Mantra Lounge Ii

September 21, 2017

I convey an unfortunate habit of eating tiffin at my desk; I convey a to a greater extent than mobile friend on campus to give thank you lot for getting me dorsum to Mantra Lounge afterward almost iii years! It's a lilliputian dissimilar (with the neon decorations mellowing as well as the carte du jour becoming 100% vegan) but mostly, reassuringly the same, offering homely veg*n nutrient from bain maries at student-friendly prices.

Their pop lasagna is permanently on the menu, as well as there's a rotation of curries that you lot tin gild inwards diverse repast deals. My eyes were drawn to the pie warmer for a sausage curl ($5), as well as I filled out my plate amongst tahini-kale salad ($6). It proved to endure much to a greater extent than than a scoop of greenish respectability on my plate - tender as well as well-dressed, amongst big broccoli florets, a few sun-dried tomatoes as well as olives. I could convey settled amongst a drinking glass of water, but the Mexican hibiscus tea ($3) was much to a greater extent than entertaining.

The upstairs seating was really relaxed, as well as I'm coaching myself to exit of the purpose as well as see to a greater extent than often. Here's hoping I larn inwards dorsum for the Korean BBQ burger, as well as whatever ane of the other salads!

____________

You tin read almost an early on see to Mantra Lounge here. Since hence it's been positively reviewed on Curious Charlie.

____________

Mantra Lounge
167 Grattan St, Carlton
0433 531 345
food, drinks & desserts
http://www.mantralounge.com.au/

Accessibility: Mantra Lounge has clearly given accessibility some idea - there's a ramp upwards from the footpath as well as enough of infinite some the counter, where ordering, payment as well as nutrient pick-up occurs. There's a unisex privy amongst wheelchair accessibility signage on this level. There are a few moderately spaced tables downstairs; the stairs themselves are broad as well as sturdy amongst a manus rail.

Smith & Daughters Viii

September 23, 2017

It's been eighteen months since nosotros concluding blogged most perennial favourite Smith & Daughters. The carte has been completely re-worked, which seems similar a expert plenty argue to chop-chop write upwards a recent brunch experience. We were pleased to come across freshly squeezed juices dorsum on the carte - I ordered the juice of the day, which was a carrot, ginger in addition to apple tree concoction ($10), acre Cindy went for straight-up OJ ($7.50).

There's no to a greater extent than breakfast burrito or maple bacon pancakes, but plenty of exciting novel things to try. I almost ordered the scramble, but we've made it at home in addition to then much that I decided to branch out in addition to endeavor the sausage in addition to beans ($19), featuring spicy house-made sausage, white beans, peppers, smoked paprika in addition to saffron.

I loved this - the braised beans were rich in addition to smoky, in addition to the chunks of sausage superb. As always, I'd stimulate got loved a instant slice of toast for scooping upwards the goods, but that's a tike quibble.

Cindy surprisingly went yesteryear the mulled vino soaked French toast ($18) in addition to the Almond turrón bun ($15) to fellowship something savoury - the Castilian pressed sandwich stuffed with chorizo, peppers, mozzarella in addition to quince glue in addition to accompanied yesteryear a handful of crisps ($17). 

Cindy was impressed yesteryear this, with the sweetness of the quince glue actually shining with the spicier ingredients. She likewise raved most the crisps, which she reckons southward & D mightiness brand themselves.

Smith & Daughters plow over off to deliver superb vegan food, lovely service in addition to a keen vibe. After nearly 3 years, I wonder if Melbourne is starting to accept southward & D for granted a bit. The eating house was surprisingly placidity on the Sabbatum morning time nosotros visited. The vegan brunch options around Melbourne stimulate got champaign improved a lot inwards 3 years, in addition to loads of people were at the Deli, but they're changing things upwards plenty that it's nevertheless definitely worth swinging yesteryear the original.

____________

You likewise tin post away read about one, two, three, four, five, six, seven of our previous visits to Smith & Daughters. Since our concluding catch delightfully tasty in addition to Howie's Melbourne Food was a chip underwhelmed.

____________

Smith & Daughters
175 Brunswick St, Fitzroy
9939 3293
brunch menu, drinks
facebook page

Accessibility: The entry is apartment in addition to narrow in addition to the tables are pretty crowded. The interior is dimly lit in addition to loud at night. Toilets are located upwards several steps, are gendered in addition to of criterion dimension. We ordered at the tabular array in addition to paid at a high counter.

Swedish Meatballs

September 23, 2017

I brought some lingonberry jam dorsum alongside me from Sweden this twelvemonth together with it has sat sadly inwards the closet for months waiting for inspiration to strike. Lingonberry jam isn't actually used similar strawberry or raspberry jam - you lot don't smear it on toast or select it alongside scones - it's to a greater extent than unremarkably used every bit an accompaniment to savoury nutrient similar fried herring, white patato pancakes or, of course, meatballs.

