So it was our wedding anniversary over the weekend and the boy and I decided to escape to Melbourne for the weekend. We usually bar hop and eat craploads and this time was no different- there was amazing burgers at Easey’s, insane barbecue at Bluebonnet BBQ, schmancy dinner at Heston aaaand this calorific meal at Bedford St in Collingwood!

I couldn’t decide between the Fried Chicken & Waffles ($18) or the Blueberry Pancakes ($17) soooo followed what @Jimmysburgers did and ordered the Pancakes ($18) with whipped butter, bacon & maple syrup aaaaand a side of fried chicken ($5) because YOLO.

I mean, just look at it! Plate sized pancakes that were niiice and fluffeh with a pat of butter beginning it’s melty journey to pancake perfection. The streaky bacon was super crispy and the large thigh piece of fried chicken has a lightly spiced golden batter bathed in a crazy addictive, slightly spicy sauce.

This was our last meal on our Melbourne trip so I might’ve broken Noods haha he only wanted something light and simple and ordered the Grilled cheese & truffle mayo ($11) and tomato soup ($4). The toastie was awesome, we loved how thick the slices of bread were and the generous schmear of truffle mayo melding with the stretchy cheese.

I was beyond devastated to find out that they had sold out of all their pies so made do with a donut, a large specimen dusted in plenty of cinnamon sugar. Oh and an apple juice for the nutrients because, health.

Bedford St
11-13 Johnston St,
Collingwood
Melbourne

Mon – Tues: 8am – 5pm
Weds: 8am – 10pm
Thurs – Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 11am

I will go pretty much anywhere for bone marrow. I know it’s easy to make yada yada yada but honestly I just ain’t got time for that. So whenever I see bone marrow on IG I will bookmark it and add it to my MUST EAT NOW list which is where Bibo Wine Bar in Double Bay comes in. Head chef Jose Silva (ex-Guillaume) is at the helm in the kitchen after a stint at Sweet Belem, land of amazing Portuguese custard tarts.

We start with the Smoked mackerel pâté ($10) because mackerel is my favourite fish in all the lands. (Or should that be sea…) and it does not disappoint. It’s the perfect starter with a good amount of salt against the naturally oily fish and sets the tastebuds in a frenzy.

The Steak tartare ($22) is as pretty as a picture, with paper thin slices of radish, parsley and slivers of cornichons dotting the tartare. The hand sliced potato crisps were perfect vessels and sturdy enough for spooning generous amounts of the tartare onto.

I am beyond excited about the arrival of the Bone marrow butter ($18). The perfectly clean bone holds the creamy whipped bone marrow butter with a smattering of breadcrumbs and chives, ready to be slathered onto the toasted baguette slices.

I was too slow in capturing the fire-y presentation of the Flambé chorizo ($14.50) because well, I was busy gazing into the flames to react quick enough haha my bad! Gotta love a meal with a show 😛 The sausage was pretty damn tasty too, freakishly juicy and perfect with a light schemer of mustard.

I absolutely loved the Octopus ($32) which was ridiculously tender and had the perfect char grilled smokiness. The potatoes were good but I think I would’ve loved them in mashed form but das just me.

The Brussels sprouts ($19) are a surprise hit with crisp, charred leaves tossed with carrot, garlic and a surprisingly zingy buttermilk dressing.

I was too full to order dessert other than the Portuguese tarts but Manny sent us this dessert on the house (Thaaaanks!) It was absolutely perfect for this weather, the cucumber granita was super refreshing with the rubble of dehydrated raspberry, white peach and lime chantilly.

The Sweet Belem Portuguese tart ($6) is perfect and just as amazing as I remember. The shells are buttery and crisp and the egg custard filling is sweet and smooth. I could probably eat 3 in a row. Easily.

We’d realised our parking was about to expire so got the 2nd tart takeaway and lolol look look it’s a swan!

I particularly loved the wine menu with the short 3 word descriptive tasting notes but sommelier Louella Mathews is always at hand to suggest a good pairing with the food you’ve ordered. If you can, try and sit at the window so you can gaze out onto the street and watch the fluffeh dogs pass by!

bibo wine bar
7 Bay Street, Double Bay

Trading Hours:
Wed & Thurs: 5.30pm – midnight
Fri & Sat: 12pm–midnight
Sun: 12pm – 5pm

When word on the street whispered about Enmore’s newest Korean fried chicken restaurant, Flying Tong had opened, Sarah, Viv and I knew where we’d be heading for our next dinner. Brother and sister duo Julie and Jeff Oh (ex Kobe Jones) are at the helm of the chicken and soon to be bar joint and pumping out deeelicious food.

We start with this must order, the Cheesy Corn ($11) which is basically a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Take one sizzling plate, add juicy corn kernels, smother in mozzarella cheese and awaaaay you go! Enjoy digging into this culinary masterpiece and watching the cheese stretch mile high! So fricken good!

Carbs is always the answer and the Gogi Fries ($13) are bang on tasty. Piping hot, golden fries are layered with shreds of bulgogi beef, shallots, onion, black sesame seeds and lashings of Sriracha mayo.

To fulfil our vitamin needs we order the Kor-Slaw ($5), a bowl full of crunchy julienned cabbage and carrot with a slightly burningly spicy dressing.

There’s a choice of 4 flavours for Flying Tong’s fried chicken, we decide to skip the Original ($18) and go for for the Soy Garlic Chicken ($20) with sesame seeds and spring onion. The batter is a touch on the thick side but it’s fantastically crisp and the meat is juicy and tender. There’s 4 pieces per serve, a wing, drumstick, breast and a boneless tender and a lil saucer of pickled carrot and radish to help cut through the richness.

And we veto the intense sounding Spicy Bomb ($21) with dried chilli and coriander in favour of the Sweet Chilli Chicken ($20) with crushed peanuts and parsley. The heat level is perfect for us noobs and with a lip smacking sweetness.

They’re still waiting on their liquor licence but BYO is available at $8 per bottle of wine or $2 per bottle of beer. But loving this latest addition to Enmore!

Flying Tony
99 Enmore Road
Newtown

Trading Hours:
7 days: 5pm – 10pm

I’ve been staring at plate after plate of delicious looking meat plates on Instagram at newly opened Cairo Takeaway in Enmore, that’s serving up hearty Egyptian food. Grab a menu and a seat at the bar overlooking the open kitchen or head out the back to the tables with umbrellas before ordering your food at the cashier.

I love the presentation of the Mixed Meat Plate ($22), there’s just something that makes me immensely happy at seeing different lots of food on a plate! There’s a crunchy tomato and cucumber salad, a salsa-like pile of roasted tomato and capsicum, fluro pickles, charcoal lamb kofta, charcoal chicken and saucers of a fabulously garlic-y toum  and creamy tahini sauce.

Noods goes for the Shakshouka Baked Eggs ($20) which is only available on the breakfast menu on the weekends. It’s a hearty dish and defs one for the super hungry. There’s a generous amount of spicy sucuk sausages buried within the tomatoes and capsicum and the gooey eggs are just begging to be broken into with the fluffy pita bread.

We also ordered the Sweet Potato Crisps ($5) with a fragrant dukkah and a ridiculously refreshing, freshly squeezed Sugarcane Juice ($7).

Cairo Takeaway is already a hit with the locals, they’re licensed and open till late!

Cairo Takeaway
81 Enmore Road,
Enmore

Hours:
Mon – Fri: 12pm – late
Sat & Sun: 9am – late