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GLO Gelato, Carlton

Paul
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GLO Gelato, Carlton

MELBOURNE | GLO Gelato is the newest gelato spot down the Carlton end of Lygon Street, leaning into the area’s Italian heritage with pizzazz. From the abundance of colour, and bright, illuminated displays and signage you can’t miss it when you’re walking down the street, especially at night. I recently popped in for What’s on Melbourne to find out more.

GLO Gelato is owned by the Mercuri family – the same family who owns perennially popular Universal Restaurant, next door. Alfie and Angelo are the third generation of the family, and are the main duo behind their latest venture. Chatting to Angelo while I was there, and watching him interact with his staff and customers, his passion for GLO, which has been a few years in the making, is evident.

At its heart, GLO Gelato isn’t trying to reinvent the wheel. The focus is on creamy, quality gelato, churned fresh on site, using the best ingredients around. You’ll find plenty of big flavours on the menu, from classics through to playful twists and combos.

Ferrero Oh Yeah is a blend of chocolate and hazelnut gelato, with chocolate and hazelnut crisps; while Pistachio Mayhem is crowd-pleasing pistachio gelato, dotted with crunchy salted pistachios. If you’re into sorbet, try the Sicilian-inspired I’m Siciliano. It’s zesty lemon sorbet with a blood orange ripple.

You can grab a scoop or two in a cone or cup, or a takeaway jar for home. There’s also other things on the menu like frozen yoghurt, gelato cakes, and gelato sandwiches. Angelo gave me the Biscoff & Raspberry Jam mousse cake to take home after the photoshoot, and it was delightful. There’s also thickshakes and a Mont Blanc frappe if you’re looking for something to drink.

If you have an event on and are looking for a dessert option, GLO also have a gelato cart which you can hire. It comes with several flavours of your choosing, plus staff to take care of all the setup and serving.

GLO Gelato

131 Lygon Street
Carlton
Victoria 3053
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Thu: 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Fri – Sat: 12:00pm to 11:30pm
Sun: 12:00pm to 10:00pm

Rumble Coffee Espresso Bar, Kensington

Paul
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0
Rumble Coffee Espresso Bar, Kensington

MELBOURNE | Rumble Coffee have been roasting coffee in Kensington since 2014. During that time, Rumble have not only built a reputation as one of Melbourne’s best coffee roasters, but as one of the city’s most ethical. They’re B-Corp Certified, dedicated to full transparency in their sourcing process, and ensuring at those involved at all steps of the process, from farm to cup, are paid fairly.

Rumble recently opened an Espresso Bar around the corner from the roastery, which I recently visited for What’s on Melbourne. Rumble Coffee Espresso Bar is located inside Kensington’s new “Local:” apartment development, and is a bright, modern space that allows co-founders Matt Hampton and Joe Molloy to showcase the heart of what they do.

It’s all about coffee here, with no on-site kitchen. You’ll find Rumble’s signature blends on offer, as well as rotating single origins for both filter and espresso. It’s a tight drinks menu with white or black espresso-based coffee, and batch brew of pourover for filter. Choose your bean and brew, and you’re sorted. For non-coffee drinkers, there’s also hot or iced chai, hot chocolate, matcha, and a cascara spritz.

You can buy the full range of Rumble beans for home, along with an assortment of coffee equipment and accessories. If do want a little something to eat, there’s a small selection of quality pastries from Matt and Joe’s nearby bakery, Double Dutch.

Rumble Coffee Espresso Bar

348 Macaulay Road
Kensington
Victoria 3031
Australia

Telephone: (03) 7034 0271
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 7:00am to 2:00pm

Mannaka Izakaya, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Mannaka Izakaya, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Mannaka Izakaya opened earlier this year without much fanfare, towards the northern end of Elizabeth Street. It’s an izakaya-style Japanese restaurant, offering an assortment of beautifully presented, contemporary dishes. I visited recently for What’s on Melbourne.

The space, designed by local architects and designers, ARKIM, is evocative of the bright neon lights and lively atmosphere of Osaka’s Dotonbori neighbourhood. Downstairs, it’s a long, narrow space with open banquet seating and intimate booths, and a wall filled with colourful, backlit artworks nodding to Japanese landmarks and pop culture. Mizayaki animations, Glico Man, Tokyo Tower, and the like. Upstairs, it’s a similar theme, with a more open seating plan.

The menu is all about contemporary takes on izakaya favourites, with a strong nod to the dishes you’ll find in the popular city trio of Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. There’s things like rice and noodle bowls, sushi, and sandos, with some relatively keen pricing especially when it comes to lunch specials.

