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ALT Pasta Bar, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
ALT Pasta Bar, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | ALT Pasta Bar is a new laneway pasta bar, specialising in pasta dishes with an alternative twist. I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne to grab some snaps.

Housed in the space that was formerly home to Café Lafayette and Restaurant Shik, ALT Pasta Bar is a low lit, moody spot, with exposed brick and an open kitchen. It works well with the CBD, laneway vibe. Co-owner and head chef Mino Han brings his experience making pasta at some of the city’s best Italian restaurants to ALT, using traditional techniques to create something different.

Native Australian ingredients and Japanese flavours are a common thread throughout the menu, and everything is made on site from scratch. Unique to any restaurant I’ve visited, is Han’s dedication to not using salt. The umami ‘saltiness’ instead comes from other ingredients, like sodium extracted from celery stalks. You’ll find that one in the Hiramasa kingfish, sliced and served with a fermented kumquat sauce, celery, and caviar.

Other interesting things include dishes like smoky abalone topped seaweed pappardelle; blue cheese and daikon risotto; and a delicate tartlet filled with fermented sardine, curd, and fennel. The menu changes regularly, and I can imagine it’s only going to get more exciting as Han and the team progress.

It’s not all experimental. Classics include things like spanner crab with squid ink fettuccine and bisque, topped with pastrami crumble and the shell of the crab. It’s a must order. Also great is the cacio e pepe made with pici (a thick, hand-rolled pasta), and a generous amount of Pecorino Romano.

To drink, it’s a succinctly list of local wines and beers, plus creative cocktails that draw inspiration from the menu.

ALT Pasta Bar

30 Niagara Lane
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0402 220 614
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Sat: 5:00pm to 11:00pm

The Commons (Thonglor), Khet Watthana

Paul
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0
The Commons (Thonglor), Khet Watthana

BANGKOK | The Commons is a small semi-outdoor retail space in Bangkok’s Khet Watthana neighbourhood, designed to make the most of the outdoors, while simultaneously being suitable to enjoy year-round.

It’s an architecturally striking development, spread across four levels, with a focus on local, independent retail and dining. On the ground floor, it’s an open food court with quality international and Thai cuisine. Buenazo, a Peruvian restaurant with a socially conscious ethos, is well worth checking out. If you’re a fan of craft beer, be sure to visit The Beer Cap.

Up one level, it’s more food and drink options, along with local boutiques. Up again, it’s a family friendly space with activities for children and fitness fans. On the rooftop, it’s an urban garden, where regular workshops and events are held.

The Commons (Thonglor)

335 Akkhara Phatsadu Alley
Khwaeng Khlong Tan Nuea, Khet Watthana
Bangkok 10110
Thailand

Telephone: 08 9152 2677
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 8:00am to 1:00am

Fuumi Fuumi, South Yarra

Paul
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0
Fuumi Fuumi, South Yarra

MELBOURNE | West Melbourne Japanese bakery and café, Fuumi Fuumi, recently opened a second location in South Yarra. I’m a fan of the original location, and was invited in to check out the new space.

It’s a brighter, sleeker space than the original, and bigger too. All the baking for both location now occurs here. On the menu, it’s a similar offering of baked goods and brunch options, with a larger focus on things that can be taken away.

There’s Fuumi Fuumi’s signature light and fluffy shokupan, available in half and fill loaves. It’s also used in the roaring assortment of toasts and sandos. The tonkatsu sando and the cheesy okonomiyaki toast are two of my favourites.

For smaller bites, it’s things like shio pan with fillings like takoyaki and yakisoba; and drum pan filled with things like chocolate, azuki, and matcha.

To drink, there’s espresso and filter coffee, along with hot and iced lattes like matcha and hojicha. The signature Fuumi coffee is an iced latte with house made honeycomb candy, sea salt cream, and caramel sauce. There’s also a selection of house sodas and mocktails. The “Summer Matcha”, a blend of matcha, yuzu jam, and soda water, is great.

Fuumi Fuumi

6C Daly Street
South Yarra
Victoria 3141
Australia

Telephone: 0412 997 482
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 7:30am to 3:30pm
Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 3:30pm

Brewave Playground, Bang Kho Laem

Paul
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Brewave Playground, Bang Kho Laem

BANGKOK | Brewave Playground is a multi-zoned waterfront venue for lovers of craft beer, hidden in an unassuming location behind a carpark in an industrial part of Bangkok.

There’s the main undercover bar section, the outdoor section, and a Japanese restaurant that combine to form Brewave Playground. Weather permitting, I recommend getting a spot right by the waterfront.

On tap, you’ll find a great selection of beers. There’s Brewave’s own beers, along with other Thai and international craft beers. You can order at the bar, or start a tab and order using a QR code on the table. Unfortunately, if you’re not into beer, the options don’t extend to other alcoholic beverages.

As of the time of writing (mid-April 2023), Brewave Playground is temporarily closed while they reconfigure the space. Keep an eye out on their socials for information about the reopening.

