NOBU JAPANESE (CROWN ENTERTAINMENT COMPLEX)

Service: 5/5
Ambiance:2/5
Food Presentation:5/5
Food Taste:4/5
Price:2.5/5
TOTAL:7.4

Beware of the entrance chant because yes it is directed at you. All staff honour your entrance with a Japanese greeting at full voice, it is amusing and warm welcoming. The place is beautiful with its dimmed lights, contemporary decor and comfortable seating. Now the idea of going to places like this intimidate me a little bit. You do not know what to expect. It began like this four hours earlier when I went upstairs and tried to make a booking. The attendant was not so warm and had advised me that Nobu could not accommodate me because they were booked however if we came in at 10:30pm there might be a chance. I looked at her and said, "so you are telling me that Nobu is booked out at 6:30 and 8:30 fully and that I should try to come at ten or sure to be back at ten". She paused and said OK there is an opening at 6:30. "Well fine I'll take it". Arriving at 6:30 precisely we ordered the the highly recommended tasting menu as well as two other mains, one was the terryiaki chicken, the other was the wasabi lobster. Wow! what a meal, new flavours baptised my palate. And my kids loved the food too. Hats of the the the kitchen. For one to go to a specialised place such as Nobu you expect something else and that is what you get. Service issues and high prices aside, Nobu probably gives you the best researched balanced meal of the ingredient type than any other restaurant I have eaten at. The perfection behind each morsel of food is amazing and the reason why Nobu is what it is. Finally, the staff should understand that more customers means more sales, thus getting back to the incident seven hours prior, we left at 9:25 pm and the place was not more than 20% full at any time that we were there.

Crown Entertainment ComplexLevel

Ground, 8 Whiteman Street

Southbank VIC 3006

Phone (03) 9696 6566

KENZAN JAPANESE RESTAURANT (MELBOURNE)

Service: 5/5
Ambiance:5/5
Food Presentation:5/5
Food Taste:5/5
Price:5/5
TOTAL:10 Congratulations Kenzan first perfect 10!

What do I know, well let me tell you. I have eaten a lot of food in my life time and in doing so have seen things done plainly, mediocre, good and excellent. Kenzan is excellent. You do not need any gimmicks here, all you see and get is the real thing. Little Tokyo in Little Flinders Lane is exactly what Kenzan gives you. So much so that you get a lesson when dining there. It honestly feels like you are in Japan. The minute you walk through the bannered door it hits you. The staff, the decor, the smell, the action, it is great. Then the food, forget about it, it is the best Japanese food I have ever had, It was good because it is good, the freshness, the hard working dedicated chefs that are old school work horses. The staff are always smiling and chirpy, the hosts very respectful. Well done Kenzan well done. Make sure you try the fruit dessert, it is bloody wonderful.

Summary: Please book as it is always full.

Kenzan Japanese Restaurant

Collins Place

45 Collins Street

(56 Flinders Lane)

Melbourne 3000

Phone 03 9654 8933

Fax 03 9650 7710

I CUGINI (NIDDRIE)

Service: 5/5
Ambiance:1/5
Food Presentation:3.5/5
Food Taste:5/5
Price:4.5/5
TOTAL:7.6

Something of a tragedy like that of a typical Italian drama. It is obviously the best Italian restaurant in Niddrie and its surrounds but they are competing against too many cheap and nasty food halls that keep the crowds away. Nowadays Italian being so generic, it takes an aficionado in understanding quality over price. I had some heart food in this place. Nostalgic memories flowed in but was sad to see it empty. They make mean cozze(mussels), calamari are great and sausages were fine. I want to tell you also that the dessert was good too. Give these three lads a go, and please remember you can't compromise food for price.
Summary: Book a party and support these boys good effort.

I Cugini
338b Keilor Rd
Niddrie 3042
(03) 9379 2403

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