Mannaka Izakaya is a great option for a quick solo lunch, and also works well as a space for a big meal with friends. A great lunch option is the Mannaka 6 Treasures. It’s a bento box of six things like scallop sashimi, karaage with tartar, tamago tofu, and spicy salad, served with rice and miso soup.

The big unagi don, fluffy rice topped with a generous serve of thick, buttery, grilled eel has become a bit of a favourite since Mannaka opened. The crispy nori shell, sushi tacos are also a great option. If you’re a fan of hot pot, there are also multiple sukiyaki options.

Mannaka is fully licensed, so along with the usual selection of Japanese drinks and sodas, you’ll also find Japanese beer, sake, highballs, and more to drink.

Mannaka Izakaya

533 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0493 036 747
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:00pm to 9:00pm

Mandarin Food Store, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Mandarin Food Store, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Rose Lane has become quite a hotspot for under the radar, quality Asian eats in recent years. One of the most recent spots to open there is Cantonese eatery Mandarin Food Store, which I recently visited for What’s on Melbourne.

Opening Mandarin Food Store was an unexpected turn for owner Jenny Ma, who also owns Common Place Coffee Brewers next door. During COVID, the sandwich shop which stood where Mandarin Food Store is, closed down, and Jenny took over the lease for storage. Lockdowns ended, and the landlord wanted something more to be done with the space. Jenny, who’s originally from Hong Kong, became aware of a well regarded old school Cantonese chef who was looking for work, and so Mandarin Food Store was born.

Jenny, who has a background working as a flight attendant and in customer-facing banking roles, brings those years of customer service to Mandarin Food Store. She’s passionate about the eatery, the authentic Cantonese food being served, and the popularity of her venue that’s proven a hit with expats from Hong Kong and Guangdong.

The menu is filled with delicious, affordable favourites. It’s a great option for a quick takeaway lunch, or a sit-down share plate dinner with friends. Dishes include things like grilled pork chop with scallion oil on rice, stir-fried pipis with black bean and chilli, and wonderfully saucy claypot braised brisket with rice. Spicy claypot eggplant with salted fish, and minced pork, is a personal favourite of mine.

Drinks are limited to a few soda options in a bar fridge, but you’re more than welcome to grab a (non-alc, the space isn’t licensed) drink from next door or one of the many other spots on Rose Lane, and bring it over to enjoy with your meal.

Oh and if, like me, you’re wondering why a Cantonese restaurant is called Mandarin Food Store, there’s a family story behind it involving Jenny’s daughter. If you see Jenny when you’re there, ask her about it.

Mandarin Food Store

30 Rose Lane
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0408 606 433
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sat: 11:00am to 9:30pm

Ten BBQ And Hot Pot, Southbank

Paul
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0
Ten BBQ And Hot Pot, Southbank

MELBOURNE | Can’t decide whether you want Korean BBQ or Chinese-style hot pot for dinner? Ten BBQ And Hot Pot might just be what you’re looking for. Conveniently located just around the corner from Crown, Ten BBQ And Hot Pot have been serving up affordable, buffet-style, all-you-can-eat BBQ and Hot Pot since 2018. I popped in the check it out recently for What’s on Melbourne.

It’s a no frills space, with a lot of seating at the front and the back, on tables with grill plates, and exhaust fans hanging directly above. Fridges and displays weave around the side, and are filled with meat, seafood, vegetables, and various toppings and sides. There’s a sauce station, and towards the back, a dessert and drink station.

$55.50 per person get you access to all of the seafood boil, hot pot, and barbecue all you can eat. 105 minute seating times giving you ample opportunity to get your money’s worth. Choose two of nine soup bases, from options like tom yum, malatang, and pork bone, then grab whatever items you want from the displays. Fire up the grill, get the hot pot boiling, and you’re good to go.

Meat options include things like marinated beef brisket, belly pork, wagyu beef rib fingers, chicken, and more. There’s a full assortment of fresh seafood like prawn, oyster, and squid, plus plenty of options for those who are vegetarian. When you’re ready for dessert, the dessert station features things like cake, churros, and ice-cream, but the most popular options are the bingsu and milk tea slushies. Shave the bingsu ice yourself with the DIY machine then choose from a variety of flavours and toppings to finish it off.

