Bang Bang

Disclosure: I was invited to dine as a guest as part of an event

We could smell it as we walked down the street. There are lots of places that are doing contemporary South East Asian, French Indochine cuisine, but Bang Bang smelt like it - in all the best ways possible. Lemongrass hung in the air, and the irresistible smell of barbecue was impossible to miss. 

Bang Bang has been a long time coming, but it’s been worth the wait. On a balmy evening like the one we had, and are still having (late Melbourne summer’s for you), the indoor-outdoor deck is bright and so inviting, especially with a cocktail or three in hand. The Vermouth Spritz is the perfect way to begin your night, with Dolin Dry Vermouth orange and holy basil, topped with soda. It’ll be one before you know it. 

But the food! When Daisy and I arrived, we were a bit late, having been stuck in traffic, but really, we were just in time, as food hit the table minutes within us being seated. It was all totally planned. Obviously.

Chargrilled King prawns with roasted shallots and lime, are juicy, sweet and a great way to get the meal kicking. The betel leaf with confit duck, and the betel leaves with pomelo are both delightfully herbaceous - although we’re divided over the table which we like better. I’m a sucker for pomelo personally, and I love how vibrant the pomelo combination is. 

Kingfish sashimi with caramelised cashew and trout roe is refreshing, but also textural, with a unexpected amount of zest - all the favourite flavours from South East Asia. Chilli, lemongrass, citrus - perfect.

It’s hard to dislike crispy chicken wings, especially when they’re crispy as advertised. The chicken itself is juicy and moist inside the batter, only issue? You’ll definitely need to order two serves. Why share?

Chargrilled pork neck was also tender with a hint of sweetness, reminiscent of char siu for me, complete with the slightly charred edges. The crunch of the iceberg lettuce a refreshing contrast in texture, and a hit of chilli to bring everything to life. 

The roasted pumpkin curry with kipfler potato with cinnamon and anise was a hit around the table, other than the fact that there was no where near enough gravy to drown the rice in - cause it was so darned good! Creamy, slightly sweet but nicely offset with a balance of spices, would come back and order this with a bowl of rice just for myself!

For those who are looking for something a bit more filling, the chargrilled Cape Grim short rib is definitely a solid choice. Literally! The meat from his just falls off the bone, so tender and very moreish. 

To wrap up? Black sticky rice with pandan sweet cream, mango and coconut sorbet - a twist on a classic Thai dessert. Very easy to gobble up, but lacking some of the punch that the savoury dishes had in flavour. 

We were also served some watermelon with chilli salt, which is quite a classic combo in South East Asia and very refreshing on the palate. Having said that, I’m not sure if it’s something I would order while out at a restaurant personally, but it is a great option if you might have miscalculated in your ordering, don’t have much space for dessert, but still want something sweet to end the night on. 

All in all, good vibes, good cocktails, bright and punchy food (in general). It’s refreshing to have a modern Asian space that’s approachable, friendly and fresh, and would definitely be around for after-work drinks if I lived closer to Elsternwick! 

Bang Bang

294 Glenhuntly Road

Elsternwick 

 

West of Kin

Disclosure: I was invited to dine as a guest of the restaurant

As a Melbourne foodie, I’m definitely the adventurous sort - happy to try just about anything…but I’m definitely on the lazy side. 

Which is why I haven’t explored the west side of Melbourne, probably as much as I should, especially at the moment, with lots of interesting new restaurants and cafes popping up all over the place. 

West of Kin is an unexpected little oasis in a rather industrial area in the West of Melbourne in Braybrook. Although fresh this particular evening, the lovely courtyard outside the restaurant, and floor to impossibly high ceiling windows at the front of the restaurant would be absolutely charming in warmer weather. 

The ex-ETA Foods Factory that they reside in is heritage listed, so the crew had to get creative with the interior, but have succeeded in a fit out that’s contemporary, blending the old with new, but also warm and cosy. I just loved the lighting - so moody!

The food at West of Kin is Asian fusion, and man, they pack a punch in the flavours! From the first dish of abalone congee with house made XO sauce, crunchy wild rice, spring onions and fried shallots I was completely taken by the big flavours that were also so familiar and so comforting. The congee was the perfect thick consistency, the XO sauce so rich and the black rice providing such an unexpected but delightful crunch - and all those fried shallots? So much flavour, so much texture, so delicious. Although the first dish, it was probably one of my favourites for the evening (although they also serve tis dish for breakfast/lunch). 

Cho-gochu-jang ceviche king fish with avruga caviar, almond cream, quail egg yolk, sea cucumber, ice plant and kelp infused oil is beautifully silky, and again, I love the textures through the dish, from the crispness of the ice plant to the creamy egg yolk. The gochujang was punching with flavour too.

The summer kimchi with nachi pear and pistachio, is everything we love about kimchi, but dialled back a bit and made just a tiny bit sweeter and al little more refreshing. I really enjoyed the nutty addition of the pistachios. 

