MELBOURNE | Maybe it’s because I’m not one who watches Masterchef or My Kitchen Rules, or maybe it’s because of the inevitability that certain venues don’t hit my radar when there’s so much opening in this city every other day. Whatever the reason, I somehow managed to not know about Tasia & Gracia Seger’s (My Kitchen Rules 2016 winners) restaurant, Makan, until last year. Ridiculous, I know.
In any case when I finally did hear about the sisters’ restaurant, which sees them put a modern spin on family dishes and other traditional Indonesian delicacies (with a Balinese focus), I knew I had to go. Despite the fact I’d not be e before, I was confident in choosing the venue as one of my What’s on Melbourne spots to hit up for some photos and videos, and boy oh boy was that confidence rewarded.
Usually when I do these sorts of things I rush from venue to venue over the course of a day and don’t get the chance to eat anything other than have a quick nibble here and there. My Makan visit, however, was one of only two venues I hit up on this particular day, so I was able to sync it up with dinner and actually stay to enjoy a proper meal.
Tasia and Gracia are lovely people, and the passion for what they do is evident in each bit of food, and the way that they describe the dishes. Many of them are linked to a family recipe, and specific experiences and memories, which makes the food that much more special. And if you don’t care about any of that, you’ll be happy to know that the food is all delicious. A celebration of vibrant colours, fresh ingredients, and bold flavours.
If happily eat everything I enjoyed that night, and definitely want to return with friends to try more. Highlights? Well Lauren and I both really enjoyed the Ikan Bongkot (barramundi with torched ginger flower, iceberg lettuce, green apple, Vietnamese mint, chilli and coriander dressing), Ayam Bakar Betutu (Balinese marinated chicken with fried sambal), and new dish Babi Guling (Balinese pulled pork with genep sauce, pork crackling and sambal matah).
Oh and if you’re a lover of spice, ask for a serve of the sambal terasi. It’s usually served with the Bebek Goreng (fried crispy duck) and is devilishly spicy.
Makan
360 Collins Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: (03) 9642 3109
E-mail: [email protected]
Website
Open
Wed – Thu: 12:00pm to 2:00pm; 6:00pm to 9:00pm
12:00pm to 2:00pm; 5:30pm to 10:00pm
Sat: 5:30pm to 10:00pm