Ten BBQ And Hot Pot

143 City Road
Southbank
Victoria 3006
Australia

Telephone: 0452 655 386
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Thu: 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Fri: 5:30pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 12:30pm to 11:00pm
Sun: 12:30pm to 10:30pm

Bar Taralli, North Melbourne

Paul
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0
Bar Taralli, North Melbourne

MELBOURNE | Salvatore Giorgio has been cooking Italian food in Melbourne for almost 20 years. Chances are, you might have eaten Salvatore’s food without realising it, if you’ve been to Bar Rosella, Scopri, or Bar Bambi, just to name a few. Newly opened Bar Taralli, in North Melbourne, is Salvatore’s first restaurant as an owner, and I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne.

It’s a cosy, welcoming space. When you walk in, you’re greeted with a smile and a curved bar, complete with a jar of the restaurant’s namesake, the Southern Italian cracker snack, taralli. There’s banquet dining and low tables to one side, tall tables on the other, and a large alfresco area out the front. Empty bottles of wine and amaro grace the shelves, while playful posters and Italian artwork and photography, grace the walls.

The menu at Bar Taralli is a celebration of Italy’s south. Dishes lean heavily on the food of Campania, where Salvatore’s family is from, and Puglia, where he lived for several years, and his partner Grazia is from. Sicilian and Calabrian dishes round out the menu. It’s simple, rustic food, with a focus on bold flavours, featuring the best local and Italian produce.

Housemade ‘nduja is served warm, ready to be dipped with focaccia. Order it, along with fave e cicoria, the classic broad bean puree with chicory sauteed in garlic and chilli. Fans of octopus should try the outstanding polpo alla luciana – chargrilled octopus legs with tomato, capers, and olives, atop garlic and chilli salsa.

The “Primi” section of the menu contains things like spaghetti all’Assassina, lasagna al ragu’ Genovese, and the crunchy seafood risotto, riso al salto con nero. For “Secondi”, there’s options like capretto al forno – slow cooked goat on the bone, potato, peas, and pecorino; and a personal highlight for me, bombette Pugliesi. It’s tender pork scotch stuffed with caciocavallo and herbs, wrapped in pancetta, cooked over coals.

It’s classic desserts and cheese for dessert. I recommend trying Salvatore’s take on tiramisu, azza di caffe’. It’s an edible cup, filled with coffee and Kahlua zabaglione, ricotta mousse, and chocolate coffee beans.

To drink, there’s a thoughtful list of local and Italian wines, with around 11 drops available by the glass at any given time. There’s also Italian beer, classic and house cocktails, and an assortment of digestives, including several interesting amaros.

Bar Taralli

12 Errol Street
North Melbourne
Victoria 3051
Australia

Telephone: 0481 171 955
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Tue: 5:30pm to 10:30pm
Wed – Sun: 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 10:30pm

Taro Yuan, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Taro Yuan, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | In 2005, Taiwanese couple Eason Liu and Becky Zheng combined their love of desserts and taro and opened a taro-based dessert stall in Taiwan’s Yunlin Dounan Market. In 2015, after tweaking and perfecting their recipes (with the help of a grandmother vendor in a Jiufen market), Eason and Becky opened their first bricks and mortar store.

It was a hit, and in the decade since, Taro Yuan has expanded to over 200 locations in Taiwan. Last year, the first Australian location opened in the suburbs of Melbourne, and towards the end of last year, a CBD location opened. I went in for What’s On Melbourne to take a look.

Located in the upstairs space that was formerly home to Hot Pot restaurant, Musou Malaxiangguo, Taro Yuan is hard to miss if you don’t know it’s there. It’s a simple space, well located for people watching on the street below if you grab one of the seats near the large floor to ceiling windows.

On the menu, you’ll find an assortment of taro based desserts. All of the ingredients are imported from Taiwan, so you’re getting exactly the same desserts as you are over there, plus a few local additions. There’s iced and hot drinks, shaved ice bowls, and hot soups.

The most popular option is the Taro Joy. A bowl of snow-like taro shaved ice, topped with red beans, grass jelly, sago, boba, taro balls, and fresh taro. It’s a well balanced dessert, both in flavour and texture. If you want to choose your own toppings, the DIY Taro Joy lets you choose 4 from 16 toppings. The signature toppings along with things like aloe vera, coconut jelly, and ube balls.

Also popular is the taro ube shaved ice. I’m partial to the mango shaved ice, with its big chunks of fresh mango. Smoothies features thick, creamy taro milk, with a variety of flavours like ube, strawberry, and, matcha.

Taro Yuan

398 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 3:00pm to 11:00pm

Yaowarat, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Yaowarat, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | The CBD has seen a wave of new Thai restaurants opening post lockdowns, and it shows no sign of abating. A common thread amongst several of this year’s openings has been a focus on regional specialities. Yaowarat, which opened last month, puts the spotlight on Thai-Chinese food, which isn’t commonly found in this city. I popped in the other day for What’s on Melbourne to check it out.

