So Hammer and Tong is no more and in its place is Nomada offering breakfast tapas. The layout is the same but it seems brighter and calmer. We secured two seats at the bar and service took a while but we got there in the end.

Offering a wide range of beverages and 'breakfast tapas', the menu can be a little daunting in terms of thinking what goes with what and how many dishes should we order. There are different sized plates costing $5, $9, $15 and $19. There are also some sweet dishes thrown in amongst the menu items too.

Don't worry about it or think too hard; just order what you fancy. We ended up ordering in two rounds and the couple next to us in three. The food comes out pretty quickly so just start with a few dishes and then add a few, throw in a drink or two and you'll come away pretty happy!
 
Our first order was for about 6 or so items. Actually we ordered two toasties, the one we got being the boquerones and the one that didn't materialise which was the jamon but we had enough to go on so didn't mind too much. The food was delicious so we ordered a second round of three dishes.

• Coal blistered tomatoes, sherry, herbs and manchego
• Chorizo with chilli powder
• Seasonal mushrooms and pickled celery
• Nomada bacon with potato sauce and mushroom powder
• Quail eggs with cumin salt
• Blue Eye croquetas with fennel emulsion
• Boquerones and Mahon toastie
• Jamon Serrano, cured yolk, fresh curd and pear
• Flinders saltgrass lamb on the coals, tomato, yoghurt, eggplant, garlic puree and chilli

We loved the bacon which were two thick cut bacon steaks and were quite mellow compared to the spicy chorizo so both pork but different. Yum! The quail eggs were creamy and rich. Loved the anchovies and Mahon cheese in a toastie; cheesy and umami and crispy and golden. Croquetas were plump and golden brown with a creamy tasty filling. Not one dish was a bad dish. There was oodles of respect for the ingredients and they came together like a symphony in spite of us just ordering haphazardly. Out of confusion came delight!

I also enjoyed the strawberry lemonade and the tea we had was also well made. 

Whilst we initially found the service a little offhand, it improved and we were rewarded with friendly smiles by the end.

We have found a new neighbourhood favourite. Nomada, yesmada!

A new addition on Brunswick St; I popped in for a late lunch on Friday afternoon. Given there was only one of me I decided to forego dumplings and have a hearty plate of Ma Po Tofu on rice and a serve of spring rolls.

I was pleasantly surprised by the spring rolls which seemed home made and reminiscent of what my Dad makes. Crispy golden with shredded meat and Chinese mushrooms they were pretty darn good. The plate of rice and Ma Po Tofu was generous and hearty; packed with flavour and a good chilli kick.The tofu was silky and soft and melted into the rice. I couldn't actually finish all the tofu.

The pot of tea was probably the down point as it was pricey and the little cups to pour into are more for aesthetics than practicality. I ended up pouring the tea into my water glass.

My first experience here was definitely on the more positive end of the scale so I think I'll have to go back for the dumplings.

There were four of us here today enjoying a Saturday lunch in this cosy and bright local Italian. It was certainly warm indoors so a good place to escape the chill of the second day of the Melbourne Winter.

Decor is pleasant with neutral tones, some funky grey tiles at the bar that add to the modern contemporary feel. The tables are close enough for that trattoria / osteria feel but not so much that it's uncomfortable.

Steve and I arrived first and were shown to a table. Water was poured and menus given out but after a while we had to flag a waiter to place a drinks order. And the same happened when our friends arrived. In fact throughout the meal, although the wait staff were friendly we did have to seek out help. More on the service later...

In terms of entrees, between the four of us we ordered:

• Melanzane a’ Parmigiana | Baked eggplant parmigiana
• ‘O Cuoppo ‘e Terra | (Neapolitan fried street food) | Pea arancini, potato croquettes, polenta chips, beer battered zucchini and salty dough balls
• ‘A Tunnat ‘e Mar | Peppered yellow fin tuna, crispy shallots, caper vinaigrette & micro herbs
• Mussels and Clams in White Wine and Tomato

Steve had the tuna and thoroughly enjoyed the fresh flavours. I loved the cheesiness and tomato in the eggplant which was baked so that it was soft and creamy. The mussels and clams went down well and we asked for more bread to dunk in the beautiful cooking liquor. The fried street food was probably the weakest link; heavy and lacking in flavour with all the items being a bit samey and a bit dry. Some dipping sauce like some sugo would help this dish and bring some much needed freshness.

