with the next Melbourne’s Hotspot by subscribing to Food Rehab.
What other ‘cheap eats’ hotspots have I missed that you would recommend?
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Yes! The quick take out noodles from Yen Sushi Noodles are the best 🙂
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1429942/restaurant/CBD/Yen-Sushi-Noodles-Melbourne
.-= Tom´s last blog ..Scum! =-.
w00t! Good to see some suburban action for good eats. I live out that way, so going to try this Noodle Kingdom joint. I’ll have to ask you via ze twitterz what you recommend when I go there 🙂
.-= Gem´s last blog ..a northern suburban breakfast treasure =-.
Hey Gem- you know what was also nice? Thier Shanghai Dumplings. I was going to inc this in the post but choe to stay on topic hehe. So good, the broth contained within was so tasty. Try that when you’re down.
Hey Adrian, been twice now and can’t get over how ace their noodle soup dishes are (had the Lanzhou, and the combination noodle in beef soup).
Also, wow their dumplings are divine. No more Camy’s for my dumpling fix!
.-= Gem´s last blog ..let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments =-.
Hey Gem- I just went again on Friday night. Why I chose to line up for 40 minutes the Friday beforehand at Camy beats me….two servings of their broth filled dumplings was had. I want some now!!!
Great post – I’m looking forward to reading more of this kind of series. But as an inner-city dweller and CBD worker without a car, I don’t actually think I’ll be visiting the burbs anytime soon…so hoping to see some more inner city recommendations!
Jetsetting Joyce
Joyce – there’s a Noodle Kingdom on Russell St in the CBD. I haven’t been, but Billy seems to like it also 🙂
.-= Gem´s last blog ..let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments =-.
My fav cheap and tasty is ‘Coconut House’ on Elizabeth st in the CBD.
They have fresh soya bean milk, really like their chicken rice and pan mee as well. Even better that they open real late!
Great looking places. I will keep them in mind next time I am in town.
.-= Mark @ Cafe Campana´s last blog ..The Ten Commandments of the Grill – Cafe de Paris Butter =-.
Another epic journey! The noodle shop looks fantastic. Look forward to hearing what you thought of Sapa Hills & Olympic Doughnuts in Footscray. 🙂
.-= Ms Baklover´s last blog ..Ba Le 2 =-.
Wow! Six hotspots in a day? I like your dedication to food blogging 🙂
.-= foodwink´s last blog ..Hawkesbury Farm Gate Trail =-.
Adrian, it’s now 12:37am and all I want are some noodles! 😛 that’s what noodle porn does to you I guess! lol
Yes, my bad hehe. Not sure if instant Noodles will do after tasting these dishes. It’s like good chocolate- you can’t go back!
Yum, I’ve been wondering where to get fresh croissants for ages. And nothing better than slurping up hot noodles on a cold day, incidentally just like this one…
.-= Vee @ Munching (in) Melbourne´s last blog ..May Baby, Maybe maze =-.
what da shizzzz did u go to all those places in one day??? Am i reading it wrong?!?! You definitely don’t have 3 stomachs I think you have 5 with one super fast metabolism lol.. I only have 2 stomachs, a small one for savouries and a big one for desserts LOL!..
Whoa that noodle place is smokin””” I have this thing for soup at the moment and its not even cold. 26degaz and there i am with a bowl of noodles. Bring on hottt pot!! <3 <3 <3.
.-= Leona´s last blog ..My Canh, Bankstown =-.
I often buy the 24/7 coffee to drink at home.. this makes me feel like I’m not a total coffee loser! Not so sure I recreate amazing tongue coaty goodness though.
Ahh, ferrets 😀
.-= Conor @ HoldtheBeef´s last blog ..Gently rapping at the pantry door =-.
Oh noodles. Its perfect for this cold weather. Noodle soups rock.
.-= Katherine´s last blog ..Express Apple Crumble using Be Natural Berry Trail Bars =-.
Can you be my guide the next time I’m in Melbourne? There’s no way I could find these fabulous places on my own. I will pay you in croissants and good coffee 🙂
.-= OohLookBel´s last blog ..Red Onion Jam with sausages and pseudo-mash =-.
that is a great list of restaurants there… too bad i don’t live in Melbourne! boo! Noodle Porn.. hahah! good one.
mmmmm croissants…..mmmmmm!!
.-= Iron Chef Shellie´s last blog ..Week 25 – The Cookbook Challenge – Blender Chocolate Mousse =-.
I ? Melbourne. If I didn’t have such serious commitments in Sydney I would stuff my partner in a carpetbag and runaway to Melbourne with unabashed excitement.
.-= Amy @ cookbookmaniac´s last blog ..Twelve in King St, Newtown =-.
Glad to know about all these hidden gems!
.-= Ellie (Almost Bourdain)´s last blog ..Potato Croquettes (Crocchette di Patate) – Light of Lucia =-.
must meet up with u the next time im in melb hehez
.-= betty´s last blog ..Milo babycakes with Nutella Frosting =-.
Hey Tom- Cool, will check out Ten Sushi. Thanks!
Hey Gem- Oh nice- def try this place out. Noodliscious!
Hey Joyce- Yes, I have a backlog of inner city posts. I need to stop dabbling huh?
Hey Aaron- I love coconut house also! I actually went there on Sunday- their Malay Hanan Chicken was amazing. Will back very soon
Hey Mark- Def hit them up when in Melb next
Hey Ms Baklover- Sapa Hills and Olympic doughnuts were great!
Hey Foodwink- hehe, thanks!
Hey Lorraine- LOL my aplogies for the late night cravings!
Hey Vee- Yes, good noodles on a cold day is my kinda comfort food.
Hey Leona- haha- perhaps I do have an extra tummy armed for use. Yes, Hot pot rocks. But Noodle KIngdom is a real winner.
Hey Conor- The coffee at Cafe Park lane rocked. Good brew.
Hey Katherine- oh, these noodles can cure a cold!
Hey Belle- For sheeow! Holla when you’re down There’s always something hidden in Melb
Hey Krissy- Nooddleporn at its best
Hey Shellie- yes, it was a epic croissant!
Hey Amy- haha- you should so do it. It would be worth the trip
Hey Ellie- no wuz, hidden gems are such a satisfying find. (when they’re good of course)
Hey Betty- Yeah of course, holla when you’re down yo!
Just returned from our first visit to Noodle Kingdom in Preston. It’s a Tuesday night and the place was packed. We had to wait for about 10 minutes but didn’t mind as we watched the noodle master and dumpling mistress at work.
Wow! The noodle soups came in HUGE bowls! I didn’t even get through half the bowl of Lanzhou. The Shanghai dumpling was delish. So was the wonton noodle soup and seafood noodle soup.
Service was quick. Price was reasonable. We’re definitely going back for more.
Hey TruffleMe- oooh, glad you liked it and I know what you mean about the bowls. I swear, they should be for two people.
We went to lunch at Sambal Malaysian restaurant 74 Victoria Street, Carlton, it was undoubtedly the best Malaysian we have ever had and a great price!
Hey Louisa- I shall check that out- I’m in the mood for Laksa right now! Thanks for the recommendation 🙂