Melbourne has gone hotpot crazy and we have found the hottest of the hotpot! Located in the previous Dracula building stands Panda Hot Pot. You will not miss this venue. Two stories high, a massive dragon facing the entrance with a centre stage, you can expect great things from here. It gets real busy so make sure you make a booking to nab a spot.
Uni Boom Boom, Glen Waverly
Sea urchin or a.k.a uni is delicacy most known for in Japan. I’ve mostly had it in nigiri or sushi and I jumped at the moment when I found out there was a uni specialty restaurant in town. Located in Glen Waverly off the main road sits a warehouse. You won’t miss it since it has a blown up cartoon sea urchin out front. There won’t be any parking at the venue but there’s ample street parking. Uni Boom Boom has been opened for 5 years selling uni and birds nest direct to the public and they have just opened up their eatery for one year and it provides an opportunity to taste some premium uni.
Burwood Teppanyaki House, Burwood
On the long stretch of Burwood Highway sits a Teppanyaki restaurant that doesn’t catch your attention unless you’re actively looking for it. There’s plenty of parking in front and behind the restaurant, so that’s one less thing you have to worry about. Walking in you’re greeted with friendly staff, laughter and loud noise. If you walked in wanting a quiet night, you’re in for a big surprise.
Kobe Teppanyaki Japanese Restaurant, Doncaster East
Japanese cuisine is one of Mr D’s and my favourite food and when there’s a place close to home, we couldn’t say no. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to try the teppanyaki side this time but the a la carte side was quite cosy. The staff were efficient, quick yet very friendly.
Shinbashi Yakiniku, Carlton
The stooges plus
Benny Burger, Melbourne
When I heard that Shannon Bennett opened up an ethical burger place, Benny Burger, I made sure I had to stop by for a visit. We dropped by the Collins Street eatery and it was small but the staff were super duper friendly. They took time in explaining the menu, what we would like and where everything came from. First impressions – loving it! We went to order at the counter and waited for our number to be called.
Ribs & Burgers, Hawthorn
Ribs and Burgers is known for well, ribs and burgers (duh!) and there’s a new wagyu burger range that has just been released on the menu. Wagyu beef is highly marbled and literally melts in your mouth so how could we not be excited after hearing the new burger range. We visited the Hawthorn venue and there’s quite a bit of street parking on the main road but it’s first in first serve and does fill up quite quickly.
Station Hotel, Footscray
I was in charge of work lunchies and we all (well me actually) decided to go to Station Hotel for some good ol’ steaks since it was the local joint. We made a booking (make sure you do too because it get super duper busy) and asked for the mains to be done by the time we got there because we were a bit strapped on time. We walked in and oh dear lord it was a full house. The food came out immediately and they got all the orders except for 1 correct which is quite impressive nonetheless.
Chin Chin, Melbourne
Mr Italian Stallion suggested a catch up at Chin Chin and who am I to refuse him a delish meal. We turned up ASAP since we knew you’d have to wait a gazillion years before getting a table since Chin Chin only does walk in. Luckily, we got a table within 10 minutes (SCORE!).
QLD: Bishamon Japanese Restaurant, Spring Hill
Work trip again woooo! Upside, I get to try out new places. Downside, I have to eat alone. So once again I made my way around the area and found a cute little Japanese restaurant two minutes away from my hotel in Spring Hill. I was hungry, I was tired and there was room for me.
Stepped in and was welcomed by the hostess and was seated next to the window. I ordered the Kozaemon Kimoto Sake while I looked over the menu and it was refreshing, fruity and dry. I decided to get all entree seeing as my belly can’t handle a lot of food.