Little Creatures Dining Hall, Fitzroy

  I wish all school assemblies could be held in halls like Little Creatures Dining Hall (222 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) because then you would actually pay attention to the kid from the grade below who came 3rd in the local music eisteddfod or realise how big of a nose your school principal actually has. Anyhow, Brunswick Street really is full of culinary wonders and with a place like this on the strip, the others have a lot to live up to! 

Tasting Stand

Menu

Pipsqueak Apple Cider/White Rabbit White Ale

 After a pit stop at the tasting stand, we sat down in a chilled booth seat and got ourselves a couple of beverages on tap. Patty enjoyed her Pipsqueak apple cider and I went for the White Rabbit White Ale.

Fresh Cut Chips
with Garlic Aioli

 It's always going to be a monumental day when you have a bowl of chips with some garlic aioli. Enough said.

Spiced Red Lentil Dahl
with Yoghurt & Grilled Flatbread

 Patty went for this bumpy, lentil filled, vegetarian's paradise in a ceramic bowl. It was accompanied by a deliciously soft grilled flatbread which was stupidly tasty. The lentil dahl inside was heavenly and honestly it was good enough to turn anyone vegetarian ... for a day. No longer than that. Let's not kid ourselves. Sorry to any vegetarians out there. I definitely recommend getting a hold onto this dish if you're around the area and a beer really goes hand in hand with all the strong flavours.

Homemade Pie
Chicken & Leek

 This pie was a deceptive dish on the menu ... not in a good way. Like the mischievous child that always used to tease and bully you, this pie stole $22 from me =(. The fact that it tasted 'pretty good' was of little consolation because even if the bully says sorry to you after a few years it'll never undo the damage that he/she caused you beforehand. What? That's deep bro, such a deep food → bullying metaphor. But honestly I don't see how they charge $22 for this, it's beyond me. Was expecting a large circumferential pot pie!

 Loved the set out inside and if you complain about not having enough space inside this 'hangar' of a hall then you're probably an oversized ... plane. Yeah a plane. But honestly, I'd highly recommend parking your plane here for a breezy and relaxed afternoon meal and just let the beer and great food fly you into the sunset.

Bunny Rating-
Categories: Melbourne, Pub/Bar, Snacks

Rice Paper Scissors, Melbourne CBD

 Melbourne's iconic laneways of food and festivities really don't disappoint when they keep serving up places such as Rice Paper Scissors (19 Liverpool Street, Melbourne CBD). Around the corner from our hotel and on the outskirts of Melbourne's mediocre Chinatown, is this little tapas style eatery. Rice Paper Scissors is not a place to roll sushi or play a variation on rock, paper, scissors (haha Bernard, you still got it; don't know if rice beats scissors though), instead it specialises in South East Asian cuisine, most notably Vietnamese and Thai hawker food. 

Awesome centerpiece

It deserves 2 photos

 This centrepiece seriously looks like a green version of an evil minion from Despicable Me 2. All that hair. Patty really wanted to steal one and take it home but I doubt Rice Paper Scissors would see the hairy side of things.

Beer Nuts (Thaw Lsing)
with Kaffir Lime & Chilli Flakes

 We were given a complimentary sake cup full of some 'boxing' nuts that really packed a punch (see what I did there? Nice). These little things grew increasingly addictive, a little bit like heroin. No doubt I was chasing dragons afterwards.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee

 Regrettably our only drink of the meal as they have a large selection of wines, cocktails, beers and even some intriguing slushies! It's so hard to go past a well made, traditional Vietnamese Iced Coffee. Probably a little bit too much condensed milk for my liking but it came with an awesome mixer stick so all was saved.

 In true tapas style, they've designed their menu all for sharing and have a 'get hammered plattered for 2' option that we gladly elected for. You get to choose any 5 sharing dishes from their menu for the cut price of $45. I'll have to buy another wallet if I get to save this much every time I go out to eat!

BBQ Lamb Ribs (Sii Krong Nuex)
Mekong Whiskey Marinated Lamb Ribs
in a Stick Special Sauce

 I can safely say that this dish did my head in for the entire trip. It was so mesmerizing, so tantalizing and just marvellous. These gooey, ooey, sticky ribs literally kept me awake at night because I was trying to organise another visit into our busy one week schedule in my head, but alas ... it did not eventuate. The meat slid of the bone like it was tobogganing off ice and the succulent juices and flavours were almost too unbearably good. These ribs were overwhelmingly tasty and throughout the entire trip, this was probably my favourite and most memorable dish!

Thai Fried Chicken (Peek Gai Tod)
Marinated in Galangal, Chilli & Coriander Root

 

 

 Next to come was a pint sized serving of Thai fried chicken accompanied with some mayonnaisy dipping sauce. I just spilt water on myself rethinking the flavours that exploded from the crispy skin. Like actually ... hold on let me get a tissue. Anyhow, I don't think this is on the menu anymore which is a shame but the spices from the marinade worked so well together and the chicken was as moist as wet socks.

Crispy Coconut Wafer (Banh Xeo)
Filled with Pork, Prawn, Bean Shoots & Fresh Herbs

 

 A contemporary twist on a classic Vietnamese dish sees the formation of this sombrero looking saucer. Unlike the traditional one where the crispy pancake cradles the ingredients like a folded omelette, this open Banh Xeo has its guts spilled out and is ready for quick consumption. The pancake was light and crispy and the pork, prawn and bean shoot stir fry on top was tantalizingly good.

Betel Leaf (Miang Kham)
Topped with Roast Duck & Lychee Salad
with Sweet Lime Juice

 Mince wrapped in betel leaf are a match made in Vietnamese heaven and it's almost unbearable to eat such a delicate little cigar shaped roll. I'll be honest here ... I ate it with such enthusiasm and at such speed I didn't really pay attention to what was actually inside; it says it was topped with duck which I don't remember but the mince was either pork or prawn if that helps at all. All that matters is that it was delicious with a capital D and delightful ... also with a capital D.