I did not do this dish any justice with my photos! The imitation squid ink cannelloni with prawn and squid filling, wasabi pea puree, smoked yoghurt, viola, sesame and yuzu granita is definitely on the very ‘fusion’ end of Asian fusion! Despite it’s look, the cannelloni is smooth and tender, easily cut through and lovely and creamy. 

Our next item on the menu was simply called ‘Traditional West of Kin salad (we dare you)!’. Interesting. The salad arrived at our table, loaded with coriander, Vietnamese mint and looking lush and green. Being the initiator I am, I started mixing up the salad to serve out and couldn’t help but grin with delight at what I saw come up. 

No wonder they didn’t want to spell out all the ingredients, as I’m sure some would baulk away from it. Amongst all the herbs, hid some tripe and spleen (sorry to give away the secret guys). In all honesty, this and the abalone congee were my favourite dishes of the night. I absolutely loved how refreshing the salad was and the huge kick of chilli with the cooling mint and coriander and peanuts with it. The tripe and spleen itself were just delicious - but hey if you don’t like it, I’ll take your share. No problem!

Another stellar dish was the deep fried flounder with pips in black bean sauce, crunchy wild rice and can nouc. Again vibrant with flavours, possibly one of the most aromatic black bean sauces I’ve had in a while and perfect with the sweet and utterly delicious flounder. 

By the time the Korean bossam with braised pork belly, summer kimchi, seasonal salad and herbs, ssamjang and house made XO sauce came out - I was about ready to burst! I got a bit lazy and didn’t quite DIY a whole bun together, but I did sample a bit of the pork and although a little anaemic looking, gorgeously tender and melted in your mouth. 

We finish on a sweet note naturally, with Valhorna chocolate mousse with fresh and freeze dried raspberries. Classic, not overly sweet and lovely and cocoa-y. 

The Taiwanese pineapple cake with coconut ice-cream was also punchy with flavour - I found the cake a tad dry for my tastes, although I liked the flavour but the coconut ice-cream was just divine. 

The calibre of food at West of Kin was outstanding, and I think it’s amazing that the owners have taken the punt of getting out of town and bringing something new to the area. It’s definitely some of the most vibrantly flavoured, interesting and yet comforting and familiar flavours I’ve had recently. I only wish it was closer…or I could just be a little less lazy! Been thinking about revisiting for brunch, where congee and soup noodle breakfast dishes are calling in the frosty, frosty weather…

West of Kin

17 Lacy Street

Braybrook 3019

 

Supernormal Canteen

Looking at the definitions for the words 'super' (very good or pleasant), and 'normal' (conforming to a standard), you'd think it's a bit weird for a chef to name his restaurant 'Supernormal'. 

Although, maybe he's making a statement, and saying that there is a certain level of quality that we should be expecting when we go out, that our level of 'normal' should really be 'super'. 

Or maybe I'm just reading into it too much. 

Andrew McConnell's newest addition to the Melbourne scene comes in the form of a pop-up, slotting itself neatly next door to it's much much bigger brother, Cutler & Co. The concept of a pop-up seems to get mixed reviews today, but I like the buzz they bring to the Melbourne dining scene (that's already bustling as it is), allowing chefs to try stuff out and have a little play. After all, creativity has to stem from somewhere!

Supernormal Canteen is cheeky and fun, bustling on a weekday at 7:00pm, with it's startled cartoon lanterns filling the ceiling and arrows pointing everywhere, adding some fun details to an otherwise minimalist space. 

While I waited for a spot to clear on one of the two communal tables, I perched on a couple of milk crates in the corner, next to some vending machines with brightly coloured Hello Kitty and Thomas the Tank Engine pocky...as you do. Here I was fed plum wine, dancing delicately over my tongue, and boiled peanuts which were a refreshing change to the usually over salted ones you get at most Chinese restaurants, and also very, very addictive. Before I knew it, one little tray was gone, and between Ricky and I, when he arrived shortly after me, we nearly cleaned up another two. Oh my!

Supernormal keeps the menu short and sweet, condensing the food and drinks all into one strip. The menu was saturated in Asian flavours, but all grown up. 

Our night started on an enourmous high with the kingfish sashimi, seaweed and radish. Textures galore, with generously thick slices of kingfish, perfect for sinking your teeth into, with a feathery crispness sneaking in from the seaweed and burst of freshness from the radish. I could eat this every day. I know. Big call.

The famous lobster roll was pretty much a no brainer, although I have to admit I wasn't as blown away as I would have liked to be. The bun was sweet, the lobster cool, but I felt the flavour was more muted that I expected it to be. Sure, I always love a bit of a mayo hit, but I want the sweetness of the lobster to come through as well. 

The soft shell mud crab and fried egg mayo was served as a deconstructed san choi bao, pop a dollop of the sauce in the heart of a lettuce leaf and wrap it around a piece of crab. Sumptuous, with all levels of crispy from the lettuce to the crab...my only complaint was that the serve was positively tiny!

The pig's head bao with kimchi cucumber, is not actually a whole head, but instead a croquette rolled out of the best bits and crumbed ever so lightly. In fluffy, cloud-like, steamed buns, there was nothing to dislike here. With a pinch in the mouth of chilli, it kept one quite excited. Definitely a highlight.