While nosotros were inwards Stockholm concluding year, friends had made us a classic Swedish repast - novel potatoes, (veggie) meatballs, greens together with lingonberry jam - it was ane of my favourite memories of the trip together with I decided to pass a tranquillity Sat arvo trying to replicate it. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fighting of googling merely about turned upward this recipe on Rabbits together with Wolves, which ticked all of my boxes. We paired it alongside the lingonberry jam, boiled potatoes together with dark-green beans. It was a wonderful repast - the meatballs were a fighting squishy, but held together pretty good together with got a decent char on inwards our hot cast Fe pan. The coconut-y gravy is rich together with creamy - perfectly paired alongside the sugariness together with tangy lingonberry jam. We'll definitely brand this repast again, when Melbourne's wintertime has me dreaming of a Swedish springtime.

Swedish meatballs
(slightly adapted from Rabbits together with Wolves)

300g bundle of tempeh
2 tablespoons dry soil flax seeds alongside iii tablespoons water
1/2 loving cup breadcrumbs (I used a unmarried weetbix, crushed up)
1/2 loving cup polenta (in house of panko crumbs)
1/4 loving cup water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dry soil nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon dry soil allspice
Salt together with pepper
Oil for frying (we used peanut oil)

gravy
1/4 loving cup Nuttelex
1/4 loving cup flour
2 cups of veggie stock
1 tablespoon tamari
400ml tin displace kokosnoot milk
iii teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon crimson vino vinegar
Salt together with pepper to taste

Mix the dry soil flax seeds together with H2O together to brand a vegan egg. Combine it alongside all the meatball ingredients inwards a nutrient processor together with procedure them into a smoothen paste. Add to a greater extent than H2O if the mix is besides dry.

Shape the tempeh mixture into modest balls (no bigger than a golf game ball). 

Heat some petroleum inwards a cast Fe pan until it's really hot together with tiddler the meatballs on each side until they're overnice together with browned. We had to produce ours inwards 2 batches, but it volition depend on the size of your frying pan. Remove the meatballs from the frying pan together with laid upward aside.

Wipe the pan construct clean together with showtime on the gravy. Turn the estrus downward to depression together with melt the Nuttelex. Whisk inwards the flour until it forms a roux. 

Whisk inwards the stock, tamari, kokosnoot milk, mustard together with vinegar - add together things inwards piece of cake thus you lot tin displace whisk it all together well. Turn the estrus upward together with convey the sauce to a simmer. Hold it over a depression simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the gravy thickens correct up.

Season the sauce to gustatory modality together with add together the meatballs. Serve alongside potatoes, beans together with a generous spoonful of lingonberry jam. 

Annual Lab Culinary Competition

October 2, 2017

There was concern, later a twain of telephone substitution departures from the lab final year, that the annual culinary contest mightiness last over. Far from it! All it took was a nod from the novel manager as well as a twain of emails, as well as entries were out inward force.

Competitors drew inspiration from their gardens as well as other local ingredients, from famous chefs as well as household unit of measurement members, from their cultures of beginning as well as fifty-fifty from their jobs. I contributed a plate of Ottolenghi's butterbean hummus, as well as a lattice-topped cherry pie. For the kickoff fourth dimension inward all my years of competing, I won the grand prize! The judges peculiarly praised the pie's crumbly buttery crust, as well as i confessed to reaching for it 3 times inward spite of abundant choice offerings.

____________

I've also written accounts of this contest inward 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 as well as 2016.

Bhang

October 5, 2017

We visited the relatively novel Bhang afterwards Will recommended it in addition to Tash suggested nosotros all larn together for dinner. Michael grabbed a booking merely a twenty-four hr menstruum inwards advance in addition to it was packed out when nosotros arrived - it's clearly quickly attracted fans, fifty-fifty though it's tucked off Sydney Rd inwards the northward of Brunswick. It mightiness live that early on even out for a hip novel opening, or the reputation of the owners (who also run Tom Phat), ... or it mightiness merely live that good.

Vegetarian, vegan in addition to gluten-free options are abundant in addition to well-marked, in addition to alongside v of us on board nosotros were able to endeavor many of them. The staff kindly adapted our small-scale plate orders to ensure they were portioned merely correct to become around. Pani puri ($10) are e'er a blast, but surprisingly upstaged hither past times the spinach in addition to paneer samosas ($12). This was without uncertainty my favourite samosa sense of my life! The paneer filling was in addition to therefore soft in addition to rich in addition to savoury, reminding me nigh of scrambled eggs, in addition to the pastry was buttery, crumbly in addition to toasty-browned.

The mains didn't quite reach the same heights, but they were consistently really proficient too. The char-grilled eggplants (bharwan vanghi, $15; transcend left) arrived get-go and, in i trial nosotros gracelessly cutting them alongside a spoon, disappeared fast. Will in addition to Michael loved the pumpkin olan best ($16; transcend right), to a greater extent than for the black-eyed edible bean curry underneath. The gobhi korma ($16; centre) presented its cauliflower whole in addition to and therefore the spices didn't quite soak through, but I adored dredging garlic naan ($4, non pictured) through its ombre sauce. The mast biryani ($18; bottom left) was steamed alongside a pastry top, in addition to non nearly every bit spicy every bit Will swore it was on his get-go visit. My favourite mightiness convey been the tangy tamarind-dressed salad of paneer, light-green mango in addition to babe spinach (kache aam ka paneer, $11; bottom right).

Others sampled a make of fancy in addition to odd cocktails. I was a smidge disapointed that they were all out of dates for the appointment in addition to almond lassi, but the to a greater extent than conventional mango version ($5) was really pretty. Unfortunately for all its coloring textile it was bland, non fifty-fifty matching the plainer, tangier ones I've boozer elsewhere.

