COYOTE CAFE - MEXICAN (NORTH FITZROY)

Service: 4/5
Ambiance:4/5
Food Presentation:5/5
Food Taste:5/5
Price:5/5
TOTAL:8.8

Truly a wonderful night! If you have ever gone into a place blindly and walked out with vision this place will be the one that does that to you. Unless you are a regular or Mexican aficionado you will be completely shocked that in Melbourne's inner north you will find a Mexican restaurant that is as good as the best in Mexico. Seriously I expected nachos, enchiladas, tacos, but was shocked to see famous watermelon ribs or seafood fajitas that were cooked to readiness and presented with perfection. A good beer and wine list with the regular Mexican toxins are available on the menu and served with a cheery smile from the wonderfil staff. The place is ambient, full of charm and character and amazingly cheap. You must understand that establishments have food costs, wages, rent, electricity, interest bills all to consider and when you get a main that is $22 but will cost you $10 in ingredients alone you must realise you are spoilt. Do not take this place for granted as you will honestly be deeply satisfied and impressed with the overall dining experience. I also enjoyed the Live entertainment provided on the first friday of each month.

Summary:Highly recommended as best Tex Mex yet.

Coyote Cafe
414 Nicholson Street
North Fitzroy
VIC 3068
Australia
Phone: 03 9489 0077
Fax: 03 9489 0933
Email: info@coyotecafe.net.au

BOUN RICORDO (SYDNEY)

Service: 5/5

Ambiance:5/5

Food Presentation:5/5

Food Taste:5/5

Price:4/5

TOTAL: 9.6

Melbourne might claim to be the food capital of Australia, but if you you needed a sister city, you will find it in Boundary Street Paddington in that of Armando Percouco's restaurant, Boun Ricordo. Maybe I am a little too passionate when talking about food, and maybe I am not a top food and wine expert but your average family man who loves food with a passion, but when I ate at this place I honestly felt like royalty. I mean if you have a rush of adrenalin and it feels good that is how I am comparing it. Firstly, the place is unbelievable, it is an Italian Villa, in the city of Sydney, in trendy Paddington. Secondly the waiters are dressed as Italian waiters. Thirdly, the host is an absolute legend. You will fall in love with him, immediately. He makes you naturally feel as if he is the leader of the orchestra, the Kinder teacher organising the class room. And then when you have settled in you are in for a night of your life. Unless you know the feeling you be able to understand the joy one gets in such experiences. Fourthly, the food is of true quality, made with love and passion, using the worlds best produce and served with care and compassion. Like passing the baby over type thing. Fifthly, the taste is unbelievable, the under boss Massimo Bianchi is a King. The two combined make this place one of Australia's finest. There are plenty of top Restaurants in Australia, but when you are drawn into this room, and you feel so at home, and then get to love the host, and not be looked at funny, or condescended to, it makes you feel special and this is what this wonderful place did for me my wife and sister. The only reason it cant get a perfect 10, and no one may ever, is that is is all relative. Pay peanuts ....... The total meal cost about $430 with two mean bottles of Valpoloicella. To Armando, you are so beautiful and well done for leaving me this lasting impression.

Summary:The Best! Next time you go to Sydney give it a go.

http://www.buonricordo.com.au/

108 Boundary St,

Paddington Sydney

(02) 9360 6729

MERCADANTE WOODFIRED PIZZERIA (CARLTON)

Service: 4/5
Ambiance:5/5
Food Presentation:3.5/5
Food Taste:2.5/5
Price:5/5
TOTAL: 8.0

Situated in the blind side of Carlton this place may satisfy your palate. You by now know what a pizza is yeah? You can tell if the olives are pitted or if they are the whole Kalamata variety and you can distinguish between wild oregano and the commercial stuff? Then you know what a pizza is. Unfortunately other than all the ingredients being normal the palatable mix lacked balance, and the idea of cooking salmon is a no no. I ordered the Calabrian calzone, it came out quick but when I bit into it, it was still cold inside. Furthermore they insulted the pizza's namesake by not having any "Calabrian" sausage in it at all but a sliced Kransky instead. They warned you of it being hot but it was not spicy at all. You see for me the worst thing is not getting what you expect, even though they are top hosts and the place is buzzing you want to eat a pizza, a pizza that sells itself, a pizza that you will remember. In this case it filled my tummy and that's it. My friend ordered the salmon pizza, he loved it, he loves this place full stop. I am a purist, If I get a pizza with smoked salmon on it, I believe the pizza needs to be served plain, with fresh salmon, capers and red onions, and a drizzle of the finest EVO oil on top only, no cheese please. The marriage is perfect hot base, cool top, now we are talking. So yes this is Carlo's Blog, Carlo's review, it is only my opinion so take it any way you like but do not get turned off by what I say. You can decide for yourself, but for me I say it as I feel it.

