MELBOURNE | Victor Liong, best known for his brilliant contemporary Chinese restaurant, Lee Ho Fook, has tried his had at a few different concepts over the years. His latest, SilkSpoon, is quite different to the rest, and aims to fill a gap in the crowded Melbourne CBD market. I was recently invited in to see for myself.
SilkSpoon is a casual canteen/diner, aimed at CBD workers looking for an affordable, casual spot grab a quick bite, have a long lunch, or a post work drink and snack. Hidden up the stairs above Movida Aqui, and Rosa’s Canteen, it’s an airy, covered outdoor space with a European cafe vibe that well suits the brief.
Named for the Silk Road, the menu draws inspiration from East, Central, South & Western Asian cuisines, as well as those of the Middle East. It’s a diverse menu that’s generally healthy, quick, and affordable. The most you’ll pay for a dish at SilkSpoon is $18.
Signature items include things like a mild fragrant chicken curry pot pie with new season’s root vegetables, and a crispy roti pastry lid; white cut cold chicken or mushrooms with jasmine rice, ginger, spring onion, housemade chilli condiment, cucumber, and coriander; and Middle Eastern spiced lamb or grilled haloumi with ancient grain salad, chickpea salad, garlic yoghurt, and flatbread. It’s all tasty stuff, with the pie already building a cult following amongst those in the know.
There’s a few different dumplings, with your option of steamed or pan fried; dessert; a selection of salads and bowls, and daily specials. Try the sumac chicken or grilled pumpkin bowl with baby cos lettuce, baby spinach, kale, braised bulghur, spiced eggplant, feta.
To drink, you’ve got a short and sharp selection of cocktails, wine, and beer, that stick to the quality at a decent price ethos of SilkSpoon. There’s also a good selection of non-alcoholic options like mocktails, teas, and juices, and coffee. You can also grab things like house-made chilli oil and other condiments and ingredients for home.
Silk Spoon
6/500 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Tue: 11:00am to 5:00pm
Wed – Fri: 11:00am to 8:00pm