Brewave Playground

Waterfront, 450/2 Rama III Road
Bang Khlo, Bang Kho Laem
Bangkok 10120
Thailand

Telephone: 095 582 2147
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Sun: 11:30am to 12:00am (check hours before posting)

Bureau Provisions & Periodicals, Parkville

Paul
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0
Bureau Provisions & Periodicals, Parkville

MELBOURNE | Have you ever lamented the decline of independent print media and the local corner store? If so, new opening Bureau Provisions & Periodicals might just be the place you’ve been looking for. I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne to find out how owner Jay Clough is swimming against the tide.

Jay, an avid fan of print media, hospitality industry veteran of 20 years, and owner of chilli oil brand Agri, knew that he wanted to start something in the aftermath of COVID, but wasn’t clear exactly what that was. When he came across a small space in Parkville, and noticed the relative lack of quality convenience options in the vicinity, surprising given the proximity to Melbourne University and Royal Melbourne Hospital, the idea for what was to become Bureau, was formed.

At this one-person operation, Jay combines his passions, with influences from his travels and time spent living abroad. On the wall, where the venue’s bench and stools lie, are photos of some of the places from around the world that have inspired Bureau. Most of which Jay has been to at some point in his life, and many that I recognise and love from my own travels and time spend living in Europe.

Walking into the space, I thought to myself “this looks like the kind of place that you’d see in Monocle magazine. This is a place that supports independent print media, and you’ll find lots of interesting local and international newspapers and magazines on the shelves. The range is constantly evolving, selected for their quality, how engaging they are, and if Jay likes reading them. About half of the magazines are design, art, and food related. A few favourites of mine that were on the shelf when I visited were Monocle, Noble Rot, and Swill.

To eat, it’s convenience focused options like top notch hot and iced filter coffee, freshly baked loaves of bread, pastries, and sandwiches. There’s a small section dedicated to locally sourced groceries, and a selection of tasty pantry items from independent local and international producers.

Bureau Provisions & Periodicals

51 Royal Parade
Parkville
Victoria 3052
Australia

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

Open
Mon – Fri: 7:30am to 3:00pm
Sat: 7:30am to 1:30pm

โรงเบียร์สหประชาชื่น United Peoples Brewery, Chatuchak

Paul
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0
โรงเบียร์สหประชาชื่น United Peoples Brewery, Chatuchak

BANGKOK | โรงเบียร์สหประชาชื่น United Peoples Brewery is one of the best places in Bangkok for lovers of craft beer. The large warehouse-style brewery and bar, located away from the touristy part of town, in the city’s north, is a place for people who want to try the best in craft beer that Thailand has to offer.

It’s owned by alcohol distributor Group B Beer, and the brewers of local craft breweries Sandport and Yod Beer. On tap and in the fridges, you’ll find an assortment of mostly Thai beers, covering all kinds of styles. There’s fresh, hoppy IPAs, seasonal stouts, and zesty sours brewed with fresh local fruits.

If you’re not a beer fan, โรงเบียร์สหประชาชื่น United Peoples Brewery is still worth visiting. It’s got a great atmosphere, and there’s a good selection of ciders and meads, including some experimental options.

If you’re hungry, there’s a substantial menu filled with Thai and Western style pub food that goes great with beer. Things like fish sauce fried pork belly, spicy fried chicken wings, and Issan sausage pasta.

โรงเบียร์สหประชาชื่น United Peoples Brewery

109 Thetsaban Nimit Tai 1 Alley
Lat Yao, Chatuchak
Bangkok 10900
Thailand

Telephone: 061 415 8735
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Tue – Sun: 5:00pm to 11:30pm

Barkada Pinoy, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Barkada Pinoy, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Located up a set of stairs in a “blink and you’ll miss it” CBD laneway location you’ll find Barkada Pinoy. The restaurant, which began life as a food truck, and relocated from Melbourne Central late last year, offers a variety of Filipino street food style dishes, ranging from popular favourites to things not often seen in Australia. I recently popped in for What’s On Melbourne to find out more.

Grilled chicken and pork skewers are a speciality here, glazed and grilled to order. Prime cuts and offal are used, with things like chicken thighs, pork belly, chicken feet, pigs ears, and pigs intestines to choose from. Come with friends, and order an assorted platter.

Large plates include Barkada’s signature inasal chicken, sigsig, arrozcaldo, pork belly liempo, and burger steak with mushroom gravy. The inasal is a must order. You get chicken maryland marinated in calamansi, pepper, coconut vinegar and annatto, grilled while basted with the marinade. It’s served with rice, calamansi, soy sauce, chicken oil and vinegar.