Yaowarat is located behind an unmarked entrance in what was a seafood wholesaler in Chinatown’s Warratah Place. It’s appropriate, given that the restaurant is named for the main street that runs through Bangkok’s Chinatown. Owner Surachai Kunchairattana has a reputation for quality Thai restaurant, being the brains behind Aung Lo, Pick Prik, Heng, and Lang Baan. With Yaowarat, he’s onto another winner.

Chinese traders first arrived in Thailand in the 12th century, but it wasn’t until the late 1700s that Chinese immigration to Thailand really took off. Today, around 12% of Thailand’s population has Chinese heritage, and Chinese culture has influenced several aspects of Thai culture, including its cuisine.

The wok is the main tool used in the kitchen, imparting wok hei to many a dish. Stir-frying is common, and one of the most popular Thai dishes, pad Thai, is a Thai-Chinese dish. You’ll find it on the extensive menu at Yaowarat, along with a host of Thai-Chinese classics.

Stir-fried pipies served with sweet Thai basil is a great choice, as is the succulent barbeque pork rice. For something light, the spicy fish sausage salad is a winner. On the heavier side, try one of my favourite things on the menu, the sticky, saucy, caramelised, slow cooked pork belly.

There’s also things like suki (a Thai take on Chinese-style hot pot), pla nueng manao (steamed fish with spicy lime juice dressing), and hae kuen (steamed and fried tofu skin rolls filled with prawn and fish paste). It’s all keenly priced, especially the lunch specials. If you’re thirsty, there’s an assortment of classic Thai drinks.

Open from midday to midnight, seven days a week, Yaowarat is a great option for a quick lunch, large banquet-style meal with friends, or a late night feed after a few drinks in the city.

Yaowarat

7-9 Warratah Place
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0466 634 888
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sunt: 12:00pm to 12:00am

48 Hours In Nha Trang: Things To Do

Paul
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0
48 Hours In Nha Trang: Things To Do

NHA TRANG | Talk to travellers about Nha Trang, and you’ll get a variety of opinions about the city. It’s a resort town, and there’s no denying that the place is very touristy. Stick to the centre of town, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by Russian and South Korean tourists, and notice plenty of touristy restaurants, shops, and other places catered to these tourists.

You don’t need to walk far to bypass the touristy part of town, however. Half an hour walk in any direction out of the centre of Nha Trang, you’ll find the parts of the city where locals live, work, and shop. There’s amazing street food, historic sites, and further afield, beautiful unspoilt islands, beaches, and nature.

Below, you’ll find a list of the best things to do in Nha Trang. If it’s a short, city trip, or a nature focused break, you’ll find what you’re looking for in Nha Trang.

Dive And Snorkel

Nha Trang is one of the most popular places for diving in Vietnam. There’s around 25 dive sites, dotted around Nha Trang’s islands. There are several diving schools and tour operators that will take you out to any number of these dive sites.

All skill levels are catered to, so whether you’re an experienced deep sea diver, or just looking for a casual snorkel, there’s something for you.

Two of the best places to dive and snorkel in Nha Trang are Hon Mun Island and Whale Island. The former is Vietnam’s only protected marine reserve, and is stunning.

Enjoy Local Cuisine

Nha Trang is filled with gems catering to hungry locals, and those who seek these spots out will be rewarded with a diverse selection of delicious Vietnamese delicacies.

From Vietnamese favourites like pho and banh mi, to regional delights like bún sứa (jellyfish noodle soup), and nem nướng (grilled pork sausage), there’s no shortage of great stuff to eat in this city.

Check out my Nha Trang Food Guide, which is full of tips on what and where you should be eating in the city.

Go Island Hopping

Anywhere you look from Nha Trang’s coastline, you’ll notice islands in the distance. Nha Tang is situated on Ninh Van bay, which is home to 19 islands, and there are countless half day and full day activities that you can do where you’ll visit several of these islands.

Whether it’s fishing, snorkelling, partying, golfing, or anything else that you can think of, there’s probably a tour available for you. If you want to organise your own adventure, Hon Tre Island, Hon Mieu Island, and Hon Tam Island are just a short ferry ride away from the city centre.

Relax On A Beach

Leading on from the above, you’ll probably want to dedicate some of your time in Nha Trang to relaxing on a beach. While the main stretch of coastline in the heart of the city isn’t particularly special, the stunning coastline just outside of the city, and on Nha Trang’s surrounding islands, certainly is.