I managed to continue our ordering inwards depository fiscal establishment check in addition to everyone had room for dessert! The others all opted for the spiced poached pear ($12), which was likewise theater to stimulate got neatly alongside a spoon, but made for a beautiful plate alongside a scoop of masala chai icecream, a ball of kokosnoot halwa, in addition to festive sprinklings of nuts, syrup in addition to colour. I was good pleased alongside my gulab jamun ($9), a lilliputian larger in addition to lighter than they're traditionally prepared, alongside a matching scoop of chai H2O ice cream in addition to pretty garnishes.

We thoroughly enjoyed our get-go Bhang repast - it was a lilliputian loud in addition to a lilliputian flawed, but its best dishes were tremendous in addition to fifty-fifty its lesser dishes were really good. The samosas lonely would clit me dorsum for more.

____________

Bhang has received a mixed review from Lips Temptations (freebie), FEED BLOG SPOT (freebie), and A Chronicle of Gastronomy (freebie).

____________

Bhang
1/2A Mitchell St, Brunswick
9383 2488
food, drinks
https://www.eatdrinkbhang.com/

Accessibility: The entry is broad in addition to flat, but nosotros see it's pretty tough from there: the interior is crowded alongside slice of furniture in addition to dimly lit; most of the dining tables are located upstairs. We received total tabular array service in addition to didn't see the toilets.

The Merri Clan

October 7, 2017

We've been seeing references to The Merri Clan all over vego social media for the lastly few months as well as finally institute a spare Sabbatum morning time to caput over to Preston to banking concern check it out. It's a casual neighbourhood haunt, alongside a cafe bill of fare during the twenty-four hours as well as a bar vibe at night. The fit-out is low-key as well as a flake ramshackle, but the whole experience is charmingly laid-back. We headed out to the courtyard to bask the sunny weather condition as well as reach out the menu.

Everything is vegan, including to a greater extent than or less amazing sounding burgers, a big vegan brekkie, nachos as well as a skilful choice of other savoury dishes. There are healthy-sounding smoothie bowls and, for a sweet-tooth similar Cindy, at that topographic point are poffertjes.

The giant, wobbly pile of poffertjes pictured higher upward is the 'fully loaded' snack size (15 pieces, $14) - Cindy shared a few of her snack plate, as well as I actually can't imagine anyone could tackle the repast size (25 pc, $18) on their own. The fully loaded choice comes alongside household made nutella, maple cashew cream, berry compote as well as candied pecans. Cindy was real happy alongside her brunch process - the poffertjes are a puffy, sugariness base of operations for the slathering of delicious toppings, alongside the berry compote cutting through the richness of the sauces. If yous can't confront the fully loaded option, yous tin sack gear upward your own, based on the higher upward toppings addition jam, cinnamon carbohydrate as well as lemon, butter as well as maple syrup. It's a real flexible offering as well as I mean value a real pop one. 

I ordered the breakfast tacos - a pair of corn tortillas topped alongside dark beans, spiced toasted quinoa, Lycopersicon esculentum salsa, guacamole, smoked chipotle sauce, lime infused kokosnoot yoghurt as well as fresh chillies ($15).

These were then laden alongside toppings that they were impossible to consume every bit tacos, but luckily they were very, real tasty. The crunchy toasted quinoa was the surprise star of the dish for me, adding texture as well as spice to the creamy beans as well as tangy sauces. I actually loved these as well as am super great to attempt out to a greater extent than of their savoury options.

The java I had was decent, as well as the outdoor infinite was lovely. Service was a flake mixed, alongside to a greater extent than or less super helpful as well as friendly staff as well as to a greater extent than or less alongside a flake less enthusiasm, but the nutrient is fantastic as well as I actually liked the atmosphere. We'll live back.

____________

There a distich of real positive reviews on Veganopolous, but nobody else seems to convey reviewed The Merri Clan.

____________

The Merri Clan
fifteen Gilbert Rd, Preston
0407 888 626
intro, food

facebook page

Accessibility: There's a apartment entryway as well as a reasonably spacious interior. The outdoor expanse is a hodge podge of dissimilar tables as well as chairs, but everything is pretty accessible. Toilets are good, including a unisex as well as fully accessible cubicle.

Last Lead Chances Stone & Ringlet Bar

October 18, 2017

We've been wanting to see the Last Chance alongside our mate Jess for a picayune while, as well as until this calendar week the best nosotros managed was Michael as well as I popping inwards on the chef's nighttime off. On Wed the stars aligned at final as well as the iii of us shared a make of their vegan pub dishes earlier hitting a bluegrass gig.

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar is unashamedly a dive. The flooring is concrete, the walls are lined alongside hardcore gig posters, as well as there's a faint odour of bleach inwards the air. The kitchen opens at 6pm as well as the card is a unmarried page of junk food: half-dozen kinds of burger, nachos, a souva, a parma, chips as well as a chilli dog. Happily, virtually of them convey a vegan pick (and everything vegetarian is vegan). How to consume gluten-free is less clear, though the buckwheat salad (!), nachos as well as chips powerfulness live suitable.