I forgot to take pictures of main courses. I think it was because it took a wee while to come so I was hungry and ready to dig in when they arrived! 

Between us we ordered:

• ‘E Mafaldine ‘a Cacciator | Our version of long curly pasta, slow cooked duck ragú, porcini mushrooms & shaved pecorino cheese
• Spaghetti al Sugo Napoletano | Spaghetti, slow cooked (4 hours) ragú of pork and beef in Napoli sauce
• ‘O Merluzzo all’ Acqua Pazz | Poached rockling in a lightly herbed broth & cherry tomatoes

Both Steve and Rachel had the spaghetti which didn't look too large a serve but apparently looks were deceiving. I had the duck ragu and found it a hearty bowlful. It's interesting that the menu at 38 Chairs does specify that the pasta they offer is not al dente but more of a soft texture and that was certainly true. I enjoyed the flavours of the duck ragu; found it light on the porcini and it was more duck and tomato but nevertheless enjoyable. I think I prefer my pasta al dente though.

TIm had the rockling and that was quite a dainty serve with only two small pieces of fish for a reasonably hefty price.

The food is good so we did order dessert. I had the tiramisu and it was delicious. Strong in chocolate and cocoa flavours with a crunchy topping it wasn't overly rich and was just the right way to finish the meal.

It was generally a good feed with some great dishes - eggplant, tuna and tiramisu being the highlights. The forgettable elements include the street food entree and the patchy service. The soft pasta I'm ok with because the flavours work and they obviously intend it to be that way. I may not take up a chair there as a regular but given it's kind of in our 'hood, I'm open to popping in again.

Friday was no ordinary day at the office. My workplace allows each employee two paid days to volunteer and my team chose to do this together in St. Kilda so I found myself out of the office and Southside. What a big adventure!

We broke for lunch at 12 and given it wasn't my 'hood, we relied on team members whose 'hood it is for a lunch plan and one was made very quickly and efficiently. A phone call was made whilst we were en route and we were told they would have a table for the 10 of us. As we arrived they were just unlocking the doors!

The dining area is nice and roomy with a modern and contemporary look and feel. I can imagine that when busy it will feel buzzy and fun; great for groups and families.

Everyone ordered a dish for themselves and between us there were pizzas, gnocchi, lasagne and salads so the group managed to try most offerings. Although there was only our table and one other table of 4, the food did take a while to arrive. Perhaps if we had mentioned we were on the clock and had to leave in an hour, that might have made a difference. Anyway we just managed the time constraints and had about 15 minutes to eat by the time we were served.

At lunchtime, there are smaller pizzas available for $13 which was great and they were a perfect size for lunch. I really enjoyed the No.15 which was tomato pancetta, ham, onion, free range egg and mozzarella. My yolk was smashed though which I was a little disappointed with. My request for chilli was rewarded with a small dish of chillies in oil and a couple of tangy pickled pieces too which were delicious. The accompanying salad I ordered was fresh and crunchy which was a really good contrast to the heavier, cheesier, carbier pizza.

All the dishes that came to the table looked appetising and generous. Everyone seemed to enjoy their food and there were clean plates all round. Mr. Wolf certainly hit the spot for us!

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.

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!

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.

Friday night, chef's menu, birthday dinner at Ramblr. That's easy enough to describe. What is harder is defining the cuisine at this South side joint. It's truly modern but with influences of Asia, Italy, England. Ramblr by name and a ramble through this World we live in and eat from.