Surprisingly, one of my favourite things of the night? Peas in XO sauce. I wish I was kidding, but I'm not. A combination of loose peas (the scandalous things) and sugar snap peas in a very light coating, really just a delicate sheen, of XO was just amazing. Served room temperature, the crisp texture and overall freshness of the product really shone through. Don't be deceived by the simplicity, and don't miss out if you visit!

With only 4 items on the dessert menu, it only made sense to eat half the menu. Right?

A cocononut panna cotta with fresh lychees simply sings of a balmy breeze at the beach, almost looking like a bouquet with a sprinkle of raspberries...or something.

But really, the star attraction for me in the sweets department had to be the soft serve white miso with pink lady ice-cream.  

Ooh lala, she was so fruity with a surprisingly comlimentary richness from the miso, giving a delightfully strong kick of umami to the senses. Don't miss this before the summer is over. 

Andrew McConnell always knows what he's doing, and this addition, even if it is a temporary one, to his empire is definitely worth a visit. It'll be interesting to see how the vibe changes, or what makes the final cut to the menu at the more permanent residence in the CBD when it opens up.

However, I suggest you don't wait until then, and actually get in for some of the best peas of your life and umami heavy desserts. Aww yeah. Maybe that could be Supernormal's super power? Super umami? Mmmhmm.

Supernormal Canteen has extended it's closing date from the end of 2013 to March 1st 2014.

Supernormal Canteen

53 Gertrude Street

Fitzroy

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Singapore - Claypot Rice

I totally under-appreciated hawker centres when I was younger. Man I was missing out on so much.

I'm 'technically' a Chinese-Malaysian, and so, whilst growing up, since I lived in Hong Kong and then Melbourne (I know, I'm a confusing one), I spent a lot of time travelling to Malaysia and Singapore to see relatives. And it would be on these visits that we would be dragged to the good ol' local hawker centre.

No air-con. Noisy. I was brought up as an expat kid in Hong Kong. I was a little bit spoilt. Just a weeee bit.

These days though, I'm glad I've grown to appreciate and love being at hawker centres. The heat, the noise, it all adds to the atmosphere and authenticity. Although, it can be daunting to go to one on your own, and without any prior knowledge of who serves the best what and when their stores are open…all that great local knowledge.

Which is why it's wonderful to have friends who know the place and why I was so keen to catch up with Bryan in Singapore when I found out our trips would just overlap!

He gave me a couple of options of things to eat…some interesting ones including fish head steamboat….but I could not turn my eyes away from claypot rice. Although it is something my mum does make fairly frequently at home, I had just had a boozy weekend in Bali and completely and utterly needed the comfort of something warm and comforting nourishing my belly.

And shit man. Rice. Rice is so good.

So on Monday night, Bryan and his parents, patiently waited for me as I got lost in the MTR system, and picked me up from Braddell station and whisked me off to eat.

Bryan's parents are some of the loveliest people I've met, and it's easy to see where Bryan gets his kind personality as well.

Once we had found a table, his parents were quick on the food. I swear, I had just seated myself when bam! Chicken wings! Succulent, juicy-looking, shiny, shiny, shiny, chicken wings. Bryan's parents were quite particular with which store they bought these from, and I tell you what, I'm not going to question them, as they were quite excellent!

When the satays came out, I smiled at the scrawled price on the edge of the bowl. It brought me back to the days I spent in Germany in the pubs. The men who served you beer and bratwurst, would bring out your goodies and then scrawl on your beer coaster how much you owed them. Keep it simple right?

And onto the main event we went. Not one, but two rice claypots! Apparently if you order the bigger sized claypot you got less rice. So to compensate, and get a better rice ratio, Bryan's parents got two smaller ones. Which was still loads of rice. Heaped with choy sum, chicken, lap cheong (chinese sausage, my favourite), sitting there looking pretty and steaming away, I could feel my mouth salivating.

But I would have to wait, as Bryan's mother prepared the rice in her own way.

After picking off all the toppings and putting them aside momentarily, the rice was gently fluffed with a chopstick, before being drizzled with oil….

…and black sauce. Not that I know exactly what it is, but it's black. And delicious.

Then it's all very well mixed so that the sauce coats the rice…

…before the toppings are all put back in together.

I know I sighed happily as I had my first bite. The rice was perfect, not too soft and mushy, and with the sauce, it was just…I hate to keep using the word, but comforting. It was a carb overload and I was diggin' it. Totally.

We also had some soups on the side, a lotus root soup and a wintermelon soup. Both of which were a nice compliment and took the edge of the oil and meat in the rice.

I'm not sure how, but we did polish off all the meat starters and our two bowls of claypot rice. It always surprises me how in hot countries, we always tend to eat hot or spicy foods, but it's always just right somehow. And especially at hawker centres, the flavours are earnest and not too complicated.

I'm definitely glad I got time to meet up with Bryan and his parents and dig into something un-fancy but great. The joys of the internet connecting us all eh?

Blk 75 Toa Payoh Lorong 5

Lorong 5 Toa Payoh Food Centre

#01-330M, Singapore 310075