The loaded croquettes ($13) looked similar the virtually refined detail on the card (save, perhaps, for that buckwheat salad). They're gooey alongside bechamel inside, dotted alongside corn kernels as well as spicy bursts of smoked jalapeno. I'm non certain that the aioli is actually necessary (but yeah, nosotros used it).

The chilli Canis familiaris ($10) starts alongside a robust mock-sausage, which gets smothered inwards spicy beans, onions, salsa, chilli sauce as well as mustard. I'm a retiring ketchup-and-mustard kinda hot Canis familiaris eater, as well as thus this was a flake much for me, but this volition appeal to those who desire more.

The vegan chicken parma ($16) doesn't appear to convey a meat analogue on the menu, as well as is ENORMOUS. We were all big fans of the obese mock meat, crispy-crumbed as well as topped alongside mock bacon as well as cheese. The accompanying chips were to a greater extent than modestly portioned, soft rather than crisp as well as good seasoned - they reminded me to a greater extent than of oven-baked potatoes than fries. Due to the parma's richness as well as the portioning, I'd live wary of ordering this on my ain - chomping downward my tertiary of this i was mighty satisfying, though.

The dish I'd live virtually probable to gild in i trial again was the Last Chance souva ($9). It's a doughy picayune roll stuffed alongside braised mock lamb, onions as well as a few of those soft chips, drizzled alongside chilli sauce as well as aioli. It's saucy, savoury, as well as viable to consume on your own.

The vegan card at Last Chance is similar to The Cornish Arms, but they're offering a few prissy touches of their own, as well as lower prices to boot. I consider we'll live heading dorsum for a burger earlier yous know it.

____________

This bar has received a mixed review on Kittens Gone Lentil.

____________

The Last Chance Rock & Roll Bar
238 Victoria St, North Melbourne
9329 9888
menu
http://www.thelastchance.com.au/

Accessibility: There's a little stride on entry to a flat, opened upward interior. We sat on high, back-less stools, as well as ordered as well as paid at a high bar. Toilets are gendered, the men's are downward a few stairs; no accommodations convey been made alongside accessibility inwards mind.

Crushed Puy Lentils Alongside Tahini & Cumin

October 21, 2017

We've been Ottolenghi-clubbing for a good, long while now (our showtime coming together was Feb 2015!) - it's a nifty agency to sample a hit of Yotam's wonderful dishes without driving yourself crazy amongst preparation. This fourth dimension to a greater extent than or less was equally wonderful equally always - nosotros had an aubergine, courgette together with yoghurt upside-down cake, dark miso gluey rice amongst peanuts together with broccoli (both from Ottolenghi's Christmas column) together with saffron, engagement together with almond rice from Plenty More addition contributions from me together with Cindy. See our facebook page for the amount rundown.

I decided to brand this crushed lentil dish from Ottolenghi's Ottolenghi's dips together with spreads, together with this i sounded perfect. It combines a relatively elementary procedure (maybe forty minutes all up) amongst a superb trial - the lentil mix is delicious, amongst a wonderful  thick texture together with a overnice garlicky, cumin flavor on transcend of the nutty lentils. This is a perfect introduction to Ottolenghi - fancy together with delicious but without a lot of the complicated methods or strange ingredients that characterise a lot of Otto's dishes. We'll definitely brand this again.

Crushed puy lentils amongst tahini together with cumin
(via Ottolenghi's Guardian column)

250g puy lentils
30g butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
iv garlic cloves, minced
1.5 teaspoons dry reason cumin
iii tomatoes, cutting into a 1cm dice
25g coriander leaves, roughly chopped
5 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
common salt together with pepper
one-half a ruby onion, sliced finely
iv hard-boiled eggs
olive oil

Bring a medium saucepan of H2O to the boil together with throw inwards the lentils. Cook for twenty minutes or hence until tender together with hence drain together with laid aside.

Melt the butter amongst the olive petroleum inwards a frying pan. Add the garlic together with cumin together with railroad train for a infinitesimal or two. 

Throw inwards most of the coriander (reserve some for garnishing), all of the tomatoes together with the lentils. Cook for some other few minutes together with hence stir through the tahini together with lemon juice, nigh one-half a loving cup of H2O together with heaps of common salt together with pepper.

Turn the rut downward together with railroad train on depression for 5 minutes or so, stirring. Roughly mash the lentils amongst a tater masher until some of them suspension upward together with you lot larn a overnice thick consistency. 

Serve, amongst a drizzle of extra olive oil, garnishes of coriander together with onion together with the eggs. We had ours amongst bread, but it's hearty plenty to consume on its own.

Brownie-Style Chocolate Cake Alongside Espresso Mascarpone

October 21, 2017

This Ottolenghi club meeting, I made a recipe requested past times our host Alice. She'd been browsing recent articles nearly Yotam Ottolenghi together with Helen Goh's novel mass Sweet, together with coveting what is alleged to live the world's best chocolate cake. Alice's oven doesn't currently travel together with I was glad to provide the cake she craved.

Happily, the world's best chocolate cake isn't the world's most laborious chocolate cake! In fact, y'all don't fifty-fifty convey to cream room-temperature butter together with saccharide inwards this version. The procedure reminded me to a greater extent than of some brownies I've baked, where the butter is melted together with everything tin forcefulness out live whisked together with sifted straight into the saucepan. The ii optional (but enthusiastically requested) accompaniments come upwards together but every bit breezily: the chocolate topping is a one-saucepan ganache (although the recipe also includes a bizarre food-processor technique), together with the espresso mascarpone tin forcefulness out live whipped inwards a bowl past times mitt or briefly alongside an electrical beater. I had both mixtures ready to become inwards less fourth dimension than it took the cake to bake.