If you don’t want to travel too far out of town, visit Bai Duong Beach. It’s about an hour walk or 10 minute drive north of downtown Nha Trang and, while popular, much more beautiful and less crowded than the main beach. As a bonus, it’s located right next to the picturesque, Hong Chong Promontory, where the mountains meet the sea.

Visit A Temple

There are several places of worship that are worth a visit in Nha Trang. Po Nagar Cham Towers are four Cham towers built between the 7th and 12th centuries. Located atop a small hill, they are still active Buddhist temples to this day, and open to the public.

Also be sure to visit Long Son Pagoda. Originally built in 1886, the temple was destroyed by a cyclone and relocated to its current location in 1900. At the top of the temple, you’ll find a giant white Buddha, and panoramic views of the city and ocean.

For a Christian place of worship, visit Christ the King/Nha Trang Cathedral. Built in the Gothic Revival style in 1928, it’s the largest church in Nha Trang. It’s notable for its stained glass windows, which depict saints.

Unwind With A Mud Bath

Having a mud bath is one of the most popular things to do while in Nha Trang, and for good reason. Immerse yourself in a warm bath, filled with warm mud containing area’s mineral-rich clay, then take a herbal bath before washing off under cool waterfalls. Afterwards, take a dip in a mineral pool, and perhaps go for a massage.

One of the best and most popular places to have a mud bath, which I highly recommend, is at I-Resort.

Walk Through A Market

Nha Trang’s central market, Chợ Đầm, is a must visit. There’s three stories and a vendor-lined exterior of fresh produce and all of the other bits and bobs that you typically find at markets. It’s located just near the city’s main train station, inside a striking round structure that dates back to the 1980s (the market itself dates back to the 1960s). The structure is meant to evoke the undulating waves of the ocean.

Another market that’s worth visiting is the Xom Moi Market. It’s a covered, open market that’s filled with vendors selling fresh regional produce and delicacies, seafood, clothing, and more.

Kyiv Social, Chippendale

Paul
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0
Kyiv Social, Chippendale

SYDNEY | Kyiv Social is a Ukrainian restaurant by Plate It Forward, a social enterprise headed by Shaun Christie-David, that employs, trains, and supports refugees and people from marginalised background. Expanding on the amazing work done at Colombo Social and Kabul Social, Kyiv Social sees newly arrived Ukrainian refugees cooking and serving up the food of their homeland.

Housed in a beautiful heritage building from 1930, that was once home to the English, Scottish and Australasian Bank, Kyiv Social has a special energy about it, adorned with Ukrainian livery, chandeliers, and high ceilings. The sound of Ukrainian and English fills the air. It’s a place of hope, resilience, and delicious food.

There’s the option of a set menu and a la carte. I opted for the set menu, which gives you a good selection of dishes on offer. As a bonus, for every set menu ordered, Plate It Forward donates two meals – one to someone in need in Sydney, and one to someone in Ukraine.

The menu is filled with recipes from the staff’s babusyas (grandmothers), and a great introduction to the food of Ukraine. Punchy seasonal pickles kick things off, followed by the wonderfully soft and fluffy garlic butter pampushky (pull-apart bread rolls). Hand made varenyky (dumplings), filled with potato, dill, and fried onions, and topped with Pepe Saya sour cream, also impress.

For mains, a non-traditional take on the chicken Kyiv is simple and outstanding. Thick sliced, golden-fried chicken schnitzel, doused with Pepe Saya garlic butter, and pickle slaw on the side. For vegetarians, an eggplant version also impresses. With sides of garlic butter mash and house lettuce, fennel, and apple salad, this is all food that’s comforting in the best possible way.

To finish, depending on the day, you’ll enjoy either sour cherry dumplings served with sweet cultured cream and cherry sauce, or traditional honey cake. Other dishes include things like herring on rye, borscht, and twice cooked pork knuckle.

The drinks menu features keenly priced bottles and glasses of local wines, along with Ukrainian inspired cocktails, and beers. Beloved Ukrainian Lager is a Ukrainian-style lager brewed by Young Henry’s, while vodka cocktails feature Blue Krane vodka from Little Marionette, made using traditional Ukrainian methods.

Talking to the staff at Kyiv Social, it’s clear that they’re passionate about what they’re doing, and are thankful for the opportunity to make a difference. Everybody at Kyiv Social has a story, and eating here is a joy.

Kyiv Social

202 Broadway
Chippendale
New South Wales 2008
Australia

Telephone: 0422 859 320
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Tue – Thu: 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Fri: 5:30pm to 11:00pm
Sat: 12:00pm to 3:00pm, 5:30pm to 11:00pm

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