For something different, try the Kwek Kwek. It’s a popular street food of boiled quail eggs, coated in an orange batter and deep fried until crispy. Also keep an eye out for the specials, where you’ll find any number of interesting things. Things like puto bumbong, and the Jolibee-inspired peach mango pie. Even balut has been known to make an occasional appearance.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, there’s desserts like halo halo, leche flan, and taho. To drink, it’s Filipino juice and drinks, soft drink, and a small alcohol selection.

On the way out, be sure to take a look at the small pantry section. Modelled off the typical sari-sari stores that you find throughout the Philippines, it contains a selection of pantry staples and snacks for home.

Barkada Pinoy

L1, 6 Sutherland Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0422 752 327
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Sun – Wed: 9:00am to 9:00pm
Thu – Sat: 9:00am to 10:00pm

MASH Craft Brews & Bites, Silom

Paul
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0
MASH Craft Brews & Bites, Silom

BANGKOK | MASH Craft Brews & Bites is the place to visit if you’re in Bangkok and looking for some quality craft beer and burgers. It’s a long, narrow venue, formerly a shophouse, with high tables and stools at the front, bar seating, and a couches towards the rear.

Across MASH’s 16 taps, you’ll find a mix of local and international craft beers. There’s a wide variety of options at any given time, including one cider. Local breweries like Changwon and Devanom are well represented, and the selection of international brews comes from highly regarded breweries like Modern Times, Ex Novo, and Collective Arts.

If the tap list isn’t doing it for you, there’s a small fridge filled with interesting cans and bottles from around the world. If you’re not in the mood for beer, there’s also a small wine, spirit, and cocktail list.

For food, it’s MASH’s signature burgers, which are amongst the best in town, along with snacks like pickles and tom yum glazed chicken wings.

MASH Craft Brews & Bites

2/3 Convent Road
Silom, Bang Rak
Bangkok 10500
Thailand

Telephone: 02 288 0682
E-mail: [email protected]
Website

Open
Mon – Sat: 5:00am to 11:30am

Sloppy Joe’s Deli, Melbourne CBD

Paul
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0
Sloppy Joe’s Deli, Melbourne CBD

MELBOURNE | Popular Bentleigh sandwich and doughnut shop Sloppy Joe’s Deli have just opened their new CBD store, which I recently visited for What’s On Melbourne. It’s a bright, narrow, minimalist space on Little Collins Street, serving up an assortment of sandwiches, doughnuts, and coffee.

Owners and friends Brian Taing and Joe La ran Asian fusion brunch spots Braybrook STN and Northcote STN back in the day. Northcote STN was one of my favourite spots in town for brunch so expectations for Sloppy Joe’s were high. As I’d anticipated, it didn’t disappoint.

The sandwich menu features classic favourites plus creation inspired by the brother’s global travels. The pastrami features smoked brisket pastrami, sauerkraut, dill pickle, Swiss cheese and a secret house sauce inside toasted light German rye. The popular ‘Mrs Kim’s Beef’, fills toasted sourdough with beef bulgogi, pickled red onions, kimchi salsa, American cheese, and mozzarella. Also try the namesake Sloppy Joe, which sees a brioche bun filled with Angus beef sloppy sauce, bread and butter picked, and American cheese.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, there’s a cabinet filled with doughnuts to satisfy. One of the most popular ones is the maple bacon, which despite what you might think, is actually a very well balanced sweet, savoury, and salty creation.

Given the Brian and Joe’s background in coffee (they also started Workshop Brothers Coffee), the coffee at Sloppy Joe’s is excellent. It’s an assortment of espresso and filter based hot and cold drinks made using Axil Coffee Roasters beans, along with a few non-coffee options.

Be sure to check out the little cabinet under the counter before you leave. You’ll find a small selection of pantry items for home from independent local producers. Things like coffee beans, hot sauces, and chilli oil. The HD Foods Bomb Ass Chilli Oil, one of my favourites, is well worth grabbing a jar of.

Sloppy Joe’s Deli

423 Little Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia

Telephone: 0493 080 659
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Fri: 7:30am to 3:30pm
Sat – Sun: 9:00am to 3:30pm

Coffeeology, Pathum Wan

Paul
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0
Coffeeology, Pathum Wan

BANGKOK | Coffeeology is a small chain of Bangkok cafes that are a step up from your typical coffee chain. At their Central Embassy store, you’ll find an assortment of espresso and filter based coffee drinks, from traditional to more experimental.

Coffeeology source all of their beans from their own farms, and roast in-house, controlling the entire bean to cup process. The result is some of the best coffee in town. Order an unsweetened espresso or filter based drink to get the full experience of the beans. There’s the house blends, along with a rotating selection of single origin beans.

If you’re after something more novel, try one of their flavoured drinks, like the signature meringue topped “cloud” creations, and fruit infused coffees.

To eat, its a small selection of cookies, pastries, and cakes.

Coffeeology (Central Embassy)

1031 Phloen Chit Road
Khwaeng Pathum Wan, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand

Telephone: 065 715 8402
E-mail: n/a
Website

Open
Mon – Sun: 10:00am to 8:00pm

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