And how nearly that tentative "world's best" claim? Well, I can't live certain that it's not the world's best chocolate cake, because I can't recollect eating a meliorate 1 myself. The cake stands tall together with dark, alongside a moist, melt-in-the-mouth medium density. It contains to a greater extent than than a loving cup of espresso, but that solely serves to liven the chocolate flavor together with doesn't exercise an explicit java taste. That's inwards the complex, grainy mascarpone, along alongside vanilla together with cinnamon (incidentally, a half-quantity of this is but nearly plenty to become around).

After a distich of hours inwards the refrigerator the cake changes, of course of didactics - it's firmer, denser, together with the subtler flavours were lost to me. I'd recommend gathering some friends together with getting every bit much enjoyment from this cake every bit y'all tin forcefulness out during its starting fourth dimension few hours out of the oven.

(And if you're afterwards a vegan alternative, my best offering is this recipe.)

Brownie-style chocolate cake alongside espresso mascarpone
(slightly adapted from a recipe past times Helen Goh together with published inwards good food)

cake
spray oil
350mL espresso coffee
250g butter
200g nighttime chocolate
250g caster sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
240g self-raising flour
30g cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

ganache
200mL heavy cream
three teaspoons golden syrup
three teaspoons butter
200g nighttime chocolate

espresso mascarpone
375mL heavy cream
190g mascarpone
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/2 teaspoons soil espresso
3/4 teaspoon soil cinnamon
2 tablespoons icing sugar

Preheat an oven to 170°C. Line a 23cm diameter springform cake tin alongside newspaper together with spary it alongside oil.

Heat the espresso inwards a large saucepan, together with add together the butter. When the butter is completely melted, plow off the oestrus together with add together the chocolate, stirring continuously until it is melted through. Whisk inwards the saccharide until it's dissolved. Check the bottom of the saucepan together with allow it to cool a petty if it's even so hot. When the mixture is but gently warm, whisk inwards the eggs together with vanilla. Sift over the flour, cocoa together with salt, together with then stir everything together to combine. Pour the cake batter into the springform tin, together with bake it for some an hour, until a skewer comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool inwards the tin for some twenty minutes, earlier removing the edge. It's gonna convey deep cracks; don't worry nearly 'em!

To laid upwards the ganache, house the cream, golden syrup together with butter inwards a pocket-size saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the butter is melted together with the cream starts to bubble. Turn off the oestrus together with add together the chocolate, stirring constantly until the ingredients are good combined together with silky smooth. Allow the ganache to cool a little, together with then house plastic roll on its surface.

To laid upwards the espresso mascarpone, whip together all the ingredients alongside a whisk or an electrical beater, until soft peaks form.

To serve, transfer the cooled cake to a serving plate. Spread over the ganache together with serve the espresso mascarpone on the side.

Yuni's Kitchen

October 22, 2017

We had an afternoon gig inward Northcote in addition to took the chance to banking concern jibe out Yuni's Kitchen, an Indonesian cafe amongst a reputation for vegan-friendliness. It's a cosy piffling identify tucked inward behind a church building on High Street amongst seats for close xx or thirty people. We had no problem claiming a tabular array for 4 at 12:30 on a Sabbatum afternoon in addition to betwixt us nosotros got stuck into most of the veggie dishes on offer.

We started off amongst 2 of the entrees - the tahu isi sayur (below left, $9) in addition to the bakwan jagung (below right, $9). The tahu isi sayur are piffling pockets of semi-soft tofu stuffed amongst vegetables in addition to deep-fried inward batter. The bakwan jagung are piffling fritters of corn, coriander, carrot in addition to bound onion. Both are vegan, delicious in addition to come upwards served amongst Yuni's incredible sambal, which yous tin purchase in addition to stimulate got home.

We scanned the mains for tempeh and, finding exclusively ane vego dish that included it, 3 of us ordered the same thing: the nasi campur sayur ($21). It's a combo of all kinds of deliciousness: yellowish rice, veggie curry, fried tempeh, urap (steamed veggies amongst spiced grated coconut), pickles, emping (chips!), perkedel (fried murphy fritter), peanuts in addition to a chilli egg (subbed amongst eggplant for the vegan version). This was such a proficient lunch, amongst in addition to thence many delightful flavours in addition to textures to smother inward sambal. It's a slightly expensive lunch, but it's good worth it. 

Cindy took ane for the squad in addition to ordered a tempeh-free meal: the veggie nasi goreng ($15). It's a company fried rice amongst vegetables mixed through, topped amongst a fried egg, a murphy fritter, pickles in addition to unopen to emping. Cindy was a fleck disappointed non to larn whatsoever tofu or tempeh inward the fried rice, but it was however a decent offering. She topped it off amongst a Vietnamese iced java amongst condensed milk ($5), which is close the exclusively way she'll eat caffeine. 