Steamed Pork Buns (Banh Bao)
with Pork Belly, Cucumber, Shallots & Hoisin Sauce

 

  These buns are nearly as cute as Patty, what? Haha alright buddy. These buns were slightly toasted and jam packed (not with jam haha) full of veggies and a glistening slice of pork belly. It's hearty, juicy and everything that you would want from a pork bun. Would have been even better with a healthy smear of pate on the buns, just saying =).
                    

 This hidden gem was my favourite place during out visit to Melbourne. It had me by the scruff of my neck and Rice Paper Scissors had me hooked like a dog on a leash (so many dog references). A great place for a relaxed meal and there's no better way to enjoy a feast when everything on the menu is recommended for sharing!


Bunny Rating-
Category: Melbourne, Pub/Bar, Snacks

The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst

 Alas, it is uni season yet again and so 'da boyz' (+ Patty) decide to bury our sorrows at The Local Taphouse (122 Flinders Street, Darlinghurst) for a casual night out. With a bigger brother also located in St Kilda, I was keenly anticipating the visit.  The 'menu' looked so irresistible online and the only thing stopping me taking a bite out of the monitor was the fact that it would probably break my teeth. Little did I know that the Sydney Taphouse had an entirely different menu. Compare this one at St Kilda's (menu) and then this one in Darlinghurst (menu), it barely seems fair! (Jacky actually called the place to see if they served the smoked ale  beef burger to which the person on the phone replied 'yes we do', they lied!!!). I was visibly upset when we eventually walked into The Local Taphouse, and into our demise. 

It Takes Beer to Make Thirst Worthwhile

Rooftop Cinema

  Tuesday coincided with The Local Taphouse screening a silent cinema up top with a $10 admission fee. It was however ... literally a silent cinema because no one was actually there to attend *tumbleweed*. Due to the lack of audience, we stole the rooftop and it became our picturesque setting for the night. 

 Above is the 'Prickly Moses Blueberry Hefe', a refreshing and highly aromatic beer with hints of blueberry. Anyhow maybe it was just the person behind the bar but their pouring was strange to say the least. After waiting a fair few anxious moments for my beer I squizzed over to have a look and saw the bartender pouring head into one glass and transferring it over to the top of my beer. Strange stuff. Nevertheless, yum!

The Boys + Patty

There she is...

Drankkkkssss!

 From left to right:

Chanka had: To Øl Sans Frontière (a belgian dark ale)

Jacky had: 4 Pine Keller Door Calypso Single Hopped Ale

Patty had: Batlow Cloudy Apple Cider

Brett had: The Grifter Cold War (wheat beer)

I had: Prickly Moses Blueberry Hefe

Chilli Fries

 Don't worry, I'm as shocked as you are. Yes, these are the supposed chilli fries. Spot the chilli. There it is on the sour cream dipping sauce provided on the side. As consolation, the chips were awesomely beer battered and hit the spot quite well. However in the end, these aren't chilli fries guys, get your act together taphouse or I'll blow it down with a huff and a puff and a chainsaw.

Spicy Zucchini Fries
with housemade aioli

 Yum yum yum, zucchini fries. These were coated in a generous heap of spice and fried with beer batter. Perfect as a light snack accompanied with some beer, you won't regret it. 

The Beef Burger
Beef Patty on Toasted Organic Bun with
Cheddar, Lettuce, Pickles & Tomato Relish

 Since there was no smoked ale beef burger, I settled for the generic beef burger. There was nothing to really fault about the burger at all because the patty was juicy, the lettuce was crisp and everything else just went well together! I was still sad though, I'm sorry I let you down boys. 

Mushroom Burger
Field Mushrooms, Zucchini, Eggplant on a
Toasted Organic Bun with Pesto Aioli

 Patty was kept busy with her mushroom burger that looked ever more tempting with a slab of mushroom poking out through the side. Looks like the burger is ready to joust! Can you imagine that ... burger jousting. Amazing. I'd sit on the floor waiting for a burger to be pummeled by a mushroom sword and gather the remains of the recently deceased victim. Cannibalism at its finest. Nevermind me. Anyhow, a burger for the 'veggos' which is packed with some decent flavour and awesome pesto aioli. 

Pulled Pork Burger
Fenner & Cider Braised Pork Shoulder

 Marcus and Brett had a pulled pork burger each. They said it was good. And thats about all the detail I can give you. Thanks for the detailed description boys. 

1kg Boston Bay Mussels
All pots are served with organic bread, shoestring fries
& French mustard mayonnaise

2 sauces the boys had
- Provencale: cooked with tomato, garlic & fresh herbs
- Au Congo: cooked with coconut cream, lemongrass, kaffir lime & chilli

 Jordan & Ravin shared the Provencale whilst Chanka & Jacky went for the Au Congo. The sauces were full of flavour and super intense, enough to knock my socks off (well I was wearing thongs, so technically they were off anyways).

300gm Sirloin
with Sauce, Chips & Salad

 Jeff Tan devoured his sirloin whilst putting on 300 grams in the process. He too was very thorough with the description, telling me that the steak was 'alright'. Cheers bro.

 Sitting on the rooftop, feeling the light autumn breeze at our fingertips and watching the clear blue sky relinquish into the dimness of dusk, it was a perfect setting for a tame night out with the boys. Our expectations were crushed from the burger that did not exist but the food served from The Local Taphouse satisfied us enough. After the dinner, we made the short walk to Messina for some gelato and the night was automatically saved.

Bunny Rating-
Category: Burgers, Pub/Bar