MoVida

I first tried to book a table for two on a Sunday night and the lady on the phone laughed at me. Evenings at MoVida seem to book out well in advance, after lunch there today I can see why.

The food was amazing. We went for a combination of 3 tapas and 3 racions which was enough food for two. I recommend giving the anchovies and tomato sorbet a try. The special today was the venison, usually I don't eat meat but it was delicious.

I don't have any pictures of the food. The restaurant was a little to fancy to pull out my camera without feeling like an idiot. Check out the website for the menu.

MoVida
Open daily, Noon to late.
1 Hosier Lane, Melbourne, 3000

Save Lentil

Lentil as Anything has been a Melbourne institution for as long as I can recall. I remember the last time Kate and I went there and we realised we only had a few dollars between us. At any other restaurant we would have been in trouble but at Lentil as Anything we just slipped our coins in the 'donation' box and we were home free. We promised ourselves next time we would pay twice as much to make up the difference. I guess it is time we made good on our promise.

The Abbotsford Convent are looking to discontinue the lease of Lentil As Anything Community Restaurant in January next year.

This is terrible news. Lentil as Anything provide support and hospitality training for refugees, youth and other members of our community who are struggling to find an opportunity. Lentil are helping to address isolation experienced by new migrants and socially isolated people.

There is a petition here. Or you can drop into one of the Lentil as Anything restaurants and sign there.

Lentil as Anything__ Abbotsford Convent
1 St. Heliers Street,

Abbotsford, Victoria 3067

(03) 9419 6444196444

Lentil as Anything _ St Kilda
41 Blessington St
St Kilda VIC 3182
(03) 9534 5833

Lentil as Anything _ Footscray
233 Barkly Street,
Footscray VIC
Phone: 0424 081 652

The Moroccan Soup Bar

First thing, make a reservation. We arrived at 6.30pm on a weeknight and the place was packed. The staff seemed less then impressed that we had just turned up without bothering to make a booking. After being given a table on the condition we had finished our meals by 7.30, we were starting to wonder if we should have gone somewhere else but I am glad to say the food was AMAZING! The pictures below do not do it justice. 

The menu is a spoken menu, meaning the waitress describes the food to you. I found this a little confronting because I like to look at all the options. I admit we were a bit cowardly and selected the first thing she told us about. It was worth it. The two person banquet was enough food for a small country. Two Vegetarian courses and coffee and cake/slice. I can't talk it up enough. I have no idea what we were eating but it was so full of flavor. I could eat there every night.

• 183 St Georges Rd
  Fitzroy North 3068 VIC
• Phone: (03) 9482 4240
• Open Tuesday - Sunday for dinner
• cash only

Did you know Bimbo's was actually called Bimbo Deluxe? I have been there so many times, twice this week in fact, and I never realised until I tried to google it. *sigh* You think you know a place.

For me, Bimbo's is the ultimate $20 date night...

x2 pizzas + x2 pots = approx $16 (between 7pm-9pm any night except Friday)

It is GREAT pizza. My favourite is Calabrese or El Greco. Both are taste sensations. We have been there three times to try and take pictures of the pizza but we always get too excited and the photos and up like this ...

There is a nice little outside area which fills up quickly on hot nights. Most of the seating is couches, which can be problematic when trying to eat. Ok, one tip: the place packs out just before 7pm so in the interest of getting a seat and scoring $4 pizzas try turning up at 6.30 and having a pot first. It is win-win.

I don't know what else I can say? The lighting is low, drinks aren't too expensive, the pizza is delicious and its always busy. What more do you need to know?

Bimbo Deluxe
376 brunswick St
(look out for the big naked baby instead of a sign)
PH: 9419 8600

WEB: bimbodeluxe.com.au

$20 date night: Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant

This is going to be the first in what will be a series of posts featuring places you COULD take a date for under $20. I can't vouch for how your date will react if they know you only spent $20 but I can promise to only post about places I'd be willing to take a date myself.

So tonight's $20 date was at the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant on Tattersalls Lane in China Town. Most Melbourne locals will have been to the backstreet gem before but if you haven't don't be put off by the communal tables or the plastic table clothes, or the angry man who shouts at you when you get to the front of the que (wait time on busy nights usually 5-15 mins).

While this place may lacks in decor and friendly service it more then compensates with value for money, and I will make a bold claim but I feel it is warranted; best dumplings in Melbourne. Try them, I dare you to disagree. The dumplings come steamed or fried and I strongly recommend the vegetarian dumplings steamed.

The first time I went here we ordered:

x20 mushroom and vegetable steamed dumplings
x4 vegetarian buns
large plate of Asian green with oyster sauce
pumpkin cakes
x2 drinks

$19(something, lets say 42 cents)

I have taken two dates to this restaurant and both guys left full, although on those occasions I substituted vegetarian buns for beef fried dumplings. A little tip if you aren't to sure about your date: once you order the food arrives in minutes. The length of the date depends on how quickly you can eat.

Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant
23-25 Tattersalls Lane
China Town Melbourne 3000
9663 8555
Tues-Sat 11am - 10pm
Sun - Mon 10am - 9.30pm
BYO