We had a keen fourth dimension at Yuni's - the nasi campur sayur is an absolute winner in addition to I can't imagine always ordering anything else. Our exclusively disappointment was the lack of tempeh options - they brand their own, which agency they stimulate got to ration it out a fleck rather than putting it inward all the stir-fries etc (although I don't know why the waste materials it inward 2 meaty dishes!). The staff were helpful in addition to at that spot was a prissy relaxed vibe - it's a keen Northcote selection when you're non inward the mood for Tahina. 

____________

There's a reasonably positive review of Yuni's vego options on Green Gourmet Giraffe and a proficient write-up of their meatier offerings on Gastrology.

____________

Yuni's Kitchen
251 High Street, Northcote
0455 337 666
drinks, food
facebook page

Accessibility: The eating spot is behind a church building in addition to the ground's a fleck uneven on the way in. The entry is apartment in addition to the within is moderately spacious. We ordered at the tabular array in addition to paid at a depression counter. We didn't see the toilets. 

Etta

October 25, 2017

Etta is a novel eating theatre closed yesteryear where nosotros live, but nosotros accept Tash to give cheers for alerting us to its opening in addition to booking us inwards to endeavour it out together. While a duo of paper articles accept insisted that it's non fine dining similar the co-owners' yesteryear businesses, nosotros remember Etta looks pretty fancy! There's a sparkly bar upwards front, a dimly lit dining room out back, seasonal ingredient-focused carte at special-occasion prices, in addition to first-class service throughout. We saw enough of veg-friendly dishes listed across the menu, but agreed to position ourselves inwards the chef's manus for $60 per person. 

Another signifier of fine dining is starting a repast amongst the best staff of life in addition to butter. Etta delivered soundly on this, amongst crunchy-crusted pillow-soft sourdough in addition to a memorable burnt butter that could but virtually endure served for dessert. Rather, it was served amongst roughly refreshing pickled vegetables in addition to a lovely macadamia-based condiment; the cabbage was sprinkled amongst a furikake that reminded me happily of Twisties. This appetising spread was a repast highlight for me.

Our minute course of pedagogy comprised iii dishes: a smoky beetroot carpaccio arranged over miso chimichurri in addition to walnuts (above left), Michael's favourite tamari-roasted buttercup pumpkin sprinkled amongst sunflowers in addition to dill (above centre), in addition to novel flavour peas amongst stracciatella in addition to Sichuan (pepper, I assume!).

The 3rd course of pedagogy of savoury dishes was but a lilliputian heftier: Tash's favourite mushrooms la greque on a smoked tofu puree (above left), fettucine amongst public artichokes, hazelnut in addition to sage (above centre), in addition to a side of light-green asparagus seasoned amongst furikake (less Twistie-flavoured here).

For dessert, nosotros were served roasted banana icecream amongst kokosnoot mousse, jelly in addition to a salty peanut-coconut crumble. Roasting meant the banana flavour was concentrated in addition to a flake much for Michael, but I enjoyed it really much; the salted peanut crunches inwards the crumble were what made this dish special.

This was a repast of high lineament in addition to high consistency, equally demonstrated yesteryear our differing favourites; it was alone our private constituent hang-ups (rubbery mushrooms for me, bananas for Michael) that occasionally disrupted our enjoyment. Since a lot of dishes contained dairy we're unsure what a vegan carte mightiness await like, but the flexible 'leave it to us' selection in addition to the enthusiastic role of vegetables (and a flake of tofu) exit us optimistic. We catch coeliacs volition produce good too.

Service was eager in addition to accessible whenever nosotros needed it. We experience similarly eager to furnish amongst the alter of the seasons in addition to honor to a greater extent than of what Etta tin do.

____________

Etta
lx Lygon St, Brunswick
9448 8233
menu
http://ettadining.com.au/

Accessibility: The entry is apartment in addition to in that place is 1 measuring upwards from the bar expanse to the dining area. Tables are moderately spaced in addition to lighting is quite dim. We received total tabular array service. Toilets are unisex in addition to spacious, but nosotros didn't notice handrails or other mobility aids.

Loving Hut

October 28, 2017

Melbourne has a new, 3rd Loving Hut! And it's located inward the shopfront that used to concur White Lotus; it's inexplicably comforting to me that there's a veg*n eating theatre nestled inward this topographic point again. The Loving Hut squad accept redecorated the interior yet it's right away familiar, both from its by life in addition to via the distinctive yellowish branding of the Loving Hut chain.

The carte du jour is all vegan amongst numerous other dietary considerations (e.g. gluten, onion, garlic, raw) labelled throughout. There are dozens of dishes on offer, in addition to I ask heed it runs closer to the Richmond offerings than the Northcote ones.

We stopped inward later big, split upwardly days running nearly - neither of us had a huge appetite in addition to were glad to gild simply, sit down at the empty communal table, in addition to run on to ourselves. Unusually, this Loving Hut is largely run from the counter, in addition to this suited us fine.

Michael was a large fan of the nasi lemak ($16). This version is centred on kokosnoot rice in addition to a spicy mock meat rendang in addition to has all the correct trimmings: sambal, fresh cucumber in addition to love apple tree slices, peanuts, in addition to crispy mushroom mock anchovies.

I played it prophylactic in addition to measure amongst the common salt in addition to pepper tofu ($16). This, too, is a lovely rendition of a mutual dish, amongst lively spices inward a crispy coating in addition to refreshing capsicum in addition to lettuce surrounding the tofu.

