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Massi

15/5/2017

My workplace is just round the corner from Massi so I walk by during the day very often as I travel between our different CBD locations. I've always dismissed it as a businessmen luncheon kind of place and I think it's because of the lettering on the window, the coat rack in the doorway and the dark wood seating. But in spite of that I've also been intrigued so when a Monday night catch up with a girlfriend needed a venue I put Massi forward.

We made plans to meet for a drink at Bar Vue across the road and as I made my way there I noticed that it looked like Massi had set up one big long table down the centre of the dining room for a big booking and there didn't seem to be many tables left so I poked my head round the door to see if I could get a table for an hour or so later. We didn't think to book given it was a Monday night. The Restaurant Manager was super friendly and assured me all would be well...

When we arrived we were shown to a table in the corner that is cosy but also roomy and we can spread out our bags and stuff we tend to carry round with us.

As we browse the menu we put an order through for the mozzarella, charred peppers, ricotta snow and balsamic and that goes to the kitchen straight away as we deliberate on everything else.

The mozzarella arrives quickly and it's plump and delicious with the charred peppers and balsamic adding that acidic tang to offset the cold creaminess of the cheese.It's classic and it's good.

We follow up with the dusted and fried calamari, Sicilian life guard style, salmoriglio (unpictured) not knowing what Sicilian lifeguard means or salmoriglio but it's doesn't matter we don't know our Sicilians because it tastes good.

My friend goes for the special pasta of the day which is a bucatinie with a Wagyu ragu and radicchio. I order the ricotta gnocchi with braised beef osso buco and tomato ragu.

We both enjoy our dishes - hearty, comforting and familiar. Our summary of the dishes are that they are pleasing and heartwarming. We don't think they're quite at the Tipo 00 level but the small shortfall is made up by the comfy surroundings and relaxed atmosphere. I find Tipo 00 a bit frantic to relax in sometimes and it's hard to get a table.

We decide to share the tiramisu which comes in a little copper pot. It looks unassuming but it's pretty deep and there is plenty of mascarpone in there. It's deliciously decadent and perfect for two. So enjoyable.

Massi is about good, traditional Italian food It's generous and was a great destination for two girls to catch up in leisurely surroundings.

The large table next to us wasn't too raucous and their food looked delicious too!

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Seven Seeds

14/5/2017

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A quick Sunday brunch date with friends that live next door to Seven Seeds made it a great location for us. Of course they are regulars but it was my first time and we thought it would be busy as our get together coincided with Mother's Day. And yes there was a line but when my friend suggested we eat outside (it wasn't a particularly warm day but it was dry and we were adequately dressed) we were offered a table immediately so that's what we did.

Everyone (except for me) had the Eggs and Waffle Benedict - Smoked ham and Cheddar waffle, poached eggs, chipotle hollandaise. I went with the Avocado Smash - Yarra Valley feta, saffron, lemon, 3 paprikas and coffee salt, coriander, pepitas, poached egg, toasted multigrain and a side of bacon.

The Avocado Smash sounded complex and fancy but it was just good old smashed avo with a poached egg. It was tasty and a good version but did the 3 paprikas and coffee salt elevate it to another level? The jury is out on that one.

The Eggs and Waffle Benedict went down very well with everyone. I get the impression it was pretty rich or that might have been the additional black pudding that was ordered to go with it!

The coffee is good, our waiter was pleasantly friendly and even though we were seated outside he still checked in with us frequently enough.

Not a bad breakfast joint and if I lived next door I reckon I'd be a regular too!

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Camus

13/5/2017

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Steve and I had a Saturday night date at Camus recently. I know at least two people who have been recently and they raved about the food and they are people whose food opinions I respect. The French Algerian slant was something we'd read about and were intrigued by so we were excited about what lay ahead.

We walked into what appears to be a cosy and buzzy neighbourhood restaurant. The first waiter I catch the eye of doesn't offer to help nor does he greet us so I speak first and enquire about our reservation. He doesn't respond particularly warmly and says to me that I need to speak to someone else. Luckily that someone else promptly appears. I guess the roles and responsibilities are pretty clearly defined here and you don't do someone else's job but a warmer reception wouldn't have gone amiss.

Anyway, we're here for the food and not to make friends so let's continue...

Drinks orders are taken quickly and they arrive pretty promptly too. In fact, in spite of the rocky initial welcome, we find the service responsive and quick although it's not particularly informative. Our waitress and the other wait staff in our section and friendly but they just don't seem to have the slick experience that normally comes with restaurants in Melbourne. There's nothing particularly wrong; it just feels lacking in personality and that personal touch.

Anyway, like I said we're here for the food rather than making lasting friendships and I've already digressed..

Our starters are:

Marinated quail, radicchio, dry fruit salad, argan oil
Seared scallops, oxtail, preserved lemon

And the food doesn't disappoint. The plates are presented attractively and there are some wonderful fragrances rising from them of spice and fruit. The tang of the pomegranates in the quail and the bitterness of the radicchio work a treat against sweet flesh of the little bird. The scallops are also delicious - sweet seafood against the rich meat of the oxtail and then the sharp saltiness of preserved lemon to lift it up.

Main courses arrive pretty quickly. In fact the whole meal happens quickly. We didn't feel rushed but the kitchen must be operating like a machine churning out food.

Braised beef tagine
Duck bastilla, almonds, fruit chutney
Crushed potato, lemon, za'atar (unpictured)

The beef tagine was exactly how it should be. Heady with spice and tender fork soft meat; no surprises but it's good to stick with classic. The duck bastilla was delicious and so pretty to look at. Packed full of meat and enhanced by the sweetness of the fruit chutney, it didn't feel dry in spite of there being no sauce.

We decided to share dessert and went with the Turkish Delight souffle, pistachio baklava, halva ice cream. The pretty pink souffle was gorgeous to look at and had the perfect cloud like texture, fragranced with Turkish Delight.

The souffle on its own was quite sweet but when eaten with the nutty baklava and delicate ice cream it was a revelation. This dessert comes together like a heavenly symphony and should become one of Melbourne's cult dishes.

We really enjoyed our meal at Camus and even the finishing three courses in just over an hour and the dodgy welcome wasn't too off putting. The food is good enough to overcome these flaws.

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