Starting off with the ubiquitous snack like share feast and we were presented with:

• Baked artichokes
• Sour cream and roe dip
• Capocollo
• Crispy pig's head fritters
• Short rib 'tacos'
• Salt and pepper bug sandwich, iceberg, tartare sauce (unpictured)

This finger feast was a contrast of flavours and textures. Loved the crispy fritters and earthy baked artichokes. The capocollo added some saltiness and the taco was actually wrapped in a pickled root veg maybe like daikon or something similar. More taco in appearance but not so much in Mexican flavour.

The sour cream and roe dip didn't have the punchy flavours the rest of the snacks had but as a sour cream dip with the artichoke it was like a seasonal Autumnal homage to the old classic potato skins and sour cream.

Loved the squishy, brioche bun of the bug sandwich and the crunchy fried bug. Think Supernormal lobster roll but with crunch. Yum.

After snacks we headed to:
​

• Calamari noodles, smoked bone marrow, kim chi
• Trout and swordfish crudo, silken tofu, pickled plum, citrus dressing

Two little dishes that go so well with one another with the Asian notes running through and the tang from fermentation and pickling. Those curly, spring calamari noodles are fun and bouncy in the mouth with the tasty meatiness of smoked bone marrow that comes through as a dressing rather than in its more gelatinous form which I find off putting so this provides me with the flavour delight but with none of the gloopiness. The spike of chilli and punch of funky fermentation is really delicious.

The crudo is looks like a little circular mosaic with diced cubes of fish and more cubes of silken tofu. The flavours are fresh and zingy. Shame the mood lighting isn't so complimentary for photographs.

We also share a big dish of charcoal roasted vegetables dressed in lemon and they are zippy and crunchy and fresh.

Ramblr is modern Australian in the truest sense of the term. It's fun, exciting and tasty. I look forward to the next ramble in the eatery.

Higher Ground - a place of worship? Well I did drop in two days in a row for breakfast so almost a regular church goer! Undeniably a beautiful fit out, sympathetically done and with a calm zen about it; almost holy perhaps? It's great for solo diners who can share communal benches or tables but also good to for those that like to dine with a friend or two.

My first breakfast was the much lauded kale and cauliflower salad, miso, almond hummus, avocado, poached egg, puffed rice and I added the cured kingfish. I wasn't completely sold on fish for breakfast but I guess the Japanese do it so why not me...There's a lot of green on the plate with a splash of violet form the purple cauliflower. The textures of the veggies are crisp and the flavours clean, intense and fresh with the almond hummus adding creaminess and nuttiness. It's a good dish; simple but packed full of flavour and light on the tummy. It puts a spring in the step. And my cuppa tea was a good one too.

So after a successful breakfast, I found myself in the same place the next day and gave the Eggs Benedict a whirl. No photo I'm afraid. It was delicious. Served more like a toastie on sourdough rather than an English muffin and the vinegar powder adding a delicious piquant tang. This was clever and inspired and delicious.

I was impressed by the saintly offerings of Higher Ground although when I first read the menu I wasn't too taken as it's not the traditional fare that is on offer. Minced lamb fry up isn't the first thing on my list for breakfast but now that I've been there twice I'd happily give it a go a third.

I was taken here by a couple of Greek friends and we sat on the outside terrace suspended high above the beautiful Melbourne city centre. There night was dark and the sparkling city lights made it a magical place to dine. The night breeze was kept out by the layers of plastic and sliding screens. It felt like we were in a traditional taverna on the inside but the view reminded us we were definitely in the city.

Service was friendly and we secured a table without a booking. The live music was a lovely touch and we ordered a variety of dishes to dig in and share. Feast and friendship are great things and Melina supported this premise with her whole heart.

Saganaki, pitta bread, dips, chips, lamb, octopus, salad were warmly received and they were delicious. Traditional, simple and hearty. Special mention goes to the tender lamb and the lemon flavoured octopus.

We loved the unpretentious nature of this rooftop gem and I'd sure be up for their hospitality again.