There's however in addition to then much to a greater extent than for us to get at this Loving Hut - entrees, noodles, soups, smoothies in addition to possibly dessert. The proselytising posters are cheesy in addition to the drinks menu's flooded amongst kombucha, but nosotros tin e'er rely on Loving Hut for a casual, comfortable meal.

____________

Veganopoulous got into this Loving Hut branch early on in addition to enjoyed her visit.

____________

Loving Hut
185 Victoria St, West Melbourne
9326 7551
entrees, mains, drinks & dessert
facebook page

Accessibility: There's a shallow ramp on entry in addition to clear corridor through the middle of the eating theatre (see overstep photo). Tables are medium spaced. We ordered in addition to paid at a depression counter. We didn't toilets.

Green Man's Arms

November 1, 2017

We were excited to read that novel owners had taken over the old Percy's pub inwards Carlton too turned it into an all-vego pub with a Middle-Eastern vibe. We chop-chop rounded upwards a gang too got along to banking concern check it out. 

The fit-out is comfortable too a petty retro, with a few high pub-style tables inwards the front end bar too a casual dining room out the back. The staff are hugely enthusiastic too were well-nigh overwhelmingly helpful on our visit. I imagine things volition larn a chip to a greater extent than slick too efficient in i lawsuit they settle into their rhythm, but nosotros had staff checking inwards every few minutes.

The carte du jour is a mix of modest plates too mains, with most of the vegan options with the former. We shared a bunch of dishes betwixt the iv of us for near-comprehensive coverage of the Green Man's Arms' food.

First upwards was ii serves of the Yemeni lahuh staff of life filled with asparagus, mushroom ragu too fresh creamed corn ($6.50 each), too the identify made hummus with pita staff of life too pickled veggies ($8.50). The breads were fantastic - the lahuh staff of life had an injera-like texture, but a sweeter flavour. The hummus was solid, without beingness life-changing too the lightly pickled veggies that came with both dishes added a prissy sharpness.

The entirely vegan primary is the identify made couscous ($15), which came with a vegetable purree too some roasted beans, corn too onions. It's variety of a weird dish to survive honest - you lot mightiness survive a chip disappointed if you lot ordered it equally a primary for yourself, too equally something to portion around the tabular array it wasn't equally unproblematic to dissever equally it looks.

Much to a greater extent than successful were the pomme frites ($8) - a plate of the most deliciously fried smashed potatoes, heavy on the seasonings too served with aioli too identify made tomato plant sauce. The best dish of the night. I liked the falafel ($7) equally well, although they weren't chewy plenty for everyone at the table. 

We finished off past times sharing a sample of all the desserts on offer: halva H2O ice cream ($7, vegan too pictured left), knafeh ($10 too pictured centre) too barboosa ($8, vegan too pictured right). The halva H2O ice cream was an impressively creamy vegan version, with some Western Farsi fairy floss too hazelnuts to proceed things interesting. The knafeh was a crisp-edged ricotta-stuffed pastry served with pistachios, pickled grapes, syrup too some weird petty jelly cubes. The barboosa was a really sugariness semolina cake, served on transcend of a rosewater infused kokosnoot cream. I intend nosotros all had unlike favourites, which is a skilful sign.

It's peachy that the Green Man's Arms is offering upwards some other decent veg selection inwards Carlton, but nosotros were entirely partially wowed past times this early on visit. The carte du jour needs a few tweaks I intend - some to a greater extent than (and to a greater extent than interesting) vegan mains seem similar an obvious addition. It volition survive interesting to run across how this pub develops!

____________

The Green Man's Arms
418 Lygon St, Carlton
9347 7419
menu, desserts

facebook page

Accessibility: The entry has a modest lip from the street too there's a pace upwards betwixt the front end bar too the dining room. We had amount tabular array service too didn't view the toilets.

Diy Golden Gaytime

November 2-14, 2017

The Golden Gaytime is a much-loved Aussie icecream that has withstood a shifting interpretation of its name. Its winking tagline is that it's difficult to convey a Gaytime on your own, in addition to it's tempting to toast Australia's positive vote for matrimony equality amongst i of these delightful popsicles.

And yet! We excogitation to brand this a Streets Free Summer, inwards solidarity amongst the workers making Golden Gaytimes in addition to facing pay cuts of upwards to 46%. So why non make a Gaytime on your own?

The easiest path is to whip it up, sundae style, amongst purchased icecream. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 scoop of vanilla icecream, a scoop of caramel - convey you lot noticed that in that location are to a greater extent than or less magnificent vegan salted caramel ones out in that location now? Make your ain two-ingredient choc-ice magic, scatter over to a greater extent than or less crushed biscuits in addition to you lot are SET.

Of course, I had to overthink this projection in addition to brand my ain icecream. I reckon I'd mastered vegan salted caramel icecream years ago, though I've grown a piffling weary of overbearing kokosnoot milk desserts since then. I worked inwards to a greater extent than or less macadamia milk, glucose syrup to improve the texture, in addition to a hearty dash of nighttime rum inwards the caramel layer. My two-toned icecream tasted so, thus great, but its texture completely bombed. Dense in addition to icy, it was a hurting to scoop in addition to only barely a pleasance to eat. I kinda liked it inwards popsicle form, but it's non the Golden Gaytime nosotros know in addition to love. I assume it needs a higher fatty content.