Over all I will be back because these boys know where they are going and they make you feel part of the Carlton experience.

Summary: Nice pizza,Nice place.

123 Lygon St,

Carlton Vic 3053

Phone: (03) 9347 6974

CENTRO CITTA (CITY)

Service: 5/5

Ambiance:3.5/5

Food Presentation:4/5

Food Taste:4/5

Price:3.5/5

TOTAL: 8

If you love mafia movies where they have those mean Italian classy restaurants this is the setting they use to film them in. Wood panelled walls, hand painted mural, chandelier and crystal cabinet, sunken wine cellar, Mama Mia! Yes the waiters in their buttoned uniform all play the class part this joint offers. I walk in looking over my shoulder only to see beautiful crockery topped with black ink pasta, home made duck ravioli and risotto with cabbage and asparagus. Other than looking good it tasted bloody good too. My brother-in-law was showing off his new found eatery and all the waiters treated him like royalty. I nearly got down on my knee to kiss his hand. I have never been to a place where the waiter can tell you with every fine detail how the food is made. It made me appreciate the effort put in is making me more food smart. It was if I knew what he was talking about and as in every mob movie I just went along with it. After settling right in, I had an enjoyable Italian experience. The food here is very authentic and comforting. Cost about $200 per couple with a bottle of red and soda waters.

Summary: New York feel about it, good food, top service.

Cenrto Citta
141 Bourke Street
Melbourne

(03) 9654 7152

CONSERVATORY AT CROWN (SOUTHBANK)

Service: 3.5/5
Ambiance:5/5
Food Presentation:5/5
Food Taste:4/5
Price:5/5
TOTAL: 9

For being the number one 'Buffet' in all of Melbourne I cant believe that the staff serving me did not know about the in-cocktails. Other than taking away my plates a good waiter especially at the Conservatory should know what a Caiparoska is. Even though it is not generic or traditional it is the in thing. It took three waiters to ask me how to spell it and describe its contents. The general service was exceptional, smiling, letting you pass, thanking you so hats of to that. The food is always good, better than good its top quality and a bargain. Seriously if you would order what you ate at any other fine restaurant it would be over $150 per head. And for about $55 per person it is true value for money. The thing I love the conservatory for is that they are family friendly. Never once in all the many times I have eaten there has a staff member told me to keep my kids quiet or keep them out of the way, no, well done to that. This place is awesome, is part of our family life, highly recommended.

Summary: Book all your parties there.

Level 1 Crown Towers

For bookings call (03) 9292 6895

NOBEL GREEK TAVERN (NIDDRIE)

Service: 4/5
Ambiance:4/5
Food Presentation:4/5
Food Taste:5/5
Price:5/5
TOTAL:9.2

If you don't know the difference between arrow tubes and fresh calamari you will find out at Nobel. If you ever wanted to try authentic flavours of the Mediterranean you can't go past this ambient, bustling eatery in Melbourne's north west. Sit down ask for the big banquet and soak it in. By the time you have had the dips and eggplants you would have already felt like you were in Santirini or Rhodes. But when the calamari comes out your brain will be cursing your companion because you want it all for yourself. The meats by now are just secondary because by now you are full. The meatballs, gyros and cutlets taste amazingly Greek. The hard part is standing up because your belly is protruding. Highly recommend this joint to any one who loves a good meal at awesome prices. Cost about $80-$100 to feed two adults, two children with two jugs of soft drink.

Summary: Book in advance or you will be disappointed.

Nobel Greek Tavern

328 Keilor Rd Nidrie VIC 3042

Phone (03) 9379 4266

CHINA MAX (ESSENDON)

Service: 3.5/5
Ambiance:2/5
Food Presentation:4/5
Food Taste:4/5
Price:4/5
TOTAL: 7.4

Chinese food is now a strong part of Australian culinary life. Long gone are the days when Jill would order Lemon Chicken and Jack Honey Chicken as the only meal. Nowadays people are aware of delicate hand made delights, steamed baskets full of treasures and exotic condiments. Many of Melbourne's outer suburban Chinese restaurants have a large and predictable menu. I want to see people really take in authentic Cantonese cuisine and leave behind the black bean. China Max accommodates for the prior rather than for the latter, however is strong in both areas. The food that comes out of the kitchen at most times is superb and better than their closest rivals by a long shot. I would love to have a seasonal menu that truly represents Cantonese cuisine. I love the steamed dumplings, garlic lobster, sugarcane prawn, seafood sun chao bow, spicy quail but would love to have the master chef prepare me a feast he would enjoy on Chinese New Year.

Summary: On the cusp of great things.

China Max
6 Keilor RdEssendon North 3041 VIC
Phone: (03) 9374 1988