The recipe below isn't a recommendation. It's a tape for myself, it's a call-out for your icecream-making ideas, it's an affirmation that I should practise this again, in addition to better.

DIY Golden Gaytime

icecream
400mL vegan milk (I used macadamia)
1 x 400mL tin kokosnoot cream
1/4 loving cup glucose syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla
scant teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon nighttime rum
100g caster sugar

chocolate shell
1/4 loving cup kokosnoot oil
80g vegan 'milk' chocolate (I used Bonvita)
tiny pinch of salt

crumbs
100g evidently vegan biscuits (I used Granita)

Place the vegan milk, kokosnoot cream in addition to glucose syrup inwards a saucepan in addition to heat, stirring, until good mixed. Pour one-half of the mixture into a bowl in addition to whip it upwards amongst a stick blender, adding 1 teaspoon of the vanilla in addition to a pinch of the salt. Refrigerate this mixture until really cold, at to the lowest degree three hours. (You should withal convey the remaining unseasoned one-half of the milk mixture out.)

Place the caster carbohydrate inwards a build clean dry out saucepan over moderate, fifty-fifty heat. Avoid stirring it, but larn ahead in addition to shift the liquid bits out of the means to encourage the solid bits to melt quicker. Continue cooking the carbohydrate until it is all liquid in addition to brown, until it only starts smoking. Whisk inwards the remaining kokosnoot milk mixture, in addition to allow whatever stiffened caramel to melt dorsum down. When it's all smooth, plow off the oestrus in addition to whisk inwards the remaining teaspoon of vanilla, the rum in addition to the remaining salt. Refrigerate this mixture until really cold, at to the lowest degree three hours.

Churn the vanilla icecream inwards an icecream maker according to the manufacturer's instructions, in addition to then pour it into your preferred mold, in addition to house it inwards the freezer. Churn the caramel icecream inwards the maker, in addition to then pour it over the vanilla layer. Place the mold, covered, inwards the freezer.

To brand the chocolate shell, melt the kokosnoot crude oil over depression oestrus inwards a pocket-size saucepan. Add the chocolate in addition to salt, in addition to stir continuously until you lot convey a smoothen sauce. Turn off the oestrus in addition to store the chocolate at room temperature.

Smash the biscuits into coarse crumbs (I used a rolling pin, amongst the biscuits placed betwixt sheets of baking paper).

When it's fourth dimension to serve, scoop or unmold the icecream, pour over the chocolate sauce in addition to chop-chop sprinkle over the biscuit crumbs earlier the chocolate sets.

Dr Morse Bar Too Eatery

November 12, 2017

We spent Lord's Day afternoon at Templestowe checking out the platypus that hang most inward the Yarra out that agency (see motion-picture exhibit at the bottom of this post). The double-decker dorsum took us into Abbotsford too nosotros decided to halt off for dinner on the agency abode at Dr Morse Bar too Eatery. It's a cafe inward the 24-hour interval fourth dimension too a bar inward the level - the courtyard was pounding amongst incongruous identify music too loads of people; within was less crowded but the air was withal dominated yesteryear the DJ.

We started off amongst about drinks - a citrussy mocktail for Cindy too a lemon lime too bitters for me. Nice too refreshing on a warm evening.

On Lord's Day afternoons they run a 'Fists of Fury Asian Garden BBQ' at Dr Morse, too so the carte is a flake to a greater extent than restricted that other times of the week. There's merely plenty vego nutrient for 2 people to part about dishes - nosotros picked out iv of the 5 options for a calorie-free dinner.

We had, clockwise from overstep left, the BBQ pumpkin amongst sugariness tamarind glaze ($7), the charred corn amongst miso butter too togarashi ($8), the Bangkok fried rice ($12), too the grilled tofu amongst xanthous curry too kokosnoot ($8).

This was a pretty decent repast - the corn too the fried rice were likely the best of the bunch, amongst the omelette inward the fried rice providing a skillful salty hit. The tofu looked the best, but the curry sauce was a flake bland too it was entirely the fresh chilli that actually gave it about punch. The pumpkin had a overnice char on it, but the sugariness tamarind glaze didn't actually shine. 

The prices are pretty reasonable - nosotros spent merely nether $40 on an enjoyable repast for two. Service is efficient too friendly too there's a overnice atmosphere on a Lord's Day level (I tin hand the sack imagine it all gets a flake hectic on Fri too Saturday). Dr Morse likely won't drag us over to Abbotsford on its own, but it's a skillful choice if we're always inward the neighbourhood.

As promised - the platypus from Templestowe:

____________

There are about positive reviews of Dr Morse on Simply Sunday, Lisa Eats World, Chewing is Exercise, The Burger Adventure, Mel: Hot or Not and Peach Water, while The Chicken Scene and The Brunch Addict were less enthusiastic.

____________

Dr Morse Bar too Eatery
274 Johnston St, Abbotsford
9416 1005
Sunday level menu
https://www.drmorse.com.au/

Accessibility: There's a apartment entryway too ramps betwixt the front end room too the outdoor expanse at the back. Toilets are fully accessible. We ordered at the tabular array too paid at a high bar.